Patent ID: 7963577

Claim:
An integrated lock and tilt-latch mechanism for a sliding window, the window including a frame with a sliding sash therein, the sash tiltably positionable relative to the frame, the mechanism comprising: a tilt latch adapted for mounting on the sash, the tilt latch having a tilt-latch housing and a plunger; a flexible linking member operably coupled with the plunger of the tilt latch; and an actuator mechanism adapted for mounting on the sash, the actuator mechanism having a tilt-latch actuator member and a biasing member that are operably coupled to a control lever, wherein the control lever comprises a shaft operably connected to a cam and a gear, and wherein the tilt-latch actuator member has a gear sector selectively engageable with the gear to enable rotation of the tilt-latch actuator member, the flexible linking member operably engaged with the tilt latch actuator member; wherein: the tilt-latch actuator member has an axis of rotation offset from an axis of rotation of the control lever; the control lever is selectively positionable between a locked position in which the sliding sash is substantially immovable relative to the frame, an unlocked position in which the sliding sash is liftable relative to the frame, and a tilt position in which the sliding sash is tiltable relative to the frame, the unlocked position being intermediate the locked position and the tilt position; and the biasing member is adapted to urge the control lever to the unlocked position through a first rotational range of travel of the control lever extending from the tilt position toward the unlocked position, and to urge the control lever to the unlocked position through a second rotational range of travel extending from a point intermediate the locked position and the unlocked position toward the unlocked position.