Patent ID: 8083271

Claim:
A window sash and latch arrangement comprising: a window having at least one movable sash having a first horizontal rail spaced from a second horizontal rail; a glazing extending between the first horizontal rail and the second horizontal rail; the first horizontal rail including a horizontal top wall having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, a first vertical wall extending downward from the lower surface of the horizontal top wall, and a second vertical wall extending downward from the lower surface of the horizontal top wall and spaced from the first vertical wall, the second vertical wall having a rear face opposite a front face, the rear face facing the first vertical wall; a pull rail extending from the first horizontal rail beyond the front face of the second vertical wall in a direction away from the first vertical wall, the pull rail comprising a first portion extending horizontally outward in the same plane as the horizontal top wall of the first horizontal rail and a second portion extending generally downwardly and outwardly from the first portion; and wherein the pull rail extends substantially across the entire width of the glazing in the movable sash; a latch including a handle located below the pull rail and configured to release a locking mechanism from one of a second sash or a frame in response to a force applied by a user, the latch including a portion that extends from the second vertical wall in a direction away from the first vertical wall and is adjacent a lower surface of the first portion of the pull rail and a lower surface of the second portion of the pull rail, any upward force applied by the user to the latch though the handle is resisted by the first portion of the pull rail, any outward force applied by the user to the latch through the handle is resisted by the second portion of the pull rail and any inward force applied by the user to the latch through the handle is resisted by an outward face of the second vertical wall of the movable sash.