Patent ID: 8448996

Claim:
A locking mechanism for a casement window assembly for selectively locking a casement window sash within a casement window frame, the locking mechanism comprising: a housing adapted to be mounted on a window frame or window sash of the window assembly, the housing having an elongated opening having first and second opposed ends; an actuator operably connected to the housing and pivotable about a fulcrum, the actuator comprising an actuator body having a first pin and a second pin located thereon and having a handle portion thereon for manipulation by a user; and a linkage member having a first channel and a second channel, the linkage member connected to the actuator such that the first pin is received in the first channel and the second pin is received in the second channel, wherein the first channel is substantially U-shaped, and the second channel is positioned substantially inside the first channel, wherein pivoting the actuator by a user about the fulcrum causes the first pin to move within the first channel and causes the second pin to move within the second channel, thereby causing the linkage member to move along the opening from a first position proximate the first end of the opening to a second position proximate the second end of the opening thereby moving a lock bar between a locked position adapted to secure the window assembly in a closed position and an unlocked position wherein the window assembly can be freely opened and closed.