Patent ID: 8870250

Claim:
A sliding door latch for use with a sliding door including a first sash having a front surface, the sliding door configured to be opened and closed by opening and closing the first sash relative to a door jamb, the sliding door latch comprising: a handle having a center gripping portion intermediate a pair of pivotally secured portions defining a handle pivot axis, the handle pivot axis being substantially parallel to and spaced a distance from the front surface of the first sash; a housing operatively connected to the handle; a coupling mechanism secured to the handle; a mortise mechanism operatively coupled to the coupling mechanism, the mortise mechanism including at least one member configured to engage a portion of the door jamb to releasably lock the first sash to the door jamb; the coupling mechanism operatively coupling the handle to the mortise mechanism, the coupling mechanism including a beveled gear section extending from a portion of the handle intermediate the pair of pivotally secured portions, the beveled gear section connected to a beveled pinion gear; and the handle being pivotable at the pivotally secured portions about the handle pivot axis away from and toward the door jamb, the beveled gear section being rotated with the pivoting of the handle and directly moving the beveled pinion gear, the movement of the beveled pinion gear operatively disengaging the mortise mechanism from the door jamb thereby unlocking the sliding door.