Patent ID: 8177265

Claim:
A window latch for use with a window sash sliding mounted with a window frame, the latch including: a body having an operating member mounted thereon for operating the latch; a strike, at least one bolt moveable between a retracted position and a projecting position relative to the body whereby in the projecting position the bolt is engageable in the strike; a connecting mechanism coupled to the bolt and operable by the operating member; a magnetic actuating element including a magnet carried in a magnet carrier that is moveable independently of but coupled to the bolt; a biasing device to bias the bolt to the retracted position; and a spring resiliently coupling the magnet carrier to the bolt; wherein when the bolt is in the retracted position but aligned with the strike a magnetic attraction between the strike and the magnetic actuating element occurs to cause movement of the magnetic actuating element relative to the strike, this movement of the magnetic actuating element causing the bolt to move to said projecting position, when the bolt is in the projecting position engaged with the strike, operating the operating member causes the bolt to move to said retracted position thereby causing the spring to apply a retracting force to the magnet carrier and when the bolt is not aligned with the strike the biasing device holds the bolt in said retracted position.