Patent ID: 7591494

Claim:
A window latch comprising: a housing member having an interior and adapted for mounting on a first window of a double hung window set; a handle operably coupled to the housing member wherein the handle is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position; a catch member substantially disposed in the housing and fixed for rotation with the handle, the catch member including a first stop, the catch member rotating between a extended position corresponding to the locked position of the handle, wherein the catch member is adapted to engage a lock keeper mounted on the second window in the set, when the lock keeper is adjacent the housing member, thereby preventing movement of the first window with respect to the second window, and a retracted position, corresponding to the unlocked position of the handle wherein the catch member is adapted to disengage the lock keeper, thereby allowing movement of the first window with respect to the second window; a lever operably coupled with and disposed substantially inside the interior of the housing member and including a second stop with an abutting face and an angled back portion, wherein the abutting face contacts the first stop preventing the catch member from entering the extended position when the housing member is not adjacent to the lock keeper and wherein the first stop contacts and displaces the angled back portion during rotation of the catch member from the extended position to the retracted position when the housing member is not adjacent to the lock keeper.