Patent ID: 8020904

Claim:
An integrated sash lock and tilt-latch assembly for a sash window assembly, the sash window assembly having a lower sash window having a top rail, a bottom rail, and a pair of stiles and an upper sash window having a keeper, the integrated assembly comprising: a sash lock mechanism adapted to be supported by the top rail, wherein the sash lock mechanism further comprises: an actuator movable to adjust the assembly among a locked position, an unlocked position, and a tiltable position, a sash lock housing adapted to be supported on a top surface of the top rail, the sash lock housing having an opening receiving the actuator therethrough, a rotor coupled to the actuator, such that movement of the actuator causes rotation of the rotor on an axis of rotation, over a range of rotation, and a pawl comprising a base and an appending member, the pawl being rotatable about the axis of rotation of the rotor, wherein the pawl rotates simultaneously with the rotor over at least a portion of the range of rotation of the rotor, wherein the rotor and the pawl are hung from the actuator opposite the sash lock housing, and, wherein at least a portion of the sash lock housing interposes the actuator and rotor; a tilt-latch mechanism adapted to be supported by the lower sash window and comprising a tilt latch housing and a latch bolt, the latch bolt slidably supported by the tilt latch housing and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position; and a connector having a substantially rigid elongated body member, a first end operably connected to the pawl and a second end operably connected to the latch bolt, wherein the integrated assembly is moveable among a locked position, an unlocked position and a tiltable position, wherein the sash lock mechanism is adapted to engage the keeper in the locked position, and wherein the sash lock mechanism is adapted to be disengaged from the keeper in the unlocked position, and wherein the latch bolt is placed in the retracted position in the tiltable position, and wherein the actuator is moveable among a first position wherein the rotor does not abuttingly engage the pawl and the assembly is in the locked position, a second position wherein the assembly is in the unlocked position, and a third position wherein the rotor abuttingly engages the pawl and the assembly is in the tiltable position; wherein the sash lock assembly further comprises an eccentric cap coupled to the actuator and the first end of the connector further comprises a curved arm, wherein movement of the actuator causes the eccentric cap to rotate and engage the curved arm, partially retracting the latch bolt prior to the rotor abuttingly engaging the pawl.