Patent ID: 8061082

Claim:
A window sash assembly, comprising: a sash including a top rail, a first stile attached to a first end of the top rail along a seam, a second stile attached to a second end of the top rail opposite the first end, and a bottom rail attached to the first and second stiles, the top rail and the first stile defining a cavity therein that extends between a first aperture formed in the top rail proximal of the first end and a second aperture formed in the first stile, the first aperture having a length extending in a direction between the first and second stiles and being bounded by a closed periphery having a front edge defined by a solid first bridge portion of the top rail that extends from the first aperture to the first end of the top rail, and the second aperture being bounded by a second closed periphery such that a solid second bridge portion of the first stile lies between the second aperture and the seam; and a latch assembly seated in the first aperture, the latch assembly including: a latch housing including a top wall, a pair of opposed sidewalls extending from the top wall, and a back wall extending between the sidewalls to define a bolt cavity between the top wall, the opposed sidewalls, and the back wall, the bolt cavity opening toward the first stile, and the sidewalls being disposed inwardly of the first end of the top rail such that the seam does not interfere with the latch housing; a latch bolt slidably mounted in the bolt cavity to reciprocate between an extended position in which a front portion of the latch bolt protrudes beyond the second aperture and a retracted position in which the latch bolt is at least partially retracted into the second aperture and into the bolt cavity; a top plate non-moveably secured to the top wall on a side of the top wall opposite the sidewalls; and the latch housing and top plate together defining a slot within which a portion of the top rail is seated such that the top plate is adjacent an outer surface of the top rail; wherein both the latch assembly and the latch bolt are longer than the first aperture, and the latch assembly is shaped and dimensioned for insertion into the cavity via the first aperture.