Patent ID: 7431355

Claim:
A latch mechanism for a sash window assembly, the sash window assembly having a sash window slidable within a master frame, the latch mechanism adapted for releasably securing the sash window to the master frame, the latch mechanism comprising: a housing supported by the sash window, the housing having a top surface having an opening therein, the housing further comprises a retaining member comprising an abutment surface and a projection extending perpendicularly from an end of the abutment surface; a bolt slidably supported by the housing and moveable between an extended position, wherein the bolt engages the master frame, and a retracted position, wherein the bolt is retracted from the master frame, the bolt having a channel; means for biasing the bolt toward the extended position; wherein the abutment surface abuts the biasing means, and the projection extends into the channel of the bolt and engages underneath a surface of the bolt to retain the bolt to the housing when the bolt is in the extended position; and an actuator connected to the bolt and accessible through the opening in the housing, the actuator being manipulated to move the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position.