Patent ID: 8511724

Claim:
A latch, for use in releasably securing at least one sliding sash window relative to a window frame wherein a portion of said latch engages a keeper located on the window frame or on a second sash member, said latch comprising: a housing having an orifice thereon; a locking mechanism, said locking mechanism comprising a manually graspable handle protruding from a shaft, a first cam, and a second cam; said second cam comprising an oblong opening, said shaft passing through said oblong opening of said second cam to permit relative motion therebetween, and said first cam being secured to said shaft; said shaft being mounted using said housing orifice; said second cam selectively driving motion of said first cam; wherein when said locking mechanism is in a first locking mechanism position comprising an unlocked position, said selectively driven motion comprises said first cam rotating to a second locking mechanism position while a portion of said first cam selectively engages a portion of said second cam to thereby drive said second cam to co-rotate to have a second portion of said second cam protrude out from said housing, said protruding portion comprising a slot therein; wherein when said first cam continues to rotate from said second locking mechanism position to a third locking mechanism position comprising a locked position, said continued rotation being without rotation of said second cam, said continued rotation of said first cam driving translation of said second cam wherein a recess therein engages a protrusion in said housing to thereby lock said second cam with respect to said housing in said locked position; and wherein when said first cam continues to rotate from said third locking mechanism position to a fourth locking mechanism position, said continued rotation being without rotation or translation of said second cam.