초록

A window latch includes a sweep latch; a housing including a support wall; a non-compressible pivot fastener for attaching the sweep latch to the housing; and a detent for retaining the sweep latch in one of an open position and a locked position.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A locking window, said locking window comprising:(a) at least one window sash which is selectively movable between a first closed position and a second open position; and(b) a window latch adapted to be attached to said locking window and that is selectively movable between a first open position

1. A locking window, said locking window comprising:(a) at least one window sash which is selectively movable between a first closed position and a second open position; and(b) a window latch adapted to be attached to said locking window and that is selectively movable between a first open position and a second locked position to secure said window sash in said closed position, said window latch including a pivoting sweep latch having a locking arm that is movable to engage a receiving groove within said locking window, a housing and a fastener for attaching said sweep latch to said housing and a non-compressible bushing coaxially aligned with said fastener and extending into said sweep latch for preventing compression of said sweep latch by said housing by extending below said sweep latch while allowing said sweep latch to pivot thereabout.2. The locking window according to claim 1, further including a detent for retaining said window latch in one of said first open and said second locked positions.3. The locking window according to claim 2, wherein said detent provides an audible indication of said window latch in one of said open and said locked positions.4. The locking window according to claim 2, wherein said detent comprises at least one protrusion on one of said housing and said sweep latch and a detent groove on the other of said housing and said sweep latch, said protrusion and said detent groove being substantially parallel to an axis of said fastener.5. A window latch for a locking window, said window latch comprising:(a) a sweep latch having a pivoting locking arm that is moveable to engage a receiving groove within said locking window;(b) a housing including a support wall for supporting a central portion of said housing; and(c) a fastener for attaching said sweep latch to said housing and a non-compressible bushing coaxially aligned with said fastener and extending into said sweep latch for preventing compression of said sweep latch by said housing by extending below said sweep latch while allowing said sweep lath to pivot thereabout, wherein said sweep latch is selectively movable between a first open position and a second locked position for securing a window in a closed position.6. The window latch according to claim 5, wherein said sweep latch includes an actuator arm, and a pivot point location between said actuator arm and said locking arm.7. The window latch according to claim 6, further including a finger tab on said actuator arm.8. The window latch according to claim 6, wherein a distal end of said locking arm is inclined to provide a mechanical advantage when said window latch is operated.9. The window latch according to claim 6, wherein a ratio of the length of said actuator arm to the length of said locking arm is greater than about 2 to provide a mechanical advantage when said window latch is operated.10. The window latch according to claim 6, further including gripping teeth.11. The window latch according to claim 10, further including mating teeth that compliment said gripping teeth.12. The window latch according to claim 6, further including a collar extending at said pivot point location and along at least a portion of said fastener.13. The window latch according to claim 5, wherein said fastener extends through said support bushing for attaching said sweep latch to said housing.14. The window latch according to claim 13, wherein said fastener is a self-tapping threaded fastener.15. The window latch according to claim 5, wherein said housing extends beyond said fastener parallel to said window and includes an aperture for attaching said housing to said window.16. The window latch according to claim 15, wherein said aperture includes a retainer.17. The window latch according to claim 5, wherein the housing includes a cavity for receiving shavings formed by attaching said window latch to said window.18. The window latch according to claim 5, wherein said housing extends beyond said fastener parallel to said window to include a finger shoulder for providing access to said sweep latch.19. The window latch according to claim 5, further including a second support wall opposed to said support wall.20. The window latch according to claim 19, wherein said support wall and said second opposed support wall are offset with respect to each other.21. The window latch according to claim 5, wherein one end base of said bushing forms a load distributing surface.22. A locking window, said locking window comprising:(a) at least one window sash which is selectively movable between a first closed position and a second open position; and(b) a window latch adapted to be attached to said locking window and to secure said window sash in said closed position, a window latch comprising:(i) a pivoting sweep latch having a locking arm that is moveable to engage a receiving groove within said locking window;(ii) a housing including a support wall for supporting a central portion of said housing;(iii) fastener for attaching said sweep latch to said housing and a non-compressible bushing coaxially aligned with said fastener and extending into said sweep latch for preventing compression of said sweep latch by extending below said sweep latch while allowing said sweep latch to pivot thereabout; and(iv) a detent for retaining said sweep latch in one of sweep latch is selectively said first open position and said second locked position for securing said window sash in said closed position.23. The locking window according to claim 22, wherein said detent provides an audible indication of said sweep latch being in one of said first open and said second locked positions.24. The locking window according to claim 22, wherein said detent includes at least one protrusion on one of said housing and said sweep latch and a detent groove on the other of said housing and said sweep latch, said protrusion and said groove being substantially parallel to an axis of said detent fastener.25. The locking window according to claim 22, wherein said sweep latch includes an actuator arm, and a pivot point location between said actuator arm and said locking arm.26. The locking window according to claim 25, further including a finger tab on said actuator arm.27. The locking window according to claim 25, wherein a distal end of said locking arm is inclined to provide a mechanical advantage when said window latch is operated.28. The locking window according to claim 25, wherein a ratio of the length of said actuator arm to the length of said locking arm is greater than about 2 to provide a mechanical advantage when said window latch is operated.29. The locking window according to claim 25, further including a collar extending at said pivot point location and along at least a portion of said fastener.30. The locking window according to claim 25, further including gripping teeth.31. The locking window according to claim 30, further including mating teeth that compliment said gripping teeth.32. The locking window according to claim 22, wherein said fastener including a support bushing and a fastener extending through said support bushing for attaching said sweep latch to said housing.33. The locking window according to claim 32, wherein said fastener is a self-tapping threaded fastener.34. The locking window according to claim 22, wherein said housing extends beyond said fastener parallel to said window sash and includes an aperture for receiving a fastener for attaching said housing to said window.35. The locking window according to claim 34, wherein said aperture for receiving a fastener for attaching said housing to said window includes a retainer.36. The locking window according to claim 22, wherein the housing includes a cavity for receiving shavings formed by attaching said window latch to said window.37. The locking window according to claim 22, wherein said housing extends beyond said fastener parallel to said window sash to include a finger shoulder for providing access to said sweep latch.38. The locking window according to claim 22, further including a second support wall opposed to said support wall.39. The locking window according to claim 38, wherein said support wall and said second opposed support wall are offset with respect to each other.40. The locking window according to claim 22, wherein one end of said bushing forms a load distributing surface.