One-touch-actuated multipoint latch system for doors and windows

Abstract
Plastic window and doors are effectively latched to surrounding plastic frames by a distributed series of latches that are carried on a common carrier for simultaneous shifting between latched and unlatched conditions from a single point. A series of latch pins mates with an opposing series of cammed apertures that engage the pins when relatively shifted by a single turn of one actuator.
Description




STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT




Not Applicable




REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX




Not Applicable




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




This invention relates to latches and more particularly to latches for door and window openings. In accordance with the invention distributed multiple latches are singly actuated to better and more easily close longitudinally extended openings, particularly those where the movable door or window panel and the surrounding frame are made of plastic that tends to yield locally under prying entry force at a point spaced from the typical single latch connection.




2. Description of the Related Art




Numerous latches are known. The problem of fixing doors and windows that have extended lengths to their surrounding frames has been addressed by using multiple latches at spaced locations along the door length. This is unsightly and costly, as well as inconvenient to the user, as the latch mechanisms are replicated and must be actuated over and over each time window or door access is needed. Plastic frame windows and doors tend to be more flexible than their metal and wood counterparts and to yield more easily to unwanted entry along their lengths in the absence of multiple latching.




BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The foregoing and other objects of the invention are realized in a latch assembly for closing a door or window opening to a fixed frame having a longitudinal extent at multiple locations distributed along the extent with a single latching movement, the assembly comprising a longitudinally extended keeper having at least three apertures in distributed longitudinally spaced array, the keeper being mounted to one side of the opening, a cooperating longitudinally extended latch structure comprising a longitudinally shiftable carrier carrying a corresponding number of distributed latch pins selectively engageable with the apertures and a carrier shifting guide, the latch structure being mounted to the other side of the opening in keeper opposed relation, and a hand operable actuator for shifting the carrier and latch pins along the carrier guide between engaged and nonengaged conditions of the latch pins with the apertures.




In this and like embodiments, typically, the keeper comprises a keeper bar mountable to the opening one side, the keeper bar having a raised center section flanked by flanges that are attached to the opening one side, the apertures being formed in the keeper center section to receive the latch pins in keeper center section passing relation, the apertures being cam-shaped to receive and retain the latch pins as a function of longitudinally shifting of the latch pins within the apertures, the latch structure comprises a latch bar mountable to the opening other side, the latch bar having a raised center section flanked by exterior flanges that are attached to the opening other side, the latch structure center section defining a slot opposite each the latch pin for longitudinal movement of latch pins, the latch structure comprises a latch bar mountable to the opening other side, the latch bar having a raised center section flanked by exterior flanges, the center section defining opposed interior flanges, the interior flanges forming a guideway within the center section that receives the carrier in sliding relation, the carrier is spring biased against latch pin engagement with the apertures, the actuator locking the latch pins into aperture engagement against the spring bias, the latch structure further comprises a plurality of guide pins, the keeper defining a corresponding plurality of guide pin receivers distributed between the apertures for aligning the keeper and latch structure in the closed condition of the door or window, and the actuator comprises a lever and a lever operated tongue that engages with the carrier in latch pin shifting relation.




The invention further provides the combination of the foregoing latch assembly and a window or door in the frame, such as one made of wood, metal or plastic




In a further embodiment, the invention provides a latch assembly for closing a movable plastic door or window panel having a leading edge to an opposing edge of a frame in an opening having a fixed side defined by the frame and a movable side defined by the plastic window or door panel at multiple locations distributed along the frame and panel longitudinal extents with a single latching movement, the assembly comprising a longitudinally extended metal keeper having at least three apertures in distributed longitudinally spaced array, the keeper being mounted to the movable side of the opening, a cooperating longitudinally extended metal latch structure comprising a longitudinally shiftable metal carrier carrying a corresponding number of distributed metal latch pins selectively engageable with the apertures and a metal carrier shifting guide, the latch structure being mounted to the opening fixed side in keeper opposed relation, and a hand operable actuator for shifting the carrier and latch pins along the carrier guide between engaged and nonengaged conditions of the latch pins with the apertures.




In this and like embodiments, typically, the keeper comprises a metal keeper bar mountable to the opening one side, the keeper bar having a raised center section flanked by flanges that are attached to the opening one side, the apertures being formed in the keeper center section to receive the metal latch pins in keeper center section passing relation, the apertures being keyholeshaped to receive and retain the latch pins as a function of longitudinally shifting of the latch pins within the apertures, the latch structure comprises a metal latch bar mountable to the opening other side, the latch bar having a raised center section flanked by exterior flanges that are attached to the opening other side, the latch structure center section defining a slot opposite each the metal latch pin for longitudinal movement of latch pins, the latch structure comprises a metal latch bar mountable to the opening other side, the latch bar having a raised center section flanked by exterior flanges, the center section defining opposed interior flanges, the interior flanges forming a guideway within the center section that receives the carrier in sliding relation, the latch structure further includes a spring mount adjacent the carrier and within said latch bar center section, and a biasing spring anchored by the spring mount and arranged for biasing the carrier against latch pin engagement with the apertures, the actuator having a tongue passing through the latch bar center section, and engaging the latch bar against the spring bias in the locked condition of the latch assembly, and, the latch metal latch pins are headed pins, and in which the latch structure further comprises a plurality of nonheaded guide pins, the keeper defining a corresponding plurality of guide pin receivers distributed between the apertures for aligning the keeper and latch structure in the closed condition of the door or window.




In a further embodiment, the invention provides a latch assembly for closing a door or window opening at multiple locations with a single latching movement, the assembly comprising a longitudinally extended keeper having in longitudinally spaced array more than two multiple apertures adapted to keep a like array of latch pins in positionally adjusted relation, a cooperating longitudinally extended latch having in registered relation with the apertures and in longitudinally spaced array multiple latch pins, a latch housing opposing the keeper and receiving the latch in positionally adjustable relation, the keeper and latch defining more than two cooperating pairs of pins and apertures, and a hand operated actuator for simultaneously engaging each the pair of pins and apertures positionally adjusting the latch and keeper relative to the housing and keeper for keeping the latch pins simultaneously in the apertures with a single hand operation, the actuator being free of any locking engagement between the keeper and latch in the locked condition of the latch and the keeper.




In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a distributed closure system for window or door openings that comprise a frame and a movable panel that cooperates with the frame to close the opening, the closure system including an elongated keeper bar, the keeper bar defining a series of at least three longitudinally spaced and distributed keepers along the length of the opening, and a latch bar disposed generally parallel to and opposite the keeper bar in the closed condition of the opening, the latch bar defining a series of at least three projecting latch members generally opposite respective ones of the keepers, the keepers being adapted to selectively engage or not engage the latch members in keeper received relation in the closed condition of the opening responsive to longitudinal shifting of the latch members relative to the keepers, and an actuator acting to effect the longitudinal shifting freely of any movement of the frame or panel.




In its method aspects, the invention contemplates a method of distributively latching window or door openings that comprise a frame and a movable panel that cooperates with the frame to close the opening, including maintaining an elongated keeper bar at one side of the opening to provide a series of at least three longitudinally spaced and distributed keepers along the length of the opening, maintaining a latch bar disposed generally parallel to and opposite the keeper bar in the closed condition of the opening to provide a series of at least three projecting latch members generally opposite respective ones of the keepers, and selectively engaging the latch members in keeper received relation in the closed condition of the opening responsive to longitudinal shifting of the latch members relative to the keepers, and an actuator acting to effect their simultaneous longitudinal shifting freely of any movement of the frame or panel.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS




The invention will be further described in conjunction with the attached drawings in which:





FIG. 1

is an oblique view of a window or door assembly having singly-actuated multiple latch points according to the invention;





FIG. 2

is a front elevation view of the invention latch assembly in combination with a door or window movable panel and a frame;





FIG. 2A

is a detail view in longitudinal section thereof depicting the latching function;





FIG. 3A

is a view taken on line


3


A—


3


A in

FIG. 2A

;





FIG. 3B

is a view taken on line


3


B—


3


B in

FIG. 2A

;





FIG. 4

is a view taken on line


4


—


4


in

FIG. 5

;





FIG. 5

is a fragmentary view of the carrier biasing structure in a retracted position; and,





FIG. 6

is a view like

FIG. 5

of the biasing structure in an extended position.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




With reference now to the drawings in detail, in

FIGS. 1-4

the invention latch


8


comprises latch assembly


10


arranged and adapted for closing a door or window opening


12


by closing movable panel


14


to a fixed frame


16


. Leading edge


18


of the panel


14


has a longitudinal extent


24


; frame


16


has an opposing longitudinal extent


26


. A number of individual latch assemblies


10




a


,


10




b


,


10




c


, etc. are provided, separated to be at multiple locations, e.g.


28


,


32


,


34


or more depending on the lengths of longitudinal extents


24


,


26


, and the number of latches needed for the degree of security desired. The invention allows for a virtually limitless number of latch assemblies


10




a, b, c


. . . , and however many there are, they are all actuated from a single point.




That is, the assemblies


10




a, b, c


. . . are distributed to locations such as


28


,


32


and


34


spaced along the opposed extents


24


,


26


all for operation with a single latching movement as will be described.




Latch assembly


10


includes a longitudinally extended keeper


36


and a latch structure


46


. Keeper


36


has at least three and preferably four or more apertures


42


,


43


,


44


, and


45


distributed in a generally regular or nonregularly patterned longitudinally spaced array


38


, as shown. Keeper


36


is mounted to one side of the opening


12


, e.g. to side


40


defined by the leading edge


18


of the movable panel


14


. Keeper


36


can be mounted to side


68


of the frame


16


in other embodiments.




Cooperating longitudinally extended latch structure


46


opposes the keeper


36


. Latch structure


46


comprises a longitudinally shiftable carrier


58


carrying a corresponding number of distributed latch pins


52


,


53


,


54


and


55


distributed in a generally regular or nonregularly patterned longitudinal array


48


that matches the aperture array


38


so as to register apertures


42


, etc. and pins


52


etc., as shown. Latch pins


52


,


53




54


and


55


are arranged to selectively latchingly interengage with the keeper apertures


42


, etc. and are suitably headed pins having a shank


62


and an enlarged head


64


. Latch pins


52


,


53


,


54


, and


55


are selectively engageable with the apertures


42


,


43


,


44


, and


45


with the pin heads


64


passing through the apertures


42


, etc. at the lower enlarged portions


421


,


423


,


425


, etc. of the apertures in the unengaged condition and engaging when the heads


64


are behind the upper, narrowed portions


422


,


424


,


426


, etc. of the apertures


42


,


43


and


44


. Latch structure


46


further comprises a carrier shifting guide


66


and spring biasing structure


85


for purposes to appear.




Latch structure


46


is mounted to the other side


68


of the opening


12


defined by the frame


16


in keeper opposed relation, and can be mounted to the panel leading edge


18


in other embodiments.




A hand-operable actuator


72


comprised of a thumb turn lever


74


of latch


76


actuates the latch tongue


78


to shift longitudinally, up and down, in the slot


82


, as is known. In the invention the latch tongue purpose is not to itself latch, but to shift other pin components


52


,


53


,


54


and


55


of latches


10




a, b, c


, . . . relative to apertures


42


,


43


,


44


and


45


that effect latching by shifting the pin heads


64


behind the upper, narrower aperture portions


422


,


424


,


426


, while the latch tongue simply serves the lifting and locking function. Thus, tongue


78


is used to shift the latch pins


52


,


53


,


54


and


55


and in the preferred embodiment shown has no hook and no latching function in and of itself. The absence of any hook or cam feature on the tongue


78


will be noted, as its function is to provide the shifting of the latch pins


52


,


53


,


54


and


55


, rather that itself latching. Tongue


78


engages carrier


58


at recess


84


for purposes of shifting the carrier longitudinally. Carrier recess


84


is opposed to and offset from slot


82


to permit the required shifting by engagement of carrier shoulder


83


with tongue


78


, as best shown in FIG.


2


A. Shifting carrier


58


shifts the latch pins


52


,


53


,


54


and


55


by sliding the carrier


58


within the carrier guide


66


between engaged and nonengaged conditions of the latch pins with the apertures


42


,


43


,


44


and


45


.




As best shown in

FIGS. 5 and 6

the top


59


of the carrier


58


engages a biasing spring structure


85


comprising a compression spring


86


seated at


87


against a block


661


fixed to the carrier guide


66


, Spring structure


85


biases a slide


88


engaged with the carrier


58


and shiftable in track


89


to push the carrier downward so that heads


64


of pins


52


, etc. will be opposed only by the lower, larger portions


421


,


423


,


425


of the apertures


42


,


43


and


44


and thus will be separable for unlatching purposes.




Typically, keeper


36


comprises a keeper bar


92


mountable to the opening one side


40


. Keeper bar


92


is longitudinally dished to have a raised center section


94


flanked by flanges


96


that that are screwed or otherwise attached to the opening one side


40


. Apertures


42


,


43


,


44


and


45


are formed in the keeper center section


94


to receive the latch pins


52


, etc. in keeper center section passing relation. Generally, the apertures


42


,


43


.


44


and


45


are cam-shaped slots, e.g. keyhole-shaped slots as shown, to receive and retain the latch pins


52


,


53


,


54


and


55


as a function of longitudinally shifting of the latch pins within the apertures by shifting carrier


58


.




Latch structure


46


typically comprises latch bar


97


mountable to the opening other side


68


. Latch bar


97


has a raised center section


98


flanked by exterior flanges


102


that are screwed or otherwise attached to the opening other side


68


. Latch structure center section


98


defines the cam slots


42


,


43


,


44


, and


45


opposite respectively latch pins


52


,


53


,


54


and


55


to accommodate longitudinal movement of the latch pins relative to the center section.




Latch bar


97


further defines opposed interior flanges


104


that form a guideway


106


within the center section


98


that receives the carrier


58


in sliding relation to provide for longitudinal shifting of the carrier and its pins


52


,


53


,


54


, and


55


. Carrier


58


is spring biased against entry of latch pins


52


,


53


,


54


and


55


into and engagement with the smaller parts


422


,


424


, and


426


of the apertures


42


,


43


and


44


. Actuator


72


is typically of the over-center type so that once turned leverage is reversed and there is great resistance to unlatching under the force of the carrier


58


on the latch tongue


78


, making unwanted door or window entry by reversing the latch action nearly impossible.




Latch structure


46


further comprises a plurality of cylindrical, non-headed guide pins


112


with the keeper


36


defining a corresponding plurality of guide pin receivers


114


distributed on the mating keeper and latch structure


36


,


46


, apart from the apertures


42


,


43


,


44


and


45


for aligning the keeper and latch structure in the closed condition of the door or window. Guide pins


112


are not attached to the carrier


58


but only to the latch structure center section


98


, unless the center section


98


is slotted to accommodate their movement.




All latching parts discussed are preferably formed from metal or engineering plastic.




In its method aspects, the invention contemplates a method of distributively latching closed window or door openings


12


that comprise a frame


16


and a movable panel


14


that cooperates with the frame to close the opening, including maintaining an elongated keeper bar


92


at one side


40


of the opening to provide a series of at least three longitudinally spaced and distributed keepers e.g.


42


,


44


and


45


along the length of the opening, maintaining a latch bar


97


disposed generally parallel to and opposite the keeper bar


92


in the closed condition of the opening


12


to provide a series of projecting latch members


52


,


53


,


54


and


55


generally opposite respective ones of the keepers


42


,


43


,


44


, and


45


selectively engaging the latch members in keeper received relation in the closed condition of the opening responsive to longitudinal shifting of the latch members relative to the keepers, and an actuator


72


acting to effect the longitudinal shifting freely of any corresponding movement of the frame


16


or panel


14


.




The invention thus provides an improved latching system for door and window openings having distributed latching for longitudinally extended doors and windows that is operable by a single hand operation. The invention latching system provides a better plastic door or window and frame combination in which prying apart of the locked door and window and frame is precluded by having a distributed series of latches and keepers that are all actuated from a single point.




The foregoing objects are thus met.



Claims
  • 1. A latch assembly for closing a door or window opening to a fixed frame having a longitudinal extent at multiple locations distributed along said extent with a single latching movement, said assembly comprising a longitudinally extended keeper having at least three apertures in distributed longitudinally spaced array, said keeper being mounted to one side of said opening, a cooperating longitudinally extended latch structure comprising a longitudinally shiftable carrier carrying a corresponding number of distributed latch pins selectively engageable with said apertures and a carrier shifting guide said latch structure being mounted to the other side of said opening in keeper opposed relation, and a hand operable actuator for shifting said carrier and latch pins along said carrier guide between engaged and nonengaged conditions of said latch pins with said apertures, said keeper comprising a keeper bar mountable to said opening one side, said keeper bar having a raised center section flanked by flanges that are attached to said opening one side, said apertures being formed in said keeper center section to receive said latch pins in keeper center section passing relation, said apertures being cam-shaped to receive and retain said latch pins as a function of longitudinally shifting of said latch pins within said apertures.
  • 2. The latch assembly according to claim 1, in which said actuator comprises a lever and a lever operated tongue that engages with said carrier in latch pin shifting relation.
  • 3. In combination: the latch assembly according to claim 1 and a window or door and cooperating frame.
  • 4. The combination according to claim 3, in which one or more of said window, door and frame is made of plastic.
  • 5. A latch assembly for closing a door or window opening to a fixed frame having a longitudinal extent at multiple locations distributed along said extent with a single latching movement, said assembly comprising a longitudinally extended keeper having at least three apertures in distributed longitudinally spaced array, said keeper being mounted to one side of said opening, a cooperating longitudinally extended latch structure comprising a longitudinally shiftable carrier carrying a corresponding number of distributed latch pins selectively engageable with said apertures and a carrier shifting guide, said latch structure being mounted to the other side of said opening in keeper opposed relation, and a hand operable actuator for shifting said carrier and latch pins along said carrier guide between engaged and nonengaged conditions of said latch pins with said apertures, said latch structure comprising a latch bar mountable to said opening other side, said latch bar having a raised center section flarked by exterior flanges that are attached to said opening other side, said latch structure center section defining a slot opposite each said latch pin for longitudinal movement of latch pins.
  • 6. A latch assembly for closing a door or window opening to a fixed frame having a longitudinal extent at multiple locations distributed along said extent with a single latching movement, said assembly comprising a longitudinally extended keeper having at least three apertures in distributed longitudinally spaced array, said keeper being mounted to one side of said opening, a cooperating longitudinally extended latch structure comprising a longitudinally shiftable carrier carrying a corresponding number of distributed latch pins selectively engageable with said apertures and a carrier shifting guide, said latch structure being mounted to the other side of said opening in keeper opposed relation, and a hand operable actuator for shifting said carrier and latch pins along said carrier guide between engaged and nonengaged conditions of said latch pins with said apertures, said latch structure comprising a latch bar mountable to said opening other side, said latch bar having a raised center section flanked by exterior flanges, said center section defining opposed interior flanges, said interior flanges forming a guideway within said center section that receives said carrier in sliding relation.
  • 7. The latch assembly according to claim 6, in which said carrier is spring biased against latch pin engagement with said apertures, said actuator locking said latch pins into aperture engagement against said spring bias.
  • 8. The latch assembly according to claim 6, in which said latch structure further comprises a plurality of guide pins, said keeper defining a corresponding plurality of guide pin receivers distributed between said apertures for aligning said keeper and latch structure in the closed condition of said door or window.
  • 9. A latch assembly for closing a movable door or window opening panel having a leading edge to an opposing edge of a fixed frame having a longitudinal extent at multiple locations distributed along said extent with a single latching movement, said assembly comprising a longitudinally extended keeper attached to said panel leading edge and having at least three apertures in distributed longitudinally spaced array, a cooperating longitudinally extended latch structure comprising a longitudinally shiftable carrier attached to said opposing edge and carrying a corresponding number of distributed latch pins selectively engageable with said apertures and a carrier shifting guide, and a hand operable actuator for shifting said carrier and latch pins along said carrier guide between engaged and nonengaged conditions of said latch pins with said apertures, said latch structure comprising a latch bar mountable to said leading edge, said latch bar having a raised center section flanked by exterior flanges that are attached to said leading edge, said latch structure center section defining a slot opposite each said latch pin for longitudinal movement of said latch pins.
  • 10. In combination: the latch assembly according to claim 9 and said window or door panel and said frame.
  • 11. The combination according to claim 10, in which said window or door and said frame is made of plastic.
  • 12. A latch assembly for closing a movable door or window opening panel having a leading edge to an inposing edge of a fixed frame having a longitudinal extent at multiple locations distributed along said extent with a single latching movement, said assembly comprising a longitudinally extended keeper attached to said panel leading edge and having at least three apertures in distributed longitudinally spaced array, a cooperating longitudinally extended latch structure comprising a longitudinally shiftable carrier attached to said opposing edge and carrying a corresponding number of distributed latch pins selectively engageable with said apertures and a carrier shifting guide, and a hand operable actuator for shifting said carrier and latch pins along said carrier guide between engaged and nonengaged conditions of said latch pins with said apertures, said latch structure center section defining opposed interior flanges, said interior flanges forming a guideway within said center section that receives said carrier in sliding relation.
  • 13. A latch assembly for closing a movable door or window opening panel having a leading edge to an opposing edge of a fixed frame having a longitudinal extent at multiple locations distributed along said extent with a single latching movement, said assembly comprising a longitudinally extended keeper attached to said panel leading edge and having at least three apertures in distributed longitudinally spaced array, a cooperating longitudinally extended latch structure comprising a longitudinally shiftable carrier attached to said opposing edge and carrying a corresponding number of distributed latch pins selectively engageable with said apertures and a carrier shifting guide, and a hand operable actuator for shifting said carrier and latch pins along said carrier guide between engaged and nonengaged conditions of said latch pins with said apertures, said carrier being spring biased against disposing said latch pins for engagement with said apertures, said actuator locking said latch pins disposed for aperture engagement against said spring bias.
  • 14. A latch assembly for closing a movable door or window opening panel having a leading edge to an opposing edge of a fixed frame having a longitudinal extent at multiple locations distributed along said extent with a single latching movement, said assembly comprising a longitudinally extended keeper attached to said panel leading edge and having at least three apertures in distributed longitudinally spaced array, a cooperating longitudinally extended latch structure comprising a longitudinally shiftable carrier attached to said opposing edge and carrying a corresponding number of distributed latch pins selectively engageable with said apertures and a carrier shifting guide, and a hand operable actuator for shifting said carrier and latch pins along said carrier guide between engaged and nonengaged conditions of said latch pins with said apertures, said latch structure further comprising a plurality of guide pins, said keeper defining a corresponding plurality of guide pin receivers distributed between said apertures for aligning said keeper and latch structure in the closed condition of said door or window.
  • 15. A latch assembly for closing a movable door or window opening panel having a leading edge to an opposing edge of a fixed frame having a longitudinal extent at multiple locations distributed along said extent with a single latching movement, said assembly comprising a longitudinally extended keeper attached to said panel leading edge and having at least three apertures in distributed longitudinally spaced array, a cooperating longitudinally extended latch structure comprising a longitudinally shiftable carrier attached to said opposing edge and carrying a corresponding number of distributed latch pins selectively engageable with said apertures and a carrier shifting guide, and a hand operable actuator for shifting said carrier and latch pins along said carrier guide between engaged and nonengaged conditions of said latch pins with said apertures, said actuator comprising a lever and a lever operated tongue that engages with said carrier in latch pin shifting relation against said spring bias.
  • 16. In combination: the latch assembly according to claim 15 and said window or door panel and said frame.
  • 17. A latch assembly for closing a movable plastic door or window panel to a frame in an opening having a fixed side defined by said frame and a movable side defined by said plastic window or door panel at multiple locations distributed along the frame and panel longitudinal extents with a single latching movement, said assembly comprising a longitudinally extended metal keeper having at least three apertures in distributed longitudinally spaced array, said keeper being mounted to said movable side of said opening, a cooperating longitudinally extended metal latch structure comprising a longitudinally shiftable metal carrier carrying a corresponding number of distributed metal latch pins selectively engageable with said apertures and a metal carrier shifting guide, said latch structure being mounted to said opening fixed side in keeper opposed relation, and a hand operable actuator for shifting said carrier and latch pins along said carrier guide between engaged and nonengaged conditions of said latch pins with said apertures.
  • 18. The latch assembly according to claim 17, in which said keeper comprises a metal keeper bar mountable to said opening one side, said keeper bar having a raised center section flanked by flanges that are attached to said opening one side, said apertures being formed in said keeper center section to receive said metal latch pins in keeper center section passing relation, said apertures being keyhole-shaped to receive and retain said latch pins as a function of longitudinally shifting of said latch pins within said apertures.
  • 19. The latch assembly according to claim 17, in which latch structure comprises a metal latch bar mountable to said opening other side, said latch bar having a raised center section flanked by exterior flanges that are attached to said opening other side, said latch structure center section defining a slot opposite each said metal latch pin for longitudinal movement of latch pins.
  • 20. The latch assembly according to claim 17, in which said latch structure comprises a metal latch bar mountable to said opening other side, said latch bar having a raised center section flanked by exterior flanges, said center section defining opposed interior flanges, said interior flanges forming a guideway within said center section that receives said carrier in sliding relation.
  • 21. The latch assembly according to claim 17, in which said latch structure also includes a spring mount adjacent said carrier and within said latch bar center section, and a biasing spring anchored by said spring mount and arranged for biasing said carrier against latch pin engagement with said apertures, said actuator having a tongue passing through said latch bar center section, and engaging said latch bar against said spring bias in the locked condition of said latch assembly.
  • 22. The latch assembly according to claim 17, in which said latch metal latch pins are headed pins, and in which said latch structure further comprises a plurality of nonheaded guide pins, said keeper defining a corresponding plurality of guide pin receivers distributed between said apertures for aligning said keeper and latch structure in the closed condition of said door or window.
  • 23. In combination: the latch assembly according to claim 17 and said window or door panel and said frame.
  • 24. In combination: the latch assembly according to claim 22 and said window or door panel and said frame.
RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/325,845, filed Sep. 27, 2001.

US Referenced Citations (8)
Number Name Date Kind
1438547 O'connor Dec 1922 A
4500122 Douglas Feb 1985 A
4643005 Logas Feb 1987 A
5120094 Eaton Jun 1992 A
5388875 Fleming Feb 1995 A
5642909 Swan Jul 1997 A
5906403 Bestler May 1999 A
6125668 Belden Oct 2000 A
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/325845 Sep 2001 US