The present disclosure relates to a window sash assembly that includes a window sash and a tilt latch at a corner of the window sash, and to a tilt latch for such an assembly.
In windows for various applications such as home applications, it is desirable to provide the moveable sash or sashes with tilt latches at opposed sides of the sash. These tilt latches permit the sash to be tilted away from the window frame to facilitate cleaning for example. The tilt latch typically is positioned in a slot at a corner of the sash frame. An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a window sash assembly, and a tilt latch for a window sash assembly, in which the tilt latch is constructed to minimize movement of the latch housing with respect to the sash frame after the latch has been assembled to the frame.
The present disclosure embodies a number of aspects that can be implemented separately from or in combination with each other.
A window sash assembly in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes a window sash having an upper rail and at least one side rail that form a corner of the window sash. A slot at the window sash corner opens laterally outwardly from the corner and is defined in part by opposed linear tracks on the upper rail. A tilt latch is disposed in the slot, and includes a housing having opposed sidewalls and outwardly extending ledges overlying the sidewalls slidably received over the tracks on the upper rail. A flexible resilient spring element on each sidewall is spaced from the associated ledge such that the tracks on the rails are slidably received between the ledges and the spring elements. The spring elements preferably comprise at least one arcuate spring, most preferably a plurality of arcuate springs, on each sidewall of the housing with concave portions opposed to the ledge. The housing preferably is of molded plastic construction, and the arcuate springs preferably are integrally molded with the housing.
A window sash assembly in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure includes a window sash having an upper rail and at least one side rail that form a corner of the window sash. A slot at the corner of the window sash opens laterally outwardly from the corner, and is defined in part by an edge of the side rail. A tilt latch is disposed in the slot and includes a housing having a retainer with a stepped profile in engagement with the edge of the side rail to retard removal of the latch from the slot.
The disclosure, together with additional objects, features advantages and aspects thereof, will best be understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
Tilt latch housing 40 preferably is of elongate generally rectangular construction, having a pair of laterally opposed parallel sidewalls 52,54 and a top panel 56. The spaced edges of top panel 56 form ledges 58,60 that overlie or overhang sidewalls 52,54 respectively. Each sidewall 52,54 has a series of longitudinally spaced arcuate openings 62 (FIGS. 2 and 4-5) adjacent to but preferably spaced from associated ledges 58,60. A flexible resilient continuously curvilinear arcuate spring 64 is integrally molded with housing 40 within each arcuate opening 62. Each arcuate spring 64 includes an upwardly convex mid portion 66 adjacent to but spaced from the associated ledge 58,60, and end portions 68,70 that are molded integrally with the associated housing sidewall 52,54. Thus, the end portions 68,70 of springs 64 are fixed with respect to sidewalls 52,54 while the mid portion 66 of each spring 64 is free to flex within its associated opening 62. The mid portions 66 of arcuate springs 64 preferably are uniformly spaced from the associated overlying ledge 58,60. Thus, when latch 36 is slid into slot 46 in
A resilient retainer 72 is integrally molded with housing 40. The head or end 74 of retainer 72 engages the upper inside edge of side rail 32 that forms slot 46. Head 74 has a free end with a stepped or staircase-shaped profile 76 best seen in
There thus has been disclosed a window sash assembly and a tilt latch for a window sash assembly that fully satisfy all of the objects and aims previously set forth. The disclosure has been presented in conjunction with several exemplary embodiments, and a number of modifications and variations have been discussed. Other modifications and variations readily will suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the foregoing description. The disclosure is intended to embrace all such modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
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WO 2004099541 | Nov 2004 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20070137109 A1 | Jun 2007 | US |