Snap on latch mechanism for a sash window

Abstract

A latch mechanism is described having a housing comprised of a top plate having an aperture, side walls and an end wall depending from the top plate so as to leave a ledge adjacent its periphery, resilient tabs extending outwardly from said side walls and toward said top plate, slots in the side walls parallel to the top plate, a bolt suspended in said housing by wings extending into respective slots and a spring between the end wall of said housing and an end of the bolt.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A latch mechanism comprising: 
       an housing having a top plate with an outer edge;  
       side walls depending from said top plate;  
       said side walls having outer surfaces joining said top plate at a distance from its edge so as to form a ledge between each outer surface and said edge of said top plate;  
       a slot in each side wall;  
       an end wall depending from said sop plate that is transverse to said side walls;  
       flexible tabs extending outwardly from the outer surface of each side wall and toward said top plate, said tabs having an inner side surface;  
       a bolt having first and second ends and wings on opposite sides such that when said bolt is between said side walls of said housing, each wing passes through a slot in a side wall;  
       said wings being shorter than said slots so as to permit said bolt to be slid longitudinally within said housing; and  
       a spring located between the first end of said bolt and said end wall of said housing.  
     
     
       2. A latch mechanism as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising: 
       a post extending from said first end of said bolt; and  
       said spring being a coiled compression spring having one end wrapped around said post and the other end adjacent the end wall of said housing.  
     
     
       3. A latch mechanism as set forth in  claim 2  further comprising: 
       cup shaped means at the inside of said end wall of said housing for capturing the other end of the spring.  
     
     
       4. A latch mechanism as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said means for capturing the other end of said spring is a thickening of the end wall of said housing. 
     
     
       5. A latch mechanism as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the inner surface of a flexible tab facing the opposite side wall extends outwardly from the inner surface of the side wall in which it is located sufficiently to prevent its being inside the plane of the inner surface of the side wall when the latch mechanism is installed in a sash. 
     
     
       6. A latch mechanism as set forth in  claim 1  wherein: 
       each of said wings extending from said bolt is comprised of a ridge parallel to said top plate, said ridge having a first surface on the side of said ridge that is nearer said top plate and a second surface that is remote from said top plate, the second surface being closer to said top plate at the bolt than it is at a point remote from the bolt; whereby the said ridges draw the sidewalls of said housing inwardly when force is applied in a direction through said aperture in said top plate and toward said bolt.  
     
     
       7. A latch mechanism as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising: 
       a projection from one of said side walls extending in a direction away from said top plate.  
     
     
       8. A latch mechanism as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising: 
       a member made of veneer adhered to said top plate; and  
       an aperture in said member in registration with said aperture in said top plate.  
     
     
       9. A latch mechanism as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said spring and bolt are an integral unit said spring having a C shape. 
     
     
       10. A latch mechanism as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said spring and said bolt are fabricated from a single piece of material said spring having an S shape. 
     
     
       11. A latch mechanism comprising: 
       
         a housing having a top plate with an outer edge, the housing further having a pair of side walls depending from said top plate, said side walls having outer surfaces joining said top plate at a distance from its edge so as to form a ledge between each outer surface and said edge of said top plate;  
       
       
         a slot in each side all, said slot extending generally parallel to the outer edge of the top plate;  
       
       
         a resilient tab extending outwardly from the outer surface of each side wall and toward said top plate wherein a space is maintained between the tab and the top plate, a window being provided behind the tab that is wider and taller than the tab;  
       
       
         the top plate and tab adapted to cooperate to receive a latch support member in the space; and  
       
       
         a bolt disposed within the housing, said bolt being slidable along an axis generally parallel to said top plate, the bolt further having wings on opposite sides such that when said bolt is disposed between said side walls of said housing, each wing passes through one of said respective slots in said side walls said wings being shorter than said slots so as to permit said bolt to be slid longitudinally within said housing. 
       
     
     
       12. A latch mechanism for a sash window disposed within opposed jambs, the sash window comprising a top sash member, bottoms sash member and two stiles connected together at their extremities, the latch mechanism adapted for releasably securing the sash window to the jambs, the latch mechanism comprising: 
       
         a housing having a top plate with an outer edge, the housing further having a pair of side walls depending from said top plate, each of said side walls having an outer surface joining said top plate at a distance from its edge so as to form a ledge between each outer surface and said edge of said top plate;  
       
       
         a slot in each side wall, said slot extending generally parallel to the outer edge of the top plate;  
       
       
         a resilient tab extending outwardly from the outer surface of each side wall and toward said top plate; and  
       
       
         a bolt disposed within the housing and having an end adapted for engaging a respective one of the jambs, said bolt being slidable along an axis generally parallel to said top plate, the bolt further having wings on opposite sides such that when said bolt is disposed between said side walls of said housing, each wing passes through one of said respective slots in said side walls said wings being shorter than said slots so as to permit said bolt to be slid longitudinally within said housing. 
       
     
     
       13. The latch mechanism of  claim 12  wherein the resilient tab comprises a pair of resilient tabs on each side wall. 
     
     
       14. The latch mechanism of  claim 12  wherein each side wall has a resilient tab towards substantially a front portion of the side walls and a resilient tab towards substantially a rear of the side wall. 
     
     
       15. The latch mechanism of  claim 12  wherein each resilient tab has a cylinder projecting towards the top plate. 
     
     
       16. The latch mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the cylinder is tapered. 
     
     
       17. The latch mechanism of  claim 12  further comprising means for biasing the bolt through an end opening in the housing. 
     
     
       18. A latch mechanism comprising: 
       
         a housing having a top plate with an outer edge;  
       
       
         side walls depending from said top plate;  
       
       
         said side walls having outer surfaces joining said top plate at a distance from its edge so as to form a ledge between each outer surface and said edge of said top plate;  
       
       
         a slot in each side wall;  
       
       
         flexible tabs extending outwardly from the outer surface of each side wall and toward said top plate, said tabs having an inner side surface;  
       
       
         a bolt having first and second ends and wings on opposite sides such that when said bolt is between said side walls of said housing, each wing passes through a slot in a side wall; and  
       
       
         said wings being shorter than said slots so as to permit said bolt to be slid longitudinally within said housing.