Abstract: A pivot bar in the nature of a screw with a head and a threaded portion for lateral adjustment at the site of a window installation is provided. A receiver is integrally formed in the bottom rail of a window sash, the receiver defined as a channel sized and shaped to frictionally engage with the threaded portion of the screw to structurally support the pivot bar during use. The pivot bar is rotatably engaged to position the threads within the receiver and laterally adjusted relative to the distance between the window sash and the window jamb such that the screw head mates with the pivot bar shoe associated in the corresponding window jamb, accounting for any measuring variances between the window jamb and the window sash. A method of installing a laterally adjustable pivot bar is also provided.

Abstract: An improved tilt latch bolt for a double-hung window with a groove or channel formed in either the biased or planar portion of the bolt nose for engaging a portion of the window frame when the window is under duress is disclosed herein. The grooves and channels define a depth of at least five thousandths of an inch (0.127 cm). The deformable cantilever, by virtue of being formed above, and extending over the channel, is resilient such that were a portion of the window jamb to clear the width of channel, the deformable cantilever provides a small degree of tolerance to capture the wayward window jamb before it inadvertently rotates out of the sash, for example in inclement weather conditions.

Abstract: A window vent stop is disclosed having a housing with a peripheral flange defining an opening, and a body depending from the peripheral flange. A stop block is mounted within the body of the housing for movement between an open position wherein a portion of the stop block protrudes above the peripheral flange and a closed position. A spring leg is located on a bottom end of the housing and flexes toward the housing when under compression, providing compressive force along a line parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing when the window vent stop is inserted into an opening in a window sash. By applying force to further compress the spring leg, the vent stop can be readily removed from the window sash without damage.

Abstract: A window opening control devices in the nature of a modified vent stop includes a housing having a peripheral flange defining an opening and a body depending from the peripheral flange and further includes a butterfly shaped stop block mounted within the body of the housing for rocking motion about a generally centrally located pivot point between an open position, wherein a first wing of the stop block extends beyond the housing flange, and a closed position wherein the first wing is retracted into the housing. Movement of the stop block between the open and closed positions is effected by pressing on either the first wing of the butterfly shaped stop block or a second wing, and is preferably accomplished without the use of springs or other biasing assistance. The stop block is preferably provided with a pair of ridge projections that cooperate with spring legs located on the interior of the housing to form a detent to maintain the stop block in the closed position.

Abstract: A window lock with a lock housing positioned on a first window sash and containing a cam rotatably connected to a handle protruding vertically from the housing and including two adjustable reinforcement members extending laterally from the rear surface of the lock housing is provided. The window lock also includes a lock keeper positioned on a second, adjacent window sash with a central slot sized and shaped to receive the cam therein and a pair of channels oriented in longitudinally opposing orientation relative to the central slot, each channel defining a “T” shape to receive each of the adjustable reinforcement members therein.

Abstract: A jack screw-type fastener with a head defining an interior aperture with a Phillips pattern in the top and in communication with a central channel sized and shaped to receive a fastener therethrough for structurally reinforcing the window jamb of a window frame. The jamb adjuster includes a series of oversized and narrowly oriented threads relative to commercially available threaded fasteners (about 50% larger than average), frictionally engaging a greater ratio of the window frame wall depth than conventional. In use, the jamb adjuster is a self-tapping screw member that renders unnecessary a receiver, reducing component cost and structural degradation, and instead displacing a portion of the window frame material, for example vinyl, during insertion, causing a more structurally secure attachment to the window frame. The jamb adjuster also provides a more robust attachment mechanism for vital weather stripping than other fasteners or adhesive as known in the art.

Abstract: A rotatable window lock including a cam positioned within a housing and rotatably connected to a handle. The housing defines a vertical protrusion on the exterior surface sized and configured to be inserted within an aperture defined in the bottom surface of the handle. By positioning the protrusion closer to the housing edge than the housing center, the protrusion is able to rotatably refrain the handle, preventing inadvertent rotation of the handle and unauthorized window access.

Abstract: A latch and method for a double sash tilt window includes a locking mechanism and a rack having proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of the rack is connected to the locking mechanism while the distal end of the rack is affixed to a slide bolt. The latch also includes a cam and a gear, the cam positioned on the gear and the gear enmeshed with the rack so that rotating the gear operates the slide bolt which prevents the window from tilting.

Abstract: A rotatable window lock including a cam positioned within a housing and rotatably connected to a handle. The housing defines a vertical protrusion on the exterior surface sized and configured to be inserted within an aperture defined in the bottom surface of the handle. By positioning the protrusion closer to the housing edge than the housing center, the protrusion is able to rotatably refrain the handle, preventing inadvertent rotation of the handle and unauthorized window access.

Abstract: An automatically locking sash lock for a double-hung window including a handle and cover affixed to the exterior of a lock housing that contains a bolt and a pair of plungers, each of which defines at least one end with a biased face. The bolt and plungers are in mechanical communication through a pair of couplings that define a longitudinal groove for receiving the plunger and a finger for engaging the bolt. A method of locking a window is also provided.

Abstract: A pivot bar for a double hung window sash includes an elongated member having a knobbed end for engaging a window jamb or frame. The pivot bar has vertical and horizontal shields for completely covering the first and second apertures formed in the window sash. The pivot bar is “snap-fitted” into the first and second apertures which are formed with a conventional electric drill. The first aperture formed in the side of the sash is less than a complete circle in order for the drill bit to simultaneously form the second aperture in the bottom of the sash.

Abstract: A polymeric sash lock including a housing slideably received by a base, the housing defining a pair of rail channels and a cam positioned within the housing. A pair of rails are opposingly mounted on the base for engaging separate rail channels. The base also includes first and second resilient ears mounted in opposing relation along the base for frictionally engaging said housing. A method of locking a window sash is also provided.

Abstract: A double hung window with a tiltable sash that will withstand high winds and other severe weather conditions. The tiltable sash utilizes retractable tilt latches with blunt nose bolts and biased stiles which allow the blunt nose bolts to easily slide along the stile faces as the sash is closed. The stiles may be biased at a 45° or other angle or may be arcuate in shape for easy closing.

Abstract: A latch and method for a double sash tilt window includes a locking mechanism and a rack having proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of the rack is connected to the locking mechanism while the distal end of the rack is affixed to a slide bolt. The latch also includes a cam and a gear, the cam positioned on the gear and the gear enmeshed with the rack so that rotating the gear operates the slide bolt which prevents the window from tilting.

Abstract: A pivot bar for a double hung window sash includes an elongated member having a knobbed end for engaging a window jamb or frame. The pivot bar has vertical and horizontal shields for completely covering apertures formed in contiguous horizontal and vertical sides of the window sash. The pivot bar is “snap-fitted” into the window sash apertures formed with a conventional electric drill. The aperture formed in the vertical side of the window sash is less than a complete circle in order for the drill bit to simultaneously form the aperture in the vertical side of the window sash and the horizontal side of the window sash.

Abstract: A window hardware anchor formed from a base and a pair of walls defining a central channel therebetween. The walls each form a spreadable projection at the end opposing the base and combine to define an anchor head. A pair of shoulders are attached in opposing relation on the outside of different walls, such that when a fastener is received in the central channel, the head and the shoulders laterally displace to form a stable attachment platform for desired window hardware.

Abstract: A vent stop to be used on windows such as double sash windows allows desired ventilation while preventing the window from fully opening for safety reasons. The vent stop includes a lever having a notch for engaging the housing top lip while the stop is in a closed position and for disengaging the top lip when the lever is to be extended for terminating sash movement. Side apertures on the housing which receive axles on the lever are sized to allow both pivotal and longitudinal movement of the lever. A spring keeper maintains a coil spring in position while the lever moves from a closed to an open posture.

Abstract: A sheath for a window vent latch having a housing defining a slot sized to allow a vent latch to fit therein, and a spring attached to the housing for engaging the inside of a conventional window jamb. A method of seating a window vent latch in a window frame including the steps of providing a vent latch in a vent latch sheath having a housing and a spring, a window with a window frame having a window jamb, placing the vent latch sheath in the window jamb while allowing the spring to engage the window jamb, and adjusting the vent latch housing along the window jamb.

Abstract: A sheath for a window vent latch having a housing defining a slot sized to allow a vent latch to fit therein, and a spring attached to the housing for engaging the inside of a conventional window jamb. A method of seating a window vent latch in a window frame including the steps of providing a vent latch in a vent latch sheath having a housing and a spring, a window with a window frame having a window jamb, placing the vent latch sheath in the window jamb while allowing the spring to engage the window jamb, and adjusting the vent latch housing along the window jamb.