Abstract: A gate latch system including a button assembly, a latch assembly, and a keeper assembly. The gate latch assembly can be opened from the side of the gate opposite the latch through the use of a spindle extending from a button assembly on one side of the gate to a latch assembly located on the opposite side of the gate and which includes a latch retention member. The latch assembly and button assembly are configured so that the spindle extends from the button assembly to the latch assembly through the gate opening such that there is no need to make a hole through the gate and/or covering to accommodate the spindle.

Abstract: An actuator for use in fenestration systems having a swinging sash or door is characterized by the use of a linear member running continuously from an actuating assembly to a locking pin assembly. The linear member can be a flexible linear member, allowing it to convey motion to the locking pin assembly around corners. The locking pin assembly has a moveable locking pin with an actuator and an extension that can engage a keeper. The linear member has multiple actuator engagement sites along its length where the actuator of the locking pin can engage the linear member. The linear member can then be used to move the locking pin with respect to the locking pin assembly so that the extension can engage or disengage a keeper. The locking pin assembly can be mounted on a fenestration frame and the keeper opposingly mounted on a window or door mounted in the fenestration frame.

Abstract: A gate post stiffener being formed in the shape of a C. The C-shaped stiffener may extend the entire length of the gate post. The open side allows for easy insertion of rails. The C-shape provides two consecutive sides for the attachment of two-sided hardware, providing a strong connection between the post, the C-shaped gate post stiffener, and hardware, which is critical to the integrity of the post.

Abstract: A stair rail assembly for easy and rapid installation. The assembly includes a baluster, baluster shoe, and a rail. The baluster shoe comprises an anchor and a base having an opening extending through the anchor and base. The base fits flush against a rail and the anchor fits within a baluster to connect the baluster to the rail. The anchor contains flexible walls which expand upon insertion of a screw to frictionally engage the baluster.

Abstract: A mortise lock mechanism that includes a lock housing adapted for secure positioning within a mortise, first and second locking members positioned within the housing, each having a first end and a hooked second end, an actuator mounted for rotational movement within the housing and adapted for user directed rotational movement, and a motion translating linkage having a first end pivotally interconnected to the first end of the first locking member, a second end pivotally interconnected to the first end of the second locking member. The motion translating linkage is interconnected to the actuating member and adapted for corresponding movement when the actuator is moved. A first bias member interconnects the translating linkage to the housing, whereby the bias member retains the actuator and the translating linkage in a first position absent user force directed to the actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system for adjusting the length and tension of a cable that is used to support another structure, such as bay and bow windows and, more particularly, to such a system that is easily micro-adjustable as well as macro-adjustable.

Abstract: A gate lock device with front and rear units to be mounted on opposite sides of a structure associated with the gate and against which the gate closes. A gravity latch, displaceably mounted in the housing of the front unit, is engageable with a keeper pin. The front and rear units are provided with key-operated locks which are operable to lock and unlock the gravity latch. The rear unit includes an axially displaceable actuator operable to unlock the gravity latch when the key-operated locks are unlocked.

Abstract: A magnetic latch system including a latch assembly and a keeper assembly. The keeper assembly includes a magnetically attractable keeper pin. The latch assembly includes a magnet and a movable internal lever which is arranged to engage the keeper pin to move it away from the permanent magnet. The system may also include a lock to hold the internal lever in a fixed position so that it cannot be moved to move the keeper pin away from the magnet.

Abstract: This fenestration locking system for a swinging sash or door is characterized by the use of a linear member running continuously from an actuating assembly to a locking pin assembly. The linear member can be a flexible linear member, allowing it to convey motion to the locking pin assembly around corners. The locking pin assembly has a moveable locking pin with an actuator and an extension that can engage a keeper. The linear member has multiple actuator engagement sites along its length where the actuator of the locking pin can engage the linear member. The linear member can then be used to move the locking pin with respect to the locking pin assembly so that the extension can engage or disengage a keeper. The locking pin assembly can be mounted on a fenestration frame and the keeper opposingly mounted on a window or door mounted in the fenestration frame.

Abstract: A pair of sweep locks and a corresponding pair of tilt latches are combined and mounted together on an upper rail of a lower sash. The tilt latches and sweep locks are then interactively engaged so that locking the sweep locks latches the tilt latches, and unlocking the sweep locks leaves the tilt latches latched. Unlocked sweep locks allow manual unlatching of tilt latches, and relocking of sweep locks automatically relatches tilt latches.

Abstract: A sweep lock locking the check rails of an upper and lower sash improves window resistance to negative wind force. The lock accomplishes this by a cam with a pair of locking rims that engage cam receiver projections extending upward and downward to lock along two vertically separated locking lines, which tends to resist sash tilting from vertical as sash are deformed in response to negative wind force. Preferred embodiments of a cam lock and mounting hub include a two-piece hub that snaps together within a rotational opening of the cam lock to form a subassembly ready for mounting.

Abstract: An adjustment assembly enables lateral adjustment of the position of a pivot connection of a first member relative to a second member in a window assembly having a first member, a second member, and a rotatable pivot-mounting element. The pivot-mounting element includes a first pivot-mounting section with a first pivot axis operatively connected to the first member and a second pivot-mounting section operatively connected to the second member. The second pivot-mounting section has a second pivot axis that is generally parallel to and offset from the first pivot axis. An engager section is located intermediate the pivot-mounting sections. Finally, a locking member is provided to cooperate with the engager section and is movable relative to the engager section between a retention position and a release position.

Abstract: This fenestration locking system for a swinging sash or door is characterized by the use of a linear member running continuously from an actuating assembly to a locking pin assembly. The linear member can be a flexible linear member, allowing it to convey motion to the locking pin assembly around corners. The locking pin assembly has a moveable locking pin with an actuator and an extension that can engage a keeper. The linear member has multiple actuator engagement sites along its length where the actuator of the locking pin can engage the linear member. The linear member can then be used to move the locking pin with respect to the locking pin assembly so that the extension can engage or disengage a keeper. The locking pin assembly can be mounted on a fenestration frame and the keeper opposingly mounted on a window or door mounted in the fenestration frame.

Abstract: A sweep lock locking the check rails of an upper and lower sash improves window resistance to negative wind force. The lock accomplishes this by a cam with a locking rim that extends both upward and downward to engage cam receiver projections above and below the locking rim to lock along two vertically separated locking lines, which tends to resist sash tilting from vertical as sash are deformed in response to negative wind force. Preferred embodiments of a cam lock and mounting hub include a two-piece hub that snaps together within a rotational opening of the cam lock to form a subassembly ready for mounting.

Abstract: A cable actuator for a casement sash includes a cable engager that moves against an opening pull cable and diverts the cable to an elongated path when the sash is closed. When the opening pull cable is tensioned to open the sash, this moves the cable back to a shorter tensioned path that moves the cable engager in a way that initiates opening the sash. Thereafter, the sash opens further in response to winding in of the opening pull cable.

Abstract: A mount for one or more constant force curl springs uses a mounting block secured within a sash shoe channel to support the underside of a lowermost curl spring with a superposed curl spring mounted to counterrotate against an outer convolution of the lowermost spring. Uncoiled free ends of the curl springs pass downward on opposite sides of the mounting block and connect to opposite sides of a sash shoe arranged below the mounting block. This connection is made by laterally sliding the spring ends into slots molded in the sash shoe so that barbs struck and bent from the planes of the free ends of the springs are lodged in widened recesses of the slots to retain the spring ends against upward withdrawal from the spring slots.

Abstract: An adjustment assembly enables lateral adjustment of the position of a pivot connection of a first member relative to a second member in a window assembly having a first member, a second member, and a rotatable pivot-mounting element. The pivot-mounting element includes a first pivot-mounting section with a first pivot axis operatively connected to the first member and a second pivot-mounting section operatively connected to the second member. The second pivot-mounting section has a second pivot axis that is generally parallel to and offset from the first pivot axis. An engager section is located intermediate the pivot-mounting sections. Finally, a locking member is provided to cooperate with the engager section and is movable relative to the engager section between a retention position and a release position.