Sash lock actuator

Abstract

An actuator having a housing with a pivot opening therein. An actuator handle has a pivot pin extending from an end thereof for connecting the handle to a crank which includes a drive pin. The handle is assembled to the housing with the pivot pin extending through the pivot opening. A bushing may be disposed between the pivot pin and the pivot opening to take up tolerances between the parts and provide smooth handle rotation. The drive pin on the crank extends into a drive slot on a slider which translates within the housing to actuate a window locking mechanism. The drive slot is generally pear-shaped with, preferably symmetrical, opposed curved sidewalls along which the drive pin rides during rotation of the handle. The slider may further include a pair of fulcrum tabs disposed on a top thereof adjacent opposite sides of the drive slot for contacting a side surface of the crank during rotation of the handle to provide mechanical advantage at the handle. A spring is provided with a bowed middle portion which extends beneath the slider and identical ends which extend above the slider at each side thereof One end of the spring provides the detent function by biasing the drive pin against one of the slider side walls. The other end of the spring extends upward to provide pick resistance by forming a physical barrier between a slot in the base portion of the housing and the crank, handle, and bushing. The actuator may be converted for single-point use, by providing a single point extension on the slider, either integrally or as a separate part. The single point extension has a latch opening for receiving a latch of a single-point locking mechanism during rotation of the handle. The latch opening may be defined by a pair of symmetrically curved arms which force the latch into the opening, and which provide non-handedness.