Fenestration unit with accessible ig space

Abstract

Various systems and methods are provided for controlling access to the insulated glass space of a fenestration unit. A hinge lug is provided including a lug body having a mounting portion, a cam portion defining a curved cam surface, and a retention portion projecting from the cam portion, and a first retention arm extending from the lug body such that the retention arm is elastically deflectable away from the retention lip. A restrictor link is provided including a restrictor link body having a first end and a second end, wherein the restrictor link body is elastically deflectable, a securing lock positioned proximate the second end, and a cap extending from the securing lock, the cap defining an engaging surface operable to engage the lip channel of the sash. A latch system is provided including a latch base with a ramp access aperture and a latch body including a ramp.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A fenestration unit, comprising:
 a first component of the fenestration unit;   a second component of the fenestration unit; and   a first hinge lug hingedly coupling the first component to the second component, the first hinge lug including,
 a lug body having,
 a mounting portion, the mounting portion defining a mounting surface mounted to one of the first component and the second component, 
 a cam portion opposite the mounting portion, the cam portion defining a curved cam surface configured to be slidably engaged with the other of the first component and the second component during relative, hinged rotation between the second component and first component, and 
 a retention portion projecting from the cam portion, the retention portion including a retention lip for retaining a portion of the other of the first component and the second component to releasably maintain the first component and the second component hingedly coupled, and 
 
 a first retention arm extending from the lug body and retaining another portion of the other of the first component and the second component such that the first retention arm is elastically deflectable away from the retention lip during relative, hinged rotation of the second component and first component to a predetermined hinge angle to release the hinged coupling between the second component and the first component. 
   
     
     
         2 . The fenestration unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first component of the fenestration unit is a primary sash and the second component of the fenestration unit is a secondary sash. 
     
     
         3 . A fenestration unit comprising:
 a first component of the fenestration unit;   a second component of the fenestration unit including a receiver and a lip channel; and   a restrictor link operable to engage the second component, the restrictor link including,
 a restrictor link body having a first end rotatably coupled to the first component of the fenestration unit and a second end, wherein the restrictor link body is elastically deflectable; 
 a securing lock positioned proximate the second end of the restrictor link body and operable to be positioned at least partially in the receiver of the second component; and 
 a cap extending from the securing lock, the cap defining an engaging surface operable to engage the lip channel of the second component. 
   
     
     
         4 . The fenestration unit of  claim 3 , wherein the restrictor link further comprises a back rib extending from the restrictor link body proximate the securing lock. 
     
     
         5 . The fenestration unit of  claim 4 , wherein the first component of the fenestration unit is a primary sash and the second component of the fenestration unit is a secondary sash, wherein the receiver of the secondary sash defines a recess having a recess width, wherein the securing lock includes a securing lock width, and wherein the recess width is less than the securing lock width. 
     
     
         6 . The fenestration unit of  claim 5 , wherein the back rib is operable to engage the receiver of the secondary sash for positioning the engaging surface of the cap of the restrictor link in the lip channel of the secondary sash as the restrictor link rotates relative to the receiver of the secondary sash. 
     
     
         7 . The fenestration unit of  claim 3 , wherein the cap includes a cap surface, and wherein the cap surface is non-parallel with the restrictor link body at the second end of the restrictor link body. 
     
     
         8 . The fenestration unit of  claim 3 , wherein the cap includes a lip extending from the cap, and wherein the engaging surface is at least partially defined on the lip of the cap. 
     
     
         9 . The fenestration unit of  claim 8 , wherein the lip terminates in an acute angle. 
     
     
         10 . A latch assembly for securing a sash unit to a frame of a fenestration unit in a closed position, the latch assembly comprising:
 a latch base for coupling to a frame of a fenestration unit, the latch base having a latch base body defining a recess oriented about a first axis, the latch base having a first open end and a second end, and the latch base defining a ramp access aperture oriented about a second axis transverse to the first axis;   a latch for engaging the sash unit in a closed position, the latch including,
 a latch body including a ramp having an inclined surface relative to the second axis when installed in the latch base; and 
 a resilient member for biasing the latch body relative to the latch base; 
   wherein latch is operable to translate towards the second end of the recess of the latch base when the ramp is accessed via the ramp access aperture and a threshold force is applied to the ramp of the latch.   
     
     
         11 . The latch assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the resilient member includes spring arms extending from the latch body. 
     
     
         12 . The latch assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the latch body includes first and second side walls extending from the ramp, the first and second side walls having sloped ends operable to contact the sash unit of the fenestration unit. 
     
     
         13 . The latch assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second side walls include engagement portions operable to engage the sash of the fenestration unit and retain the sash in a closed position with the frame when the engagement portions are engaging the sash. 
     
     
         14 . The latch assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the latch body is operable to be positioned relative to the latch base in a first, neutral position; a second, latched position; and
 a third, transitional position.   
     
     
         15 . The latch assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the latch further includes an engagement portion for engaging the sash unit. 
     
     
         16 . The latch assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the engagement portion of the latch includes a truncated apex.