Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WINDOW COUNTERBALANCE SYSTEM AND MOUNTING BRACKET
THEREFOR
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a window counterbalance
system and a mounting bracket for the window counterbalance system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.
[0003] Modern window assemblies in residential, commercial and
industrial buildings may include one or more window sashes that are movable
within a window jamb. Window sashes that move vertically to open and close
often include two or more window balance assemblies. The balance assemblies
urge the window sash upward (i.e., toward an open position for a lower sash or
toward a closed position for an upper sash) to assist a user in moving the
window
sash and to retain the window sash at a position selected by the user.
SUMMARY
[0004] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and
is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
[0005] In one
form, the present disclosure provides a window balance
assembly for installation in a window jamb channel. The window balance
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assembly may include a carrier, a spring element and a mounting bracket. The
spring element may include first and second portions. The first portion may be
coupled to the carrier. The mounting bracket may include a latch, a first head
portion, and a first projection. The latch may engage the second portion of
the
spring element. The first head portion may be configured to abut a first wall
of
the window jamb channel when the window balance assembly is installed in the
window jamb channel. The projection configured to extend through and engage
an aperture in a second wall of the window jamb channel when the window
balance assembly is installed in the window jamb channel.
[0006] In
some embodiments, the latch may be disposed vertically
between the projection and the head portion.
[0007] In some embodiments, the mounting bracket may include a
second projection configured to engage another aperture in the second wall.
[0008] In some embodiments, the mounting bracket may include a
second head portion configured to abut the first wall of the window jamb
channel.
[0009] In some embodiments, the mounting bracket may include a pair
of latches, and wherein each of the latches is disposed on a same end of the
mounting bracket as a corresponding one of the first and second head portions.
[0010] In some embodiments, the mounting bracket may include a
body portion from which the latch, first and second head portions and the
first
projection extend. The first projection may extend from a first side of the
body
portion in a first direction. The first and second head portions may extend
from
the body portion in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
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µ
,
[0011] In some embodiments, the first projection may be
disposed
between the first and second head portions.
[0012] In some embodiments, the body portion may be spaced apart
from the first wall when the first and second head portions are contacting the
first
wall.
[0013] In some embodiments, the projection may be slidably
received
in an aperture in the body portion and may be movable therein between a
retracted position and an extended position.
[0014] In some embodiments, the first and second head portions may
cooperate with a body portion of the mounting bracket to form a generally U-
shape.
[0015] In some embodiments, the carrier may include an
upper body
portion, a lower body portion and an elongated central portion. The lower body
portion may rotatably engage a cam. The elongated central portion may extend
between the upper body portion and the lower body portion. The elongated
central portion may be resiliently flexible to allow movement of the lower
body
portion relative to the upper body portion.
[0016] In some embodiments, the elongated central portion
may
include a pair of flexible legs that define a channel therebetween that is
aligned
with a slot in the cam and adapted to receive a portion of a pivot bar of a
window
sash.
[0017] In another form, the present disclosure provides a
window
balance assembly for installation in a window jamb channel. The window
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,
balance assembly may include a carrier, a spring element and a mounting
bracket. The spring element may include first and second portions. The first
portion may be coupled to the carrier. The mounting bracket may include a body
portion, first and second head portions, and first and second projections. The
body portion may include a latch engaging the second portion of the spring
element. The first and second head portions may extend from the body portion
in a first direction and may be configured to abut a first wall of the window
jamb
channel when the window balance assembly is installed in the window jamb
channel. The first and second projections may extend from the body portion in
a
second direction and may be configured to extend through and engage first and
second apertures in a second wall of the window jamb channel when the window
balance assembly is installed in the window jamb channel.
[0018] In some embodiments, the latch may be disposed vertically
between the first and second projections and the first and second head
portions.
[0019] In some embodiments, the first and second head portions
may
be disposed at opposite horizontal ends of the body portion, and the latch may
be disposed between the first and second head portions.
[0020] In some embodiments, the mounting bracket may include a
pair
of latches. Each of the latches may be disposed on a same end of the body
portion as a corresponding one of the first and second head portions.
[0021] In some embodiments, the body portion may be spaced apart
from the first wall when the first and second head portions are contacting the
first
wall.
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[0022] In another form, the present disclosure provides a window
balance assembly for installation in a window jamb channel. The window
balance assembly may include a carrier, a spring element and a mounting
bracket. The carrier may include a cam rotatably housed therein. The spring
element may include a first portion coupled to the carrier and a second
portion
disposed within a housing. The mounting bracket may include a projection
configured to extend through and engage an aperture in a second wall of the
window jamb channel. The mounting bracket may also include a first end
slidably engaging the housing and movable relative to the housing between a
first position in which the projection does not or cannot engage the aperture
and
a second position in which the projection is able to engage the aperture.
[0023] In some embodiments, the mounting bracket may engage the
housing in both of the first and second positions.
[0024] In some embodiments, the spring may be a curl spring and the
second portion of the spring may be a curled portion. The carrier may be
movable with a window sash relative to the housing and the mounting bracket.
[0025] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this
summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to
limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
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,
[0026] The drawings described herein are for illustrative
purposes only
of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[0027] Figure 1 is a partial front view of a window
assembly including
window balance assemblies according to the principles of the present
disclosure;
[0028] Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the window
balance
assemblies of Figure 1;
[0029] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket
of the
window balance assembly;
[0030] Figure 4 is a side view of the window balance assembly
installed in a window jamb channel;
[0031] Figure 5 is a top view of the window balance assembly installed
in the window jamb channel;
[0032] Figure 6 is a perspective view of another mounting
bracket;
[0033] Figure 7 is another perspective view of the mounting
bracket of
Figure 6;
[0034] Figure 8 is a perspective view of another mounting
bracket;
[0035] Figure 9 is another perspective view of the mounting
bracket of
Figure 8;
[0036] Figure 10 is a top view of the mounting bracket of
Figure 8;
[0037] Figure 11 is a perspective view of another mounting
bracket;
[0038] Figure 12 is another perspective view of the
mounting bracket of
Figure 11;
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,
[0039] Figure 13 is a top view of the mounting bracket of Figure 11
installed in a window jamb channel;
[0040] Figure 14 is a side view of another mounting bracket received in
the window jamb channel in a first configuration;
[0041] Figure 15 is a side view of the mounting bracket of Figure 14
received in the window jamb channel in a second configuration;
[0042] Figure 16 is a perspective view of another window balance
assembly;
[0043] Figure 17 is another perspective view of the window balance
assembly of Figure 16;
[0044] Figure 18 is a side view of the window balance assembly of
Figure 16 in a first configuration; and
[0045] Figure 19 is a side view of the window balance assembly of
Figure 16 in a second configuration.
[0046] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0047] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0048] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will
be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the
art.
Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific
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components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of
embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in
the
art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may
be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to
limit
the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known
processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not
described in detail.
[0049] The
terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As
used
herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may be intended to include the
plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The
terms
"comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and
therefore
specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,
elements,
and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more
other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups
thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not
to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular
order
discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of
performance.
It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be
employed.
[0050] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged
to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be
directly
on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or
intervening
elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to
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,
as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or
"directly
coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or
layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements
should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly
between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term
"and/or"
includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed
items.
[0051] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be
used herein
to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,
these
elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by
these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element,
component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section.
Terms
such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not
imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a
first
element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a
second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the
teachings of the example embodiments.
[0052] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer,"
"beneath,"
"below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease
of
description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another
element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative
terms may
be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or
operation
in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the
device in
the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other
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,
elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or
features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of
above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or
at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein
interpreted
accordingly.
[0053]
With reference to Figure 1, a window assembly 10 is provided
that may include an upper sash 12, a lower sash 14, a pair of window jambs 16,
a window sill 18, a header (not shown) and two or more window balance
assemblies or cartridges 20. In the particular embodiment illustrated in
Figure 1,
the upper sash 12 is fixed relative to the window sill 18 and header (i.e., in
a
single hung window assembly). However, in some embodiments, the upper sash
12 may be movable relative to the window sill 18 and header between a raised
or
closed position and a lowered or open position (i.e., in a double hung window
assembly). The lower sash 14 may be raised and lowered between open and
closed positions and may be connected to the window balance assemblies 20
which assist a user in opening the lower sash 14 and maintain the lower sash
14
in a desired position relative to the window sill 18.
[0054] The lower sash 14 may include a pair of pivot bars 22 and a pair
of tilt latch mechanisms 24. The pivot bars 22 may extend laterally outward in
opposing directions from a lower portion of the lower sash 14 and may engage
corresponding ones of the window balance assemblies 20, as will be
subsequently described. The tilt latch mechanisms 24 may extend laterally
outward in opposing directions from an upper portion of the lower sash 14 and
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µ
,
may selectively engage corresponding ones of the window jambs 16. The tilt
latch mechanisms 24 may be selectively actuated to allow the lower sash 14 to
pivot about the pivot bars 22 relative to the window jambs 16 to facilitate
cleaning
of an exterior side of the window assembly 10, for example.
[0055] It will be appreciated that in a double hung window assembly,
the upper sash 12 may also be connected to two or more window balance
assemblies to assist the user in opening the upper sash 12 and maintaining the
upper sash 12 in a selected position relative to the window sill 18. In such a
window assembly, the upper sash 12 may also include tilt latches and pivot
bars
to allow the upper sash 12 to pivot relative to the window jambs 16 in the
manner
described above.
[0056] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each of the window jambs 16 may
include a jamb channel 26 defined by a first wall 28, a second wall 30
opposite
the first wall 28, and third and fourth walls 32, 34 (Figure 5) disposed
perpendicular to the first and second walls 28, 30. The first wall 28 may
include
a vertically extending slot 36 (Figure 5) adjacent the lower sash 14. The
window
balance assembly 20 may be installed within the jamb channel 26. As shown in
Figure 1, the pivot bar 22 may extend through the slot 36 and into the jamb
channel 26 to engage the window balance assembly 20. As shown in Figure 5,
the tilt latch mechanism 24 may also selectively engage the slot 36 to lock
the
lower sash 14 in an upright position.
[0057] Referring now to Figures 2-5, each window balance assembly
20 may include a carrier 40, a spring 42, and a bracket 44. The window balance
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s
,
assembly 20 may be modular, in that one or more of the carrier 40, spring 42
and
bracket 44 shown in Figures 2-8 can be replaced with a different carrier,
spring
and/or bracket to suit a given application or set of specifications. It will
also be
appreciated that one or more of the carrier 40, spring 42 and bracket 44 could
be
incorporated into other configurations or types of window balance assemblies
(e.g., moving-coil, fixed-coil, constant-force, non-constant-force, etc.).
Furthermore, while the figures illustrate window balance assemblies having a
single spring 42, in some embodiments, two or more springs 42 could be
incorporated into a single window balance assembly to increase a spring
capacity of the window balance assembly.
[0058] The window balance assembly 20 shown in Figure 2 may be a
moving-coil type window balance assembly, as the spring 42 and carrier 40 may
be vertically movable with the lower sash 14 relative to the window jamb 16
and
the bracket 44 may be fixed relative to the window jamb 16 when the window
balance assembly 20 is fully installed. The carrier 40 (also referred to as a
shoe)
may engage the pivot bar 22, which in turn, may engage the lower sash 14. The
carrier 40 may house a curled portion 45 (Figure 4) of the spring 42. The
bracket
44 may engage an uncurled end 47 of the spring 42 and may be fixed relative to
the window jamb 16 when the window balance assembly 20 is fully installed
within the window jamb 16. The spring 42 may resist being uncurled such that
the spring 42 exerts an upward force on the carrier 40, thereby biasing the
lower
sash 14 upward toward the open position.
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,
[0059]
Referring now to Figures 2 and 4, the carrier 40 may include a
body 46 and a cam 48. The body 46 can be molded and/or machined from a
polymeric or metallic material, for example, and may include first and second
housing portions 50, 52. In some embodiments, the first and second housing
portions 50, 52 may be similar or identical components that can engage each
other to form a housing for the spring 42 and the cam 48. Each of the first
and
second housing portions 50, 52 may include an upper body 54, a lower body 56
and a pair of legs 58 extending between the upper and lower bodies 54, 56. It
will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the body 46 could be formed from
a single piece or in any other suitable manner.
[0060] The upper body 54 may include a top end 64 and a bottom end
66. When the first and second housing portions 50, 52 are assembled together,
the first and second housing portions 50, 52 cooperate with each other to form
a
nest that receives the curled portion 45 of the spring 42. The uncurled end 47
of
the spring 42 may extend through an opening 74 toward the bracket 44. In some
embodiments, a ramp 73 having an inclined surface 75 may extend from the
bottom end 66 toward the lower body 56 between the legs 58.
[0061] The upper body 54 may also include a projection 76 and a slot
81 disposed at the top end 64 (Figure 2). The projection 76 may include a
generally I-shaped cross-section having upper and lower flanges 78, 80 and a
body 82 extending therebetween. The slots 81 may be sized and shaped to
enable the slots 81 of the first housing portion 50 and the second housing
portion
52 to slidably engage the lower flanges 80 of the second housing portion 52
and
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the first housing portion 50, respectively. The lower flanges 80 may be
securely
received in the corresponding slots 78 by a snap fit, a press fit, a fastener
and/or
adhesive, for example, or any other suitable attachment means.
[0062] As shown in Figure 2, the lower body 56 may include a top end
88, a bottom end 90, a first side 92, and a second side 94. An aperture 96 may
extend through the lower body 56 and may rotatably engage the cam 48. A first
slot 98 in communication with the aperture 96 may extend through the exterior
and interior faces 84, 86 and may extend vertically upward from the aperture
96
through the top end 88.
[0063] The lower
body 56 may include a barbed protuberance 100
disposed at or proximate to the first side 92. A second slot 104 may be formed
in the second side 94 generally opposite the barbed protuberance 100. In this
manner, when the first and second housing portions 50, 52 are assembled
together, the barbed protuberances 100 may engage the second slots 104. The
engagement between the barbed protuberances 100 and second slots 104 may
be configured to allow the lower bodies 56 of the first and second housing
portions 50, 52 to be movable relative to each other between a first position
(corresponding to a tilted position of the lower sash 14) and a second
position
(corresponding to an upright position of the lower sash 14) without
disengaging
each other in a similar manner as described in Assignee's commonly owned U.S.
Patent No. 8,561,260.
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,
,
[0064] The legs 58 may interconnect the upper and lower bodies 54,
56 and may be integrally formed therewith. The legs 58 may be spaced apart
from each other and may define a channel 107 therebetween. The channel 107
may be aligned with the ramp 73 of the upper body 54 and with the first slot
98
and aperture 96 of the lower body 56.
[0065] The legs 58 may be resiliently flexible members having
thicknesses that may be relatively thin compared to the thicknesses of the
upper
and lower bodies 54, 56. This provides additional flexibility for the legs 58
to
resiliently bend and flex about one or more horizontal axes.
In some
embodiments, the flexibility of the legs 58 may facilitate twisting of the
carrier 40
about a vertically extending axis that extends vertically through the central
portions of the carrier 40 and the bracket 44.
[0066]
The cam 48 may be an elliptic cylinder having a pair of slots 118
on opposite sides of the cam 48. Either of the slots 118 of the cam 48 of each
of
the window balance assemblies 20 can receive one of the pivot bars 22
extending from the lower sash 14. The cam 48 may be rotatable within the
aperture 96 between an unlocked position corresponding to an upright position
of
the lower sash 14 and a locked position corresponding to a tilted position of
the
lower sash 14. Rotation of the cam 48 may allow the lower sash 14 to pivot
about a longitudinal axis of the pivot bar 22 between the upright position and
the
tilted position.
[0067]
When the cam 48 is rotated into the locked position, the elliptical
shape of the cam 48 causes the lower bodies 56 of the first and second housing
CA 02834563 2016-07-13
portions 50, 52 of the carrier 40 to move outward away from each other (but
without
disengaging each other), as described above. With the lower bodies 56 moved
outward, the exterior faces 84 of the lower bodies 56 may be forced against
third and
fourth walls 32, 34 of the jamb channel 26, thereby increasing the friction
between
the carrier 40 and the jamb channel 26 to lock the carrier 40 relative to the
jamb
channel 26. As shown in Figure 2, when the cam 48 is in the locked position,
the slot
118 in the cam 48 may be substantially aligned with the channel 107 between
the
legs 58, the ramp 73 of the upper body 54, the first slot 98 and the aperture
96 of the
lower body 56. This alignment allows for "drop-in" installation of the pivot
bar 22 into
the cam 48 while the carrier 40 is locked in place within the jamb channel 26.
[0068] When the cam 48 is in the unlocked position (i.e., oriented such that
the slot 118 is oriented horizontally), the interior faces of the lower bodies
56 of the
carrier 40 may move toward each other (Le., return to the unlocked or
unrestricted
position), such that the carrier 40 may be generally unrestricted from moving
upward
and downward in the window jamb channel 26 as the lower sash 14 moves between
the open and closed positions.
[0069] It will be
appreciated that the carrier 40 and cam 48 can be of
any other suitable type and/or configuration. For example, the carrier 40 and
cam 48 can be similar to one of the types disclosed in Assignee's commonly
owned U.S. Patent Application No. 8,561,260.
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,
,
[0070] Referring now to Figures 2-5, the bracket 44 may be formed
from a polymeric material and/or a metallic material, for example, and may
include a body portion 120, first and second head portions 122, 123, a base
124,
and first and second latches 126, 127. The body portion 120 may include a
first
side 128 (Figure 2) and a second side 130 (Figure 3). The second side 130 may
include a bosses 132 (Figures 3-5) extending outward therefrom in a direction
that is substantially perpendicular to the second side 130. The boss 132 may
include a pair of generally cylindrical projections 134 that extend outward in
the
direction that is substantially perpendicular to the second side 130. Each of
the
projections 134 may include a pair of tabs 136 that extend outward from an end
of the projection 134 in opposite directions that are substantially parallel
to the
second side 130. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the projection 134 may be
received through corresponding slots or apertures 137 in the second wall 30 of
the jamb channel 26. One or both of the tabs 136 may engage an exterior side
139 of the second wall 30 when the projections 134 are received in the
apertures
137 to restrict or prevent the projections 134 from backing out of the
apertures
137. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the boss 132 may abut an interior side 141
of
the second wall 32 when the projections 134 are received in the apertures 137.
[0071] The first and second head portions 122, 123 may be disposed
at or adjacent a top end 138 of the body portion 120. The first and second
head
portions 122, 123 may extend away from the first side 128 of the body portion
120 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first side 128.
As
shown in Figure 5, the first and second head portions 122, 123 may be sized
and
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,
shaped so that tips 140 of the first and second head portions 122, 123 may
contact (or nearly contact) the first wall 28 of the jamb channel 26 and outer
faces 142 of the first and second head portions 122, 123 may contact (or
nearly
contact) the third and fourth walls 32, 34, respectively, of the jamb channel
26
when the bracket 44 is installed in the jamb channel 26. As shown in Figure 5,
the first and second head portions 122, 123 may cooperate with the first side
128
of the body portion 120 to form a U-shape to provide clearance for the tilt
latch
mechanism 24 when it extends into the slot 36 of the jamb channel 26.
[0072] The base 124 of the bracket 44 may include tabs 144 (Figure 3)
that extend downward away from the body portion 120. The base 124 may
removably engage the upper flanges 78 of the projections 76 of the carrier 40.
The engagement between the upper flanges 78 and the base 124 may be a snap
or interference fit, for example. In some embodiments, the tabs 144 may slide
and/or snap into and out of engagement with the projection 76 or breakaway
from the projection 76 as the carrier 40 is pulled away from the bracket 44.
[0073] The first and second latches 126, 127 may extend generally
upward and outward from opposite lateral edges 146 of the body portion 120
between the first and second head portions 122, 123 and the base 124. Either
of
the latches 126, 127 may engage an aperture 43 in the spring 42 (as shown in
Figure 2). The base 124 may extend laterally outward from the body portion 120
and may engage one of the projections 76 of the carrier 40, as shown in Figure
2.
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[0074] The first and second latches 126, 127 allow for the spring 42
to
be attached on either side of the window balance assembly 20 (i.e., either
adjacent the third wall 32 or adjacent the fourth wall 34 of the window jamb
channel 26) according to a user's preference. For example, some users may
prefer to have the springs 42 of both window balance assemblies 20 of a
particular sash be facing an exterior of the building or some users may prefer
to
have the springs 42 of both window balance assemblies 20 facing an interior of
the building depending on aesthetic preferences, for example. Because the
bracket 44 includes the first and second latches 126, 127 disposed on opposite
lateral edges 146 of the body portion 120, one of the window balance
assemblies
20 for a particular sash can be configured such that the spring 42 is attached
to
the first latch 126 and the other one of the window balance assemblies 20 for
the
particular sash can be configured such that the spring 42 is attached to the
second latch 127.
[0075] In some embodiments, a mounting aperture 148 may extend
through the first and second sides 128, 130 and the boss 132. Optionally, a
fastener (not shown) may be driven through the mounting aperture 148 and the
second wall 30 of the jamb channel 26 to aid the projections 134 in securing
the
bracket 44 to the window jamb 16.
[0076] With reference to Figures 1, 4 and 5, a method of installing
the
window balance assembly 20 into the window assembly 10 will be described.
Installation of the window balance assembly 20 may begin by inserting the
window balance assembly 20 into the jamb channel 26. This can be done by
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inserting the window balance assembly 20 through an open end of the jamb
channel 26 before the window jamb 16 is fastened to the window sill 18 and/or
header of the window assembly 10, for example. Alternatively, the window
balance assembly 20 can be inserted into the jamb channel 26 through a cutout
21 in the jamb channel 26 disposed between the upper and lower ends of the
window jamb, as shown in Figure 1. The window balance assembly 20 can be
easily inserted into and removed from the jamb channel 26 through the cutout
21
even after the window jamb 16 is installed in the window frame (i.e., after
the
window jamb 16 is fixed to the window frame header and sill) without
disassembling or removing the window jamb 16 from the window assembly 10.
[0077] After the window balance assembly 20 is received in the jamb
channel 26, the bracket 44 can be secured to the second wall 30 of the jamb
channel 26 and the pivot bar 22 connected to the lower sash 14 can be received
into the cam 48, as described above. The bracket 44 can be secured to the
second wall 30 by aligning the projections 134 with the apertures 137 of the
second wall 30 and inserting the projections 134 through the apertures 137.
[0078] With
the projections 134 received in the apertures 137, the tips
140 of the first and second head portions 122, 123 may contact (or nearly
contact) the first wall 28 of the jamb channel 26 and outer faces 142 of the
first
and second head portions 122, 123 may contact (or nearly contact) the third
and
fourth walls 32, 34, respectively, of the jamb channel 26, as described above
and
shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 4, the first and second latches 126, 127
are disposed vertically between the projections 134 and the first and second
CA 02834563 2013-11-28
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head portions 122, 123. In this manner, the first and second head portions
122,
123 may cooperate with the projections 134 and the boss 132 to restrict or
prevent the bracket 44 from pivoting or rotating relative to the jamb channel
26 in
response to a force being exerted on one of the latches 126, 127 by the spring
42 and carrier 40 (i.e., due to the lower sash 14 being moved toward the
closed
position) or in response to a reduction of force exerted on one of the latches
126,
127 by the spring 42 and carrier 40 (i.e., due to the lower sash 14 being
moved
toward the open position). Further, the fact that the bracket 44 includes the
pair
of projections 134 (rather than just a single projection 134) also restricts
rotation
of the bracket 44. Restricting or preventing the bracket 44 from pivoting or
rotating in these manners may restrict or prevent the bracket 44 from being
unintentionally disengaged from the second wall 30 of the jamb channel 26.
[0079] With reference to Figures 6 and 7, another bracket 244 is
provided. The bracket 244 could be incorporated into the window balance
assembly 20 in place of the bracket 44. The structure and function of the
bracket
244 may be substantially similar to that of the bracket 44 described above,
apart
from any exceptions noted below. Therefore, similar features will not be
described again in detail.
[0080]
Briefly, the bracket 244 may include a body portion 320, first
and second head portions 322, 323, a base 324, and a single latch 326. The
body portion 320 may include a boss 332 having a pair of projections 334
extending outwardly therefrom. In some embodiments, an aperture 348 may
extend through the body portion 320 and the boss 332.
21
CA 02834563 2016-07-13
[0081] The base 324
may releasably engage the projections 76 of the
carrier 40 in a manner described in Assignee's commonly owned U.S. Patent No.
8,561,260. For example, the base 324 may include a recess 325 and a tab 327.
The recess 325 may be disposed generally beneath the latch 326 and may receive
one of the projections 76 of the carrier 40. The tab 327 may engage an
underside
of the upper flange 78 of the other one of the projections 76 of the carrier
40.
Downward force exerted on the latch 326 by the spring 42 may maintain the
engagement between the base 324 and the projections 76. It will be appreciated
the base 324 may be configured similarly to the base 124 or any other base
portion
described in U.S. Patent No. 8,561,260.
[0082] With reference to Figures 8-10, another bracket 444 is provided.
The bracket 444 could be incorporated into the window balance assembly 20 in
place of the bracket 44. The structure and function of the bracket 444 may be
generally similar to that of the bracket 44 described above, apart from any
exceptions noted below. Therefore, similar features will not be described
again
in detail.
[0083] The bracket 444 may include a body portion 520, first and second
head portions 522, 523, a base 524, and a latch 526. The body portion 520 may
include a first side 528 (Figure 8), a second side 530 (Figure 9), and first
and second
projections 534, 535. In some embodiments, the first and second projections
534,
536 may be integrally formed with each other. A first end 533 of the first
projection
534 and a second end 538 of the second projection
22
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535 extend outward from the first side 528. A second end 537 of the first
projection 534 and a first end 539 of the second projection 536 extend outward
from the second side 530. The first ends 533, 539 may include an upwardly
extending tab 541. The second ends 537, 538 may include a downwardly
extending tab 543. The projections 534, 536 may be received through an
aperture in the second wall 30 of the jamb channel 26. One or both of the tabs
541, 543 may engage the exterior side 139 of the second wall 30 when the
projections 534, 536 are received in the aperture to restrict or prevent the
projections 534, 536 from backing out of the aperture. In some embodiments, a
mounting aperture 548 may extend through the body portion 520 above the
projections 534, 536.
[0084] The first and second head portions 522, 523 may be disposed
at or adjacent a top end of the body portion 520. The first and second head
portions 522, 523 may extend away from the first and second sides 528, 530 of
the body portion 520 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the
body
portion 520, as shown in Figure 10. The first and second head portions 522,
523
may be sized and shaped so that tips 540 of the first and second head portions
522, 523 may contact (or nearly contact) the first and second walls 28, 30 of
the
jamb channel 26 and outer faces 542 of the first and second head portions 522,
523 may contact (or nearly contact) the third and fourth walls 32, 34 of the
jamb
channel 26 when the bracket 444 is installed in the jamb channel 26.
[0085] The base 524 may releasably engage the projections 76 of the
carrier 40 in a manner described above. For example, the base 524 may include
23
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a recess 525 and a tab 527 that may be substantially similar to the recess 325
and tab 327 described above.
[0086] With the bracket 444 incorporated into the window balance
assembly 20, the window balance assembly 20 is a non-handed assembly. That
is, two identical window balance assemblies 20 each having the bracket 444 can
be used on either of the right-hand and left-hand sides of the lower sash 14
and
with either side of the window balance assembly 20 facing the lower sash 14
(i.e., with either the first housing portion 50 or the second housing portion
52
facing the lower sash 14) without changing the function, structure,
configuration
or arrangement of the components of the window balance assemblies 20, the
window jambs 16, the sashes 12, 14 or any other component of the window
assembly 10.
[0087] With
reference to Figures 11-13, another bracket 644 is
provided. The bracket 644 could be incorporated into the window balance
assembly 20 in place of the bracket 44. The mounting bracket 644 may include a
body portion 650, a head 652, a base 654, and a tab 656. The mounting bracket
644 may be substantially symmetric about a plane defining the body portion 650
and extending through the head 652, base 654, and tab 656.
[0088] The body portion 650 may include a pair of bosses 660
disposed on opposite sides of the body portion 650. Each of the bosses 660
may include a projection 662 extending therefrom. Each of the projections 662
may include a pair of tabs 663 extending in opposite directions. Either of the
projections 662 may engage an aperture in the second wall 30 of the jamb
24
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,
channel 26, as described above. The tabs 663 may reduce or prevent the
projection 662 from backing out of the aperture in the second wall 30 and
unintentionally disengaging the bracket 644 from the second wall 30.
[0089]
Each of the bosses 660 may include first and second surfaces
664, 666 disposed at non-perpendicular angles relative to each other. The body
portion 650 may also include a pair of tapered surfaces 670. Each tapered
surface 670 may be substantially coplanar with the first surface 664 on the
corresponding side of the body portion 650 (see Figure 13). A latch 672 may
extend generally upward and outward from the body portion 650 between the
head 652 and the base 654. The latch 672 may engage the aperture 43 in the
spring 42.
[0090] The head 652 may extend laterally outward from the body
portion 650 and may include a pair of third surfaces 674 and a pair of fourth
surfaces 675. Each of the third surfaces 674 may be substantially coplanar
with
the first surface 664 and tapered surface 670 on the corresponding side of the
body portion 650. One of the third surfaces 674 may abut the second wall 30 of
the jamb channel 26 when the mounting bracket 644 is installed therein, as
shown in Figure 13. Each of the fourth surfaces 675 may be substantially
perpendicular to an adjacent one of the third surfaces 674. As shown in Figure
13, one of the fourth surfaces 675 may contact or nearly contact one of the
third
wall 32 and the fourth wall 34. An end of the tapered surfaces 670 may contact
or nearly contact the other of the third wall 32 and the fourth wall 34. In
this
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manner, the bracket 644 may be prevented from rotating about the projection
662 engaging the second wall 30.
[0091] The base 654 may extend laterally outward from the body
portion 650 and may include a pair of fifth surfaces 676 and a leg portion
678.
Each of the fifth surfaces 676 may be on laterally opposite ends of the base
654
and may be substantially coplanar with the first surface 664, third surface
674
and tapered surface 670 on the corresponding side of the body portion 650. The
leg portion 678 may cooperate with a first lower surface 679 of the body
portion
650 to form a recess receiving one of the projections 76 of the carrier 40.
[0092] The tab 656 may extend from a second lower surface 682 and
may cooperate with the second lower surface 682 to engage at least a portion
of
the other of the projections 76 of the carrier 40. In some embodiments, the
tab
656 may slidably engage the projection 76. In some embodiments, the tab 656
may snap into and out of engage with the projection 76 or breakaway from the
projection 76.
[0093] The mounting bracket 644 may be symmetric in that it includes
each of the first surface 664, tapered surface 670, third surface 674 and the
fifth
surface 676 on each side of the mounting bracket 644. This symmetry allows the
mounting bracket 644, and hence the window balance assembly 20, to be non-
handed.
[0094] With reference to Figures 14 and 15, another bracket 844 is
provided. The bracket 844 could be incorporated into the window balance
26
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assembly 20 in place of the bracket 44. The bracket 844 may include a body
portion 920, a head portion 922, a base 924, and a latch 926.
[0095] The body portion 920 may include a first side 928 and a second
side 930. Each of the first and second sides 928, 930 may include a bosses 932
extending outward therefrom. An aperture 931 may extend through both of the
bosses 932 and the body portion 920. A peg 934 may be slidably received in the
aperture 931 and may be movable therein between a disengaged position
(Figure 14) in which the peg 934 is generally centered in the aperture 931 and
an
engaged position (Figure 15) in which the peg 934 is pushed out of one end of
the aperture 931 so that the peg 934 may engage the aperture 137 in the second
wall 30. Both ends of the peg 934 may include a flared portion 935 extending
laterally outward therefrom. The flared portions 935 may be substantially
parallel
to the bosses 932 and may prevent the peg 934 from sliding out of the aperture
931 in the engaged position.
[0096] The
head portion 922 may extend laterally from the body portion
920 in opposite directions to form a T-shape. When the bracket 844 is received
in the jamb channel 26, a first end 940 of the head portion 922 may contact or
nearly contact the second wall 30 and a second end 941 of the head portion 922
may contact or nearly contact the first wall 28.
[0097] The base 924 may extend laterally from the body portion 920 in
opposite directions to form a T-shape. When the bracket 844 is received in the
jamb channel 26, the base 924 may contact or nearly contact the first and
27
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second walls 28, 30. Like the brackets 44, 244, 444, 644, 844 described above,
the base 924 may removably engage the carrier 40.
[0098] With the bracket 844 incorporated into the window balance
assembly 20, the window balance assembly 20 is a non-handed assembly. The
peg 934 can be pushed in either direction (i.e., to the left or right) from
the
disengaged position (Figure 14) depending upon which side of the bracket 844
is
facing the second wall 30.
[0099] In
some embodiments, the peg 934 may be initially fixed to the
body portion 920 by a breakaway connection in the disengaged position. In such
embodiments, a user may break the breakaway connection by pushing the peg
934 toward the engaged position.
[00100] With reference to Figures 16-19, another window balance
assembly 1020 is provided. The window balance assembly 1020 may be a fixed-
coil balance assembly including a carrier module 1040, a spring module 1042,
and a bracket module 1044. That is, the spring module 1042 is fixed relative
to
the jamb channel 26 during operation of the window balance assembly 1020.
[00101] The carrier module 1040 may include a body portion 1046 and a
cam 1048. The body portion 1046 may include one or more latches 1050
configured to engage an uncurled end 1041 of a spring 1043 of the spring
module 1042. The cam 1048 may be rotatably received in the body portion 1046
between a locked position to restrict movement of the carrier 1040 within the
jamb channel 26 and an unlocked position to allow movement of the carrier 1040
within the jamb channel 26. In the locked position, the cam 1048 may force
first
28
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and second housing portions of the carrier 1040 apart from each other to
increase friction with the jamb channel 26, as described above. The body
portion
1046 may include a channel 1051 that is aligned with the cam 1048 to allow for
"drop-in" installation of the pivot bar 22 into the cam 1048 while the carrier
1040
is locked in place within the jamb channel 26.
[00102] The spring module 1042 may include a housing 1052 encasing
a curled end 1045 of the spring 1043. A lower end of the housing 1052 may
include a pair of projections 1054. The projections 1054 may slidably engage
the
bracket 1044.
[00103] The bracket module 1044 may include a body 1060 and a
projection 1062. The body 1060 may include an upper portion 1064 and a lower
portion 1066. The upper portion 1064 may include a pair of recesses 1068
(Figure 16) that slidably receive the projections 1054 of the spring module
1042.
The lower portion 1066 may be tapered and is shown in Figures 16 and 17 as be
received in the channel 1051 of the carrier 1040 (it will be appreciated that
during
operation of the window balance assembly 1020, the carrier 1040 can be
separated from the bracket module 1044 as the sash 14 is moved up and down).
[00104] The projection 1062 may be a generally cylindrical member
extending from a first side 1070 of the body 1060. A distal end of the
projection
1062 may include a downwardly extending flange 1072 and an upwardly
extending tab 1074 (Figure 19). In some embodiments, an aperture 1076 may
extend though the projection 1062 and a second side 1078 of the body 1060.
29
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,
,
[00105] With reference to Figures 18 and 19, a method of installing the
window balance assembly 1020 into the jamb channel 26 will be described.
Installation of the window balance assembly 1020 may begin by inserting the
window balance assembly 1020 into the jamb channel 26. This can be done by
inserting the window balance assembly 1020 through an open end of the jamb
channel 26 before the window jamb 16 is fastened to the window sill 18 and/or
header of the window assembly 10, for example. Alternatively, the window
balance assembly 1020 can be inserted into the jamb channel 26 through the
cutout 21 in the jamb channel 26 disposed between the upper and lower ends of
the window jamb, as shown in Figure 1.
[00106] After the window balance assembly 1020 is received in the jamb
channel 26, the bracket 1044 can be secured to the second wall 30 of the jamb
channel 26 and the pivot bar 22 connected to the lower sash 14 can be received
into the cam 1048, as described above. The bracket 1044 can be secured to the
second wall 30 by aligning the projection 1062 with an aperture of the second
wall 30. Thereafter, the user may push the bracket 1044 relative to the spring
module 1042 and carrier module 1040 from a retracted position (shown in Figure
18) to an extended position (shown in Figure 19). Moving the bracket 1044 into
the extended position may allow the projection 1062 to be inserted into the
aperture of the second wall 30. The flange 1072 and tab 1074 may restrict or
prevent the bracket 1044 from moving back to the retracted position once the
projection 1062 has been fully received in the aperture in the second wall 30.
In
some embodiments, the user can also drive a screw or other fastener through
CA 02834563 2013-11-28
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,
,
the aperture 1076 of the bracket 1044 and into the window jamb 16 to assist in
securing the bracket 1044 to the window jamb 16.
[00107] All of the brackets 44, 244, 444, 644, 844, 1044 described
above are configured to be securely fixed within the jamb channel 26 without a
screw, nail, rivet or other fastener and without adhesive or welding. However,
it
will be appreciated that a user could screw, nail, rivet, adhesively bond, or
weld,
one or more of the brackets 44, 244, 444, 644, 844, 1044 to the jamb channel
26
in addition to or instead of the attaching means described above.
[00108] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to
be
exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a
particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment,
but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected
embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be
varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from
the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within
the
scope of the disclosure.
,
31
