Locking balance shoe and system for a pivotable window

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9580950-B2
Application number	US-65412007-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 17, 2007
Priority date	Jan 12, 2001
Publication date	Feb 28, 2017
Grant date	Feb 28, 2017

Abstract

Locking balance shoes and balance systems to be incorporated in pivotable double hung windows include, in one embodiment, a pair of retractable tabs that partially extend through openings within an inverted window balance. In one embodiment of the method of installing such a system, an enlarged portion of the balance shoe is inserted into a window jamb and then rotated into position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A window balance system adapted to be received in a window jamb track, the window balance system comprising:
a U-shaped channel defining a plurality of openings, a channel width (W C ), and a channel depth (D C );
a spring connected to a system of pulleys located within the U-shaped channel;
a cord with a first cord end and a second cord end, the first cord end connected to and threaded through the system of pulleys, the second cord end connected to a jamb mounting attachment; and
a T-shaped balance shoe, wherein the balance shoe comprises:
a frame comprising an elongate portion and an enlarged portion,
wherein the elongate portion comprises two frame edge surfaces defining an elongate portion width (W EL ) therebetween and a frame front surface and a frame back surface defining an elongate portion depth (D EL ) therebetween,
wherein the enlarged portion comprises two outer surfaces defining an enlarged portion width (W EN ) therebetween, a front surface and a back surface defining an enlarged portion depth (D EN ) therebetween, and opposing surfaces defining an enlarged portion length (L EN ) therebetween,
wherein the elongate portion depth (D EL ) is substantially the same as the channel depth (D C ) and the elongate portion width (W EL ) is substantially the same as the channel width (W C ),
wherein the enlarged portion width (W EN ) is greater than each of the elongate portion depth (D EL ), the elongate portion width (W EL ), the enlarged portion depth (D EN ), the enlarged portion length (L EN ), the channel width (W C ), and the channel depth (D C ),and
wherein the elongate portion is received at least partially within the U-shaped channel, and wherein the two outer surfaces of the enlarged portion are adapted to slide within the window jamb track;
a cam at least partially disposed within the enlarged portion, wherein the cam is adapted for rotation between a first position and a second position;
a locking device in contact with the cam and at least partially disposed within the enlarged portion, the locking device comprising opposed locking surfaces, wherein the locking surfaces are adapted to extend beyond the two outer surfaces of the enlarged portion when the cam is in the first position; and
a connecting device for attaching the balance shoe to the U-shaped channel.

2. The balance system of claim 1 , wherein the locking surfaces are adapted to retract to locations within the enlarged portion when the cam is in the second position.

3. The balance system of claim 1 , wherein the locking surfaces are joined by a spring member.

4. The balance system of claim 1 , wherein the cam defines an opening adapted to receive therein a pivot pin.

5. The window balance system of claim 1 , wherein the enlarged portion comprises a plastic.

6. The window balance system of claim 5 , wherein the elongate portion comprises the plastic.

7. The balance system of claim 1 , wherein the elongate portion includes an opening through the two frame edge surfaces of the elongate portion.

8. The balance system of claim 1 , wherein the locking surfaces are forced toward the window jamb track when the cam is in the first position.

9. The balance system of claim 8 , wherein the locking surfaces are adapted to engage the window jamb track when the cam is in the first position.

10. The balance system of claim 1 , wherein the locking device at least partially surrounds the cam.

11. The balance system of claim 1 , wherein the cam is in direct contact with the locking device.

12. The window balance system of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a resilient member for securing the balance shoe to the U-shaped channel.

13. The window balance system of claim 12 , wherein the elongate portion comprises the resilient member.

14. The window balance system of claim 13 , wherein the resilient member comprises a tab.

15. The balance system of claim 1 , wherein the locking device comprises a plate.

16. The balance system of claim 15 , wherein the plate is adapted to engage the window jamb track when the cam is in the first position.

17. The window balance system of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a unitary construction.

18. The window balance system of claim 1 , wherein the connecting device comprises a rivet.

19. The window balance system of claim 18 , wherein the elongate portion defines at least one opening adapted to mate with the rivet.

20. A window balance system adapted to be received in a window jamb track, the window balance system comprising:
a U-shaped channel defining a plurality of openings, a channel width (W C ), and a channel depth (D C );
a spring connected to a system of pulleys located within the U-shaped channel;
a cord with a first cord end and a second cord end, the first cord end connected to and threaded through the system of pulleys, the second cord end connected to a jamb mounting attachment; and
a T-shaped balance shoe, wherein the balance shoe comprises:
a frame comprising an elongate portion and an enlarged portion,
wherein the elongate portion comprises two frame edge surfaces defining an elongate portion width (W EL ) therebetween and a frame front surface and a frame back surface defining an elongate portion depth (D EL ) therebetween,
wherein the enlarged portion comprises two outer surfaces defining an enlarged portion width (W EN ) therebetween, a front surface and a back surface defining an enlarged portion depth (D EN ) therebetween, and opposing surfaces defining an enlarged portion length (L EN ) therebetween,
wherein the elongate portion depth (D EL ) is substantially the same as the channel depth (D C ) and, the elongate portion width (W EL ) is substantially the same as the channel width (W C ),
wherein the enlarged portion width (W EN ) is greater than each of the elongate portion depth (D EL ), the elongate portion width (W EL ), the enlarged portion depth (D EN ), the enlarged portion length (L EN ), the channel width (W C ), and the channel depth (D C ), and
wherein the elongate portion is received at least partially within the U-shaped channel, and wherein the two outer surfaces of the enlarged portion are adapted to slide within the window jamb track;
a cam at least partially disposed within the enlarged portion, wherein the cam is adapted for rotation between a first position and a second position; and
a locking device in contact with the cam, the locking device adapted to be forced toward the window jamb track when the cam is in the first position.

21. The balance system of claim 20 , the frame further comprising a resilient tab.

22. The balance system of claim 21 , wherein the resilient tab is located on the elongate portion.

23. The balance system of claim 20 , wherein the elongate portion includes an opening through the two frame edge surfaces of the elongate portion define an opening therebetween.

24. The balance system of claim 23 , wherein the opening is adapted to receive a connecting device.

25. The balance system of claim 20 , wherein the locking device at least partially surrounds the cam.

26. The balance system of claim 20 , wherein the cam defines an opening adapted to receive therein a pivot pin.

27. The balance system of claim 20 , wherein the cam is in direct contact with the locking device.

28. A window balance system adapted to be received in a window jamb track, the win

Assignees

• Uken Stuart J
• Newman Gary R
• Versteeg Lawrence J
• Amesbury Group Inc

Inventors

• Uken Stuart J
• Newman Gary R
• Versteeg Lawrence J

Classifications

• E05Y2201/67

  in tackles · CPC title

• E05Y2900/148

  Windows · CPC title

• E05D13/08 Primary

  acting by friction for vertically sliding wings · CPC title

• E05D15/08 Primary

  consisting of two or more independent parts movable each in its own guides · CPC title

• E05D15/22

  allowing an additional movement {(E05D15/20 takes precedence)} · CPC title