US2329463A - Sash balance - Google Patents

Description

G. H. FROELICH SASH BALANC Sept. `14, 1943.

Filed Feb. l2, 1943 ZSheets-Sheet l IN1/EN TOR.

GUSTA VE fffkoEL/CH.

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ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 14, 1943. G. H. FRoELlcH SASH BALANCE Filed Feb. l2, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheei, 2

INVENTOR. GUS TA z/E ff. HPOEL /CHA WWW ATTORNEY5.

will" Patented Sept. 14., 1943 2,329,463 sAsH BALANCE Gustave H. Froelich, Torrington, Conn., assignor to The Turner & Seymour Manufacturing Co.,

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Torrington, Conn., a corporation of Connecti- Application February 12, 1943, Serial No. 475,609

12 Claims.

This invention relates to a sash balance construction wherein, instead of using the usual window weights, spring means are employed for checking the downward movement of the sash and for also supplying force tending to aid upward movement thereof.

This application comprises a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 313,049, filed January 9, 1940, which in turn was copending with and was a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 223,407, illed August 6, 1928.

More particularly, this invention relates to improved spring sash balances of a general character such as shown in the U. S. patents to Schuch No. 649,765, granted May 15, 1900, and No. 771,276, granted October 4, 1904. In such sash balances a tubular member having a spiral thread on its exterior surface is rotatably mounted within a vertically extending groove formed within the normally concealed edge of the sash, such thread being designed to be engaged by a member secured to the window frame,`

and the tubular member containing a spring. The parts are so connected that as the window is lowered the tubular member turns and applies more tension to the spring, thus checking the window from falling. At the same time the energy stored up in the spring is available and tends to aid in raising the window when desired.

While numerous different variations of this class of sash balance have heretofore been proposed, so far as I am aware they have not met with any widespread use because of certain dificulties which are overcome by my inventions.

According to the present invention in its preferred forms, a simple, durable and inexpensive sash balance of the above indicated character is provided. Also if desired, the balance may be such that it may be fully assembled prior to the installation of the same, and in which the spring tension may be conveniently and very quickly adjusted at any time after the device is installed, but without the necessity of removing any part of the device from the sash, and without requiring removal of the sash from the window frame. The invention also provides a construction which may be conveniently and quickly installed and accurately fixed in proper position, without any substantial cutting away of either the sash or the window frame except for the provision of a single groove along each vertical side edge of the sash. Also, according to preferred forms of the invention all of its parts as installed for normal use are substantially concealed from view.

Various further and more speciilc objects, features and advantages will clearly appear from the detailed description given below, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this speciilcation and illustrate merely by way of examples, certain preferred forms of the invention. The invention consists in such novel features, arrangements and combinations of parts as may be shown and described in connection with the devices herein disclosed by way of examples.

In the drawings,

Fig. l illustrates a window and window frame equipped with devices made according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 3--3 of Fig. 2 and showing in further detail one of the devices embodying the invention, as installed within a sash and sash frame;

Figs. 4 and 5 are bottom and vertical sectional views respectively of means for attaching the sash balance device to a windowI sash;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of a portion of the device of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view partially broken away showing an alternative form of device embodying certain features of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a perspective View ci a device similar to that of Fig. 6, adapted for use with the construction of Fig. 7;

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 inclusive are sectional views illustrating details of various alternative constructions for securing the ends of the spring within devices as of Figs. 3 and 7; and

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate alternative forms of tubes with helical raceways, adapted for use with constructions otherwise similar to those of Figs. 3 and 7.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, a window is shown of conventional form having a lower sash A, an upper sash B, and both being slidably mounted within a window frame C, which also may be of any desired and well-known or conventional type. As indicated also in Figs. 1 and 2, two of the sash balance devices embodying the .invention are shown installed as at I0 at the vertical edges respectively of the lower sash. In a similar way like devices as at III' may be installed respectively along each of the vertical edges of the upper sash.

Referring now to Fig. 3, each of the sash balance devices may comprise a cylindrical tube H wardly as at I3 along its entire length whereby when the ribbon is helically wound, a ilange will be formed protruding from the surface of the cylindrical tube and thereby forming an integral strengthening means, which together with the helical slot forms a guiding means extending around and along the cylindrical tube. If preferred. this tube vmay alternatively be constructed in the forms disclosed in my above mentioned application Ser. No. 223,407, and as hereinafter described in connection with Fig. 14, or in accordance with other forms hereinafter disclosed.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 6, the tube II and its flange I3 are adapted to be slidably embraced by a member I4 secured by an integrally formed bracket I5 and screws I6 to the window frame. As shown in Fig. 6, the member I4 may comprise a substantially cylindrically formed piece of sheet metal having a slot as at I1, opposite the bracket I5. The opening or slot I1 may be formed with one smoothly curved edge adapted to engage one side of the helical flange I3, as shown in Fig. 3.

The other edge of the slot I1 may be formed with l an inwardly projecting tongue for engaging kthe racew-ay of the tube II. bracket I5 which accompanies the devices III for the lower sash extends downwardly from the piece I4, whereas for the devices III' as used for the upper sash, the bracket I5 may be turned around to extend upwardly. In this manner it will be apparent that in both cases the bracket may be screwed to the window frame at points such that the bracket will be normally wholly concealed from view when the window is closed.

As further shown in Fig. 3, the tube I'I may be rotatably mounted at its lower end on suitable bearing means as at I9. 'I'his bearing means may comprise a stud member 20 riveted or otherwise aillxed as at 2| to a bracket member 22, which in turn may be slidably received within a member 22', the latter being fastened as by screws 23 to the lower edge of the sash. The member 22' (Figs. 3 5) may be formed of sheet metal with its two longitudinal edges bent downwardly and inwardly for slidably embracing the member 22. 'I'he member 22 may be formed with elongated openings as shown at the areas below the heads of the lscrews 23 so that the screws may be inserted if desired while the member 22 is in place within the member 22.

'Ihe slldably engaging members 22 and 22' serve to permit the sash balance to assume a position in the groove I2 whereby in operation it will not bind or jam -in respect to the member I4. That is, for example, if the sash should shrink or warp in respect to the window frame, the member 22 may slide in the member 22', to a position such that the flanged tube II will not jam or bind in the portion I4.

It will be noted that the upper end of the bracket 22 may be provided with an upset portion 24 having an area loosely tting the groove I2.

' Thus, when the bracket is applied with the upset ortion 24 extending into the groove I2, the upset lportion will serve to position and guide the tube As shown in Fig. 1, the

II and the bracket in respect to the groove, thus facilitating installation of the device in proper position.

In some cases if the members 22 and 22' are made of relatively thin sheet metal, they may be secured to the bottom edge of the sash without cutting away any of the wood, but preferably the bottom edge of the sash may be recessed somewhat as shown in Figs. 3 and 5 so as to make the outer surfaces of the member 22' substantially flush with the bottom edge 'of the sash. This recessing of the sash as well as the forming of the grooves I2 at the edges of the sash may be done in the factory, and hence the workman does not need to take any measurements or to do any further cutting of the sash in installing the device in proper position.

The bearing I9 may further comprise a short cylindrical piece 25 secured to turn with the tube II, as by forming an indentation 23 engaging a corresponding indentation or hole in the piece 25.

The upper end of the tube II is preferably not afllxed in respect to the sash, except that the tube assembly is loosely embraced in the groove I2.

The tube II may contain an elongated helical spring as at 30, the lower end of which, in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 3, may be affixed in respect to the bracket 22 as by forming the stud 20 with an extension 3| adapted to receive and to be ilxed in respect to the lower portion of the spring in various ways hereinafter described. I'he upper end of the spring 30 is adapted to be normally secured for rotation with the tube I I. But in the form shown in Fig. 3, the upper end of the spring is also adapted to be rotatably adjusted in respect to the tube in order to adjust or vary the rotational tension of the spring acting upon the tube. The means for accomplishing this with the form of the invention 'shown in Fig. 3 may comprise a stud member 32 having at its lower end an extension 33 adapted to be affixed to the upper end of the spring in a manner similar to the way in which the lower' end of the spring is attached to the stud 20. 'I'he stud 32 may be provided at its lower portionv with one or more detents as at 34 which are adapted to engage ratchet tooth portions as at 35 formed at the lower edge of a collar member 35, the member 36 being afilxed within the end of the tube I I as by detent means 31.

The upper end of the stud member 32 may be provided .,'lth a head piece as at 38, for example, in the form of a machine screw having a slot as at 33 adapted to be engaged by a screwdriver. The head piece 38 may be removably attached to the stud piece 32 as by screw threads I8. These threads should be cut in a direction such that the head piece 3B will tend to be screwed into position more firmly when the head piece is turned in a direction to tension the spring 30 in a manner hereinafter described. The stud 32, as

y shown, is normally rotatable with the tube II by reason of the engagement with the detents 34 and ratchet teeth 35 as acted upon by thetensioned spring 30. However, the stud piece 32 is also adapted for axial movement inwardly of the end of thetube, in which event the portions 34 and 35 will become disengaged, permitting the stud piece 32 together with the upper end of the spring 30, to be turned for tensioning or varying the tensioning of the spring with respect to the tube II. The stud piece 32 may, however, normally be yieldably retained in an upward position axially, by a short coil spring 29 inserted be- A spiral protruding flange as at I3, there will be a tendency for this spiral flange, particularly at the upper end of the device, to engage the adiacent wall of the window casing, and either mar or wear the same. This dilculty may be readily avoided by providing a'washer member as at 38' beneath the head piece 38, this washer member being of a greater diameter than the maximum diameter of the spiral flange I3. Thus this washer member, together with the member I4, will cooperate to prevent the spiral flange from engaging the window frame at any point and at any time during the operation of the devices.

The manner in which the device of Figs. 3 to 6 may be installed and operated will now be described. Assuming that the lower window sash is ready for installation and has been provided with grooved edges as above described, two of the devices may be applied and secured by screws as at 23, just before the sash is inserted in the window frame. The sash may now be inserted and secured in place in connection with its weather strips, if desired, as well as with the conventional parting strips and retaining strips as used with the conventional sash and frame con. structions. Then, in order to secure the bracket I5 in place, the lower sash is slid upwardly to its extreme position and with the brackets I5 directed downwardly (as shown in Fig. 3) they will be readily accessible for insertion of the screws I6. 'I'he brackets I5 may be formed of relatively thin and narrow strips of metal of such dimensions that they will be received within the space provided by the grooves I2 so that no cutting away of the window frame is necessary for applying these brackets. Once the brackets I5 are screwed in place adjacent the upper portion of the sash, the sash may be slid downwardly to closed position.

Up to this point the springs 30 need not be tensioned and in fact may be substantially free of tension, so that there will be no tendency for the tube II and members I4 and 22 to spin 4" around in the workmans hands and so that the, parts will not be under tension making it in,- ccnvenient to apply the screws to the brackets. When the devices are fully installed in the lower sash, and the lower sash is closed, the springs 30 may be quickly and accurately adjusted to the proper tension by applying a screw driver to the head pieces 38 which will now be exposed at each upper corner of the lower sash. Preferably a screw driver of the automatic type is to be used so that by merely applying downward pressure to the screw driver, the head piece 38 will be depressed against the action of spring 29, thus releasing the studs 32 for turning movement in respect to the tube I I. Thus by merely applying downward pressure to the automatic screw driver engaging the head piece 38, the stud 32 is moved axially to release it for rotation in respect to tube Il, and the rotational force ofy the screw driver'will serve to rotate the upper end of spring 30 to tension vthe same to a desired degree and depending upon the extent or the number of times that the automatic screw driver A is operated. Upon removing the screw driver the-stud 32 will be restorted to its upper position by spring 29, and then the upper end of the spring 30 will in eiect be xed to rotate with the tube II. i

With all spring window balances which have heretofore gone into practical use, so far as I am aware. it has been necessary to either adjust the spring tension before the device is fully installed or before the sashis installed, and ,it'has been necessary to remove the device or the sash i! the adjustment is incorrect or if the device needs readjusting. This of course is a great inconvenience, not only because of the time rel quired to remove and reinstall the sash, but also thrust out of position by the force of the spring.'

'I'his renders it diilicult tol accurately position and install the screws and if the spring tension is allowed to slip during the installation, it may prove necessary to remove the securing brackets and retension the device land start anew.

On the other hand, with the present invention as above described, all of these difficulties are obviated. Furthermore, it has been found that the springs may be much more easily and accurately tensioned after the device has been installed, than is possible before their installation. That is, if the adjustment is made after complete installation, as is possible with the present invention, the window may be slid up and down several times for trial of the spring tensionl under actual operating conditions, and the tension readjusted until the 'best results are obtained. Furthermore, adjustment of the springs after installation of the devices is more convenient in that the parts are rigidly secured and held in position by the sash and frame.

After the devices have been installed and adjusted as above described it will be understood that, for example, upon lowering the lower sash the engagement of the part I4 with the helical flange I3 will be such that the tube II is caused to rotate, such rotation in turn serving to increase the tension of the spring 30 due to the fact that the upper end of the spring 30 is secured with respect to the tube while the lower end of the spring 30 is secured with respect to the bracket 22 and the sash. Thusq the increasing of the tension of the spring checks the window against falling, while energy is stored by the spring. Then, when the sash is raised, the tension of the spring 30 is in a direction tending to rotate the tube II in the reverse direction and so as to aid somewhat in the lifting of the window, through the inter-action of the piece I4 and the helical ange I3 and the adjacent slot.

While the invention has thus far been described more particularly in reference to the lower sash, it will be understood that the construction and operation of the devices in their various forms may be similar for the upper sash. However, as indicated in Fig. 1, the brackets as at I5, which are attached to the window frame for the `upper sash are preferably directed upwardly and are mounted in positions near the lower edge of theupper sash.` It will be apparent that such positions are accessible for applying these brackets at a time when the upper sash is in its lowermost position.

In some cases, as for example where a large number of the devices may be standardized for use in a single large building having many windows ofthe same weight and size, it may be unnecessary to provide means for adjusting the spring tension. In that event a construction such as shown in Fig. 7 may be used. In this form of the device as indicated by the reference numerals, many of the parts may be similar to corresponding parts of Fig. v3. H owever, within the top of the device of Fig. 7 a plug or stud piece 32' maybe substantially permanently nxed for rotation with the tube II' by indenting the tube as at 31'. In this case the upper end of the spring 30 may be secured to an extension formed on plug 32 as shown. 'I'he parts within the lower portion of the tubular member in Fig 7 may be generally similar to corresponding parts in Fig. 3. However, if desired in this case the lower bracket may be provided in the form of a straight strip 22. In fact this strip may if desired be an integral part of the sash construction in the event the sash is made of metal, for example. In the construction shown in Fig. 7, ring washers as at 21 and 23 may be placed as shown at each end of the piece 25' to minimize friction and wear.

In the embodiment of Fig. 7, the tube II' instead of being formed with the protruding spiral flange construction of Fig. 3, is shown as formed with a raceway I3', comprising simply an open helical slot in the tube wall. Then in order to strengthen the helical strip and to provide a smooth protruding bearing means for engaging the slot in the sash, an outwardly projecting helical ribbed formation may be provided as shown at I3 extending along the mid portion of the helically wound ribbon. This construction of the tube may be formed by suitably winding a ribbon of sheet metal Vhaving a central longitudinal rib, on a mandrel for example, in such manner that the edges of adjacent convolutions are spaced apart to form the raceway. With this form of tube the member I4' as shown in Fig. 8 may be provided with an inwardly extending tongue at a suitable angle to engage the spiral raceway in a manner similar to that shown in Figs. 3 and 6. At an area on the member I4' opposite from the slots I1, an outwardly protruding angularly positioned rib may be formed to accommodate the rib I3" on tube II'.

With both of the above described constructions it will be apparent that the workman in attaching the rotating tube in position in the sash, merely has to insert the screws 23 for a single bracket at the bottom of the sash. In sash balance constructions of this general type heretofore proposed, an the other hand, it was necessary for the workman to apply securing brackets for the tube at both the upper and lower edges of the sash, thus making it necessary for him to use considerable care in accurately applying the two brackets in alignment and in alignment with the window casing in order to avoid jamming or excessive friction during subsequent operation of the device. 'I'hus the present invention provides less expensive and more simple and durable devices which may be more quickly and easily installed by unskilled workmen. That is, the guide member 22 may be screwed into place without 4afname.

be milledlongitudinally along the sides as at 40.

4I and at these areas numerous convolutions of the spring may be deformed inwardly as shown, to rigidly secure the spring against turning or endwise removal in respect to the stud extensions. A somewhat different construction is shown at the upper end of Fig. 7 and in the sectional view thereof, Fig. 10. Here the'stud piece 32 may be formed with a. cylindrical extension 42 having a transverse slot 43 milled in one side thereof, the slot being wide enough to receive several convolutions of the spring which may be so deformed as to permanently engage the slot as shown in Fig. 10. The spring 30 may be of an internal diameter to closely fit the extension 42 whereby any forces tending to pull the spring oil from the extension or to rotate the spring in respect thereto, will result in a more firm engagement of the spring because of the increased pressure of the spring convolutions upon the surface of the extension as well as because of the engagement of the deformed convolutions with the slotted area 43. i 1

As shown at the bottom end of Fig. 7 and in the sectional view thereof, Fig. l1, the stud I3' similar to the construction in Fig. 9 and numerous convolutions of the spring may be deformed .into this milled area as at 46. It will be understood that the several expedients hereinabove described for attaching the spring ends, may be used alternatively or interchangeably in the constructions of the various gures. The above spring connecting parts provide inexpensive constructions which may be made in automatic screw machines and which may be connected to the springs with substantially a minimum of inex.

pensive factory operations, while still insuring that the spring end will be permanently .fixed and without any such abrupt bending of the spring wire as might cause it to break.

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate tube constructions which may be used alternatively with the tubes as shown at I I and I I in Figs. 3 and 7 respectively. In Fig. 12 the tube 41 may be formed of a spirally wound ribbon, each of the two edges of which may have a beaded or ribbed formation aS at 48 similar, for example, to the ribbed constructionat I3" of Fig. 7, except that the ribs are formed at the edge of the ribbon adjacent the raceway instead of at the mid portion of the ribbon. The tube of Fig. 12 may be engaged for turning by devices similar to those of Figs. 6 and 8, which may be either so shaped as to closely accommodate the beaded edges 48 or may loosely fit so that only the tongue portion on member I4 effectively interengages with the raceway. In the construction shown in Fig. 13 a tube 43 may be formed of a helically wound ribbon which has been slightly corrugated for strengtheningpurposes and to reduce the area of frictional contact with the member I4. In Fig. 13 the raceway as at 50 may preferably be formed along a crest 4of a corrugation sothat the metal at the edges will protrude outwardly somewhat to insure rm engagement o1' the tongue portion on member I4.

In Fig. 14 a. helical flanged construction is shown somewhat similar to that of Fig. 3 except that the adjacent edges of the helically wound ribbon are made tooverlap as at 5I so that the ilange as at 52 alone comprises the spiral track which is adapted to be engaged by a member. such as of Fig. 6 with the inturned tongue omitted.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to particular preferred examples, it will be understood by those skilledin the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and further modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A sash balance device comprising a tube,

means for rotatably mounting the same within a sash edge, cooperating means on said tube and on the frame within which the sash is carried, for causing rotation of the tube upon sliding the sash, a helical spring within the tube, means for normally securing oneend of said spring to rotate with the upper end of said tube, means for securing the lower end of said spring against rotation with the tube, said first named spring securing means including a stud attached to the spring and means within the upper end of the tube for normally connecting said stud to be rotatable with the tube, said stud being axially slidable for disengagement with said connecting means for independent rotational adjustment of the springA tension, said stud having an end portion accessible at the upper cornerof the sash for eii'ecting the axial and rotatable adjusting movements while the device and the sash remain installed in operative positions.

2. A sash balance device comprising a tube, means for rotatably mounting the same within a sash edge, cooperating means on said tube and on the frame Within which the sash is carried, for causing rotation of the tube upon sliding the sash, a helical spring within the tube, means for normally securing one end of said spring to rotate with the upper end of said tube, means for securother end of said spring against rotation with the tube, one of the two last named means including a stud attached to the spring and means connecting the said stud to the tube. said stud being slidable axially for disengagement with said connecting means and thereupon rotatably adjustable in respect to and within one end of the tube whereby the spring tension acting on the tube may be adjusted, said stud having an end portion accessible at the adjacent end of the tube for eiiecting the slidable and rotatable operations thereof while the device and the sash remain installed in operative positions.

4. A sash balance device comprising a tube member positioned within a groove formed in a vertical edge of a sash, bearing means at one end of the tube and attached to the sash adjacent a corner thereof for rotatablymounting the tube and iixing same against longitudinal movement,

the remaining -portions of the tube including the l other end portion thereof being unsecured in respect to the sash except as embraced by said groove, cooperating means on said tube member and on the frame within which the sash is carried, for causing rotation of the tube upon sliding the sash, the portion of the latter means which is on the frame including a member closely embracing the tube, spring means within said tube and having its ends so connected in respect to said member and said bearing means, that rotation of said member is promoted during raising of the sash and retarded during lowering thereof, and means accessible at one end of said groove for adjusting the tension of said spring while the device and the sash remain installed in operative condition.

5. A sash balance device comprising a rotatable tube member positioned within a groove formed ing the lower end of said spring against rotation with the tube, said first named spring securing means including a stud attached to the spring and means within the upper end of the tube for normally connecting said stud to be rotatable with the tube, said stud being axially slidable for .disengagement with said connecting means for independent rotational adjustment of the spring tension, said stud having a head portion exposed at the upper corner of the sash for eiecting the axial and rotatable adjusting movements While the device and the sash remain installed in operative positions, and spring means yieldably rein a vertical edge of a sash, means for attaching said device to the sash comprising a slotted member secured to the lower edge of the sash adjacent a corner thereof, a bracket slidable horizontally and edgewise of the ysash within said slotted member, and bearing means for the tube ilxed to said bracket, the portions of the tube above the lower end portion being unsecured in respect to the sash except as embraced by said groove, cooperating means on said tube and on the fra-me within which the sash is carried, for causing rotation of the tube upcn sliding the sash, the portion of the latter means which is on the frame including a member closely embracing the tube, said slidable bracket and the tube thus being so constructed and arranged that the spacing of same in respect to the window frame is determined by said member which embraces the tube, and spring means within said tube and havingits ends so connected in respect to said tube and said bearing means, that rotation of said tube is promoted during raising of the sash and retarded during lowering thereof.

6. A sash balance device comprising a. tube member positioned within a groove formed in a Vertical edge of a sash; bearing means attached to the bottom edge of the sash adjacent a corner thereof for rotatably mounting the tube, and fixing same against longitudinal movement, the

portions of the tube above the lower end portion being unsecured in respect to the sash except .as embraced by said groove, cooperating means .on said tube and on the frame within which the sash is carried, for causing rotation of the tube upon sliding the sash, said last-named means including a protruding spiral flight on the tube, a disc-like element adjacent the upper end of said tube and rotatable therewith and extending radially beyond the radius of said ilight i'or engaging the adjacent wall of the window trame during rotation and longitudinal movement oi.'-

Y said tube and said bearing means, that rotation of said tube is promoted during raising of the sash and resisted during lowering thereof.

7. In a sash balance device comprising a rotatable tube member formed with a helical track and positioned within a groove formed within a vertical edge of a sash, andspring means within said tube and having its ends so connected in respect thereto and the sash that rotation of said tube is promoted during raising of the sash and resisted during lowering thereof, the connecting means for said spring ends comprising studs extending into and closely tltting the end convolutions of the spring, a side of each of said studs being formed with a groove extending longitudinally for a suillcient distance to receive a plurality of said convolutions and the latter convolutions being deformed into such latter groove.

8. In a sash balance device, a rotatable tube formed with a helical track, a helical main spring within said tube, one end of said spring being secured in respect to one end oi' said tube by adjustable ratchet means whereby said tube and spring ends normally rotate together, said ratchet means comprising a stud within the end of the tube and ilxed to said spring end, said stud being movable longitudinally of the tube, a head piece on said stud accessible at theend of the tube and adapted to move with the stud inwardly of the tube and to be rotated upon ap plication of a screw driver to such head piece, another spring at said head piece for normally resisting such inward movement, said stud and tube having cooperating ratchet detents xed in respect thereto and normally held in engagement by the combined actions of said springs, but disengageable upon said inward movement ing of the sash and retarded during lowering thereof.

10. In a sash balance, the combination of a rotatable tubular element provided with a spiral track, a tension rod rotatably mounted within one end of said element and having a ratchet connection with said element and provided with a spring clutch pim-said rod being normally rotatable with said element through said ratchet connection, a normally fixed anchoring rod disposed 'within the other end of said element and prolvided with a. mounting bracket at its outer end and with a spring clutch pin at its inner end, a coiled spring arranged within said element with its ends in clutching engagement with said clutch pins, said spring being adjustably tensioned by rotation of said tension rod in one direction relative to said element and anchoring rod, said whereby said stud and the end of the main spring fixed thereto may be turned to adjust the tension of the main spring.

9. A sash balance comprising an elongated cylindrical member, formed of a ribbon oi sheet metal helically wound with the edges of each convolution spaced from the edges oi adjacent convolutions, to form a generally cylindrical Wall having an open spiral raceway, portions oi such ribbon adjacent such raceway being bent outwardly with respect to the adjacent ribbon surfaces and therebyforming a protruding strengthening rib which also increases the eective depth of the raceway, means for rotatably mounting said member along the vertical edge of a sash, means adapted to be xed to the frame within which the sash is carried for protruding into said raceway to cause rotation of said memberupon sliding the sash, and spring means within said member and having its ends` so connected. in respect to said member and its mounting that rotation of said member is promoted during raisratchet connection preventing relative rotation of the element and tension rod in the other direction when the spring is in tensioned condition, and a torsion member operatively associated with said element and provided with a track engaging member. v

11. In a sash balance, the combination of a tubular rotatable elementA provided with a spiral track having ratchet teeth concentric therewith, a tension rod rotatably disposed within said element having a ratchet head coacting with said ratchet teeth for normal rotation of said rod with said element, said tension rod having a spring clutch pin and means to receive an adjusting tool for relative rotation of said tensionV rod element, an anchoring rod provided with a mounting bracket, said anchoring rod being (lis-l tion of the spring, and a, torsion member coacting with said rotatable element and provided with a track engaging member. a

12. In a sash balance, the combination of a tubular element having a spiral track extending lengthwise thereof, bushings secured within the v ends of said element, one of the bushings being provided with ratchet teeth at its inner end, a tension rod disposed within said bushing and having a ratchet head coacting with said ratchet teeth, the outer end of said tension rod being adapted to receive an adjusting element, an anchoring rod having a mounting bracket connected thereto disposed within the other bushing, a coiled spring arranged within said element with its ends connected to said tension and anchoring rods and acting to urge the ratchet head and teeth into engagement, and means adapted to be xedly mounted relative to said element engageable with said spiral track to rotate the element upon relative axial shifting thereof.

GUSTAVE H. FROELICH.

Disclaimer 2,329,463.Gustave H. Froelz'ch, Torrington, Conn. SAsH BALANCE. Patent dated Sept. 14, 1943. Disclaimer filed Oct. 5, 1948, by the assignee, The Turner ci: Seymour Manufacturing Oo. Hereby enters this disclaimer to the particular combinations as set forth Vin claims 3, 10, 11, and 12 of said patent.

[Oficial Gazette November 2, 1.948.]

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