US3475864A

US3475864A - Overhead window balance

Info

Publication number: US3475864A
Application number: US699591A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward H Wood
Original assignee: D J DINSMORE CO
Current assignee: JIM WALTER RESOURCES Inc A ALABAMA CORP; JW WINDOW COMPONENTS Inc A DE CORP; D J DINSMORE CO
Priority date: 1968-01-22
Filing date: 1968-01-22
Publication date: 1969-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 1986-11-04

Description

Nov. 4, 1969 E. H. wooD 3,475,864

OVERHEAD wINDow BALANCE F'ned Jan. 22, 196e i nu-I Arma/551 United States Patent O 3,475,864 OVERHEAD WINDOW BALANCE Edward H. Wood, Sanford, N.C., assignor to D. J. Dinsmore Company, Sioux Falls, S. Dak., a corporation of South Dakota Filed Jan. 22, 1968, Ser. No. 699,591 Int. Cl. E05d 13/12 U.S. Cl. 49-445 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An overhead Window balance unit in which a plurality of individual balance assemblies are mounted in a sideby-side relationship for connection with single or doublehung sash to Ibias the same. The individual balance assemblies are identical in construction and are anchored in guide blocks mounted in the window balance unit with the guide blocks including provisions for journaling the sash cord pulley system and to direct the sash cord out of the assembly. The individual `balance assemblies incorporate coil springs which permit increased spring length and spring size for greater spring rate and larger or longer sash cords with an increase in size of the window balance unit.

My invention relates to a window balance assembly and more particularly to an improved window balance assembly designed for overhead installation in a window frame to be used with single or double-hung windows.

Window balance units for vertically slidable sash in conventional single and double-hung windows are known and in use. The majority of such assemblies are mounted in the side of window frames on a jamb surface upon which the sash slides for biasing the same. Such a positioning increases the overall width of the window construction in that the balance assembly occupies space adjacent the sash in this direction to increase the overall width of a window construction. Such installations require special window constructions and special mountings for the balance assembly. Overhead balance assemblies have been utilized in the past with spiral-type spring systems and tape-type `sash cord. However, such application is limited because of the limitation of the bias rate of the spring. With the advent of removable-type sash, the prior overhead balance systems are inapplicable since they require permanent mounting on the sash. Further, the particular types of balance systems are limited in application to particular window sizes in order to provide the desired balance or biasing force.

The present invention is directed to an improved balance assembly of the overhead type which is applicable for single and double-hung windows with removable sash. This improved balance assembly incorporates separate balance units positioned in a side-by-side relationship in an overall mounting structure with conventional cord type connections lbetween the springs and the sash which are readily removable. The improved overhead Window balance permits the -use of larger springs with greater width sash to provide proper 'biasing for the same. In addition, the improved balance assembly incorporates guide blocks in the ends of the same which mount the springs for the individual 'balance units and a part of the pulley system for the same with means for directing the sash cord from t-he bottom of the balance down the sides of the window frame and in appropriate grooves in jamb structures to connect to the sash. The overall arrangement of the improved window balance assembly provides a simplied structure which is readily attachable and removable from the sash for the purpose of removing the sash.

3,475,864 Patented Nov. 4, 1969 Therefore, it is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved window balance assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a window lbalance assembly a mounting for a plurality of balance units useable for single and double-hung windows.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a window balance assembly a simplified structure to guide a sash cord in a desired direction with a minimum of frictional force supplied thereto.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved window balance assembly which takes up a minimum of space in the window construction.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved window balance assembly which may be useable with conventional sash and window constructions, and which will permit larger-sized springs for greater sash size.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simplified window balance assembly which is easy to manufacture and install and use.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached description together with the drawings wherein:

IFIGURE 1 is a plan view of a window construction using the improved window balance assembly of the present invention,

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the window construction of FIGURE 1 taken along the lines 2-2 therein and showing the improved overhead window balance,

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the window construction of FIGURE 1 taken along the lines 3--3 therein showing the improved overhead window balance from the `bottom view, and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the improved window balance showing the guide blocks of the same.

My improved window balance assembly is shown in application in FIGURE 1 as applied to a conventional double-hung window frame indicated generally at 10. The window frame 12 and associated sash 14 may be of a conventional wood construction and the improved balance assembly is shown mounted in the head or upper edge of the frame indicated at 20. This improved window balance assembly provides an arrangement for a plurality of

sash cords

30, 31, 32 and 33 which extend from opposite extremities of the balance assembly and connect to sides of a sash in a conventional manner. The window frame includes la suitable jamb structure, such as indicated at 35 along the sides of the same for the purpose of guiding and mounting the sash and have appropriate grooves (not shown) therein in which the sash cord extends from the window balance to connect to the respective sash at the side edges of the same.

The details of the improved window balance assembly are shown in FIGURE 2, 3 and 4 with the balance assembly being mounted in an elongated channel-shaped frame or housing 40 which is generally U-shaped in cross section and open at the top extremity and at the ends thereof. In the present disclosure for a double-hung window, four independent balance units are shown, and it will be understood that this number may be appropriately decreased for a single-hung window. Each balance unit is identical in construction and comprises a coil spring 45 and a cable system including the sash cord and the cable block indicated at 46 with the assembly being connected between a pair of guide blocks 50, 51 mounted in the ends of the frame or channel member 40. Suitable apertures 54 are positioned in the frame member adjacent the guide blocks 50, 51 for the purpose of directing the sash cord 30-33 therethrough. In addition, apertures are provided in the frame member which aligns with apertures or recesses 55 in the guide blocks 50, 51 through which suitable rivets or other similar securing means 60 may be positioned to secure the guide blocks therein.

As will be seen in FIGURES 2 and 4, the guide blocks 50, 51, which 'are identical in construction, have machined surfaces thereon to provide a plurality of pegs 62 or posts which extend normal to the extent of the guide blocks and serve as securing posts or mounting posts for pulleys, as will be hereinafter dened. In addition, one end or edge of the guide blocks is recessed as at 65 and includes a pair of posts 66 therein upon which are mounted pulleys 68 to direct the sash cord away from the guide blocks and through the apertures 54 in the channel member as will be hereinafter noted. As will be seen in FIGURE 4, the posts 62 along one edge of the guide blocks serves alternately as anchoring posts for the spring 45 of each of the balance units and mounting posts for journaling pulleys 70, 71 of the cable system for the balance unit. It will be noted that adjacent balance units are directed in opposite directions, that is the spring will be connected to a guide block at one extremity while the appropriate pulley systems for the same will be positioned on the opposite guide block at the other extremity of the channel rnember with the next adjacent unit having a reverse in the location of the anchoring posts for the spring and the journaling posts for the pulleys 70, 71 of the cable systems. As will be further noted in FIGURE 4, each guide block includes in addition a pair of

posts

78, 79 positioned centrally thereon with the area around the same recessed, as at 80, to provide for mounting pulley members 82, 83 thereon which guide the respective sash cords away from the balance assemblies and to the respective pulleys 68 on the post 66 in the ends of the guide block. For the purpose of providing clearance between the sash cords as they are directed away from the guide blocks, one of the posts 78 is slightly inclined and is recessed to a greater depth than the corresponding posts 79 with the pulley 83 on the opposite side of the guide block for the purpose of separating the sash cords and directing them across the respective pulleys 68 on the edge of the guide blocks. The pulley blocks 46 may take varying forms and will gener ally include a plurality of pulleys 85 with an anchoring post 86 to which is connected the extremity of the sash cord and with an appropriate portion 88 on the opposite extremity of the same to which the extremity of the spring 45 is connected. Each balance unit is identical in construction and provides for extension of the spring as the respective sash cord connected to the associated pulley block is extended through one of the apertures 54 in the channel member 40.

The improved window balance construction permits the use of conventional coil springs and the greater the width of the sash and hence weight to be balanced, the longer the extent of the channel member for the window balance unit permitting a larger-sized spring and a longer cable system, if needed. Thus, the improved window balance assembly may be enlarged to fit a desired window opening across the top or head of the same and the individual balance assembly will have suicient dimension and space for a particular spring size to properly bias the respective edge of the sash to which it is to be connected. The adjacent pairs of balance assemblies on one side of the frame member 40 will be connected to one sash and to opposite edges of the sarne with the respective sash cords being directed over the guide blocks at opposite extremities of the channel member and toward the opposite edge of the frame or channel member to provide for direction of the sash cord in a manner so as not to cause binding of the same.

Thus, as will be seen in FIGURE 4, the balance unit incorporating the sash cord 32 will be directed across the pulleys 70 and 82 to be directed out of the guide block on the side opposite to which it is located. The symmetrical arrangement of the guide blocks in opposite ends of the channel member will provide for the same function and apparatus at this point to cause the sash cord asso ciated therewith to be directed in a similar manner. The individual guide blocks are preferably made of a plastic material to provide for ease in machining of the posts and recessed surfaces thereon and preferably include a metal cover, such as is indicated at 90, with suitable apertures 92 therein to lit over the ends of the

posts

62, 66, 78 and 79 to secure the same thereon. Suitable apertures are provided therein through which the rivets 60 extend to secure the guide blocks in the channel member. The actual cable system and the shape or detail of the pulley block 46 may vary in form within the scope of the present invention, but the improved window balance assembly permits the mounting of a plurality of individual balance units in a side-by-side relationship and in a single frame member for an overhead installation to be connected to the window sash for balancing the same. As the sash cords 30-32, are pulled out of the frame member, the associated springs are extended or tensioned to apply a bias force to the same. The individual sash cords include hook members on the ends of the same by means of which they may be connected to the individual sash of a single or double-hung window in any desired manner. The location of the sash cords will normally be positioned in the frame member so as to be directed down or within a jamb surface guiding the respective sash for connection thereto. As indicated in FIGURES 2 and 3, the frame member 40 will normally extend beyond the guide block such as to completely till a window opening and suitable mounting apertures are positioned therein by means of which the channel member or window balance unit may be secured on the window frame for installation purposes. The width of the channel member will increase with size of the sash and thickness of the same as well as the length and the frame member will normally be of such a width dimension as to substantially ll the head of the window frame above the jamb surfaces and against the stops. Thus, for large-sized windows, both the width and length dimensions of the frame member will be increased permitting the use of larger-sized springs and pulley systems for greater effective sash cord length and larger bias forces to counterbalance the increased sash weight.

Therefore, in considering this invention, it should be remembered that the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative only and the scope of the invention may be determined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A balance assembly adapted to be positioned in the head of a window frame and supported therein above side jambs for a window to connect to the window sash for balancing the same comprising, an elongated frame member, said frame member having apertures near the ends thereof to pass the sash cord from the balance assembly therethrough, a guide block mounted on each end of the frame member on one surface thereof adjacent the apertures therein, a plurality of spring-balance units having a spring which is secured at one extremity to a guide block at one end of the frame member and with a sash cord connected to the free end of the spring and over roller members included in the guide block at the opposite extremity of the frame member to that which the associated spring is anchored, said guide blocks including transversely directing guide surfaces for guiding the sash cord through one of the apertures in the end of the frame member normal to the extent of the spring and the frame member, and clip means secured to the end of the sash cord and adapted to releasably connect to a sash to balance the same.

2. The balance assembly of claim 1 in which the frame member is a tlat channel-shaped construction of a metallic material adapted to be positioned in the head of the window frame and having length dimensions substantially equal to the length of the window opening therein and a width dimension substantially equal to the Width of the side jamb supporting the sash therein.

3. The balance assembly of claim 2 in which the frame member is open at the upper extremity and at the ends thereof.

4. The balance assembly of claim 3 in which each guide block includes a plurality of journaled rollers and anchoring posts and including transversely extending guide posts to direct the sash cord through the bottom of the frame member.

5. The balance assembly of claim 4 in which the frame member houses four spring-balance units in a side-by-side relationship with alternate units extending in opposite directions to opposite ends of the frame member.

`6. The balance assembly of claim 4 in which the frame member houses at least two spring-balance units positioned in a side-by-side relationship and anchored in guide blocks at opposite extremities of the frame member with sash cords being directed therefrom through the respective guide blocks at opposite ends of the frame member.

7. The balance assembly of claim 4 and in which each spring-balance unit is comprised of an elongated coilwound spring anchored Iat one extremity to the guide blocks and mounting at its other extremity a floating pulley block with the sash cord being secured to the pulley block and wound around rollers in the guide block at the other extremity of the channel member and through pulleys in the oating block with the extremity of the sash cord being directed over roller guides which change the direction of the sash cord and guide it out of the apertures in the frame member.

8. The balance assembly of claim 7 in which each guide guide blocks and in which the plurality of spring-balance units are positioned in location extending between the guide blocks substantially filling the inner surface of the frame member with the alternate balance assemblies being directed in opposite directions such that the sash cords will be guided over guide blocks at the opposite extremities of the frame member to direct the sash cords therefrom through opposite sides of the sash.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 842,701 1/ 1907 Reiland 49-445 931,007 8/ 1909 Craig 49-445 2,190,097 2/ 1940 Dautrick 49-445 X 2,774,119 12/ 1956 Osten 49-445 X 2,843,887 7/1958 Hederus 49-453 X 3,055,044 9/ 1962 Dinsmore 49-445 X 3,358,404 12/ 1967 Dinsmore 49--446 REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner P. C. KANNAN, Assistant Examiner