Abstract: A sliding closure assembly includes a frame assembly, at least one sliding closure panel, a second panel, and a powered actuator. The frame assembly has a first track portion, a second track portion, and a catch portion. The sliding closure panel slides within the first track portion of the frame assembly. The second closure panel is adjacent to the at least one sliding closure panel and is positioned within the second track portion of the frame assembly. The powered actuator assembly is positioned adjacent to the second panel and entirely within the second track portion. The sliding closure panel slides within the first track portion of the frame such that an opening is formed through the sliding closure assembly when the sliding closure panel is in the opened position and the opening is closed when the sliding closure panel is in the closed position.

Abstract: An operator assembly may move a window vent relative to a frame. The operator assembly includes a stationary member, an arm and a drive member. The arm is mounted for rotation relative to the stationary member between an open position and a closed position. The drive member is received in a channel defined by the stationary member for linear motion therein relative to the stationary member and the arm among a first position in which the drive member engages a locking feature of the window vent, a second position in which the drive member is spaced apart from and disengaged from the locking feature without rotating the arm out of the closed position, and a third position in which the drive member is further spaced apart from the locking feature. Movement of the drive member between the second and third positions moves the arm between the closed and open positions.

Abstract: A hinge assembly is disclosed that may include one or more leaves that can be connected to a panel. The hinge assembly may further include a barrel having a passage through which a pivot pin passes. A spacer is positioned in an opening between a first barrel section and a second barrel section. Bushings are disposed within the first and second barrel sections.

Abstract: A window 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 engage the second portion of the spring element and may selectively engage the carrier. The mounting bracket may include a first mounting surface disposed at a non-perpendicular angle relative to an exterior surface of carrier when the window balance assembly is in an uninstalled configuration. The first mounting surface may be substantially parallel to the exterior surface of the carrier when the window balance assembly is in an installed configuration and the mounting bracket is disengaged from the carrier.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a window balance assembly for installation in a window assembly. The window balance assembly includes a carrier, a curl spring, and a mounting bracket. The spring element includes first and second portions. The first portion is contained by the carrier and the mounting bracket engages the second portion. The carrier has a first housing including a channel formed in an exterior side of the first housing and an aperture in which a receiver is included. The channel extends vertically upwardly from the aperture toward the top end of the first housing portion to facilitate a full-drop-in installation and removal of a window sash from the window assembly.

Abstract: A window balance assembly for a tilt-in window comprising a bracket, a spring and a carrier. The first spring has a first portion engaging the bracket. The carrier has a vertical portion including a first slot, a first projection extending outwardly from a first side of the vertical portion, and a second attachment projection extending outwardly from a second side of the vertical portion. The first slot receives a pivot bar of the tilt-in window via a vertical drop-in installation. One of the first and second attachment protrusions engages the first portion of the spring. The horizontal portion includes an aperture rotatably engaging a cam between a first position and a second position. The cam has a second slot aligned with the first slot when the cam is in the first position allowing for the pivot bar to move between the first slot and the second slot.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for moving a window sash relative to a window frame may include a track, a slider, first, second and third links, and a stop member. The slider may engage the track and may be translatable along the track. The first link may be pivotably coupled to the track. The second link may be pivotably coupled to the slider. The third link may be pivotably coupled to the first and second links. The stop member may engage the track and may be configured to limit translational motion of the slider. The stop member may be movable between a plurality of positions. Each of the plurality of positions may correspond to one of a plurality of ranges of translational motion of the slider.

Abstract: An air and/or debris dam for moving coil balance assembly for a hung window is disclosed. The air and/or debris dam is located between the carrier and a mounting location of a moving coil window balance assembly. The air and/or debris dam can travel within the jamb channel of a window frame assembly to inhibit airflow and/or the deposition of dust and/or debris in the jamb channel.

Abstract: A window 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 engage the second portion of the spring element and may selectively engage the carrier. The mounting bracket may include a first mounting surface disposed at a non-perpendicular angle relative to an exterior surface of carrier when the window balance assembly is in an uninstalled configuration. The first mounting surface may be substantially parallel to the exterior surface of the carrier when the window balance assembly is in an installed configuration and the mounting bracket is disengaged from the carrier.

Abstract: A side load constant force window balance assembly is disclosed. The balance assembly has a spring member, a spring housing, and a carrier module. The spring housing and carrier module are coupled to the spring member. The carrier module is configured to support a portion of a window sash and has an engagement feature configured to selectively engage the window frame.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for balancing and positioning a sash of a self-balancing double-hung window assembly. The mechanism may include a fixed length cable, a pulley, first and second brackets and an adjustment member. The fixed length cable may include first and second ends. The pulley may support the cable. The first bracket may include one or more attachment points relative to the first end of the cable and may include an upper end and a lower end. The second bracket may be movable relative to the first bracket and may be configured to support the sash. The adjustment member may engage and extend through the lower end of the first bracket and may be movable relative to the first bracket to cause corresponding movement of the second bracket relative to the first end of the cable.

Abstract: A window balance assembly for installation in a window assembly can include a balance portion that is connected to a carrier that may have a first and second side. The balance portion may be arranged to be drawn out of the carrier on the first or second sides of the carrier. The balance portion may be a spring member or element. As the spring element is drawn out of the carrier, contact made between the spring element and the carrier may generate a friction that results in undesired chatter of the spring element and/or audible noise from the carrier. This friction may be reduced by controlling the contact made between the spring element and the carrier. Further, a reduction of friction between the spring element and the carrier may result in a reduction in spring chatter and a reduction in audible noise from the carrier.

Abstract: An air and/or debris dam for moving coil balance assembly for a hung window is disclosed. The air and/or debris dam is located between the carrier and a mounting location of a moving coil window balance assembly. The air and/or debris dam can travel within the jamb channel of a window frame assembly to inhibit airflow and/or the deposition of dust and/or debris in the jamb channel.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for moving a window sash relative to a window frame may include a track, a slider, first, second and third links, and a stop member. The slider may engage the track and may be translatable along the track. The first link may be pivotably coupled to the track. The second link may be pivotably coupled to the slider. The third link may be pivotably coupled to the first and second links. The stop member may engage the track and may be configured to limit translational motion of the slider. The stop member may be movable between a plurality of positions. Each of the plurality of positions may correspond to one of a plurality of ranges of translational motion of the slider.

Abstract: The static air dam includes at least one mounting feature, which is preferably at least one hole or slot to allow a fastener, such as a screw, bolt, rivet, weld, or other similar attachment devices, to secure the air dam to a wall of a jamb channel. Air passage through the jamb channel is prohibited or at least substantially inhibited by the static air dam that is designed to approximate the size and dimensions of the cross section of the jamb channel. At least one side of the air dam includes a tab or similar structure for securing the free end of the curl spring of a curl spring balance. The air dam includes integrally formed reinforcing elements that either abut or are adjacent to the side walls of the jamb channel. The air dam preferably includes a pair of flexible projections for engaging ears on the curl spring carrier.

Abstract: A window balance assembly may be in a window jamb channel to provide a biasing force urging a window sash toward an open position. The window 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 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.

Abstract: A window balance assembly for a tilt-in window comprising a bracket, a spring and a carrier. The first spring has a first portion engaging the bracket. The carrier has a vertical portion including a first slot, a first projection extending outwardly from a first side of the vertical portion, and a second attachment projection extending outwardly from a second side of the vertical portion. The first slot receives a pivot bar of the tilt-in window via a vertical drop-in installation. One of the first and second attachment protrusions engages the first portion of the spring. The horizontal portion includes an aperture rotatably engaging a cam between a first position and a second position. The cam has a second slot aligned with the first slot when the cam is in the first position allowing for the pivot bar to move between the first slot and the second slot.

Abstract: A window balance assembly comprising an improved locking carrier mechanism is disclosed. The locking mechanism is actuated when the window sash is tilted. Cam surfaces on the receiver of the mechanism engage cam followers in the clamshell-type housing of the carrier forcing them apart outwardly to lock the carrier in the jamb channel of a window assembly and prevent movement of the carrier in the channel. The receiver incorporates two cams that engage two cam follower surfaces in the housing to improve the distribution of the locking forces of the carrier in the jamb channel. A dual-locking carrier expands in both the axial and lateral directions to contact both front and back surfaces and opposing side surfaces of the jamb channel.

Abstract: A window 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 engage the second portion of the spring element and may selectively engage the carrier. The mounting bracket may include a first mounting surface disposed at a non-perpendicular angle relative to an exterior surface of carrier when the window balance assembly is in an uninstalled configuration. The first mounting surface may be substantially parallel to the exterior surface of the carrier when the window balance assembly is in an installed configuration and the mounting bracket is disengaged from the carrier.

Abstract: A curl spring sash shoe cassette improves upon the suggestions of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,353,548 and 5,463,793 by providing a mounting bracket that holds an uncurled length of the curl spring and is securely mounted on top of the shoe cassette to maintain an assembly of the shoe body, the curl spring, and the mount during shipment to a window manufacturer. The mount can receive two mounting screws to resist torque caused by curl springs and sash weight. The shoe is also improved to facilitate removal and reinsertion of sash pins into the tilt lock cams of the shoes and ensure that shoe body halves do not rotate relative to each other when sash tilting splays the body halves apart to lock them in a shoe channel.