Abstract: A tilt-latch is adapted for releasably securing a pivotable sash window disposed within opposed guide rails on a master frame of a window sash assembly. The window comprises a top sash rail, a base and two stiles connected together. The tilt-latch comprises a housing adapted to be supported by the top rail. The housing has an outward end opening and a cover. A latch bolt is disposed within the housing and has a nose. The tilt-latch further has an actuator. The tilt-latch also has a spring for biasing the latch bolt through the outward end opening. The actuator is connected to the latch bolt and is sized to be positioned over the entire cover of the housing. The housing and latch bolt are made of plastic and the actuator is made from zinc.

Abstract: A tilt-latch assembly (10) is used in a window assembly (11). The window assembly (11) has a sash window (12) slidable within a master frame (14) between a pair of guide rails (16), each guide rail (16) forming a shoe channel (17) having a channel base (18). The assembly includes a tilt-latch (40) having a housing (42) supported by the sash window (12) and having an outward end opening (53). The tilt-latch (40) also includes a latch bolt (46) having a distal end (60). The latch bolt (46) is slidably retained by the housing (42). The distal end (60) of the latch bolt (46) has an aperture (62). The assembly (10) also includes a balance assembly (15) including a spool holder (30). The spool holder (30) is fastened to the channel base (18) and has a projection (41) thereon. When the sash window (12) is in a closed position, the aperture (62) of the latch bolt (46) receives the projection (41) of the spool holder (30).

Abstract: A balance assembly (15) is provided for a sash window assembly (10). The sash window assembly (10) has a sash window (12) slidable within a master frame (14). The balance assembly (15) has an elastomer balance member (30) having one end adapted to be connected to the master frame (14) and another end adapted to be connected to the sash window (12) to provide an upward biasing force to the sash window (12). A system (50) is provided for custom-manufacturing the balance member (30) and for custom-manufacturing a sash window assembly (10) incorporating the balance member (30).

Abstract: A tilt-latch assembly (10) is used in a window assembly (11). The window assembly (11) has a sash window (12) slidable within a master frame (14) between a pair of guide rails (16), each guide rail (16) forming a shoe channel (17) having a channel base (18). The assembly includes a tilt-latch (40) having a housing (42) supported by the sash window (12) and having an outward end opening (53). The tilt-latch (40) also includes a latch bolt (46) having a distal end (60). The latch bolt (46) is slidably retained by the housing (42). The distal end (60) of the latch bolt (46) has an aperture (62). The assembly (10) also includes a retainer (41) having a leg (66) and a hook (70) spaced from the leg (66). The retainer (41) is fastened to the channel base (18). When the sash window (12) is in a closed position, the aperture (62) of the latch bolt (46) receives the hook (70) of the retainer (41).

Abstract: The present invention provides a balance assembly for use with a sash window assembly slidable within a master frame. The balance assembly generally includes a plate, a spring assembly, and a brake shoe or pivot brake assembly. The plate is removably connected to the master frame. The spring assembly includes a first spring that is inter-wound or nested within a second spring. Each spring has a coiled portion, an intermediate portion, and a free portion. The coiled portions of the springs are rotatably supported by the support member that extends from the plate. The free portions of the springs have a curved configuration and are received by a slot in the brake shoe, which is operably coupled to the sash window. The inter-wound springs exert a balancing force on the sash window during movement of the window.

Abstract: A tilt-latch (10) adapted for releasably securing a pivotable sash window (12) disposed within opposed guide rails (16) on a master frame (14) of a window sash assembly (11) is disclosed. The sash window (12) comprises a top sash rail (20), a base (22) and two stiles (24,26) connected together at their extremities. The tilt-latch (10) comprises a housing (42) adapted to be supported by the top rail (20). The housing (42) has an outward end opening (44) and a cover (51). A latch bolt (46) is disposed within the housing (42) and has a nose (47) adapted for engaging a respective one of the guide rails (16). The latch bolt (46) also has a slot (66). The tilt-latch (10) further has an actuator (48) having a post (90). The post (90) is received by the slot (66). The tilt-latch (10) also has a spring (50) for biasing the latch bolt (46) through the outward end opening (44). The actuator (48) is connected to the latch bolt (46) and is sized to be positioned over the entire cover (51) of the housing (42).