Abstract: A carrier assembly can be used to couple a balance assembly with a window sash. The carrier assembly can engage the window sash to transfer a force from the balance assembly to balance a weight of the window sash. The carrier assembly, due to interactions of the window sash with the carrier assembly and the balance assembly with the carrier assembly, can tightly engage the window sash, either directly or through a bracket, to substantially eliminate unselected movement or forces applied from the balance assembly.

Abstract: A carrier and balance assembly for installation into the jamb channel of a window frame. The carrier and balance assembly are capable of being installed into the jamb channel optionally either as a single assembly or as two separate components. The two separate components are the carrier and a hanger-balance subassembly. The advantage of installing the carrier and balance assembly as two separate components is that such installation can occur after the assembly of the window frame and even after installation of the window into the wall of a building. Once the carrier and hanger-balance subassembly are separately installed in the jamb channel, they are then non-permanently locked together. Should any part of the carrier and balance assembly become damaged, replacement is performed by simply reversing the process described above without having to damage the jamb channel.

Abstract: The carrier is securable to the end of a window balance, including, but not limited to, spiral rod, extension spring, and block and tackle balances. The weight of the sash is borne by a sash assembly coupling portion of the carrier. The upward force exerted by the balance on the carrier during opening or closing of the sash is translated into a force urging the carrier toward the sash, until contact is made between the carrier assembly and the side of the sash. The translation of the upward force into a side-directed force eliminates or substantially reduces the friction that might otherwise have been created between the carrier and a carrier channel in the jamb. The side-directed force preferably removes the carrier from any contact with a carrier channel, thereby eliminating friction from the carrier rubbing against the carrier channel and even eliminating the need for a carrier channel.

Abstract: A tool to facilitate the installation of spiral rod balances after the sash has been installed into the window frame. The tool becomes an extension onto the end of the spiral rod of a conventional spiral rod balance and forms a spiral balance sub-assembly. It enables the installer to pull the end of the spiral rod from its pre-tensioned positioned in the balance containment tube without the necessity of having to use another tool, turn the tool so that a sash clip securely fixed onto the spiral rod is seated the sash rail. The tool can be recycled by the window manufacturer for re-use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the torque of a compound balance in order to substantially cancel out the torsional force of the torsion spring acting on the spiral rod by creating an equal and opposing torsional force on the extension spring. The apparatus is an assembly connector that is non-permanently engaged with the extension spring, with the spiral rod being tensioned by the torsional force of the torsion spring. Alternatively, the extension spring may be turned in a direction to apply more torque than is required for operation of the compound balance. It is then engaged with a non pre-tensioned spiral rod sub-assembly to transfer the excess torque to the torsion spring of the spiral rod sub-assembly. In this manner, the opposing torsional forces of the torsion spring and the extension spring acting on the spiral rod substantially cancel out each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to substantially cancel out the opposing torsional forces of the torsion spring of a spiral rod subassembly and the extension spring of a compound spiral rod balance on the carrier element. The extension spring and the rod spiral balance subassembly are parallel, connected at their lower ends to a carrier element and at their top ends either to an upper mounting cap or separately to the wall of the jamb channel. The spiral rod is turned a pre-determined number of times in a direction opposite from that in which the extension spring is turned so that the torsional forces acting on the carrier element from the torsion spring and the extension spring substantially cancel out each other. The balancing out of the counteracting torsional forces eliminates or substantially reduces the friction between the carrier element and the jamb channel.

Abstract: A carrier assembly consisting of a carrier, a carrier encasement and a sash latch. The carrier is secured to the end of one or more balances, including spiral rod and block and tackle balances. The weight of the sash is borne by a platform on the carrier. The undesired vertical forces exerted by the balance on the carrier is thereby translated into a force urging the carrier toward the sash until firm contact is made between the carrier encasement and the side of the sash. The translation of the torsional force into a side directed force eliminates or substantially reduces the friction that might otherwise have existed between the carrier and the jamb channel caused by the undesired vertical forces exerted by the balance on the carrier.

Abstract: A carrier and balance assembly for installation into the jamb channel of a window frame. The carrier and balance assembly are capable of being installed into the jamb channel optionally either as a single assembly or as two separate components. The two separate components are the carrier and a hanger-balance subassembly. The advantage of installing the carrier and balance assembly as two separate components is that such installation can occur after the assembly of the window frame and even after installation of the window into the wall of a building. Once the carrier and hanger-balance subassembly are separately installed in the jamb channel, they are then non-permanently locked together. Should any part of the carrier and balance assembly become damaged, replacement is performed by simply reversing the process described above without having to damage the jamb channel.

Abstract: A method of making an electrically-operated fluid valve for improving the metal-to-metal sealing of the valve needle to the valve seat, particularly of the rounded tip end of the needle to a frusto-conical depression in the seat. The method comprises applying a controlled axial compressive load to the seated needle to cause the annular zone of sealing contact between the needle and the seat to be coined.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a dual tote sorting and stacking apparatus for continuously transporting, sorting and stacking sequentially fed sheets of paper such as from printing, copying and duplicating machinery. The apparatus employs mass airflow type of conveyors for paper transport. A diverter is provided for selectively diverting the sheet to designated receiving trays or, optionally, for expelling the sheet from the apparatus. A jogger is provided for jogging the sheets which are deposited into the trays into individually aligned job stacks. An assembly may also be provided for flipping the sheets as they enter the apparatus or for feeding individual sequentially fed sheets into the apparatus.