Abstract: The sash of a roof window is swung between closed and open positions in response to the extension and retraction of a pair of pivotally supported crossed arms which are adapted to be swung by an operating mechanism whose mechanical advantage increases as the sash moves from its closed position to its open position. The increasing mechanical advantage of the operating mechanism offsets the decreasing opening force exerted by counterbalance springs during opening of the sash and enables the sash to be opened through its entire range with relatively constant manual effort. The initial preload in the counterbalance springs may be selectively adjusted to compensate for the weight of a particular sash and the pitch of a particular roof.

Abstract: Apparatus for causing a rotatable actuator to effect unlocking of a window latch and then to swing the window sash open when the actuator is rotated in one direction. When the actuator is rotated in the opposite direction, it first causes the sash to swing closed and then causes the latch to lock and hold the sash in its closed position. In one embodiment, the actuator is effective to swing an arm and shift a slide for purposes of moving the sash and operating the latch. In another embodiment, the actuator rotates a lead screw which advances nuts for moving the sash and operating the latch.

Abstract: A shaft of a window actuator is operable to open and close a casement window sash when the shaft is rotated either by a hand crank or by a motor from inside of the premises. The shaft is automatically locked against rotation if a backdriving force is applied to the actuator from outside the premises. This prevents an open sash from being buffeted by wind and from being pulled open further by a potential intruder.

Abstract: The latching bolt of a window lock is pivotally mounted on a slide to pivot between locked and unlocked positions. A reversible motor with a rotary drive shaft is adapted to reciprocate the slide outwardly and inwardly by means of a scotch yoke connection between the drive shaft and the slide, the scotch yoke being of the lost-motion type so as to permit the slide to shift independently of the drive. When the slide is shifted outwardly, the bolt is permitted to pivot to its unlocked position and, when the slide is shifted inwardly, the bolt is cammed to its locked position. A lever may be operated manually to unlock the bolt in the event there is a loss of power to the motor.

Abstract: A power actuator for a window includes a rotary drive member and a rotary driven member which is turned by the drive member and which is connected to the sash of a window to open and close the sash as the drive member is turned in one direction or the other. A reversible electric motor drives a speed reducing gear train and the output gear of the train is coaxial with and rotatable relative to the drive member, a crank arm with a projecting pin is pivotally mounted on the drive member to swing between an active or radially projecting position and an inactive position overlying the drive member. When the arm is in the inactive position, the pin connects the output gear and the drive member so that the motor may turn the driven member. With the arm in the active position, the pin no longer couples the output gear and the drive member and the latter may be turned manually by the crank arm independently of the gear train.

Abstract: A drawer slide assembly for supporting a drawer to slide open and closed in an opening in a cabinet frame includes an elongated upper member extending longitudinally of the drawer and secured to the latter and a parallel lower member spaced below the upper member and secured to the frame. A pair of rollers are journaled side by side on the upper member near the rear thereof and engage track sections formed on the lower member. Similarly, a second pair of rollers are journaled on the lower member near the front thereof and engage track sections formed on the upper member. The rollers are given a short axial profile while having effective diameters greater than their actual diameters by forming the rollers with surfaces which are inclined at acute angles relative to the roller axes and the associated track sections are inclined at similar angles.

Abstract: A window with a sash mounted in a frame has elongated draft stops extending along the rails of the sash. The draft stops are disposed in the frame and normally project out to overlap the sash rails. The draft stops are retractible outwardly beyond the outer edges of the rails and the sash is mounted to turn about its vertical centerline when the draft stops are retracted. When a handle mounted in the frame is turned in one direction, it operates a mechanism to retract the lower draft stop. The side draft stops retract in response to retraction of the lower draft stop and this, in turn, raises the upper draft stop so that all of the draft stops are retracted together. Turning the handle in the opposite direction returns all of the draft stops to their projected or active position.

Abstract: A package comprising a molded plastic base with an upstanding peripheral section and a transparent cover having a skirt which telescopes the peripheral section and is secured to the latter to enclose an article to be packaged. A tab is molded integrally with the base at one edge of the peripheral section and is connected to the base by a fold line so that the tab may either project from the base for use in hanging the package or be folded under the base to permit a plurality of packages to be stacked one on top of the other. A sheet with identifying indicia extends across the fold line and has a portion secured to the tab and a portion secured to the adjacent side of the peripheral section so that the article may be identified whether the package is hung or stacked.