Abstract: A flexible spacer body has two opposing faces adapted to engage the inner surfaces of glazing structures to define an insulating glazing unit. The spacer body may be desiccated polymeric foam such as a silicone foam rubber or EPDM. An adhesive capable of bonding the spacer body to the glazing structure is carried by both of the faces. The adhesive may be from about 0.050 mm to about 1.524 mm thick. The adhesive material also has the properties of low argon gas and low moisture permeability. The adhesive comprises polymers where butyl rubber and/or polyisobutylene polymers together make up the majority of the polymers. The adhesive may also comprise other materials as needed to make it pressure sensitive and to impart a water resistant bond to glass glazing structures. The space assembly may include additional materials to secure the adhesive to the spacer body.

Abstract: A flexible spacer body has two opposing faces adapted to engage the inner surfaces of glazing structures to define an insulating glazing unit. The spacer body may be desiccated polymeric foam such as a silicone foam rubber or EPDM. An adhesive capable of bonding the spacer body to the glazing structure is carried by both of the faces. The adhesive may be from about 0.050 mm to about 1.524 mm thick. The adhesive material also has the properties of low argon gas and low moisture permeability. The adhesive comprises polymers where butyl rubber and/or polyisobutylene polymers together make up the majority of the polymers. The adhesive may also comprise other materials as needed to make it pressure sensitive and to impart a water resistant bond to glass glazing structures. The space assembly may include additional materials to secure the adhesive to the spacer body.

Abstract: A glass block assembly (2) includes first (4) and second (6) glass block halves. A spacer (8) is disposed between the glass block halves to thermally isolate the first glass block half from the second glass block half. A sealant extends from the outer surface of the first glass block half over the spacer to the outer surface of the second glass block half to hermetically seal the internal chamber of the assembly. The spacer has a pair of legs (24) extending laterally outwardly from the body to define shoulders that engage the inner surfaces of the first and second halves. The legs of the spacer define a slot (25). An interior lite (10) is carried by the spacer in the interior chamber.

Abstract: A glass block assembly (2) includes first (4) and second (6) glass block halves. A spacer (8) is disposed between the glass block halves to thermally isolate the first glass block half from the second glass block half. A sealant extends from the outer surface of the first glass block half over the spacer to the outer surface of the second glass block half to hermetically seal the internal chamber of the assembly. The spacer has a pair of legs (24) extending laterally outwardly from the body to define shoulders that engage the inner surfaces of the first and second halves. The legs of the spacer define a slot (25). An interior lite (10) is carried by the spacer in the interior chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for offsetting a constant force over a range of movement, includes a power spring or clock spring, defined by a length of resilient material wound in a spiral, the opposite ends of which are attached relative to one of the force and a fixed point, and to a pulley. The pulley is substantially coaxial with the spring and has a rounded outer contour defining a progressively varying slope proceeding axially along the pulley. A flexible cord wraps around the pulley and leads to the other of the force and the fixed point. The opposite (inner and outer) ends of the spring can be mounted such that the inner end of the spring is fixed relative to the fixed point and the outer end of the spring is attached to the pulley. The constant force can be the weight of a window sash, movable vertically in a frame.

Abstract: A retaining catch for a tip-out sash provides an automatically deployed retainer mechanism for a sash slidably captive in a window frame or jamb. The sash can be raised and lowered by sliding it along the jamb. A releasable tenon, for example at the top edge of the sash, allows the user to rotate the sash out of the plane of the jamb, facilitating cleaning of the outside. Releasing the sash from the jamb by releasing the tenon activates a mechanism with a distal hook by which the edge of the sash remains captive and displacement of the edge of the sash from the jamb is limited to the unfolded length of the mechanism. The mechanism can be released fully from the jamb by manual action of the user, whereupon the hook returns under spring bias to reside along the edge of the sash.

Abstract: A compound counterbalance system for window sashes and the like, comprising: a biasing spring for easing operation of a window sash and the like, the biasing spring being movable at an inherently variable rate of force; a first biasing force transmission having a fixed rate of movement transmission part connected to the biasing spring and a variable rate of movement transmission part connected to the window sash and the like, the variable rate of movement transmission part having a variable rate of operation predetermined to automatically compensate for the variability of the biasing spring to provide substantial constancy of the biasing force throughout an operating range; and, a cable for interconnecting the biasing spring, the first biasing force transmission, and the window sash and the like, whereby loading forces on the first biasing force transmission are substantially constant throughout the operating range.

Abstract: A tip-lock shoe for a window sash and the like, comprising: a hollow body adapted to slidably travel in a track; a locking member disposed in the body and movable between a retracted position enabling the body to slide freely in the track and an extended position for engaging the track and preventing movement of the body; a first lock activating member disposed in the body for engaging the window sash and for urging the locking member from the retracted position to the extended position responsive to tilting of the window sash and the like; and, a second lock activating member disposed in the body for engaging a counterbalance system for supporting the body in the track and for urging the locking member from the retracted position to the extended position independently of the first lock activating member and automatically responsive to a loss of counterbalance force, whereby the window sash and the like can be slidably and tiltably operated in normal fashion when the counterbalance system is operating properl