Abstract: Inflatable weather barriers for loading docks are disclosed. An example weather barrier includes an upper bellows defining a header air chamber between a top portion and a bottom portion of the upper bellows. A blower is in fluid communication with the header air chamber and the blower is selectively activated to discharge a pressurized air into the header air chamber to urge the upper bellows from a raised position toward a lowered position. The weather barrier includes a first extension spring that is under a first extension spring tension, a first pulley, and a first elongate member that is pliable. The first elongate member is under a first elongate member tension that urges the upper bellows toward the raised position.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly (35) including a window frame and at least two glass panes (38, 39). At least one of the glass panes (38, 39) slides within the frame between an open position and a closed position, wherein one of the edges of each pane overlaps to form overlapping edges (42, 43). First and second rails (44, 45) are connected to the overlapping edges (42, 43) and cooperate to form a seal between them in the closed position. Each rail (44, 45) is formed from a metal component (46) and a plastic component (51) that are formed separate from each other and are assembled in nesting connection. The seal in the overlap between the overlapping edges (42, 43) in the closed position of the panes (38, 39) is formed between the plastic components (51) of the first and second rails (44, 45). The metal components (51) of the first and second rails (44, 45) are spaced from contact with each other and extend to overlie outwardly facing surfaces of the first and second panes (38, 39).

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 carriage assembly is disclosed for a garage door drive belt. The assembly includes first and second carriage elements each having inner and outer members adapted to retain an end of the drive belt therebetween. An articulated connection extends between the first and second carriage elements. Also disclosed is a support arrangement for a garage door drive unit, comprising a drive unit hanger for attachment to a garage door structure, the hanger further having a weight-supporting connection to the drive unit, wherein the drive unit position is adjustable while the weight of the drive unit is supported.

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 counterbalance system for a side load window assembly having a window sash and side frame jambs. A spring carriage is provided. The spring carriage has a first section that fits into a gap space between the window frame and the window sash. The spring carriage also includes a second section that passes under the window sash. A locking mechanism is disposed in the second section that selectively engages the side jambs and locks the spring carriage in place. At least one coil spring is provided. Each coil spring has a wound body that is held within the spring carriage. Each coil spring also has a first end that extends out of the spring carriage is anchored to one of the side frame jambs. The coil springs bias the spring housing upwardly. Since the window sash rests upon the housing, the window sash is counterbalanced.

Abstract: A system and method for mounting a coil spring to a brake shoe in a guide track of a window frame. A brake shoe and coil spring are provided. A housing is provided to hold the coil spring. A stop mount is also provided for limiting the movement of the housing in the guide track. The housing and the stop mount are temporarily joined into a common assembly. The coil spring is placed in the housing. The stop mount is mounted in the guide track at a fixed position, wherein the housing is positioned above the stop mount. The free end of the coil spring is connected to the brake shoe below the stop mount The stop mount is then detached from the housing. This enables the housing to move freely within the guide track independently of the stop mount.

Abstract: A pulley assembly for an overhead counter weight door features a base plate and a support arrangement carried on and spaced from the base plate so that the base and support arrangements face toward one another. A shaft is carried on the base plate and the support arrangement to extend therebetween with a pulley supported on the shaft between the base plate and the support arrangement for rotation about an axis defined by the shaft. A plurality of wall sections extends between the base plate and the support arrangement to establish connection therebetween radially outward from the shaft beyond an outer periphery of the pulley on more than two sides thereof.

Abstract: A counterbalance system for counterbalancing the weight of a window sash in a window frame and the structure of the springs that provide the counterbalance force. Guide tracks are provided on a window frame to guide the movement of the window sash. Mounting slots are formed through the guide tracks at various points. Coil springs are provided to create the counterbalance force. Each coil spring is a coil of wound steel ribbon that has one end bent into an anchor configuration. The anchor configuration passes into, and is retained by, one of the mounting slots. This anchors one end of the coil spring to the guide track.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pivotable, multi-coil spring counterbalance, and method for using the same, which allows the user to readily attach a desired number of coil springs having chosen forces to a counterbalance connector attached to a vertically movable member, thereby providing an offset for at least a portion of the weight thereof.

Abstract: Window sash counterbalances using curl springs and holders can increase resistance to sash drop without causing sash hop by using a high coefficient of friction bearing surfaces against which curled up coils of curl springs slide when uncurling or re-curling. The higher friction bearing material produces more frictional resistance to spring uncurling than to spring re-curling and thus resists drop without causing hop. This allows a wider range of sash weights to be counterbalanced by a fewer number of counterbalance forces, saves manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A counterbalance system for a side load window assembly having a window sash and side frame jambs. A spring carriage is provided. The spring carriage has a first section that fits into a gap space between the window frame and the window sash. The spring carriage also includes a second section that passes under the window sash, therein supporting the window sash. At least one coil spring is provided. Each coil spring has a wound body that is held within the spring carriage. Each coil spring also has a first end that extends out of a housing and is anchored to one of the side frame jambs. The coil springs bias the spring housing upwardly. Since the window sash rests upon the housing, the window sash is counterbalanced.

Abstract: A fenestration assembly which includes; an exterior panel section configured to receive and locate an exterior panel, an interior panel section configured to receive an interior panel, wherein the interior panel section includes at least one linkage system configured to connect to an interior panel to be received by the interior panel section, this linkage system being configured to cover at least a portion of a track formed within said interior panel section. The fenestration assembly may in other instances include an interior panel section where a portion of this interior panel section is associated with a cladding material and where a portion of the interior surface of an exterior panel received by the exterior panel section is covered by cladding material associated with the interior panel section.

Abstract: A modular spring support mounting for a sash window spring counterbalance arrangement includes at least a first spring support mounting element and a second spring support mounting element each for supporting a respective coil spring. The first spring support mounting element includes a pair of wedged shaped cross section projections. The second spring support mounting element includes an interengagement fitting which engages the pair of wedged shaped cross section projections to in use securely interconnect the first and second spring support mounting elements together. Also a method of installing such a modular spring mounting includes the step of laterally slidingly engaging the spring mounting elements to securely interlock the elements together.

Abstract: In sash windows where the sashes are supported on window units which run in channels in a window frame, and the window units are suspended from spring balances, the shoes have easily accessible mechanisms for adjusting the tension in the spring balances, without demounting the sashes and without separating the spring balances from the shoes. Adjustment is done by rotating an element in the shoes, at the bottom of the sash, with the sash pivoted out of the plane of the window. A tool is inserted in a socket to turn an element of the shoe exposed by the tilting of the sash, and the rotation of this element is transferred through 90° to vary the tension in the respective balance.

Abstract: A sash balance shoe housing designed to move along a window frame contains a spring attached to the housing and to a first pulley block that is movable along the housing, a second pulley block fixed against movement along the housing integrally molded with a brake mechanism bearing surface for supporting a cam designed to connect to a sash, and a cord attached by one end to one of the first pulley block and the second pulley block, wrapped around at least one pulley in each block and extending from the housing for attaching the other end to the window frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-coil spring assembly that is mounted in the weight pocket of a vertically operating window. The multi-coil spring assembly allows the user to connect any desired number of coil springs to the counterbalance connector to provide the desired amount of counterbalance force to the sash of a vertically operating window. The multi-coil spring assembly rotates into an interior portion of the window to allow simple and easy connection to the counterbalance connector and then retracts into the weight pocket in a recessed position for normal operation.

Abstract: A block and tackle sash balance assembly for providing a counterbalancing force to a sash window pivotally and slideably mounted within a sash window frame is disclosed. The assembly is adapted to disable the counterbalancing force responsive to pivoting of the sash window.

Abstract: A window balance shoe includes a downward depending pivoted arm that locks the height of the shoe on the jamb by catching in an opening in the jamb wall, or rotates out of the opening in the jamb wall and extends in a curved arm having a radius from the arm's pivot, through a hole that is through a horizontal platform on the shoe and through a hole in an arm supported by the platform, that pivots on and supports a bracket that is attached to the sash.

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 sliding sash window assembly which comprises a fixed rectangular outer frame securable in a window aperture and having upper and lower window units (13, 14) mounted in the fixed outer frame and at least one of which is relatively movable between an open position and a closed position of the window assembly, and respective rectangular frames for the units arranged to permit lower horizontal frame member of the upper unit (13) to be located alongside an upper horizontal frame member of the lower unit (14) when the window assembly is closed, so that a locking element can lock the frame members to each other. The rectangular outer frame has side frames in which counterweight arrangements are housed, and forming a stack of weights which can be pulled upwardly within the housing by an elongate tensile element (20) which is secured at one end at or near the lower end of the stack, and at its other end is engageable with a lower end region of the movable window unit.

Abstract: A window having a window panel that slides in a frame and at least one balancer that is secured to the window panel is disclosed. The window is of the tiltable hung type having a vertical operating position in which the balancer slides with the window panel in the frame and a tilted position in which the balancer remains secured to the window panel. The balancer includes an extensible member having a first end operatively coupled to the balancer and a second end operatively coupled to a frame so that the balancer can exert a force on the window panel to assist against the force of gravity when the window panel is in the vertical operating position. A method of constructing a tiltable hung window with a balancer secured to the window panel is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus for a snap lock balance shoe and system to be incorporated in pivotable double hung windows. In one embodiment, the snap lock balance shoe includes a pair of retractable tabs that partially extend through openings within an inverted window balance.

Abstract: A sash balance brake shoe assembly (2) is disclosed for counterbalancing a sash window (3) slidably supported within a master frame (5). The assembly generally includes a balance assembly preferably in the form of a block and tackle balance assembly (7) and a brake shoe (28). The balance assembly has a balance channel (6). The brake shoe (28) has an extension member (36) that is received by the balance channel (6). A fastener (42) directly connects the brake shoe (28) to the balance channel (6).

Abstract: A balancing spring system for facilitating the opening and the closing of a window sash assembly slidably mounted in channels of opposed window jambs comprises a connector strip. The connector strip has a front surface and a rear surface. The connector strip also has slots extending from the front surface to the rear surface. The connector strip has a connecting head section at a bottom thereof, adapted for connection to the window sash assembly. Curled ribbon springs are adapted to be mounted idle and free to rotate in each of the channels of the window jambs. The curled ribbon springs each have a free end comprising an enlarged head portion at a tip thereof, for connecting the curled ribbon springs to the slots of the connector strip, whereby the curled ribbon springs apply an upward force to the window sash assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method of assembling a block and tackle counter balance for windows that reduces the cost of manufacture and installation. In particular, the balance provides vertical support to a window sash using a semi-rigid channel, a top shoe for insertion into one end of the semi-rigid channel, and a bottom shoe for insertion into another end of the semi-rigid channel. Connected to the top shoe is a spring, and a block and tackle pulley assembly is connected between the bottom end of the spring and the bottom shoe, wherein a cord from the pulley assembly extends outward from the bottom shoe for connection to the window sash.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus for a snap lock balance shoe and system to be incorporated in pivotable double hung windows. In one embodiment, the snap lock balance shoe includes a pair of retractable tabs that partially extend through openings within an inverted window balance.

Abstract: A cost-effective door-closing mechanism for sliding doors such as patio screens includes a connecting line attached at one end to the door and at the opposite end to a hanging weight. A pulley secured adjacent a closed side of the sliding door is disposed between the ends of the connecting line and receives the connecting line such that the hanging weight urges the sliding door closed. A protecting tube is disposed surrounding the pulley, hanging weight and connecting line.

Abstract: A horizontally sliding screen for door or French window apertures comprising a first module (1) containing a spring assisted roll-back mechanism (3, 4) fastened to a post of the aperture, a second abutment module (16) for a stiffening end bar (8) of the screen (7), fastened to the opposite post, upper (11) and lower (10) channel guides for the said end bar (8) and optionally for the edges of the extended screen (7), respectively fastened to the threshold and the upper crossbar of the aperture, further comprises a rope (21) whose ends are respectively fastened to said end bar (8) running inside and run inside the said channel guides (10, 11), and on pulleys (18, 19, 20) fitted inside said second abutment module (16); a sagging (A) of the said rope (21) loaded with a weight (P) suspended by means of a hook (22) between two of said pulleys lower than or equal to the force exerted by the spring (4) of said roll-back mechanism increased by an amount equal to the sum of the frictional forces acting on the sliding p

Abstract: A window shoe device for conveniently preventing the drag link from slipping out of the drag link retaining member. The window shoe device includes a housing having a slotted drag link guide portion, a window mount support portion having a hole therethrough, and further includes a window mount member having a slot therein for securely retaining a pivot bar for a window sash and being pivotally supported by the window mount support member, and also includes a window mount retainer member having winged ends for securing the window mount member to the housing, and further includes a drag link retainer member having a pair of prongs extending outwardly for securely retaining a drag link, and also includes a slotted drag link guide reinforcement member removably disposed adjacent to the drag link guide portion.

Abstract: An adjustable gate including a frame having opposing vertical stiles each with a vertical groove therein, an upper gate section and a lower gate section. The upper gate section can be lowered such that only an adult dog may pass through the gate while preventing the passage of puppies. The upper gate section includes an upper crossbar with ends which slide within the vertical grooves of the stiles. Both the upper gate section and the lower gate section have a plurality of evenly spaced vertical slats. The slats of the upper gate section telescopingly or slidingly engage the slats of the lower gate section when the upper gate section is lowered.

Abstract: An elongated cover is removably mounted to a channel guide of a jamb liner for a window unit that is mounted for movement between opened and closed positions. A balance spring in the channel guide has one portion attached to the top end of the jamb liner and an opposite end mounted to a balance shoe which frictionally engages the channel guide. The shoe is mounted to the lower end portion of the window unit. The cover includes a longitudinally elongated main body extendable within the channel guide, a resilient tube mounted to one transverse edge of the main body to abut against a channel guide side wall and rear wall to resiliently urge the main body away therefrom and a mounting joined to the main body transversely opposite the tube for forming a channel to engage a flange of the channel guide. The resilient action of the tube releaseably couples the cover to the channel guide to conceal the spring which extends above the window unit when the unit is closed or partially opened.

Abstract: A fume hood sash operator and fume hoods containing such sash operators. The sash operator is constructed to operate from a pressure fluid cylinder which has no outside operating parts with respect to the movement of the piston in the cylinder. The unique construction of the pressure fluid cylinder makes it very useful for fume hood construction because of the overall small dimensions of the pressure fluid cylinder and the ability to start the piston by overcoming the inertia of the piston using very low air or fluid pressures.

Abstract: A slidable counterbalance assembly adapted for a sash window assembly disposed within a master frame is disclosed. A coiled leaf spring mounted on the counterbalance assembly has its upper end attached to the top of the guide rail channel of the master frame. A flexible strap is attached at one end to the sash window pivot brake and at the other end to the counterbalance assembly.

Abstract: A safety gate to be mounted on a loading dock. The safety gate includes a pair of vertical columns which are mounted on the floor of the dock on either side of a doorway that can be enclosed by an overhead door. A barrier or beam is mounted for sliding movement on the vertical columns and can be moved from an upper storage position where it is located above the doorway to a lower operative position where it extends across the doorway and will prevent material handling equipment, or other objects from accidentally passing through the doorway and falling to the driveway adjacent the dock. The barrier is composed of a pair of elongated side members which are connected by a pair of end members and a series of spaced transverse members. Each column is disposed in the space between an end member and the adjacent transverse member, and the outer surface of one of the side members facing the dock is provided with a resilient shock absorbing layer.

Abstract: A multiple spring counterbalance includes a torsion spring and a tension spring for exerting a combined lifting force on a window sash. A spiral rod is threadably engaged with a follower nut for converting a torque applied by the torsion spring into a lifting force on the window sash. The spiral rod has a pitch that is varied along one part of its length to produce a substantially constant combined lifting force throughout most of a range of sash travel between a lowered position and an intermediate position. However, the pitch is further varied along another part of the length of the spiral member to produce a larger combined lifting force within a remaining portion of the range of sash travel from the intermediate position to the raised position.

Abstract: A double-hung window having a casing with side boards inwardly delimiting sash pockets is replaced by first stripping the casing of the sashes, then filling the sash pockets with fluent particulate insulation, and finally fitting a replacement window into the casing. These holes can be the ones left by removal of the sash-cord pulleys, or can be specially made. The insulation is cellulose and is filled into the pockets by being pumped thereinto. Furthermore on stripping of the sashes same are separated from the respective sash weights which are left in the respective sash pockets.