Abstract: A window balance system includes a U-shaped channel with a first end and an opposite second end, and a balance element supported within the U-shaped channel. The balance element includes a fixed pulley block coupled to the first end of the U-shaped channel, a movable pulley block movably disposed in the U-shaped channel, and a cord extending between the fixed pulley block and the moveable pulley block. The window balance system includes a locking device coupled to the fixed pulley block and configured to engage with the cord and lock a position of the fixed pulley block with respect to the cord. The window balance system also includes a shoe coupled to the second end of the U-shaped channel. The shoe includes an elongate portion and an enlarged portion such that the shoe is substantially T-shaped, and a chamber configured to receive at least a portion of a pivot bar.

Abstract: A folding apparatus for a folding door can be folded or unfolded and moved to the inside as well as to the outside when the folding door is folded. The folding apparatus includes a first upper moving part, a first lower moving part, a second upper moving part, a second lower moving part, a first rotating pulley, a second rotating pulley, a third rotating pulley, a fourth rotating pulley, a fifth rotating pulley, and a sixth rotating pulley, wherein the second upper moving part and the second lower moving part move together right and left by an equal interval by first and second wires.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus for a block and tackle window balance to be incorporated in single and double hung window assemblies. In one embodiment the block and tackle window balance includes a roller secured within a bottom guide to increase range of travel of a window sash.

Abstract: In a block and tackle window balance, the balance shoe holds and upwardly biases the terminal connector in a mounted position. A biasing element of the shoe maintains the terminal connector in a pocket of the shoe during operation of the balance. The terminal connector is prevented from laterally exiting the pocket in the mounted position by a widened portion on the terminal connector and a locating surface extending from the shoe toward the pocket. Manually pressing down on the biasing element or the terminal connector itself to lower the terminal connector in the pocket until the widened portion clears the locating surface allows lateral removal of the terminal connector from the pocket. During operation of the balance, however, the terminal connector does not experience a sufficient downward force to overcome the upward bias such that the widened portion never clears the locating surface.

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 sash balance shoe that draws an extending cord to the shoe by an elastic mechanism in the shoe is hung from a wall of a vertical track of a window jamb by the cord extending through the axis of a convex face of a radially extending annular wall that is on one end of a leg that passes through a hole in the track wall and is prevented from exiting from the hole by the diameter of the annular wall being larger than the diameter of the hole and by a radially extending annular ridge that is larger in diameter than the diameter of the hole and is beveled and flexible enough for insertion into the hole.

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 cord tensioned by a spring supports the sash of a hung window in a stationary position while the sash is tilted for cleaning. The cord pulls a pulley attached to the spring which extends as the sash is further tilted. A tubing houses the spring and pulley and provides a stop that limits the maximum tilt of 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 security seal for a collar used for tensioning springs in garage door assemblies. A collar typically includes at least one set screw projecting outwardly and at least two winding holes. The security seal of the invention includes a generally longitudinal piece of flexible material having two opposite ends, the opposite ends being provided with a locking system for locking the opposite ends together in a permanent fashion. The seal also has at least one hollow cup adapted to receive the at least one set screw and at least two solid cups, each of the cups being adapted to fit with a corresponding winding hole. The hollow cup and the at least two solid cups are disposed on the security seal so that when the seal is locked above the collar, the hollow cup and the solid cups are in registration with the at least one set screw and the at least two winding holes respectively.

Abstract: Pulleys of a block and tackle window balance include hub steps that interact with other components to reduce the introduction of dirt and dust particles into areas vulnerable to wear. The hub steps of some of the pulleys are recesses formed about the axial bores of the pulleys that mate with protrusions on an axle and a washer. The hub steps of other pulleys are protrusions that abut a support plate and heads of rivets that act as axles. The hub steps allow inverse mounting of the window balance so that the balance can be mounted in a shoe channel for movement with a sash of the window, attached to the sash shoe, and the cord can be attached to the jamb or frame, thus increasing sash travel.

Abstract: A resilient, low modulus, semirigid shell for use as a component of an article of luggage. The shell comprises a first nonwoven batt of thermoplastic resin fibers and an exterior material attached to the first nonwoven batt. The first batt and exterior material are thermally formed to a predetermined shape. The shell may also include one or more additional component layers selected from a second nonwoven, fibrous batt, a layer of backing material, a water impermeable film, and a lining material. In manufacturing the shell, the exterior material is attached to a first portion of a substrate material which is comprised of the nonwoven batt of thermoplastic resin fibers. A second portion of the substrate material is secured to an apparatus for thermal forming and the exterior material and substrate material are thermally formed to a resilient, low modulus, semirigid shell having a predetermined configuration.

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: Counterbalancing mechanism for a garage door or other device in which a torsion spring end member is fastened to a second member to which it is connected during normal operation of the counterbalance by cooperating interfitting elements on the members which allow longitudinal movement of the end of the spring during a spring adjusting operation. The counterbalance hardware includes a self-locking winding mechanism for winding or unwinding one or more torsion springs which operates to fix one end of the spring connected thereto against movement during normal operation of the counterbalance. The structure connecting the ends of each torsion spring into the hardware is such that each end of the spring is always connected for rotation with either the torsion shaft of the counterbalance or the self-locking mechanism including during the adjustment or setting of the torsion in the springs.

Abstract: A compound counterbalance system for window sashes and the like, comprising: a biasing mechanism for easing operation of a window sash and the like, the biasing mechanism being movable at an inherently variable of force; a first biasing force transmission, connected intermediately of the window sash and the like and the biasing mechanism, for increasing the effective range of movement of the biasing mechanism; and, a second biasing force transmission connected intermediately of the first biasing force transmission and the biasing mechanism, the second biasing force transmission having a variable rate of operation predetermined to automatically compensate for the variability of the biasing mechanism, to provide substantial constancy of the biasing force. The biasing mechanism preferably comprises a linearly extensible and contractible spring. In one embodiment, both the first and second biasing force transmissions comprise pulley and cable systems.