US2747219A - Self-locking sash balance - Google Patents

Description

May 29, 1959 G, B, HMS 2,747,219

SELF-LOCKING SASH BALANCE Filed April l2, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 29, 1956 G. B. HAAs SELF-LOCKING sAsH BALANCE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 12, 1954 IN VEN TOR. /ef E. /aa5 K@ 74W United States Patent f) SELF-LGCKEJG' SASH BALANCE Glel'mgB. Haan, Oak Harbor, Ohio, assi'grior to Formetal, Inc., Oak Harbor, hio; a corporation of @hic Application April 12; 1954, Serial No. 422,354?` 14Clims. (Cl. 1li-197) This invention' relates to builders hardware and, in particular, tovr sash balances.

@nel object of thisinventioniscto provide a self-locking automatically-releasing sash balance which is especially adapted for use. with removable sliding sashswindows in thatitv remains in itsv attained position when theV sash is removed, regardless of the location where removal takes place; so that; they sash may be'. replaced in its original positioniwithout having to touch the sash balance, which automatically reassumes'its Weight-balancingfunction upon; Contact with the replaced sash..

Another object is toy provide. al self-lockingautomatin callyreleasing sash balance of the foregoing character wherein the sash balance spring' and substantially all' of the sash" balance mechanismn4 is contained with an elongated' tube placed at the side of the window frame or in the side of` the sash itself, so that the sash balance occupies muchr less space than prior sash balances of the spring-wound drum-and-tape; as well as requiring less labor and skill'in' installation'.

AnotherV object is, to provide a self-locking automatically-releasing sash balance adapted to be used with either wood' or metal sashes,v andiwherein a single standard unit is adaptable to' be insertedwithin various types ofv wood orfmetal sash^guides=or withina suitable' groove in either the window frame` or in'the side of the sash itself, thereby simplifying manufacture and'enabling one unit to be used for widely dileringtypes` of sashinstallations.

Another object isrto provide a self-locking automatically-releasing sash balance of the foregoing character wherein ilockingis accomplishedby atilting loekingmemberwhich is slidable relatively to the tube containing Ithe balancingspring when the locking member is approximately perpendicular to the tube but which tilts into gripping engagement with the tube when it is released from engagement with the sash upon removal of the sash,.the` grippingengagement taking place either on the inner andouter walls of the tube or on the outer` Wall only.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description ofthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a vertical section through a double-hung slidingsash installation equipped with an internally selflocking and self-releasing sash balance according to one form' of the invention, wherein the sash balance is contained within a metal sash guide on one side of the window frame;

Figure Z is a vertical section taken at right angles to the section of Figure l, along the line 2 2 therein;

Figure 3- is a horizontal section taken along the line SrL-Sein Figure l;

Figure; 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section through the lower end of the sashbalance and adjacent portiono'f" the` sash;A showing the locking mechanism in its1 released position;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section through: thesashguide and sash balance ofy Figures l; to'4 2,747,219 Vliaterlted May 29, 1956 2. inclusive, with the sash removed and theA locking mechanism in itslocked position;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectiontaken along theline=66 in Figure 5;

Figure 7` isa vertical section at right-angles to thevere tical sectioniof Figure 6, taken along the line: 7 -7` in Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a side elevation-of the lockingpl'ate carrier of the sash balance shown in Figures 1 to1-7 inclusive,v with theI central portion omitted to conserve space;

Figure 9 is. al front elevation, similarly shortened;y of the locking plate carrier shown in Figure 8;.

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the-locking; plate: used in thesash balance of Figures 1 to.7 inclusive;

Figure l1 is a side elevation of the lockinglplateshown in Figure 10;

Figure l2 is a horizontal section in a plane similar to the plane of Figure 3, but showing amodication inwhich the metal sash guide isv formed withv a tubular portion containing` the Working mechanism of the sash balance, elmiinating a separate tube;

Figure 13 is a similar4 horizontal section'. through a further modification whereintth'e sash balance is secured to the side of a plain wooden Window frame and-projects from it into a groove in the side of thesa'sh;

Figure 141; is asimilar horizontal!sectionithrough a.still further modification wherein the sash balance is mounted in a groove in` therside of. aiplainwindow frame;

Figure.` l5 is` a similar horizontal section. through an additional modificationk wherein the sash; balance. is mountedwithin theimetalwindowl frame of double-hung removable metal sliding sash, ontheresilientside. thereof;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary fronttelevation ofr thelower portion of a modilied sashl balanceaccording tov the in'- vention, employing. an. externally-gripping' lockingN plate; in its locking position;

Figure 17 is a side elevationgtpartly irl-,vertical section; of the modified sash balancezshown in Figure: 16;.and1

Figure 182 is a` horizontal section taken along the line 18918 in Figure 17.

Removable double-hung sliding sash'- windowsfinl recent years have` been widely introduced in the building` industry, and theirl use has facilitated' the cleaningv of windows asA well-v asreduced drafts, heat losses* and rattling. ln such Windows; one' of-` the Vertical sash guides inthe windowv frame is resiliently mounted, so-asf to b'eyield# able suilicient distance tot permitf theoppositey side of the window sash to beremovedfrom its' stationary sash guide by pushing sidewise on thesash, thereby enabling the sash` to be quickly and easily removed? for cleaning or other purposes. in such' installations, however, it is necessary to use a suiiiciently stiff sprin'g'pre'ssureV against the yieldable sash guideto cause the sash guidesandsash to frictionally grip one another' to` an extent sutiicient to overcome the weight of the sash and prevent' it from dropping, unless a sash balance is employed; Conventional sash balances, however, greatly complicatethe use oi. removable sasli Windows since, if used, tneyrequire attaching and detaching the sash balance cord, cable; chainor tape every time the sash is removed, and'require reconnecting it when the sash is replaced in the Window frame. When the sash is removed in such an installation, however, the cord, cable, chain or tape flies upward under the inuence of. the weight or spring attached to it,

and must be pulled down and reconnected before the in order to remove the sash, since the springs associated with the yielding sash guide are no longer required to force the sash guide and sash together with a suflicient frictional'force to hold the sash in its raised position. The sash balance of the present invention, moreover, merely engages the sash without requiring positive connection to the sash, the sash balance being provided with self-locking and self-releasing mechanism which goes into operation to automatically lock the sash balance in its attained position when the sash is removed, and to automatically release the sash balance to resume its balancing function when the sash is replaced. The sash balance spring is housed in an elongated metal tube with a slot in the front thereof through which a locking plate carrier projects and holds a tilting locking plate which instantly rocks and grips the tube to lock the carrier in its attained position when the sash is removed. When the sash is replaced, the locking plate is rocked in the opposite direction to release its grip upon the tube so that the balancing spring resumes its balancing function. The spring sash balance of Figures l to inclusive employs an internallygripping locking plate, whereas the modied spring sash balance of Figures 16 to 18 inclusive employs an externally-gripping locking plate.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures 1 to 3 inclusive show a double-hung sliding removable window sash installation, generally designated 10, consisting of upper and lower sliding sashes 12 and 14 slidably mounted in metallic sash guides 16 and yielding sash guides 17 set into elongated vertical recesses 18 and 19 respectively in the opposite side members 20 and 21 respectively of a window frame, generally designated 22. The window frame 22 has a sloping window sill 24 and a head or top member 26, the construction being shown in simplified or diagrammatic form for clarity of illustration. In the form shown in Figures 1 to 11 inclusive, the stationary sash guide 16 is of a special rolled cross-section whereas the yielding sash guide 17 is of conventional form, the details of which are beyond the scope of the present invention. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the yielding sash guide 17 (Figure A3), of which there are two disposed side by side to receive the upper and lower sashes 12 and 14, consists of a metal channel member of approximately E-shaped cross-section having a central guide portion 28 with longitudinally-spaced apertures 30 in which fastener cups 32 are inserted, the bottom of each fastener cup 32 being drilled to receive a fastener 34 seated in the side member 20. Adjacent and between the fastener cups 32 are longitudinally-spaced coil springs 36 which urge the yielding sash guide 17 into engagement with the window sash 12 or 14, the side edge portion 38 of which slidably engages the central guide portion 28.

The opposite or stationary sash guide 16 may, like the yielding sash guides 17, be formed in two separate units but, for purposes of simplicity, Figure 3 shows it as formed in the shape of a one-piece double-guide unit. The sash guide 16 is preferably rolled in a rolling mill or rolling machine from strip aluminum or other suitable sheet metal, and includes two sash guide channel portions 40 and 42 respectively (Figure 3) also of approximately E-shaped cross-section but with extended channel portions 44 and 46 depressed relatively to the channel portions 40 and 42 so as to snugly receive and house the self-locking sash balance, generally designated 50 according to the first form of the invention. The two guide channel portions 40 are spaced apart from one another, one receiving the upper sash 12 and the other the lower sash 14, and are interconnected by a bridge portion 52 which is drilled as at 54 to receive fasteners 56 for securing the stationary sash guide unit 16 to the window frame side member 20.

The self-locking and self-releasing spring sash balance 50 of Figures 1 to ll inclusive is housed in an elongated metal tube 58 of approximately rectangular cross-section with a rectangular chamber 60 running from one end to the other thereof and with an elongated slot 62 in the front wall 64 of the tube 58 (Figure 5). Thus the tube 58 is of approximately square C-shaped cross-section. The upper and lower ends of the tube 58 are drilled for the passage of fasteners 66 and 68, the upper fastener 66 also serving as an anchorage for the upper end of an elongated tension spring 70. The fasteners 66 and 63 secure the tube 5S and the channel portions 44 and 46 to the window frame side members 20.

The lower end of the tension spring 70 is hooked through a hole 72 in a locking plate carrier 74 (Figures 8 and 9) of a sash balance locking device, generally designated '76, which also includes a tilting or rocking locking plate 78. The carrier 74 is in the form of an approximately L-shaped metal plate or bar having a vertical arm and a horizontal arm 82 with a notch 84 at their junction on their inner edges. The notch 84 has an upper edge 86 which is substantially perpendicular to the front edge 88 of the upper arm 80, the rearward edge 90 of the notch 84 and the lower portion 92 of the rearward edge 94 thereof being arcuate and approximately concentric with a neck portion 93 between them. The lower edge 96 of the notch 84 is inclined and converges toward the lower edge 98 of the lower arm 82, of which it forms part of the upper edge 100, the latter being substantially parallel to the lower edge 98. The upper edge portions 96 and 100 join one another at a ridge or fulcrum edge 102, which is nearer the front edge 103 of the arm 82 than the rear edge 90 of the notch 84. The front and rear edges 88 and 94 are also substantially parallel except for the arcuate lower edge portion 92.

The locking plate 78 (Figures 10 and 11), which cooperates with the locking plate carrier 74, is approximately rectangular in shape with a forward trigger portion 104 and a rearward portion 106 separated from one another by rectangular notches 108 extending inwardly toward one another from the opposite edges 110 of the locking plate 78. The rearward portion 106 of the locking plate 78 also has a larger rectangular notch 112 in its rearward edge 114 of sufficient width to loosely receive the neck portion 93 (Figure 5). The notches 108 are of slightly greater width than the thickness of the tube 58 (Figure 6) so that their opposite edges tightly grip the inner and outer surfaces of the front wall 64 of the tube 58 when the locking plate 78 is pulled into its tilted position by the spring 70 when the sash 12 or 14 is removed, but are of sufficient width to loosely and slidably pass along the front wall 64 (Figure 4) when the sash is replaced, and engages the locking plate 78. Thus the locking plate 78 tilts around the ridge 102 as a fulcrum. In order to receive and engage the locking plate 78, each sash 12 or 14 is provided with a rectangular notch 116 having an upper abutment wall or shoulder 118 perpendicular to its outer edge and consequently adapted to tilt the locking plate 78 around its fulcrum 102 into a position likewise perpendicular.

In the operation of the invention, let it be assumed that the lower sash 14 is raised a short distance above the sill 24 (Figure 1) with its abutment wall 118 tilting the locking plate 78 around its fulcrum 102 into the freesliding perpendicular position of Figure 4. In this position the opposite sides of the notches 108 and the locking plate 78 do not engage the front wall 64 of the tube 58, so that the sash 12 or 14 may be raised and lowered freely while the spring 70 counterbalances the weight of the sash.

To remove the sash 14 from its position of Figure 1, the operator grasps the sash 14 in his hands and shifts it sidewise to the right (Figures 1 and 3), pushing the yielding sash guide 17 to the right, compressing the springs 36. This enables the edge portion 38 of the sash 14 to be withdrawn from the channel portion 42 of the stationary sash guide 16, so that the left-hand side of the sash 14 may be swung outward past the edge of thev window frame 22,

permitting the sash: 14Tto be completely,v removed from the window frame 22.

The instant the shoulder 118' of thenotch 116 of the sash 14 is disengaged from the locking.- plate 78, the lockingl plate carrier 74 is jerked upward bythe tension spring, 70, rocking the locking. plate 78 aroundthe fulcrum1tl2 off the perpendicular edgel portion 100 and onto? the inclined portion 96, causing; thel opposite edges of the notches 108 to bite into the front Wall-portions 64 of; the tube-53 on opposite sides of: the slot 62 (Figures 5, 6r and 7). The tube 58 is perferably made of a relatively soft metal, such as aluminum, to facilitate this biting action: When the locking plate: 78 is thus tilted (Figure l), it instantly halts the upward motion of the locking plate carrier 74 and holds the sash balance 50'in itsattained position. After the` sash. 14- has been cleaned or otherwise treated, it is replaced byinserting its righthand` edge in the channel portion.` 28 of itsrespective yielding.l sash guide 1-7,.whereupon. the operator pushes to the right a sufficientv distance-tocause they sash guide 151 toi yield suiiciently to permitits left-hand edge portion.38 to re-enter the sash guide channel 42immediately above. the locked location of theflocking plate 78-which entersthe notch 116in'the lower, left-hand corner of the sash14. The sash 14 either drops of its own weight or isspushedfdownwardfuntilV the shoulder 1f18`at the top of the notch engages the forwardy portion 104of the locking plate 78r-and1tilts it into its perpendicular position (Figure 4) aroundthe fulcrum 102,. the rearward portion 106 coming to a haltagainst the upper edge 86 of the notch 84- Thislrele'ases the opposite edges of thenotches 108 from'their biting grips-upon the front wall' portions 64 of the sash balance tube 58, permitting the sashbalance to move upward freely and resume counterbalancing the weight of' the sash 14.

The modified removable sash installation, generally designated 119, shown in Figure 12 is similar in principle to therforrn of the invention shown inFig-ures 1 to 11V inclusive, except that the sash balance tube-53I is omitted, andthe-rearward channelportion 44fof` the sash guide' 16 is'ljoined to the .sashguide channel-'portion 40-by inwardlyturnedfreversely-bent edges- 12tl-fwith aslot 122A between them; FPhe combinedlthicknessof;eaohf ofthe reverselybent portions: 12tlis slightly less than the width.` of the side: notches 108' of the locking;platez78, so that the latter slides lfreely; whenin l its perpendicular position analogous toFigure 4,.but1biterintolthe. outer andi-inner surfaces of the :portions 1-'20rwhen i the i sash isrernoved4 andf the plate 78ris'rocked byk the'upward` pull.v of thespring-70: The operationof the modification oft Figure: 12 is otherwise thel same' as has beenn described immediately above.

`The moditied removable: saslr installation, generally designated 124; shown inv Figure: 1:3 employs.` the same saslisbalanceSllas hasrbeen described above/inconnection with Figures 1 to l1 inclusive, but the:tube'5& is shown asf fasteneddirectly. toithewindowframe: sidermembersV 20 insteady of being seated int ai metal: sash guide. In this modification', `the sashes 12=andz 14A are -grooved as atv 126 to'. slirlably receive' thel tube.: 58 and-l the` bottom of each groove;126-isfprovidedzwithfa notch 128` with anv upper wallziorslroulder' ltlxsimilarfinspnsition, location and funetion'l` to thexnotch:116iwithits shoulder 118 of Figure 41.. The operation, of tliemodiedrsashiinstallation'124is similar to that ofthef principal installationlfand modiedlinstallationi 1'1'9'previously ldescribed above YandV hence requires no' repetition:

'lhe modified removable sash installation, generally designatedr 132i, shownin; Figure 14 is'similarto that' of Figure 13 except thatf the tube SSofeach: sash balance Stlis set-` into a.groove1-34 in the'window frame side member- 20k instead ofi projectingfrom' it as1in/ Figure" 13 or beingzrnounted within'. a metallic sashi guide as in. Figures 13 to' l2 inclusive'. Thesashes'12and:14;.as.in1Figure 1, aref providedllwith' notches :116 with upper abutment walls or shoulders 1.18 an'd; for' the; same; purpose; The* operatiorrofthe modication 1132 is otherwise the sameas that ofi Figures 1 to-ll inclusiveY andi-hence` requiresfno-repetition.

The modi-tied removable sash installation 140 shown in Figure 15 is' also' similar in` principle to the foregoingV forms of the invention', except that'. the invention has been applied toa removable double-hung metallic sash-window, generally designated 1'42, consisting of metal-framed upper and lower sashes 144 and 146mounted in sash guide. channel members 147 and 148`respectively. The guide channel member 148 has guide channels 150`and 152 side by side for receiving the right-hand edges ofthe sashes 144-and 146. The guide-channel member 147 has deeper channels 154' and156 side by side for receiving'the-opposite'edgesof the upper and lower sashes` 144' and 146 and the two sash` balances 50, both of which are loosely mounted on their respective fasteners 66 and 68 (Figure l) so as to be freely movable laterally under the urge of coil springs 158 and* 160 respectively, a separate anchorage being provided, if necessary, for the spring. 70. The adjacent sides of the upper and lower sashes 144 and 146:- are notched as at 162 in a manner similar to the notches 116 in the lower left-hand corners of the Wooden .sashes` of Figure l, and providingabutment shoulders or walls`164similar in purpose and action to the abutment shoulder or wall 118.

The operationof the metallic removable window sash installation 142 of Figure l5 is also-generally the same as in the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 11 inclusive, hence likewise requires no repetition. In this instance, however, each sash is: pushed to the left in order to disengage it from the guide. channel- 150 or 1152, co'mpressing'the spring- 158 or'168 and shifting the sash balances to the left so as topermit the sashes 144 and 145 to be removed. Locking takes place in the same manner asdescribed above in connection with Figures 1 to 11 inclusive when the sash 144 or 146 is disengaged from its respective locking plate 78.

The modified sash balance, generally designated 170, shown in Figures 16 to 18 inclusive is similar in principle to the1 sash balance 50 of Figures l to l5 inclusive exceptthatlit employsan externally-gripping locking plate 172-instead of the partly external and partly internal lock'- ingplate 78 of Figures l to-l5 inclusive, which for convenience and conciseness has been designated internal locking. plate78. The tube 174 which houses the spring 176 and locking plate carrier 17.8' is of slightlyl different cross-section than the. tube 584 in that ithas parallelfront and rear walls 18) and182, an elongated frontzwall slot 183, parallel:k forward side walls 184 and converging corner side walls 186 (Figure 18). The locking plate carrier 1781s also L-shaped, but-of slightly different form, in .that

. itk has avertical arm 188 encircled by the spring 176 and a` horizontal arm 190which has upper and lower notches 192 and 194 respectively serving as anchorages for' the lower endof the kspring 176. The horizontal arm has an upper edge 196 whichvengages the forward portion 198 ofthe locking plate 172. The locking plate 172 has a notch or opening 200 extending from its rearward edge 292. toward its forwardportion 198; The opening 200 is ofy similar cross-section to the tube 174, but slightly larger so as torpermitfree sliding of thelocking plate 172 relatively tothe tubef1'74 when the former is perpendicular to thei latter by reason of the engagementv of the window sash. therewith. For this purpose, the opening 200 has a-forwardedgel 204, parallel side edges 206, and converging corner edges 208.

The operation of themodied sash balance 170 is similar. in principle to that of the sash balance 50 described above,xexcept thatv the locking plate 172 grips the outside of the tube 174= rather than partly inside and partly outsideI as in the case of the sash balance 501. When the sash is in' position in itssash guides withV its lower portion engaging thel lockinglplatei198, the latter is forced downward against theperpendicular uppervedge196'of the arm 190, causing the locking plate 172 to assume a position perpendicular to the tube 174 and consequently permitting the locking plate 172 to slide freely upward or downward along the tube 174. When, however, the sash is removed, the spring 176 jerks the L-shaped carrier 178 upward, rocking the locking plate 172 so that its forward inner edge 204 bites into the outside surface of the forward wall 180 of the tube 174 and the converging internal corner edges 208 bite into the converging corner walls 186 of the tube 174, causing instant locking to take place.

What I claim is:

l. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which is automatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sash removal at a given location and automatically released in response to sash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balance comprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to the window frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a side wall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housing and anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to the lower end of said resilient element and having a portion projecting through said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on said projecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond said pivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freely relatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said trigger portion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement with said housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from said trigger portion.

2. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which is automatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sash removal at a given location and automatically released in response to sash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balance comprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to the window frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a side wall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housing and anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to the lower end of said resilient element and having a portion projecting through said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on said projecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond said pivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freely relatively to said housing in response to the engagementV of said trigger portion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement with said housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from said trigger portion, said locking member comprising a notched plate supported by the projecting portion of said carrier.

3. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which is automatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sash removal at a given location and automatically released in response to sash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balance comprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to the window frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a side wall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housing and anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to the lower end of said resilient element and having a portion projecting through said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on said projecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond said pivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freely relatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said trigger portion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement with said housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from said trigger por- 8 tion, said carrier being approximately L-shaped with horizontal and vertical arms and said locking member comprising a notched plate supported by the horizontal arm of said carrier.

4. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which is automatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sash removal at a given location and automatically released in response to sash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balance comprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to the window frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a side wall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housing and anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to the lower end of said resilient element and having a portion projecting through said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on said projecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond said pivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freely relatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said trigger portion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement with said housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from said trigger portion, said carrier being approximately L-shaped with horizontal and vertical arms and said locking member comprising a notched plate supported by the horizontal arm of said carrier, with the opposite sides of the notch grippingly engageable with spaced portions of said housing in the tilted position of said locking member.

5. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which is automatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sash removal at a given location and automatically released in response to sash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balance comprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to the window frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a side wall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housing and anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to the lower end of said resilient element and having a portion projecting through said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on said projecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond said pivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freely relatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said trigger portion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement with said housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from said trigger portion, said carrier being approximately L-shaped with horizontal and vertical arms with a recess disposed at the junction of its horizontal and vertical arms and said locking member comprising a notched plate supported by the horizontal arm of said carrier.

6. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which is automatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sash removal at a given location and automatically released in response to sash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balance comprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to the window frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a side wall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housing and anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to the lower end of said resilient element and having a portion projecting through said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on said projecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond said pivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freely relatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said trigger portion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement with said housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from said trigger portion, said carrier being approximately L-shaped with horizontal and vertical` arms .with a recess disposedat` thev junction of its horizontal and' vertical arms and said lockingmember comprising a notched place supported by the horizontal arms of said carrier, with an aperture therein receiving the vertical arm of said carrier and with an edge adjacent said aperture engageable With a side of said recess in the unlocked position of said locking member.

7. A resilient sash balance-,for removable sliding sash windows which is automatically locked in its tensioned conditionin response to sash removal at a given location and automatically released in response to sash replacementi and return to said given'location, said sash balance comprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to the window frame adjacent the sash and having an elongatedv opening in a side Wall thereof, an elongated resilientA element disposed in said housing and anchored at itsupper end, a locking member carrier connected to the lower end of said resilient element'and havinga portion projecting through said opening,rand a locking member tiltably mounted Von said projecting portion-and having a trigger portion projecting beyondsaid pivot into the path of; travel of `saidl sashrfor engagement thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adapted to slide, freely relatively to said housing'inlresponse to the engagementy of said trigger portion by saidrsash andi adapted to tilt into gripping engagement with said housing in responseA tot the disengagement of said sash from said trigger portion, said carrier being approximately- L-shaped-With horizontal and vertical arms with an upper edge portion of the horizontal armthereof inclined downwardly towardits junction with the vertical arm thereof and' said'locking member comprising a notched plate supported by the horizontal` arm of saidcarrier.

S, A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which is4 automatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sasha-removal ata given'location and automatically released in response to sash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balance comprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to the window frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a side wall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housing and anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to the lower end of said resilient element and having a portion projecting through said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on said projecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond said pivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freely relatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said trigger portion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement with said housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from said trigger portion, said carrier being approximately L-shaped with horizontal and vertical arms with an upper edge portion of the horizontal arm thereof inclined downwardly toward its junction with the vertical arm thereof and said locking member comprising a notched plate supported by the horizontal arm of said carrier, said carrier having a recess disposed at said junction and said locking member having an aperture therein receiving the vertical arm of said carrier and with an edge adjacent said aperture engageable with a side of said recess in the unlocked position of said locking member,

9. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which is automatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sash removal at a given location and automatically released in response to sash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balance comprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to the window frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a side wall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housing and anchored at its upper Venda locking-member carrier connected to the lowervend of saidlresilient element and-having aportion projecting. through saidcpening, and a` locking member tiltably mounted on=said' projecting portion and having a4 trigger portion projecting beyond said pivot into the path of travelIof said saslr for engagement thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freely relatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said trigger portion by said-sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement with said housingin response tothe disengagement of said sashfrom saidftrigger portion, said carrier being approximately L-shaped with horizontal and vertical armswith a forward upper edge portion of the horizontal arm thereof substantially horizontal, and with a rearward upper edge portion of said horizontal arm inclined downwardly toward its junction with the vertical arm thereof and said locking member comprising aV notched plate supported by the horizontal arm of said carrier.

lO.-` Ay resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windowswhich is automatically locked in its tensioned condition in response tosash removal at a given location and automatically released inresponse to sash replacementand return to said given location, said sash balance comprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to the window frame adjacent theV sash and having anl elongated-opening.in` aside Wall thereof, an elongated resilient'felement disposed in said'housing andanchoredv at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to the lowen end of said resilient element and` having a portion projecting through said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted: onvsaidrprojecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond said pivot into the4 path of travel of. said sash for engagement'thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freely relatively tosaidhousing-in response to the engagement of said4 trigger portion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement withsaid housing in response to the disengagement ofsaid sash from said trigger portion,.said carrier being approximately. L-shape'd with horizontal andvertical arms' with a forward upper edge portion of the horizontal arm thereof substantially horizontal and with a rearward upper edge portion of said horizontal arm inclined downwardly toward its junction with the vertical arm thereof and said locking member comprising a notched plate supported by the horizontal arm of said carrier and with a pivot at the junction of said forward portion and said inclined rearward portion of said horizontal arm.

ll. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which is automatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sash removal at a given location and automatically released in response to sash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balance comprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to the window frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a side wall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housing and anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to the lower end of said resilient element and having a portion projecting through said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on said projecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond said pivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freely relatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said trigger portion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement withV said housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from said trigger portion, said locking member comprising a plate with an aperture therein configured to slidably receive said housing and extend around the major portion thereof.

l2. A resilient sash balance for removable sliding sash windows which is automatically locked in its tensioned condition in response to sash removal at a given location and automatically released in response to sash replacement and return to said given location, said sash balance comprising an elongated spring housing adapted to be secured to the window frame adjacent the sash and having an elongated opening in a side wall thereof, an elongated resilient element disposed in said housing and anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to the lower end of said resilient element and having a portion projecting through said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on said projecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting beyond said pivot into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freely relatively to said housing in response to the engagement of said trigger portion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement with said housing in response to the disengagement of said sash from said trigger portion, said locking member comprising a plate with an aperture therein congured to slidably receive said housing and extend around the major portion thereof, said locking member having forward and rearward edge portions adjacent said aperture adapted to grippingly engage the forward and rearward walls respectively of said housing in response to the tilting of said locking member.

13. A combination self-locking sash balance and sash guide for sliding sash windows comprising an elongated sash guide member of sheet material having a channel portion therein adapted to slidably receive said sash, and a tubular extension portion disposed rearwardly of said channel portion with an elongated opening therebetween having an inwardly-projecting locking edge; an elongated resilient element disposed in said extension portion and anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to the lower end of said resilient element and having a portion projecting through said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on said projecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freely relatively to said locking edge in response to the engagement of said trigger portion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement with said locking edge in response to the disengagement of said sash from said trigger portion.

14. A combination self-locking sash balance and sash guide for sliding sash windows comprising an elongated sash guide member of sheet material having a channel portion therein adapted to slidably receive said sash, and a tubular extension portion disposed rearwardly of said channel portion with an elongated opening therebetween having an inwardly-projecting locking edge; an elongated resilient element disposed in said extension portion and anchored at its upper end, a locking member carrier connected to the lower end of said resilient element and having a portion projecting through said opening, and a locking member tiltably mounted on said projecting portion and having a trigger portion projecting into the path of travel of said sash for engagement thereby, said locking member having gripping portions adapted to slide freely relatively to said locking edge in response to the engagement of said trigger portion by said sash and adapted to tilt into gripping engagement with said locking edge in response to the disengagement of said sash from said trigger portion, said locking member comprising a notched plate supported by the projecting portion of said carrier.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,771,997 Fast Aug. 5, 1930 2,158,963 Gassen May 16, 1939 2,383,852 Goldenberg Aug. 28, 1945 2,657,422 Lipson Nov. 3, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 4,006 Great Britain Feb. 22, 1908

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