Friction adjuster for window balance carriers

1. A window balance assembly for operation in a window frame channel, the window balance assembly comprising:

a carrier configured to be slidably received within the window frame channel, the carrier including a recessed portion having a plurality of first steps arranged in a first helical pattern, and a slot extending into the recessed portion and including first and second planar sides, a curved end adjacent the first and second planar sides, and an open end formed through a perimeter of the recessed portion and opposing the curved end; and

a friction adjuster including a plurality of second steps arranged in a second helical pattern, the friction adjuster being configured to be received into the slot through the open end and rotatably engage the recessed portion, the second steps being engageable with the first steps.

2. The window balance assembly of claim 1 , wherein the friction adjuster is configured to contact a back surface of the window frame channel when engaging the recessed portion and is rotatable within the recessed portion between a first position whereby the friction adjuster exerts a first force on the back surface and a second position whereby the friction adjuster exerts a second force on the back surface, the second force being greater than the first force.

3. The window balance assembly of claim 2 , wherein the friction adjuster directly contacts the back surface of the window frame channel in the first and second positions.

4. The window balance assembly of claim 3 , wherein adjustment of a frictional force between the friction adjuster and the back surface is independent of relative pivotal motion between a window sash and the window frame channel.

5. The window balance assembly of claim 2 , wherein the friction adjuster includes a manipulation portion that is accessible through the slot and an opening in a front surface of the window frame channel, the manipulation portion being actuatable to move the friction adjuster between the first and second positions.

6. The window balance assembly of claim 5 , wherein the friction adjuster includes an oblong portion extending from the manipulation portion, the plurality of second steps being formed on the oblong portion.

7. The window balance assembly of claim 6 , wherein the oblong portion includes a width and a length that is greater than the width, wherein a width of the slot is larger than the width of the oblong portion and smaller than the length of the oblong portion.

8. The window balance assembly of claim 1 , wherein relative movement between the first and second steps is independent of relative movement between a window sash and the window frame channel.

9. A method of adjusting a sliding frictional force between a carrier of a window balance assembly and a window frame channel, the method comprising:

providing the carrier with a first helical stepped surface, the first helical stepped surface being formed in a recess formed in a back surface of the carrier, a slot extending into the recessed portion;

installing the carrier into the window frame channel such that the first helical stepped surface faces a back surface of the window frame channel;

providing a friction adjuster having a second helical stepped surface;

installing the friction adjuster onto the carrier after the carrier is installed in the window frame channel; and

adjusting a position of the second helical stepped surface relative to the first helical stepped surface after the friction adjuster is installed onto the carrier.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein installing the carrier into the window frame channel includes positioning the back surface of the carrier adjacent the back surface of the window frame channel.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein installing the friction adjuster onto the carrier includes inserting the friction adjuster through the slot formed in the carrier.