Spring-loaded sash guide
A sash includes a stile, the stile defining a first flange and a second flange, a locking slot defined extending through the first flange; and a sash guide, the sash guide defining a first guide leg and a second guide leg, the first guide leg defining a locking tab, the locking tab extending through the locking slot.
1. A sash comprising:
a window frame comprising a balance;
a stile, the stile defining a first flange and a second flange, a locking slot defined extending through the first flange; and
a sash guide comprising a concave balance groove shaped to ride along the balance, the sash guide defining a first guide leg and a second guide leg, the first guide leg defining a locking tab, the locking tab extending through the locking slot.
2. The sash of claim 1 , wherein:
the stile defines a stile channel between the first flange and the second flange;
the first guide leg and the second guide leg extend into the stile channel;
the first guide leg engages the first flange; and
the second guide leg engages the second flange.
3. The sash of claim 2 , wherein:
the sash guide defines a guide cap;
the first guide leg and the second guide leg extend downwards from the guide cap; and
the guide cap is positioned adjacent to a top end of the stile.
4. The sash of claim 1 , wherein:
the sash guide defines a guide cap; and
the guide cap defines the concave balance groove.
5. The sash of claim 4 , wherein:
the sash is mounted within the window frame; and
the concave balance groove aligns with the balance.
6. The sash of claim 1 , wherein:
the stile is positioned within a jamb groove of the balance between a first flange of the balance and a second flange of the balance;
the first flange of the stile is positioned adjacent to the first flange of the balance;
the second flange of the stile is positioned adjacent to the second flange of the balance; and
the locking tab engages the first flange of the balance and biases the stile towards the second flange of the balance.
7. The sash of claim 6 , wherein:
the sash further comprises a weather strip attached to the second flange of the stile; and
engagement between the locking tab and the first flange of the balance biases the weather strip to engage the second flange of the balance to form a seal.
8. The sash of claim 1 , wherein:
the stile defines a top end;
the sash guide defines a bottom guide cap surface; and
the bottom guide cap surface is positioned in facing engagement with the top end of the stile.
9. A sash guide comprising:
a guide cap defining a concave balance groove shaped to ride along a jamb groove of a balance in a window frame, the guide cap defining a bottom guide cap surface;
a first leg extending downwards from the bottom guide cap surface; and
a second leg extending downwards from the bottom guide cap surface;
wherein the first leg defines a locking tab extending outwards from the first leg and away from the second leg.
10. The sash guide of claim 9 , wherein the locking tab defines a sloped leading edge extending downwards from the locking tab towards an end of the first leg, the end defined opposite from the guide cap.
11. The sash guide of claim 9 , wherein the guide cap is a hollow molding.