WINDOW BALANCE SYSTEMS
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.
1 . (canceled)
2 . A shoe for a block and tackle window balance system having a U-shaped channel, the shoe comprising:
an elongate portion;
an enlarged portion extending from the elongate portion such that the shoe is substantially T-shaped;
a channel connector defined by a front of the elongate portion, wherein the front of the elongate portion is configured to face a base wall of the U-shaped channel; and
a chamber defined at an intersection of the elongate portion and the enlarged portion at the front, wherein the chamber is sized and shaped to directly receive at least a portion of a head of a pivot bar of a window sash.
3 . The shoe of claim 2 , wherein the channel connector is a hook defined as a slot within the elongate portion and configured to receive a rivet of the U-shaped channel.
4 . The shoe of claim 3 , wherein the hook includes a rivet catch disposed within the slot.
5 . The shoe of claim 2 , wherein the elongate portion further includes a groove disposed adjacent the channel connector on the front, the groove shaped and sized to at least partially receive the base wall of the U-shaped channel.
6 . The shoe of claim 5 , wherein a shelf separates the groove from the chamber.
7 . The shoe of claim 2 , wherein the chamber does not extend all the way through the shoe.
8 . The shoe of claim 2 , wherein a pair of slots are defined within the enlarged portion with the elongate portion disposed in-between, the pair of slots configured to receive at least a portion of side walls of the U-shaped channel.
9 . The shoe of claim 8 , wherein projections are disposed within the slots.
10 . The shoe of claim 2 , wherein the enlarged portion includes two opposing end surfaces and a bottom surface, the end surfaces and the bottom surface are curved surfaces.
11 . The shoe of claim 2 , wherein a width of the enlarged portion is about one inch.
12 . The shoe of claim 2 , wherein a width of the enlarged portion is about 1¼ inch.
13 . A window balance system comprising:
an elongated U-shaped channel including:
a base wall and two side walls; and
a receiver defined at one end of the elongated U-shaped channel, the receiver defining a pivot bar opening; and
a shoe configured to couple to the end of the elongated U-shaped channel proximate the receiver, the shoe including:
a body received at least partially within the elongated U-shaped channel proximate the receiver; and
a chamber defined by the body, wherein the chamber cooperates with the pivot bar opening of the receiver to directly receive at least a portion of a head of a pivot bar of a window sash.
14 . The window balance system of claim 13 , wherein the receiver projects outward from the base wall of the elongated U-shaped channel.
15 . The window balance system of claim 13 , wherein the pivot bar opening includes a throat with a pair of tapered leading surfaces.
16 . The window balance system of claim 13 , wherein each end of the two side walls includes a notch defined therein.
17 . The window balance system of claim 16 , wherein a pair of slots are defined within the enlarged portion of the shoe with the elongate portion disposed in-between, the pair of slots configured to receive at least a portion of the notch of the two side walls of the elongated U-shaped channel.
18 . The window balance system of claim 13 , wherein the two side walls include a cutout opposite of the base wall.
19 . The window balance system of claim 13 , wherein the body of the shoe includes an elongate portion received at least partially within the elongated U-shaped channel and an enlarged portion extending from the elongate portion such that the body of the shoe is substantially T-shaped.
20 . The window balance system of claim 13 , wherein the shoe is formed from a different material than the elongated U-shaped channel.
21 . The window balance system of claim 13 , wherein the window balance system is a block and tackle window balance system.