Balance system for sash window assembly

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 ).

1 . A balance system for a sash window assembly, the sash window assembly having a sash window slidable within a master frame, the balance system comprising an elastomer balance member having one end adapted to be connected to the master frame and another end adapted to be connected to the sash window to provide an upward biasing force to the sash window.  
   
   
       2 . The balance system of  claim 1  wherein the balance member has a first end having a first loop, the first loop adapted to receive a fastener to fasten the first end to the master frame.  
   
   
       3 . The balance system of  claim 2  wherein the balance member has a second end having a second loop, the second loop adapted to be attached to a brake shoe connected to the sash window.  
   
   
       4 . The balance system of  claim 1  wherein the balance member has a generally cylindrical cross-section.  
   
   
       5 . The balance system of  claim 1  wherein the balance member comprises a first elastomer member and a second elastomer member, the members being coextruded.  
   
   
       6 . The balance system of  claim 1  wherein the balance member comprises a plurality of elastomer members woven together.  
   
   
       7 . The balance system of  claim 1  wherein the balance member comprises a plurality of elastomer members sequentially attached to one another.  
   
   
       8 . A balance system for a sash window assembly, the sash window assembly having a sash window slidable within a master frame, the balance system comprising an elastomer balance member made from silicone rubber, the member having a generally cylindrical cross-section and having one end adapted to be connected to the master frame and another end adapted to be connected to the sash window to provide an upward biasing force to the sash window.  
   
   
       9 . The balance system of  claim 8  wherein the balance member has a first end having a first loop, the first loop adapted to receive a fastener to fasten the first end to the master frame.  
   
   
       10 . The balance system of  claim 9  wherein the balance member has a second end having a second loop, the second loop adapted to be attached to a brake shoe connected to the sash window.  
   
   
       11 . The balance system of  claim 8  wherein the balance member comprises a first elastomer member and a second elastomer member, the members being coextruded.  
   
   
       12 . The balance system of  claim 8  wherein the balance member comprises a plurality of elastomer members woven together.  
   
   
       13 . The balance system of  claim 8  wherein the balance member comprises a plurality of elastomer members sequentially attached to one another.  
   
   
       14 . A balance member for a balance system for a sash window assembly, the sash window assembly having a sash window slidable within a master frame, the balance member having one end adapted to be connected to the master frame and another end adapted to be connected to the sash window to provide an upward biasing force to the sash window, the balance member comprising a silicone rubber member.  
   
   
       15 . A method for manufacturing a plurality of sash window assemblies of varying dimensions, each of the sash window assemblies including a master frame, a sash slidable within the master frame, and a balance system coupled between the master frame and the sash, the method comprising: 
 providing the master frames;    assembling one of the sashes within each of the master frames;    providing a length of elastomeric material;    determining an amount of the elastomeric material needed to form the balance system of each of the sash window assemblies based upon each of the sashes' particular dimensions;    cutting each of the determined amounts of elastomeric material from the provided length; and    installing each of the cut amounts of elastomeric material between the master frame and the sash of each of the respective sash window assemblies.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said determining step is performed by a computer.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of providing the master frames includes the step of assembling the master frames.  
   
   
       18 . A system for manufacturing a plurality of sash window assemblies of varying dimensions, each of the sash window assemblies including a master frame, a sash slidable within the master frame, and a balance system coupled between the master frame and the sash, the system comprising: 
 means for providing a length of elastomeric material;    means for determining an amount of the elastomeric material needed to form the balance system of each of the sash window assemblies based upon each of the sashes' particular dimensions; and    means for cutting each of the determined amounts of elastomeric material from the provided length.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18  including means for installing each of the cut amounts of elastomeric material between the master frame and the sash of each of the respective sash window assemblies.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the determining means comprises a computer.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the providing means comprises a spool of the elastomeric material.  
   
   
       22 . A system for manufacturing a plurality of sash window assemblies of varying dimensions, each of the sash window assemblies including a master frame, a sash slidable within the master frame, and a balance system coupled between the master frame and the sash, the system comprising: 
 a spool of elastomeric material;    a computer for determining an amount of the elastomeric material needed to form the balance system of each of the sash window assemblies based upon each of the sashes' particular dimensions; and    means for cutting each of the determined amounts of elastomeric material from the spool of elastomeric material.    
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22  including means for assembling the master frames.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23  including means for assembling one of the sashes within each of the assembled master frames.