Window Balance Assembly And Mounting Bracket Therefor
Patent No. US12168899 (titled "Window Balance Assembly And Mounting Bracket Therefor") was filed by Assa Abloy Fenestration Llc on Aug 22, 2022.
What is this patent about?
’899 is related to the field of window balance assemblies, specifically focusing on the mounting brackets used to connect the curl spring to the window jamb. These assemblies are crucial for counterbalancing the weight of window sashes, enabling smooth vertical movement and maintaining the sash at a desired position. Traditional designs often require installers to assemble and align various components, leading to potential complications and increased installation time.
The underlying idea behind ’899 is to provide a mounting bracket design that simplifies the installation process and ensures secure engagement with the curl spring. This is achieved by incorporating features like a ledge and a slot on the lateral side of the mounting bracket. The uncurled end of the curl spring engages with the ledge, and a portion of it is received within the slot, effectively limiting movement and maintaining a pre-assembled, shipping-ready configuration.
The claims of ’899 focus on a window balance assembly featuring a mounting bracket, a carrier, and a constant force curl spring. The mounting bracket is designed to be symmetrical, allowing for installation in either the left or right jamb. Crucially, the claims emphasize the ledge and slot configuration on the lateral side of the bracket, which secures the uncurled end of the curl spring and restricts its movement perpendicular to the bracket's side.
In practice, the ledge and slot work together to create a secure and stable connection point for the curl spring. The ledge provides a support surface, while the slot, partially bounded by a cantilevered surface, constrains the spring's movement. This design allows the window balance assembly to be pre-assembled and shipped as a single unit, reducing the need for on-site assembly and minimizing the risk of component detachment during transit or installation. The symmetry of the bracket further simplifies the installation process, as the installer doesn't need to worry about orientation.
This approach differs from prior solutions by integrating the mounting and securing functions into a single, streamlined bracket design. Instead of relying on separate fasteners or complex alignment procedures, the ’899 design uses the inherent properties of the curl spring and the geometry of the ledge and slot to achieve a robust and easily installed assembly. The cantilevered wall of the slot is key to limiting movement of the spring. This not only saves time and reduces installation errors but also potentially lowers manufacturing costs by reducing the number of parts required.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the early 2020s when ’899 was filed, window balance assemblies were at a time when such assemblies commonly relied on mechanical spring mechanisms to counterbalance window sash weight, and when designs focused on simplifying installation and reducing the need for additional hardware, and when designs commonly relied on mating features between a mounting bracket and carrier to maintain engagement in a shipping configuration.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The application was allowed because the examiner had previously noted the reasons for allowance in a non-final rejection.
Claims
This patent contains 24 claims, with independent claims 1, 10, and 18. The independent claims generally focus on a window balance comprising a mounting bracket, a carrier with a housing, a receiver, and a constant force curl spring, configured for use in a hung window assembly. The dependent claims elaborate on specific features and configurations of the window balance components described in the independent claims, and also describe a hung window assembly incorporating the window balances.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
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Date
Description
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US12168899
- Application Number
- US17892628
- Filing Date
- Aug 22, 2022
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Aug 22, 2042
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents