Window vent assist mechanism for vent window assembly

A window vent assist for use with a vent window assembly having a window vent operable between a closed position and a vented position, the window vent assist comprising:

• a first support configured to attach to a window frame and comprising a first seat;
• a second support configured to connect to the window vent disposed in the window frame and comprising a second seat;
• and
• a biasing member disposed between the first support and the second support, the biasing member having opposed first and second ends, the first end being received in the first seat, the second end being received in the second seat;
• wherein the window vent assist operates in and between a biased condition and an unbiased condition;
• wherein when the window vent assist is in a biased condition, the biasing member is configured to exert a force urging the window vent toward the vented position;
• wherein the first support comprises a first inner side;
• wherein the first seat comprises a first opening extending through the first support, the first opening being defined by a first retaining wall extending about a perimeter of the first opening and a conical guide wall disposed between the first retaining wall and the first inner side, a surface of the conical guide wall being disposed at an acute angle relative to a vertical axis;
• wherein the first end of the biasing member is disposed in the first opening;
• wherein the second support comprises a second inner side;
• wherein the second seat comprises a second opening extending through the second support, the second opening being defined by a second retaining wall extending about a perimeter of the second opening and a ledge extending from the second retaining wall into the opening, the ledge terminating at an edge portion;
• wherein the second end of the biasing member is disposed in the second opening;
• wherein the first seat and the second seat are aligned along an axis when the window vent assist is in the biased condition;
• and
• wherein the ledge engages the biasing member to retain the biasing member in the second seat.

A vent window assembly comprising:

• an inner side and an outer side;
• a window frame configured to mount to a structure, the window frame defining a window opening and including a header;
• a window vent pivotally connected to the window frame, the window vent operable in a closed position to substantially cover the window opening and in a vented position in which the window vent is oriented at an oblique angle relative to a plane of the window opening, the window vent including an upper rail;
• a biasing member positioned between the header of the window frame and the upper rail of the window vent, the biasing member operable in and between a biased condition and an unbiased condition;
• wherein the biasing member is laterally offset from and closer to the inner side of the vent window assembly than a center of gravity of the window vent;
• and
• wherein, in the biased condition, the biasing member exerts a force on the window vent to urge the window vent from the closed position toward the vented position.