# US 2014/0150346 A1 · Window sash counterbalance with independently operable sashes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150346 A1 - Document ID: US20140150346A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/836,306 - Filed: 2013-03-15 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03 - Assignees: Marvin Lumber and Cedar Company - Inventors: Nathan H. DeBoer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150346A1 ## CPC - E05F 11/04: with cords, chains or cables - E05D 13/1207: {with tension springs} - E05D 13/14: {with weights} - E06B 3/4415: {Double-hung, i.e. with two vertical sliding panels} - E05D 13/10: {Counterbalance devices} - E05F: DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING - E05D: HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS (pivotal connections in general F16C11/00) - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) ## Abstract A hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window includes a frame having upper and lower sashes slideable within the frame. A sash coupling element extends between the upper and lower sashes. A counterbalance and assist mechanism is coupled with the sash coupling element. The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist mechanism is operable in a sash counterbalance mode and an independent sash movement mode. In the sash counterbalance mode, movement of the upper or lower sash causes converse movement of the lower or upper sash through the sash coupling element, and the movement of the upper or lower sash is assisted by the converse movement. In a first independent sash movement mode, one of the upper and lower sashes is held static while the other of the lower or upper sashes is moved, and the moved sash is assisted by the counterbalance and assist mechanism. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window with independently operable sashes comprising: a window frame having upper and lower sashes slideable within the window frame; a sash coupling element extending between the upper and lower sashes; a hybrid sash counterbalance and assist mechanism coupled with the sash coupling element, the hybrid sash counterbalance and assist mechanism is operable in a sash counterbalance mode and an independent sash movement mode, in the sash counterbalance mode, movement of the upper or lower sash causes converse movement of the lower or upper sash through the sash coupling element, and the movement of the upper or lower sash is assisted by the converse movement, and in a first independent sash movement mode, one of the upper and lower sashes is statically held while the other of the lower or upper sashes is moved, and the movement of the lower or upper sash is assisted by the hybrid sash counter balance and assist mechanism. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window of claim 1, wherein in a second independent sash movement mode, the upper and lower sashes are raised. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window of claim 1, wherein in a second independent sash movement mode, the upper and lower sashes are lowered. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window of claim 1, wherein the hybrid sash counter balance and assist mechanism includes a spring bias element coupled with the upper and lower sashes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window of claim 4, wherein the sash coupling element includes a flexible element coupled between the upper and lower sashes, and the spring bias element includes: an intermediate pulley coupled along the sash coupling element, a block and tackle including a first block, a second block and a flexible tackle element extending between the first and second blocks, and the flexible tackle element is coupled at a first tackle element end to the first block and at a second tackle element end to the intermediate pulley, and a spring coupled between the window frame and the first block. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window of claim 5, wherein the hybrid sash counter balance and assist mechanism provides a mechanism friction, and the mechanism friction cooperates with a block and tackle mechanical advantage and the spring to immobilize the intermediate pulley in the sash counterbalance mode, and allow movement of the intermediate pulley in the first independent sash movement mode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window of claim 6, wherein the mechanism friction cooperates with the block and tackle mechanical advantage and the spring to withdraw the intermediate pulley in the first independent sash movement mode. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window of claim 6, wherein one or more of the first or second blocks provides the mechanism friction. ### Claim 9 A hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window with independently operable sashes comprising: a window frame having upper and lower sashes slideable within the window frame; first and second guides coupled with the window frame; a sash coupling element extending between the upper and lower sashes and movably coupled along the first and second guides; and a hybrid sash counterbalance and assist mechanism coupled with the sash coupling element, the hybrid sash counterbalance and assist mechanism includes: an intermediate pulley movably coupled along the sash coupling element, a block and tackle, a flexible tackle element of the block and tackle includes first and second tackle element ends, the first tackle element end is coupled to the block and tackle, and the second tackle element end is coupled to the intermediate pulley, and a spring coupled between the window frame and the block and tackle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window of claim 9, wherein the first and second guides are first and second guide pulleys rotatably coupled with the window frame. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window of claim 10, wherein the intermediate guide pulley is interposed between the first and second guide pulleys, and the sash coupling element is movably coupled along the first guide pulley, the intermediate guide pulley, and the second guide pulley in that order. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window of claim 9 comprising a stop, the stop selectively engageable with the intermediate pulley to hold the intermediate pulley in the static position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window of claim 9, wherein the hybrid sash counterbalance and assist mechanism is operable in a sash counterbalance mode and at least one independent sash movement mode. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window of claim 13, wherein the hybrid sash and counterbalance mechanism provides a mechanism friction that retains the intermediate pulley in a static position as the upper and lower sashes are raised and lowered in the sash counterbalance mode. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window of claim 14, wherein the mechanism friction cooperates with sash weights, the block and tackle, and the spring to balance forces incident on the intermediate pulley to move the intermediate pulley toward the spring as one of the upper or lower sashes is raised or held static and as the other of the lower or upper sashes is raised in a first independent sash movement mode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window of claim 15, wherein the mechanism friction cooperates with the sash weights, the block and tackle, and the spring to move the intermediate pulley away from the spring as one of the upper or lower sashes is lowered or held static and as the other of the lower or upper sashes is lowered. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist operated window of claim 14, wherein the hybrid sash and counterbalance mechanism applies the mechanism friction to attenuate tension of the hybrid sash and counterbalance mechanism as at least one of the upper or lower sashes is raised, and the hybrid sash and counterbalance mechanism applies the mechanism friction to enhance tension of the hybrid sash and counterbalance mechanism as at least one of the upper or lower sashes is lowered. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The hybrid sash counterbalance and assist mechanism operated window of claim 13, wherein in the sash counterbalance mode the sash coupling element extends along first, second, and third cord lengths, the first cord length extending linearly from the upper sash to the first guide, the second cord length extending substantially linearly from the first guide to the second guide, and the third cord length extending linearly from the second guide to the lower sash. ### Claim 19 A method of counterbalancing and independently operating a window comprising: counterbalancing movement of a first sash with opposed movement of a second sash, wherein the first and second sashes are coupled with a flexible sash coupling element, and the sash coupling element is coupled with a hybrid sash counterbalance and assist mechanism; and independently moving one of the first or second sashes from the other of the second or first sashes, independently moving including: retaining the second sash in a static location or moving the second sash in a first direction, moving the first sash from the second sash in the first direction while the second sash is retained in the static location or moved in the first direction, and assisting the movement of at least the first sash with the hybrid sash counterbalance and assist mechanism. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 comprising transitioning between independently moving to counterbalancing by releasing the second sash, wherein the second sash is free to move in a direction opposed to the movement direction of the first sash. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 comprising retaining an intermediate pulley of the hybrid sash counterbalance and assist mechanism in a static pulley location during counterbalancing. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein retaining the intermediate pulley in the static pulley location includes attenuating a mechanism tension on the intermediate pulley with a mechanism friction as one or more of the first or second sashes is raised, and enhancing the mechanism tension on the intermediate pulley with the mechanism friction as one or more of the first or second sashes is lowered. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein independently moving the first sash from the second sash includes retracting an intermediate pulley coupled with the flexible sash coupling element as the first sash is raised, and extending the intermediate pulley as the first sash is lowered. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 comprising fixing an intermediate pulley of the hybrid sash counterbalance and assist mechanism in a static pulley location to prevent independently moving at least one of the first sash or the second sash. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the hybrid sash counterbalance and assist mechanism includes an intermediate pulley configured to translate within independent movement of at least the first sash, and the method comprises interrupting the translation of the intermediate pulley in at least one direction corresponding to raising or lowering of the first or second sash during independent movement so that independent movement is only possible with one of retracting or extending of the intermediate pulley.