# US 8,539,642 B2 · Static air dam > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,539,642 B2 - Document ID: US8539642B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/888,720 - Filed: 2010-09-23 - Published: 2011-03-24 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2009-09-23 - Assignees: Caldwell Manufacturing Company North America, LLC - Applicants: Mark R. Baker - Inventors: Mark R. Baker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8539642B2 ## CPC - F24F 13/08: Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates (F24F7/013, F24F13/06 take precedence) - E05D 13/1276: {with coiled ribbon springs, e.g. constant force springs (E05D13/1253 takes precedence)} - E06B 7/16: Sealing arrangements on wings or parts co-operating with the wings ({specially adapted for fireproof or similar closures E06B5/164; } E06B7/098 takes precedence {; fixed sealing joints E04B1/68; devices for fitting sealing strips E04F21/00}) - Y10T 29/4987: Elastic joining of parts - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - 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) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The static air dam includes at least one mounting feature, which is preferably at least one hole or slot to allow a fastener, such as a screw, bolt, rivet, weld, or other similar attachment devices, to secure the air dam to a wall of a jamb channel. Air passage through the jamb channel is prohibited or at least substantially inhibited by the static air dam that is designed to approximate the size and dimensions of the cross section of the jamb channel. At least one side of the air dam includes a tab or similar structure for securing the free end of the curl spring of a curl spring balance. The air dam includes integrally formed reinforcing elements that either abut or are adjacent to the side walls of the jamb channel. The air dam preferably includes a pair of flexible projections for engaging ears on the curl spring carrier. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A static air dam for a window balance assembly comprising a curl spring extending from a carrier in a jamb channel of a window, the static air dam comprising: a dam body comprising: a support body having at least one mounting feature for attaching the static air dam to the jamb channel; a pair of reinforcing elements extending from a side of the support body; and a rib member bridging a gap between the reinforcing elements; and at least one tab extending upward from the dam body for receiving a free end of the curl spring; at least two flexible projections extending downward from the dam body; and wherein the flexible projections are formed such that the flexible projections engage at least one ear extending from a carrier body of the curl spring carrier. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The static air dam of claim 1, wherein the rib member has a curved shape bridging at least a portion of the gap. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The static air dam of claim 1, wherein the pair of reinforcing elements are formed integrally with the support body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The static air dam of claim 1, wherein the mounting element is at least one mounting feature through the support body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The window sash counterbalance assembly of claim 1, wherein the dam body has a cross-sectional area approximating a cross-sectional area of the jamb channel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The window sash counterbalance assembly of claim 1, wherein the pair of reinforcing elements are formed integrally with the support body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The window sash counterbalance assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting feature comprises at least one mounting hole through the support body. ### Claim 8 A window sash counterbalance assembly for installation in a jamb channel of a window, the window sash counterbalance assembly comprising: a moveable carrier comprising a constant force spring; and an air dam removably attached to the carrier, the air dam comprising: at least one upwardly extending tab for engaging the constant force spring; at least one downwardly extending flexible projection that non-permanently engages the carrier; and wherein the air dam has a cross-sectional area approximating a cross-sectional area of the jamb channel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The window sash counterbalance assembly of claim 8 wherein the carrier further comprises at least one upwardly extending portion; and wherein the downwardly extending flexible projection of the air dam non-permanently engages the upwardly extending portion of the carrier. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The window sash counterbalance assembly of claim 8 wherein the air dam further comprises at least two downwardly extending flexible projections that non-permanently engage the carrier. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The window sash counterbalance assembly of claim 8 wherein the air dam further comprises at least one feature for mounting the air dam to the jamb channel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The window sash counterbalance assembly of claim 8 wherein the air dam further comprises a body comprising a pair of opposed reinforcing elements, a rib member bridging a gap between the reinforcing elements, and at least one feature for mounting the air dam to the jamb channel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The window sash counterbalance assembly of claim 8 wherein the carrier further comprises two upwardly extending portions; wherein the air dam further comprises two downwardly extending flexible projections; and wherein each of the two downwardly extending flexible projections of the air dam engages a respective one of the upwardly extending portions of the carrier. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The window sash counterbalance assembly of claim 13 wherein the air dam further comprises at least one feature for mounting the air dam to the jamb channel. ### Claim 15 A window sash counterbalance assembly for installation in a jamb channel of a window, the window sash counterbalance assembly comprising: a carrier moveable within the jamb channel comprising a spring and at least one upwardly extending portion; an air dam fixed within the jamb channel comprising: an upwardly extending tab for engaging the spring of the carrier; and at least one downwardly extending flexible projection that engages the carrier at the at least one upwardly extending portion to non-permanently join the air dam to the carrier. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The window sash counterbalance assembly of claim 15 wherein the air dam further comprises means facilitating fixing the air dam within the jamb channel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The window sash counterbalance assembly of claim 15 wherein at least a portion of the air dam has a cross-sectional area approximating a cross-sectional area of the jamb channel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The window sash counterbalance assembly of claim 15 wherein the carrier comprises at least two upwardly extending portions; wherein the air dam comprises at least two downwardly extending flexible projections; and wherein each of the two downwardly extending flexible projections of the air dam engages a respective one of the upwardly extending portions of the carrier to non-permanently join the air dam to the carrier.