Abstract:
Disclosed are apparatus for a block and tackle window balance to be incorporated in single and double hung window assemblies. In one embodiment the block and tackle window balance includes an improved pulley system that provides smoother, quieter operation. In another embodiment there are stronger channels for protecting the mechanism.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to improvements in block and tackle window balance devices for single and double hung windows. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Single and double hung window assemblies generally include a window frame, a lower window sash, an upper window sash, a pair of window jambs, two sets of jamb pockets, and at least one window balance device for offsetting the weight of a window sash through the range of travel within the window frame. Block and tackle window balance devices use a combination of spring and pulleys located within a channel to balance the weight of the window sash at any position within the jamb pockets. Block and tackle window devices for use with single and double hung windows include a channel, a spring with a first end, a translatable pulley block unit, a fixed pulley block unit, a cord, a top guide, and a bottom guide. The top and bottom guides are connected to opposite ends of the channel. The spring, the translatable pulley block unit, and the fixed pulley block unit are all located within the channel. The first end of the spring and the fixed pulley block unit are fixed at opposite ends of the channel. The second end of the spring is connected to the translatable pulley block unit. The translatable and fixed pulley block units are connected by the cord. The cord is threaded around both the translatable and fixed pulley block units and extends around the bottom guide roller located within the bottom guide. An example of a block and tackle device for windows are shown for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,353,567, 7,191,562, 7,143,475, 7,028,371, 6,647,128, 6,41,476 the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Each of these patents includes a pulley system attached to a spring. 
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is an object to provide a quieter operating block and tackle balance shoe. 
         [0004]    It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved pulley system for window balance devices. 
         [0005]    It is an additional object of the invention to provide an improved balance system that can be used in a variety of window applications. 
         [0006]    It is another object of the invention to provide a more durable window balance device. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a pulley assembly for a block and tackle balance system that could be used with an inverted balance shoe system. 
         [0008]    It is another object of the invention to provide a pulley system that could be used with a tilt balance system. 
         [0009]    It is a still further objection of the invention to provide a pulley system that can be used in a side load balance system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The block and tackle window balance system of the present invention include a spring, translatable or movable pulley unit, a fixed pulley unit, rollers, and a cord all housed with the rigid U-shaped channel. Attached to at least one end of the rigid U shaped channel is means to used to connect the window balance to either the upper or lower window sashes. The means can include a means for securing a cord to a window or frame or a guide. At an opposite end of the U-shaped channel is a balance shoe or a guide to help guide the vertical motion of the window balance within the jamb pockets. 
         [0011]    The rigid U-shaped channel has a back wall and two side walls that in combination form the U-shaped channel. The rigid U-shape channel serves as an external frame to which components of the window balance can be secured. The rigid U-shaped channel also keeps components located within the rigid U-shaped channel free of debris. The spring, the movable pulley unit and the fixed pulley unit are each located inside the rigid U-shaped channel. The present invention includes a fixed pulley assembly that has a first axle with one or more rollers rotatably mounted thereon and a second axle with one or more rollers rotatably mounted thereon. Preferably the fixed pulley unit has a first axle with two or more rollers rotatably mounted on the axle. In another embodiment there are three rollers on the axle. 
         [0012]    Components within the rigid U-shaped channel work in combination to create a force to counterbalance the weight of the attached sash at any vertical position within the window frame. These components are attached to each other such that a first end of the spring is connected to the moveable pulley unit and the moveable pulley unit is connected to the fixed pulley unit and the roller via the cord. 
         [0013]    The u-shaped channel of the present invention has one or more corrugations or dimples arranged on a surface thereof. The corrugations may preferably extend from one end of the u-shaped channel to the other end of the u-shaped channel. Instead of corrugations there may be plurality of dimples in the surface of the channel. These corrugations and/or dimples increase the strength of the u-shaped channel or alternatively permit a thinner material to be used in the making of the unshaped channel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example system of the balance system of the present invention where there is a fixed pulley structure with multiple axles and a movable pulley structure. The assembly of  FIG. 1  may be used, for example, as an inverted balance system or as a tilt balance system. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the balance system assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an example of the fixed pulley assembly used in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of two exemplary rollers that may be used in the fixed pulley system of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a roller of the type that can be used in the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5A  is an end view of an example of a roller with one and a half grooves. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5B  is an end view of a roller with three grooves. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5C  is an end view of a roller with one groove. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6A  is a side perspective view of the fixed pulley assembly with the cord laced for an inverted balance system. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6B  is a side cut away view of the fixed pulley assembly showing the cord arrangement of  FIG. 6A   
           [0024]      FIG. 6C  is a side perspective view of the fixed pulley assembly with the cord laced for a tilt balance system 
           [0025]      FIG. 6D  is a side cut away view of the fixed pulley assembly showing the cord arrangement of  FIG. 6C . 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  A shows a portion of the cord arrangement over the rollers for a tilt balance system as the cord is exiting the assembly. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7B  shows a portion of the cord arrangement over the rollers for inverted balance system as the cord is exiting the assembly 
           [0028]      FIG. 7C  shows a side view of the fixed pulley assembly frame 
           [0029]      FIG. 8A  shows an example of one means of assembly for the fixed pulley assembly frame. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8B  shows an example of a second means of assembling the fixed pulley assembly frame. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9A-9B  show examples of two different cord lace arrangement between the fixed pulleys and the moving pulleys for an inverted balance system. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 9C-9D  show an example of two different cord lace arrangements between the fixed pulleys and the moving pulleys for a tilt balance system. 
           [0033]      FIG. 10A  shows a side view of the fixed pulley assembly with the cord positioned for an inverted balance system. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10B  shows a top view of the fixed pulley assembly of  FIG. 10A . 
           [0035]      FIG. 10C  shows a side cut away view of the fixed pulley assembly  FIG. 10A . 
           [0036]      FIG. 10D  shows an end view of the fixed pulley assembly  FIG. 10A . 
           [0037]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of an example of a side load balance system of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the balance shoe and channel assembly of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the fixed pulley assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 14  is a side cutaway view of the fixed pulley assembly of  FIG. 11  showing the cord end as it leaves the U-shaped channel to be secured to a hook. 
           [0041]      FIG. 15  is a schematic view of the cord winding of  FIG. 14   
           [0042]      FIG. 16A  and B show two schematic views of the cord lacing for the fixed and moving pulley assemblies where there is a side load balance system. 
           [0043]      FIG. 17A  shows a perspective view of the U-shaped channel in the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 17B  shows a top view of the U-shaped channel of  FIG. 17A . 
           [0045]      FIG. 17C  shows a side view of the U-shaped channel of  FIG. 17A . 
           [0046]      FIG. 17D  shows a bottom view of the U-shaped channel of  FIG. 17A . 
           [0047]      FIG. 17E  shows a cutaway view of the U-shaped channel taken along section F-F. 
           [0048]      FIG. 18A  shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the U-shaped channel in the present invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 18B  shows a top view of the U-shaped channel of  FIG. 18A . 
           [0050]      FIG. 18C  shows a side view of the U-shaped channel of  FIG. 18A . 
           [0051]      FIG. 18D  shows a side view of the U-shaped channel of  FIG. 18A . 
           [0052]      FIG. 18E  shows a cutaway view of the U-shaped channel taken along section F-F. 
           [0053]      FIG. 19A  shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the U-shaped channel in the present invention. 
           [0054]      FIG. 19B  shows a top view of the U-shaped channel of  FIG. 19A . 
           [0055]      FIG. 19C  shows a side view of the U-shaped channel of  FIG. 19A . 
           [0056]      FIG. 19D  shows a bottom view of the U-shaped channel of  FIG. 19A . 
           [0057]      FIG. 19E  shows a cutaway view of the U-shaped channel taken along section F-F. 
           [0058]      FIG. 20A  shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the U-shaped channel in the present invention. 
           [0059]      FIG. 20B  shows a top view of the U-shaped channel of  FIG. 17A . 
           [0060]      FIG. 20C  shows a side view of the U-shaped channel of  FIG. 17A . 
           [0061]      FIG. 20D  shows a bottom view of the U-shaped channel of  FIG. 17A . 
           [0062]      FIG. 20E  shows a cutaway view of the U-shaped channel taken along section F-F. 
           [0063]      FIG. 21A  shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the U-shaped channel in the present invention. 
           [0064]      FIG. 21B  shows a top view of the U-shaped channel of  FIG. 21A . 
           [0065]      FIG. 21C  shows a bottom view of the U-shaped channel of  FIG. 21A . 
           [0066]      FIG. 21D  shows a side view of the U-shaped channel of  FIG. 21A . 
           [0067]      FIG. 21E  shows a cutaway view of the U-shaped channel taken along section F-F. 
           [0068]      FIG. 22  is an exploded view of the moving pulley assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0069]      FIG. 23  is a top view of the movable pulley assembly with the cord and the spring. 
           [0070]      FIG. 24A  is a side view of the movable pulley housing. 
           [0071]      FIG. 24B  is a top cut away view of the pulley housing of  FIG. 24A   
           [0072]      FIG. 24C  is a perspective view of the pulley housing of  FIG. 24A . 
           [0073]      FIG. 24D  is a perspective view of the pulley housing of  FIG. 24  A taken from the opposite end of  FIG. 24C . 
           [0074]      FIG. 24E  is a view of the pulley housing taken along A-A  FIG. 24F  is a portion of the top surface and bottom surface of the left end of pulley housing of  FIG. 24A . 
           [0075]      FIG. 25A-D  are alternative embodiments of the movable pulley housing with the cord end portion rotated 90°. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0076]    The present invention is directed to a balance system that may be used in a variety of applications including, but not limited to as a tilt balance system, an inverted balance system and a side load balance system 
         [0077]    A balance shoe assembly  10  for a tilt or inverted balance system is shown in  FIG. 1 . The assembly has a representative balance shoe  11  that is secured to a u-shaped channel  12  by a clip  13  or other means. In one embodiment, the clip  13  may have a first leg  14  and a second leg  15  that are secured to the u-shaped channel by a pin  16 . The details of the operation of one example of the balance shoe and its connection to a U-shaped channel is described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/2189,764 filed Jul. 17, 2008, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0078]    The U-shaped channel  12  has a generally flat base  17  that extends the length of the channel and a pair of opposite sidewalls  18  and  19  extending upwardly from the base. The sidewalls are preferably generally at right angles to the base and extend upwardly from the opposite edges of the base. The base and sidewalls may be made of a single piece of sheet metal bent into the desired shape. The base may have one or more orifices therein to reduce weight or for other reasons. The U-shaped channel may have one or more orifices  20  in the sidewalls to permit a pin or other suitable means for securing to pass from one sidewall of the U-shaped channel to the other. Inside the U-shaped channel is positioned a spring  21  having a plurality of coils and a first end  22  and a second end  23 . Each of the ends has a hook or other securing means. The first end  22  of the spring is secured to a pin  16  that passes through orifice  20  and  24 . The hook  22  may also be secured to the pin  16  that is connecting the balance shoe  11  to the channel. The second end  23  of the spring is secured to the movable pulley assembly  25 . The movable pulley assembly travels within the channel and is connected to a fixed pulley assembly  26  by means of a thread or cord  27 . The cord has a first end  29  secured to a means for securing the block and tackle assembly to a window or window sash. One example of such a means is a generally “L” shaped clip  28 . The L-shaped clip  28  has a base portion  28 A with an orifice for receiving the string, a knot in the string secures the cord to the clip. 
         [0079]    The fixed pulley assembly  26  has a frame  41 . The frame  41  has a first sidewall  42  and a second sidewall  43 . The first and second sidewalls  42  and  43  have axles,  44  and  45  that extend from one sidewall to the other sidewall. On first axle  44  is a roller  46  with a plurality for receiving the cord or string which is threaded about the assembly. In a preferred embodiment there are two or three grooves on the roller on axle  44 . The rollers are rotatably mounted on the axle. The roller may also be made up of two or more separate or individual rollers  47  and  48  which have one and a half grooves each. These rollers are placed side by side to form a roller assembly with the three grooves. The second axle  45  has a single roller rotatably mounted to the axle. 
         [0080]    The sidewalls of the frame are connected by, for example, a front bar  48  and a rear bar  49 . Thereby forming an open area for receiving the rollers. The frame is secured to the U-shaped channel by any suitable means. In one example, the sidewalls of the frame of the fixed pulley assembly may have an orifice on each sidewall that permits a pin (not shown) to pass through the sidewalls of the pulley assembly and the U-shaped channel to retain the front end of the pulley assembly to the channel. In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8B , front bar  48  may be a top surface  50  and a rear surface  51 . The top surface  50  and rear surface  51  form a recess area in conjunction with the first side wall tongue  52  and the second sidewall tongue  53  for a pin to pass and thereby retain the front end of the fixed pulley assembly in the U-shaped channel. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8A  each tongue has a base section  54  and an end surface  55  and a curved recessed area  56  to mate or conform with the circumference of the pin  16 . As seen in  FIG. 8A , the frame of the fixed pulley assembly can have an alternative means of securing the front end of the frame to the U-shaped channel. In this embodiment the first and second sidewalls are secured by a bar. The bar extends from one sidewall to the other. Extending from the end of the frame by the front bar are first and second sidewall tongues  52  and  53 . These sidewall tongues each have a base section  54  and an end edge  55 .The top surface of the base section  54  has a flange  57  extending outwardly of the frame of the sidewalls. The flange  57  is adapted to be received in an orifice  58  in the sidewall of the U-shaped channel. The flange is shown having a flat top surface  58 , a bottom surface portion  59  and a end wall. The flange is adapted to recess slightly inwardly as the frame is inserted in the channel so that the flanges can pass the top surface  60  of the channel. When the flanges reach the orifice  61  in the sidewall of the U-shaped channel, the flange is released outwardly and enters the orifice thus securing that end of the frame to the channel. The flange is shown with a generally flat top surface and bottom surface as described above, but it will be appreciated that the shape of the flange and the respective opening in the sidewall of the channel can vary so long as the flange can be slightly retracted or the sidewalls of the U-shaped channel can be slightly expanded to permit the flange to pass the top edge  60  of the U-shaped channel. The rear of the fixed pulley assembly frame may have orifices  63  that line up with the orifices  62  in the channel. A pin can be inserted through the orifices to secure the rear end of the frame to the channel. Other suitable connecting means can be used to secure the frame to the channel if desired. 
         [0081]    As seen in  FIG. 13 , the fixed pulley assembly in either the embodiment of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 11  may be formed from a first sidewall member  64  and a second sidewall member  64 A that may be secured together to form the assembly. The sidewall members may have a first orifice  65  and a second orifice  66  that receive an axle  67 . The axle may have a bushing  68  thereon to facilitate rotation of the rollers  46 . Each of the sidewall members have the orifices  65  and  66  lined up so that the axle  67  can extend from one sidewall to the other and pass through the orifices. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that instead of orifices and an axle there maybe an inner sidewall of the sidewall member without orifices and a pin or other protrusion, with a generally circular cross section on which the rollers  46  and or bushing can rotate. The rollers have a recessed section  69  with lips  70  and  71  to retain the cord  72  in position.  FIGS. 3 to 5  show representative examples of the rollers that may be used. 
         [0082]    As seen in  FIGS. 10A to 10C , the fixed pulley assembly has first  72  and second  73  roller assemblies that have rollers that rotate about their axes. The fixed pulley assembly has a rear wall  74  that extends generally from one sidewall to the other sidewall of the assembly. The rear wall is provided with an orifice or slot  75  to permit the cord to extend outwardly of the fixed pulley assembly. The inner sidewalls  76 ,  77  of the fixed pulley assembly may be generally smooth and straight or if desired to get the alignment of the rollers in the proper arrangement there may be tapering of the sidewalls as seen in  FIG. 10B . The inner sidewall of the fixed roller assembly may have an end wall  78  that joins the inner sidewall  76  to the outer sidewall  79 . The inner sidewall  76  and the outer sidewall  79  form a first thickness in the region without the rollers. There is a second thickness  80  in the region of the first pair of rollers and a third greater thickness  81  in the region of the second single roller. The difference in the thickness on either side of the sidewalls prevent side to side travel of the rollers when they are rotating about the axis. 
         [0083]    In addition to the fixed roller assembly there is a movable roller assembly  101  as shown in detail in  FIGS. 22 to 25 . The movable roller assembly shown in  FIG. 22 to 25  may be used in either the embodiment of  FIG. 1  or the embodiment of  FIG. 11 . The movable roller assembly  101  is secured to the spring at one end  103 . The movable roller assembly has a frame  102  with a first side wall  104  and a second sidewall  108 . The first and second sidewalls are joined together by a top surface  105  and a bottom surface  107 . The frame has an open area  108 A for receiving one or more rollers. The sidewall  104  and  108  have a generally rectangular area that is aligned with the sidewall of the U-shaped channel. The rectangular area has an orifice for receiving a pin that supports a roller. The rectangular area has a top edge  109  and a bottom edge  110  that are joined by a left side edge  111  and a right side edge  112 . Extending from each of the side edges, generally in the area of the top edge, edge are the left top portion  113  and the right top portion  106 . The left and right top portion form with the top edge of the sidewalls an open area  108 A for receiving the roller. Similarly, the extending from each of the side edges generally in the area of the bottom edge are the left bottom portion  114  and the right bottom portion  115 . The left and the right bottom portion form with the bottom edge of the sidewalls an open area for receiving the roller. The sides of the top  116 ,  117  and bottom left portions and the sides  118 ,  119  of the top and bottom right portions preferably taper towards the center axis of the fixed roller assembly. The right top and bottom portions end in a end wall that extends from the top right potion to the bottom right portion. The end wall  120  has a generally U shaped cut out in its surface for receiving the cord so the cord can be wrapped around the roller. 
         [0084]    The left top and bottom portions are joined by a center wall  121  extending from an end wall of the opening formed by the area for receiving the roller and its axle to the end edge  122  of the top and bottom portions. The center wall  121  is generally perpendicular to the right top and bottom portions. The center wall is provided with an opening  123  so that one end of the spring can be hooked through the orifice. The top and bottom edges of each sidewall of the movable pulley assembly are provided with a raised arcuate member  124  that is positioned adjacent the roller. This arcuate member is higher at its center than at its edges and is present on both the top edges of the sidewalls and both of the bottom edges. This arcuate member raises the top and bottom surfaces of the movable pulley assembly away from the bottom inner surface of the U-shaped channel. This reduces the amount of friction the movable pulley assembly may encounter thereby rendering it easier for the assembly to move in the U-shaped channel. 
         [0085]      FIGS. 25A  to D show four configurations of the movable pulley assembly. In each of these configurations the cord end  120  of the assembly i.e., the end of the assembly which has the U-shaped opening for receiving the cord as it is wrapped over a portion of the roller is rotated 90°. Thus, in the first configuration, the U-shaped end is upside down. In the second, the U-shaped end opens on the left. In the third, the U-shaped end opens to the right. In the fourth configuration the U is in its usual position with the open area towards the top. The moveable pulley assembly may also have a wall extending from one sidewall of the frame to the other sidewall of the frame. This end wall is between the end wall  120  and the roller and is provided with an opening  124  for receiving the cord as it passes from one end wall to the roller. The opposite end of the frame may have a solid wall extending from one sidewall to the other sidewall or there may be two open areas  125 ,  126  on either side of the perpendicular center wall. 
         [0086]      FIG. 11  shows a side load balance shoe assembly  210 . The assembly has a representative top guide  211  that is secured to a U-shape channel  12  by a suitable means. 
         [0087]    The U-shaped channel  12  has a generally flat base  17  that extends the length of the channel and a pair of opposite sidewalls  18  and  19  extending upwardly from the base. The sidewalls are preferably generally at right angles to the base and extend upwardly from the opposite edges of the base. The base and sidewalls may be made of a single piece of sheet metal bent into the desired shape. The base may have one or more orifices therein to reduce weight or for other reasons. The channel may have one or more orifices  20  in the sidewalls to permit a pin or other suitable means for securing to pass from one sidewall of the U-shaped channel to the other. Inside the U-shaped channel is positioned a spring  21  having a plurality of coils and a first end  22  and a second end  23 . Each of the ends has a hook or other securing means. The first end  22  of the spring is secured to a pin  16  that passes through orifice  20  and  24 . The hook may also be secured to the pin  16  that is connecting the balance shoe  11  to the channel. The second end  23  of the spring is secured to the movable pulley assembly  25 . The movable pulley assembly travels within the channel and is connected to a fixed pulley assembly  26  by means of a thread or cord  27 . The cord has a first end  29  secured to a means for securing the block and tackle assembly to a window sash or window frame. One example of such a means is a generally hook shaped clip  228 . The hook shaped clip is secured to the end of the cord  27 . At the end of the U-shaped channel is a guide  213 . The guide is a bottom guide. 
         [0088]    As noted above, the U-shaped channel  12  has a base with a pair of side walls extending upwardly from the base. The sidewalls are generally perpendicular to the base. The base has an inner surface and an outer surface. Similarly the sidewalls have an inner surface and an outer surface. There may be a plurality or orifices in the sidewalls and base for securing the fixed pulley member to the channel. There may also be one or more orifices in the channel for securing the balance shoe to the channel if desired. Alternatively the sidewalls and base may have one or more protruding members or other means for securing the fixed pulley member to the U-shaped channel. Similarly the balance shoe of the device may be secured to the channel by one or more protruding members extending from the base or the sidewalls of the U-shaped channel that permit the balance shoe or the fixed pulley assembly to snap into the channel due to corresponding recesses that line up with the protruding members on the U-shaped channel. 
         [0089]    The sidewalls and base of the U-shaped channel may be, except for the orifices, a relatively smooth surface of sheet metal or plastic. If sheet metal the channel can be extruded into its U-shape or a single sheet metal portion may be bent to form the U-shape channel. 
         [0090]    In one embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the U-shaped channel may be provided with one or more corrugations  201  in the surface of the U-shaped channel The corrugations preferably extend along the entire length of the U-shaped channel. The corrugations may have a first and second sidewall that meet at an angle. Also the corrugations may have a first sidewall, a base portion and a second sidewall. The sidewalls may be generally parallel to each other but don&#39;t have to be, similarly the base portion may be generally perpendicular to the two sidewall portions. While the drawings show the entire surface of the U-shaped channel with a plurality of corrugations it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that an one or more of the sidewalls or base may have one or more corrugations. 
         [0091]    In still a further embodiment, the sidewalls may have curved corrugations instead of corrugations with an angle between the members of the corrugation. See  FIGS. 17A  to E,  FIGS. 18A  to E, and  FIG. 21 . Alternatively, the sidewalls may have fins extending outwardly from the interior or exterior surface of the U-shaped channel. 
         [0092]    In a still further embodiment, one or more of the sidewalls and base of the U-shaped channel may have one or more dimples extending inwardly or outwardly of the surface of the sidewall or base. See  FIGS. 19 and 20 . The dimples may be any shape including but not limited to, semi-hemispherical conical etc. 
         [0093]    The dimples may be aligned so that a series of them form straight lines along the surface of the U-shaped channel or they may be in any other type pattern or no pattern at all. The dimples may have a longitudinal body with generally straight sidewalls and a generally flat top surface. There may be an end wall present at each end generally perpendicular to the sides. In an alternative embodiment the dimple may have a base that is generally straight where the dimple meets the surface of the U-shape channel. There may be a curved body portion extending from one side of the base to the other side of the base forming a U-shaped surface. There may be curved end members at either end of the dimples as seen in  FIG. 19A and 20A . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the dimple may have a number of different shapes and configurations. 
         [0094]      FIG. 9  shows examples of how the cord may be configured about the pulleys. One end of the cord is designated A in each of the figures. The opposite end of the cord is designated H.  FIGS. 9A and 9B  show representative examples of how the cord may be wound about the roller assembly on a single axis in the movable pulley assembly and the dual axle arrangement of the fixed roller assembly.  FIG. 9A and 9B  show the arrangement for a inverted balance shoe assembly.  FIG. 9C  and D show the arrangement for a tilt balance shoe. 
         [0095]    In  FIG. 9A  starting at end A the cord B is wrapped under the roller  151  on the first fixed pulley assembly axle and over the top of roller  151  and extending C to right roller  152  on the movable pulley assembly. The cord goes over the right roller  152 . When it reaches the underside it crosses D over to the left roller  153  on the first axle of the fixed pulley assembly where it goes under roller  153  and comes out over the top E where the cord extends to the left roller  154  on the movable pulley assembly. The cord F goes over the top of roller  154  and comes from the bottom of left roller  154  where it extends to the center roller  155  of the first axle of the fixed pulley assembly. The cord goes under the center roller  155  of the axle and then passes G over roller  156  on the second axle of the fixed pulley assembly where it ends at H. 
         [0096]    In  FIG. 9B  starting at end A the cord B is wrapped over the roller  151  on the first fixed pulley assembly axle and under the bottom of roller  151  and extending C to right roller  154  on the movable pulley assembly. The cord goes under the right roller  154 . When it reaches the top side it crosses D over to the left roller  153  on the first axle of the fixed pulley assembly where it goes over roller  153  and comes out under the bottom where the cord extends E to the left roller  154  on the movable pulley assembly. The cord goes over the top of roller  154  and comes from the bottom of left roller  154  where it extends F to the center roller  155  of the first axle of the fixed pulley assembly. The cord goes under the center roller  155  of the axle and then passes G over roller  156  on the second axle of the fixed pulley assembly where it ends at H. 
         [0097]    In  FIG. 9C  starting at end A the cord B is wrapped under the roller  151  on the first fixed pulley assembly axle and under the bottom of roller  151  and extending C to right roller  152  on the movable pulley assembly. The cord goes under the right roller  152 . When it reaches the top side it crosses over D to the left roller  153  on the first axle of the fixed pulley assembly where it goes over roller  153  and comes out under the bottom where the cord extends to the left roller  154  on the movable pulley assembly. The cord E goes under the bottom of roller  154  and comes from the top of left roller  154  where it extends F to the center roller  155  of the first axle. The cord goes over the center roller  155  of the axle and then passes G under roller  156  on the second axle of the fixed pulley assembly where it ends at H. 
         [0098]    In  FIG. 9D  starting at end A the cord B is wrapped under the roller  151  on the first fixed pulley assembly axle and under the bottom of roller  151  and extending C to right roller  152  on the movable pulley assembly. The cord goes under the right roller  152 . When it reaches the underside it crosses over D to the left roller  153  on the first axle of the fixed pulley assembly where it goes under roller  153  and comes out over the top where the cord extends E to the left roller  154  on the movable pulley assembly. The cord goes over the top of roller  154  and comes from the bottom of left roller  154  where it extends F to the center roller  155  of the first axle. The cord goes over the center roller  155  of the axle and then G passes under roller  156  on the second axle of the fixed pulley assembly to end at H. 
         [0099]    In  FIG. 16A  starting at end A the cord B is wrapped over the roller  251  on the first fixed pulley assembly axle and under the bottom of roller  251  and extending C to right roller  252  on the movable pulley assembly. The cord goes under the right roller  252 . When it reaches the top side it crosses D over to the left roller  253  on the first axle of the fixed pulley assembly where it goes under roller  253  and comes out under the bottom where the cord extends E to the left roller  254  on the movable pulley assembly. The cord goes under the bottom of roller  254  and comes from the top of left roller  254  where it extends F to the center roller  255  of the first axle of the fixed pulley assembly. The cord goes over the center roller  255  of the axle and then passes G under roller  256  on the second axle of the fixed pulley assembly where it ends at H. 
         [0100]    In  FIG. 16B  starting at end A the cord B is wrapped over the roller  251  on the first fixed pulley assembly axle and over the bottom of roller  251  and extending C to right roller  252  on the movable pulley assembly. The cord goes over the right roller  252 . When it reaches the top side it crosses D over to the left roller  253  on the first axle of the fixed pulley assembly where it goes over roller  253  and comes out under the bottom E where the cord extends to the left roller  254  on the movable pulley assembly. The cord goes over the bottom of roller  254  and comes from the top of left roller  254  where it extends F to the center roller  255  of the first axle of the fixed pulley assembly. The cord goes over the center roller  255  of the axle and then passes G under roller  256  on the second axle of the fixed pulley assembly where it ends at H.