Abstract:
An air and/or debris dam for moving coil balance assembly for a hung window is disclosed. The air and/or debris dam is located between the carrier and a mounting location of a moving coil window balance assembly. The air and/or debris dam can travel within the jamb channel of a window frame assembly to inhibit airflow and/or the deposition of dust and/or debris in the jamb channel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/681,863, filed on Aug. 10, 2012. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an air and/or debris dam for moving coil balance assembly for a hung window. More particularly, the disclosure pertains to a device located between the carrier and a mounting location of a moving coil window balance assembly that travels within the jamb channel of a window frame assembly to inhibit airflow and/or the deposition of dust and/or debris in the jamb channel. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
     Modern window assemblies in residential, commercial and industrial buildings may include one or more window sashes that are movable within a window jamb. Window sashes that move vertically to open and close often include two or more window balance assemblies. The balance assemblies urge the window sash upward (i.e., toward an open position for a lower sash or toward a closed position for an upper sash) to assist a user in moving the window sash and to retain the window sash at a position selected by the user. 
     The window jambs are positioned on either side of the window sash and form jamb channels in the window frame along which the window balance carrier traverses as the window sash is opened and closed. Adequate clearance is provided in the jamb channels to permit the carriers to move freely up and down. As a result of the movement of the carriers, however, there is a “chimney effect” that permits air and airborne dust and debris to flow into and through the jamb channel. This potentially adversely impacts the free movement of the window sash in the jamb channel. For example, as dust or dirt particles enter the jamb channel, they can deposit on the walls of the jamb channel. An increase in friction between the carrier and the jamb, or some other interference or degradation in the free movement of the carrier, may result causing the force needed to move the window sash to increase. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an air and debris dam that primarily serves to obstruct airflow through the jamb channel and provide a barrier to inhibit the proliferation of debris in the jamb channel. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, an air and debris dam can be included as a separate component installed after construction of the window assembly or as part of a window balance assembly that is installed during construction of the window assembly. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, an air dam and a debris dam can be individual components of a window balance assembly, or can be combined into a single component. 
     An air and/or debris dam for moving coil balance assembly for a hung window is provided. The air and/or debris dam can be located between the carrier and a mounting location of a moving coil window balance assembly. The air and/or debris dam can travel within the jamb channel of a window frame assembly to inhibit airflow and/or the deposition of dust and/or debris in the jamb channel. 
     In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides an air and debris dam for installation in a jamb channel of a hung window assembly between a carrier assembly of a moving coil balance assembly and a tilt latch of a window sash. The jamb channel can have a width and a depth and be defined by a first wall, a second wall opposite the first wall, and third and fourth walls disposed perpendicular to the first and second walls. The first wall can have a vertically extending slot. The air and debris dam can include a base portion having a generally rectangular prism geometry having a first dimension corresponding to the width of the jamb channel, and a second dimension corresponding to the depth of the jamb channel. 
     The air and debris dam can be movable vertically upward in the jamb channel in response to the carrier assembly bearing against lower end of the base portion and movably vertically downward in the jam channel in response to the tilt latch bearing against upper end of the base portion. 
     The air and debris dam can be formed from a light-weight, cellular foam-type resilient material that is flexible and elastically deformable. The air and debris dam can include a projection portion projecting outward from the vertically extending slot when the air and debris dam is installed within the jamb channel. 
     In still another aspect of the disclosure, a window balance assembly for installation within a jamb channel of a window jamb in a hung window is provided and includes a carrier assembly configured to engage a window sash and housing a curl spring, a mounting bracket fixed to the window jamb, positioned vertically above the carrier assembly and configured to engage an uncurled end of the curl spring, and an air dam having a generally rectangular prism geometry. The air dam is positioned within the jamb channel between the carrier assembly and the mounting bracket. The air dam is independently movable along an uncurled portion of the curl spring between the carrier assembly and the mounting assembly. Further, the window balance assembly can include a debris dam having a generally rectangular prism geometry. The debris dam is positioned above the carrier. Each of the air dam and the debris dam can have an opening to enable the uncurled end of the curl spring to pass therethrough. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a partial front view of a window assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial view of the window assembly of  FIG. 1  and incorporating the air and debris dam according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a window jamb including an exemplary air and debris dam according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  shows exemplary air and debris dams according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  shows exemplary air and debris dams according to the principles of the present disclosure as installed in a window jamb; 
         FIG. 6  shows an exemplary air and debris dam according to the principles of the present disclosure as installed in a window jamb and acting as a barrier to debris; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a perspective view and a cross-sectional side view of one exemplary air and debris dam according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 8A ,  8 B and  8 C show a front view, a top view and a cross-sectional side view of another exemplary air and debris dams according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  show a front view and a cross-sectional side view of still another exemplary air and debris dam according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of window balance assembly incorporating an air dam and a debris dam according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the window balance assembly of  FIG. 10  in a shipping configuration; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the window balance assembly of  FIG. 10  in an installed configuration. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a window assembly  10  is provided that may include an upper sash  12 , a lower sash  14 , a pair of window jambs  16 , a window sill  18 , and two or more window balance assemblies or cartridges  20 . In the particular embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the upper sash  12  is fixed relative to the window sill  18  (i.e., in a single hung window assembly). However, in some embodiments, the upper sash  12  may be movable relative to the window sill  18  between a raised or closed position and a lowered or open position (i.e., in a double hung window assembly). The lower sash  14  may be raised and lowered between open and closed positions and may be connected to the window balance assemblies  20  which assist a user in opening the lower sash  14  and maintain the lower sash  14  in a desired position relative to the window sill  18 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lower sash  14  may include a pair of pivot bars  22  and a pair of tilt latch mechanisms  24 . The pivot bars  22  may extend laterally outward in opposing directions from a lower portion of the lower sash  14  and may engage corresponding ones of the window balance assemblies  20 . The tilt latch mechanisms  24  may extend laterally outward in opposing directions from an upper portion of the lower sash  14  and may selectively engage corresponding ones of the window jambs  16 . The tilt latch mechanisms  24  may be selectively actuated to allow the lower sash  14  to pivot about the pivot bars  22  relative to the window jambs  16  to facilitate cleaning of an exterior side of the window assembly  10 , for example. 
     It will be appreciated that in a double hung window assembly, the upper sash  12  may also be connected to two or more window balance assemblies to assist the user in opening the upper sash  12  and maintaining the upper sash  12  in a selected position relative to the window sill  18 . In such a window assembly, the upper sash  12  may also include tilt latches and pivot bars to allow the upper sash  12  to pivot relative to the window jambs  16  in the manner described above. 
     Each of the window jambs  16  may include a jamb channel  26  defined by a first wall  28 , a second wall  30  opposite the first wall  28 , and third and fourth walls  32 ,  34  disposed perpendicular to the first and second walls  28 ,  30 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The first wall  28  may include a vertically extending slot  36  adjacent the window sash. The slot  36  divides the first wall  28  into a first portion  28 - 1  and a second portion  28 - 2 . The window balance assembly  20  may be installed within the jamb channel  26 . The pivot bar  22  may extend through the slot  36  and into the jamb channel  26  to engage the window balance assembly  20 . The tilt latch mechanism  24  may also selectively engage the slot  36  to lock the lower sash  14  in an upright position ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Each of the window balance assemblies  20  may include a carrier  40 , a curl spring  42 , and a mounting bracket  44 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , for example, the window balance assemblies  20  may be initially assembled and shipped in an uninstalled or shipping configuration and may be subsequently installed onto the window assembly  10  and placed in an installed configuration by a window manufacturer, a construction or renovation contractor, or a homeowner, for example. 
     The carrier  40  (also referred to as a shoe) may engage the lower sash  14  and house a curled portion  46  of the curl spring  42 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mounting bracket  44  may engage an uncurled end portion  48  of the curl spring  42  and may be fixed relative to the window jamb  16 . The curl spring  42  may resist being uncurled such that the curl spring  42  exerts an upward force on the carrier  40 , thereby biasing the lower sash  14  toward the open position. 
     One aspect of the present disclosure is an air and debris dam  200 ,  200 ′,  300 ,  400  shown in  FIGS. 2-9 . The air and debris dam  200 ,  200 ′,  300 ,  400  primarily serves to obstruct airflow through the jamb channel and provide a barrier to inhibit the proliferation of debris in the jamb channel. 
     The air and debris dam  200 ,  200 ′,  300 ,  400  is preferably formed from a light-weight, cellular foam-type material that is flexible and/or elastically deformable, yet resilient. In this respect, the air and debris dam  200 ,  200 ′,  300 ,  400  can be deformed for installation through the slot  36  in the jamb channel  26  of an assembled window  10 , and then return to its original size and shape once positioned in the jamb channel  26 . The cellular foam material resists the flow of air and can capture debris  50 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The air and debris dam  200 ,  200 ′,  300 ,  400  is sized and shaped to fit generally snugly within the jamb channel  26  of the window jamb  16 . Several exemplary embodiments of an air and debris dam  200 ,  200 ′,  300 ,  400  are shown in  FIGS. 2-9 . Referring now to  FIG. 4 , air and debris dams having various geometries are illustrated. A first exemplary air and debris dam  200  includes a base portion  202  having a generally rectangular prism geometry. The width w and depth d of the base portion  202  substantially correspond to the width W and depth D of the jamb channel  26 . As such, when the air and debris dam  200  is installed in a window jamb  16 , no portion of the air and debris dam  200  extends beyond the jamb channel  26  and, therefore, the air and debris dam  200  does not come into contact with the lower sash  14 . 
     An alternative variation of the air and debris dam  200 ′ is shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . In the air and debris dam  200 ′, the depth d of the base portion  202 ′ is greater than the depth D of the jamb channel  26 . Additionally, the air and debris dam  200 ′ includes one or more scribe cuts or slits  204 ′ in the inner surface  206 ′ (i.e., facing the window sash when installed) of the base portion  202 ′ that extend to a depth s less than the total depth d of the base portion  202 ′. The scribe cuts  204 ′ can extend in a direction parallel to one or both of a longitudinal X axis and a lateral Y axis. The depth s of the scribe cuts  204 ′ extend in a direction parallel to a Z axis. The scribe cuts  204 ′ enable portions of the air and debris dam  200 ′ to flex or deform relative to one another. As shown in  FIG. 7B , then, when installed in a window jamb  16  the air and debris dam  200 ′ occupies the width W and depth D of the jamb channel  26  but also includes a portion  208 ′ that projects outward from the vertically extending slot  36  of the jamb channel  26  and inward toward the lower sash_ 14 . The first and second wall portions  28 - 1  and  28 - 2  compressibly engage inner portions  210 ′ such that inner portions  210 ′ are pressed directly against first and second wall portions  28 - 1  and  28 - 2 . The projection portion  208 ′ can contact or form a seal against the lower sash  14 . 
     A second exemplary air and debris dam  300  is shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  8 A,  8 B and  8 C. The air and debris dam  300  includes a base portion  302  having a generally rectangular prism geometry and a projection portion  304  extending generally perpendicularly from an inner surface  306  (i.e., facing the window sash when installed) of the base portion  302 , and also having a generally rectangular prism geometry. When installed in a window jamb  16 , the projection portion  304  of the air and debris dam  300  extends outward from the vertically extending slot  36  of the jamb channel  26  and inward toward the lower sash  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 8C . The projection portion  304  of the air and debris dam  300 , therefore, can contact or form a seal against the lower sash  14 . The first and second wall portions  28 - 1  and  28 - 2  compressibly engage the inner surface  306  such that the inner surface  306  is pressed directly against the first and second wall portions  28 - 1  and  28 - 2 . 
     It is understood by one skilled in the art that while the embodiment in this disclosure is directed toward a projection portion having a generally rectangular geometry, the geometry of the projection portion could also be circular, triangular, or another suitable shape. It is also understood that, while the embodiment in this disclosure shows the projection portion being integral with the base portion, the projection portion may be a separable piece from the base portion and may be selectively attached to and detached from the base portion as necessary or desired. 
     Still another exemplary air and debris dam  400  is shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  9 A and  9 B. The air and debris dam  400  includes a generally rectangular base  402  and an arcuate surface  404  opposite the base  402 . The air and debris dam  400  is dimensioned such that when the air and debris dam  400  is installed in a window jamb  16 , a central portion  406  of the arcuate surface  404  extends or projects outward from the vertically extending slot  36  of the jamb channel  26  and inward toward the window sash. The first and second wall portions  28 - 1  and  28 - 2  compressibly engage end portions  408  of the arcuate surface  404  such that the end portions  408  are pressed directly against first and second wall portions  28 - 1  and  28 - 2 . The central portion  406  of the arcuate surface  404  of the air and debris dam  400 , therefore, can contact or form a seal against the window sash, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 9B . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the air and debris dam  200 ,  200 ′,  300 ,  400  is positioned within the jamb channel  26  vertically above the carrier  40  of the window balance assembly  20  and below the tilt latch  24  of the window sash. The air and debris dam  20  is not fixed in the jamb channel  26  and it can freely move vertically within the jamb channel  26 . In this regard, vertical movement of the air and debris dam  200 ,  200 ′,  300 ,  400  within the jamb channel  26  results as the window sash moves vertically within the window jamb  16 . For the example of a single hung window, upward movement of the lower window sash  14  causes corresponding upward movement of the balance carrier  40 . As the balance carrier  40  moves in the jamb channel  26 , it bears against the lower end of the air and debris dam  200 ,  200 ′,  300 ,  400  and thereby urges the air and debris dam  200 ,  200 ′,  300 ,  400  upward. Correspondingly, downward movement of the lower window sash  14  causes downward movement of the sash tilt latch  24 , which bears against the upper end of the air and debris dam  200 ,  200 ′,  300 ,  400  thereby urging the air and debris dam  200 ,  200 ′,  300 ,  400  downward. The resiliency of the air and debris dam  200 ,  200 ′,  300 ,  400  enables it to maintain its geometry occupying the jamb channel  26  as it is urged by the carrier  40  and tilt latch  24  in the manner described. 
     The air and debris dam  200 ,  200 ′,  300 ,  400  can be a stand-alone component that is installed in the hung window separately from the window balance assembly  20  before or after construction of the window assembly  10 . Alternatively, the air and debris dam  200 ,  200 ′,  300 ,  400  can be installed at the same time as the window balance assembly  20  during construction of the window assembly  10 . 
     The air and debris dam can also comprise an air dam and a debris dam as two separate units. In this respect, another aspect of the present disclosure is shown in  FIGS. 10-12 . As shown, the air dam and debris dam can be integrated with the window balance assembly. Referring to the exploded view of  FIG. 10 , the window balance assembly  500  is shown to include a moving coil-type balance carrier  502  (such as that disclosed in International Publication No. WO 2011/100280 A1), a retaining bracket or bridle  504 , a debris dam  506 , an air dam  508  and a mounting bracket  510  (also such as disclosed in International Publication No. WO 2011/100280 A1). The air dam  508  and the debris dam  506  are each sized and shaped to fit generally snugly within the jamb channel  26  of the window jamb  16 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the window balance assembly  500  can be packaged as a cartridge for easy shipping and installation. The bridle  504  is connected to the upper end of the carrier  502  at a base or platform portion  512  that nests with projections  514  formed in the upper end of the carrier&#39;s  502  housing. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the air dam  508  includes openings or slits  507  and the debris dam  506  includes an opening or slit  509 . The slits  507 ,  509  enable the air dam  508  and the debris dam  506  to slide over the legs  516  of the bridle  504  during assembly of the window balance assembly  500 . The debris dam  506  is first assembled and is adjacent to the carrier  502 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the slit  509  is oriented generally perpendicular to the loop portions  518  that are formed at the ends of the legs  516  of the bridle  504 . Consequently, when assembling the debris dam  506  over the bridle  504 , the loop portions  518  are oriented parallel to the slit  509  to enable the loop portions  518  to easily pass through the slit  509 . In this respect, it can be appreciated that the bridle  504  can be made from a flexibly resilient material, such as a thermoplastic, to enable the legs  516  and/or loop portions  518  to be reoriented to accommodate assembly of the debris dam  506  and thereafter return to their original orientation. Once the debris dam  506  is assembled to the bridle  504 , then, the loop portions  518  help prevent the debris dam  506  from disassembling from the bridle  504 . 
     The air dam  508  is thereafter assembled on top of the debris dam  506 . Also as shown in  FIG. 10 , the slits  507  are oriented in the same direction as loop portions  518  that are formed at the ends of the legs  516  of the bridle  504 , such that the loop portions  508  can easily pass through the slits  507  after installation, so that the air dam  508  can freely move during operation of the window balance assembly. 
     The mounting bracket  510  then sits on top of the air dam  508  and is connected to the loop portions  518  formed at the ends of the legs  516  of the bridle  504 . In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the air dam  508  and debris dam  506  also each include another opening or slit  520 ,  521  at an end to enable the counter balance spring  522  to pass through them and connect to a hook portion  524  of the mounting bracket  510 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , at or after installation of the window balance assembly in a window jamb, the mounting bracket  510  is detached from the bridle  504  and a window sash is attached to the carrier  502 . The debris dam  506  is maintained in a close relative relationship to the balance carrier  502  by protrusions or barbs  526  included on the legs  516  or base portion  512  of the bridle  504 , or another suitable means for retaining a close relative relationship between the components. Consequently, the debris dam  506  moves up and down in the jamb channel  26  with the carrier  502  as the window sash is opened and closed. The air dam  508 , however, is not fixed in the jamb channel  26  or relative to the balance carrier  502  and it can freely move vertically within the jamb channel  26  as described above. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.