Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-25
Equipment Makers
Help Save Metals
Vital 10 Defense
Substitutes Developed
For. Many Items Used
In Building Houses

TO aid the national defense pro-
gram manufacturers of construction
eouipment and home fixtures are de-
veloping products in which the use
Of vital metals has been draStically
reduced. it is reported in the cur
rent bulletin Of the Producers Coun-
Gil, edited by the department OF
technical services of the American
Institute of Architects.
More than 2O0,0OOOO0 pounds of
iron and steel-and the machines,
men and transportation facilities
required to ship it-may be released
for important defense construction
through the use of a sash balance
which eliminates the need of chains
and pulleys in window construction,
according to the report.
Operating on the true balance
principle of a weight for weight,
these balances are recognized mod
ern equipment for double-hung VIM
dows of every description" the re-
port says. I'm construction they
consist of pressed-steel casing IN
closing a steel tape wound on re-
volving drum. Inside the drum
spring of finest clock steel pro-
vides uniform tension.
Weight Box Eliminated.
1.-THE balances. either top pattern
or side pattern. are inserted in NOR
tises in the frame Need for a
weight box is eliminated. BY remov-
,ol,
ton removes the most troublesome
cause of leaky windows. Insulation
can be butted up right to the plank
frame. Such a window is perma-
nently weathertight.
Since the device is not depend
ent on friction for holding, windows
always stay where they are put,
open or closed, without need for
periodic adjustment. Elimination OF
weight boxes and use of overhead
type balances permit use of mulllons
no thicker than the plank frame
itself and make possible the design
of a sash area almost the full size
of the opening. This elimination OF
the weight box also affords almost
unlimited opportunity for original
and distinctive window treatment.
These balances may be installed
at the rate of 10 to Is minutes per
window, as compared with 80 to As
minutes for weights and cords. A
special device permits removal or
installation while the sash remains
IN place. Simple plank frame con-
70 a
and opportunity for use of narrow
trim all contribute to lowering the
cost of window construction.
Costs Are Compared.
"A direct comparison of millwork
costs shows that complete window
units Pullman balanced, with 2Ss-
inch door and window trim and
matching 31a Inch base, figure to
10 per cent less than pocket-and-
pulley windows with 3as Inch door
and window trim and matching 5l2-
inch base.
For an average small home with
IS window openings necessary Pull
man balances weigh about Al
pounds. Weights, chains, and pull
leys for the same windows weigh
s75 pounds. This saving Of 1874
pounds of iron and steel becomes
significant when multiplied by
100000, the estimated number of
dwelling units to be built within
year"
The use of marble, which requires
no metal angles or supporting metal
In the construction of toilet and
shower room equipment in Office
and industrial buildings, schools
and homes, also conserves valuable
materials for defense needs, it is
pointed out.
It's wide range of colors, light
rejecting qualities, individuality,
sanitary excellence. germ-resistance,
durability and long-run economy
make marble particularly adaptable
for bathroom fixtures, it is ex-
planned.
New Dumb Waiter Brake.
A geared automatic brake dumb
waiter which may be used for gen.
eral service where electric all-metal
dumb-Waiters are not essential is
also described. Constructed for fire.