Sash Balances.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Dec., 189U-Accepted, 10th Jan., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Sash Balances.
1, RICHARD MORGAN GARDNER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing
at No. 3724 Langley Ave., in the City of Chicago, County of Cook and State of
Illinois, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention in SASH BALANCES
to be as follows:-
Recent experience has demonstrated that as a means of supporting a window sash
from balancing weights, a flat thin ribbon or tape, preferably of metal, is much more
satisfactory than the cords or chains more commonly employed. My invention relates
to a device for securing the ends of such a ribbon to the sash and its object is to
render the application of the tape to the window more simple and to avoid any
possibility of poor workmanship defeating the successful operation of the sash
balance.
To such end such invention consists in certain improvements described and
illustrated below, the essential features of which are definitely pointed out in the
claims which follow this Specification.
These improvements are shown in their preferred form in the drawings hereto
attached, wherein,
Figure 1 is a perspective edge view of a portion of a window sash, showing the
metal ribbon attached thereto;
Figure 2, is a perspective of the ribbon and the devices attached thereto by means of
which it is secured in the window sash; and
Figure 3, is a longitudinal cross section of Figure 2, in plane 3-3.
Applying reference letters to the different parts, A, is the sash, and B, the metal
ribbon. A metal clip, C, is formed with a flaring slot, c, wider at the bottom than at
the top; the ribbon, B, is looped about a wedge-shaped piece, D, preferably of wood,
the two ends of the ribbon passed upward through the slot, the wedge drawn tightly
thereinto, and the short end bent down over the clip, as shown in Figure 3. This
secures the clip, C, firmly upon the end of the ribbon. The edge of the sash is pro-
vided with a groove, E, extending down as far as is common in the use of ordinary
cord or chain sash balances, and from the end of said groove, a hole, F, extends down-
ward through the sash frame, opening into a hole, G, bored into the edge of the sash
at right angles thereto. The free end of the ribbon, B, is passed into the hole, G, up
through the hole, F, and the clip, C, drawn into the position shown in Figure 1,
where it will be retained by the weight of the sash frame.
There has heretofore been invented a device similar to the present invention, except
that a cylindrical pin was inserted within the loop of the ribbon in lieu of the wedge
employed by me.
It has been found in practice that the cylindrical pin, if properly placed will prevent
the loop from pulling through the elotted block, but if the workman who puts the
fixture up is not careful to hold it in proper position until the strain of the sash and
counter-balance are exerted on the ribbon, the pin is liable to fall out and allow the
ribbon to slip; again, if the ribbon buckles and makes the loop too large, the pin
may slip or work out of place. My securing wedge, however, under the strain of the
ribbon, will be guided and forced into proper position, and will then not only act as a
cross pin in the loop, but will also press the sides of the latter against the inner
surfaces of the slotted block and produce such friction that it will usually be retained
in place even after the sash is removed, and the ribbon thereby relieved of strain
This friction against the inner surface of the slotted block will also serve to make the
wedge and ribbon retain their respective positions, in cases where the loop of the
latter is made too large by buckling or otherwise.
The securing wedge above described, and shown in the accompanying drawings is
'

page_text: the preferred form, because I have found it extremely efficient, but it is obvious that
there might be many modifications made which would embody this wedging principle,
even though in appearance they may be widely different, and 1 therefore wish it to be
understood that I do not confine myself to the precise construction shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
iion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is―
In a sash balance, the combination of a flat tape or ribbon, having a loop formed at
one end thereof, with a fastening device therefor, comprising a base piece having a
flaring slot and means for securing said base piece to the window sash, and a loose
co-operating wedge for insertion within said loop; substantially as described.
Dated this 2nd day of December 1890.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.