Patent ID: 6840011

Claim:
A hung window comprising: (a) frame having a first vertical side member and an oppositely disposed second vertical side member wherein the first and second side members define a plane; (b) a sash housing a window panel, the sash having a first side member and an oppositely disposed second side member, the sash having a first substantially vertical operating position in which the sash is slidably mounted in the frame with the first and second side members substantially parallel to the first and second frame side members, and the sash having a tilted position wherein the sash is positioned at an angle with respect to the plane of the frame; and (c) balancer comprising: (i) housing secured to the first side of the sash wherein the housing comprises a pivot end about which the housing pivots when the sash rotates from the vertical operating position to the tilted position; (ii) extensible member having a first end operatively coupled to the balancer and a second end operatively coupled to the first side member of the frame, wherein the balancer exerts a force on the sash through the extensible member in the direction substantially opposite the force of gravity when the sash is in the vertical operating position; and (iii) latching mechanism communicating with the balancer wherein the latching mechanism prevents the pivot end of the housing from moving vertically in the direction of gravity when the sash is in the tilted position.