A window balance assembly may include a carrier, a spring element, and a mounting bracket. The spring element may include first and second portions. The first portion may be coupled to the carrier. The mounting bracket may engage the second portion of the spring element and may selectively engage the carrier.

An inverted constant force window balance system includes a carrier assembly and a mounting bracket. The carrier assembly includes a housing, a coil spring disposed within the housing, and a shoe assembly coupled to the housing. The shoe assembly is configured to receive a pivot bar from a window sash and extend at least one brake upon rotation of the pivot bar. The mounting bracket is releasably coupled to the housing opposite the shoe assembly and is coupled to the free end of the coil spring. At least a portion of the mounting bracket is configured to slideably move in relation to the free end of the coil spring between at least two positions. When at least a portion of the mounting bracket moves between the at least two positions, the mounting bracket disengages from the housing and releases the mounting bracket from the carrier assembly.

A constant force window balance system includes a mounting bracket defining a longitudinal axis, a coil spring, and a shoe. The shoe includes a first arm having a first inner surface and a second arm having a second inner surface. The shoe also includes a member extending between the first arm and the second arm. An opening is defined between the first inner surface, the second inner surface, and the member. The opening is configured to removably receive a portion of a pivot bar. The shoe is moveable between a locked position that prevents movement of the shoe along the longitudinal axis, when the pivot bar is not received within the opening, and an unlocked position that allows movement of the shoe along the longitudinal axis, when the pivot bar is received within the opening.

A mounting bracket for an inverted constant force window balance system includes a jamb mount configured to be secured to a window jamb and adapted to be releasably secured to a coil spring housing of the inverted constant force window balance system. The mounting bracket also includes a coil spring mount having a body with a back wall slidably engaged with the jamb mount and a cage extending from the back wall adapted to secure a free end of a coil spring disposed at least partially within the coil spring housing. The cage includes a front wall opposite the back wall and is configured to be positioned adjacent the window jamb. A thickness of the front wall is greater than a thickness of the back wall.

A window balance may include a shoe body with an elongate portion and an enlarged portion. The elongate portion may include at least one carrier section for supporting a coil spring and an enlarged portion may include a locking element and a cam in communication with the locking element. The width of the enlarged portion may be greater than the width of the elongate portion. The spring may rest in the carrier section and may be secured to a window jamb with a fastener or a mounting element.

An anchoring system used to anchor a ribbon spring to a guide track. A mounting slot is formed in the guide track that provides access to the internal gap space. A counterbalance spring is provided having an offset tab section proximate a free end. A barb flap is formed by bending a segment of the counterbalance spring from the offset tab section. The offset tab section with barb flap are extended into the gap space through the mounting slot. As the counterbalance spring is unwound, a bias is created that engages both the offset tab section and the barb flap within the gap space. This locks the free end of the counterbalance spring in place without the need of any mechanical fastener.

A counterbalance system that is set into the guide track of a tilt-in window. The counterbalance system utilizes a brake shoe that is attached to a ribbon spring. The ribbon spring has a shaped head that is retained by the brake shoe. A flexible tab is formed in the ribbon spring near the shaped head. A protrusion extends from the brake shoe. The brake shoe has a receptacle that receives and retains the shaped head of the ribbon spring, therein interconnecting the ribbon spring to the brake shoe. A cam is supported within the brake shoe. The brake shoe expands when the cam is turned. This causes the protrusion on the brake shoe to be biased against the flexible tab in the ribbon spring. This, in turn, causes the flexible tab to flex and extend away from the ribbon spring at an inclined angle. Within the guide track of the tilt-in window, the extended flexible tab acts as a barb and engages the side wall of the guide track. This helps prevent the window sash from being moved when the window sash is tilted open.

A window balance assembly may include a carrier, a spring element, and a mounting bracket. The spring element may include first and second portions. The first portion may be coupled to the carrier. The mounting bracket may engage the second portion of the spring element and may selectively engage the carrier.

An opening/closing direction restriction mechanism for a manual shutter device and an opening/closing direction restriction mechanism for a suspended sliding door device. This opening/closing direction restriction mechanism is provided with: a flange fixedly mounted on a fixed shaft; a bracket which is loosely fitted to the fixed shaft and can be integrally rotated with a winding member; and a two-way clutch which can be switched between a reverse rotation inhibited state in which the revolution of a planetary external gear along a winding direction of the winding member is allowed and the revolution of the planetary external gear along an unwinding direction is inhibited, and a forward rotation inhibited state in which the revolution of the planetary external gear along the winding direction of the winding member is inhibited and the revolution of the planetary external gear along the unwinding direction is allowed.

A window balance assembly may include a carrier, a spring element, and a mounting bracket. The spring element may include first and second portions. The first portion may be coupled to the carrier. The mounting bracket may engage the second portion of the spring element and may selectively engage the carrier.