A moving coil, constant force, curl spring window balance assembly for installation in a hung window assembly comprising a sash. The window balance assembly can include a carrier, a mounting bracket, a curl spring and a sash support bracket. The sash support bracket can be positioned intermediate the carrier and the mounting bracket. The sash support bracket can selectively engage at least one of the carrier or the mounting bracket. The sash support bracket is operable to supplement the holding force provided by the curl spring of the window balance assembly against the weight of the sash when the sash is in a raised position.

Provided is an opening/closing device that includes a structure for inhibiting a brake engage part or a lock engage part from touching an object or the like and that prevent the perimeter of a guide rail from becoming thick due to the structure. In an opening/closing device in which a brake engage part is caused to engage with a first engaged part by a close prevention device to put a brake on the closing operation of an opening/closing body, a space adjacent to the horizontal width direction end face of the opening/closing body and continuous in the opening/closing body opening/closing direction is ensured, the space is encompassed in the opening/closing body opening/closing direction by the horizontal width direction end face of the opening/closing body, the guide rail, and the support member, and a detach spot for the first engaged part and the brake engage part is arranged within the space.

A window balance system includes a mounting bracket configured to be secured to a window jamb, a shoe body and a coil spring movably coupling the mounting bracket to the shoe body. The window balance system also includes an engagement member extending from at least one of the mounting bracket and the shoe body, wherein the engagement member includes at least one resilient arm having a pawl extending therefrom. The window balance system further includes a receiving member defined in at least the other one of the mounting bracket and the shoe body, wherein the receiving member includes at least one rack having at least one tooth extending therefrom such that the pawl is engageable with the rack.

A counterbalance system for a window sash that engages a guide track in a vinyl tilt-in window. At least one ribbon spring coil is used to create the counterbalance force. The ribbon spring coils are held in a brake shoe chassis that travels within the guide track of the window. A first protective barrier is attached to the brake shoe chassis. The first protective barrier travels externally of the guide track and shields the slot opening adjacent the spring placement area. A second protective barrier is attached to the brake shoe chassis inside the guide track. The second protective barrier shields the spring placements areas from contamination within the guide track. A brake mechanism is also attached to the brake shoe chassis. The brake mechanism uses a cam to spread arms against the side walls of the guide track when the window sash is tilted. This provides contact against three inside walls of the guide track, therein creating a lock.

A moving coil, constant force, curl spring window balance assembly for installation in a hung window assembly comprising a sash is disclosed. The window balance assembly can include a carrier, a mounting bracket, a curl spring and a sash support bracket. The sash support bracket can be positioned intermediate the carrier and the mounting bracket. The sash support bracket can selectively engage at least one of the carrier or the mounting bracket. The sash support bracket is operable to supplement the counter-balance or holding force provided by the curl spring of the window balance assembly against the weight of the sash when the sash is in a raised position.

A window balance system includes a mounting bracket configured to be secured to a window jamb, a shoe body and a coil spring movably coupling the mounting bracket to the shoe body. The window balance system also includes an engagement member extending from at least one of the mounting bracket and the shoe body, wherein the engagement member includes at least one resilient arm having a pawl extending therefrom. The window balance system further includes a receiving member defined in at least the other one of the mounting bracket and the shoe body, wherein the receiving member includes at least one rack having at least one tooth extending therefrom such that the pawl is engageable with the rack.

An adjustable retraction mechanism includes a main housing, the main housing includes a cord wrapped around a torsion spring and rigidly attached thereto at one end thereof. The retraction mechanism further includes an adjustable cord friction mechanism configured for reducing a force applied on the cord. The friction mechanism includes at least one adjustable pressing member which applies a friction force on the cord.

A window balance assembly includes: a housing with first and second interior spaces; a receiver rotatably supported in the first interior space; a curl spring disposed in the second interior space with a tail extending out of the housing; and a mounting bracket. The tail includes: a neck and a head. The mounting bracket includes first and second flanges. First and second guide members protrude from opposite sides of a rear surface of the first flange, and slidably support the tail proximate to the rear surface. First and second ramp members on the rear surface include an upper recess, and are spaced permitting passage of the neck therebetween. When the tail slides between the second guide members the ramp members force the head away from the rear surface, until the head passes beyond the ramp members. The curl spring biases the head into the recesses.