Block and tackle sash balance brake assembly

A locking block and tackle sash balance assembly for a sash window, the sash window pivotable between a pivotably closed orientation and a pivotably open orientation, the assembly comprising:

• a channel;
• a spring disposed within the channel;
• a block and tackle assembly disposed within the channel, the assembly including a moveable pulley and a fixed pulley;
• and
• a locking member coupling the spring to the movable pulley;
• wherein the locking member is movable between a first position in locking engagement with the channel when the sash is in the open orientation and a second position disengaged from the channel when the sash is in the closed orientation.

A braking sash balance assembly for a pivotable sash window, the sash window pivotable between a first, generally vertical orientation and a second, generally non-vertical orientation, the assembly comprising:

• a channel;
• means disposed within the channel for providing an upward bias on the sash is window;
• and
• a locking member movable with the upward biasing means, the locking member being pivotable between a first position in locking engagement with the channel and a second position disengaged from the channel.

A braking sash balance assembly for a pivotable sash window disposed between a pair of shoe channels, the sash window pivotable between a first, generally vertical orientation and a second, generally non-vertical orientation, the assembly comprising:

• a channel;
• means disposed within the channel for providing an upward bias on the sash window;
• and
• a locking member movable with the upward biasing means, the locking member being pivotable between a first position in locking engagement with the shoe channel and a second position disengaged from the shoe channel.

A locking block and tackle sash balance assembly for a pivotable sash window disposed between a pair of shoe channels, the sash window pivotable between a pivotably closed orientation and a second, pivotably open orientation, the assembly comprising:

• a channel;
• a spring disposed within the channel;
• a block and tackle assembly disposed within the channel, the assembly including a moveable pulley and a fixed pulley;
• and
• a locking member coupling the spring to the movable pulley;
• wherein the locking member is movable between a first position in locking engagement with the shoe channel when the sash is in the open orientation and a second position disengaged from the shoe channel when the sash is in the closed orientation.

A sash balance assembly for providing a counterbalancing force to a sash window slidably and pivotally mounted within a frame, the sash window having a stile, the frame having a shoe channel having a rear wall and a front wall having a pair of shoulders separated by a slot, the sash balance assembly comprising:

• a block and tackle balance assembly having a balance channel;
• an active pulley block slidably positioned generally within the balance channel;
• a locking member rotatably mounted to the active pulley block having a locked position and an unlocked position;
• wherein the locking member is adapted to selectively engage the rear shoe channel wall responsive to pivotal movement of the window sash.