A system and method for inhibiting inadvertent movement of a window sash out of a fully open position. Brake shoes travel in the guide tracks as the window sash is moved between a fully open position and a fully closed position. A stop is mounted within the guide tracks. The brake shoe and the stop contact and interconnect when the window sash is moved to its fully open position. The brake shoe is separable from the stop when a closing force is manually applied to the window sash that acts to move the window sash away from its fully open position. The force applied must exceed a threshold level. In this manner, the window sash will remain in its fully open position and will not inadvertently drift closed due to gravity, vibrations or contact with another window sash.

A sash tilt system for an upper sash of a double hung window includes a mounting bracket sized and shaped to be fixed relative to a lower sash jamb pocket. A sleeve that is configured to be mounted on the upper sash, and a sash link including a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is rotatably coupled to the sleeve and the second end includes a post extending therefrom. The post is at least partially receivable within the mounting bracket such that the sash link is rotatable with respect to the mounting bracket and the sleeve when the upper sash tilts away from an upper sash jamb pocket.

Disclosed are apparatus for a snap lock balance shoe and system to be incorporated in pivotable double hung windows. In one embodiment, the snap lock balance shoe includes a pair of retractable tabs that partially extend through openings within an inverted window balance.

A variable resistance brake clutch facilitates a rotational coupling of electronic device components, and can include a rotatable shaft, a brake disposed proximate the rotatable shaft, and an actuator coupled to and configured to actuate the brake. The brake applies a braking force against a rotational motion of the shaft, and release of the brake results in low to no frictional resistance against the rotational motion. The braking force can be provided by default, and a capacitive touch sensor or other input component can allow a user to actuate the actuator manually to release the brake when desired. The release can be maintained as long as the sensor detects the touch event or other user input. A processor and solenoid can facilitate actuation by on a touch event, which sensor can be located at a back corner of a laptop upper component.

Disclosed are apparatus for a snap lock balance shoe and system to be incorporated in pivotable double hung windows. In one embodiment, the snap lock balance shoe includes a pair of retractable tabs that partially extend through openings within an inverted window balance.

Locking balance shoes and balance systems to be incorporated in pivotable double hung windows include, in one embodiment, a pair of retractable tabs that partially extend through openings within an inverted window balance. In one embodiment of the method of installing such a system, an enlarged portion of the balance shoe is inserted into a window jamb and then rotated into position.