Patent ID: 7686061

Claim:
A winding assembly used in conjunction with a door having a counterbalance system operable to offset the weight of the door, the counterbalance system including an axle rotatably supported on a pair of support brackets located at each side of the door and a counterbalance spring adapted to apply counterbalancing force to the door, the winding assembly comprising, a rotatable driver adapted to be coupled to the counterbalance spring, said driver having a tool receiving portion, a gear wheel supported on said driver and rotatable therewith, said gear wheel defining a plurality of teeth, said teeth having a leading surface and a trailing surface, a detent formed on said trailing surface of at least one of said teeth, a locking assembly including a lock bracket fastened to one of said pair of support brackets by a fastener, and a pawl pivotally supported on said lock bracket and operable with said gear wheel to selectively engage said teeth and maintain a selected counterbalance force wherein said lock bracket is pivotable relative to said support brackets between a secure position in which said fastener engages one of said support brackets, and a safety position in which said fastener is removed and tension from the counterbalance spring causes said lock bracket to pivot.