Patent ID: 8251847

Claim:
In a motorized operator for moving a barrier between open and closed positions, a frame including spaced apart generally parallel elongated frame plates, spaced apart frame members interconnecting said frame plates, an electric motor having a motor output shaft, the electric motor coupled to said frame in a fixed position, an intermediate shaft mounted for rotation on said frame in bearings supported on respective ones of said frame plates, an output shaft mounted for rotation on said frame in spaced apart bearings supported on said frame plates, respectively, said bearings for said intermediate shaft and for said output shaft being fixed on said frame plates, respective pulleys mounted on said motor output shaft and said intermediate shaft and a flexible endless drive belt trained over said pulleys whereby said intermediate shaft is driven by said motor, the distance between axes of rotation of said motor output shaft and said intermediate shaft is fixed and a predetermined tension in said flexible belt is fixed; and said pulley mounted on said intermediate shaft is engaged with a torque limiting clutch supported on said intermediate shaft to limit torque imposed on said intermediate shaft by said motor.