Patent ID: 7607263

Claim:
An operator used in connection with a counterbalance system having an axle comprising, an operator framework that encloses a portion of the axle, a pivotable motor supported by said operator framework, a gear assembly defining a bore in which the axle is received, said gear assembly including a worm wheel operatively interconnected with said motor, and a coil spring located coaxially with said worm wheel and having a first end that engages said motor and a second end that engages said operator framework, wherein said worm wheel and said coil spring both lie along an axis adjacent and parallel to said axle and said motor is pivotable about said axis between a generally horizontal unlocked position and generally vertical locked position, and wherein said coil spring applies a torsional counterbalancing force to said motor to counterbalance the weight of said motor in said unlocked position and wherein said coil spring biases said motor toward said unlocked position.