Spring return device

Abstract

The present invention provides a spring return device comprising a rotatable drive coupling configured for releasably engaging a rotatable drive part on a first side of the device and configured for releasably engaging a rotatable drive part on an opposite second side of the device. A spring is engaged with the drive coupling, and a retainer retains the spring. The drive coupling is rotatable relative to the retainer, wherein rotation of the drive coupling relative to the retainer in a first direction causes mechanical energy to be stored in the spring. The spring return device further comprises a limiter element that is arranged to rotate with the drive coupling, and one or more stopping surfaces comprising a first stopping surface arranged to abut a first limiter surface on the limiter element when the drive coupling is in a first predetermined rotational position, to thereby limit rotation of the drive coupling relative to the retainer in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. The spring return device of the invention may facilitate reversing the direction of operation of the spring return device.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.