Shade operator with release brake

An operator for a window covering of the type having at least one axle about which one of a window covering material and lift cords are wound comprising:

• a stationary member having a central cavity and a first bore sized and positioned so that the roller can pass through the bore into the central cavity;
• a release brake having a release brake bore aligned with the first bore of the stationary member, the release brake bore sized and positioned so that the roller can pass through the second release brake bore;
• an inertial ring within the central cavity of the stationary member, the inertial ring having an inertial ring bore aligned with the bores of the release brake and the stationary member, the inertial ring bore sized so that the axle may pass through the inertial ring bore;
• a release member adjacent the release brake and the inertial member, the release member sized and positioned so that when the release member is in a first position the release member will not engage the inertial ring or the release brake and when the release member is moved in a selected direction the release member will engage and turn the release brake and the inertial ring;
• a spool within the central cavity of the stationary member adjacent the inertial ring;
• a coil spring positioned to encircle an axle passing through the inertial ring bore, the spring having opposite ends, one end attached to the spool and the opposite end attached to the inertial ring;
• a rewind spring connected between the spool and the stationary member such that when a force acts on the spool to turn the spool in the first direction from an initial position the rewind spring will tighten and when the force is removed the spring will loosen causing the spool to return to the initial position;
• and
• an operator attached to the release member to enable an operator to turn the release member.