Patent ID: 6129333
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: F16K

Abstract:
Apparatus for rapidly changing the state of device from an active state to an inactive state that includesan outer member and an inner member slidably contained within the outer member,one of said members being connected to an activator means and the other of said members being connected to a control means for changing the state of a controlled device between an active state and an inactive state,locking means slidably contained within said inner member for movement between a retracted position wherein said locking means is fully retracted within said inner member and an extended position wherein the distal end of said locking means is contained within a recess formed in the outer member,latching means arranged to act upon the locking means, said latching means being positionable between a first latched position wherein said locking means is held in said extended position wherein said outer member is locked to said inner member and a second unlatched position wherein said locking means is free to move into the retracted position,solenoid means for holding the latching means in the latched position when said solenoid is energized and to releasing said latching means wherein said solenoid is de-energized whereby said locking means is freed to move into said retracted position, anda release spring acting between the two members for rapidly moving the two members in opposite directions wherein the latching means is moved from the latched to the unlatched position wherein the state of the controlled device is rapidly changed.