Patent ID: 7204529
Filing Date: 2007-04-17
Classification: E05B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An actuator assembly adapted to permit either manual or power actuation of a vehicle door locking mechanism, the actuator assembly comprising: a housing having an upwardly-facing recess formed therein and having a hollow passage formed therethrough; and an upper surface surrounding all sides of the recess an actuator having an upper portion thereof extending upwardly through the hollow passage of the housing and into the recess, wherein the actuator is substantially vertically movable relative to the housing between a first position in which the door is locked, and a second position in which the door is unlocked; a solenoid disposed below the housing and operable to move the actuator between the first and second positions thereof; wherein the housing comprises a first pair of opposed side walls disposed on opposite sides of the recess, wherein central portions of the first pair of side walls extend inwardly into the recess to form blocking bosses located in close proximity to the actuator on both sides thereof, to partially block access to the actuator, and wherein a distance between the actuator and the portions of the first pair of side walls near the actuator is in a range between one and five millimeters; wherein when the actuator is in the first position the upper portion of the actuator is even with or below the upper surface of the housing.