Patent ID: 8496275
Filing Date: 2013-07-30
Classification: E05B,E05C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An electrically operated actuator assembly comprising: a housing; a motor supported by said housing; a plunger having a longitudinal axis and supported by said housing such that said plunger is movable between an extended position and a retracted position while said plunger is prevented from rotation about its longitudinal axis relative to said housing; and a cam operatively connected to said motor such that said cam rotates continuously in a direction of rotation when said motor is energized, said cam having at least a first cam surface and a second cam surface, each of said first cam surface and said second cam surface being in the form of a cam ramp having an apex and a bottom, wherein said bottom of said second cam surface immediately follows said apex of said first cam surface as said cam rotates in said direction of rotation, wherein said plunger has at least a pair of plunger ramps, said plunger ramps each having an apex, each of said plunger ramps engaging a respective one of said first cam surface and said second cam surface such that each of said plunger ramps rides up said respective one of said first cam surface and said second cam surface to move said plunger from said retracted position toward said extended position in response to rotation of said cam, and wherein said apex of each of said plunger ramps rides over said apex of said respective one of said first cam surface and said second cam surface to register with said bottom of another one of said first cam surface and said second cam surface as said cam continues to rotate in said direction of rotation in order to free said plunger to move back to said retracted position such that each time said motor is energized said plunger can move from said retracted position to said extended position and back to said retracted position as said cam performs one continuous rotational movement.