Patent ID: 7600447
Filing Date: 2009-10-13
Classification: A01B,A63B,B62L,F16C,F16D,G05G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An actuator assembly for actuating or releasing a hand-operated mechanism that has a pivot means for actuating of the hand-operated mechanism, said actuator assembly comprising: a shaft having a longitudinal axis that extends central and parallel to said shaft and an operational end that is connected to said pivot means, said pivot means having a pivot axis that extends in a plane different from that of said longitudinal axis; a rotation-restriction mechanism mounted on said shaft; and a sleeve that extends concentric about said shaft and encases said rotation-restriction mechanism and said shaft, said sleeve being rotatable about said shaft in a first sleeve-rotation direction and said rotation-restriction mechanism restricting rotation of said sleeve to said first sleeve-rotation direction; wherein said shaft, said rotation-restriction mechanism, and said sleeve form a lever for actuating said hand-operated mechanism; wherein, when a force is applied to said lever in an operational direction, said operational direction being a direction that actuates said hand-operated mechanism, said lever rotates about said pivot means in said operational direction, while said sleeve rotates about said longitudinal axis in said first sleeve rotation direction; and wherein, when said force is removed from said lever, said lever rotates about said pivot means in a release direction that is opposite in direction to said operational direction, while said rotation-restriction mechanism prevents said sleeve from rotating in a direction opposite said first sleeve-rotation direction.