Patent ID: 7866729

Claim:
An actuating device for moving a closure panel between an open position spaced apart from a vehicle body and a closed position abutting the vehicle body to close an access opening thereof, said actuating device comprising: a telescopic arm including a first member coupled to one of the closure panel and the vehicle body and a second member coupled to the other of the closure panel and the vehicle body, said first and second members slidable relative to one another to move said actuating device between a retracted position corresponding to the closed position and an extended position corresponding to the open position; a screw rotatable relative to said first member; a nut secured to said second member and threadingly engaging said screw such that rotation of said screw moves said second member towards and away from said first member to move said actuating device between said respective retracted and extended positions; and a gas spring disposed within said telescopic arm for urging said actuating device into said extended position to move the closure panel into the open position, said gas spring and screw spaced apart and generally parallel to one another within said telescopic arm.