Patent ID: 7257860

Claim:
A brake mechanism comprising: an axially extending input having first and second ends; a chassis interfacing with the input such that the input moves relative to the chassis upon application of an external force on the input; a lock holder coupled to the chassis; a lock configured within the lock holder for constraining movement of the input relative to the lock; and a release mechanism coupled between the lock holder and the chassis that provides a compression force on the lock holder, the release mechanism responsive to the external force applied to the input; wherein the lock holder is in communication with the compression force such that when the external force applied to the input is greater than the compression force, the lock holder and lock move with the input and such that when the external force applied to the input is less than the compression force, the lock holder and lock are prevented from moving with the input; and wherein the lock holder and lock are configured such that when the lock holder and the lock move with the input as the external force is applied, the lock engages the chassis such that the lock releases its constraint of the input thereby allowing relative movement of the input and lock.