Patent ID: 7216581

Claim:
A locking actuator comprising: a piston configured to be moved by a drive mechanism, the piston having a first end and a second end, the second end being configured to link to an apparatus to be driven by the actuator, the piston defining a recess originating proximal the first end; a strut having a base and a tip, the strut configured to at least partially nest within the recess, the strut configured to hold at least one locking mechanism proximal to the tip; at least one locking mechanism held by the strut, the at least one locking mechanism configured to move into a first position engaging the piston when the actuator is locked and configured to move to a second position not engaging the piston when the actuator is unlocked; and a shaft movably held within the strut, the shaft extending from proximal the base of the strut to proximal the tip of the strut, the shaft being configured to move the at least one locking mechanism between the first position and the second position.