Patent ID: 7562757

Claim:
An actuating device for moving a flap of a piece of furniture, comprising: a base member; an actuating arm to be connected to the flap for moving the flap, said actuating arm being mounted to said base member; a spring device operable to act upon said actuating arm so as to move said actuating arm; and a braking device operable to stop a movement of said actuating arm if a speed of said actuating arm reaches a pre-set speed value, said braking device comprising a centrifugal clutch including: a first member connected to said actuating arm; a second member mounted to said base member in a non-rotatable manner, said first member being operable to engage said second member when the speed of said actuating arm reaches the pre-set speed value so as to immediately stop movement of said actuating arm; and a spring member operably connected between said first member and said second member; wherein said first member has an elongated hole for engaging a bearing axis of said actuating arm so as to allow said first member to radially move relative to said bearing axis, said spring member being shaped and arranged to bias said first member relative to said bearing axis of said actuating member such that, when the speed of said actuating arm reaches the pre-set speed value, a centrifugal force corresponding to said pre-set speed value overcomes a spring force of said spring member to allow said first member to engage said second member.