Patent ID: 8272105

Claim:
An extendable linkage mechanism for operating a slave actuator over a range of distances from a master actuator, the linkage mechanism comprising: a first structural member; a second structural member movably engaging the first structural member over the range of distances; an elongated master rod, the master actuator connected to the master rod and configured to pull on the master rod; a master wedge connected to the master rod, the master wedge having a master slanted engagement surface and a master wedge slave rod orifice extending through the master wedge from the master slanted engagement surface substantially parallel to the master rod; a slave wedge having a slave slanted engagement surface for engaging the master slanted engagement surface of the master wedge, the slave wedge also having a slave wedge slave rod orifice extending through the slave wedge from the slave slanted engagement surface substantially parallel to the master rod; an elongated slave rod, the slave rod passing through the master wedge slave rod orifice and the slave wedge slave rod orifice, wherein the slave actuator is connected to the slave rod and configured to be operated by pulling on the slave rod.