Patent ID: 7546915

Claim:
A linear actuator, comprising: a housing having an opening defined therein, the opening being generally rectangular in cross section when viewed from a first end of the housing, wherein the opening further comprises a recess defined therein; an elongate shaft in sliding engagement with the opening of the housing, the elongate shaft being generally rectangular in cross-section when viewed from an end thereof and having an external surface defined thereon, wherein the shaft is operable to extend and retract through the opening in the housing; and a scraper assembly operably coupled to the housing, wherein the scraper assembly comprises: a first resilient member positioned in a bottom portion of the recess; a second resilient member positioned in a top portion of the recess; one or more scraper blades disposed between the first resilient member and the second resilient member, wherein a scraping edge of the one or more scraper blades is in sliding engagement with at least a portion of the external surface of the elongate shaft; and a retaining member generally fixedly coupled to the housing, wherein the retaining member generally compresses the first and second resilient members within the recess of the housing, therein biasing the scraping edge of the one or more scraper blades against the external surface of the elongate shaft.