Patent ID: 7526981

Claim:
A parking brake actuator for a motor vehicle, said parking brake actuator comprising, in combination: a fixed support comprised of plastic; a lever pivotably connected to said support for movement between brake-releasing and brake-engaging positions; a locking mechanism adapted to releasably maintain said lever in said brake-engaging position; an electrical switch operable to indicate when said lever is out of said brake-releasing position; wherein said switch includes a blade comprised of an electrically conductive material and directly secured to said fixed support; wherein said switch includes a terminal comprised of an electrically conductive material and directly secured to said fixed support; wherein said switch is located near a mounting hole formed in the fixed support which receives a fastener to secure the fixed support to the motor vehicle; and wherein said switch blade extends to the mounting hole to electrically connect the blade to the fastener in the mounting hole to connect the switch to ground; and wherein said blade is spaced-apart from said terminal to open an electric circuit including the fastener when the lever is in the brake-releasing position and wherein said blade is in direct electrical contact with said terminal to close the electric circuit including the fastener when the lever is in the brake-engaging position.