Patent ID: 7819728

Claim:
A rotary shutter actuator comprising: an annular retainer having a plurality of retainer fasteners disposed thereon, said retainer fasteners circumferentially placed around said retainer; a rotatable member supported by said retainer; a plurality of shutters swivelably coupled to said retainer, wherein each of said plurality of shutters has a first end and a second end, and said plurality of shutters are arranged in a non-overlapping configuration; a connection mechanism intermediate to said first end and said second end of each of said plurality of said shutters, wherein said rotatable member is operably connected to each of said plurality of shutters by said connection mechanism for creating a moment arm for actuating said plurality of shutters; and an exposed dial adapted to be rotated by a user, said dial defining an opening and being operably connected to each of said plurality of shutters and said rotatable member, whereby rotation of said dial results in said plurality of shutters moving to and from a fully open and closed position and causing said rotatable member to rotate; wherein said plurality of shutters are sandwiched between a rear side of said dial and a front side of said rotatable member.