Patent ID: 7007568

Claim:
An actuator connectable to and for adjusting a device, wherein the actuator comprises: a housing having a longitudinal passage extending between a first end and a second end of the housing and defining an opening at or adjacent to the second end; a spindle supported in the housing and movable longitudinally in the housing passage, the spindle having two oppositely handed, threaded portions longitudinally spaced from each other with respect to an axis the spindle rotates about of which a first threaded portion is nearer to the first end and a second threaded portion is nearer to the second end; a first threaded nut fixed relative to the housing and threadedly engaged with the first threaded portion of the spindle; a handle rotatably mounted at the first end of the housing, the handle being coupled to the spindle for rotating the spindle in the first nut and thereby moving the spindle longitudinally relative to the first nut and the housing; a second nut fixed against rotation relative to the housing and threadedly engaged with the second threaded portion of the spindle, whereby in response to rotation of the spindle by the handle the second nut is movable longitudinally in the housing passage relative to the spindle, in the same direction as movement of the spindle relative to the housing; and connecting means on or of the second nut configured to be connected, through the opening defined by the housing, to a device to be adjusted by the actuator; wherein the spindle is configured to rotate by the handle for adjusting the device by longitudinal movement in the same direction of the spindle relative to the housing and of the second nut relative to the spindle.