Patent ID: 8770633

Claim:
A latch actuating mechanism comprising: a housing adapted for attachment to a first member; a handle supported for rotational movement relative to said housing, said handle being movable between an open position and a closed position; a cam supported for rotational movement relative to said housing, said cam being movable between an open position and a closed position, said cam being adapted to actuate a latch mechanism such that the latch mechanism is opened in response to said cam moving to said open position of said cam; and means for selectively rotationally connecting said handle to said cam such that said cam rotates from said closed position of said cam to said open position of said cam as said handle is rotated from said closed position of said handle to said open position of said handle, wherein said means for selectively rotationally connecting said handle to said cam comprises: a motor attached for rotation with said handle; and a motor bolt that is movable rectilinearly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein said motor bolt engages said cam and acts to move said cam from said closed position of said cam to said open position of said cam as said handle is rotated from said closed position of said handle to said open position of said handle when said motor is energized, wherein said handle is capable of being rotated toward said open position of said handle without rotating said cam toward said open position of said cam when said motor is not energized, and wherein said motor bolt has beveled surfaces, said motor bolt is biased toward the extended position, said motor bolt projects into a slot in said cam when said handle is in said closed position of said handle, said motor bolt is free to move to said retracted position when said motor is not energized, and said beveled surfaces are capable of engaging said slot in said cam to move said motor bolt to said retracted position of said motor bolt, such that said motor bolt cannot act to rotate said cam to said open position of said cam as said handle is rotated toward said open position of said handle when said motor is not energized.