Patent ID: 6870455

Claim:
A method of activating a mechanism, wherein a force required to activate the mechanism varies between a minimum force and a maximum force in relation to the time since the mechanism was last activated, the method comprising: applying an electrical current to a solenoid having an armature extending therefrom, wherein the armature is movable between a first end position and a second end position and wherein the electrical current of the solenoid causes the armature to exert an armature force, in the first end position the armature is spaced apart from and does not contact the mechanism and in the second end position the armature contacts the mechanism; delaying, after applying the electrical current to the solenoid, the movement of the armature from the first end position to the second end position, with a force significantly greater than under normal operating conditions, until such time as the armature force is greater than the maximum force necessary to activate the mechanism; and impacting the mechanism with the armature after the armature has kinetic energy.