The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 07, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 05, 1997
Gregory A Jorgensen, Oxford, MI (US);
Atoma International, Inc., Ontario, CA;
Abstract
An actuator for power door locks having a bi-directional spring holder assembly. The assembly has a substantially cylindrical housing having a projection formed on a rim of its cylindrical wall. The projection is provided with first and second abutments facing in opposite directions along the circumference of the rim. A spring is mounted around a shaft which passes through a longitudinal axis of the housing. A first, internal spring end is engaged to the shaft while a second, external spring end projects radially outward of the cylindrical wall. The assembly also includes a spring cover provided with a cover abutment which similarly projects radially outward of the cylindrical wall. When the holder assembly is assembled, the spring is coiled and the cover abutment pushes against the projection's first abutment while the external spring end pushes against the second abutment. The actuator housing is provided with a wall member, one side of which forms a stop for the cover abutment, while the other side serves as a stop for the external spring end. When the gear train is driven, one of the cover abutment and the external spring end abut a corresponding stop, and the entire housing rotates with the output lever, causing the spring to coil. The coiled spring then provides a restoring force, returning the output lever to the neutral position.