Twist to release hand-operated brake actuator

A hand-operated brake actuator for actuating a brake actuating linkage connected to a brake system of a motor vehicle, the actuator comprising:

• a mounting bracket constructed to mount the brake actuator in a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle;
• a sector provided on the mounting bracket and having a plurality of teeth;
• a brake lever assembly including a brake lever having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the brake lever being mounted at its proximal end portion for movement relative to the mounting bracket and the sector, the brake lever assembly including a linkage connector constructed to be connected to the brake actuating linkage, the brake lever being movable in a brake applying direction to move the linkage connector to actuate the brake actuating linkage and in a brake releasing direction opposite the brake applying direction;
• a pawl mounted to the brake lever in a spaced relation from the distal end portion towards the proximal end portion for movement between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the teeth of the sector, the pawl engaging the teeth of the sector to prevent the brake lever from pivoting in the brake releasing direction when in the engaged position, the pawl in the disengaged position being disengaged from the teeth to allow the brake lever to pivot in the brake releasing direction;
• and
• a pawl release system comprising:
• a rotatable hand grip rotatably mounted on the distal end portion of the lever;
• a rigid rod extending proximally along the lever toward the proximal end portion, the rod being connected to the pawl and movable in a shifting manner such that movement of the rod inwardly relative to the lever in a pawl releasing direction moves the pawl from the engaged position thereof to the disengaged position thereof, thus enabling the brake lever to be moved in the brake releasing direction thereof;
• a translation mechanism mounted proximally of the hand grip and coupling the hand grip to the rod such that rotation of the hand grip is translated to affect inward movement of the rod in the pawl releasing direction to move the pawl from the engaged position thereof to the disengaged position thereof;
• a pair of spring seats, one of the spring seats being a fixed spring seat and the other spring seat being provided on the rod;
• and
• at least one spring constructed to bias the pawl release system to normally maintain the pawl in the pawl engaged position thereof, the at least one spring including a rod biasing spring positioned between the spring seats so as to bias the rod in a pawl engaging direction opposite the pawl releasing direction.