US Patent 7819440 Power locking handle for a movable closure element

A system for releasably maintaining a movable closure element in a predetermined position relative to a support therefor. The latch assembly is changed from a latched state into an unlatched state as an incident of the first actuator assembly being changed from a normal state into a release state. The first actuator assembly has a first handle that is repositionable relative to a base assembly between first and second positions. The first actuator assembly is in the normal state with the first handle in the first position and the release state with the first handle in the second position. The lock assembly cooperates with the first actuating assembly and in a locked state prevents the first handle from being changed from the first position into the second position. The lock assembly has a motor that is actuatable to change the lock assembly between the locked and unlocked states.