An apparatus for actuating a rocking motion of a movable component including an adjustable length actuator, a lever whose angular position is controlled by the actuator, and a force transfer element attached to the movable component. The lever comprises a pair of oppositely placed pawls shaped so as to interact with the force transfer element for respectively actuating movement of the component in one of two opposite directions, when the lever exits a neutral positional range in which range any interaction between both pawls and the force transfer element is prohibited. The neutral range may be defined by a support plate positioned, shaped, and dimensioned so as to prohibit interaction between the pawls and the force transfer element. The displacement of the component in one direction may be larger than in the opposite direction.