Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-23
2001-05-22
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Elements
C074S543000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234041
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to door handle assemblies and, more particularly, to door handle assemblies especially suitable for use on motor vehicles. Motor vehicle door handle assemblies typically include a handle member which is movable between open and closed positions to provide latching and unlatching of the door. The door handle assembly typically includes a spring member which provides moderate resistance to opening movement of the handle and ensures that the handle will move firmly and positively to its closed position upon release of the handle. However, the firm positive movement of the door handle assembly to its closed position will, without some cushioning provision, generate an annoying slapping noise which detracts from the feeling of overall quality with respect to the door handle assembly and which may contribute to ultimate damage to the assembly. In an effort to avoid this objectionable closing noise and minimize long-term handle assembly damage, cushioning members have been provided in the door handle assembly which protectively intercept the closing movement of the door handle and cushion the closing movement. However, prior art cushioning member designs, while effective to minimize or reduce the objectionable slapping noise, also introduce the potential for leakage of air, water and other contaminants into the interior of the vehicle door through the door handle assembly with resultant potential for corrosion and material deterioration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This is invention is directed to the provision of an improved motor vehicle door handle assembly.
More particularly, this invention is directed to the provision of a motor vehicle door handle assembly in which the movement of the door handle to its closed position is effectively cushioned and in which an effective water and contaminant seal is maintained at the door handle assembly.
The door handle assembly of the invention is intended for use with a vehicle including a door and a latch assembly mounted on the door and controlled by the door handle assembly. The door handle assembly includes a housing adapted to be positioned in the door and a handle mounted on the housing for movement between open and closed positions.
According to the invention, the housing defines an opening and an annular surface in surrounding relation to the opening; the handle includes a main body grip portion, an arm portion extending inwardly from the grip portion and passing through the opening in the housing for coaction with a latch release mechanism positioned in the door, and an annular handle surface on the grip portion in surrounding relation to the arm portion; and the door handle assembly includes an annular resilient member positioned in surrounding relation to the arm portion and including an annular main body portion defining a generally planar annular surface, a series of spaced cushion portions projecting from the annular resilient member surface and movable into cushioning coaction with one of the annular housing surface and the annular handle surface to cushion the movement of the handle to its closed position, and an annular peripheral seal portion projecting from the resilient member annular surface in surrounding relation to the cushion portions and movable into sealing coaction with the one annular surface to preclude the entry of moisture and contaminants into the interior of the door with the handle in its closed position. This arrangement allows a single, simple resilient member to serve both a cushioning and sealing function with respect to the door handle assembly.
According to a further feature of the invention, the planar annular surface of the main body portion of the resilient member is an inner surface; the cushion portions and the seal portion of the resilient member project inwardly from the inner planar annular surface of the resilient member; the resilient member is mounted on the arm portion with an outer surface of the main body portion mounted against the annular handle surface; and the cushion portions and the seal portion of the resilient member coact with the annular housing surface. This specific arrangement, whereby the resilient member is mounted on and moves with the handle member, provides an efficient means of providing the desired cushioning and sealing functions.
According to a further feature of the invention, the cushion portions project inwardly from the forward annular surface of the resilient member further than the peripheral seal portion projects so that the initial contact between the resilient member and the housing annular surface as the handle moves to its closed position is the cushioning impact of the cushion portions against the annular housing surface whereafter, with resilient distortion and flattening of the cushion portions, the peripheral seal portion may move into sealing engagement with the housing annular surface. This arrangement ensures that the initial contact will provide the desired cushioning action and the subsequent contact will provide the desired sealing action. According to a further feature of the invention, the handle assembly further includes a spring biasing the handle toward its closed position and the spring is operative with the handle its closed position to maintain the cushion portions in a distorted, flattened configuration so as to allow the peripheral seal portion to sealingly engage the housing annular surface. The spring member already present in the typical door handle assembly thereby provides initial cushioning movement of the resilient member against the annular housing surface and thereafter maintains the cushion portions of the resilient member in a distorted, flattened configuration to allow the peripheral seal portion to sealingly engage the housing annular surface.
According to a further feature of the invention, the handle is pivotally mounted to the housing proximate one end of the grip portion and the arm portion extends forwardly from another end of the grip portion for passage through the opening in the housing. This construction allows the cushioning and sealing member of the invention to be readily employed with a typical grip-type door handle assembly.
According to a further feature of the invention, the housing defines an outwardly opening cavity proximate the housing opening; the housing opening and the housing annular surface are defined at the bottom of the cavity; and the other end of the handle grip portion is configured to be received in the cavity with the handle in its closed position so that an outer face of the handle grip portion may be substantially flush with an outer face of the housing with the handle in its closed position. This arrangement allows the handle to assume a flush configuration with respect to the housing with the handle in its closed position.
According to a further feature of the invention, each cushion portion has a domed configuration in cross section and the seal portion has a knife edge configuration in cross section. This specific cross-sectional configuration of the cushion and the seal portion allows the cushion portions to provide an effective cushioning action while allowing the seal portion to provide an effective sealing action.
According to a further feature of the invention, the door handle assembly is an outside door handle assembly. Whereas the invention has applicability to both inside and outside motor vehicle door handle assemblies, the invention is particularly effective with respect to an outside door handle assembly where the cushioning and sealing problems are more acute.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3789550 (1974-02-01), Seiwert
patent: 3993338 (1976-11-01), Cherbourg et al.
patent: 4475754 (1984-10-01), Arlauskas et al.
patent: 4482179 (1984-11-01), Johnson
patent: 4511172 (1985-04-01), Tabata et al.
patent: 5092642 (1992-03-01), Lindmayer et al.
patent: 5352004 (1994-10-01), Nedbal
patent: 5671927 (1997-09-01), Schweiger
patent: 6042159 (2000-03-01), Spitzley et al.
patent: 6059329 (2000-05-01), Spitzley
patent: 6070923 (2000-06-01), Tanimot
Boorsma Michael
Larabet James
Adac Plastics Inc.
Bucci David A.
Johnson Vicky A.
Young & Basile P.C.
LandOfFree
Combined cushion and seal for vehicular door handle assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Combined cushion and seal for vehicular door handle assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Combined cushion and seal for vehicular door handle assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2462712