Locks – Operating mechanism – Key
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-11
2001-06-05
Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3627)
Locks
Operating mechanism
Key
C070S455000, C292S336300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240755
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a handle for the door of an automobile vehicle comprising improved means of protecting a lock cylinder associated with the lock that it controls.
The invention is more particularly applicable to a handle for the door of an automobile vehicle of the type in which the handle comprises an external gripping lever that is designed to be moved by a user from a rest position to an open position to control a lock that is associated with a lock cylinder of the type comprising a lock cylinder stator, one end of which is accessible from the outside so that a key can be inserted into the lock cylinder through a slit opening into the end.
The invention is particularly applicable in the case of a vehicle for which access is managed by “electronic” means, in other words in which drivers do not normally use conventional mechanical keys that they insert into lock cylinders, but use other identification devices called electronic keys that enable them to access the vehicle, and therefore to activate lock mechanisms using handles when they get close to the vehicle.
However, for some applications, or when there is a failure of the electronic identification devices, the driver may need to insert a conventional mechanical key into a lock cylinder before he can enter his vehicle.
During normal use, the mechanical lock cylinder is not used, and it is desirable to be able to protect it to avoid dirt or other foreign bodies that could enter into the slit into which the key is inserted. Furthermore, the end of the lock cylinder and the insertion slit are unaesthetic elements that detract from the general design of the handle.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to overcome these disadvantages, the invention proposes an automobile vehicle door handle of the type in which the handle comprises an external gripping lever that is designed to be moved by a user from a rest position to an open position to control a lock that is associated with a lock cylinder of the type comprising a stator, one end of which is accessible from the outside so that a key can be inserted in the lock cylinder through a slit that opens out into the end of the lock cylinder, characterized in that the gripping lever comprises a protective cap and/or trim covering the lock cylinder that is assembled so that it is free to move with respect to the gripping lever between a normal assembly position in which the cap conceals at least the slit in the lock cylinder when the gripping lever is in its rest position, and a displaced position enabling access to the key insertion slit.
According to other characteristics of the invention:
the cap is installed free to slide with respect to the body of the gripping lever;
the cap is mounted free to slide with respect to the body of the gripping lever along a direction parallel to the hinge pin of the gripping lever with respect to the door;
the cap is free to slide with respect to the body of the gripping lever by mortise and tenon type means;
the cap can only be moved with respect to the body of the gripping lever when the gripping lever is in the open position;
the cap is in the form of an envelope, the internal profile of which is approximately complementary to the external profile of the end that it surrounds when the gripping lever is in the rest position;
the cap is a molded part made of a plastic material;
the body of the gripping lever extends along a direction approximately perpendicular to its hinge pin with respect to the door;
the hinge pin about which the gripping lever rotates with respect to the door is parallel to the general plane of the door;
the hinge pin about which the gripping lever rotates with respect to the door is oriented vertically.
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Gall Lloyd A.
Morgan & Finnegan L.L.P.
Valeo Securite Habitacle
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