Closure fasteners – Operators with knobs or handles
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-21
2001-07-24
Dayoan, B. (Department: 3627)
Closure fasteners
Operators with knobs or handles
C292S216000, C292S169120
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264254
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
A handle mechanism for operating a vehicle door latch has a handle lever for operating the latching mechanism of a vehicle door latch and a button handle for operating the locking mechanism of the vehicle door latch. The handle mechanism includes a child security lock that disables the handle mechanism so that it cannot unlatch the vehicle door latch. The child security lock is engaged by the handle lever and disengaged by manipulating the handle lever and the button handle in a predetermined sequence.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vehicle door latches typically include a latching mechanism for latching the vehicle door in the closed position and unlatching the vehicle door so that it can be pushed or pulled open. Vehicle door latches also typically include a locking mechanism that disables the latching mechanism after the door is latched in the closed position to prevent unauthorized or inadvertent unlatching and opening of the vehicle door. The latching mechanism typically includes separate links that are attached to respective inside and outside operators such as interior and exterior door handles for operating the latching mechanism. The locking mechanism typically includes separate links that are attached to respective inside and outside operators, such as an interior sill button and an exterior lock cylinder, for operating the locking mechanism. See, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,461 granted to Thomas A. Dzurko et al Jan. 11, 1994 for a vehicle door latch of the type described above.
Vehicle door latches have included various ancillary features over the years. One of these features is a child security lock that is engaged to prevent operation of the latching mechanism by the interior door handle or other interior operator. The prior art vehicle door latches with child security locks typically include a decoupling member in the linkage system that connects the vehicle door latch to the interior door handle. The decoupling member is typically manually operated by an independent operator that is either hidden or inaccessible when the vehicle door is closed to prevent young passengers from disengaging the child security lock. However, such an inaccessible operator also prevents adult passengers from disengaging the child security lock and exiting the vehicle. See, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,769 granted to Ronald P. Rimby and Rita M. Paulik Sep. 10, 1991 for a door latch coupling arrangement and U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,128 granted to Alfred L. Portelli and Rita M. Paulik May 3, 1994 for a vehicle door latch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of this invention is to provide an operator for engaging or disengaging a child security lock that is readily accessible from the interior of the vehicle yet deters operation by young passengers.
A feature of the invention is that the operator for the child security lock of the vehicle door latch is part of an interior door handle mechanism for a vehicle door that includes a handle lever for operating the latching mechanism and a button handle for operating the locking mechanism of the vehicle door latch.
Another feature of the invention is that the handle mechanism includes a child security lock that is engaged easily but that requires two-handed operation for disengagement.
Another feature of the invention is that the handle mechanism includes a child security lock that is engaged easily but that requires a sequence of operations for disengagement so as to deter operation by young children.
Still another feature of the invention is that the handle mechanism includes a child security lock that is engaged and disengaged mechanically and thus operates independently of the vehicle electric power supply.
Yet another feature of the invention is that the handle mechanism has a child security lock that can be engaged or disengaged while the vehicle door is open or closed.
Still yet another feature of the invention is that the handle mechanism includes a handle lever that pivots in one direction to operate a door latch and an opposite direction to operate a child security lock and a unique spring arrangement for biasing the handle lever to a neutral or latch position between the two.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2939308 (1960-06-01), Trammell
patent: 4778207 (1988-10-01), Gergoe
patent: 4796934 (1989-01-01), Kesel
patent: 4889373 (1989-12-01), Ward
patent: 5046769 (1991-09-01), Rimbey et al.
patent: 5123687 (1992-06-01), Pfeiffer
patent: 5277461 (1994-01-01), Dzurko et al.
patent: 5308128 (1994-05-01), Portelli et al.
patent: 5676409 (1997-10-01), Trammell
patent: 5681068 (1997-10-01), Kleefeldt et al.
patent: 5725262 (1998-03-01), Kritzler
patent: 5738394 (1998-04-01), Arabia
patent: 0169644 (1986-01-01), None
patent: 2284 853 (1995-06-01), None
Rice John R.
Rogers, Jr. Lloyd Walker
Siegfried Kenneth John
Dayoan B.
Estremsky Gary
General Motors Corporation
Griffin Patrick M.
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