GB1277572A - Improvements in or relating to linkages for connection to motor vehicle door handles - Google Patents

Abstract

1277572 Vehicle door latches WILMOT BREEDEN Ltd 21 July 1969 [20 April 1968] 18757/68 Heading E2A An external release linkage for connecting an external door handle of a motor vehicle to a door latch mechanism is so constructed and arranged as to counteract inertia forces acting on the door handle to which the linkage is attached or attachable. As shown, the vertical handle I is housed in a recess 2a of the outer vehicle panelling and is connected by cranked levers 10 pivoted on pins 9 carried by flanges 7, 8 of a plate 4 on which is mounted the door latch mechanism 5. Pivotally connected at the inner ends of the lever 10 are cranked links 14 having slots 15 by which the links slide on pegs 16, outward movement of the handle being limited by 'abutment of the pegs with the corresponding ends of the slots; the linkage is spring-loaded to the resting position. The levers 10 and links 14 slide in parallel horizontal planes and the links are interconnected by a vertical strap 17 having a lug 18 engageable with a peg 19 to displace the peg and thus turn lever 20 to effect latch release. The locking means comprises a pin 22 which engages in a slot 23 in a main release lever 25 mounted on a common pivot 26 with the lever 20. When the pin 22, mounted at the end of a link 27 connected to a sill control locking member, is appropriately positioned with respect to the slots 23, 24, the levers 20, 25 turn as one to release the latch mechanism; in the locking position pin 22 moves freely along the slot 24 and lever 25 does not turn to release the latch mechanism. To counterbalance the inertia of the handle 1 with respect to lateral deceleration forces in the event of a collision, a weight 28 is mounted on the member 17. The mounting plate supports the release mechanism and the latch mechanism 5 and constitutes a pre-assembled unit.