US3208784A

US3208784A - Latch mechanism actuator

Info

Publication number: US3208784A
Authority: US
Inventors: Belsky Charles
Original assignee: Ford Motor Co
Current assignee: Ford Motor Co
Priority date: 1962-08-08
Filing date: 1962-08-08
Publication date: 1965-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 1982-09-28

Description

Sept. 28, 1965 c. BELSKY LATCH MECHANISM ACTUATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 8, 1962 FIG. 3b

CHARLES BELSKY INVENTOR.

c 3 m F Sept. 28, 1965 c. BELSKY LATCH MECHANISM ACTUATOR Filed Aug. 8, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,208,784 LATCH MECHANISM ACTUATOR Charles Belsky, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 215,594 13 Claims. (Cl. 292-336.?!)

This invention relates to an actuator for latch mechanisms and more particularly to an inside door handle assembly for a latch mechanism for an automotive vehicle door.

The present trend in automotive interior styling is to provide an inside door handle that forms an integral part of the arm rest assembly to create a more pleasing interior door panel design. This not only improves the appearance of the interior door panels but also is more convenient to the driver or passenger of the automobile when seeking egress from the vehicle as his arm is supported by the arm rest While his fingers actuate the handle assembly.

In the present conventional integral door handle and arm rest assemblies, the door latch mechanism is actuated by pressure exerted on the handle in either a downward or upward direction. This has distinct disadvantages from the safety aspect. If the handle is designed to actuate a door latch mechanism when pushed in a downward direction, it is possible to open the door unintentionally when the arm of the occupant of the vehicle rests on the arm rest. If the handle assembly is designed to be swung upwardly to actuate the door latch mechanism, it has been found that the sleeve of the occupant may catch on the protruding handle causing the door to be opened accidentally.

To prevent the possible occurrence of an accidental opening of the automotive vehicle door, the inside door handle assembly embodying this invention requires a deliberate compound directional movement of the handle before the door latch mechanism can be unlatched.

The conventional automotive vehicle door latch mechanism has an actuating member which is usually mounted between the panels of the door with a portion of the member extending through the inner panel. In this invention a lever means is swingably coupled to the inwardly extending portion of the actuating member for moving the latter in a latch mechanism operating direction. An actuating handle is pivotally coupled to the lever means and is yieldably held in a nonoperating position. Before it can be operated to nnlatch the latch mechanism, the actuating handle must be moved from its nonoperating position to an operating position. Until it is in its operating position, the handle cannot be operated to nnlatch the latch mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the actuating handle assembly is housed within a recess in a stepped portion at the forward end of the arm rest when in an inoperative position. When the occupant of the vehicle desires to open the door, it is necessary thathe, first, swing the handle of the handle assembly in a forward and downward direction and, secondly, move it rearwardly. Only after the second step is completed will the door open. Upon release of the handle, it is restored by a spring to its inoperative position within the recessed stepped portion of the arm rest.

An object of this invention is to provide an inside door handle which will not permit an occupant of the vehicle to actuate a door latch mechanism accidentally.

Another object is to provide an inside door actuating handle which requires a deliberate sequence of movements to actuate a door latch mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent as this description proceeds, parice ticularly when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an arm rest incorporating a door handle assembly of the first embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective exploded view of the door handle assembly of the first embodiment;

FIGURES 3a, 3b and 3c are schematic side views of the arm rest and inside door handle assembly of the first embodiment depicting the sequence of movements required to cause unlatching actuation of a latch mechanism;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of an arm rest incorporating a door handle assembly of a second embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view, partially cut away, showing the door handle assembly of the second embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a portion of the door handle assembly shown in FIG- URE 5 but looking from the opposite direction;

FIGURES 7a, 7b and 7c are schematic side views of the arm rest and the door handle assembly of the second embodiment depicting the sequence of movements required to cause unlatching actuation of a latch mecha- 111SII1.

As seen in FIGURE 1, an arm rest 11 is attached to the inner panel 12 of a door of a vehicle body. A door handle assembly, generally designated as 13, is received in a stepped portion 14 at the forward end of the arm rest 11, which is partially defined by a flange portion 15 facing inwardly of the vehicle body.

In FIGURE 2 can be seen a latch mechanism actuator shaft 16 having a portion of the latter extending through an aperture 17 in the inner panel 12. The shaft 16 upon being rotated in a clockwise direction causes nnlatching actuation of a conventional automotive door latch mechanism (not shown). This allows the occupant of the vehicle to open the door.

The actuating door handle assembly 13 comprises a lever means 18 having a cylindrical base portion 19. One end of the base portion 19 is journaled in an opening 21 provided in one end of a retainer 22. The retainer 22 is secured to the inside surface of the arm rest 11 by two screws 23. A washer 24 is positioned intermediate the retainer 22 and the actuating door handle assembly 13 to provide a bearing surface therebetween. Two arms 25 extend upwardly from each end of the base portion 19. An opening 26 with peripheral serrations is provided at one end of the base portion 19 to receive the inwardly extending portion of the actuator shaft 16 to couple the lever means 18 to the shaft 16. The other end of the cylindrical base portion 19 has an opening 27 which receives a pivot pin 28 that extends through an aperture in the flange portion 15 of the arm rest 11.

An actuating handle 29, which is in the shape of a U lying on its side, has a bifurcated portion 31. The ends of this bifurcated portion 31 are pivotally coupled to the upwardly extending arms 25 of the lever means 18 by a pivot shaft 32. A stop member 33 is integrally formed with the bifurcated portion 31 of the handle 29 to limit the rotational movement of the latter in the counterclockwise direction.

-A coil spring 34 encompasses the pivot shaft 32 intermediate the bifurcations of the bifurcated portion 31. One end of the coil spring 34 is in contact with a portion of the hand-1e 29 while the other end of the spring 34 abuts a shoulder portion 35 integrally formed with the cylindrical base portion 19 of the lever means 1 8. The spring 34 will normally bias the handle 29 so that it is W olly recessed within the stepped portion 14 of the arm rest 11 in its normal inoperative position. The handle 29 has an upwardly facing surface 36 which is decorated with transverse ribs 37 to facilitate the gripping of the handle .29 by the occupant sitting in the vehicle. The exposed top and side surfaces of the arm rest 11 may be padded with a foam material 38 and covered with a vinyl sheathing 39 which blends with the colored trim scheme of the inner door panel 12.

The steps of actuating the handle assembly 13 of this invention are shown in FIGURES 3a through 30. The occupant of the vehicle sitting adjacent the door may rest his arm on the arm rest 11 while his hand grips the upwardly facing surface 36 of the handle 29 as seen in FIGURE 3a. To open the door, the handle 29 is swung about its pivot shaft 32 in a forward and downward direction until the stop member 3 3 abuts the shoulder portion 35 of the lever means 18 as seen in FIGURE 3b. It is to be noted that pivotal rearward movement of the handle 29 from its normal inoperative position is inhibited by the forward portion of the arm rest 11. After the handle 29 is swung in a forward direction, further movement can be effected in a rearward direction only, as seen in FIGURE 3c. This causes the lever means 18 to swing in a clockwise direction which, in turn, will result in the clockwise rotation of the actuator shaft 16 to place its associated door latch mechanism in an unlatched condition.

Release of the handle 29 will permit the spring loaded latch mechanism (not shown) to rotate the ac-taut-or shaft 16 in a counterclockwise direction to its normal position. This will cause the lever means 1 8 also to swing in a counterclockwise direction. The coil spring 34 will restore the actuating handle 29 to its recessed position within the stepped portion 14 of the arm rest 11.

In FIGURES 4 through 7 is seen a second embodiment of a door handle assembly of this invention, generally designated as 41, in which the latch mechanism (not shown) is actuated by the longitudinal movement of a conventional draft link 42 as knOWn in the art.

As seen in FIGURE 4, the door handle assembly 41 comprises a generally T-shaped handle 43 having a cross arm 44 that is contiguous to an arm rest 45. This arm rest 45 is affixed to an inner panel 46 of a motor vehicle door. The lower end of the T-shaped handle 43 is pivotally coupled to a journal member 47 extending through a slot 48 in the inner door panel 46. One end portion of the journal member 47 extends into the space intermediate the inner panel 46 and an outer panel 49' of the door where it is connected to a bell crank member 51 as seen in FIGURE 5. The center of the bell crank member 51 is pivotally connected to the inner door panel 46 at 52. The other end portion of the bell crank member 51 is connected to the draft link 42 to transmit the swinging movement of the bell crank member 51 to a door latch mechanism (not shown). A spring 53 is coiled on the journal member 47 with one end of the spring 53 inserted in a hole 54 provided in the journal member 47 as seen in FIGURE 5. The other end of the spring 53 is retained in a groove 55 cut into the handle 43 as seen in FIGURE 6. The spring 53 serves to restore the T-shaped handle 43 to its normal upright position as seen in FIGURES 4 and and also to retain the handle 43 on the journal member 47. A rubber stop '56, which is attached to the forward portion of the arm rest 45, engages the cross arm 44 of the T shaped handle 43 when the latter is in its normal latch mechanism inoperative position.

As can be seen in FIGURES 7a through 70, the swinging movement of the T-shaped handle 43 in a forward direction about the axis of the journal member 47 does not actuate the bell crank member 51 and its associated draft link 42, thereby maintaining the latch mechanism in a latched condition. Movement of the handle 43 in a rearward direction from its normal upright position is prevented by rubber stop 56. After the handle 43 is 4 swung to a forward position as seen in FIGURE 717, it can be manually moved rearwardly to cause the journal member 47 to pivot the bell crank member 51 about its pivot 52 as seen in FIGURE 70. This results in the longitudinal movement of the draft link 42 to place the latch mechanism in an unlatched condition.

It can be seen that the door handle assembly of this invention requires the deliberate manual movement of the handle from an inoperative or normal rest position to an operative position before it may be moved in a latch mechanism operating direction to place the latch mechanism of a vehicle door in an unlatched condition. Accidental arm or elbow movement which may depress or lift the handle will not cause the latch mechanism to be actuated. A definite sequential movement in a forward direction and rearward direction is required. As the movement in the sec-0nd direction is converse to the direction of the first movement, accidental actuation of the handle is practically eliminated. In both embodiments of this invention, the door handle assembly is contiguous to the forward portion of the arm rest to effect a pleasing appearance of the inner door panel of an automobile. Also, the combining of the handle and arm rest in one assembly permits the convenient actuation of the handle by the hand movement of the occupant of the vehicle while his arm rests on the arm rest.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact construction shown and described in the two embodiments of this invention but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a motor vehicle body, a door, a latch mechanism operating means mounted intermediate an inner panel and an outer panel of said door, said latch mechanism operating means comprising a rotatable shaft having a portion extending inwardly through an aperture in said inner panel, a lever coupled to said inward-1y extending shaft portion and also pivotally connected to an arm rest, said arm rest being aflixed to said inner door panel, said arm rest having a stepped portion, a handle having one end portion pivotally connected to said lever for rotating shaft in a latch mechanism unlatching direction, said handle being recessed within said stepped portion of said arm rest when said shaft is in its normal inoperative position, said handle being swingable in a forward and downward direction and then in the rearward direction relative to said lever, said handle upon being swung in the rearward direction causing swinging movement of said lever to rotate said shaft in a latch mechanism unlatching direction, and spring means inter-mediate said handle and said lever for returning said handle to its recessed position within the stepped portion of said arm rest.

2. In a motor vehicle body, a door, a movable latch mechanism actuating means mounted intermediate an inner and an outer panel of said door, said latch mechanism actuating means being movable from an inoperative position in a latch mechanism operating direction, an actuating handle pivotally coupled to said latch mechanism actuating means, said actuating handle being swingable from a normal position in a forward direction relative to said actuating means and then movable in a rearward direction, said actuating handle upon being moved in the rearward direction causing movement of said latch mechanism actuating means in a latch mechanism operating direction, and biasing means to return said actuating handle to its normal position.

3. In a motor vehicle body, a door, a latch mechanism actuating means mounted intermediate an inner panel and an outer panel of said door, said latch mechanism actu ating means comprising a link movable in a generally longitudinal direction from an inoperative position in a latch mechanism operating direction, and a journal memher operatively connected to said link and extending through a slot in said inner panel, an actuating handle pivotally coupled to said journal member, said actuating handle being swingable from its normal position in a forward direction relative to said journal member and then movable in a rearward direction, said actuat ng handle upon being moved in a rearward direction causing movement of said link through said journal member in a latch mechanism operating direction, and biasing means to return said actuator handle to its normal position.

4. In a motor vehicle body, a door, a latch mechanism actuating means mounted intermediate an inner panel and an outer panel of said door, an arm rest aflixed to said inner panel, said latch mechanism actuating means comprising a link movable in a generally longitudinal direction from an inoperative position in a latch mechanism operating direction, and a journal member operatively con nected to said link, a portion of said journal member extending inwardly of said vehicle body through a generally longitudinally extending slot in said inner panel, an actuating handle pivotally coupled to the inwardly extending portion of said journal member, said actuating handle being swingable from an upright position in a forward direction relative to said journal member and then movable in a rearward direction, said actuating handle upon being moved in a rearward direction causing movement of said link through said journal member in a latch mechanism operating direction, and biasing means to restore said actuating handle to an upright position, said actuating handle in said upright position being contiguous to the forward portion of said arm rest.

5. A door latch operating mechanism mounted on a panel of a door comprising a latch operating member movable from an inoperative position to an operative position, swingable lever means having one end portion coupled to said latch operating member for swinging movement about a fixed first pivot axis, and an actuating handle connected to the other end portion of said lever means for swinging movement about a second pivot axis parallel to said fixed first pivot axis, said actuating handle sequentially being swingable in a first direction about said second pivot axis and movable in a second direction, said actuating handle upon being moved in said second direction being operative to swing said lever means about said fixed first pivot axis thereby causing said latch operating member to move to an operative position.

6. A door latch operating mechanism mounted on a panel of a door comprising a latch operating member movable from an inoperative position to an operative position, swingable lever means having one end portion coupled to said latch operating member for swinging movement about a fixed first pivot axis, and an actuating handle connected to the other end portion of said lever means for swinging movement about a second pivot axis parallel to said fixed first pivot axis, said second pivot axis being displaceable with respect to but maintained in a parallel relationship with said fixed first pivot axis, said actuating handle sequentially being swingable about said second pivot axis in one direction and movable in an opposite direction to displace said second pivot axis, said actuating handle upon being moved in an opposite direction causing swinging movement of said lever means about said fixed first pivot axis to move said latch operating member from an inoperative position to an operative position.

7. A door latch operating mechanism mounted on a panel of a door comprising a latch operating member movable from an inoperative position to an operative position, swingable lever means having one end portion coupled to said latch operating member for swinging movement about a fixed first pivot axis, an actuating handle connected to the other end portion of said lever means for swinging movement about a second pivot axis spaced from an extending parallel to said fixed first pivot axis, said actuating handle sequentially being swingable in one direction about said second pivot axis and then movable in a direction opposite to said one direction, said actuating handle upon being moved in said opposite direction causing swinging movement of said lever means to move said latch operating member in an operative position, and means inhibiting movement of said actuating handle in said opposite direction until the latter is swung in said one direction about said second pivot axis.

8'. A latch mechanism operating means mounted on a panel of a door comprising a rotatable shaft, swingable lever means having one end portion coupled to said shaft for rotating the latter in a latch mechanism operating direction, and an actuating handle pivotally coupled to the other end portion of said lever means for swinging movement about a pivot axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said shaft, said actuating handle sequentially being swingable in one direction and then movable in a second direction, said actuating handle upon being moved in said second direction being operative to swing said lever means thereby causing said shaft to be rotated in a latch mechanism operating direction.

9. A latch mechanism operating means for a closure structure comprising a rotatably mounted shaft, a swingable lever having one end portion coupled to said shaft for rotating the latter in a latch mechanism operating direction, and a movable operating means pivotally connected to the other end portion of said lever for swinging movement in a first direction about a pivot axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said shaft, said operating means being inhibited from movement in a lever swinging direction to cause rotation of said shaft until said operating means is swung in said first direction about said pivot axis.

10. A latch mechanism operating means mounted on a panel of a closure structure comprising a rotatable shaft, a swingable lever coupled to said shaft for rotating the latter about a fixed first pivot axis, and an actuating handle pivotally coupled to said lever remote from said fixed first pivot axis for swinging movement in a first direction about a second pivot axis parallel to said first fixed pivot axis, said actuating handle movable in a direction opposite of the first direction, said actuating handle upon being moved in the opposite direction swinging said lever about said fixed first pivot axis to rotate said shaft, and means normally inhibiting movement of said actuating handle in said opposite direction until said actuating handle is swung about said second pivot axis in a first direction.

11. A door latch mechanism operator comprising a pivotally mounted shaft, a lever coupled to said shaft for swinging the latter in a latch mechanism operating direction about a fixed first pivot axis, and an actuating handle pivotally coupled to said lever for swinging movement about a second pivot axis parallel to and remote from said fixed first pivot axis, said actuating handle being swingable in one direction about said second pivot axis and then being movable in an opposite direction to cause swinging movement of said lever in a latch mechanism operating direction. 12. In a vehicle body having a closure structure includmg a latch mechanism operator comprising a rotatably mounted shaft, a swingable lever coupled to said shaft for rotating the latter about a fixed first pivot axis in a latch mechanism operating direction, and an actuating handle pivotally coupled to said lever for rotation about a second pivot axis extending parallel to said fixed pivot axis, said actuating handle sequentially being swingable about said second pivot axis in one direction and then movable m an opposite direction, said actuating handle upombemg moved in said opposite direction causing swinging movement of said lever to rotate said shaft in a latch mechanism operating direction.

13. In a motor vehicle body, a door having a latch mechanism mounted therein, a latch mechanism operating means mounted intermediate an inner panel and an outer panel of said door, said latch mechanism operating means including a shaft rotatable from a normal inoperative position in a latch mechanism operating direction, and a swingable lever having one end portion coupled to said shaft, an arm rest aifixed to said inner panel, a handle pivotally connected to the other end portion of said lever, said handle being swingable from a normal inoperative position in one direction about a pivot axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said shaft and movable in a direction opposite said one direction, said handle only upon being moved in said opposite direction causing swinging movement of said lever to rot-ate said shaft in a latch mechanism operating direction, and biasing means for restoring said handle to its normal inoperative position, said handle in its normal inoperative position being contiguous to the forward portion of said arm rest.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Graham et al 74547 Levesque 74-547 Wheeler 74547 Peters et a1 74-547 Sanderlin et a1.

Van Voorhees 70149 ALBERT H. KAMPE, Primary Examiner.

M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Examiner.

Claims

8. A LATCH MECHANISM OPERATING MEANS MOUNTED ON A PANLE OF A DOOR COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT, SWINGABLE LEVER MEANS HAVING ONE END PORTION COUPLED TO SAID SHAFT FOR ROTATING THE LATTER IN A LATCH MECHANISM OPERATING DIRECTION, AND AN ACTUATING HANDLE PIVOTALLY COUPLED TO THE OTHER END PORTION OF SAID LEVER MEANS FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT ABOUT A PIVOT AXIS PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT, SAID ACTUATING HANDLE SEQUENTIALLY BEING SWINGABLE IN ONE DIRECTION AND THEN MOVABLE IN A SECOND DIRECTION, SAID ACTUATING HANDLE UPON BEING MOVED IN SAID SECOND DIRECTION BEING OPERATIVE TO SWING SAID LEVER MEANS THEREBY CAUSING SAID SHAFT TO BE ROTATED IN A LATCH MECHANISM OPERATING DIRECTION.