US3484128A - Pushbutton handle protection devices - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 16, 1969 J. OUSSET 3,484,128

PUSHBUTTON HANDLE PROTECTION DEVICES Filed Jan. 8, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 AVON/Q6 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 8, 1968 FEGA I/ VE/VWR 377662 455 ILS'ET US. Cl. 292-3363 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Protection device associated with a pushbutton handle controlling the lock of a vehicle, characterised by the provision on the body panel of a ring-shaped element concentric to said pushbutton and formed with lateral extensions having a height approximating that of said pushbutton in the vicinity thereof and decreasing gradually to Zero towards their outer ends.

The invention relates to a protection device associated with pushbutton handles of automotive Vehicle locks. It is known that the pushbutton for actuating the locks of certain motor cars project generally from the outer surface of the body or door panel on which it is mounted thus constituting a projection likely to strike and hurt any person within reach of this pushbutton. It is the essential object of this invention to avoid this drawback by pro viding a protection device for the pushbutton handles of automotive locks which consists primarily of a ring-shaped element adapted to be secured to the body panel concentrically to the pushbutton proper and provided with at least two lateral inclined extensions of a height approximating that of the pushbutton and directed the one forwards and the other backwards, whereby in case of accidental contact in one or the other direction they will produce a sliding contact avoiding any direct engagement with the pushbutton.

Other features and advantages of this invention will appear as the following description proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating diagrammatically by way of example typical forms of embodiment of the device constituting the subject-matter thereof. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the position of the protection device in relation to the pushbutton and to the thumb of a users hand actuating same;

FIGURE 2 is a view corresponding to FIGURE 1 but showing only the pushbutton (in phantom lines) with its protection device (in thick lines) on a larger scale;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of the device, and

FIGURES 4 to 6 inclusive illustrate various possible forms of embodiment of the protection device of this invention.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURES l to 3 it will be seen that the reference numeral 1 designates a fragment of a door panel of automotive vehicle, 2 being a handle-forming bridge or bar, 3 the cavity usually pressed in the door panel to permit the passage of the hand 4, the pushbutton for controlling the door lock (not illustrated) being shown at and the nited States Patent 0 protection device therefore at 6. This device 6 may be made of flexible, semi-rigid or rigid material, according to cases, and comprises a ring-shaped element 7 adapted to --be mounted concentrically to the pushbutton 5, and two lateral opposite extensions 8 and 9 which in this example are vertically offset on either side of a horizontal axis 10 coincident with a diameter of said ring 7. This oifset arrangement of extensions 8 and 9 facilitates theinsertion of the thumb acting obliquely when depressing the pushbutton, as shown in FIGURE 1.

The extensions 8 and 9 have a height corresponding substantially to that of the projecting portion of pushbutton 5 adjacent the ring 7, this height decreasing gradually towards their outer ends.

In the examples illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 3 the rear extension 9 is shorter than the opposite extension 8 for reasons of body styling.

Of course, this invention should not be construed as being limited by the specific example described herein above, for other forms of embodiment can be contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, solid or hollow devices 6 may be provided as a function of the desired flexibility and also of the stiffness of the material used in their manufacture.

Thus, FIGURE 4 illustrates diagrammatically a device consisting mainly of a base and of flexible inclined blades 11; FIGURE 5 shows a device formed with flexible, riblike flanges 12, and FIGURE 6 shows a device formed with an upper groove 13.

Of course, the material used for manufacturing this device may be coloured throughout or transparent to impart the appearance of a lacquered or glossy metal thereto.

Iclaim:

1. A protection device for the pushbutton portion of a door lock for the door handles of automobiles, said handle comprising a substantially horizontally disposed handlebar fixedly mounted on the door and a pushbutton mounted in the door vertically spaced from and laterally displaced with respect to said handlebar, said device comprising a ring-shaped element secured to said door concentrically to the pushbutton proper, at least two lateral inclined extensions parallel to said handlebar formed on said element the height of which adjacent the pushbutton is substantially equal thereto and which taper outwardly towards the door.

2. A protection device according to claim 1 in which said two lateral inclined extensions are vertically ofiset from each other on either side of a horizontal axis coincident with a diameter of said ring-shaped element whereby when said handlebar is grasped by a users hand the oblique passage of the thumb of the hand is facilitated, due to said lateral vertical ofiset.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,346,656 4/ 1944 Berghoif 292-192 2,460,607 2/ 1949 Sullivan 292-1 2,560,477 7/1951 Roethel 292-3363 2,604,346 7/1952 Allen 292-3363 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner E. J. MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner

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