Patent ID: 8322077
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: E05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A vehicle door assembly, comprising: a door structure; an engagement member fixed to the door structure; a handle movably mounted to the door structure for movement between a first position and an actuated position; a crank member rotatably mounted to the door structure for rotation about an axis extending through the engagement member, the crank member operably engaging the handle such that the handle causes the crank member to rotate from a first position to an actuated position upon rotation of the handle; a door latch operably connected to the crank member whereby movement of the crank member releases the door latch; a lock member pivotably mounted to the crank member configured to move between first and second positions relative to the crank member, the lock member further defining an intermediate position between the first and second positions, wherein the lock member is spring-biased towards the intermediate position and wherein the lock member is configured to move to the first and second positions upon acceleration of the vehicle door assembly generating inertial forces in first and second directions, respectively, to the lock member; and wherein: the lock member engages the engagement member when the lock member is in the first position and when the lock member is in the second position and restricts movement of the crank member such that the door latch cannot be released by the crank member.