Patent ID: 6234041
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: E05B,Y10T

Abstract:
A door handle assembly for use with a vehicle including a door and a latch assembly mounted on the door and controlled by the door handle assembly, the assembly including:a housing adapted to be positioned in the door and defining an opening and an annular surface in surrounding relation to the opening;a handle mounted on the housing for movement between open and closed positions and including a main body grip portion, and an arm portion extending inwardly from the grip portion and passing inwardly through the opening in the housing for coaction with a latch release mechanism positioned within the door;an annular handle surface on the grip portion in surrounding relation to the arm portion and in confronting relation to the housing annular surface; andan annular resilient member positioned in surrounding relation to the arm portion between the handle annular surface and the housing annular surface and including an annular main body portion defining a generally planar annular surface positioned in confronting relation to one of said annular handle surface and said annular housing surface, a series of spaced cushion portions projecting from the resilient member annular surface and movable into cushioning coaction with said one annular surface to cushion the movement of the handle to its closed position, and an annular peripheral seal portion projecting from the resilient member annular surface in surrounding relation to the cushion portions and movable into sealing coaction with said one annular surface to preclude the entry of moisture and contaminants into the interior of the door with the handle in its closed position.