Patent ID: 6575508
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: E05B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A door handle assembly for controlling the latch of a motor vehicle door, the handle assembly comprising:a housing; a handle mechanism mounted on the housing for movement in an unlatching direction and in an opposite, latching direction; a counterweight mounted on the housing for movement inertially in response to a side impact in a direction opposite the direction of inertial movement of the handle mechanism, the counterweight including a surface positioned against a surface on the handle mechanism, the counterweight being mounted such that the counterweight surface pushes inertially against the handle mechanism surface in response to a side impact against the vehicle proximate the door handle assembly, whereby to inertially resist movement of the handle mechanism in an unlatching direction, and such that the counterweight surface is free to move inertially away from the handle mechanism surface in response to an impact against a side of the vehicle remote from the door handle assembly, whereby so as not to act to inertially urge the handle mechanism in a door unlatching direction; the handle mechanism comprising a handle and an actuator lever mounted for movement about a pivot axis; the handle mechanism surface being defined on the actuator lever; the counterweight being mounted for pivotal movement about the pivot axis; and the handle assembly including biasing means operative to push the counter-weight surface against the actuator lever surface.