Patent ID: 7143477

Claim:
A handle catch retainer for a door handle assembly, the handle assembly including an inner support member coupled with the door, a handle disposed at least partially about the support member, and a catch configured to couple the handle with the support member, the retainer comprising: a base disposeable within the support member and including a generally tubular body, the base tubular body having a central longitudinal axis, an enclosed sidewall extending circumferentially about the axis and an opening extending through the sidewall; and a holder connected with the base, configured to support the catch, and moveable between first and second positions with respect to the base such that the catch is engageable with the handle when the holder is at the first position and the catch is nonengageable with the handle when the holder is at the second position, the retainer being configured so that the holder is generally biased toward the first position, the holder including an elongated body having a first end connected with the tubular body and a second end configured to support the catch, the holder body being disposeable within the sidewall opening so as to extend generally parallel with respect to the tubular body axis.