Patent ID: 8408612

Claim:
A locking device for a handle assembly of a motor vehicle door including a base and a handle portion, said locking device comprising: a lock cup fixedly secured to the base and having a plurality of teeth; a spool rotatably coupled to said lock cup and operably connected to the handle portion, said spool having a pawl rotatably mounted thereto, said pawl including a pawl pin extending out therefrom; an inertia element disposed within said lock cup and rotatable out of a rest position upon rotation of said spool, said inertia element including an elongated slot extending between first and second ends for receiving said pawl pin therewithin; and a spring extending between said spool and said inertia element, said spring biasing said inertia element towards said rest position; whereby upon acceleration of the handle assembly below a predetermined threshold said inertia element rotates with said spool and the handle portion moves relative to the base to allow opening of the door, and upon acceleration of the handle assembly above the predetermined threshold said inertia element lags rotation of said spool and forces said pawl pin to said second end of said elongated slot to urge said pawl into engagement with one of said plurality of teeth on said lock cup to stop movement of the handle portion relative to the base and prevent the door from opening.