Patent ID: 7407203

Claim:
An exterior door handle assembly mounted to a door of a vehicle, said exterior door handle assembly comprising: a base portion mountable to the vehicle door so as to be at an exterior portion of the vehicle door and at an exterior side of the vehicle, at least a portion of said base portion extending laterally outwardly from the exterior side of the vehicle when said base portion is mounted to the door of the vehicle; a handle portion configured to pivotally attach to the vehicle door and pivotable between an initial position, where said handle portion is positioned generally along the exterior portion of the vehicle door, and an actuating position, where said handle portion is pivoted away from the exterior portion of the vehicle door; and a lever portion pivotally mounted to said base portion, said lever portion including a counterweight and a connector arm, said connector arm engaging said handle portion and connecting to a release mechanism of the vehicle door, a substantial portion of said counterweight being within said base portion and external of the exterior portion of the vehicle door when said handle portion is in said initial position, said lever portion pivoting in response to pivotal movement of said handle portion, whereby pivotal movement of said handle portion toward said actuating position pivots said lever portion and actuates the release mechanism to open the vehicle door.