Patent ID: 7686355

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; and an inertia element disposed between said spool and said lock cup, said inertia element including an elongated slot extending between first and second ends and receiving said pawl pin therewithin such that 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.