Automobile trunk lock

• US 4,080,812 A
• Filed: 12/14/1976
• Issued: 03/28/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Helen H. Knott
• Original Assignee: Helen H. Knott
• Inventors: Knott, Joseph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dorner, Kenneth J.
• Application Number:
  US05/750,377
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 292/216, 292/92, 292/93, 292/DIG. 42, 292/DIG. 43, 292/DIG. 65, 292/DIG. 71, 70/92, 70/240, 70/379, 70/380, 70/451, 70/DIG. 60, 70/372, 70/373, 70/391, 70/357, 70/362, 70/465, 70/256
• US Class Current: 70/256
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/16 Locks for luggage compartments, car boot lids or car bonnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/26 Emergency opening means for persons trapped in the luggage compartment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/43 Rear deck lid latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/65 Emergency or safety
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5973 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7672 Cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8946 Emergency unlocking or release arrangements

Abstract

An automobile trunk lock which permits the trunk to be opened from outside or inside thereof. One end of a release arm is connected to a cylinder lock in the trunk lid and the opposite end extends through the latch release of a latch mechanism. A key is engaged with the inner terminal of the release arm. Actuation of the cylinder lock by a key or rotation of the interior key effects rotation of the release arm about its longitudinal axis to trip the latch release to disengage the latch mechanism and open the trunk.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism for an automobile trunk lid having a brace member, a latch mechanism provided with a latch release supported by the brace member and a latch holder mounted on the automobile chassis for operative engagement with the latch release, the locking mechanism including:

(a) a lock housing fixedly mounted on the trunk lid

(b) a cylinder lock rotatably mounted partially within said lock housing

(c) said cylinder lock being provided with a slotted portion interiorly of the lock

(d) said slotted portion of the cylinder lock being provided with a transversely cut away section

(e) a release arm

(f) one end of said release arm being operatively engaged with the latch release of the latch mechanism for tripping the former to open the trunk lid, upon rotation of the release arm through an arc of approximately 90°

about its longitudinal axis

(g) the opposite end of said release arm being of hook shape

(h) said hook shape portion of the release arm extending into the transversely cut away section of said slotted portion

(i) key means for actuating said cylinder lock exteriorly of the trunk lid by rotating the cylinder lock relative to the lock housing and effecting a corresponding rotation of said release arm by virtue of the engagement of the hook end of the release arm thereof by that part of the slotted portion adjacent the transversely cut away section, and

(j) means connected with said one end of said release arm for rotating said release arm in an arc about its longitudinal axis relative to said cylinder lock while the latter is stationary, to trip the latch release and open the trunk lid.

2. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein:

(a) said cut away section extends through an arc of approximately 180°

of the slotted portion of said cylinder lock.

3. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein:

(a) said means comprises a key.

4. The locking mechanism of claim 1, with the addition of:

(a) a convolute spring positioned around the slotted portion of the cylinder lock, one end of the convolute spring being secured to the slotted portion thereof, and the other end thereof secured to said lock housing.