Automobile trunk lid release

• US 5,711,559 A
• Filed: 10/31/1995
• Issued: 01/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roland L. Davis
• Original Assignee: Roland L. Davis
• Inventors: Davis, Roland L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lindsey, Rodney M.
• Application Number:
  US08/551,069
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 292/340, 292/92, 292/DIG. 65
• US Class Current: 292/340
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/10 Illuminating devices on or for locks or keys; Transparent or translucent lock parts; Indicator lights
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0053 with safety release from inside by releasing the striker E05B63/246; similar means for safe doors E05B65/0078
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 19/08 Hasps; Hasp fastenings; Spring catches therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/65 Emergency or safety
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/68 Keepers

Abstract

A safety release mechanism for releasing a trunk lid of an automobile from within the trunk, the trunk lid including a latch for engaging a staple adapted for mounting on a standard inside the trunk of the automobile, comprises a single threaded attachment element for coupling the staple to the standard. The attachment element has an enlarged handle positioned for grasping by a person'"'"'s hand from within the trunk for rotating the attachment element to release the staple from the standard.

Claims

1. A safety release mechanism for releasing a trunk lid of an automobile from within a trunk thereof, the trunk lid including a latch for engaging a staple adapted for mounting on a standard inside the trunk of the automobile, the improvement comprising a single threaded attachment means for coupling the staple to the standard, the attachment means having an enlarged handle positioned for grasping by a person'"'"'s hand from within the trunk for rotating the attachment means to release the staple from the standard.

2. The safety release mechanism of claim 1 wherein the staple includes an eye ring connected to a staple plate, said attachment means including a threaded end for passing through the standard and into a threaded aperture in said plate and further including a non-threaded portion for reacting against the standard.

3. The safety release mechanism of claim 2 wherein said staple plate includes a second aperture adapted for receiving an unthreaded stud for preventing rotation of said plate about said threaded aperture.

4. A trunk lid release system for a trunk lid of a trunk of an automobile, the trunk lid being latched in a closed position by a latching mechanism engaging an eye ring of a staple, the staple being mounted on a standard within the trunk, the improvement comprising apparatus for releasably coupling the staple to the standard whereby the staple can be manually released from the standard without use of any tool.