Automotive vehicle storage compartment release mechanism

• US 6,135,514 A
• Filed: 09/13/1999
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Inteva Products LLC (Renco Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Danko, Daniel William, Kowalewski, Thomas Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ESTREMSKY, GARY WAYNE
• Application Number:
  US09/396,680
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 292/336.3, 292/216, 292/DIG. 38, 292/DIG. 43, 292/DIG. 63, 292/DIG. 65, 292/DIG. 71, 292/125, 292/225, 292/171, 292/DIG. 62, 362/84, 362/100, 362/496, 362/501
• US Class Current: 292/216
• 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 79/20 using flexible connections, e.g. Bowden cables
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/84 using manually operated generator means
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/86 using capacitors
• 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 292/62 Lost motion connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1057 Flexible

Abstract

Latch release mechanism for a latch of the lid of a trunk storage compartment of an automobile. A detent retains the latch in a latching position holding the lid closed. The detent can be withdrawn from the latch-retaining position enabling the latch to be moved by a spring to the release position permitting the lid to be opened. A cable within the trunk can be used to withdraw the detent. An electric charge storage device is charged in response to movement of the trunk lid from closed to open position. A light-emitting device is energized by the electric charge storage device to illuminate the trunk for a period of time after the trunk lid is closed to make it easy for a person to find and operate the cable.

Claims

1. The combination of a vehicle storage compartment and a latch release mechanism for a latch of a lid of the vehicle storage compartment), the latch when moved to a release position permitting the lid to be moved from closed to open position relative to the compartment, comprising:

a detent movable from a latch-retaining position retaining the latch in a latching position holding the lid in closed position to a retracted position enabling the latch to be moved to the release position to permit the lid to be moved to the open position thereof,

means for moving the latch to the release position thereof when said detent is moved to its retracted position, and

first actuator means manually operable from a position within the compartment for moving the detent from the latch-retaining position to the retracted position thereof,

the first actuator means including an elongated flexible cable that has a first end attached to the detent and a second end attached to a fixed anchor within the compartment,

the first end being attached to the detent by a lost motion connection comprising a pin and an elongated slot.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for moving the latch to the latch release position includes a spring that has an arm bearing against the detent urging the detent toward its latch-retaining position.

3. The combination of a vehicle storage compartment and a latch release mechanism for a latch of the lid of a vehicle storage compartment, the latch when moved to a release position permitting the lid to be moved from closed to open position relative to the compartment, comprising:

a detent movable from a latch-retaining position retaining the latch in a latching position holding the lid in closed position to a retracted position enabling the latch to be moved to the release position to permit the lid to be moved to the open position thereof,

means for moving the latch to the release position thereof when said detent is moved to its retracted position, and

first actuator means manually operable from a position within the compartment for moving said detent from the latch-retaining position to the retracted position thereof,

the first actuator means including an elongated flexible cable, and

means for illuminating the compartment after the lid is moved from the open to the closed position thereof, the means for illuminating the compartment having an electric charge storage device, means for charging the electric storage device in response to movement of the lid from closed to open position, and a light emitting device operated by the electric charge storage device.

4. The combination of a vehicle storage compartment and a latch release mechanism for a latch of a lid of the vehicle storage compartment, the latch when moved to a release position permitting the lid to be moved from closed to open position relative to the compartment, comprising:

a detent movable from a latch-retaining position retaining the latch in a latching position holding the lid in closed position to a retracted position enabling the latch to be moved to the release position to permit the lid to be moved to the open position thereof,

means for moving the latch to the release position thereof when the detent is moved to its retracted position,

first actuator means manually operable from a position within the compartment for moving said detent from the latch-retaining position to the retracted position thereof,

second actuator means operable from a position outside said compartment for moving the detent from the latch-retaining position to the retracted position thereof,

the first actuator means including an elongated flexible cable having a first end connected to a first arm of the detent by a lost motion connection, and

the second actuator means comprises a pivoted cam engagable with a second arm of the detent, and

the cable having a second end secured to a fixed anchor, and

the first end being connected to the first arm of the detent by a lost motion connection so that the second actuator means can move the detent back and forth between from the latch retaining position and the retracted position thereof without disturbing the elongated flexible cable.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4, wherein the means for moving the latch to the latch release position includes a spring that has an arm bearing against the detent urging the detent toward its latch-retaining position, the spring having a second arm bearing against the detent urging the detent toward its latch-retaining position.

6. The combination as defined in claim 5 further including means for illuminating the compartment after the lid is moved from the open to the closed position thereof.

7. The means for illuminating the compartment includes

the combination of a vehicle storage compartment and a latch release mechanism for a latch of a lid of the vehicle storage compartment, the latch when moved to a release position permitting the lid to be moved from closed to open position relative to the compartment, comprising:

a detent movable from a latch-retaining position retaining the latch in a latching position holding the lid in closed position to a retracted position enabling the latch to be moved to the release position to permit the lid to be moved to the open position thereof,

means for moving the latch to the release position thereof when said detent is moved to its retracted position,

first actuator means manually operable from a position within the compartment for moving the detent from the latch-retaining position to the retracted position thereof, and

second actuator means operable from a position outside the compartment for moving the detent from the latch-retaining position to the retracted position thereof,

the first actuator means including an elongated flexible cable having a first end connected to a first arm of the detent by a lost motion connection, and said second actuator means having a pivoted cam engagable with a second arm of said detent,

the cable having a second end secured to a fixed anchor,

the means for moving the latch to the latch release position including a spring that has an arm bearing against the detent urging the detent toward its latch-retaining position, the spring having a second arm bearing against the detent urging the detent toward its latch retaining position, and

means for illuminating the compartment after the lid is moved from the open to the closed position thereof, including an electric charge storage device, means for charging the electric charge storage device in response to movement of the lid from the closed to open position, and a light-emitting device operated by the electric charge storage device.