Safety handle for trunk of vehicle

• US 6,086,131 A
• Filed: 03/24/1999
• Issued: 07/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bingle, Robert L., Koops, Roger L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pape, Joseph D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GUTMAN, HILARY L
• Application Number:
  US09/275,565
• Time in Patent Office: 475 Days
• Field of Search: 296/76, 362/488, 362/496, 362/501, 362/540, 362/276, 362/802, 362/464, 362/155, 292/347, 292/336.3, 292/DIG. 43, 292/DIG. 29, 292/1, 49/503
• US Class Current: 296/76
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• 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 81/64 Monitoring or sensing, e.g. by using switches or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/26 Emergency opening means for persons trapped in the luggage compartment
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/12 Inner door handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/57 Operators with knobs or handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/82 Knobs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8946 Emergency unlocking or release arrangements

Abstract

A safety release assembly for a trunk or compartment of a vehicle is provided which is positionable within the trunk or compartment space of the vehicle so as to allow for opening of the trunk or compartment lid from within the trunk or compartment. The safety assembly comprises a handle for activating a release mechanism of the lid in order to open the compartment, at least one illumination source, which is at least occasionally activated to provide illumination of the handle, and a control circuit for activating the illumination source in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event such as when the deck lid is closed, motion is sensed by a sensor within the trunk/compartment, an object having a predetermined temperature is detected within the trunk/compartment, or the like. The handle is interconnected with the release mechanism of the compartment, such that movement of the handle results in activation of the release mechanism and thus opening of the lid. The control circuit activates the illumination source for a predetermined period of time following occurrence of at least one activating event, and subsequently deactivates the illumination source upon completion of that time period. The handle of the present invention is designed for easy visibility in minimal lighting conditions and easy recognition even by a young child who may become trapped within the trunk space of the vehicle. This allows easy recognition and activation of the handle and release mechanism of the lid of the vehicle compartment in order to escape from within a trunk space.

Claims

1. An apparatus adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said apparatus being positionable within a compartment substantially enclosed by the deck lid, the compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said apparatus adapted for operation from the interior of the compartment when the deck lid is closed and comprising:

a handle for activating the release mechanism for opening the compartment, said handle having an attachment for interconnection with the release mechanism of the compartment;

at least one illumination source which is at least occasionally activated to provide illumination of said handle; and

a control circuit for activating said at least one illumination source in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event, said control circuit providing a time limitation which deactivates said illumination source a predetermined period of time following said at least one activating event.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one activating event is a closing of the compartment.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one activating event is at least one of an ignition of the vehicle being activated, an opening of at least one door of the vehicle and a closing of said at least one door of the vehicle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one activating event is movement of said handle.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said control circuit further activates at least one of a lock release, a horn and at least one auxiliary illumination source on the vehicle in response to said at least one activating event.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further including at least one of a motion sensor and a temperature sensor, said at least one activating event being at least one of a movement of said handle, a detection of a movement within the compartment by said motion sensor and a detection of a predetermined temperature of an object within the compartment by said temperature sensor.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said control circuit further activates at least one of an alarm, a lock release, a horn and at least one auxiliary illumination source on the vehicle in response to at least one of a movement of said handle, an output of said motion sensor and an output of said temperature sensor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one illumination source is also activated when the compartment is open in order to provide light to the interior space of the compartment.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control circuit is reset following said time limitation, said control circuit reactivating said at least one illumination source following a secondary activating event.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said secondary activating event is a movement of said handle.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 further including at least one of a motion sensor and a temperature sensor, said secondary activating event being at least one of a movement of said handle, a detection of a movement within the compartment by said motion sensor and a detection of a predetermined temperature of an object within the compartment by said temperature sensor.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said control circuit further activates at least one of an alarm, a lock release, a horn and at least one auxiliary illumination source on the vehicle in response to said secondary activating event.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle is a light color and is positioned on a dark background to provide a contrast in which said handle is highly visible when said at least one illumination source is activated.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one illumination source is a light emitting diode.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said at least one illumination source draws less than or equal to about 45 milliamps.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said at least one illumination source draws less than or equal to about 30 milliamps.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one illumination source comprises at least two light emitting diodes.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle at least partially provides a mechanical advantage which requires less than or equal to about 20 Newtons applied thereto in order to activate the release mechanism of the deck lid.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle at least partially provides a mechanical advantage which requires less than or equal to about 15 Newtons applied thereto in order to activate the release mechanism of the deck lid.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle at least partially provides a mechanical advantage which requires less than or equal to about 10 Newtons applied thereto in order to activate the release mechanism of the deck lid.

21. An apparatus adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said apparatus being positionable within a compartment substantially enclosed by the deck lid, the compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said apparatus adapted for operation from the interior of the compartment when the deck lid is closed and comprising:

a handle for activating the release mechanism for opening the compartment, said handle having an attachment for interconnection with the release mechanism, said handle being a first color which substantially contrasts with a second color of a background, said handle being mounted substantially adjacent said background;

at least one illumination source for providing illumination of said handle; and

a control circuit which at least temporarily activates said illumination source upon an occurrence of at least one activating event.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said apparatus includes a housing adapted to be positioned on an interior surface of the compartment, said handle being recessed within said housing.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said housing provides said background.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said at least one illumination source is recessed within said housing at a position spaced from said handle and provides illumination of said handle when said at least one illumination source is activated by said control circuit.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said first color is light and said second color is dark.

26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said first color of said handle is one of a bright yellow and a bright green color.

27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said handle comprises a phosphorescent material, such that said material of said handle provides illumination of said handle.

28. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said at least one illumination source is within said handle and provides illumination of said handle from therewithin.

29. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said at least one illumination source is located at a position remote from said handle and provides illumination of said handle from said position.

30. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said control circuit deactivates said at least one illumination source a predetermined amount of time following said occurrence of said at least one activating event.

31. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said handle at least partially provides a mechanical advantage which requires less than or equal to about 20 Newtons applied thereto in order to activate the release mechanism of the compartment.

32. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said handle at least partially provides a mechanical advantage which requires less than or equal to about 15 Newtons applied thereto in order to activate the release mechanism of the compartment.

33. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said handle at least partially provides a mechanical advantage which requires less than or equal to about 10 Newtons applied thereto in order to activate the release mechanism of the compartment.

34. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said at least one illumination source is a light emitting diode.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said at least one illumination source draws less than or equal to about 45 milliamps.

36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said at least one illumination source draws less than or equal to about 30 milliamps.

37. An apparatus adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said apparatus being positionable within a compartment substantially enclosed by the deck lid and adapted for operation from the interior of the compartment when the deck lid is closed, the compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said apparatus comprising:

a handle for activating the release mechanism for opening the compartment, said handle having an attachment for interconnection with the release mechanism of the compartment, said handle at least partially providing a mechanical advantage such that the release mechanism of the compartment may be activated upon exertion of less than or equal to about 20 Newtons in a predetermined direction on said handle;

at least one illumination source for providing illumination of said handle; and

a control circuit which at least temporarily activates said illumination source upon an occurrence of at least one activating event.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said handle at least partially provides a mechanical advantage which requires less than or equal to about 15 Newtons applied thereto in order to activate the release mechanism of the compartment.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said handle at least partially provides a mechanical advantage which requires less than or equal to about 10 Newtons applied thereto in order to activate the release mechanism of the compartment.

40. The apparatus of claim 37 further including a lever arm interconnected between said handle and the release mechanism of the compartment, said lever arm being pivoted about an axis by movement of said handle such that the release mechanism is activated.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein said handle and said lever arm cooperate to at least partially provide said mechanical advantage such that the compartment is openable upon exertion of less than or equal to about 20 Newtons on said handle.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein said handle and said lever arm cooperate to at least partially provide said mechanical advantage such that the compartment is openable upon exertion of less than or equal to about 15 Newtons on said handle.

43. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein said handle and said lever arm cooperate to at least partially provide said mechanical advantage such that the compartment is openable upon exertion of less than or equal to about 10 Newtons on said handle.

44. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein said lever arm and the release mechanism are interconnected by a release cable.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said handle, said lever arm and said release cable cooperate to provide said mechanical advantage such that the compartment is openable upon exertion of less than or equal to about 20 Newtons on said handle.

46. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said handle, said lever arm and said release cable cooperate to provide said mechanical advantage such that the compartment is openable upon exertion of less than or equal to about 15 Newtons on said handle.

47. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said handle, said lever arm and said release cable cooperate to provide a mechanical advantage such that the compartment is openable upon exertion of less than or equal to about 10 Newtons on said handle.

48. The apparatus of claim 37 further including a biasing member for biasing said handle into an initial position.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said biasing member is a torsional spring wound around a pivot axis of said handle.

50. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said apparatus includes a housing adapted to be mounted to an interior surface of the compartment, said handle being recessed within said housing.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said at least one illumination source is spaced from said handle and provides illumination of said handle.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein said at least one illumination source is mounted on said housing.

53. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said at least one illumination source is positioned within said handle and provides illumination of said handle from therewithin.

54. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said at least one illumination source is spaced from said handle and provides illumination of said handle.

55. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said at least one illumination source is positioned within said handle and provides illumination of said handle from therewithin.

56. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said control circuit activates said at least one illumination source upon each occurrence of said at least one activating event, said control circuit deactivating said at least one illumination source a predetermined amount of time following each occurrence of said at least one activating event.