Door latch assemblies for vehicles including latch release lever blocking structures
US11060326B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 28, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE05B79/20
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A door latch assembly includes a door handle, a latch release lever operatively coupled to the door handle and having a plane of rotation, and a latch release lever blocking structure operable to block rotation of the latch release lever through the plane of rotation. The latch release lever blocking structure includes a bracket body and a catch arm extending from the bracket body to a catch end. The latch release lever blocking structure is spaced from the plane of rotation of the latch release lever during normal operating conditions. The latch release lever blocking structure is configured to deform in the vehicle longitudinal direction when acted upon by an impact force such that the catch arm moves into the plane of rotation of the latch release lever and the catch end catches the latch release lever to prevent the latch release lever from rotating to an unlatched position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.