# US 11,078,693 B2 · Cover for side door release handle

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- Number: US 11,078,693 B2
- Document ID: US11078693B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/172,070
- Filed: 2018-10-26
- Published: 2020-04-30
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2018-10-26
- Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
- Inventors: Jeffrey L. Konchan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11078693B2

## CPC

- E05B 77/04: Preventing unwanted lock actuation, e.g. unlatching, at the moment of collision
- E05B 81/90: Manual override in case of power failure
- B60R 13/0275: {comprising removable or hinged parts (for accessing storage compartments B60R7/04; for airbag deployment B60R21/215)}
- E05B 13/001: {Covers preventing access to handles or keys}
- E05B 13/002: {locking the handle (E05B13/10, E05B47/0657 take precedence)}
- E05B 77/06: by means of inertial forces
- E05B 85/14: Handles pivoted about an axis parallel to the wing
- E05B 79/20: using flexible connections, e.g. Bowden cables
- E05B 81/76: Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles
- E05B 85/12: Inner door handles
- E05Y 2900/53: Type of wing
- E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF

## Abstract

An apparatus for preventing inadvertent actuation of a door release handle of a motor vehicle includes a cover with a lip that engages with an edge of an opening in an inner body panel, and at least one rib attached to the cover, the at least one rib being positioned relative to the door release handle to prevent actuation of the handle when the cover is positioned in the opening of the inner body panel.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for preventing inadvertent actuation of a door release handle of a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a cover with a lip that engages with an edge of an opening in an inner body panel;
at least one rib attached to the cover, the at least one rib being positioned relative to the door release handle to prevent actuation of the handle when the cover is positioned in the opening of the inner body panel; and
a micro-switch that detects when the cover has been removed from the inner body panel, a back office being notified to indicate that the door release handle is accessible when the cover has been removed from the inner body panel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover pivots about the edge of the opening in the inner body panel to provide access to the door release handle.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cover has a slot for placement of fingers to pull the cover away from the inner body panel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the door release handle is attached to an outer body panel, the door release handle being movable in a pivotal manner relative to the outer body panel to release one or more latches to open the door when the cover and the one or more ribs pulled away from the inner body panel.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a tether that is attached to the inner body panel and the cover.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the micro-switch detects that the cover has been removed, an internal audible warning is issued to indicate that the door release handle is accessible.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the back office notifies emergency responders.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the back office issues instructions to the motor vehicle to safely stop and park.

### Claim 9

An apparatus for preventing inadvertent actuation of a door release handle of a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a cover with a lip that engages with an edge of an opening in an inner body panel;
at least one rib attached to the cover, the at least one rib being positioned relative to the door release handle to prevent actuation of the handle when the cover is positioned in the opening of the inner body panel; and
a micro-switch that detects when the cover has been removed from the inner body panel, an internal audible warning being issued to indicate that the door release handle is accessible when the cover has been removed from the inner body panel.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein when the micro-switch detects that the cover has been removed, a back office is notified that the door release handle is accessible.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the back office notifies emergency responders.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the back office issues instructions to the motor vehicle to safely stop and park.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cover has a slot for placement of fingers to pull the cover away from the inner body panel.