Outside door handle for a motor vehicle

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to articulating doors for motor vehicles, and more particularly to a handle for an articulating door of a motor vehicle.

#2. Discussion

#Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment which makes reference to the drawings of which:

#FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a handle assembly constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown incorporated into a passenger door of a motor vehicle.

#FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the handle assembly of the present invention.

#With initial reference to FIG. 1, a handle assembly constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown operatively associated with a handle assembly 10 of vehicle door 12. The vehicle door 12 shown is a passenger door for a minivan, sport utility or other vehicle 14, which is otherwise of conventional construction. The particular vehicle door 12 illustrated should be considered exemplary, as the teachings of the present invention are applicable for virtually any type of vehicle door.

#Prior to addressing the construction and operation of the handle assembly 10 of the present invention, a brief understanding of the exemplary vehicle door 12 is warranted. While not specifically shown, it will be understood that the vehicle door 12 is mounted to the body of the vehicle 14 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis adjacent the front side of the door 12. The vehicle door 12 is movable between an open position (not shown) and a closed position (shown in FIG. 1). The handle assembly 10 is interconnected with a latching mechanism 16 through a cable 18. The latching mechanism 16 is of conventional construction and operates to release a striker (not shown) carried by the vehicle body when activated to permit movement of the vehicle door 12 from its closed position.

#Turning now to FIGS. 2-8, the handle assembly of the present invention 10 will be described in detail. The handle assembly 10 is shown to generally include a handle proper 20, a base 22, a key lock housing 24 and a control linkage 26 interconnecting the handle proper 20 with the cable 18. As shown most specifically in FIGS. 2 and 4, the handle assembly 10 is mounted through a pair of apertures 30 provided in the vehicle door 12. Cutaway section 28 accommodates the rotating action of the control linkage 26. The base 22 includes a pair of rearwardly extending locating members 32 adapted to pass through apertures 30 and engage fasteners (not shown) in a conventional manner.