Patent Application
20100026018
This invention relates in general to a lock knob for covering an end of a lock rod protruding through a door of a motor vehicle. Figure shows a lock knob 10 according to the prior art. A first knob portion 12 includes a sleeve portion 14 for receiving an end of the lock rod (not shown). The first knob portion 12 engages a second knob portion 16 to define a cavity enclosing the end of the lock rod. The second lock portion 16 defines a window 18. The first and second knob portions 12, 16 are abutted against one another and a portion of the lock rod will be exposed in the window 18. The position of the combined first and second knob portions 12, 16 must be adjusted so that the a threaded portion of the lock rod will be exposed in the window 18. After this adjustment, a third knob portion 20 is inserted into the window 18. The third knob portion 20 includes a downwardly-facing threaded surface that engages the threaded portion of the lock rod. The third knob portion 20 will thus lock onto the threaded portion of the lock rod and will also lock the first and second knob portions 12, 16 together.
In summary, the invention is a lock knob for covering an end of a lock rod protruding through a door of a motor vehicle. The lock knob includes a first knob portion. The lock knob also includes a second knob portion. The lock knob also includes a multi-stage locking structure operable to engage the first knob portion and the second knob portion together in a first configuration. When the first and second knob portions are in the first configuration, the end of the lock rod can be slidably received between the first knob portion and the second knob portion. The multi-stage locking structure is also operable to engage the first knob portion and the second knob portion together in a second configuration. When the first and second knob portions are in the second configuration, the lock rod is fixed relative to the first knob portion and to the second knob portion.
Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in
The lock knob 22 also includes a second knob portion 34. The second knob portion 34 can be formed from plastic or any material sufficiently rigid to withstand the forces a lock knob is subjected to during use in the motor vehicle. The second knob portion 34 can include a sleeve 36 for receiving the lock rod 26. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second knob portion 34 is not visible in the passenger compartment, but could be in alternative embodiments of the invention.
The first and second knob portions 28, 34 can be assembled together for pivoting movement relative to one another. The first knob portion 28 can include an integrally-formed hook 38 and the second knob portion 34 can include an integrally-formed lip 40. The hook 38 can include a transverse wall 42 and first and second side walls 44,46. The lip 40 can be received adjacent to the transverse wall 42 and between the first and second side walls 44,46. To further solidify the connection between the hook 38 and the lip 40, a projection 48 can extend from an interior surface 50 of the first knob portion 28 and be received in a notch 52 defined in the lip 40.
The structures set forth above could be disposed in opposite manner; for example, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the lip 40 could be integral with the first knob portion 28. Alternatively, the structures need not be integral for practicing the broader invention. Furthermore, the exemplary first and second knob portions 28, 34 are discrete, separately-formed structures. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the first and second knob portions 28, 34 could be integrally-formed with a living hinge replacing or supplementing the hook 38 and lip 40.
The exemplary hook 38 and the lip 40 can cooperate to define a hinge connection between the first and second knob portions 28, 34. When coupled through the hook 38 and lip 40, the first and second knob portions 28, 34 can pivot relative to one another about a hinge axis 54, seen generally coming out of the page in
Now referencing
With reference to
With reference to
The multi-stage locking structure 66 is also operable to engage the first knob portion 28 and the second knob portion 34 together in a second configuration. The second configuration is shown in
The exemplary third detents 76 are larger than the first detents 72. This can be desirable in the exemplary embodiment of the invention because the first stage of the multi-stage locking structure 66 is generally intended to keep the first and second knob portions 28, 34 together for transport, whereas the second stage is generally intended to keep the first and second knob portions 28, 34 rigidly together to enhance the perception of quality by the occupant of the motor vehicle.
As evident from the drawings and the description above, the multi-stage locking structure 66 is spaced from the hinge connection. In addition, the first and second configurations are defined by a proximity of the first knob portion 28 and the second knob portion 34 along an arcuate path extending about the hinge axis 54. The post 60 is received in the turret 64 when the first and second knob portions 28, 34 are in both the first configuration and the second configuration. The cooperation between the post 60 and the turret 64 can ensure that the detents 72, 74, 76 properly engage one another.
The first knob portion 28 and the second knob portion 34 cooperate to define a cavity in the first configuration between the interior surface 50 of the first knob portion 28 and an interior surface 78 of the second knob portion 34. The turret 64 defines a protrusion that extends into the cavity. The turret 64 includes an outer surface that can act as an engaging surface 80, limiting movement of the distal end 24 of the lock rod 26 into the cavity. The exemplary engaging surface 80 is discontinuous, but could be continuous in alternative embodiments of the invention. The lock rod 26 can be moved into the cavity until the end 24 or the side of the lock rod 26 abuts the surface 80.
The exemplary lock rod 26 can include an outer surface portion 82 for engagement with the lock knob 22. The exemplary outer surface portion 82 can be unevenly shaped, such as with threads or serrations or a notch. One of the first knob portion 28 and the second knob portion 34 can define an inner surface portion 84 in the cavity that is shaped to correspond to the outer surface portion 82 of the lock rod 26. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the outer surface portion 82 bares threads and the inner surface portion 84 is integral with the first lock knob 28 and bares similarly sized threads. Thus, when the first knob portion 28 and the second knob portion 34 are in the second configuration, the lock rod 26 and the first knob portion 28 and the second knob portion 34 are locked together through the connection between the outer surface portion 82 and the inner surface portion 84. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the outer surface portion 82 or inner surface portion 84 could be smooth and the other surface portion could define a high coefficient of friction to keep the lock rod 26 and the first knob portion 28 and the second knob portion 34 locked together.
The distal end 24 and the outer surface portion 82 are spaced a first distance apart from one another. The engaging surface 80 of the turret/protrusion 64 and the inner surface portion 84 are also spaced the first distance apart from one another. Thus, when the lock rod 26 moves to an end limit of travel into the cavity, the outer surface portion 82 and the inner surface portion 84 are aligned and engage one another when the first and second knob portions 28, 34 are moved together, into the second configuration.
In operation, the first and second knob portions 28, 34 can be initially assembled through the hook 38 and lip 40 connection. The first and second knob portions 28, 34 can then be rotated closer together, through engagement between the post 60 and turret 64, and until the first stage of the multi-stage locking structure 66 is engaged. The combined first and second knob portions 28, 34 can then be shipped to a facility at which the door of a motor vehicle is assembled. The exemplary first and second knob portions 28, 34 will not come apart during typical shipment. When the first and second knob portions 28, 34 are in the first configuration, the end 24 of the lock rod 26 can be slidably received between the first knob portion 28 and the second knob portion 34. Thus, the combined first and second knob portions 28, 34 can be slipped over the end 24 of the lock rod 26 at the door assembly facility.
The lock rod 26 can be moved into the combined first and second knob portions 28, 34 until the end 24 or the side of the lock rod 26 abuts the engaging surface 80 of the turret 64. The first and second knob portions 28, 34 can then be pressed together, engaging the second stage of the multi-stage locking structure 66 and thus causing the first and second knob portions 28, 34 to be in the second configuration. When the first and second knob portions 28, 34 are in the second configuration, the lock rod 26 is fixed relative to the first knob portion 28 and to the second knob portion 34.
The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
