Glove compartment closing device

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a glove compartment closing device comprising an actuation handle (1) linked to the cover of the glove compartment (7) according to a shaft (2) parallel to the opening, a fixed latch (3) located inside the glove compartment (7) and fixed to the body of the dashboard (8) and a locking hook (5) located inside the glove compartment. The hook (5) can swing between a locking position on the latch (3) and a releasing position by means of actuating the handle (1), said hook (5) being formed by a bent extension of the handle (1) directed towards the latch (3) and which can be coupled thereto in the locking position, whereas in the releasing position, said hook is located under the latch. A spring (6) continuously driving said handle (1) to the locking position is arranged between the handle and the cover of the glove compartment (7).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] According to what is stated by the title of this specification, the present invention relates to an automotive vehicle glove compartment closing device by means of a simple and reliable combination of mechanical elements.

State of the Art

[0002] Devices requiring a high number of parts for assuring the closing of a glove compartment of a vehicle, especially of an automobile, are known.

[0003] Thus, document ES 2135280 T3 describes a locking mechanism with several parts joined to each other by links, increasing the probability of breakdown of the mechanism and of generating annoying noises during its use.

[0004] Glove compartment closing mechanisms incorporating devices as simple and reliable as the object of the present invention are not known by the applicant.

Description of the Invention

[0005] The glove compartment closing device described in this specification has a simple structure, with a limited number of moving parts, which has a bearing on its reliable and silent operation.

[0006] The device is formed by a closure actuating handle, formed by a body, projecting from which there is a hook, carried out in a bent extension, and a handgrip. This handle is joined to the glove compartment such that it can rotate around a shaft between two positions, a first locking position and a second releasing position.

[0007] In the locking position, the hook of the handle grips a latch fixed to the dashboard of the vehicle. The force necessary to maintain this position is provided by a spring obliging the handle to find this first position. This spring can be of several types, such as for example, a torsion spring wound around the rotation shaft of the handle.

[0008] The handle can have a second releasing position, for which it requires the user of the device to apply stress on the handgrip, causing the rotation of the handle and the sliding of the hook to a position in which it releases the latch, generally when the hook is located under said latch.

[0009] Once the latch is released from the hook, the glove compartment can be lowered by its own weight or as a consequence of the stress applied by the user for the rotation of the handle.

[0010] The handle has an inclined plane on the inner face of the hook which, when it collides against the latch in the closing movement of the glove compartment, makes the handle rotate so that it returns to its releasing position. Thus, the pushing of the glove compartment to its closed position is allowed, and once the latch is overcome, the hook returns to its original position, assuring the locking position.

Description of the Drawings

[0011] 

Figure 1 shows a glove compartment closing device according to the invention in its closed position.

Figure 2 shows a cross-section view of the device.

Description of an Embodiment

[0012] Figure 1 shows a glove compartment closing device according to the invention, in which the handle (1) joined by means of a rotation shaft (2) to the glove compartment (7) can be seen.

[0013] A spring (6) assures that the handle (1) has the tendency to extend from any position in which it is located towards a locking position, in which a hook (5) integral to the handle (1) retains a latch (3) joined to the body of the dashboard (8) through a support (4). This joining of the support (4) to the dashboard (8) can be regulated by means of a screw allowing the glove compartment (7) to always be in the correct position with respect to the dashboard (8).

[0014] Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the closing device of the invention, in which it can be seen that the handle (1) has a handgrip (9) which can be pulled by a user, causing the rotation of the assembly of handle (1) around the shaft (2) to a second releasing position.

[0015] In the locking position of the handle (1), the hook (5) hooks onto the latch (3), the spring (6) preventing the handle (1) from rotating to the releasing position due to the weight of the glove compartment (7) itself or the vibration of the moving vehicle.

[0016] Once a stress overcoming the resistance of the spring (6) has been applied by the user, the handle (1) moves into the releasing position, in which the hook (5) releases the latch (3) and the glove compartment (7) can be opened due to its own weight or due to the stress applied to the handgrip (9).

[0017] The handle (1) has an inclined plane on the inner face of the hook (5) which collides against the latch (3) in the closing movement of the glove compartment (7) and makes the handle (1) rotate so that it is temporarily located in its releasing position. Thus, the glove compartment (7) can reach its closed position and once the latch (3) is overcome, the hook (5) returns to its original position, assuring the locking position of the handle (1) thanks to the spring (6).

[0018] Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it must be stated that the arrangements hereinbefore indicated and depicted in the attached drawings are susceptible to modifications of details as long as they do not alter its fundamental principle.

Claims

1. A glove compartment closing device comprising an actuation handle (1) linked to the cover of the glove compartment (7), inside the same, according to a shaft (2) parallel to the opening; a fixed latch (3) located inside the glove compartment (7) and fixed to the body of the dashboard (8); and a locking hook (5) located inside the glove compartment, the hook (5) of which can swing, between a locking position on the latch (3) and a releasing position by means of actuating the handle (1), characterized in that the locking hook (5) is formed by a bent extension of the handle (1) directed towards the latch (3) and which can be coupled thereto in the locking position, whereas in the releasing position, said hook is located under the latch; and in that a spring (6) continuously driving said handle (1) to the locking position is arranged between the handle and the cover of the glove compartment (7).

Drawing