Handle for vehicle doors with reinforced frame

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a handle for vehicle doors, and in particular a handle with a reinforced frame for protecting the lock from lock-picking attempts.

[0002] Vehicle door handles are known for example from documents EP 1 939 379 A1 and EP 1 277 900 A1.

[0003] Known vehicle handles comprise a frame provided with an outer wall with a seat for housing a lock, so that a portion of the lock protrudes outside the door of a vehicle. Said lock however can be tampered by thieves by acting directly on it from the outside with suitable tools.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a handle, which is free from said disadvantages. Said object is achieved with a handle, whose main features are disclosed in the first claim, while other features are disclosed in the remaining claims.

[0005] Thanks to the particular metal cover and to the fixing system of the lock to the frame, the handle according to the present invention is very resistant to thieves' attacks, with a resistance to tensile stress and/or compression even greater than 40000 N.

[0006] Furthermore, the handle according to the present invention is easy and fast to be mounted and is provided with arrangements for preventing the handle assembly and/or disassembly in an incorrect manner, for example with a loss of parts.

[0007] The outer portion of the lock can be also covered by the grip of the handle, so as to improve the aesthetic aspect of the handle.

[0008] Further advantages and features of the handle according to the present invention will become clear to those skilled in the art from the following detailed and non-limiting description of an embodiment thereof with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

• figure 1 shows a front view of the handle;
• figure 2 shows a top view of the handle of figure 1;
• figure 3 shows a rear view of the handle of figure 1;
• figure 4 shows section IV-IV of figure 3; and
• figure 5 shows an exploded view of the handle of figure 1.

[0009] Referring to figures 1 to 5, it is seen that the handle according to the present invention comprises in a known way a frame 1 suitable to be fixed behind the outer surface of a door 2 (shown with broken lines in figures 2 and 4) of a motor vehicle. A substantially C-shaped counterweight 3 is pivoted to a side of frame I through a shaft 4 for rotating around a first axis 5. Elastic means 6, in particular a helical spring coaxially inserted on shaft 4, urge counterweight 3 toward a rest position. A grip 7 is mechanically connected to counterweight 3 by means of an appendix 8 protruding into frame 1 and a shaped extension 9. Appendix 8 and shaped extension 9 are inserted in corresponding seats of counterweight 3.

[0010] Frame 1 is provided with a seat 10 for housing a lock 11. An outer portion of lock 11 protrudes from frame 1 and is covered by grip 7, in particular by a cavity 12 made in grip 7, which can be provided with an opening for inserting a key into lock 11. Frame 1 is provided with one or more holes 13, 14 for screws 15, 16 to be screwed into threaded holes 17, 18 made in lock 11, so that frame 1 is comprised between the heads of screws 15, 16 and lock 11. In particular, a first hole 13 is made in a wall of a shaped portion 19 of frame 1, which wall is inclined with an angle a comprised between 0° and 45° with respect to an outer wall 20 of frame 1 crossed by lock 11 and suitable for being arranged adjacent to the inner surface of door 2. A second hole 14 is made in seat 10 for lock 11. The inner surface of outer wall 20 of frame 1 is provided with one or more stops 21, 22 suitable for retaining screws 15, 16 in holes 13, 14. Holes 13 and/or 14 are provided with metal bushings 23, 24 crossed by screws 15, 16.

[0011] A metal cover 25 provided with an opening 26 for lock 11 is fixed on outer wall 20 of frame 1 by means of one or more snap couplings 27, 28 arranged along the sides of metal cover 25 and frame 1. A gasket 29 can be arranged between metal cover 25 and a flange 30 made in the outer portion of lock 11. Screw 15 crossing first hole 13 of frame 1 crosses also a hole 31 made in a shaped portion 32 of metal cover 25 which has substantially the same shape of shaped portion 19 of frame 1. Metal cover 25 can be provided with further holes 33 for being fixed to outer wall 20 of frame 1 by means of self-tapping screws.

[0012] The handle according to the present invention is applied to door 2 without grip 7 and lock 11, after which lock 11 is inserted from the outside into its seat 10 of frame 1 and is fixed to the latter by tightening screws 15, 16. Bushings 23, 24 contact with lock 11, thereby forming a single metal block. After lock 11 is fixed, shaped extension 9 and appendix 8 of grip 7 are inserted into their seats of counterweight 3, after which the mechanical connection between grip 7 and counterweight 3 is carried out.

[0013] Possible modifications and/or additions may be made by those skilled in the art to the hereinabove disclosed and illustrated embodiment while remaining within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Vehicle door handle, which comprises a frame (I) provided with an outer wall (20) with a seat (10) for housing a lock (11), characterized in that a metal cover (25) provided with an opening (26) for the lock (11) is fixed onto the outer wall (20) of the frame (1), which is provided with one or more holes (13, 14) for screws (15, 16) to be screwed in threaded holes (17, 18) made in the lock (11), so that the frame (1) is comprised between the heads of the screws (15, 16) and the lock (11).

2. Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that a first hole (13) is made in a wall of a shaped portion (19) of the frame (1), which wall is inclined with an angle (a) comprised between 0° and 45° with respect to said outer wall (20) of the frame (I).

3. Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that the screw (15) crossing the first hole (13) of the frame (1) crosses also a hole (31) made in a shaped portion (32) of the metal cover (25) which has substantially the same shape of the shaped portion (19) of the frame (1).

4. Handle according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that a second hole (14) is made in the seat (10) for the lock (11).

5. Handle according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the inner surface of the outer wall (20) of the frame (1) is provided with one or more stops (21, 22) suitable for retaining the screws (15, 16) in the holes (13, 14).

6. Handle according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the holes (13,14) are provided with metal bushings (23, 24) crossed by the screws (15, 16).

7. Handle according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the metal cover (25) is fixed on the outer wall (20) of the frame (1) by means of one or more snap couplings (27, 28) arranged along the sides of the metal cover (25) and of the frame (1).

8. Handle according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the metal cover (25) is provided with further holes (33) for being fixed to the outer wall (20) of the frame (1) by means of self-tapping screws.

9. Handle according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that a grip (7) is pivoted to the frame (1) and covers an outer portion of the lock (11) which protrudes from the frame (1).

10. Handle according to the previous claim, characterized in that the outer portion of the lock (11) is covered by a cavity (12) made in the grip (7).

Ansprüche

1. Fahrzeugtürgriff, der einen Rahmen (1) umfasst, der mit einer Außenwand (20) mit einem Sitz (10) für die Unterbringung eines Schlosses (11) versehen ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass an der Außenwand (20) des Rahmens (1) eine Metallabdeckung (25), die mit einer Öffnung (26) für das Schloss (11) versehen ist, befestigt ist, die mit einem oder mehreren Löchern (13, 14) für Schrauben (15, 16), die in Gewindelöcher (17, 18) geschraubt werden sollen, die im Schloss (11) ausgebildet sind, versehen ist, so dass der Rahmen (1) zwischen den Köpfen der Schrauben (15, 16) und dem Schloss (11) enthalten ist.

2. Griff nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein erstes Loch (13) in einer Wand eines geformten Abschnitts (19) des Rahmens (1) ausgebildet ist, wobei die Wand unter einem Winkel (a) im Bereich von 0° bis 45° in Bezug auf diese Außenwand (20) des Rahmens (1) geneigt ist.

3. Griff nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schraube (15), die durch das erste Loch (13) des Rahmens (1) verläuft, auch durch ein Loch (31) verläuft, das in einem geformten Abschnitt (32) der Metallabdeckung (25) ausgebildet ist, der im Wesentlichen die gleiche Form wie der geformte Abschnitt (19) des Rahmens (1) besitzt.

4. Griff nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass in dem Sitz (10) für das Schloss (11) ein zweites Loch (14) ausgebildet ist.

5. Griff nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die innere Oberfläche der Außenwand (20) des Rahmens (1) mit einem oder mehreren Anschlägen (21, 22) versehen ist, die die Schrauben (15, 16) in den Löchern (13, 14) halten können.

6. Griff nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Löcher (13, 14) mit Metallbuchsen (23, 24) versehen sind, durch die die Schrauben (15, 16) verlaufen.

7. Griff nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Metallabdeckung (25) an der Außenwand (20) des Rahmens (1) mittels einer oder mehrerer Einrastkupplungen (27, 28) befestigt ist, die längs der Seiten der Metallabdeckung (25) und des Rahmens (1) angeordnet sind.

8. Griff nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Metallabdeckung (25) mit weiteren Löchern (33) versehen ist, um an der Außenwand (20) des Rahmens (1) mittels Schneidschrauben befestigt zu werden.

9. Griff nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass am Rahmen (1) ein Greifmittel (7) angelenkt ist, das einen äußeren
Abschnitt des Schlosses (11) abdeckt, der von dem Rahmen (1) vorsteht.

10. Griff nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der äußere Abschnitt des Schlosses (11) durch einen im Greifmittel (7) ausgebildeten Hohlraum (12) abgedeckt ist.

Revendications

1. Poignée de porte de véhicule, qui comprend un cadre (1) pourvu d'une paroi extérieure (20) dotée d'un logement (10) destiné à loger un verrou (11), caractérisée en ce qu'un couvercle métallique (25) pourvu d'une ouverture (26) pour le verrou (11) est fixé sur la paroi extérieure (20) du cadre (1) qui est pourvu d'un ou de plusieurs trous (13, 14) pour des vis (15, 16) destinées à être vissées dans des trous filetés (17, 18) ménagés dans le verrou (11), de telle sorte que le verrou (1) soit compris entre les têtes des vis (15, 16) et le verrou (11).

2. Poignée selon la revendication précédente, caractérisée en ce qu'un premier trou (13) est ménagé dans une paroi d'une partie façonnée (19) du cadre (1), laquelle paroi est inclinée suivant un angle (a) compris entre 0° et 95° par rapport à ladite paroi extérieure (20) du cadre (1).

3. Poignée selon la revendication précédente, caractérisée en ce que la vis (15) traversant le premier trou (13) du cadre (1) traverse également un trou (31) ménagé dans une partie façonnée (32) du couvercle métallique (25) qui présente essentiellement la même forme que la partie façonnée (19) du cadre (1).

4. Poignée selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'un deuxième trou (14) est ménagé dans le logement (10) pour le verrou (11).

5. Poignée selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la surface intérieure de la paroi extérieure (20) du cadre (1) est pourvue d'une ou de plusieurs butées (21, 22) appropriées pour retenir les vis (15, 16) dans les trous (13, 14).

6. Poignée selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les trous (13, 14) sont pourvus de douilles métalliques (23, 24) traversées par les vis (15, 16).

7. Poignée selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le couvercle métallique (25) est fixé sur la paroi extérieure (20) du cadre (1) au moyen d'un ou de plusieurs accouplements encliquetables (27, 28) placés le long des côtés du couvercle métallique (25) et du cadre (1).

8. Poignée selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le couvercle métallique (25) est pourvu de trous supplémentaires (33) pour être fixé à la paroi extérieure (20) du cadre (1) au moyen de vis autotaraudeuses.

9. Poignée selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'un élément de préhension (7) est monté pivotant sur le cadre (1) et recouvre une partie extérieure du verrou (11) qui fait saillie à partir du cadre (1).

10. Poignée selon la revendication précédente, caractérisée en ce que la partie extérieure du verrou (11) est recouverte par une cavité (12) pratiquée dans l'élément de préhension (7).

Drawing