Hidden key cylinder

This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/775,085 filed Feb. 21, 2006.

The present invention relates to door locks for motor vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to key cylinders that engage and disengage the door locks.

Most automobiles today are equipped with a keyless entry system that enables the operator to press a button on his or her remote key fob to unlock the vehicle doors. This feature is so popular with consumers as to virtually eliminate the use of the key cylinders on the side of the door, trunk or hatch. However, for safety reasons, key cylinders are retained for emergency situations such as the failure of the vehicle's electrical system or if the remote key fob's battery dies.

If the door lock key cylinder is not used for long periods of time, it can become seized due to rust and dirt that enters the key cylinder from exposure to the elements. Additionally, door lock key cylinders are not pleasant to look at and hinder the overall look of the car door. It is therefore desired to provide a way to protect and hide the door lock key cylinders while still providing the necessary safety advantages that the key cylinders provide.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a handle assembly for a vehicle door. The handle assembly includes a handle body that is attached to the vehicle door. A key cylinder is mounted to the handle body and is operable to manually lock and unlock the vehicle door. A cover is provided that is movable between a covered position that hides the key cylinder from view and an open position that exposes the key cylinder.

The present invention provides a door lock assembly for hiding or exposing from view a vehicle door lock key cylinder. This device allows the door lock key cylinder to remain hidden and protected when not in use and become exposed when manual actuation of the key cylinder is necessary.

FIG. 1A shows an isolated view of a portion of a vehicle door featuring a handle assembly with a key cylinder cover in a closed position;

FIG. 1B shows an isolated view of a portion of the vehicle door shown in FIG. 1A , with the key cylinder cover in an opened position; and

FIG. 2 shows an isolated view of a portion of a vehicle door featuring a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1A , a portion of a vehicle door 10 is shown. Door 10 is typically a front side door on the vehicle, although other doors such as rear doors, hatches or trunk lids could also be used. Door 10 includes a curved handle 12 that includes ends 14 and 16 . Handle 12 operates in a conventional manner. Alternatively, an electronic sensor (not shown) can be integrated into handle 12 . If the handle 12 is grabbed while door 10 is unlocked, an electric actuator (not shown) releases the door latch to open door 10 . A concave recess 18 is provided in side door 10 between ends 14 and 16 to provide greater clearance for the user's hand.

A movable cover 20 is provided near end 14 of handle 12 and is shaped as to maintain a continuous profile with the curve of handle 12 . Cover 20 is manufactured from metal or plastic and is colored to match the color of handle 12 . In the presently illustrated embodiment, cover 20 slides between a closed position adjacent end 14 , shown in FIG. 1A , and an open position away from handle 12 , shown in FIG. 1B , thereby revealing a key cylinder 22 . A spring detent (not shown) retains cover 20 in the open position during use and keeps it normally closed. Key cylinder 22 is connected via rods or cables to the locking mechanism and is operable to engage or disengage the locks on side door 10 as part of a manual override. When key cylinder 22 is not in use, cover 20 is slid against end 14 , thereby hiding key cylinder 22 .

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention. Instead of sliding between the closed and open positions, cover 20 A pivots around an axis 24 that is perpendicular to handle 12 to reveal key cylinder 22 . Other methods of moving cover 20 to reveal key cylinder 20 , such as providing hinges at the end of cover 20 to pivot it away from side door 10 are also within the scope of the invention.