The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 15, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 29, 2001
Juliusz Kirejczyk, Richmond Hill, CA;
Douglas G. Overbury, Holland Landing, CA;
Krzysztof Groszkowski, Newmarket, CA;
Atoma International Corp., Newmarket, CA;
Abstract
A vehicle door lock assembly has a latch ( ) for mounting on a vehicle door. The latch ( ) has at least one release lever for effecting releasing of the latch and at least one locking lever ( ) for locking the latch, disabling the release lever, and unlocking the latch, enabling the release lever. A compound linkage ( ) operatively engages the locking lever ( ). A lock cylinder ( ) has a spindle ( ) which engages the linkage. The spindle ( ) rotates in response to keyed rotation of a matched key being received by the lock cylinder ( ) which drives the linkage ( ) to effect movement of the locking lever ( ). The spindle ( ) is axially slidable to disengage the spindle from the linkage. A hollow shield ( ) shrouds the locking lever ( ), the linkage ( ) and the engagement between the linkage and the spindle ( ), preventing access thereto. If the spindle is removed, the linkage will pivot away preventing manipulation thereof. The hollow shield ( ) also separates the linkage ( ) from the lock cylinder opening further minimizing unauthorized manipulation of the locking lever.