U.S. patent number RE31,899 [Application Number 06/530,257] was granted by the patent office on 1985-05-28 for remote control arrangement.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Haruo Mochida.
United States Patent |
RE31,899 |
Mochida |
May 28, 1985 |
Remote control arrangement
Abstract
A stopper is provided on the inner wire of a Bowden cable type
arrangement. The stopper allows the wire to be pulled in a first
axial direction to operate one of two latch mechanisms and engages
a shoulder defined in the second latch mechanism when driven in a
second axial direction to produce a reaction which causes the
tubular housing disposed about the wire between the second latch
mechanism and a single handled actuating mechanism, to flex and
pull a lever of the second latch mechanism for operating same,
whereby a single lever can be used to selectively operate two
different mechanisms. .Iadd.
Inventors: |
Mochida; Haruo (Yokohama,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
(Yokohama, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
26334878 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/530,257 |
Filed: |
September 8, 1983 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
222454 |
Jan 5, 1981 |
04374597 |
Feb 22, 1983 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
292/8;
292/336.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16C
1/10 (20130101); F16C 1/16 (20130101); G05G
9/02 (20130101); E05B 79/20 (20130101); E05B
83/16 (20130101); F16C 2350/52 (20130101); Y10T
292/0807 (20150401); Y10T 292/57 (20150401); E05B
83/34 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E05B
53/00 (20060101); F16C 1/16 (20060101); F16C
1/10 (20060101); G05G 9/00 (20060101); G05G
9/02 (20060101); E05C 009/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;292/8,28,38,50,336.3
;74/471R,51R,471XY |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1575679 |
|
Oct 1966 |
|
DE |
|
2039319 |
|
Aug 1980 |
|
GB |
|
1582435 |
|
Jan 1981 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Moore; Richard E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Schwartz, Jeffery, Schwaab, Mack,
Blumenthal & Koch
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A remote control arrangement comprising:
a first mechanism having a stationary member and a movable member
for actuating said first mechanism;
a second mechanism having a stationary member and a movable member
for actuating said second mechanism;
a wire connected at one end to the movable member of said first
mechanism and which is slidably disposed through the stationary
member of said second mechanism;
an actuating mechanism having a stationary member and a lever, said
lever being operatively connected to the other end of said wire for
selectively moving said wire in first and second axial directions,
the movable member of said first mechanism being moved to operate
said first mechanism upon said wire being moved in said first axial
direction;
a first flexible housing disposed about said wire, said first
houring being connected at one end to the stationary member of said
actuating mechanism and at the other end of the movable member of
said second mechanism;
a second flexible housing disposed about said wire, said second
housing being connected at one end to the stationary member of said
second mechanism and at the other end to the stationary member of
said first mechanism; and
a stopper fixed on said wire and adapted to abut the stationary
member of said second mechanism when said wire is driven in said
second axial direction.
2. A remote control arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
first mechanism takes the form of a latch mechanism and a lid, said
latch mechanism having a base which defines said stationary member
and a detent lever which defines said movable member, said detent
lever being pivotally mounted on said base member and biased in a
direction to engage a lock bar of said lid, said wire being formed
with a bead at the end thereof which seats an aperture formed in
said detent lever, said aperture and said bead defining a lost
motion connection which allows said detent lever to rotate in the
rotational direction induced therein by the movement of said wire
in said first axial direction.
3. A remote control arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
second mechanism takes the form of a second latch mechanism and a
second lid which cooperates with said second latch mechanism, said
second latch mechanism including a base member including means
defining a stepped bore through which said wire is disposed, said
stepped bore defining a shoulder against which said stopper engages
when said wire is moved in said second axial direction, the
engagement between said shoulder and said stopper inducing a
reaction in said wire which causes said first flexible housing to
flex and to pull a lever pivotally mounted on said base member,
which lever defines said movable member of said second
mechanism.
4. A remote control arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
actuating mechanism takes the form of a base member formed with a
stepped bore, a slidable member disposed in said bore, said
slidable member being fixedly secured to said lever for synchronous
movement therewith and operatively connected with said wire, said
slidable member having a spring loaded ball which seatably engages
in indents formed in said stepped bore for holding said slidable
member in one of a neutral, first and second axial positions.
.Iadd.
5. A remote control arrangement comprising:
a first mechanism;
a second mechanism;
a wire operatively connected at one end to said first mechanism and
which is slidably disposed through said second mechanism;
an actuating mechanism having a stationary member and a lever
operatively connected to the other end of said wire for selectively
moving said wire in first and second axial directions, said first
mechanism being operated when said wire is moved in said first
axial direction;
a first flexible housing disposed about said wire between said
actuating mechanism and said second mechanism, said first flexible
housing being operatively connected to said second mechanism;
a second flexible housing disposed about said wire between said
second mechanism and said first mechanism, and
a stopper fixed on said wire and adapted to abut a stationary
member of said second mechanism when said wire is moved in said
second axial direction, said second mechanism being operated when
said wire is moved in said second axial direction. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.
6. A remote control arrangement comprising:
a wire;
actuating means connected to said wire for selectively moving said
wire in first and second axial directions;
a first mechanism operatively connected to said wire at a location
remote from said actuating means, said first mechanism being
operated when said wire is moved in said first axial direction;
a second mechanism disposed on said wire intermediate said
actuating means and said first mechanism;
a flexible housing disposed about said wire, said flexible housing
being operatively connected to said second mechanism, and
stop means on said wire adjacent said second mechanism for
preventing movement of said wire with respect to a stationary
member of said second mechanism in said second axial direction;
whereby manipulation of said actuating means to move said wire in
said second axial direction causes a displacement of said housing
which operates said second mechanism. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
7. A remote control arrangement according to claim 6 further
comprising a second flexible housing disposed on said wire between
said first mechanism and said second mechanism. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8.
A remote arrangement mechanism according to claim 6 wherein said
first mechanism comprises a latch comprising a stationary member
and a movable member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. A remote control
arrangement according to claim 6 wherein said second mechanism
comprises a latch comprising a stationary member and a movable
member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. A remote control arrangement according
to claim 9 wherein said flexible housing is connected to the
movable member of said latch. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. A remote control
arrangement according to claim 9 wherein said actuating means
comprises a lever pivotably mounted on a fixed support and
connected to said wire. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. A remote control
arrangement according to claim 11 wherein said flexible housing is
connected at one end to said support and at the other end to the
movable member of said latch. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. A remote control
arrangement comprising:
a single lever;
a single cable comprising an inner wire and an outer housing on
said wire leding from said lever to two mechanisms;
said wire being attached to said lever and to one of said
mechanisms such that movement of said lever in a first direction to
pull said wire toward said lever operates said one mechanism;
a stopper provided on said wire and arranged to abut a member of
the other of said mechanisms;
said housing being attached to said other mechanism such that
movement of said lever in a direction opposite said first direction
causes said stopper to abut said member of said other mechanism and
induces a reaction which causes said housing to flex and operate
said other mechanism. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. A remote control
arrangement according to claim 13 wherein said second mechanism is
a latch mechanism comprising a stationary member and a movable
lever, and said outer housing adjacent the stopper on said inner
wire is attached to said lever. .Iaddend.
Description
This is a Reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 4,374,597, issued Feb. 22, 1983.
.Iaddend.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to remote control
arrangements for opening vehicular truck lids, fuel filler covers
and the like and more specifically to an arrangement wherein a
single lever is used to selectively open two different lid members
such as a trunk lid and fuel filler lid or cover.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a known arrangement the remote control of a latch mechanism of a
trunk lid or the like has been operated by a lever mechanism and
Bowden cable. However, in the case in which it is desired to
selectively open more than one lid from the cabin of the vehicle by
way of example, it has been necessary to privide a lever and cable
arrangement for each of the lids. This of course has led to an
undesirable duplication of levers and cables and added to weight,
complexity and cost of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention features an actuating mechanism having a
single lever and a Bowden cable arrangement leading therefrom to
two latch mechanisms. Movement of the single lever in a first
direction from its neutral position pulls the inner wire of the
cable arrangement toward the actuating mechanism to operate the
first of two latch mechanisms. A stopper is provided on the wire
and arranged to abut a stationary member of the second of two latch
mechanisms upon the lever's being moved from neutral in a second
direction opposite the first. The abutment induces a reaction which
causes the outer housing of the cable arrangement surrounding that
portion of the wire extending between the lever mechanism and the
second of the latch mechanisms to flex and pull a lever attached to
the end of said outer housing adjacent the stopper to operate the
second latch mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features and advantages of the arrangement of the present
invention will become more clearly appreciated from the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which like reference numerals denote corresponding elements, and in
which
FIG. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of the arrangement
shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an alternative lever arrangement
which may be used in place of that shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to the drawings and more specifically to FIG. 1, a
first embodiment of the present invention is shown. In FIG. 1 the
numeral 10 denotes an actuating mechanism having a single lever 13,
while 11 and 12 denote first and second latch mechanisms,
respectively. The lever 13 of the actuating mechanism 10 is
operatively connected to an inner wire 14 of a Bowden cable
arrangement 16 interconnecting the actuating mechanism 10 and the
first and second latch mechanisms 11 and 12 and is biased by a
spring 15 toward a neutral position N. As shown in FIG. 1 the inner
wire 14 extends continuously from the actuating mechanism to a
detent lever 18 of the first latch mechanism 11. This lever is
pivotally mounted on a base plate 20 which in turn is fixed to the
chassis or the like of a vehicle (by way of example). A spring 22
interconnects the detent lever 18 with the base plate 20 in a
manner to cause the lever to rotate in a direction to engage a
locking bar 24 fixedly secured to a first lid 26 which closes a
storage compartment or the like (not shown). The inner wire 14 is
formed with a bead 28 on the end which seats in a suitable aperture
30 formed in the lever 18. With this arrangement, upon closure of
the lid 26 to detent lever 18 will be slightly rotated in the
clockwise direction (as seen in FIG. 1). However, this will not
influence the inner wire 14 due to the effective lost motion
connection established between the inner wire 14 and the detent
lever 18 through the bead 28 and aperture 30.
When the lever 13 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow A,
the inner wire 14 will be pulled in the direction of the actuating
mechanism and will accordingly induce the detent lever 18 to rotate
in the clockwise direction to release the connection between said
lever and the locking bar 24, thus unlocking the lid 26.
FIG. 2 shows in detail part of the second latch mechanism 12. In
this mechanism the numeral 32 denotes a base plate which is fixed
to the chassis of the vehicle or the like, and on which a lever 34
is pivotally mounted. One end of the lever 34 is operatively
connected to one end of the outer housing 36 which surrounds that
part of the inner wire 14 extending between the actuating mechanism
10 and the second latch mechanism 12 through a re-inforcement end
member 38. The other end of the lever 34 is provided with a slot 40
which slidably receives the end of the link 42 which extends
between the lever 34 and a detent pin 44 (see FIG. 1). The pin 44
is biased by a spring 46 to extend toward and engage a flange
member 48 of a second lid 50 of the vehicle. It will also be
understood that the slot 40 cooperating with the link 42 defines a
lost motion connection which allows the second lid 50 to be closed
and displace the detent pin 44 against the bias of the spring 46
without influencing the lever 34 or the outer housing 36.
FIG. 2 shows in section a tubular member 52 formed with a stepped
bore 54. The member 52 is fixedly connected to the base plate 32
and serves to mount one end of a second outer housing 56 which
extends between the first and second latch mechanisms 11 and 12.
The other end of the second outer housing 56 is fixedly connected
to the base plate 20 of the first latch mechanism (see FIG. 1).
A stopper 58 is fixed onto the inner wire 14 by welding, brazing,
soldering or the like. The stopper is dimensioned to be slidable
within the larger portion of the stepped bore and to abut a
shoulder 60 defined in the stepped bore. Thus, when the lever 13 is
moved in the direction indicated by arrow B (see FIG. 1), the
stopper is moved into abutment with the shoulder so that further
travel of the inner wire 14 away from the actuating mechanism 10 is
limited. Further movement of the lever 13 in the B direction
induces a reaction which causes the portion of the inner wire
between the actuating mechanism 10 and the second latch mechanism
12, and subsequently the outer housing 36 surrounding said portion
of the wire, to flex. The flexure of the outer housing allows the
inner wire to be inserted further into the outer housing by the
movement of the lever 13 so that the distance between the stopper
58 and the reinforcing end member 38 which is fixed to the end of
the housing 36, increases with the result that the lever 34 is
pulled by the outer housing 36 and rotates in the anticlockwise
direction, retracting the detent pin 44 from its securing position
via the linkage connection therebetween, which unlocks the lid
50.
If required, a bracket or brackets 61 may be used to slidably
support the outer housing 36 and/or 56 at locations intermediate of
the actuating mechanism and first and second latch mechanisms 11
and 12.
Thus in summary, the stopper 58 allows the movement of the inner
wire in a direction which allows the release of the first latch
mechanism but resists movement in the opposite direction to induce
a reaction which causes it and the outer housing member surrounding
same to flex and accordingly induce the outer housing the pull a
lever of the second latch mechanism to release same. In other
words, when the lever is urged in the A direction, the wire is
pulled with respect to the outer housing (which remains axially
stationary) to operate the first latch mechanism 11 in the
conventional manner. When the lever is urged in the B direction,
the roles of the wire and outer housing are reversed and the outer
housing is pulled with respect to the cable (which is held axially
stationary by the stopper 58 engaging the shoulder 60) to operate
the second latch mechanism 12, independently of the first latch
mechanism. This unique arrangement allows two latch mechanisms to
be individually or selectively released by the movement of a lever
of an actuating mechanism in first or second directions.
FIG. 3 shows an alternative actuating mechanism 62 which can be
used with the Bowden cable arrangement 16 of the present invention.
In this arrangement, the lever 13 is formed with a slidable member
64 which slides in a bore or the like 66. The bore 66 is formed
with indents 68 in which a spring loaded detent ball 70 carried in
the slidable member is seatable. The slidable member 64 is further
formed with a slot for receiving a bead carried on the end of the
inner wire 14. As shown, the inner wire 14 extends from the
slidable member into the outer housing 36, which is fixed securely
to the base member 72 in which the bore 66 is formed. The bore is
slotted to allow the lever 13 to be slid back and forth from the
neutral position N in the directions A and B for operating the
first and second latch mechanisms. The indents 68 are each formed
to correspond to the neutral position, first latch mechanism
release position and the second latch mechanism release position.
This arrangement of course features simple construction and
assembly.
* * * * *