Patents Assigned to Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
  • Patent number: 8075319
    Abstract: A method for making a supporting body (1) for the lock of a motor vehicle, comprises the steps of: forming an intermediate element (8) made of electrically insulating material provided with conductive paths (3); setting the intermediate element (8) inside a mold (23) for forming the supporting body (1); and injecting electrically insulating material in the mold (23) for carrying out co-molding of the supporting body (1). The intermediate element (8) and the conductive paths (3) are made independently, and the conductive paths (3) are fixed on opposite faces (9, 10) of the intermediate element (8) by constraint means (15, 16) of a mechanical type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventors: Tommaso Rosi, Claudio Michetti
  • Patent number: 7963576
    Abstract: An automotive door lock having a lock mechanism (3) for releasably engaging a striker (4), and a release mechanism (5) interacting with the lock mechanism (3) to release the lock (1). The release mechanism (5) has a control member (18) which interacts with the lock mechanism (3), is loaded elastically into a rest position, and can be set to a work position to release the lock (1). The release mechanism (5) has an actuating member (31) activated selectively to move the control member (18), in a forward movement, from the rest position to the work position; and, during a return movement of the control member (18) to the rest position, the control member (18) and the actuating member (31) are disconnected to minimize the time taken to complete the return movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luca Bigazzi, Corrado Taviani
  • Patent number: 7891138
    Abstract: Described herein is a functional unit (1) for a door (2) of a motor vehicle, provided with a lock (3) and a window-regulator device (5); the lock (3) comprises a closing mechanism (20), designed to couple in a releasable way with a lock striker (4) for bringing about closing of the door (2), and an actuating mechanism (21), for controlling release of the closing mechanism (20) by the lock striker (4) and bringing about opening of the door (2); the window-regulator device (5) comprises an electrically operated actuator (22) for raising or lowering a window (7) of the door (2). The unit (1) is further provided with coupling means (56), which can be selectively activated for coupling together the actuator (22) and the actuating mechanism (21) so as to enable opening of the door (2) via the actuator (22) itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Giovanni Ottino
  • Patent number: 7810853
    Abstract: A vehicle door lock (1) is provided having a lock mechanism (3) cooperating with a striker (5) of a motor vehicle. The lock mechanism (3) has a fork (11), which can be set to a release position, in which it permits engagement and release of a respective seat (15) by the striker (5), and at least one lock position, in which it retains the striker (5) in, and prevents release of, the respective seat (15); a latch (12), which clicks onto the fork (11) to lock it releasably in the lock position; a release member (6) operated selectively to release the latch (12) from the fork (11) and allow the fork (11) to move into the release position; and interacting portions (42, 43) whereby the fork (11) and the release member (6) interact to define different indicating positions of the release member (6) corresponding to the release position and lock position of the fork (11) respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A. (Torino)
    Inventor: Enrico Margheritti
  • Patent number: 7712819
    Abstract: Described herein is a door for a motor vehicle provided with a supporting framework, supporting means for supporting an external rear-view mirror, a lock, and a key assembly, which is operatively connected to the lock and can be selectively actuated via a control key for disabling/enabling opening of said lock from the outside of the motor vehicle. The key assembly is rigidly fixed to the framework, and is covered, towards the outer side of the door, by the means for supporting the rear-view mirror and is accessible from the outside through a seat made in the supporting means themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Giovanni Ottino
  • Publication number: 20090308120
    Abstract: A method for making a supporting body (1) for the lock of a motor vehicle, comprises the steps of: forming an intermediate element (8) made of electrically insulating material provided with conductive paths (3); setting the intermediate element (8) inside a mold (23) for forming the supporting body (1); and injecting electrically insulating material in the mold (23) for carrying out co-molding of the supporting body (1). The intermediate element (8) and the conductive paths (3) are made independently, and the conductive paths (3) are fixed on opposite faces (9, 10) of the intermediate element (8) by constraint means (15, 16) of a mechanical type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Intier Automotive Closures S.P.A.
    Inventors: Tommaso Rosi, Claudio Michetti
  • Patent number: 7591969
    Abstract: A method for making a supporting body (1) for the lock of a motor vehicle, including the steps of: forming an intermediate element (8) made of electrically insulating material provided with conductive paths (3); setting the intermediate element (8) inside a mold (23) for forming the supporting body (1); and injecting electrically insulating material in the mold (23) for carrying out co-molding of the supporting body (1). The intermediate element (8) and the conductive paths (3) are made independently, and the conductive paths (3) are fixed on opposite faces (9, 10) of the intermediate element (8) by constraint means (15, 16) of a mechanical type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventors: Tommaso Rosi, Claudio Michetti
  • Patent number: 7475920
    Abstract: An automotive door lock having a lock mechanism (3) for releasably engaging a striker (4), and a release mechanism (5) interacting with the lock mechanism (3) to release the lock (1). The release mechanism (5) has a control member (18) which interacts with the lock mechanism (3), is loaded elastically into a rest position, and can be set to a work position to release the lock (1). The release mechanism (5) has an actuating member (31) activated selectively to move the control member (18), in a forward movement, from the rest position to the work position; and, during a return movement of the control member (18) to the rest position, the control member (18) and the actuating member (31) are disconnected to minimize the time taken to complete the return movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luca Bigazzi, Corrado Taviani
  • Patent number: 7475922
    Abstract: Described herein is a lock for a door of a motor vehicle provided with a closing mechanism designed to cooperate with a lock striker fixed to an upright of the door itself; the closing mechanism is provided with: a fork, which can assume an opening position, in which it enables engagement and disengagement between the lock striker and a seat thereof, and a closing position, in which it withholds the lock striker within its seat and prevents disengagement thereof; a dog coupled via snapaction with the fork for blocking it in a releasable way in the closing position; and an auxiliary lever, which can be actuated by the fork during coupling with the lock striker for exerting an action of thrust on the dog and causing it to couple with the fork itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Giovanni Ottino, Giacomo Crotti
  • Patent number: 7475923
    Abstract: A vehicle door lock (1) having a fork (2) which rotates about a first axis (A) between a release position and at least one lock position engaging a fixed striker (15), and a latch (3) which rotates about a second axis (B), is loaded elastically towards the fork (2), and has a catch portion (25) which clicks onto a tooth (11) of the fork (2) to lock the fork (2) releasably in the lock position. The fork (2) is defined by a main body (6) made of rigid material, and by an outer coating (7) made of relatively yielding material and having, adjacent to the tooth (11), a slot (33) defining a peripheral edge (34) which flexes inwards of the slot (33) when struck by the catch portion (25) of the latch (3) engaging the tooth (11) of the fork (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Giovanni Ottino, Luca Bigazzi
  • Publication number: 20090007607
    Abstract: An automotive door lock having a lock mechanism (3) for releasably engaging a striker (4), and a release mechanism (5) interacting with the lock mechanism (3) to release the lock (1). The release mechanism (5) has a control member (18) which interacts with the lock mechanism (3), is loaded elastically into a rest position, and can be set to a work position to release the lock (1). The release mechanism (5) has an actuating member (31) activated selectively to move the control member (18), in a forward movement, from the rest position to the work position; and, during a return movement of the control member (18) to the rest position, the control member (18) and the actuating member (31) are disconnected to minimize the time taken to complete the return movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luca Bigazzi, Corrado Taviani
  • Patent number: 7352081
    Abstract: A control device is provided for activating and deactivating a child safety lock function of rear doors of a motor vehicle. The control device includes a safety lock device connected to rear inside door handles of the rear doors. The control device also includes a central control unit for controlling the safety lock device between a first operating position that defines a normal operating mode, in which the safety lock device allows the rear doors to be opened using both the rear inside door handles and the rear outside door handles, and a second operating position that defines a safety lock mode, in which the safety lock device does not allow the rear doors to be opened using the rear inside door handles. A selector device is included for manually selecting between the normal operating mode and the safety lock mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventor: Marco Taurasi
  • Patent number: 7306269
    Abstract: A lock is provided for a door of a motor vehicle. The lock includes a closing mechanism designed for coupling with a lock striker along a direction of relative coupling. The closing mechanism includes a supporting body having a housing seat for receiving an engagement portion of the lock striker. An elastically compliant buffer delimits the housing seat at least in the aforesaid direction of relative coupling in order to define a damped arrest of the engagement portion of the lock striker. The buffer is coated on its surface, in an area of interaction with the engagement portion of the lock striker by a rigid protective shield. The shield is fixedly secured to the buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roman Cetnar, Franco Giovanni Ottino
  • Patent number: 7275771
    Abstract: A lock for a door of a motor vehicle is provided having: a closing mechanism designed for coupling with a lock striker for bringing about closing of the door; mechanical opening means for controlling release of the closing mechanism from the lock striker; mechanical means for inhibiting opening which can be selectively activated for rendering the opening means ineffective; and electrical actuator means housed in a fluid-tight way in a single casing having at least one output member which traverses, in a fluid-tight way, a through hole of the casing to interact with the means for inhibiting opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giacomo Crotti, Franco Giovanni Ottino
  • Publication number: 20070194577
    Abstract: A vehicle door lock (1) is provided having a lock mechanism (3) cooperating with a striker (5) of a motor vehicle. The lock mechanism (3) has a fork (11), which can be set to a release position, in which it permits engagement and release of a respective seat (15) by the striker (5), and at least one lock position, in which it retains the striker (5) in, and prevents release of, the respective seat (15); a latch (12), which clicks onto the fork (11) to lock it releasably in the lock position; a release member (6) operated selectively to release the latch (12) from the fork (11) and allow the fork (11) to move into the release position; and interacting portions (42, 43) whereby the fork (11) and the release member (6) interact to define different indicating positions of the release member (6) corresponding to the release position and lock position of the fork (11) respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventor: Enrico Margheritti
  • Patent number: 7192076
    Abstract: A modular lock (1) for a door (2) of a motor vehicle is provided with a closure module (16) and a control module (17). The closure module (16) is provided with a first support body (18) which is integral with the door (2), and a closure mechanism (19) which is supported by the first support body (18) and can be connected to a striker (3) which is integral with an upright of the door (2), in order to give rise to closure of the door (2) itself. The control module (17) is provided with a second support body (20) which is integral with the door (2), and with an actuating assembly (21) which is supported by the second support body (20), and can control release of the closure mechanism (19) from the striker (3). The lock (1) is also provided with a flexible transmission (23) for remote connection between the actuating assembly (21) and the closure mechanism (19), in order to permit remote positioning of the closure module (16) and the control module (17) on the door (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco G. Ottino