IP Library Granted Patent US 12687049
Granted Patent B2
US 12687049 · App. 18/350,373 · Granted Jul 21, 2026

Lock for a motor vehicle

Inventors: Robert J. Hunt (Davisburg, MI); Dimo Kloubert (Bonn, DE)
Assignee: KIEKERT AG
E05B79/08E05B85/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12687049
App. No.
18/350,373
Granted
Jul 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a side door lock, comprising a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the locking mechanism parts are each rotatably mounted in a lock case by means of a metal spindle, and a reinforcement plate, wherein the spindles of the rotary latch and at least one pawl can be connected by means of the reinforcement plate, and wherein the reinforcement plate is operatively connected to the lock housing in such a way that stabilization of the lock housing can be achieved.

Claims (20)

1 . A lock for a motor vehicle, the lock comprising:

a lock housing,

a locking mechanism including a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch and the at least one pawl each is rotatably mounted in the lock housing by a metal spindle, and

a reinforcement plate, wherein the metal spindle of each of the rotary latch and the at least one pawl is connected by the reinforcement plate to define a respective axis of rotation of each of the rotary latch and the at least one pawl, and wherein the reinforcement plate is operatively connected to the lock housing in such a way that stabilization of the lock housing is achieved,

wherein the lock housing has stiffening ribs,

wherein the reinforcement plate has a connecting web extending along a length from a first end to a second end between the connections of the metal spindles to the reinforcement plate,

wherein a first metal spindle of the metal spindles is arranged adjacent the first end of the connecting web and a second metal spindle of the metal spindles is arranged adjacent the second end of the connecting web,

wherein the reinforcement plate further includes an extension that includes an opening for attaching the reinforcement plate to the lock housing and a bent portion that directly engages the stiffening ribs, and

wherein the extension is positioned such that the opening is arranged adjacent a portion of the length of the connecting web between the first end and the second end.

2 . The lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the opening is configured for form-fitting engagement with the lock housing at least in certain areas of the lock housing.

3 . The lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the opening is a bore in the reinforcement plate and the reinforcement plate is configured for insertion into the lock housing in a form-fitting manner.

4 . The lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the opening is a bore in the reinforcement plate and the reinforcement plate is connected to the lock housing by a screw in a force-fitting manner.

5 . The lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement plate has another bent portion, wherein the other bent portion engages the lock housing.

6 . The lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 5 , wherein the other bent portion engages the lock housing in a form-fitting manner.

7 . The lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement plate has an indentation.

8 . The lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the lock housing includes a planar extension, so as to be connected to the reinforcement plate via the first and second metal spindles, and the locking mechanism is fastened to the lock housing at the planar extension.

9 . The lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 8 , wherein the lock housing is formed at a right angle to the planar extension such that the lock housing has an L-shape.

10 . The lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement plate includes a second extension extending from the connecting web, wherein the second extension is arranged in an area where one of the first and second metal spindles is accommodated.

11 . The lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 , further comprising a spring element accommodated on each of the first and second metal spindles of the rotary latch and the at least one pawl.

12 . The lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting web bears against a row of stiffening ribs of the lock housing.