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.

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.