Key illuminating door handle

摘要

A key cylinder illuminating device for a lift bar door handle assembly which overlies a recess in the outer panel of a vehicle door. A lift bar is pivotally mounted for movement between a first position overlying the recess and a second position away from the recess wherein a door latch is operated to unlatched position. The door latch also has a lock which prevents the door latch from being operated to the unlatched position even though the lift bar is lifted. A key cylinder is located on the door panel generally beneath the lift bar door handle assembly and receives a key by which the door latch can be unlocked. A light source is mounted on the vehicle door panel within the recess so that it is concealed from view and protected from damage by the lift bar when the lift bar is in its normal first position. A switch is provided on the lift bar door handle assembly and is closed when the lift bar is pivoted to the second position so that an electrical circuit is completed to energize the light source. A reflective surface is provided on the undersurface of the lift bar for reflecting light from the light source onto the key cylinder when the lift bar is pivoted to its second position for operating the door latch.