Safety system for opening the trunk compartment of a vehicle

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is intended to provide a mechanical apparatus for activating a release mechanism for a deck lid of a trunk of a vehicle from within the interior space of the trunk.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle and is positionable within a compartment substantially enclosed by the deck lid.
The apparatus comprises a handle for activating a release mechanism for opening the compartment which is of a bright color and in contrast to a background upon which it is installed.
Preferably, the color is selected to convey a safe and friendly image to a child, such as a yellow or bright green color.
Preferably, the apparatus includes at least one illumination source which is at least occasionally activated to provide illumination of the handle, and a control circuit for at least temporarily activating the at least one illumination source when the deck lid is closed.
The control circuit activates the at least one illumination source in response to an occurrence of an activating event.
In one form, the illumination source is at least one light emitting diode which provides either direct or indirect illumination to the handle of the present invention.
The illumination source is temporarily activated upon closure of the deck lid and may be further activated upon a second activating event, such as movement of the handle or detection of a person or animal within the trunk space by a motion detector or temperature sensor or the like.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a handle, an illumination source and a control circuit.
The handle is interconnected to a release mechanism of the compartment and at least partially provides a mechanical advantage such that the release mechanism may be activated upon exertion of less than 20 Newtons in a predetermined direction on the handle.
The illumination source provides illumination to the handle and is activated by the control circuit upon an occurrence of an activating event