Lid lock apparatus

Claim 1

A lid lock apparatus for a vehicle body having an opening therein, comprising: a lid pivotally mounted to the vehicle body for opening and closing the opening, said lid being operable to be moved between an open and a closed condition; a plate mounted to the vehicle body and accessibly positioned adjacent the opening; a locking mechanism having a casing secured to the plate, and a first shaft projecting axially from the casing positioned to engage and disengage the lid when in a closed and opened condition respectively, the casing having a first dimension extending in a first direction along the axis of the first shaft perpendicular to the plate, the casing having a second dimension extending parallel to the plate and perpendicular to the first dimension in a common plane, the casing having a third dimension extending in a third direction perpendicular to the common plane and the first and second directions; a spring disposed in the casing spaced from the first shaft in the second direction toward the lid continuously urging the first shaft in an axial direction parallel to the first direction; a motor mounted in the casing spaced from the first shaft in the second direction, a rotatable second shaft driven by the motor and extending axially in a direction toward the spring parallel to the second direction; and a gear mechanism spaced from the first shaft in the second direction, said mechanism including a worm gear mounted on and rotatable with the rotatable second shaft, a third shaft secured to the casing and extending axially in a direction parallel to the third direction, a worm wheel rotatably mounted on the third shaft in mesh engagement with the worm gear, said gear mechanism being responsive to the rotation of the second shaft for rotating the worm wheel via the worm gear, said worm wheel being positioned and configured to engage the first shaft upon rotation of the worm wheel for moving the first shaft from engagement with the lid.