US20050066696A1 - Modular vehicle door lock and latch system and method - Google Patents
Modular vehicle door lock and latch system and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050066696A1 US20050066696A1 US10/980,474 US98047404A US2005066696A1 US 20050066696 A1 US20050066696 A1 US 20050066696A1 US 98047404 A US98047404 A US 98047404A US 2005066696 A1 US2005066696 A1 US 2005066696A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- door
- latch
- linkage
- door lock
- outside
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B79/00—Mounting or connecting vehicle locks or parts thereof
- E05B79/02—Mounting of vehicle locks or parts thereof
- E05B79/06—Mounting of handles, e.g. to the wing or to the lock
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B79/00—Mounting or connecting vehicle locks or parts thereof
- E05B79/10—Connections between movable lock parts
- E05B79/20—Connections between movable lock parts using flexible connections, e.g. Bowden cables
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B83/00—Vehicle locks specially adapted for particular types of wing or vehicle
- E05B83/36—Locks for passenger or like doors
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B85/00—Details of vehicle locks not provided for in groups E05B77/00 - E05B83/00
- E05B85/10—Handles
- E05B85/12—Inner door handles
- E05B85/13—Inner door handles with a locking knob forming part of the inside door handle unit
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B17/00—Accessories in connection with locks
- E05B17/0004—Lock assembling or manufacturing
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B81/00—Power-actuated vehicle locks
- E05B81/02—Power-actuated vehicle locks characterised by the type of actuators used
- E05B81/04—Electrical
- E05B81/08—Electrical using electromagnets or solenoids
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B85/00—Details of vehicle locks not provided for in groups E05B77/00 - E05B83/00
- E05B85/10—Handles
- E05B85/12—Inner door handles
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B85/00—Details of vehicle locks not provided for in groups E05B77/00 - E05B83/00
- E05B85/10—Handles
- E05B85/14—Handles pivoted about an axis parallel to the wing
- E05B85/18—Handles pivoted about an axis parallel to the wing a longitudinal grip part being pivoted about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the grip part
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S292/00—Closure fasteners
- Y10S292/23—Vehicle door latches
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T292/00—Closure fasteners
- Y10T292/57—Operators with knobs or handles
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T70/00—Locks
- Y10T70/50—Special application
- Y10T70/5611—For control and machine elements
- Y10T70/5757—Handle, handwheel or knob
- Y10T70/5761—Retractable or flush handle
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T70/00—Locks
- Y10T70/50—Special application
- Y10T70/5889—For automotive vehicles
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T70/00—Locks
- Y10T70/70—Operating mechanism
- Y10T70/7051—Using a powered device [e.g., motor]
- Y10T70/7062—Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to a vehicle door locking and latching apparatus, and more particularly to an improved modular vehicle door lock and latch system.
- Locking and latching systems typically have one or more limitations relating to installation difficulty, speed, and/or cost. In light of these and other limitations of conventional locking and latching systems, new locking and latching systems would be welcome in the art.
- the lock and latch system includes modular components including various user-manipulatable controls (e.g., outside and inside door handles and outside and inside locks), the door latch itself, as well as all linkages between these components.
- Modular components can facilitate the assembly process by simplifying the process of installing them into the structural framework of a vehicle door, and by not requiring the use of specialized tools, thereby further reducing the labor costs associated with assembly.
- the present invention can substantially enhance the security of a vehicle by providing a lock and latch system which has an enhanced level of resistance to manipulation by jimmying with a “slim jim” or similar tool of the type commonly used by car thieves.
- a lock and latch system is manufactured in three modular assemblies, the first of which includes an inside door handle, an inside lock, a door latch, and an outside door lock and door handle interface member, as well as linkages between these components.
- the second component in such embodiments can be an outside door lock which is easily installed in the outside door lock and door handle interface member.
- the third component in such embodiments can be an outside door handle assembly which will be operatively connected to the outside door lock and door handle interface member.
- the inside door handle and the inside lock together comprise a fourth component which is not necessarily initially connected to the rest of the first component (the door latch, the outside door lock and door handle interface member, and the linkages between components).
- the first component can, however, include the linkage members which will be connected to the mechanism of the inside door handle of the inside door lock. While the rest of the first component is installed in the structural framework of the vehicle door, these linkage members can extend out of the vehicle door to allow them to be connected to the inside door handle in the inside door lock.
- the inside door handle in the inside door lock can be installed into the structural framework of the vehicle door.
- the outside door handle can be installed in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,554, to Haikert et al. (i.e., by placing the outside door handle assembly into position in an opening in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door and moving the handle from its non-actuated position to its actuated position).
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,554 is hereby incorporated herein by reference insofar as it relates to the connection of door handle assemblies to doors via actuation of door handles.
- a conventional design door handle e.g., a paddle type or a pull strap type
- Either of these types of door handles can be mounted and pivot with respect to any desired structure, such as an outside door handle housing member (which can, for example, be part of the second component described above), a portion of the vehicle door (e.g., the sheet metal of the outer skin and/or the structural framework of the vehicle door), or an outside door lock and door handle interface member.
- an outside door handle housing member which can, for example, be part of the second component described above
- a portion of the vehicle door e.g., the sheet metal of the outer skin and/or the structural framework of the vehicle door
- an outside door lock and door handle interface member e.g., the inside door lock and door handle interface member.
- the outside door lock and door handle interface member can be installed in or adjacent to the opening in the outer skin of the structural framework of a vehicle door.
- the outside door lock and door handle interface member installs into the opening without using tools.
- the outside door lock and door handle interface member is retained in position by the outside door handle assembly when the outside door handle assembly is installed into the opening.
- the housing of the outside door lock and door handle interface member can be made of a die-cast zinc element which interlocks with the sheet metal of the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that such a mounting arrangement can result in an enhanced level of security for the lock and latch system of the present invention, since the all-metal design can make it substantially more difficult for a thief to pop the door lock out and thereby open the vehicle door.
- the outside door lock and door handle interface member is connected to two cables, although other types of linkages well known to those skilled in the art or a combination of such linkage elements and cables can also be used.
- one cable can be used together with another type of mechanical linkage such as a pin.
- the cable can be used to connect the outside door handle to the latch while the pin can be used to connect the outside lock to the door latch.
- the outside door lock can be installed into the outside door lock and door handle interface member, and can be accessible through the outside door handle assembly when these components are installed into the opening in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door.
- one of the cables in the outside door lock and door handle interface member can be driven by an outside door lock cable actuator which can be driven by the outside door lock.
- the outside door handle assembly can include a mechanical linkage which connects the outside door handle to an outside door handle cable actuator in the outside door lock and door handle interface member when the outside door handle assembly is installed. If desired, another cable in the outside door lock and door handle interface member can be driven by the outside door handle cable actuator, which can be driven by the linkage in the outside handle assembly.
- an inside door handle and an inside door lock actuator are both contained in a single assembly.
- the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly are connected by two cables. One of the cables can be driven by the inside door handle, and the other cable can be driven by the inside door lock cable actuator.
- One of the cables can be driven by the inside door handle, and the other cable can be driven by the inside door lock cable actuator.
- cables can be employed to transfer mechanical force to the door latch.
- four cables can extend to the door latch from the outside door lock and door handle interface member and the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly.
- the door latch used is the device described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/408,993, entitled “Electronic Latch Apparatus and Method,” issued to Dimig and filed on Sep. 29, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/263,415 issued to Dimig and filed on Mar. 5, 1999.
- U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/408,993 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/263,415 in their entirety, are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
- an electronic door latch is actuated by two cables: one cable extending from the inside door handle and operating a first control element in the electronic door latch, and another cable extending from the outside door handle and operating a second control element in the electronic door latch.
- a solenoid-actuated pin can be used to lock the electronic door latch, preventing it from being opened from the outside handle if the solenoid has retracted a pin from the second control element.
- the lock and latch system of the present invention uses the second embodiment of the electronic door latch illustrated in FIGS. 17-31 of the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/408,993 discussed above.
- two cables can be respectively operatively connected to a solenoid armature such that movements of either of the cables can also be used to extend or retract the pin from the solenoid.
- the cables from either an inside door lock cable actuator or an outside door lock cable actuator can be operatively connected to the solenoid such that either of them can extend or retract the pin from the second control element.
- two solenoids could instead be used, each corresponding to a respective control element. In such cases, cables operating the inside and outside locks can be connected to drive two pins, one of which is associated with each of the solenoids.
- the lock and latch system of the present invention is assembled into three modules which are delivered to the motor vehicle manufacturer.
- the first module can include the outside door lock and door handle interface member, the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly, the electronic door latch, and cables (e.g., four cables in some of the exemplary embodiments described above) connecting the first three components.
- This first module can be pre-assembled in its entirety, if desired.
- the second module can include the outside door lock, which can be part of a set of identically-keyed locks for installation into the doors, the ignition switch, and the trunk of the vehicle.
- the third module can include the outside door handle assembly (e.g., as assembly which includes the outside door handle itself, and in some cases the mechanical linkage which can be used to connect it to a handle cable actuator in the outside door lock and door handle interface member).
- the third module can also include the outside handle mounting mechanism which secures the outside door handle assembly in place when the outside door handle is actuated for the first time.
- part of this third module is also located outside and partially overlying the lock cylinder, with the lock cylinder being accessible through this third module.
- Some embodiments of the present invention provide a mounting bracket used to support an outside door lock and door handle interface member in a spaced relationship with respect to an electronic door latch.
- This mounting bracket can be both small and flexible, and can further facilitate installation of the components supported therefrom into the structural framework of a vehicle door.
- the mounting bracket also extends between the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly and the electronic door latch in order to establish a spaced relationship therebetween.
- the lock and latch system includes the outside door handle as a separate modular component, thereby allowing outside door handles to be manufactured in a variety of colors to match exterior vehicle paint colors while allowing other modular components of the system to be of a single type and color.
- the pre-assembled nature of the modular components can reduce or eliminate the requirement for adjustments to be made during the assembly of the components of the lock and latch system into the structural framework of a vehicle door, thereby further minimizing assembly costs while simultaneously enhancing vehicle quality.
- the modular components can be adaptable for use on a variety of different vehicles by merely switching outside door handles and providing different size linkages between the various modular components.
- the lock and latch system of the present invention can also be of a construction which is both durable and long lasting so that it requires little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. In order to enhance the market appeal of the lock and latch system of the present invention, it can also be of inexpensive construction to thereby afford it the broadest possible market.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the structural framework of a vehicle door from the outside, showing an opening in which the outside handle and outside lock will be mounted;
- FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the structural framework of the vehicle door illustrated in FIG. 1 from the inside, with the locations at which the door latch, the outside handle and outside lock, and the inside handle and inside lock will be mounted highlighted;
- FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an outside handle assembly constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, showing an aperture and a ball connector at the location at which an outside door lock and door handle interface member will be mounted;
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the outside handle assembly illustrated in FIG. 3 from a first side and with the door handle in its normally retracted position, showing the linkage used to move the ball connector when the door handle is opened, and also showing a retention mechanism in a preinstalled position;
- FIG. 5 is a side view of the outside handle assembly similar to the view illustrated in FIG. 4 but with the door handle in its extended position, showing the movement of the linkage and the ball connector, and also showing the retention mechanism in its installed position;
- FIG. 6 is a side view of the outside handle illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5 from a second side and with the door handle in its retracted position following movement of the retention mechanism to its installed position;
- FIG. 7 is a plan view of an outside lock assembly from a first side, showing a pin extending from the rear end thereof;
- FIG. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the outside lock assembly illustrated in FIG. 7 from a second side, showing the spring-loaded retention mechanism used to retain the outside lock assembly in place;
- FIG. 9 is a plan view of the outside lock assembly illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 from the front end thereof;
- FIG. 10 is a plan view of the outside lock assembly illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 9 from the rear end thereof;
- FIG. 11 is a front plan view of an outside door lock and door handle interface member from the front side thereof, showing portions of two cables connected to the assembly, the interface member having a recess therein for receiving the outside lock assembly illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 10 , the recess having an outside door lock cable actuator attached to one of the cables contained therein, and also showing a pivotable outside door handle cable actuator attached to the other of the cables at one end thereof and having a U-shaped fork at the other end thereof;
- FIG. 12 is a side plan view of the outside door lock and door handle interface member illustrated in FIG. 11 , showing a recess located about the periphery of the housing of the interface member which will be used to mount the interface member;
- FIG. 13 is a plan view of the cable actuator illustrated in FIG. 11 ;
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the outside door handle cable actuator illustrated in FIG. 11 , showing a centrally-located aperture extending therethrough, the curved end for attachment to the cable, and the U-shaped fork which is the other end thereof;
- FIG. 15 is a front plan view of the outside door lock and door handle interface member illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 from the front side thereof, showing the outside lock assembly illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 10 installed therein;
- FIG. 16 is a plan view of the portion of the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (shown in FIG. 1 ) having the opening 42 therein, showing the installation and placement of the outside door lock and door handle interface member (shown in FIGS. 11, 12 , and 15 );
- FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a door latch assembly from the front side, showing portions of four cables connected to the door latch assembly;
- FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of the door latch assembly of FIG. 16 , showing how a striker mounted on the vehicle body is engaged and retained by a ratchet in the door latch assembly;
- FIG. 19 is a plan view of an inside door handle and inside door lock assembly, showing portions of two cables connected to the assembly;
- FIG. 20 is a plan view depicting the door latch assembly illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 and the outside door lock and door handle interface member illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12 , and 15 with two cables interconnecting them, also showing two cables interconnecting the door latch assembly and the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly illustrated in FIG. 19 , and also showing the outside door lock and door handle interface member positioned in engagement with the outside handle illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6 ;
- FIG. 21 is a schematic depiction from the side of a mounting bracket used to interconnect the door latch assembly illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 with the outside door lock and door handle interface member illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12 , and 15 , showing in dotted lines an optional extension of the door bracket which can be used to interconnect the door latch and the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly illustrated in FIG. 19 , with the cables being omitted for clarity; and
- FIG. 22 is a schematic depiction of the mounting bracket similar to that illustrated in FIG. 21 , but viewed from the top.
- a first illustrated embodiment of an exemplary lock and latch system consists of three modules which are pre-assembled prior to delivery to the manufacturer (i.e., a party assembling the motor vehicles into which the lock and latch system will be incorporated).
- the first module consists of three primary components, namely an outside door lock and door handle interface member, an inside door handle and inside door lock assembly, and an electronic door latch, with four cables being used to connect these three components. These three components will be discussed separately, prior to a discussion about their incorporation into a single module.
- the second module is the outside lock, which in the exemplary first illustrated embodiment is a cylinder-type lock.
- the third module is the outside door handle assembly, which will also be discussed separately.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 the structural framework of a vehicle door 40 is illustrated from the outside in FIG. 1 and from the inside in FIG. 2 .
- the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 has an opening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (best illustrated in FIG. 1 , illustrated schematically in FIG. 2 ) into which an outer handle assembly and an outside door lock (neither of which are illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 ) will be mounted.
- the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 also has the location for an inside door handle and inside door lock assembly (not illustrated in FIG. 1 or 2 ) indicated by the reference numeral 44 in FIG. 2 and the location for a door latch (not illustrated in FIG. 1 or 2 ) indicated by the reference numeral 46 in FIG. 2 .
- FIGS. 3 through 6 the construction of an exemplary outside door handle assembly 50 according to the present invention is illustrated.
- all of the various components of the outside door handle assembly 50 are assembled onto an outside door handle housing member 52 , which is of a size and configuration to fit partially into the opening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (shown in FIG. 1 ).
- the outer periphery of the outside door handle housing member 52 is larger than the opening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 .
- an aperture 54 which will receive the proximal end (the end next to or nearest the point of attachment or origin) of an outside door lock (not illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6 ).
- a concave portion 56 which will receive a user-manipulatable control (e.g., an outside door handle 58 ) therein in a flush manner when the outside door handle 58 is not actuated.
- the outside door handle 58 in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 3-6 has two support arms 60 and 62 located near opposite ends thereof.
- the support arm 60 has an aperture 64 located near the end thereof remote from the point of attachment of the support arm 60 to the outside door handle 58 .
- the support arm 62 has an aperture 66 located near the end thereof remote from the point of attachment of the support arm 62 to the outside door handle 58 .
- the support arm 60 has an extension 68 projecting in the same plane as the support arm 60 from the end thereof remote from the point of attachment of the support arm 60 to the outside door handle 58 .
- the distal end (the end situated away from the point of attachment or origin) of the extension 68 has an aperture 70 located therein.
- the support arm 62 has a projection 72 extending from the side thereof near the end thereof remote from the point of attachment of the support arm 62 to the outside door handle 58 .
- the outside door handle housing member 52 has two openings 74 and 76 located near opposite ends of the concave portion 56 to admit the support arms 60 and 62 , respectively, therethrough. Extending from the outside door handle housing member 52 on the back side of the concave portion 56 immediately outside the openings 74 and 76 are two handle mounting arms 78 and 80 .
- the handle mounting arms 78 and 80 have apertures 82 and 84 , respectively, located near their ends which are remote from their point of attachment to the outside door handle housing member 52 .
- the mechanism used to mount the outside door handle assembly 50 can be similar to the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,554, which is incorporated herein by reference.
- a cam member 86 having an aperture 88 extending therethrough is mounted adjacent the handle mounting arm 80 using a pin 90 .
- a spring 92 is also mounted on the pin 90 , which bears against the support arm 60 of the outside door handle 58 and the inside surface of the outside door handle housing member 52 , and operates to keep the outside door handle 58 in its flush position with respect to the outside door handle housing member 52 .
- the pin 90 extends sequentially through the aperture 84 in the handle mounting arm 80 , the aperture 66 in the support arm 62 of the outside door handle 58 , the aperture 88 in the cam member 86 , the spring 92 , the aperture 64 in the support arm 60 , and the aperture 82 in the handle mounting arm 78 .
- the pin 90 has an interference fit with one or both of the apertures 82 and 84 in the handle mounting arms 78 and 80 , respectively, although other ways of retaining the pin 90 in place will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.
- the exemplary lock plate 100 of the illustrated embodiment in FIGS. 3-6 can be seen as having three primary portions (i.e., two planar portions 108 and 110 both connected to an irregular central portion 112 ).
- the vertical slot 102 in this embodiment is located in the irregular central portion 112 .
- the two planar portions 108 and 110 are at an angle of approximately 60 degrees with respect to each other, and each have a small outwardly extending flange 114 and 116 located at its respective distal edge.
- a slot 118 is located in the distal edge of the planar portion 108 to admit the end of the spring 92 which bears on the outside door handle housing member 52 .
- the flange 114 on the planar portion 108 of the lock plate 100 is spaced slightly away from the top edge of the outside door handle housing member 52 , and the flange 116 on the planar portion 110 of the lock plate 100 is spaced well away from the bottom edge of the outside door handle housing member 52 .
- the outside door handle assembly 50 can be installed into place in the opening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (shown in FIG. 1 ).
- the irregular central portion 112 is configured such than when the lock plate 100 is moved downward from the position illustrated in FIG. 4 to the position illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 (the installed position), the flanges 114 and 116 will move into close contact with the top and bottom edges of the outside door handle housing member 52 . Once in this position, a finger 120 extending from the planar portion 110 near its point of attachment to the irregular central portion 112 will prevent the lock plate 100 from returning to its former position, thereby gripping the steel surrounding the opening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (shown in FIG. 1 ) tightly.
- the lock plate 100 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment is moved from its installation position to its installed position by the clockwise rotation of the cam member 86 when viewed along the axis of the pin 90 from the perspective of the handle mounting arm 78 .
- This movement of the cam member 86 occurs when the outside door handle 58 is actuated (pulled outwardly from the concave portion 56 in the outside door handle housing member 52 ).
- the projection 72 on the support arm 62 of the outside door handle 58 bears against a pin 122 extending from the side of the cam member 86 facing the handle mounting arm 80 , causing the cam member 86 to rotate against the planar portion 108 of the lock plate 100 , pushing it downward from the installation position to the installed position.
- a T-shaped linkage member 124 is mounted onto the support arm 60 which extends from the outside door handle 58 .
- the T-shaped linkage member 124 has apertures 126 and 128 extending through opposite ends of the top of the T.
- the end of the pin 90 preferably extends beyond the aperture 64 in the support arm 60 and into the aperture 126 in the T-shaped linkage member 124 .
- a bolt 130 extends through the aperture 70 in the support arm 60 and the aperture 128 in the T-shaped linkage member 124 , and is secured in place by a nut 132 .
- the base of the T is curved, as best seen in FIG. 4 .
- Extending from the side of the T-shaped linkage member 124 at the bottom of the T is a mounting post 134 which has a threaded distal tip.
- a linkage support arm 136 extends from the back of the outside door handle housing member 52 well below the position of the handle mounting arm 78 . Extending from the side of linkage support arm 136 near the distal end thereof is a mounting post 138 which has a threaded distal tip.
- an intermediate linkage member 140 which is shaped like a hockey stick.
- a ball 142 which will interface with an outside door lock and door handle interface member (not illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6 ).
- a slot 144 Located in the side of the intermediate linkage member 140 from the top to a position about two-thirds of the way down the “handle” is a slot 144 .
- an aperture 146 Also located on the side of the lower end of the intermediate linkage member 140 proximally from the ball 142 is an aperture 146 .
- the intermediate linkage member 140 is mounted onto the linkage support arm 136 with the mounting post 138 extending through the aperture 146 in the intermediate linkage member 140 .
- the mounting post 134 of the T-shaped linkage member 124 extends through the slot 144 in the intermediate linkage member 140 .
- a nut 148 is screwed onto the threaded distal tip of the mounting post 138 to retain the intermediate linkage member 140 in place on the mounting post 138 .
- a nut 150 is screwed onto the threaded distal tip of the mounting post 134 to retain the mounting post 134 in the slot 144 of the intermediate linkage member 140 .
- the ball 142 on the intermediate linkage member 140 moves vertically (and to a lesser extent horizontally) as the outside door handle 58 goes from a fully retracted position in FIG. 4 to a fully actuated position in FIG. 5 .
- This movement of the ball 142 can be used to operate a handle cable actuator in the outside door lock and door handle interface member (not illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6 ).
- FIGS. 4 through 6 also show a mounting gasket 152 which is placed on the inside of the outside door handle housing member 52 around the perimeter thereof.
- the mounting gasket 152 can be located intermediate the inside of the outside door handle housing member 52 and the steel of the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (shown in FIG. 1 ) when the outside door handle assembly 50 is installed on the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 .
- the outside door handle housing member 52 and the outside door handle 58 can both be made of molded plastic material.
- the outside door handle 58 can be a paddle type or a pull strap type door handle used in conjunction with the lock and latch system of the present invention.
- either of these types of door handles could alternately be mounted and pivot with respect either to an outside door handle housing member which is a part of the second component, to the sheet metal outer skin or other structural framework of a vehicle door, or to an outside door lock and door handle interface member.
- This user-manipulatable control 160 is a cylinder-type lock having a proximal end (best shown in FIG. 9 ) into which a key (not shown herein) can be inserted. If the correct key is inserted into the outside door lock 160 and is turned, a cylindrical projection 162 located at the distal end of the outside door lock 160 will turn. Located on one side of the cylindrical projection 162 (best shown in FIG. 10 ) is a pin 164 which extends from the distal end of the cylindrical projection 162 and rotates with the cylindrical projection 162 when the correct key is inserted into the outside door lock 160 and is turned.
- a small projection 166 Located on one side of the outside door lock 160 in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 is a small projection 166 , while located on the other side of the outside door lock 160 is a larger projection 168 .
- the larger projection 168 can be wider than is the small projection 166 , as best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 . This ensures the proper orientation of the outside door lock 160 when it is inserted into an outside door lock and door handle interface member (not illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 10 ).
- Extending from one side of the larger projection 168 is a spring-loaded tapered projection 170 which will be used to retain the outside door lock 160 in the outside door lock and door handle interface member when it is so installed.
- the outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 can serve any one or more of three functions: to provide a mounting location for the outside door lock 160 (shown in FIGS. 7 through 10 ); to provide a coupling mechanism for interfacing rotary motion of the cylinder lock in the outside door lock 160 to linear motion in an outside door lock cable 174 ; and to provide a coupling mechanism for interfacing movement of the ball 142 of the intermediate linkage member 140 (best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 , which occurs when the outside door handle 58 is actuated) to linear motion in an outside door release cable 176 .
- the outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 includes a housing member 178 which is hollow at one end to receive the outside door lock 160 (an example of which is illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 10 ) therein.
- the end of the housing member 178 which has the opening therein can have an enlarged head portion 180 having a contoured recess 182 located in a portion of the sides thereof.
- This contoured recess 182 is configured to precisely fit the opening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 16 ), with the portions of the enlarged head portion 180 surrounding the recess on both sides thereof acting to retain the outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 in place in the opening 42 .
- the outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 can be installed into the opening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) by placing it into the center of the opening 42 (which can be wider than at the ends of the opening 42 ) where it is shown in phantom lines, and sliding it (in the direction of the arrows) into place at an end of the opening 42 .
- the sheet metal at the right side of the opening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 will be engaged within the contoured recess 182 of the outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 .
- the outside door handle assembly 50 (illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6 ) can then be installed into the opening 42 , where it will engage the outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 and retain it in place.
- the opening in the outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 has a cylindrical opening portion 184 which is centrally located therein, with a narrower rectangular opening portion 186 on one side thereof and a wider rectangular opening portion 188 on the other side thereof.
- a retaining bar 190 (as best seen in FIG. 12 ) is located on one side of the cylindrical opening portion 184 to engage the spring-loaded tapered projection 170 of the outside door lock 160 when it is installed in the outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 .
- outside door lock 160 when installed in the outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 , extends slightly beyond the surface of the enlarged head portion 180 . This portion of the outside door lock 160 will fit into the aperture 54 of the outside door handle housing member 52 (illustrated in FIG. 3 ) when the outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 and the outside door handle housing member 52 are installed into the opening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (as illustrated in FIG. 16 ). It will be appreciated by those skill in the art that typically the outside door lock 160 is included in a set of identically-keyed locks for installation into the doors, the ignition switch, and the trunk of the vehicle. Accordingly, in some cases the outside door lock 160 will not be installed into the outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 until the lock and latch system is being installed into a motor vehicle.
- outside door lock cable actuator 192 Located in the back of the cylindrical opening portion 184 in the exemplary housing member 178 is an outside door lock cable actuator 192 (which is best shown in FIG. 13 ).
- the outside door lock cable actuator 192 is U-shaped, with the middle of one side of the U being connected to one end of a cable wire 194 .
- the cable wire 194 is located inside the outside door lock cable 174 .
- the pin 164 on the cylindrical projection 162 of the outside door lock 160 (best illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10 ) will fit inside the interior of the U (which is identified by the reference number 195 ) when the outside door lock 160 is installed into the outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 .
- outside door handle cable actuator 196 mounted on the exemplary outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 illustrated in FIGS. 11-15 is an outside door handle cable actuator 196 (which is best shown in FIG. 14 ).
- the outside door handle cable actuator 196 has an aperture 197 which is centrally located therein, and is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 198 extending from the side of the housing member 178 .
- One end of the outside door handle cable actuator 196 is U-shaped (as identified by the reference numeral 199 ), and this U-shaped end 199 will engage the ball 142 on the intermediate linkage member 140 of the outside door handle assembly 50 (illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 ).
- the other end of the outside door handle cable actuator 196 (which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 200 ) is connected to one end of a cable wire 202 .
- the cable wire 202 is located inside the outside door lock cable 176 .
- the outside door lock cable 176 is secured to the outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 by a bracket 204 .
- FIGS. 17 and 18 an electronic door latch 210 employed in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.
- this door latch 210 is the second illustrated electronic door latch embodiment in FIGS. 17-31 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/408,993, which is hereby incorporated by reference insofar as it relates to vehicle door latches, their manner of operation, and the manner in which such latches are connected to latch inputs.
- 17 and 18 uses two cables which are respectively operatively connected to a solenoid (not shown) within the latch 210 such that movements of the cables can also be used to extend or retract a pin (e.g., an armature of the solenoid) from one or two control elements (e.g., levers located within the latch 210 and movable to trigger release of the striker 220 ).
- a pin e.g., an armature of the solenoid
- levers located within the latch 210 and movable to trigger release of the striker 220 Rather than repeat the extensive technical description of the electronic door latch described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/408,993, only the application of this latch will be described herein.
- FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate the exemplary electronic door latch 210 , which has a front cover 212 , a rear mounting plate 214 , and a housing 216 , together enclosing the internal elements and mechanisms of the electronic door latch 210 .
- the rear mounting plate 214 has a plurality of threaded apertures 218 which can be utilized to secure the electronic door latch 210 to the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (in the position illustrated in FIG. 2 ).
- the electronic door latch 210 operates to secure the vehicle door 40 by releasably engaging and retaining a striker 220 mounted on a vehicle body (not illustrated herein).
- the electronic door latch 210 utilizes a ratchet 222 (also known as a fork bolt) which is rotatably mounted within the housing 216 .
- the exemplary electronic door latch 210 like the electronic door latch described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/408,993, has two control elements located therein.
- two of the cables attached to the electronic door latch 210 are actuated by the outside door handle 58 (illustrated in FIG. 5 ) and the inside door handle (which has not yet been described herein), respectively.
- the outside door release cable 176 is secured to the housing 216 , and has a cable wire 202 contained therein.
- the end of the cable wire 202 is attached to a control element, which is entirely contained within the housing 216 .
- An inside door release cable 222 is secured to the housing 216 , and has a cable wire 224 contained therein.
- the end of the cable wire 224 is connected to another control element, which is also entirely contained within the housing 216 .
- the outside door lock cable 174 is connected to the front cover 212 , and contains the cable wire 194 .
- An inside door lock cable 226 is also connected to the front cover 212 , and contains a cable wire 228 .
- the outside door lock cable 174 and the inside door lock cable 226 are both used to lock the one of the control elements. When this control element is locked, and the outside door release cable 176 is pulled, the electronic door latch 210 will not unlatch. However, when this same control element is unlocked, and the outside door release cable 176 is pulled, the electronic door latch 210 will unlatch.
- U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/408,993 In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, one control element corresponding to the inside door handle is never locked (although it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it could be locked if the inside door lock cable 226 was connected to it instead of the other control element).
- Actuating the inside door handle 242 illustrated in FIG. 20 is accomplished by pulling its unconnected end outwardly from the base member 234 , which pulls the cable wire 224 from the end of the inside door release cable 222 shown in FIG. 19 .
- a user manipulatable control i.e., an inside door lock actuator 244
- FIG. 19 A user manipulatable control (i.e., an inside door lock actuator 244 ) is also shown in FIG. 19 to be of the rocker type. Pushing on its right side (as shown in FIG. 19 ) pulls the cable wire 228 from the end of the inside door lock cable 226 shown in FIG. 19 , locking the electronic door latch 210 (shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 ).
- Pushing on the left side of the inside door lock actuator 244 pushes the cable wire 228 back into the inside door lock cable 226 , unlocking the electronic door latch 210 .
- the mechanisms used to connect the inside door handle 242 to the inside door release cable 222 and the inside door lock actuator 244 to the inside door lock cable 226 are not shown in greater detail since they are of a simple nature which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
- one skilled in the art will also appreciate that instead of the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly 232 being used, a separate inside door handle assembly (not illustrated herein) and inside door lock assembly (not illustrated herein) could instead be used.
- the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly 232 comprise a fourth component which is not initially connected to the rest of the first component (the electronic door latch 210 , the outside door handle assembly 50 , and the cables between components 174 , 176 , 222 , and 226 ).
- the first component would, however, include cables 222 and 226 which will be connected to the mechanism of the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly 232 .
- cables 222 and 226 can be extended out of the vehicle door 40 to allow them to be connected to the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly 232 .
- the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly 232 can be installed into the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 .
- the entire lock and latch system of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in an assembled form. Note particularly the four cables between the components.
- the outside door lock cable 174 and the outside door release cable 176 extend between the outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 and the electronic door latch 210
- the inside door release cable 222 and the inside door lock cable 226 extend between the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly 232 and the electronic door latch 210 .
- the cables are Bowden cables which transfer the motions of the various handles and lock mechanisms to the door latch.
- a substitute which can be made for one of the cables is another type of mechanical linkage such as a pin.
- the pin can be used, for example, to connect the outside lock to the door latch instead of using the outside door lock cable 174 .
- the use of cables can substantially enhance the level of security afforded by the lock and latch system of the present invention since such cables can be less susceptible to jimmying by a thief using a “slim jim.”
- a sheet metal mounting support bracket 246 is schematically illustrated as extending between the outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 and the electronic door latch 210 .
- the mounting support bracket 246 can be used to properly space the outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 and the electronic door latch 210 apart, and in some embodiments will be different for each different vehicle door configuration. Accordingly, the mounting support bracket 246 can have a plurality of bends and curves contained therein which are arranged and configured in accordance with the particular vehicle door configuration, as well as to accommodate the various components to be assembled into the vehicle door.
- an additional segment of mounting support bracket 248 can extend between the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly 232 and the electronic door latch 210 .
- the mounting support bracket 248 can be used to properly space the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly 232 and the electronic door latch 210 apart, and in some embodiments will again be different for each different vehicle door configuration.
- the mounting support bracket 248 can also have a plurality of bends and curves contained therein which are again arranged and configured in accordance with the particular vehicle door configuration, as well as to accommodate the various components to be assembled into the vehicle door.
- a locking and latching system of modular construction in which the components of the system can be pre-assembled prior to their installation into the structural framework of a vehicle door.
- the modular construction of the lock and latch system can include the outside and inside door handles, the outside and inside locks, the door latch itself, as well as linkages between these components.
- the modular components of the present invention can facilitate the assembly process by, for example, being of a design which simplifies the process of installing them into the structural framework of a vehicle door, without requiring the use of specialized tools, thereby reducing the labor costs associated with assembly.
- the lock and latch system can substantially enhance the security of the vehicle by providing a lock and latch system which by virtue of its design has an enhanced level of resistance to manipulation by jimmying with a “slim jim” or similar tool of the type commonly used by car thieves.
- the lock and latch system can include the outside door handle as a separate modular component, thereby allowing outside door handles to be manufactured in a variety of colors to match exterior vehicle paint colors while allowing the other modular components of the system to be of a single type and color.
- the pre-assembled nature of the modular components can eliminate the requirement for adjustments to be made during the assembly of the components of the lock and latch system into the structural framework of a vehicle door, thereby further minimizing assembly costs while simultaneously enhancing vehicle quality.
- the modular components of the lock and latch system in some embodiments of the present invention can be adaptable for uses on a variety of different vehicles by merely switching outside door handles and providing different size linkages between the various modular components.
- the lock and latch system of the present invention can be of a construction which is both durable and long lasting, and which requires little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime.
- the lock and latch system of the present invention can also be of inexpensive construction to enhance its market appeal and to thereby afford it the broadest possible market.
Abstract
A locking and latching system of modular construction in which some of the components of the system are pre-assembled prior to their installation into the structural framework of a vehicle door. The modular construction of the lock and latch system of the present invention can include the outside and inside door handles, the outside and inside locks, the door latch itself, as well as linkages between these components. The modular components of the present invention can further facilitate the assembly process by being of a design which simplifies the process of installing them into the structural framework of a vehicle door without requiring the use of specialized tools, thereby reducing the labor costs associated with assembly.
Description
- This is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/352,794, filed Jan. 28, 2003, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/442,724, filed Nov. 18, 1999. The entire contents of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
- The present invention relates generally to a vehicle door locking and latching apparatus, and more particularly to an improved modular vehicle door lock and latch system. Locking and latching systems typically have one or more limitations relating to installation difficulty, speed, and/or cost. In light of these and other limitations of conventional locking and latching systems, new locking and latching systems would be welcome in the art.
- Some embodiments of the present invention provide a locking and latching system of modular construction such that at least two of the components of the system are pre-assembled prior to their installation into the structural framework of a vehicle door. In some embodiments, the lock and latch system includes modular components including various user-manipulatable controls (e.g., outside and inside door handles and outside and inside locks), the door latch itself, as well as all linkages between these components. Modular components can facilitate the assembly process by simplifying the process of installing them into the structural framework of a vehicle door, and by not requiring the use of specialized tools, thereby further reducing the labor costs associated with assembly. In some cases, the present invention can substantially enhance the security of a vehicle by providing a lock and latch system which has an enhanced level of resistance to manipulation by jimmying with a “slim jim” or similar tool of the type commonly used by car thieves.
- In some embodiments of the present invention, a lock and latch system is manufactured in three modular assemblies, the first of which includes an inside door handle, an inside lock, a door latch, and an outside door lock and door handle interface member, as well as linkages between these components. The second component in such embodiments can be an outside door lock which is easily installed in the outside door lock and door handle interface member. The third component in such embodiments can be an outside door handle assembly which will be operatively connected to the outside door lock and door handle interface member.
- In some alternate embodiments, the inside door handle and the inside lock together comprise a fourth component which is not necessarily initially connected to the rest of the first component (the door latch, the outside door lock and door handle interface member, and the linkages between components). In such embodiments, the first component can, however, include the linkage members which will be connected to the mechanism of the inside door handle of the inside door lock. While the rest of the first component is installed in the structural framework of the vehicle door, these linkage members can extend out of the vehicle door to allow them to be connected to the inside door handle in the inside door lock. Thus, in such embodiments, following the connection of the first and fourth components together, the inside door handle in the inside door lock can be installed into the structural framework of the vehicle door.
- The outside door handle according to some embodiments can be installed in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,554, to Rükert et al. (i.e., by placing the outside door handle assembly into position in an opening in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door and moving the handle from its non-actuated position to its actuated position). U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,554 is hereby incorporated herein by reference insofar as it relates to the connection of door handle assemblies to doors via actuation of door handles. Alternately, a conventional design door handle (e.g., a paddle type or a pull strap type) could be used instead of the type of door handle taught by the '554 patent. Either of these types of door handles can be mounted and pivot with respect to any desired structure, such as an outside door handle housing member (which can, for example, be part of the second component described above), a portion of the vehicle door (e.g., the sheet metal of the outer skin and/or the structural framework of the vehicle door), or an outside door lock and door handle interface member.
- When employed, the outside door lock and door handle interface member can be installed in or adjacent to the opening in the outer skin of the structural framework of a vehicle door. In some embodiments, the outside door lock and door handle interface member installs into the opening without using tools. Also, in some cases the outside door lock and door handle interface member is retained in position by the outside door handle assembly when the outside door handle assembly is installed into the opening.
- The housing of the outside door lock and door handle interface member can be made of a die-cast zinc element which interlocks with the sheet metal of the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that such a mounting arrangement can result in an enhanced level of security for the lock and latch system of the present invention, since the all-metal design can make it substantially more difficult for a thief to pop the door lock out and thereby open the vehicle door.
- In some embodiments, the outside door lock and door handle interface member is connected to two cables, although other types of linkages well known to those skilled in the art or a combination of such linkage elements and cables can also be used. For example, one cable can be used together with another type of mechanical linkage such as a pin. In such an arrangement, the cable can be used to connect the outside door handle to the latch while the pin can be used to connect the outside lock to the door latch. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the use of cables can substantially enhance the level of security afforded by the lock and latch system of the present invention, since such cables are resistant to jimmying by a thief using a “slim jim.”
- In those embodiments employing an outside door lock, the outside door lock can be installed into the outside door lock and door handle interface member, and can be accessible through the outside door handle assembly when these components are installed into the opening in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door. In some cases where cables extend from the outside door lock and door handle interface member, one of the cables in the outside door lock and door handle interface member can be driven by an outside door lock cable actuator which can be driven by the outside door lock. The outside door handle assembly can include a mechanical linkage which connects the outside door handle to an outside door handle cable actuator in the outside door lock and door handle interface member when the outside door handle assembly is installed. If desired, another cable in the outside door lock and door handle interface member can be driven by the outside door handle cable actuator, which can be driven by the linkage in the outside handle assembly.
- In some embodiments, an inside door handle and an inside door lock actuator are both contained in a single assembly. Also, in some embodiments the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly are connected by two cables. One of the cables can be driven by the inside door handle, and the other cable can be driven by the inside door lock cable actuator. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other types of linkages or a combination of such linkage elements and cables could instead be used.
- If desired, cables can be employed to transfer mechanical force to the door latch. By way of example only, four cables can extend to the door latch from the outside door lock and door handle interface member and the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly. In some embodiments, the door latch used is the device described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/408,993, entitled “Electronic Latch Apparatus and Method,” issued to Dimig and filed on Sep. 29, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/263,415 issued to Dimig and filed on Mar. 5, 1999. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/408,993 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/263,415, in their entirety, are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
- In some embodiments, an electronic door latch is actuated by two cables: one cable extending from the inside door handle and operating a first control element in the electronic door latch, and another cable extending from the outside door handle and operating a second control element in the electronic door latch. A solenoid-actuated pin can be used to lock the electronic door latch, preventing it from being opened from the outside handle if the solenoid has retracted a pin from the second control element.
- Although any lock and latch system can be employed in the present invention, in some embodiments the lock and latch system of the present invention uses the second embodiment of the electronic door latch illustrated in
FIGS. 17-31 of the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/408,993 discussed above. In such cases, two cables can be respectively operatively connected to a solenoid armature such that movements of either of the cables can also be used to extend or retract the pin from the solenoid. Accordingly, the cables from either an inside door lock cable actuator or an outside door lock cable actuator can be operatively connected to the solenoid such that either of them can extend or retract the pin from the second control element. In some embodiments, two solenoids could instead be used, each corresponding to a respective control element. In such cases, cables operating the inside and outside locks can be connected to drive two pins, one of which is associated with each of the solenoids. - As mentioned above, in some embodiments the lock and latch system of the present invention is assembled into three modules which are delivered to the motor vehicle manufacturer. The first module can include the outside door lock and door handle interface member, the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly, the electronic door latch, and cables (e.g., four cables in some of the exemplary embodiments described above) connecting the first three components. This first module can be pre-assembled in its entirety, if desired. The second module can include the outside door lock, which can be part of a set of identically-keyed locks for installation into the doors, the ignition switch, and the trunk of the vehicle. The third module can include the outside door handle assembly (e.g., as assembly which includes the outside door handle itself, and in some cases the mechanical linkage which can be used to connect it to a handle cable actuator in the outside door lock and door handle interface member). The third module can also include the outside handle mounting mechanism which secures the outside door handle assembly in place when the outside door handle is actuated for the first time. In some embodiments, part of this third module is also located outside and partially overlying the lock cylinder, with the lock cylinder being accessible through this third module.
- Some embodiments of the present invention provide a mounting bracket used to support an outside door lock and door handle interface member in a spaced relationship with respect to an electronic door latch. This mounting bracket can be both small and flexible, and can further facilitate installation of the components supported therefrom into the structural framework of a vehicle door. In some cases, the mounting bracket also extends between the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly and the electronic door latch in order to establish a spaced relationship therebetween.
- In some embodiments, the lock and latch system includes the outside door handle as a separate modular component, thereby allowing outside door handles to be manufactured in a variety of colors to match exterior vehicle paint colors while allowing other modular components of the system to be of a single type and color. When employed according to the present invention, the pre-assembled nature of the modular components can reduce or eliminate the requirement for adjustments to be made during the assembly of the components of the lock and latch system into the structural framework of a vehicle door, thereby further minimizing assembly costs while simultaneously enhancing vehicle quality. The modular components can be adaptable for use on a variety of different vehicles by merely switching outside door handles and providing different size linkages between the various modular components.
- The lock and latch system of the present invention can also be of a construction which is both durable and long lasting so that it requires little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. In order to enhance the market appeal of the lock and latch system of the present invention, it can also be of inexpensive construction to thereby afford it the broadest possible market.
- Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the structural framework of a vehicle door from the outside, showing an opening in which the outside handle and outside lock will be mounted; -
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the structural framework of the vehicle door illustrated inFIG. 1 from the inside, with the locations at which the door latch, the outside handle and outside lock, and the inside handle and inside lock will be mounted highlighted; -
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an outside handle assembly constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, showing an aperture and a ball connector at the location at which an outside door lock and door handle interface member will be mounted; -
FIG. 4 is a side view of the outside handle assembly illustrated inFIG. 3 from a first side and with the door handle in its normally retracted position, showing the linkage used to move the ball connector when the door handle is opened, and also showing a retention mechanism in a preinstalled position; -
FIG. 5 is a side view of the outside handle assembly similar to the view illustrated inFIG. 4 but with the door handle in its extended position, showing the movement of the linkage and the ball connector, and also showing the retention mechanism in its installed position; -
FIG. 6 is a side view of the outside handle illustrated inFIGS. 3 through 5 from a second side and with the door handle in its retracted position following movement of the retention mechanism to its installed position; -
FIG. 7 is a plan view of an outside lock assembly from a first side, showing a pin extending from the rear end thereof; -
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the outside lock assembly illustrated inFIG. 7 from a second side, showing the spring-loaded retention mechanism used to retain the outside lock assembly in place; -
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the outside lock assembly illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8 from the front end thereof; -
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the outside lock assembly illustrated inFIGS. 7 through 9 from the rear end thereof; -
FIG. 11 is a front plan view of an outside door lock and door handle interface member from the front side thereof, showing portions of two cables connected to the assembly, the interface member having a recess therein for receiving the outside lock assembly illustrated inFIGS. 7 through 10 , the recess having an outside door lock cable actuator attached to one of the cables contained therein, and also showing a pivotable outside door handle cable actuator attached to the other of the cables at one end thereof and having a U-shaped fork at the other end thereof; -
FIG. 12 is a side plan view of the outside door lock and door handle interface member illustrated inFIG. 11 , showing a recess located about the periphery of the housing of the interface member which will be used to mount the interface member; -
FIG. 13 is a plan view of the cable actuator illustrated inFIG. 11 ; -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the outside door handle cable actuator illustrated inFIG. 11 , showing a centrally-located aperture extending therethrough, the curved end for attachment to the cable, and the U-shaped fork which is the other end thereof; -
FIG. 15 is a front plan view of the outside door lock and door handle interface member illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12 from the front side thereof, showing the outside lock assembly illustrated inFIGS. 7 through 10 installed therein; -
FIG. 16 is a plan view of the portion of the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (shown inFIG. 1 ) having the opening 42 therein, showing the installation and placement of the outside door lock and door handle interface member (shown inFIGS. 11, 12 , and 15); -
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a door latch assembly from the front side, showing portions of four cables connected to the door latch assembly; -
FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of the door latch assembly ofFIG. 16 , showing how a striker mounted on the vehicle body is engaged and retained by a ratchet in the door latch assembly; -
FIG. 19 is a plan view of an inside door handle and inside door lock assembly, showing portions of two cables connected to the assembly; -
FIG. 20 is a plan view depicting the door latch assembly illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18 and the outside door lock and door handle interface member illustrated inFIGS. 11, 12 , and 15 with two cables interconnecting them, also showing two cables interconnecting the door latch assembly and the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly illustrated inFIG. 19 , and also showing the outside door lock and door handle interface member positioned in engagement with the outside handle illustrated inFIGS. 3 through 6 ; -
FIG. 21 is a schematic depiction from the side of a mounting bracket used to interconnect the door latch assembly illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18 with the outside door lock and door handle interface member illustrated inFIGS. 11, 12 , and 15, showing in dotted lines an optional extension of the door bracket which can be used to interconnect the door latch and the inside door handle and inside door lock assembly illustrated inFIG. 19 , with the cables being omitted for clarity; and -
FIG. 22 is a schematic depiction of the mounting bracket similar to that illustrated inFIG. 21 , but viewed from the top. - Before embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The use of “consisting of” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass only the items listed thereafter.
- A first illustrated embodiment of an exemplary lock and latch system according to the present invention consists of three modules which are pre-assembled prior to delivery to the manufacturer (i.e., a party assembling the motor vehicles into which the lock and latch system will be incorporated). In the first illustrated embodiment, the first module consists of three primary components, namely an outside door lock and door handle interface member, an inside door handle and inside door lock assembly, and an electronic door latch, with four cables being used to connect these three components. These three components will be discussed separately, prior to a discussion about their incorporation into a single module. The second module is the outside lock, which in the exemplary first illustrated embodiment is a cylinder-type lock. The third module is the outside door handle assembly, which will also be discussed separately.
- Referring first to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , the structural framework of avehicle door 40 is illustrated from the outside inFIG. 1 and from the inside inFIG. 2 . The structural framework of thevehicle door 40 has anopening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (best illustrated inFIG. 1 , illustrated schematically inFIG. 2 ) into which an outer handle assembly and an outside door lock (neither of which are illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 ) will be mounted. The structural framework of thevehicle door 40 also has the location for an inside door handle and inside door lock assembly (not illustrated inFIG. 1 or 2) indicated by thereference numeral 44 inFIG. 2 and the location for a door latch (not illustrated inFIG. 1 or 2) indicated by thereference numeral 46 inFIG. 2 . - Referring next to
FIGS. 3 through 6 , the construction of an exemplary outsidedoor handle assembly 50 according to the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, all of the various components of the outsidedoor handle assembly 50 are assembled onto an outside doorhandle housing member 52, which is of a size and configuration to fit partially into theopening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (shown inFIG. 1 ). The outer periphery of the outside doorhandle housing member 52 is larger than theopening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of thevehicle door 40. - Located near one side of the outside door
handle housing member 52 is anaperture 54 which will receive the proximal end (the end next to or nearest the point of attachment or origin) of an outside door lock (not illustrated inFIGS. 3 through 6 ). Located intermediate theaperture 54 and the other end of the outside doorhandle housing member 52 is aconcave portion 56 which will receive a user-manipulatable control (e.g., an outside door handle 58) therein in a flush manner when theoutside door handle 58 is not actuated. - The
outside door handle 58 in the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 3-6 has twosupport arms support arm 60 has anaperture 64 located near the end thereof remote from the point of attachment of thesupport arm 60 to theoutside door handle 58. Thesupport arm 62 has anaperture 66 located near the end thereof remote from the point of attachment of thesupport arm 62 to theoutside door handle 58. - The
support arm 60 has anextension 68 projecting in the same plane as thesupport arm 60 from the end thereof remote from the point of attachment of thesupport arm 60 to theoutside door handle 58. The distal end (the end situated away from the point of attachment or origin) of theextension 68 has anaperture 70 located therein. Thesupport arm 62 has aprojection 72 extending from the side thereof near the end thereof remote from the point of attachment of thesupport arm 62 to theoutside door handle 58. - The outside door
handle housing member 52 has twoopenings concave portion 56 to admit thesupport arms handle housing member 52 on the back side of theconcave portion 56 immediately outside theopenings handle mounting arms handle mounting arms apertures handle housing member 52. - The mechanism used to mount the outside
door handle assembly 50 can be similar to the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,554, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the exemplary embodiment of the outsidedoor handle assembly 50 illustrated inFIGS. 3-6 , acam member 86 having anaperture 88 extending therethrough is mounted adjacent thehandle mounting arm 80 using apin 90. Also mounted on thepin 90 is aspring 92, which bears against thesupport arm 60 of theoutside door handle 58 and the inside surface of the outside doorhandle housing member 52, and operates to keep theoutside door handle 58 in its flush position with respect to the outside doorhandle housing member 52. - The
pin 90 extends sequentially through theaperture 84 in thehandle mounting arm 80, theaperture 66 in thesupport arm 62 of theoutside door handle 58, theaperture 88 in thecam member 86, thespring 92, theaperture 64 in thesupport arm 60, and theaperture 82 in thehandle mounting arm 78. In the first illustrated embodiment, thepin 90 has an interference fit with one or both of theapertures handle mounting arms pin 90 in place will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. - Extending from the back side of the
concave portion 56 of the outside doorhandle housing member 52 is an essentially squarelock support post 96, which is located between and slightly below the level of thehandle mounting arms lock support post 96 is a threadedpost 98. Mounted on the threadedpost 98 is alock plate 100 which has avertical slot 102 therein through which the threadedpost 98 extends. Anut 104 and awasher 106 are used to retain thelock plate 100 in place on the threadedpost 98, although, as can best be seen inFIGS. 5 and 6 , thenut 104 is not fully tightened on the threadedpost 98. Other manners of retaining thelock plate 100 in place on the threadedpost 98 which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art may alternatively be used. - The
exemplary lock plate 100 of the illustrated embodiment inFIGS. 3-6 can be seen as having three primary portions (i.e., twoplanar portions vertical slot 102 in this embodiment is located in the irregularcentral portion 112. The twoplanar portions flange slot 118 is located in the distal edge of theplanar portion 108 to admit the end of thespring 92 which bears on the outside doorhandle housing member 52. - Note that when the
lock plate 100 is in the position illustrated inFIG. 4 (the installation position), theflange 114 on theplanar portion 108 of thelock plate 100 is spaced slightly away from the top edge of the outside doorhandle housing member 52, and theflange 116 on theplanar portion 110 of thelock plate 100 is spaced well away from the bottom edge of the outside doorhandle housing member 52. In this position, the outsidedoor handle assembly 50 can be installed into place in theopening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (shown inFIG. 1 ). - The irregular
central portion 112 is configured such than when thelock plate 100 is moved downward from the position illustrated inFIG. 4 to the position illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6 (the installed position), theflanges handle housing member 52. Once in this position, afinger 120 extending from theplanar portion 110 near its point of attachment to the irregularcentral portion 112 will prevent thelock plate 100 from returning to its former position, thereby gripping the steel surrounding theopening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (shown inFIG. 1 ) tightly. - The
lock plate 100 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment is moved from its installation position to its installed position by the clockwise rotation of thecam member 86 when viewed along the axis of thepin 90 from the perspective of thehandle mounting arm 78. This movement of thecam member 86 occurs when theoutside door handle 58 is actuated (pulled outwardly from theconcave portion 56 in the outside door handle housing member 52). Theprojection 72 on thesupport arm 62 of theoutside door handle 58 bears against apin 122 extending from the side of thecam member 86 facing thehandle mounting arm 80, causing thecam member 86 to rotate against theplanar portion 108 of thelock plate 100, pushing it downward from the installation position to the installed position. - A T-shaped
linkage member 124 is mounted onto thesupport arm 60 which extends from theoutside door handle 58. The T-shapedlinkage member 124 hasapertures pin 90 preferably extends beyond theaperture 64 in thesupport arm 60 and into theaperture 126 in the T-shapedlinkage member 124. - A
bolt 130 extends through theaperture 70 in thesupport arm 60 and theaperture 128 in the T-shapedlinkage member 124, and is secured in place by anut 132. The base of the T is curved, as best seen inFIG. 4 . Extending from the side of the T-shapedlinkage member 124 at the bottom of the T is a mountingpost 134 which has a threaded distal tip. - A
linkage support arm 136 extends from the back of the outside doorhandle housing member 52 well below the position of thehandle mounting arm 78. Extending from the side oflinkage support arm 136 near the distal end thereof is a mountingpost 138 which has a threaded distal tip. - Mounted on the mounting
post 138 is anintermediate linkage member 140 which is shaped like a hockey stick. Mounted on the side of the lower end of theintermediate linkage member 140 at the distal tip thereof is aball 142 which will interface with an outside door lock and door handle interface member (not illustrated inFIGS. 3 through 6 ). Located in the side of theintermediate linkage member 140 from the top to a position about two-thirds of the way down the “handle” is aslot 144. Also located on the side of the lower end of theintermediate linkage member 140 proximally from theball 142 is anaperture 146. - The
intermediate linkage member 140 is mounted onto thelinkage support arm 136 with the mountingpost 138 extending through theaperture 146 in theintermediate linkage member 140. The mountingpost 134 of the T-shapedlinkage member 124 extends through theslot 144 in theintermediate linkage member 140. Anut 148 is screwed onto the threaded distal tip of the mountingpost 138 to retain theintermediate linkage member 140 in place on the mountingpost 138. Anut 150 is screwed onto the threaded distal tip of the mountingpost 134 to retain the mountingpost 134 in theslot 144 of theintermediate linkage member 140. - Referring now particularly to
FIGS. 4 and 5 of the exemplary illustrated embodiment, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theball 142 on theintermediate linkage member 140 moves vertically (and to a lesser extent horizontally) as theoutside door handle 58 goes from a fully retracted position inFIG. 4 to a fully actuated position inFIG. 5 . This movement of theball 142 can be used to operate a handle cable actuator in the outside door lock and door handle interface member (not illustrated inFIGS. 3 through 6 ). - Finally,
FIGS. 4 through 6 also show a mountinggasket 152 which is placed on the inside of the outside doorhandle housing member 52 around the perimeter thereof. The mountinggasket 152 can be located intermediate the inside of the outside doorhandle housing member 52 and the steel of the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (shown inFIG. 1 ) when the outsidedoor handle assembly 50 is installed on the structural framework of thevehicle door 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the outside doorhandle housing member 52 and theoutside door handle 58 can both be made of molded plastic material. - By way of example only, the
outside door handle 58 can be a paddle type or a pull strap type door handle used in conjunction with the lock and latch system of the present invention. In addition, either of these types of door handles could alternately be mounted and pivot with respect either to an outside door handle housing member which is a part of the second component, to the sheet metal outer skin or other structural framework of a vehicle door, or to an outside door lock and door handle interface member. Such changes and substitutions will certainly be readily apparent to one skilled in the art once the principles of the present invention have been made known to that person. - Referring next to
FIGS. 7 through 10 , anoutside door lock 160 is illustrated. This user-manipulatable control 160 is a cylinder-type lock having a proximal end (best shown inFIG. 9 ) into which a key (not shown herein) can be inserted. If the correct key is inserted into theoutside door lock 160 and is turned, acylindrical projection 162 located at the distal end of theoutside door lock 160 will turn. Located on one side of the cylindrical projection 162 (best shown inFIG. 10 ) is apin 164 which extends from the distal end of thecylindrical projection 162 and rotates with thecylindrical projection 162 when the correct key is inserted into theoutside door lock 160 and is turned. - Located on one side of the
outside door lock 160 in the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 7-10 is asmall projection 166, while located on the other side of theoutside door lock 160 is alarger projection 168. Thelarger projection 168 can be wider than is thesmall projection 166, as best shown inFIGS. 9 and 10 . This ensures the proper orientation of theoutside door lock 160 when it is inserted into an outside door lock and door handle interface member (not illustrated inFIGS. 7 through 10 ). Extending from one side of thelarger projection 168 is a spring-loadedtapered projection 170 which will be used to retain theoutside door lock 160 in the outside door lock and door handle interface member when it is so installed. - Referring now to
FIGS. 11 through 15 , an exemplary outside door lock and door handle interface member 172 (and, inFIGS. 13 and 14 , two components thereof) according to the present invention is illustrated. The outside door lock and doorhandle interface member 172 can serve any one or more of three functions: to provide a mounting location for the outside door lock 160 (shown inFIGS. 7 through 10 ); to provide a coupling mechanism for interfacing rotary motion of the cylinder lock in theoutside door lock 160 to linear motion in an outsidedoor lock cable 174; and to provide a coupling mechanism for interfacing movement of theball 142 of the intermediate linkage member 140 (best illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5 , which occurs when theoutside door handle 58 is actuated) to linear motion in an outsidedoor release cable 176. - The outside door lock and door
handle interface member 172 includes ahousing member 178 which is hollow at one end to receive the outside door lock 160 (an example of which is illustrated inFIGS. 7 through 10 ) therein. The end of thehousing member 178 which has the opening therein can have anenlarged head portion 180 having a contouredrecess 182 located in a portion of the sides thereof. Thiscontoured recess 182 is configured to precisely fit theopening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (shown inFIGS. 1 and 16 ), with the portions of theenlarged head portion 180 surrounding the recess on both sides thereof acting to retain the outside door lock and doorhandle interface member 172 in place in theopening 42. - Referring for the moment to
FIG. 16 , the outside door lock and doorhandle interface member 172 can be installed into theopening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (illustrated inFIG. 1 ) by placing it into the center of the opening 42 (which can be wider than at the ends of the opening 42) where it is shown in phantom lines, and sliding it (in the direction of the arrows) into place at an end of theopening 42. In this position, the sheet metal at the right side of theopening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of thevehicle door 40 will be engaged within the contouredrecess 182 of the outside door lock and doorhandle interface member 172. The outside door handle assembly 50 (illustrated inFIGS. 3 through 6 ) can then be installed into theopening 42, where it will engage the outside door lock and doorhandle interface member 172 and retain it in place. - Referring again to
FIGS. 11 through 15 , the opening in the outside door lock and doorhandle interface member 172 has acylindrical opening portion 184 which is centrally located therein, with a narrowerrectangular opening portion 186 on one side thereof and a widerrectangular opening portion 188 on the other side thereof. A retaining bar 190 (as best seen inFIG. 12 ) is located on one side of thecylindrical opening portion 184 to engage the spring-loadedtapered projection 170 of theoutside door lock 160 when it is installed in the outside door lock and doorhandle interface member 172. - It may be seen in
FIG. 12 that theoutside door lock 160, when installed in the outside door lock and doorhandle interface member 172, extends slightly beyond the surface of theenlarged head portion 180. This portion of theoutside door lock 160 will fit into theaperture 54 of the outside door handle housing member 52 (illustrated inFIG. 3 ) when the outside door lock and doorhandle interface member 172 and the outside doorhandle housing member 52 are installed into theopening 42 in the outer skin of the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (as illustrated inFIG. 16 ). It will be appreciated by those skill in the art that typically theoutside door lock 160 is included in a set of identically-keyed locks for installation into the doors, the ignition switch, and the trunk of the vehicle. Accordingly, in some cases theoutside door lock 160 will not be installed into the outside door lock and doorhandle interface member 172 until the lock and latch system is being installed into a motor vehicle. - Located in the back of the
cylindrical opening portion 184 in theexemplary housing member 178 is an outside door lock cable actuator 192 (which is best shown inFIG. 13 ). The outside doorlock cable actuator 192 is U-shaped, with the middle of one side of the U being connected to one end of acable wire 194. Thecable wire 194 is located inside the outsidedoor lock cable 174. Thepin 164 on thecylindrical projection 162 of the outside door lock 160 (best illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 10 ) will fit inside the interior of the U (which is identified by the reference number 195) when theoutside door lock 160 is installed into the outside door lock and doorhandle interface member 172. Thus, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that when a key (not illustrated herein) is placed into theoutside door lock 160 and rotated, rotating thecylindrical projection 162 and thepin 164, thepin 164 will actuate the outside doorlock cable actuator 192 and cause thecable wire 194 to be moved inside the outsidedoor lock cable 174. - Also mounted on the exemplary outside door lock and door
handle interface member 172 illustrated inFIGS. 11-15 is an outside door handle cable actuator 196 (which is best shown inFIG. 14 ). The outside doorhandle cable actuator 196 has anaperture 197 which is centrally located therein, and is pivotally mounted on apivot pin 198 extending from the side of thehousing member 178. One end of the outside doorhandle cable actuator 196 is U-shaped (as identified by the reference numeral 199), and thisU-shaped end 199 will engage theball 142 on theintermediate linkage member 140 of the outside door handle assembly 50 (illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5 ). The other end of the outside door handle cable actuator 196 (which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 200) is connected to one end of acable wire 202. Thecable wire 202 is located inside the outsidedoor lock cable 176. The outsidedoor lock cable 176 is secured to the outside door lock and doorhandle interface member 172 by abracket 204. - Thus, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that when the outside door handle 58 of the outside door handle assembly 50 (illustrated in
FIGS. 4 and 5 ) is actuated, theball 142 on theintermediate linkage member 140 will move, causing a corresponding movement of the outside doorhandle cable actuator 196. As the outside doorhandle cable actuator 196 moves, thecable wire 202 inside the outsidedoor release cable 176 will move as well. - Referring now to
FIGS. 17 and 18 , anelectronic door latch 210 employed in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. By way of example only, thisdoor latch 210 is the second illustrated electronic door latch embodiment inFIGS. 17-31 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/408,993, which is hereby incorporated by reference insofar as it relates to vehicle door latches, their manner of operation, and the manner in which such latches are connected to latch inputs. Theelectronic door latch 210 inFIGS. 17 and 18 uses two cables which are respectively operatively connected to a solenoid (not shown) within thelatch 210 such that movements of the cables can also be used to extend or retract a pin (e.g., an armature of the solenoid) from one or two control elements (e.g., levers located within thelatch 210 and movable to trigger release of the striker 220). Rather than repeat the extensive technical description of the electronic door latch described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/408,993, only the application of this latch will be described herein. -
FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate the exemplaryelectronic door latch 210, which has afront cover 212, arear mounting plate 214, and ahousing 216, together enclosing the internal elements and mechanisms of theelectronic door latch 210. Therear mounting plate 214 has a plurality of threadedapertures 218 which can be utilized to secure theelectronic door latch 210 to the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (in the position illustrated inFIG. 2 ). - The
electronic door latch 210 operates to secure thevehicle door 40 by releasably engaging and retaining astriker 220 mounted on a vehicle body (not illustrated herein). Theelectronic door latch 210 utilizes a ratchet 222 (also known as a fork bolt) which is rotatably mounted within thehousing 216. The exemplaryelectronic door latch 210, like the electronic door latch described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/408,993, has two control elements located therein. - In the illustrated embodiment, two of the cables attached to the
electronic door latch 210 are actuated by the outside door handle 58 (illustrated inFIG. 5 ) and the inside door handle (which has not yet been described herein), respectively. The outsidedoor release cable 176 is secured to thehousing 216, and has acable wire 202 contained therein. The end of thecable wire 202 is attached to a control element, which is entirely contained within thehousing 216. An insidedoor release cable 222 is secured to thehousing 216, and has acable wire 224 contained therein. The end of thecable wire 224 is connected to another control element, which is also entirely contained within thehousing 216. - The outside
door lock cable 174 is connected to thefront cover 212, and contains thecable wire 194. An insidedoor lock cable 226 is also connected to thefront cover 212, and contains acable wire 228. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated herein, the outsidedoor lock cable 174 and the insidedoor lock cable 226 are both used to lock the one of the control elements. When this control element is locked, and the outsidedoor release cable 176 is pulled, theelectronic door latch 210 will not unlatch. However, when this same control element is unlocked, and the outsidedoor release cable 176 is pulled, theelectronic door latch 210 will unlatch. For more complete understanding of the operation of the illustratedelectronic door latch 210, the reader is referred to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/408,993. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, one control element corresponding to the inside door handle is never locked (although it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it could be locked if the insidedoor lock cable 226 was connected to it instead of the other control element). - Referring next to
FIG. 19 , an inside door handle and insidedoor lock assembly 232 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated for installation in thelocation 44 on the structural framework of the vehicle door 40 (illustrated inFIG. 2 ). The inside door handle and insidedoor lock assembly 232 has abase member 234 having a mountingstub 236 on the bottom edge thereof and a mountingtab 238 having anaperture 240 therethrough on the left side edge thereof. An user-manipulatable control (e.g., an inside door handle 242) is hingedly mounted onto thebase member 234, and is biased into the position illustrated inFIG. 19 . - Actuating the
inside door handle 242 illustrated inFIG. 20 is accomplished by pulling its unconnected end outwardly from thebase member 234, which pulls thecable wire 224 from the end of the insidedoor release cable 222 shown inFIG. 19 . A user manipulatable control (i.e., an inside door lock actuator 244) is also shown inFIG. 19 to be of the rocker type. Pushing on its right side (as shown inFIG. 19 ) pulls thecable wire 228 from the end of the insidedoor lock cable 226 shown inFIG. 19 , locking the electronic door latch 210 (shown inFIGS. 17 and 18 ). Pushing on the left side of the insidedoor lock actuator 244 pushes thecable wire 228 back into the insidedoor lock cable 226, unlocking theelectronic door latch 210. The mechanisms used to connect theinside door handle 242 to the insidedoor release cable 222 and the insidedoor lock actuator 244 to the insidedoor lock cable 226 are not shown in greater detail since they are of a simple nature which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. In addition, one skilled in the art will also appreciate that instead of the inside door handle and insidedoor lock assembly 232 being used, a separate inside door handle assembly (not illustrated herein) and inside door lock assembly (not illustrated herein) could instead be used. - In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the inside door handle and inside
door lock assembly 232 comprise a fourth component which is not initially connected to the rest of the first component (theelectronic door latch 210, the outsidedoor handle assembly 50, and the cables betweencomponents cables door lock assembly 232. While the rest of the first component is installed in the structural framework of thevehicle door 40, thesecables vehicle door 40 to allow them to be connected to the inside door handle and insidedoor lock assembly 232. Thus, in such embodiments, following the connection of the first and fourth components together, the inside door handle and insidedoor lock assembly 232 can be installed into the structural framework of thevehicle door 40. - Referring now to
FIG. 20 , the entire lock and latch system of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in an assembled form. Note particularly the four cables between the components. The outsidedoor lock cable 174 and the outsidedoor release cable 176 extend between the outside door lock and doorhandle interface member 172 and theelectronic door latch 210, and the insidedoor release cable 222 and the insidedoor lock cable 226 extend between the inside door handle and insidedoor lock assembly 232 and theelectronic door latch 210. In one embodiment, the cables are Bowden cables which transfer the motions of the various handles and lock mechanisms to the door latch. - It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of linkage or a combination of such other types of linkage elements together with cables could be used instead of an all-cable system. For example, a substitute which can be made for one of the cables is another type of mechanical linkage such as a pin. In such an arrangement, the pin can be used, for example, to connect the outside lock to the door latch instead of using the outside
door lock cable 174. It will, however, be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the use of cables can substantially enhance the level of security afforded by the lock and latch system of the present invention since such cables can be less susceptible to jimmying by a thief using a “slim jim.” - Referring finally to
FIGS. 21 and 22 , a sheet metal mountingsupport bracket 246 is schematically illustrated as extending between the outside door lock and doorhandle interface member 172 and theelectronic door latch 210. The mountingsupport bracket 246 can be used to properly space the outside door lock and doorhandle interface member 172 and theelectronic door latch 210 apart, and in some embodiments will be different for each different vehicle door configuration. Accordingly, the mountingsupport bracket 246 can have a plurality of bends and curves contained therein which are arranged and configured in accordance with the particular vehicle door configuration, as well as to accommodate the various components to be assembled into the vehicle door. - In a permutation of the mounting
support bracket 246, an additional segment of mountingsupport bracket 248 can extend between the inside door handle and insidedoor lock assembly 232 and theelectronic door latch 210. The mountingsupport bracket 248 can be used to properly space the inside door handle and insidedoor lock assembly 232 and theelectronic door latch 210 apart, and in some embodiments will again be different for each different vehicle door configuration. In addition, the mountingsupport bracket 248 can also have a plurality of bends and curves contained therein which are again arranged and configured in accordance with the particular vehicle door configuration, as well as to accommodate the various components to be assembled into the vehicle door. - It will therefore be appreciated from the above detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention that a locking and latching system of modular construction is taught, in which the components of the system can be pre-assembled prior to their installation into the structural framework of a vehicle door. The modular construction of the lock and latch system can include the outside and inside door handles, the outside and inside locks, the door latch itself, as well as linkages between these components. The modular components of the present invention can facilitate the assembly process by, for example, being of a design which simplifies the process of installing them into the structural framework of a vehicle door, without requiring the use of specialized tools, thereby reducing the labor costs associated with assembly. The lock and latch system can substantially enhance the security of the vehicle by providing a lock and latch system which by virtue of its design has an enhanced level of resistance to manipulation by jimmying with a “slim jim” or similar tool of the type commonly used by car thieves.
- The lock and latch system can include the outside door handle as a separate modular component, thereby allowing outside door handles to be manufactured in a variety of colors to match exterior vehicle paint colors while allowing the other modular components of the system to be of a single type and color. The pre-assembled nature of the modular components can eliminate the requirement for adjustments to be made during the assembly of the components of the lock and latch system into the structural framework of a vehicle door, thereby further minimizing assembly costs while simultaneously enhancing vehicle quality. The modular components of the lock and latch system in some embodiments of the present invention can be adaptable for uses on a variety of different vehicles by merely switching outside door handles and providing different size linkages between the various modular components.
- The lock and latch system of the present invention can be of a construction which is both durable and long lasting, and which requires little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. The lock and latch system of the present invention can also be of inexpensive construction to enhance its market appeal and to thereby afford it the broadest possible market.
- Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. All such changes, modifications, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope of the present invention.
- The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description only. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein are further intended to explain best modes known for practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
Claims (54)
1. A door latch assembly for installation on a door of a vehicle, the door having an outer panel, an inner panel connected to the outer panel and defining a door cavity, the door latch assembly comprising:
a latch securable to the door within the cavity, the latch being actuable between a plurality of positions;
a linkage positionable within the cavity and accessible from an interior side of the inner panel, the linkage operably coupled to the latch; and
a user manipulatable control connectable to the interior panel from the interior side of the inner panel to couple to the linkage from the interior side, the user manipulatable control being operable to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between the plurality of positions.
2. The door latch assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the inner panel includes a aperture in communication between the cavity and the interior side; and
the linkage is accessible through the aperture from the interior side, the user manipulatable control being at least partially insertable through the aperture from the interior side to couple with the linkage from the interior side.
3. The door latch assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the user manipulatable control includes an inside door handle; and
the plurality of positions includes an open position and a closed position.
4. The door latch assembly of claim 3 , wherein:
the linkage includes a cable; and
the inside door handle includes a cable actuator coupled to the cable from the interior side, the inside door handle being operable to actuate the latch through the cable actuator and cable between open and closed positions.
5. The door latch assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the user manipulatable control includes an inside door handle and an inside door lock; and
the plurality of positions includes an open position, a closed position, a locked position, and an unlocked position.
6. The door latch assembly of claim 5 , wherein:
the linkage includes a first cable and a second cable;
the inside door handle includes a first cable actuator coupled to the first cable from the interior side; and
the inside door lock includes a second cable actuator coupled to the second cable from the interior side, the inside door handle being operable to actuate the latch through the first cable actuator and the first cable between open and closed positions, and the inside door lock being operable to actuate the latch through the second cable actuator and the second cable between locked and unlocked positions.
7. The door latch assembly of claim 1 , wherein the linkage includes a cable.
8. A method of installing a door latch assembly to a door of a vehicle, the method comprising:
providing a latch that is actuable between a plurality of positions;
operably coupling a linkage to the latch;
securing the latch to the door within a door cavity defined by inner and outer panels;
positioning the linkage within the cavity such that the linkage is accessible from an interior side of the inner panel;
connecting a user manipulatable control to the inner panel from the interior side;
coupling the user manipulatable control to the linkage from the interior side; and
operating the user manipulatable control to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between the plurality of positions.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein positioning the linkage includes positioning the linkage such that the linkage is accessible through an aperture in the inner panel from the interior side, the method further comprising at least partially inserting the user manipulatable control through the aperture from the interior side.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein:
connecting a user manipulatable control includes connecting an inside door handle to the inner panel from the interior side;
coupling the user manipulatable control includes coupling the inside door handle to the linkage from the interior side; and
operating the user manipulatable control includes operating the inside door handle to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between open and closed positions.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein:
operably coupling a linkage to the latch includes operably coupling a cable to the latch;
coupling the inside door handle includes coupling a cable actuator of the inside door handle to the cable from the interior side; and
operating the inside door handle includes operating the inside door handle to selectively actuate the latch through the cable actuator and cable between the open and closed positions.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein:
connecting a user manipulatable control includes connecting an inside door handle and an inside door lock to the inner panel from the interior side;
coupling the user manipulatable control includes coupling the inside door handle and the inside door lock to the linkage from the interior side; and
operating the user manipulatable control includes operating the inside door handle and inside door handle to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between open, closed, locked, and unlocked positions.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein:
operably coupling a linkage to the latch includes operably coupling a first cable and a second cable to the latch;
coupling the inside door handle and inside door lock includes coupling a first cable actuator of the inside door handle to the first cable from the interior side and coupling a second cable actuator of the inside door lock to the second cable from the interior side;
operating the inside door handle includes operating the inside door handle to selectively actuate the latch through the first cable actuator and first cable between the open and closed positions and operating the inside door lock to selectively actuate the latch through the second cable actuator and second cable between the locked and unlocked positions.
14. The door latch assembly of claim 8 , wherein operably coupling a linkage to the latch includes operably coupling a cable to the latch.
15. A door latch assembly for installation on a door of a vehicle, the door having an interior side, an exterior side, and an aperture communicating between the interior and exterior sides, the door latch assembly comprising:
a latch securable to the door on the interior side and actuable between a plurality of positions;
a linkage operably coupled to the latch; and
a bracket coupled between the latch and the linkage to position the linkage relative to the latch such that the linkage is accessible from the exterior side through the aperture when the latch is secured to the door.
16. The door latch assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a user manipulatable control insertable at least partially through the aperture from the exterior side to couple to the linkage, the user manipulatable control being operable to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage.
17. The door latch assembly of claim 16 , wherein:
the user manipulatable control includes an outside door handle; and
the plurality of positions includes an open position and a closed position.
18. The door latch assembly of claim 16 , wherein:
the user manipulatable control includes an outside door lock; and
the plurality of positions includes a locked position and an unlocked position.
19. The door latch assembly of claim 16 , wherein:
the user manipulatable control includes an outside door handle and an outside door lock; and
the plurality of positions includes an open position, a closed position, a locked position, and an unlocked position.
20. The door latch assembly of claim 15 , wherein the bracket is flexible.
21. The door latch assembly of claim 15 , further comprising:
an inside door handle operably coupled to the latch; and
an additional bracket coupled between the inside door handle and the latch to position the inside door handle relative to the latch.
22. The door latch assembly of claim 15 , further comprising:
an inside door lock operatively coupled to the latch; and
an additional bracket coupled between the inside door lock and the latch to position the inside door lock relative to the latch.
23. The door latch assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a cable connected between the linkage and the latch.
24. The door latch assembly of claim 15 wherein the linkage is coupled to the door.
25. A method for installing a door latch assembly on a door of a vehicle, the method comprising:
providing a latch that is securable to the door on an interior side of the door and actuable between a plurality of positions;
operably coupling a linkage to the latch;
coupling a bracket between the latch and the linkage;
securing the latch to the door;
positioning the linkage relative to the latch with the bracket such that the linkage is accessible from an exterior side of the door through an aperture in the door.
26. The method of claim 25 , further comprising:
at least partially inserting a user manipulatable control through the aperture from the exterior side of the door;
coupling the user manipulatable control to the linkage; and
operating the user manipulatable control to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between the plurality of positions.
27. The method of claim 26 , wherein:
at least partially inserting a user manipulatable control includes at least partially inserting an outside door handle into the aperture from the exterior side of the door;
coupling the user manipulatable control includes coupling the outside door handle to the linkage; and
operating the user manipulatable control includes operating the outside door handle to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between open and closed positions.
28. The method of claim 26 , wherein:
at least partially inserting a user manipulatable control includes at least partially inserting an outside door lock through the aperture from the exterior side of the door;
coupling the user manipulatable control includes coupling the outside door lock to the linkage; and
operating the user manipulatable control includes operating the outside door lock to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between locked and unlocked positions.
29. The method of claim 26 , wherein:
at least partially inserting a user manipulatable control includes at least partially inserting an outside door lock and an outside door handle through the aperture from the exterior side of the door;
coupling the user manipulatable control includes coupling the outside door lock and the outside door handle to the linkage; and
operating the user manipulatable control includes operating the outside door lock and outside door handle to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between locked, unlocked, open, and closed positions.
30. The method of claim 25 , further comprising flexing the bracket.
31. The method of claim 25 , further comprising:
operably coupling an inside door handle to the latch;
coupling an additional bracket between the inside door handle and the latch; and
positioning the inside door handle relative to the latch with the additional bracket.
32. The method of claim 25 , further comprising:
operably coupling an inside door lock to the latch;
coupling an additional bracket between the inside door lock and the latch; and
positioning the inside door lock relative to the latch with the additional bracket.
33. The method of claim 25 , wherein operably coupling a linkage to the latch includes operably coupling the linkage to the latch with a cable.
34. The method of claim 25 , further comprising coupling the linkage to the interior side of the door.
35. A door latch assembly for installation on a door of a vehicle, the door having an interior side, an exterior side, and an aperture communicating between the interior and exterior sides, the door latch assembly comprising:
a housing securable to the door and accessible from the exterior side through the aperture; and
an outside door lock at least partially received within the housing through the aperture from the exterior side, the outside door lock having first and second states, the outside door lock being freely removable from the housing in the first state and the outside door lock being resistant to removal from the housing in the second state.
36. The door latch assembly of claim 35 , wherein the housing is at least partially positioned within the aperture.
37. The door latch assembly of claim 36 , wherein the housing includes a recess receiving at least a portion of the door defining the aperture.
38. The door latch assembly of claim 35 , further comprising:
a latch securable to the door on the interior side and actuable between locked and unlocked positions, wherein:
the housing includes a linkage operably coupled to the latch;
the outside door lock couples to the linkage when the outside door lock is partially received within the housing; and
the outside door lock is operable to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between the locked and unlocked positions.
39. The door latch assembly of claim 38 , wherein the outside door lock is operable to selectively actuate the latch by turning a key inserted into the outside door lock.
40. The door latch assembly of claim 38 , wherein the outside door lock includes a central axis and a pin positioned a distance away from and rotatable about the central axis, the pin being coupled to the linkage.
41. The door latch assembly of claim 40 , further comprising a cable connected between the linkage and the latch, wherein the linkage includes a cable actuator coupled between the pin and the cable such that the outside door lock is operable to actuate the latch through the pin, cable actuator, and cable between the locked and unlocked positions.
42. The door latch assembly of claim 35 , wherein:
the housing includes a cylindrical opening; and
the outside door lock is received within the cylindrical opening of the housing.
43. The door latch assembly of claim 35 , wherein the outside door lock includes a projection, the projection being retracted in the first state and extended in the second state.
44. The door latch assembly of claim 43 , wherein the projection is biased toward an extended position.
45. A method for assembling a door latch assembly on a door of a vehicle, the method comprising:
providing an outside door lock having first and second states;
securing a housing to an interior side of the door such that the housing is accessible from an exterior side of the door through an aperture in the door;
at least partially inserting the outside door lock within the housing through the aperture from the exterior side while the outside door lock is in the first state,
changing the outside door lock from the first state to the second state after the outside door lock is at least partially inserted into the housing; and
resisting removal of the outside door lock from the housing while the outside door lock is in the second state.
46. The method of claim 45 , wherein securing a housing includes at least partially positioning the housing within the aperture.
47. The method of claim 46 , wherein securing a housing includes receiving a portion of the door defining the aperture within a recess on the housing.
48. The method of claim 45 , further comprising:
providing a latch actuable between locked and unlocked positions;
securing the latch to the door on the interior side of the door;
operably coupling a linkage to the housing;
operably coupling the linkage to the latch;
coupling the outside door lock to the linkage when the outside door lock is partially received within the housing; and
operating the outside door lock to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between the locked and unlocked positions.
49. The method of claim 48 , wherein operating the outside door lock includes turning a key inserted into the outside door lock.
50. The method of claim 48 , wherein providing an outside door lock includes providing an outside door lock having a central axis and a pin positioned a distance away from and rotatable about the central axis, the method further comprising coupling the pin to the linkage when the outside door lock is partially received within the housing.
51. The method of claim 50 , wherein:
operatively coupling the linkage to the latch includes operatively coupling a cable actuator of the linkage to the latch with a cable; and
operating the outside door lock includes operating the outside door lock to selectively actuate the latch through the pin, cable actuator, and cable between the locked and unlocked positions.
52. The method of claim 45 , wherein:
at least partially inserting the outside door lock includes at least partially inserting the outside door lock within a cylindrical opening of the housing through the aperture from the exterior side while the outside door lock is in the first state;
changing the outside door lock includes changing the outside door lock from the first state to the second state after the outside door lock is at least partially inserted into the cylindrical opening; and
resisting removal of the outside door lock includes resisting removal of the outside door lock from the cylindrical opening while the outside door lock is in the second state.
53. The method of claim 45 , wherein:
providing an outside door lock includes providing an outside door lock having a projection that is retracted in the first state and extended in the second state;
at least partially inserting the outside door lock includes at least partially inserting the outside door lock within the housing through the aperture from the exterior side of the door while the projection is retracted;
changing the outside door lock includes extending the projection after the outside door lock is at least partially inserted into the housing; and
resisting removal of the outside door lock includes resisting removal of the outside door lock from the housing while the projection is extended.
54. The method of claim 53 , further comprising biasing the projection toward the extended position.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US10/980,474 US20050066696A1 (en) | 1999-11-18 | 2004-11-03 | Modular vehicle door lock and latch system and method |
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Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/442,724 US6530251B1 (en) | 1999-11-18 | 1999-11-18 | Modular vehicle door lock and latch system and method |
US10/352,794 US6843085B2 (en) | 1999-11-18 | 2003-01-28 | Modular vehicle door lock and latch system and method |
US10/980,474 US20050066696A1 (en) | 1999-11-18 | 2004-11-03 | Modular vehicle door lock and latch system and method |
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US10/352,794 Division US6843085B2 (en) | 1999-11-18 | 2003-01-28 | Modular vehicle door lock and latch system and method |
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US10/352,794 Expired - Fee Related US6843085B2 (en) | 1999-11-18 | 2003-01-28 | Modular vehicle door lock and latch system and method |
US10/980,474 Abandoned US20050066696A1 (en) | 1999-11-18 | 2004-11-03 | Modular vehicle door lock and latch system and method |
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US10/352,794 Expired - Fee Related US6843085B2 (en) | 1999-11-18 | 2003-01-28 | Modular vehicle door lock and latch system and method |
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- 2000-05-30 EP EP00304556A patent/EP1101891A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-11-16 AR ARP000106042A patent/AR026494A1/en unknown
- 2000-11-16 MX MXPA00011263A patent/MXPA00011263A/en unknown
- 2000-11-21 BR BR0005494-1A patent/BR0005494A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
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2003
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US6938944B2 (en) * | 2004-01-20 | 2005-09-06 | Foamade Industries, Inc. | Water shield with integrated 3-D mirror seal |
US6908140B1 (en) * | 2004-02-24 | 2005-06-21 | Arvinmeritor Technology, Llc | Door module cable holder |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6530251B1 (en) | 2003-03-11 |
CA2305934A1 (en) | 2001-05-18 |
EP1101891A3 (en) | 2001-09-26 |
AR026494A1 (en) | 2003-02-12 |
US20030177796A1 (en) | 2003-09-25 |
BR0005494A (en) | 2001-07-03 |
US6843085B2 (en) | 2005-01-18 |
MXPA00011263A (en) | 2005-06-03 |
EP1101891A2 (en) | 2001-05-23 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |