US3596482A

US3596482A - Door-locking arrangement

Info

Publication number: US3596482A
Application number: US5553A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter Pollak
Original assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Current assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Priority date: 1970-01-26
Filing date: 1970-01-26
Publication date: 1971-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 1988-08-03

Abstract

A locking lever control arrangement on a vehicle door having a latch mechanism with a locking lever which automatically returns from an unlocked to a locked position upon closing movement of the door includes a three position internal control member on the door inner panel, a two position external control member on the door outer panel, a bellcrank, a blocking member and draft links connecting the internal control member to the bellcrank, the bellcrank to the locking lever and the bellcrank to the blocking member. The external control member is operable to move the locking lever from locked to unlocked position and the internal control member is operable upon movement to one position to rotate the blocking member to a blocking position preventing movement of the external control lever and upon movement to another position to move the locking lever from locked to unlocked position, and the locking lever is operable upon automatic movement from the unlocked to the locked position to move the internal control member to the third of the three positions thereof.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Walter Pollnk Detroit, Mich.

121] Appl. No. 5,553

[22] Filed Jan. 26, 1970 [45] Patented Aug. 3, 1971 [73] Assignee General Motors Corporation Detroit, Mich.

[54] DOOR-LOCKING ARRANGEMENT 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 70/101,

292/216, 292/D1G. 23 [51] Int. Cl E05b 65/32 [50] Field of Search 292/216,

Primary Examiner-Albert G. Craig, Jr. An0rneysW. E. Finken and D. L. Ellis ABSTRACT: A locking lever control arrangement on avehicle door having a latch mechanism with a locking lever which automatically returns from an unlocked to a locked position upon closing movement of the door includes a three position internal control member on the door inner panel, a two position external control member on the door outer panel, a bellcrank, a blocking member and draft links connecting the internal control member to the bellcrank, the bellcrank to the locking lever and the bellcrank to the blocking member. The external control member is operable to move the locking lever from locked to unlocked position and the internal control member is operable upon movement to one position to rotate the blocking member to a blocking position preventing move ment of the external control lever and upon movement to another position to move the locking lever from locked to unlocked position, and the locking lever is operable upon automatic movement from the unlocked to the locked position to move the internal control member to the third of the three positions thereof PATENTEU AUG 3197:

SHEET 1 [1F 2 ATTORNEY PATENTEHAHE 3mm 3,596,482

SHEET 2 [1F 2 BY MM WM %$Q&a/

ATT ORNFY DOOR-LOCKING ARRANGEMENT upon closing of the door member.

Conventional vehicle-type door latches are operable to releasably maintain the vehicle door in closed position and typically include locking levers which, when manually moved from anunlocked to a locked position, as by a conventional garnish button, render both the internal and external latch actuators ineffective to operate the latch and release the door member.

A recently proposed door latch, however, incorporates features which automatically move the lockinglever from unlocked to locked position each time the doormember is moved from theopen to the closed position and therefore requires a more intricate arrangement for manually manipulating the locking lever. The locking levercontrol arrangement according to this invention is of relatively simple mechanical design yet is flexible enough to permit the vehicle operator to manually and keylessly move the locking lever from locked to unlocked position from inside or outside of the vehicle and to secure the locking lever from inside or outside of the vehicle against unauthorized manipulation out of its locking position from outside of the vehicle.

The primary feature, then, of this invention is that it provides a new and improved vehicle doorlatch locking lever control arrangement. Another feature of this invention is that it provides a control arrangement for a locking lever on a door latch incorporating means which automatically move the locking lever from an unlocked to a locked position upon closing of the door and which control arrangement includes means operable to move the locking lever from a locked to an unlocked position and to selectively block unauthorized manipu lation of the latter from the locked position from outside the vehicle. Yet another feature of this invention resides in the provision of an external control member normally operable to move the locking lever from the locked tothe unlocked position and selectively blockable by blocking means controlled either by an internal control member or by a lock cylinder assembly on the door member. A still further feature of this invention resides in the provision of transmission means operable to transmit movement from the internal control member to either the locking lever or a blocking member and from the locking lever back to the internal control member.

These and-other features of this invention will be readily apparent from the following specification and from the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an automobile-type vehicle including a front doormember having a locking lever control arrangement according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partially broken away sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 44 in FIG. 2; t

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 5-5 inFlG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines6-6 in FIG. 2..

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an automobiletype vehicle includes a body 10 havinga door member 12 swingably mounted thereon for movement between a closed positionfFIG. 1, closing a door opening in the body and an open position, not shown,-exposing the door opening. The door member .12 generally includes an outer panel 14 and an inner panel 16 with decorativetrim panel 18 thereon joined in spaced relationship by a pair of vertical side panels, not shown. A door latch mechanism 20, suchas that shown in the copending application of Bela Sandor, Ser. No. 713,156, filed Mar. 14, 1968, now U. S. Pat. No. 3,523,704, dated Aug. 11, 1970 and assigned to the assignee of this application, is mounted on the door member 12 between the inner and outer panels and generally includes an actuating lever 22 and a locking lever 24. A door handle 26 carrying a'conventional actuating button 28 is fixedly secured to outer panel 14 and depression of the actuating'button 28 pivots actuating lever 22 of the door latch 20 to thereby normally release" the door member from the closed position. Movement of the locking lever 24, however, from an unlocked position to a locked position, shown respectively in broken and solid lines in FIG. 2,'effectively disconnects actuating lever 22 from the door latch so that the actuating button 28 is freely depressible without effecting the latched condition of the door. In the door latch20 as described in the copending Sandor application, the locking lever 24 is automatically moved from the unlocked to the locked position each time the door member 12 is brought from the open to the closed position. A locking lever control arrangement according to this invention and generally designated 30 is provided on the door member to permit manual manipulation of the locking lever as described hereinafter.

The locking lever control arrangement 30 includes internal and external control assemblies 32 and 34, respectively. Internal control assembly 32 includes a reinforcing plate 36 mounted on inner panel I6 by fasteners 38 and rotatably carrying a stub shaft 40. Stub shaft 4tl has an internal control knob 42 fixedly secured to one end thereof outside trim panel 18 and a crank 44 fixedly secured to the other end thereof on the opposite side of inner panel 16. The'crank is rotatable as a unit with the control knob generally between a locking position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 6,,an unlocking position 44 and a securing position 44", FIG. 6.

External control assembly 34 includes a sleeve 46 protruding through and fixedly secured in an aperture 48 in outer panel 14 which sleeve rotatably carries a stub shaft 50. As seen best in FIGS. 3 and 5, an external control knob 52 is fixedly secured to one end of stub shaft 50 while a first transfer lever 54 having an offset portion 56 is rotatably mounted thereon and a second transfer lever 58 including a pair of tabs 60 and 62 is fixedly secured thereto generally at the other end. A coil torsion spring 64 encircles sleeve 46 and has one end anchored in a square abutment 66 fixed on the-sleeve and the other end anchored to the second transfer lever 58 to thereby bias the latter in a clockwise direction, FIG. 3, resiliently maintaining tab 60 in contact with abutment 66.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the locking lever control arrangement 30 further includes a lock cylinder housing 68 fixedly secured to outer panel 14 and carrying a lock cylinder assembly 69, FIG. 3, rotatable between a neutral position and either one of a locking position and an unlocking position. A blocking member 70 is secured to the inboard end of the lock cylinder assembly by conventional 'lost motion means, not shown, permitting unitary movement of the blocking member and lock cylinder assembly between. an unblocking position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 3, and a blocking position 70', FIG. 3, and movement of the blocking member relative to the lock cylinder assembly from the unblocking position to either the blocking position 70 or to an idling position 70", FIG. 3. A third transfer lever 72 having an elongated aperture 74 therein is rotatably journaled on the lock cylinder assembly for movement relative thereto between the positions shown in solid and broken lines in FIG. 3 corresponding respectively to locked and unlocked positions of the locking lever 24. A finger portion 76 projecting from the locking lever 24, FIG. 2, is captured within the elongated aperture 74 of the third transfer lever 72 so that movement of either member initiates.. corresponding movement in the other member. A connecting link 78 has one end pivotally connected to first transfer lever 54 at 77 and the other end pivotally connected to third transfer lever 72 at 79.

with reference to FIG. 4, the transmission means 87 includes a first lever 88 and a second lever 90, the latter having inturned tabs 92 and 94 integral therewith. Both the first and second levers are rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 96 projecting generally perpendicularly from a bracket 98 fixedly secured to the door member, as by welding. A coil torsion-type overcenter spring 97 having one end anchored in the first lever at 99 and the other in the second lever at I01 functions to maintain the first and second levers in either of two relative positions wherein the upper edge of the first lever abuts either tab 92 on the secondjlever, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 4, or abuts the other tab 94 on the second lever, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 4. First draft link 82 has one end pivotally connected to crank 44 at 100, FIG. 6, and the other end pivotally connected to first lever 88 at 102, FIG. 4. Second draft link 84 has one end pivotally connected to blocking member 70 at 104, FIG. 3, and the other end pivotally connected to first lever 88 at 106, FIG. 4. Third draft link 86 has one end pivotally connected to locking lever 24 at 108, FIG. 2, and the other end pivotally connected to second lever 90 at I 10, FIG. 4.

In operation, now, with the door member in closed position and with the locking lever 24 in locked position and the first and

second levers

88 and 90 assuming the relative positions shown in solid lines in FIG. 4, the

draft links

82, 84, and 86 function to position crank 44 and internal control knob 42 in the locking position, shown in solidilines in FIG. 6, and the blocking member 70 in the unblocking position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 3, while third transfer lever 72 maintains the first and second transfer levers in the position shown in FIG. 3 through connecting link 78. Thus locked, the door latch is inoperative from either inside or outside of the vehicle to release the door member 12 from the closed position. To open the door member from inside of the vehicle, the knob 42 and.

crank 44 are manually i'otated clockwise to unlocking position 44', FIG. 6, bodily shifting draft link 82 downward to thereby unitarily pivot first and

second levers

88 and 90 clockwise, FIG. 4, with spring: 97 maintaining the relative position thereof. Clockwise pivotal movement of the first and second levers bodily shifts both second and third draft links 84 and 86 upwardly respectively pivoting the blocking member 70 counterclockwise, FIG. 3, from the unblocking position toward,

idling position 70" through the lost motion connection to the lock cylinder assembly 69 and rotating the locking lever 24 from the locked to the unlocked position, FIG. 2. With the locking lever 24 so positioned, either a conventional inside door handle, not shown, or outside actuator button 28 is operable to actuate the door latch 20 to release the door 12 from the closed position.

From outside of the vehicle, the normal closing movement of the door member which automatically rotates the locking lever 24 from unlocked to locked position causes bodily shifting of draft link 86 downwardly unitarily rotating the first and second levers counterclockwise and pivoting the blocking member 70 back from the idling position to unblocking position and the internal control handle and crank 44 back to locking position. With the latch again locked, keyless entry into the vehicle is achieved by rotating externalcontrol knob 52 and second transfer lever 58 counterclockwise, FIG. 3, to initiate engagement between the latter and tab 56 on the first transfer lever 54 thereby rotating the transfer lever 54 counterclockwise and bodily shifting link 78 upward. Upward shifting of link 78 rotates the third transfer lever 72 counterclockwise, FIG. 3, from the solid to the broken line position which rotation initiates corresponding counterclockwise rotation, FIG. 2, of the locking lever 24 from the locked to the unlocked position permitting normal actuation of the latch 20 and release of the door member 12 by actuator button 28.

Release-of external control knob 52 permits rotation of' second transfer lever 58 and control. knob 52 back to their original positions by torsion spring 64, while first and third .transfer levers 54 and 72, respectively, are maintained by locking lever 24 in rotated positions corresponding to the unlockedpositionofthelockinglevenu Conversely, from outside of the vehicle with the door member closed and the latch 20 locked as described hereinbefore, the control arrangement can be secured against unauthorized external operation by inserting a proper key, not

shown, into the lock cylinder assembly 69 and rotating; the

latter from-the neutral to the locking position. Such rotation of the lock cylinder assembly directly rotates blocking member 70 clockwise, FIG. 3, from the unblocking to the blocking position 70' wherein a portion of the blocking member lies adjacent tab 62 of the second transfer lever 58. Clockwise rotation of the blocking member 70 bodily shifts second draft link 84 downward, overcoming spring 97-and pivoting first lever 88 counterclockwise relative to the second lever to. the second of the two relative positions therebetween, shown in broken lines in FIG. 4, while the first draft link 82 is bodily shifted upwardly to rotate the crank 44 and the internal control knob counterclockwise, FIG. 6, to securing position 44",, With the blocking member 70 so positioned, attempted rotation of the control handle 52 and second transfer lever 58 as described hereinbefore initiates interference between the blocking member and tab 62 to thereby prevent unlocking movement of second transfer lever 58 and, consequently, third transfer lever 72 and locking lever 24. From inside of the vehicle, however, internal control knob 42 and crank 44 may be rotated from the securing position 44 to the unlocking position 44' causing first draft link 82 to overcome spring 97 and rotate first lever 88 relative to second lever 90 until contacting tab 92 whereupon the two levers rotate unitarily to move the locking lever to unlocked position and the blocking member 70 to unblocking position.

From the locked and secured position as recited hereinbefore, the door. member may be reopened from outside of the vehicle by rotating the lock cylinder assembly from the neutral to the unlocking position thereby rotating blocking member 70 counterclockwise, FIG. 3, out of blocking position so that the external control knob 52 may again be rotated to move the locking lever 24 to the unlocked position as described hereinbefore. The actuator button 28 may then be depressed to actuate latch 20 to release the door member.

The internal control assembly 32 is operable to secure the locking arrangement against unauthorized manipulation from outside of the vehicle. More particularly, as described hereinbefore, by merely swinging the door member to the closed position the locking lever is brought to locked position, the control knob 42 and crank 44 are brought to locking position shown in solid lines in FIG. 6, and the first and

second levers

88 and 90 assume the solid line positions shown in FIG. 4. From this condition, counterclockwise rotation of crank 44 to securing position 44" bodily shifts first draft link 82 upward, overcoming spring 97 and pivoting first lever 88 counterclockwise relative to second lever 90, "FIG. 4. Counterclockwise rotation of the first lever-88'b'odily shifts second draft link 84 downward thereby pivoting blocking member 70 relative to the stationary lock cylinder assembly 69, through the lost motion connection therebetween, to the blocking position, FIG. 3, wherein the blocking member 70 againlies adjacent to tab 62 so that movement of external control knob 52 is prevented. It will, of course, be understood that the blocking member 70 may be pivoted back to unblocking position by rotation of the lock cylinder assembly from the neutral to the unlocking position as recited hereinbefore.

The internal control assembly is also operable with the door member in the open'position to provide convenient keyless securing of the locking arrangement against unauthorized manipulation during absence of the operator from the vehicle. 9

internal control knob 42 to the unlocking position 44' and the first and second levers unitarilyrotated clockwise, FIG. 4, from the solid line position. After the door has been swung open. manual movement of the internal control knob 42 and crank to the securing position 44" bodily shifts draft link 82 upward. overcoming. spring 9Z'and pivoting first lever 88 counterclockwise. counterclockwise movement of the firstv lever bodily shifts draft link 84 downward pivoting the blocking member 70 clockwisefrom the unblocking to the blocking position, F IG. 3, thereby preventing movement .of external control knob 52 as described hereinbe'fore. With external control knob thus secured, closing of the door member merely rotates the locking lever 24 from the unlocked to the locked position bodily shifting draft link 86 downward and overcoming spring 97'to thereby pivot the second lever 90 counterclockwise until tab abuts first lever 88. The door member is thus locked and keylesslyv secured against unauthorized opening during absence of the operator of the vehicle. x

Having thus described the invention,-whatl claim is:

1. In a vehicle body having a door member swingably mounted thereon for movement between an open position exposing a door opening in said body and a closed position closing said door opening, said door member having a latch member thereon operable to.rele asably maintain said door member in said closed position and including a locking lever movable between locked and unlocked position which locking lever automatically returns to said locking position upon movement of said door member to said closed position, a locking lever control arrangement comprising an internal control member, means mounting said internal control member on said door member for accessibility from inside of said body in said closed position of said door member and for movement relative to the latter between at least threedis'tinct positions, an external control member, means mounting said external control member on said door member foraccessibility from outside of said body in said closed position of said door member and for movement relative to the latter between at least two distinct positions, means operably connecting, said external control member to said locking lever so that movement of the former between said two positions moves said locking lever between said locked and unlocked positions, blocking means on said door member selectively operable to block movement of said external control member, transmis sion means, and link means operably connecting said internal control member to said transmission means and connecting said transmission means to said blocking means and to said locking lever, said internal control member being" operable upon movement to one of said three positions to move said locking lever to said unlocked position and upon movement to another of said three positions to operate said blocking means to block movement of said external ebntrol member.

2. In a vehicle body having a door member swingably mounted thereon for movement between an open position exposing a door opening in said body and a closed position closing said door opening, said door member having a latch member thereon-operable to releasably maintain said door member in said closed position and including a locking lever movable between locked and unlocked positions which locking lever automatically returns'to said locked position upon movement of said door member to saidclosed position, a locking lever control. arrangementcoinprising an internal control member, means mounting said internal control member on said door member for accessibility from inside of said body in said closed. position of said doorimmber and formovement relative to the latter between at least' three distinct positions, an externalv control member, means. mounting said external control member on said door member for accessibility from outside of said body in said closed position of said door member and for movement relative to the latter between at least two distinct positions, means operably connecting said external control member to said locking lever so that movement of the former between said two positions moves said locking lever between said locked and unlocked positions, a blocking member, means mounting said blocking member on said door member for pivotal movement between an unblocking and a blocking position wherein said blocking member prevents movement ofsa'id external control member, a bellcrank assembly including first and second levers, means mounting each of said first and second "levers on said door member for pivotal movejment-i ela' Frasier other about a common axis of said door-"rnembei an son said first and second levers operable to coup'le ers together. for unitary movement in one directidn a first drafi link operably connecting said internal control I r and one end of said first lever, a second draft link operably bonnecting said blocking member and theother end of saidfirst lever, anda third draft link operably connecting said second lever and said locking lever, said internal control member upon movement to one of said three positions being operable: to pivot said first and second levers in said one direction thereby pivoting said locking lever from said locked to said unlocked position and upon movement to another of said three positions being operable to pivot said first lever in the other direction thereby pivoting said blocking member into said blocking position to prevent movement of said external control member, and said locking lever upon movement from said unlocked to said locked position being operable to pivot said first lever in said one direction thereby moving said int emal control member to a third of said three positions.

3. The locking lever control arrangement as recited in claim Z-further including a lock cylinder housing fixedly secured to said door member, a lock cylinder assembly mounted in said housing for rotation between locking, unlocking and neutral positions, and means operably connecting said lock cylinder assembly and said blocking member so that rotation of the former from said neutral to said locking position pivots said blocking member from said unblocking to said blocking position and rotation of said lock cylinder assembly from said neutral to said unlocking position pivots said blocking member from said blocking to said unblocking position.

4. in a vehicle body having a door member swingably mounted thereon for movement between an open position exposing a door opening in said body and a closed position closing said door opening, said door member having a latch member thereon operable to releasably maintain said door member in said closed position and including a locking lever movable between locked and unlocked positions which locking lever automatically returns to said locked position upon movement of said door member to said closed position, a locking lever control arrangement comprising an internal control member, means mounting said internal control member on said door member for accessibility from inside of said body in said closed position of said doo'r member and for movement relative to the latter between at least three distinct positions, an external control member, means mounting said external control member on said door member for accessibility from outside of said body in said closed position of said door member and for movement relative to the latter between at least two distinct positions, a first transfer lever rotatably mounted on said door member, a second transfer lever fixedly secured to said external control member for unitary move-,

ment therewith, said second transferlever being engageable with said first transfer lever upon movement of said external control member between said two positions to rotate said first transfer lever, a third transfer lever rotatably mounted on said door member, means operably connecting said locking lever to said third transfer lever, a connecting link operably connecting said first and third transfer levers so that movement of saidexternal control member between said two positions is operable to move said locking lever between said locked and said unlocked positions, a blocking member, means mounting said blocking member on said door member for pivotal movement between an unblocking and a blocking position wherein said blocking lever prevents movement of said external control member, a lock cylinder housing fixedly secured to said door member. a lock cylinder assembly mounted in said housing for rotation between locking. unlocking and neutral positions, means operably connecting said lock cylinder assembly and said blocking member so that rotation of the former from said neutral to said locking position pivots said blocking member from said unblocking to said blocking position and rotation of said lock cylinder assembly from said neutral to said unlocking position pivots said blocking member from said blocking to said unblocking position, a bellcrank assembly including first and second levers, means mounting each of said first and second levers on said door member for pivotal movement relative to each other about a common axis of said door member. means on said first and second levers operable to couple said levers together for unitary movement in one direction, a first draft link operably connecting said internal control member and one end of said first lever, a second draft link operably connecting said blocking member and the other end of said first lever, and a third draft link operably connecting said second lever and said locking lever, said internal control member upon movement to oneof said three positions being operable to pivot said first and second levers in said one direction thereby pivoting said lockingilever from said locked to said unlocked position and upon movement to another of said three positionsbeing operable to pivot said first lever in the other direction thereby pivoting saidblocking member' into said blocking position to prevent movement of said external control member, and said locking lever upon movement from said unlocked to said locked position being-operable to pivot said first lever in said one direction thereby moving said internal control member to a third of said three positions.

Claims

1. In a vehicle body having a door member swingably mounted thereon for movement between an open position exposing a door opening in said body and a closed position closing said door opening, said door member having a latch member Thereon operable to releasably maintain said door member in said closed position and including a locking lever movable between locked and unlocked position which locking lever automatically returns to said locking position upon movement of said door member to said closed position, a locking lever control arrangement comprising an internal control member, means mounting said internal control member on said door member for accessibility from inside of said body in said closed position of said door member and for movement relative to the latter between at least three distinct positions, an external control member, means mounting said external control member on said door member for accessibility from outside of said body in said closed position of said door member and for movement relative to the latter between at least two distinct positions, means operably connecting said external control member to said locking lever so that movement of the former between said two positions moves said locking lever between said locked and unlocked positions, blocking means on said door member selectively operable to block movement of said external control member, transmission means, and link means operably connecting said internal control member to said transmission means and connecting said transmission means to said blocking means and to said locking lever, said internal control member being operable upon movement to one of said three positions to move said locking lever to said unlocked position and upon movement to another of said three positions to operate said blocking means to block movement of said external control member.

2. In a vehicle body having a door member swingably mounted thereon for movement between an open position exposing a door opening in said body and a closed position closing said door opening, said door member having a latch member thereon operable to releasably maintain said door member in said closed position and including a locking lever movable between locked and unlocked positions which locking lever automatically returns to said locked position upon movement of said door member to said closed position, a locking lever control arrangement comprising an internal control member, means mounting said internal control member on said door member for accessibility from inside of said body in said closed position of said door member and for movement relative to the latter between at least three distinct positions, an external control member, means mounting said external control member on said door member for accessibility from outside of said body in said closed position of said door member and for movement relative to the latter between at least two distinct positions, means operably connecting said external control member to said locking lever so that movement of the former between said two positions moves said locking lever between said locked and unlocked positions, a blocking member, means mounting said blocking member on said door member for pivotal movement between an unblocking and a blocking position wherein said blocking member prevents movement of said external control member, a bellcrank assembly including first and second levers, means mounting each of said first and second levers on said door member for pivotal movement relative to each other about a common axis of said door member, means on said first and second levers operable to couple said levers together for unitary movement in one direction, a first draft link operably connecting said internal control member and one end of said first lever, a second draft link operably connecting said blocking member and the other end of said first lever, and a third draft link operably connecting said second lever and said locking lever, said internal control member upon movement to one of said three positions being operable to pivot said first and second levers in said one direction thereby pivoting said locking lever from said locked to said unlocked position and upon movement to another of said three positions Being operable to pivot said first lever in the other direction thereby pivoting said blocking member into said blocking position to prevent movement of said external control member, and said locking lever upon movement from said unlocked to said locked position being operable to pivot said first lever in said one direction thereby moving said internal control member to a third of said three positions.

3. The locking lever control arrangement as recited in claim 2 further including a lock cylinder housing fixedly secured to said door member, a lock cylinder assembly mounted in said housing for rotation between locking, unlocking and neutral positions, and means operably connecting said lock cylinder assembly and said blocking member so that rotation of the former from said neutral to said locking position pivots said blocking member from said unblocking to said blocking position and rotation of said lock cylinder assembly from said neutral to said unlocking position pivots said blocking member from said blocking to said unblocking position.

4. In a vehicle body having a door member swingably mounted thereon for movement between an open position exposing a door opening in said body and a closed position closing said door opening, said door member having a latch member thereon operable to releasably maintain said door member in said closed position and including a locking lever movable between locked and unlocked positions which locking lever automatically returns to said locked position upon movement of said door member to said closed position, a locking lever control arrangement comprising an internal control member, means mounting said internal control member on said door member for accessibility from inside of said body in said closed position of said door member and for movement relative to the latter between at least three distinct positions, an external control member, means mounting said external control member on said door member for accessibility from outside of said body in said closed position of said door member and for movement relative to the latter between at least two distinct positions, a first transfer lever rotatably mounted on said door member, a second transfer lever fixedly secured to said external control member for unitary movement therewith, said second transfer lever being engageable with said first transfer lever upon movement of said external control member between said two positions to rotate said first transfer lever, a third transfer lever rotatably mounted on said door member, means operably connecting said locking lever to said third transfer lever, a connecting link operably connecting said first and third transfer levers so that movement of said external control member between said two positions is operable to move said locking lever between said locked and said unlocked positions, a blocking member, means mounting said blocking member on said door member for pivotal movement between an unblocking and a blocking position wherein said blocking lever prevents movement of said external control member, a lock cylinder housing fixedly secured to said door member, a lock cylinder assembly mounted in said housing for rotation between locking, unlocking and neutral positions, means operably connecting said lock cylinder assembly and said blocking member so that rotation of the former from said neutral to said locking position pivots said blocking member from said unblocking to said blocking position and rotation of said lock cylinder assembly from said neutral to said unlocking position pivots said blocking member from said blocking to said unblocking position, a bellcrank assembly including first and second levers, means mounting each of said first and second levers on said door member for pivotal movement relative to each other about a common axis of said door member, means on said first and second levers operable to couple said levers together for unitary movement in one direction, a first draft link operably connecting said internal controL member and one end of said first lever, a second draft link operably connecting said blocking member and the other end of said first lever, and a third draft link operably connecting said second lever and said locking lever, said internal control member upon movement to one of said three positions being operable to pivot said first and second levers in said one direction thereby pivoting said locking lever from said locked to said unlocked position and upon movement to another of said three positions being operable to pivot said first lever in the other direction thereby pivoting said blocking member into said blocking position to prevent movement of said external control member, and said locking lever upon movement from said unlocked to said locked position being operable to pivot said first lever in said one direction thereby moving said internal control member to a third of said three positions.