Abstract: An actuator assembly (10) including a motor (1) having a body portion (14) and a drive shaft (16), the drive shaft being drivably connected to a pinion (18), the pinion drivingly engaging an array of gear teeth (20) of a gear rack (22) the array of gear teeth having a first side (21) adjacent the motor, in which the gear rack is pivotally mounted via a pivot about a pivot axis (25A) on said first side (21) of the array of gear teeth (20).

Abstract: A latch mechanism has an input member and an output member. The mechanism has a first coupled condition at which the input and output members are coupled such that movement of the input member from its first position to its second position causes movement of the output member from its first position to its second position. The mechanism has a decoupled condition at which the input member is not coupled to the output member. The mechanism further includes a block member, which, with the mechanism in the decoupled condition, further prevents at least one of the input and output member from moving to its respective second position.

Abstract: An aperture closure system including a primary closure, a secondary closure, a disabling member, and at least one latch, the secondary closure being releasably retained in a closed position by the at least one latch, the secondary closure having an inside release lever operable via a first transmission path to release the at least one latch, the secondary closure including an external release lever operable to release the at least one latch via a second transmission path, the external release lever being connected to the disabling member, in which when the primary closure and the secondary closure are in their closed positions the primary closure cooperates with the external release lever to move the disabling member, such that the first transmission path is blocked or broken by the disabling member thus preventing the inside release lever from releasing the at least one latch.

Abstract: Vehicle door latch mechanism with child safety facility includes a base plate 12 having a throat 14 which receives a striker with which the latch engages. A main actuating lever 16 is operable by an exterior door handle and/or power actuator to release the latch and has an arm 22 carrying a longitudinally slidable drive dog 24. A release lever 18 operable only by an inside door handle is pivoted in a plane normal to the plane of arm 22. A rotatable button 26 in throat 14 so as to be accessible only when the door is open has crank connection to dog 24 to shift it between a drive position at which the levers coact and a disabling position at which movement of release lever 18 will not drive lever 16.

Abstract: Vehicle door mechanism has self-acting latching means in which a latch release lever 10 (FIG. 1) operated by an inside handle of the door frees the door for opening and locking means operated by a lock drive lever 22 secures the latching means to lock the door. The two levers are coupled by motion transmitting engagement of an abutment 20 on one lever locating with a formation 34 on the other to positively shift the lock drive lever to locked condition by movement of the release lever beyond a neutral position in a first direction with a spring 36 acting between the levers to return the lock drive lever to unlocked condition when the release lever is moved the opposite way as far as or beyond the neutral position, and allowing further movement of the release lever for unlatching the door. The spring aids return of the release lever to its neutral position and the arrangement enables latching, and locking to be effected by the door handle alone.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch assembly including a latch (10) operatively co-acting with a striker as the door nears its closed position, a latching pawl (16) self-engaging with the latch (10) to hold it in latched condition retaining the door, and unlatching means selectively operable to disengage the latching pawl (16) for opening the door, unlatching means comprising a pawl lifter (20) moveable from a position of rest to carry the latching pawl (16) out of engagement with the latch (10) and a power driven output member (28) selectively moveable to engage and displace the pawl lifter (20) from the position of rest. The output member (28) is a plunger (28) advanced and retracted by a drive motor (22) and is also displaceable laterally to an inactive angular position at which it does not engage with the pawl lifter, whereby, if power should fail, manual operation of the pawl lifter for unlatching will not be obstructed by the plunger.

Abstract: Actuator for vehicle door locks provides powered shifting of a mechanism component while permitting manual operation thereof. A motor powers a driver annulus having internal teeth and notches in respective axial zones with each tooth being diametrically opposite a notch. A spring-loaded index across the annulus interior has a tail co-acting with the notches and a head co-acting with the teeth and is guided by fixed structure that it can only move angularly to displace the component to which it is linked, by indexing past a tooth when its tail is in a notch. Powered movement of the annulus causes the teeth to selectively shift the index, but manual displacement of the component causes the index to spring past the relevant tooth.

Abstract: Remotely controlled power operable lock actuator mechanism for vehicle doors comprises a main power driven locking lever rocking between locked and unlocked conditions and a T-shaped output lever, one arm of which has a longitudinal slot. Co-axial with the output lever is a drive input lever operated by the interior door handle and having a slot with a lateral extension. A drive dog pin is received in both slots and can be shifted longitudinally thereof by a superlocking power actuator to disable drive connection between the levers by positioning the dog in the slot extension. An overriding link with lost motion connection between the dog and the main lever enables manual cancellation of superlocking if power fails.

Abstract: A passenger vehicle door latch assembly includes inhibiting means for preventing accidental setting of the latch to locked condition while the door is open. A resiliently loaded plunger is guided in fixed structure between a blocking position at which a head or other stop formation of the plunger prevents shifting of an element of a locking mechanism to its locked position and a free position at which locking can take place. The plunger co-acts with a face of a claw or other latch formation or with a face of a pawl or other retention element whenever the latter formation or element are not in their door securing relationship so preventing movement of the plunger from the blocking position until the door is closed.