Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a fork bolt lever that is latched by a detent lever. The detent lever is operated by an intermittent lever that is operated by a transfer lever that is actuated by inside and outside door handles via operating levers. The door latch includes with a locking lever that disconnects the door handles from the intermittent lever when it is in the locked position. The door latch also includes an interlock between the intermittent lever and the locking lever that is automatically engaged in response to the position of the detent so that the door latch cannot be locked when the fork bolt lever is in an unlatched position. Consequently the door latch can only be locked when the door is closed and the fork bolt lever is in a latched position. This prevents the driver from locking his or her keys in the vehicle.

Abstract: A door latch coupling arrangement includes a detent release member connected to an inside operator by a freewheeling connection. An intermittent member is movable between coupled and uncoupled positions with respect to the detent release member and pivotally connected to the inside operator to establish an operative connection between the detent release member and inside operator when in coupled position. A manual control member shifts the intermittent member between its coupled and uncoupled positions.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a child safety vehicle door lock with a blocking arrangement for selectively blocking operation of an operating handle to prevent release of the door latch by an unauthorized person such as a child passenger. The blocking arrangement includes a blocking lever of plastic material pivotally mounted of the latch frame for manual movement between blocking and non-blocking positions. The blocking lever and frame have detent elements for releasably locating the blocking lever in each of its positions. The blocking lever includes a portion, which when in the blocking position, is engaged on one side by the frame and engaged on the other side by the a portion of the operating lever.

Abstract: A control means for an occupant restraint belt system includes a cable connected to a disablement mechanism of a restraint belt retractor at one end and connected at the other end to an actuating lever. The actuating lever is moved to an actuating position upon operation of the latch mechanism by either the inside or the outside operator. A latch bolt position sensor moves in the path of the latch bolt and mounts a blocking lever. When the sensor is moved to an actuating position by the latch bolt as the bolt moves from a fully latched position through a partially latched position, the locking lever moves to a blocking position with respect to the cable actuating lever so that the restraint belt retractor remains disabled when the door is in an open position and the inside and outside operators are released.

Abstract: A vehicle body door lock includes a pivoted operating lever connected to a pivoted transfer lever by a shiftable rod having a hooked end hooked through an opening in one end of the operating lever. The transfer lever rotates the operating lever against a spring bias. The position of the transfer lever relative to the frame is adjustably set by a bendable tab to eliminate lost motion between the hooked end of the rod and the operating lever and locate the levers and rod in rattle free relationship. The bight of the rod seats in an arcuate bearing area of the opening in the operating lever to reduce operating effort.