Abstract: The door handle assembly includes a housing which is mounted in the door of a vehicle. A lever handle is pivotally connected to the front side of the housing by a pin, while a pivot plate is pivotally connected to the back side of the housing. The back side of the housing includes a curved channel in which is mounted a compression spring. The pivot plate lies in covering relation to the channel so as to retain or close the spring in the channel. The pivot plate includes an elongated arm which is linked to the door latch. Upon actuation of the handle, the pivot plate 14 is pivoted by a leg of the handle extending through the housing. The pivotal movement of the pivot plate compresses the spring between one end of the channnel and an arm on the pivot plate. The linkage between the pivot plate and one door latch releases the latch when the pivot plate is rotated by actuation of the handle. Upon release of the handle, the compression spring 36 biases the pivot plate to its normal at-rest position.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a movable closure element. The latch assembly has a housing with a peripheral edge defined in part by a substantially straight edge portion extending along a first line. A first rotor is movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a first latched position, b) a release position, and c) a second latched position between the first latched position and the release position. A second rotor is movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a first latched position, b) a release position, and c) a second latched position between the first latched and release positions for the second rotor. An operating assembly has a latched state and an unlatched state. The operating assembly in the latched state releasably maintains the first rotor in its first and second latched positions and the second rotor in its first and second latched positions.

Abstract: A control module for receiving inputs and outputs associated with providing access to and control of a vehicle is disclosed. The control module includes a housing adapted for mounting within the vehicle, an intelligent control disposed within the housing, the intelligent control having a plurality of inputs for sensing vehicle states, a plurality of electronic access inputs for receiving user instructions, and a plurality of outputs from the intelligent control for controlling vehicle functions. The intelligent control is adapted for sending and receiving messages via a multiplexing protocol. The control module can be programmed to provide customized functions for different vehicles.

Abstract: A latch assembly is provided for a movable closure element. The latch assembly has a housing and a first rotor that is movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a first latched position and b) a release position. The first rotor is biased towards the release position and has a first throat to receive a strike element. The latch assembly further consists of an operating assembly having a latched state and an unlatched state The operating assembly in the latched state releasably maintains the first rotor in the first latched position. The operating assembly has a catch arm that is movable relative to the housing from a first position into a second position to thereby change the operating assembly from the latched state into the unlatched state.

Abstract: A latch assembly kit including a latching subassembly for mounting upon a movable closure element, a first actuating assembly having a first configuration and normal and release states, and a second actuating assembly having a second configuration that is different than the first configuration and normal and release states. The latching subassembly has a latched state, wherein the latching subassembly releasably engages a strike element to maintain the movable closure element in a desired position relative to a support to which the movable closure element is attached, and a release state. The first actuating assembly is mountable on the first side of the movable closure element and causes the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the first actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state. The second actuating assembly is mountable to the first side of the movable closure element in place of the first actuating assembly.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a movable closure element. The latch assembly has a housing, a first rotor movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a first latched position and b) a release position, and a second rotor movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a first latched position and b) a release position. The first rotor has a first throat to receive a strike element. The latch assembly further has an operating assembly with a latched state and an unlatched state. The operating assembly in the latched state releasably maintains the first rotor in its first latched position and the second rotor in its first latched position. The first rotor is movable substantially parallel to a reference plane as the first rotor moves between its first latched and release positions. The first rotor has a non-uniform thickness taken orthogonally to the reference plane.

Abstract: A door lock assembly is provided for use on multiple types of door latches. The assembly includes a housing, a paddle pivotally mounted on the housing, and a pivot plate pivotally mounted on the housing and operatively connected to the door latch. An actuator is mounted on the housing and is operatively connected to the paddle. A pin is slideably received within a slot in the pivot plate and moved between first and second positions in response to locking and unlocking of a locked cylinder. The actuator engages the pin in the first position so as to actuate the pivot plate and thereby open the door latch when the paddle is pulled. The actuator disengages the pin in the second position so that the paddle free floats when pulled and precludes the pivot plate from opening the door latch when the locked cylinder is locked or the power actuator is actuated.

Abstract: The combination of a frame, a closure element, and a closure element holding assembly. The closure element is mounted to the frame for movement between first and second positions. The closure element holding assembly has a linkage with first and second connecting ends and at least first and second link elements. The first connecting end is connected to the closure element. The second connecting end is connected to the frame. The first and second link elements are joined to each other for pivoting movement about a first axis and in such a manner that the first and second link elements can be connected to and disconnected from each other by relatively repositioning at least a part of the first link element and second link element through relative movement of the at least part of the first link element and second link element in a direction generally parallel to the first axis. In one form, one of the link elements has a post and the other link element has a socket to receive the post.

Abstract: The latch assembly of the present invention is adapted for use on motor vehicles, such as agricultural and construction vehicles, recreation vehicles, utility and emergency vehicles, and heavy-duty trucks. The latch assembly includes a housing with a rotor and catch rotatably mounted therein for movement between open and closed positions for releasing and retaining a striker bolt on the door. Holes in the housing allow the housing to be mounted either internally or externally to the door frame. The rotor and catch are impregnated with a lubricant to minimize friction and extend the life of the latch assembly. A grease block is also provided within the housing to inhibit entry of contaminants, such as dirt, water, and the like, so as to further extend the life of the latch assembly.

Abstract: The universal logic assembly of the present invention is non-handed so as to be adapted for use both left-hand and right-hand vehicle door structures. The logic assembly includes a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to the inside of the door structure, with the latch assembly sandwiched therebetween. A plurality of lever arms are pivotally mounted on the bracket, with each arm having opposite front and back sides. A plurality of clips are mounted on the lever arms to receive rods and/or cables from the door handles and lock mechanism so as to control the opening and closing of the latch. The clips can be mounted from both the front and back sides of the arms, such that the logic assembly is a non-handed universal product.

Abstract: A key operated, lock actuating system having a housing and a lock cylinder that is pivotable relative to the housing around a first axis. An actuator assembly is pivotable around the first axis between a fully locked position and an unlocked position. The lock actuating system includes a first key having a first configuration and a second key having a second configuration. The first key can be used to change the actuator assembly between the locked and unlocked positions. The second key, which cannot be fully inserted to be operable with the actuator assembly in the locked position, can be used to change the actuator assembly between the unlocked position and an intermediate locked position.

Abstract: An improved door handle is provided with a housing having a plunger tunnel designed to dissipate stress forces, such as door seal loads and vibration. The plunger tunnel is D-shaped in cross-section, with a curved interior radius to preclude stress concentrations. The plunger has a complimentary D-shaped cross-section for sliding movement within the tunnel between extended and retracted positions to latch and unlatch the door.

Abstract: A latch and logic assembly is provided for a vehicle door which precludes the door from being accidentally locked. The latch includes a catch and a rotor movable between open and closed positions. The logic is mounted on the latch and is connected to the inside and outside handles of the door, and to the sill button on the door. The logic senses the position of the latch rotor and precludes movement of the sill button to the locked position when the rotor is in the open position, thus providing a no-lock-out function.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a movable closure. The latch assembly has a housing with a front, a rear, and a first wall with a forwardly facing surface and an opening through the first wall. The latch assembly further has an actuating assembly including a paddle that is pivotably mounted for movement relative to the housing about a first axis between first and second positions. The paddle has a second wall with a rearwardly facing surface. The actuating assembly further has a post projecting rearwardly from the second wall into the opening through the first wall. The post has a third wall which fully blocks the opening through the first wall as viewed from the front of the latch assembly with the paddle in the first position.

Abstract: An assembly for releasably holding a movable closure element in a desired position relative to a support. The holding assembly has a first part with a first element and a first actuator and a second part with a second element and a second actuator. The first part is connectable to a closure element, with the second part connectable to a support for the closure element. At least one of the first and second elements is movable relative to a support and/or closure element to which the at least one of the first and second elements is connected to allow the first and second elements to act, one against the other, so that the first and second elements realize a holding position as a closure element to which the first part is connected is moved towards and into the desired position.

Abstract: A latch system for a closure element that is slidable relative to a mounting frame between first and second positions. The mounting frame has a strike element to be engaged to releasably maintain the closure element in a first position. The latch system has a first frame part, a first handle that is mounted to the first frame part for movement between first and second positions, and a first latch assembly having a latched state and a released state. The first latch assembly in the latched state is capable of cooperating with the strike element to selectively prevent the closure element from moving from the first position for the closure element into the second position for the closure element. The first latch assembly in the released state permits the closure element to move from the second position for the closure element into the first position for the closure element and from the first position for the closure element into the second position for the closure element.

Abstract: An operator for a latch system. The operator has a main body, a control unit, and a retainer. The control unit has at least a portion that is selectively repositionable relative to the main body by a user with the control unit in an operative position on the main body to change the state of a latch system with which the operator is associated. A retainer is placeable in an assembled position on the main body wherein the retainer maintains the control unit in the operative position. The main body has a first shoulder, with the retainer element having a second shoulder. The first and second shoulders face and abut each other with the retainer in the assembled position to prevent the retainer from being moved out of the assembled position such that the control unit could be moved out of the operative position.