Abstract: A latch assembly combination having: a) a first plate assembly; b) first and second axles extending from the first plate assembly; c) a rotor mounted to one of the first and second axles for guided pivoting movement between latched and released positions; d) a catch mounted to the other of the first and second axles for guided pivoting movement between: i) an engaged position wherein the catch blocks the rotor in the latched position; and ii) a disengaged position wherein the rotor is allowed to reposition; e) a biasing assembly for urging the rotor toward the released position; and f) at least one of: i) a second plate assembly that can be selectively operatively joined to the first plate assembly in first and second different manners; and ii) third and fourth plate assemblies of different configuration that can be selectively operatively joined to the first plate assembly.

Abstract: A system for releasably maintaining a movable closure element in a predetermined position relative to a support therefor. The latch assembly is changed from a latched state into an unlatched state as an incident of the first actuator assembly being changed from a normal state into a release state. The first actuator assembly has a first handle that is repositionable relative to a base assembly between first and second positions. The first actuator assembly is in the normal state with the first handle in the first position and the release state with the first handle in the second position. The lock assembly cooperates with the first actuating assembly and in a locked state prevents the first handle from being changed from the first position into the second position. The lock assembly has a motor that is actuatable to change the lock assembly between the locked and unlocked states.

Abstract: A kit for selectively constructing a system for releasably maintaining a movable closure element in a predetermined position relative to a frame upon which the closure element is movably mounted. The kit includes a base assembly, a first mechanism that is operably attachable to the base assembly to define a first system having a first configuration that is operable in a first manner, and a second mechanism that is operably attachable to the base assembly to define a second system having a second configuration that is operable in a second manner that is different than the first manner. The first and second mechanisms are interchangeably operably attachable to the base assembly, one in place of the other, to allow a selection to be made by an assembler as to a desired configuration and manner of operation of a system.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a movable closure element. The latch assembly has a housing with first and second rotors each movable relative thereto between a first latched position, a release position, and a second latched position. The first and second rotors in their first and second latched positions define a receptacle with an effective diameter and a center line that is angularly disposed to the line of a straight edge on the housing. With the rotors in their first latched positions, the center line of the receptacle is spaced from the first line a first distance. The center line of the receptacle is at a first location with the rotors in their first latched position and a second location with the rotors in their second latched positions. The first and second locations are spaced a second distance. The effective diameter of the receptacle, with the first and second rotors in their first latched positions, varies from each of the first and second distances by no more than ±40%.

Abstract: A latch assembly having a housing and a catch assembly on the housing and having first and second states. The catch assembly has a rotor that is movable selectively relative to the housing between first and second positions. The rotor has a mounting portion and a receiving portion. The receiving portion has a U-shaped opening between spaced first and second legs. The U-shaped opening is configured to receive a strike element. The latch assembly further has a strike plate with a strike surface that projects across the U-shaped opening to block a strike element in the U-shaped opening with the rotor in the first position and the catch assembly in the first state. The U-shaped opening is bounded by an edge with a portion of the edge defined by the first leg against which a strike element within the U-shaped opening bears under a force tending to separate the latch assembly from the strike element.

Abstract: A latch assembly kit including a latching subassembly, a first actuating assembly having a first configuration and normal and release states, and a second actuating assembly having a second configuration and normal and release states. The latching subassembly has a latched state, and a release state. The first actuating assembly is mountable on the first side of a 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 in place of the first actuating assembly and causes the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the second actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state.

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 lock system for releasably maintaining a movable closure element in one of two different positions. The lock system has a latching assembly with a first state and a second, maintaining state. An actuating system has a first actuating assembly that is changeable from a first state into a second state by movement of a part of the first actuating assembly in an operating path. A blocking assembly in a first state allows the first actuating assembly to be changed from the first state into the second state. The blocking assembly in a second state blocks the operating path to prevent the part of the first actuating assembly from moving so as to allow the first actuating assembly from being changed from the first state into the second state.

Abstract: An operating mechanism to releasably engage a strike assembly to maintain a movable closure element in a predetermined position. The operating mechanism has a base with a first axis and a wall extending around the first axis and defining a passageway. A latch system has (a) a latched state in which the latch system engages a strike element and (b) a released state wherein the latch system can be disengaged from the strike element. The operating mechanism further includes an actuating system that is changeable from a first state into a second state to thereby change the state of the latch system. The actuating system has a first link which is movable within the passageway from a first position into a second position to change the state of the latch system. The actuating system further includes an actuating assembly that can be connected to the base without requiring separate fasteners.

Abstract: A latch assembly having a housing and a catch assembly on the housing. The catch assembly has at least one catch element that is repositionable relative to the housing to change the catch assembly between first and second different states. The catch assembly in the first state is capable of preventing a strike element engaged by the latch assembly from separating from the latch assembly. The catch assembly in the second state permits a strike element, engaged by the latch assembly with the catch assembly in the first state, to be separated from the latch assembly. The housing has a base wall defining a support for at least a part of the catch assembly, a first side wall extending angularly away from the base wall, and a return wall projecting angularly away from the first side wall.

Abstract: A system for providing secured access to a vehicle, a remote communications device for sending a signal for controlling a first set of functions associated with the vehicle, a receiver associated with the vehicle and adapted to receive the signal, an access module operatively connected to the vehicle and adapted to provide control of a second set of functions of the vehicle by a user from outside of the vehicle, where the first set of functions may be similar or different from the second set of functions, a plurality of actuators disposed within the vehicle and wherein at least a portion of the first set of functions or at least a portion of the second set of functions are associated with at least one of the plurality of actuators and a controller module electrically connected to the receiver, the access module, and the plurality of actuators.

Abstract: A latch assembly kit including a latching subassembly for mounting upon a movable closure element, an actuating assembly, a first elongate graspable handle, and a second elongate graspable handle. 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 actuating assembly has a normal state and a release state. The actuating assembly causes the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state. The first elongate graspable handle has a first length and is releasably operatively connectable to at least one of the latching subassembly and actuating assembly to facilitate repositioning of the movable closure element upon which the latching subassembly is mounted.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a movable closure element of the type having first and second sides. The latch assembly has a housing, a first rotor movable relative to the housing selectively between a) a latched position and b) a release position, and an operating assembly which is operable to change the first rotor from the latched position into the release position. A first rotor is engageable with a strike element relative to which the movable closure element can be moved to thereby releasably maintain the movable closure element in a desired position. The first rotor is biased towards the release position. The operating assembly includes a catch block assembly that is movable selectively between a) an engaged position wherein the first rotor is maintained in the latched position and b) a disengaged position wherein the first rotor is permitted to move from the latched position into the release position.

Abstract: The door handle bracket and latch assembly of the present invention includes a bracket subassembly and a latch. The latch has a spring mounted rotor and a spring mounted catch which function to maintain a door in a latched or unlatched condition. The bracket subassembly includes a mounting plate, a pivotally mounted trip lever, and a rotational release cam receiving the drive shaft of the door handle. Upon rotation of the door handle in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the release cam pivots the trip lever, which in turn pivots the catch out of retentive engagement with the rotor, such that the rotor rotates to the unlatched position to allow the door to move from the latched closed position to an unlatched open position. The assembly has a simple design with a low profile and versatile mounting options.

Abstract: The present invention is a keypad module for a vehicle. The keypad module includes a housing having a front side, a back side, and side members, the front side having a flange adapted for mounting to a vehicle, a plurality of buttons operatively connected to the housing and recessed in the front side, a circuit board disposed within the housing, an intelligent control mounted to the circuit board and electrically connected to the plurality of buttons, and a network transceiver electrically connected to the intelligent control, the intelligent control adapted to transmit a vehicle access message through the network transceiver. The present invention also includes a method.

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: The door handle assembly includes a housing and a lever handle pivotally connected to the front side of the housing by a pin. A pivot plate is pivotally connected to the back side of the housing, which includes a curved channel in which is mounted a compression spring. The pivot plate covers the channel so as to retain or close the spring in the channel. The pivot plate includes an arm which is linked to the door latch. Upon actuation of the handle, the pivot plate 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 channel and an arm on the pivot plate. The linkage between the pivot plate and the door latch releases the latch when the pivot plate is rotated by actuation of the handle. Upon release of the handle, the compression spring biases the pivot plate to its normal at-rest position. A resilient, integrally formed pin retention member extends from the housing for retaining the door handle pin in position.