Abstract: A latch assembly is provided, the latch assembly having: a fork bolt pivotally secured to the latch assembly for movement between an unlatched position and a latched position; a detent lever pivotally secured to the latch assembly for movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the fork bolt is prevented from moving toward the unlatched position from the latched position when the detent lever is in the engaged position; a frame, the frame having a striker opening and a first opening; and a secondary lever pivotally mounted to the latch assembly for movement between a first position, wherein a hasp of the secondary lever is positioned over the striker opening and a second position wherein the hasp is not positioned over the striker opening and wherein a feature of the secondary lever blocks access to the first opening when the secondary lever is in the first position and wherein the feature of the secondary lever does not block access to the first opening when the secondary lever is

Abstract: A latch assembly is provided, the latch assembly having: a frame having a striker opening formed therein; a fork bolt pivotally secured to the latch assembly proximate to the striker opening for movement between an unlatched position and a latched position, the fork bolt having an opening configured to engage a striker when the striker is inserted into the striker opening and the fork bolt is in the unlatched position; and a feature located on an outer periphery of the fork bolt, the feature limiting pivotal movement of the fork bolt by contacting the striker when the striker is inserted into the striker opening and the striker is not received in the opening of the fork bolt.

Abstract: The present invention generally includes a latch assembly including a completely symmetrical metal frame and a polymeric isolation plate mounted between the frame and levers. The polymeric isolation plate is not symmetrical but serves as a templet to assure that only the proper holes are being used on the metal frame for either right-hand or left-hand drive latch assemblies. The polymeric isolation plate also includes integral cylindrical bushings. Detent and fork-bolt levers are trapped onto the respective bushings by metal rivets so that the levers actually rotate on the low friction bushings and not on the metal rivets. The isolator plate includes an integral flange which is interposed between the striker of the vehicle and the throat of the frame to avoid rubbing metal-to-metal contact, to protect the throat, frame and striker and for quieter operation.

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 one-piece striker for a door latch comprises a base having an integrally attached U-shaped loop of rectangular cross section that is bent upright from the base. The base has a triangular end with one mounting hole at its apex and a peninsula end that has another mounting hole at its free end. The striker is used with a door latch that has a slot for guiding one leg of the loop into an interior mechanism that includes a rotatable fork bolt lever that engages an inside surface of the leg in the latched position.