Abstract: An automobile comprising wheels and a body has front lights, a front trunk lid above a front trunk for storing luggage, a front windscreen, a front occupant steering position, a roof, a rear windscreen, a rear hood above an internal combustion, hybrid or electrical or other drive system and rear lights, a latching system being provided in or near the front trunk and has a striker mounted to the front trunk lid and a catch system mounted to the body on mounting brackets, the latching system having a striker movable relative to first and second catches which are adapted to cooperate with the striker to limit relative movement therebetween, a single motor being provided to transmit drive through the latching system to drive both of the catches to positions in which movement of the striker is restricted by the catches.

Abstract: An automobile comprising wheels and a body has front lights, a front trunk lid above a front trunk for storing luggage, a front windscreen, a front occupant steering position, a roof, a rear windscreen, a rear hood above an internal combustion, hybrid or electrical or other drive system and rear lights, a latching system being provided in or near the front trunk and has a striker mounted to the front trunk lid and a catch system mounted to the body on mounting brackets, the latching system having a striker movable relative to first and second catches which are adapted to cooperate with the striker to limit relative movement therebetween, a single motor being provided to transmit drive through the latching system to drive both of the catches to positions in which movement of the striker is restricted by the catches.

Abstract: An automobile comprising wheels and a body has front lights, a front trunk lid above a front trunk for storing luggage, a front windscreen, a front occupant steering position, a roof, a rear windscreen, a rear hood above an internal combustion, hybrid or electrical or other drive system and rear lights, a latching system being provided in or near the front trunk and has a striker mounted to the front trunk lid and a catch system mounted to the body on mounting brackets, the latching system having a striker movable relative to first and second catches which are adapted to cooperate with the striker to limit relative movement therebetween, a single motor being provided to transmit drive through the latching system to drive both of the catches to positions in which movement of the striker is restricted by the catches.

Abstract: An automobile (10) comprising wheels (12) and a body (14) has front lights (16), a front trunk lid (18) above a front trunk (20) for storing luggage, a front windscreen (22), a front occupant steering position (24), a roof (26), a rear windscreen (28), a rear hood (30) above an internal combustion, hybrid or electrical or other drive system (32) and rear lights (34), a latching system (36) being provided in or near the front trunk (20) and has a striker (38) mounted to the front trunk lid (18) and a catch system (40) mounted to the body (14) on mounting brackets (42), the latching system having a striker (50) movable relative to first and second catches (54, 56) which are adapted to cooperate with the striker to limit relative movement therebetween, a single motor (70) being provided to transmit drive through the latching system to drive both of the catches to positions in which movement of the striker is restricted by the catches.

Abstract: A closing and latching mechanism for a closure in which further rotation of an input shaft in a latching direction results in engagement of a release cam with a release cam follower and movement of a release slider which moves a pawl into a position in which a claw is free to move from a latched position to an unlatched position and the claw then moves towards the unlatched position under the action of a biasing spring.

Abstract: An automobile (10) comprising wheels (12) and a body (14) has front lights (16), a front trunk lid (18) above a front trunk (20) for storing luggage, a front windscreen (22), a front occupant steering position (24), a roof (26), a rear windscreen (28), a rear hood (30) above an internal combustion, hybrid or electrical or other drive system (32) and rear lights (34), a latching system (36) being provided in or near the front trunk (20) and has a striker (38) mounted to the front trunk lid 18 and a catch system (40) mounted to the body (14) on mounting brackets (42), the latching system having a striker (50) movable relative to first and second catches (54, 56) which are adapted to cooperate with the striker to limit relative movement therebetween, a single motor (70) being provided to transmit drive through the latching system to drive both of the catches to positions in which movement of the striker is restricted by the catches.

Abstract: A closing and latching mechanism for a closure in which further rotation of an input shaft in a latching direction results in engagement of a release cam with a release cam follower and movement of a release slider which moves a pawl into a position in which a claw is free to move from a latched position to an unlatched position and the claw then moves towards the unlatched position under the action of a biasing spring.

Abstract: A transmission system for driving one or two of a plurality of drivable devices by a single drive motor including an input shaft (4) for connection to the drive motor, a plurality of output units, each output unit including a drive member (6), which is drivable by the input shaft (4), an output shaft (16) and a clutch mechanism (8,18). A clutch engagement actuator (30) is arranged to act on a selected one of the clutch mechanisms (8, 18) to connect the input shaft (4) to the associated output shaft (16). The drive members (6) are carried on a common drive shaft (2) and are rotatable with respect to it. The clutch mechanisms (8,18) are operable to selectively connect the drive member (6) to the drive shaft (2) to rotate with it.

Abstract: A latch for an automotive closure comprises a claw (2), which is spring-biased towards the semi-latched position, for engaging a striker (15) fixed to the closure, a pawl (4) for latching open the claw (2) and a single electric motor (40) selectively coupled to the pawl to cause it to release the claw to open the latch, in one direction of rotation of the motor, and to claw to move it into the fully latched position, in the opposite direction of the motor.

Abstract: A transmission system for driving one or two of a plurality of drivable devices by a single drive motor including an input shaft (4) for connection to the drive motor, a plurality of output units, each output unit including a drive member (6), which is drivable by the input shaft (4), an output shaft (16) and a clutch mechanism (8,18). A clutch engagement actuator (30) is arranged to act on a selected one of the clutch mechanisms (8, 18) to connect the input shaft (4) to the associated output shaft (16). The drive members (6) are carried on a common drive shaft (2) and are rotatable with respect to it. The clutch mechanisms (8,18) are operable to selectively connect the drive member (6) to the drive shaft (2) to rotate with it.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a vehicle having plural device actuators, each device being configured to provide an output signal indicative of its actuation status, the vehicle also having inputs for requesting actuation of the respective devices and generating corresponding actuation request signals, and vehicle condition sensors for providing vehicle condition signals indicative of vehicle parameters such as speed and tilt or the status of vehicle components; the system comprising: a slave controller associated with each device; and a master controller; the master and slave controllers all being connected to receive the vehicle condition signals, the master controller being connected to receive the actuation request signals and to receive the status output signals from all the devices and being in two-way data communication with all the slave controllers, and each slave controller being connected to receive a corresponding actuation request signal and to receive power from the master controller and to pr

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch for coupling a drive shaft to a driven member at rotary speeds above a predetermined threshold, comprising: a centrifugal slider (302) with a massive enlargement (320) at one end and a first coupling formation; a frame (301) formed to carry the centrifugal slider on formations to constrain it to sliding motion between an extended radial position and a retracted radial position, and to fit fixedly on the drive shaft to be driven by it, with the shaft at right-angles to the axis of sliding motion of the frame, whereby the frame (301) and the slider (302) cooperate to constitute a flywheel (3) on the drive shaft axis and the centre of inertia of the centrifugal clutch is axial only when the centrifugal slider is at its extended radial position, whereby its rotation is fully balanced when the clutch is engaged.

Abstract: A latch assembly control method and, wherein a latch assembly is integrated with a motor having at least one gear thereof for actuating a plurality of components of the latch assembly. A geartooth sensor can be associated with the latch assembly, wherein the geartooth sensor senses a position of one or more gears, wherein the gear completes less than one revolution to thereby provide a known reference point registration and calibration of the latch assembly via data collected from the geartooth sensor.

Abstract: A keyless entry method, system and program product is disclosed herein. In general, user command information can be transmitted to a receiving and transmitting unit which communicates with a latch. A processor can then process the user command information utilizing a processor, which communicates the latch and the receiving and transmitting unit. The latch can thereafter be instructed to perform a particular latch function (e.g., opening or closing a vehicle door), in response to processing the user command information utilizing the processor.

Abstract: Latch control methods and systems are disclosed, including a latch that receives power from a motor associated with an H-bridge circuit. A sensor can be provided for monitoring the latch, wherein the sensor obtains latch feedback data from the latch. A microcontroller controls the latch based on the latch feedback data, by controlling an interaction of the H-bridge circuit and the motor with the latch. Additionally, a microprocessor processes instructions for controlling the interaction of the H-bridge circuit and the motor with the latch. Such instructions can be implemented as Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) control instructions.

Abstract: A latch arrangement for releasably retaining a striker, comprising a latch bolt shaped to retain the striker at a latching position, and to release the striker at an unlatching position of the latch bolt; a locking mechanism moveable between a locking position, at which it retains the latch bolt at its latching position, and an unlocking position, at which it allows the latch bolt to move to its unlatching position; means for linking the locking mechanism to a latch-opening external manual control such as a door handle; drive means coupled to the locking mechanism and/or the latch bolt for powered actuation thereof to latch or unlatch the locking mechanism and/or to drive the latch bolt to its latching position or to its unlatching position; a rotary clutch coupling the drive means to an electrical drive motor; and a clutch release mechanism drivingly coupled to the said external manual control such that operation of the latch-opening external manual control isolates the latch bolt and locking mechanism from

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch for coupling a drive shaft (11) to a driven member (13) at rotary speeds above a predetermined threshold, comprising: a centrifugal slider (15) with a massive enlargement (155) at one end and a first coupling formation (156) preferably at the other end; a frame (12) formed to carry the centrifugal slider on formations (121, 122, 123, 124) to constrain it to sliding motion between an extended radial position and a retracted radial position, and to fit on the drive shaft to be driven by it, with the shaft at right-angles to the axis of sliding motion of the frame: an output drive member mountable for free rotation on the drive shaft and formed for driving engagement with the driven member in use, and formed with a second coupling formation (131) which connects drivingly with the first only when the centrifugal slider is at its extended position; and means (16) preferably located wholly within a recess (151) in the centrifugal slider, for biasing the centrifugal slider toward its retracted p

Abstract: A latch arrangement (100) for an automotive door or other closure manually operable by actuators external to the latch, comprising: a latch; an electric motor (34) controlled by an electronic control unit (7) selectively to release the latch and to lock and unlock the latch; and internal actuators (700, 800) connectable in use mechanically to the external manual actuators and arranged to release the latch and/or to lock and unlock the latch; the electronic control unit (7) being responsive to the initial movement of one of the external manual actuators to both unlock and release the latch so as to open the door or other closure electrically using the electric motor (34). Further, a latch arrangement (100) for an automotive door or other closure manually operable by manual controls external to the latch arrangement (100) a locking or superlocking electric switch or sensor (11) connected electrically to the electronic control unit (7).

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch for coupling a drive shaft (11) to a driven member (13) at rotary speeds above a predetermined threshold, comprising: a centrifugal slider (15) with a massive enlargement (155) at one end and a first coupling formation (156) preferably at the other end; a frame (12) formed to carry the centrifugal slider on formations (121, 122, 123, 124) to constrain it to sliding motion between an extended radial position and a retracted radial position, and to fit on the drive shaft to be driven by it, with the shaft at right-angles to the axis of sliding motion of the frame: an output drive member mountable for free rotation on the drive shaft and formed for driving engagement with the driven member in use, and formed with a second coupling formation (131) which connects drivingly with the first only when the centrifugal slider is at its extended position; and means (16) preferably located wholly within a recess (151) in the centrifugal slider, for biasing the centrifugal slider toward its retracted p

Abstract: A latch arrangement for releasably retaining a striker, comprising a latch bolt shaped to retain the striker at a latching position, and to release the striker at an unlatching position of the latch bolt; a locking mechanism moveable between a locking position, at which it retains the latch bolt at its latching position, and an unlocking position, at which it allows the latch bolt to move to its unlatching position; means for linking the locking mechanism to a latch-opening external manual control such as a door handle; drive means coupled to the locking mechanism and/or the latch bolt for powered actuation thereof to latch or unlatch the locking mechanism and/or to drive the latch bolt to its latching position or to its unlatching position; a rotary clutch coupling the drive means to an electrical drive motor; and a clutch release mechanism drivingly coupled to the said external manual control such that operation of the latch-opening external manual control isolates the latch bolt and locking mechanism from