Abstract: A vehicle security sub-system comprising person sensing means arranged to determine whether a person is located in the vehicle, first authorisation device detection means arranged to detect the presence of a cooperating authorisation device having a first level of authorisation in the vehicle, a second authorisation device detection means arranged to detect the presence of a cooperating authorisation device in an area around the driver's seat and a controller, wherein, the controller is arranged to determine the locked state of at least one vehicle closure and the state of a start system of an associated vehicle in response to inputs from the detection means.

Abstract: A latch including a latch bolt movable between a primary latch position and an open position, a pawl moveable between a first engaged position where it secures the latch bolt in at least its primary latch position and a second released position where it releases the latch bolt from at least its first primary latch position, release means moveable between a rest position where it allows the pawl to achieve its first engaged position and an actuated position where it retains the pawl in its second released position, the latch bolt further including a secondary latch position, wherein the latch further comprises a capture means arranged so as to prevent engagement of the pawl in the secondary latch position during closure of the door, until the claw has rotated to a predetermined position beyond that at which engagement in the secondary latch position may otherwise occur.

Abstract: An inside door release mechanism for a vehicle comprising first and second input means arranged to be mounted in a mutually spaced relationship on a door inner face and an output to a latch wherein the mechanism is so constructed and arranged to be capable of causing the latch to be unlatched when both input means are actuated simultaneously.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing energy provided when a door is displaced so as to subsequently enable the energy thereby stored to be released to assist in the release of a pawl from a latch bolt of a latch mechanism, the apparatus comprising energy storage means and release means to selectively release the energy once stored.

Abstract: An access control system for a vehicle having at least two closures, the system comprising a receiver that determines the angular position of an associated authorization device relative to the receiver allowing the system to determine the appropriate vehicle closure or closures to open. The system is able to determine additional closures to be opened in accordance with predetermined criteria in response to the period of time for which an input signal is received by the system from the authorization device.

Abstract: A latch arrangement including a control device, a latch power operable between different security states by a latch security actuator, and a lock status indicator power operable between different lock status indicator positions by a lock status indicator actuator, in which the control device, on receiving a first input signal requiring a change in latch security state, generates a first output causing the latch to change its security state, and the lock status indicator to indicate the new latch security state, there being no mechanical transmission of movement between the lock status indicator and the latch.

Abstract: A mechanism for selectively locking and unlocking a vehicle door latch, comprising a rheological fluid in operable connection with an output and an input, the fluid acting so as to in a first state prevent actuation of the output upon actuation of the input and in a second state permit such actuation.

Abstract: A start system for a vehicle, the system comprising scanning means arranged so as to scan an area around a driver's seat of the vehicle to detect an authorization device having a particular level of authorization so as to ensure that only a person carrying an authorization device having this level of authorization and positioned in the area around the driver's seat may start the vehicle wherein the system further comprises input means and the input means comprises a pair of switches both of which must be actuated for the vehicle to start.

Abstract: A scanning device (12) for use in periodically scanning for the existence of at least one corresponding remote response device (22) wherein, in use, the rate at which the scanning device scans for the response device decreases as the time since the detection of a previous response device increases, such that the rate of power consumption of the scanning device reduces during periods of non-use.

Abstract: A touch sensitive access system for fitment to a vehicle and arranged such that, when touched, the means signals unlatching of a door latch of a door of said vehicle, wherein the access system is programmed only to signal unlatching once a vehicle user has ceased touching the access means.

Abstract: A vehicle closure locking system comprising person sensing means, authorization device detection means and a controller, the sensing means being capable of determining whether a person is located in the vehicle and the authorization device detection means being capable of detecting the presence of a co-operating authorization device within the vehicle, wherein the controller is programmed to instruct the detection means and sensing means to commence detecting and sensing respectively in response to a predetermined event and is further programmed to control the locked state of vehicle closure(s) in response to signals supplied periodically by the sensing means and signals supplied periodically by the authorization device detection means.

Abstract: This invention relates to a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism comprises a latch bolt rotatably mounted about a pivot on a chassis. The latch bolt is movable from an open condition, in which it is free to receive a striker of a motor vehicle, to a closed condition in which the striker is retained by the latch bolt. The latch bolt comprises an overmold of elastomeric material, which defines first, second and third buffers. The third buffer is adapted to cooperate with an abutment on the chassis to absorb over-travel of the striker when the door of a motor vehicle carrying the latch mechanism is closed.

Abstract: A method of assembly of a first and second component comprising the steps of providing the first component with a projection providing a second component with a plastics engagement surface assembling the first and second components such that the projection is held substantially rigid relative to the first component and the plastics engagement surface is plastically deformed around the projection then allowing the plastics engagement surface to further creep around the projection such that the force required to disassemble the first and second components increases.

Abstract: A power actuator for a vehicle door locking mechanism includes a power operable actuator lever, a manual locking lever operated by a sill button or the like, and a transmission connector selectively coupling the power operable and manual levers so that they are reciprocated by a drive from the manual lever between locked and unlocked conditions. A superlocking motor is operable to rotate the transmission connector angularly about a longitudinal axis and disengage the connector from at least one of the levers to disable the manual lever and effect superlocking for maximum security.

Abstract: Actuator for vehicle door locks provides powered shifting of a mechanism component while permitting manual operation thereof. A motor powers a driver annulus having internal teeth and notches in respective axial zones with each tooth being diametrically opposite a notch. A spring-loaded index across the annulus interior has a tail co-acting with the notches and a head co-acting with the teeth and is guided by fixed structure that it can only move angularly to displace the component to which it is linked, by indexing past a tooth when its tail is in a notch. Powered movement of the annulus causes the teeth to selectively shift the index, but manual displacement of the component causes the index to spring past the relevant tooth.

Abstract: A passenger vehicle door latch assembly includes inhibiting means for preventing accidental setting of the latch to locked condition while the door is open. A resiliently loaded plunger is guided in fixed structure between a blocking position at which a head or other stop formation of the plunger prevents shifting of an element of a locking mechanism to its locked position and a free position at which locking can take place. The plunger co-acts with a face of a claw or other latch formation or with a face of a pawl or other retention element whenever the latter formation or element are not in their door securing relationship so preventing movement of the plunger from the blocking position until the door is closed.