Abstract: A door latch mechanism for a vehicle comprising a release lever operable by a door handle and a transmission path linkage containing a resiliently biased inertia device. During normal operation, the inertia device is biased to form a transmission path that transmits an unlatching movement from the release lever to release a latch bolt of the latch. If an impact on the vehicle creates an acceleration force above a predetermined level, the inertia device moves to break the transmission path, preventing the latch from being unlatched.

Abstract: A door latch mechanism for a vehicle comprising a release lever operable by a door handle and a transmission path linkage containing a resiliently biased inertia device. During normal operation, the inertia device is biased to form a transmission path that transmits an unlatching movement from the release lever to release a latch bolt of the latch. If an impact on the vehicle creates an acceleration force above a predetermined level, the inertia device moves to break the transmission path, preventing the latch from being unlatched.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a vehicle door includes a latch bolt, a pawl biased into engagement with the latch bolt to maintain the latch bolt in a latched condition, and a manual release lever for operable linkage to a vehicle door handle. A power release member is movable to displace the pawl from an engaged position where the pawl engages the latch bolt to a disengaged position where the pawl does not engage the latch bolt. A clutch member is mounted such that movement of the pawl causes movement of the clutch member.

Abstract: A latch assembly (10, 110, 210, 310) for releasably securing a door in a closed position, the assembly comprising an actuator (15, 115, 215, 315) with an actuator output, the actuator having a first relatively fast acting low force output mode and a second relatively slow acting high force output mode, the actuator output being interconnected with a latch bolt (46, 146, 246, 346) of the assembly such that the latch bolt may be relatively rapidly released by the actuator operating in its first output mode when the load required to unlatch the latch bolt is relatively low, but relatively slowly unlatched by the second output mode when the load required to unlatch the latch bolt is relatively high.

Abstract: An actuator assembly includes an actuator drivingly connected by a transmission path to an output member. The actuator is capable of moving the output member about a pivot point in a first direction from a rest position to an actuated position. The actuator is also capable of moving the output member in a second direction from the actuated position to the rest position. The assembly further includes an energy storing member which provides a force. Movement of the output member by the actuator in the first direction is assisted by the energy storing member and movement of the output member by the actuator in the second direction stores energy in the energy storing means. The energy storing member is positioned relative to the pivot point such that in the rest position, the force acts substantially through the pivot point to not generate any substantial resultant torque on the output member.

Abstract: A door latch mechanism for a vehicle comprising a release lever operable by a door handle and a transmission path linkage containing a resiliently biased inertia device. During normal operation, the inertia device is biased to form a transmission path that transmits an unlatching movement from the release lever to release a latch bolt of the latch. If an impact on the vehicle creates an acceleration force above a predetermined level, the inertia device moves to break the transmission path, preventing the latch from being unlatched.

Abstract: A latch arrangement includes a latch and a release mechanism. The arrangement is operable such that with the latch in an unlocked latched first condition, an initial actuation of the release mechanism changes the state of the latch to a latched second condition, which is different from the first condition. A subsequent actuation of the release mechanism unlatches the latch.

Abstract: A latch assembly (10, 110, 210, 310) for releasably securing a door in a closed position, the assembly comprising an actuator (15, 115, 215, 315) with an actuator output, the actuator having a first relatively fast acting low force output mode and a second relatively slow acting high force output mode, the actuator output being interconnected with a latch bolt (46, 146, 246, 346) of the assembly such that the latch bolt may be relatively rapidly released by the actuator operating in its first output mode when the load required to unlatch the latch bolt is relatively low, but relatively slowly unlatched by the second output mode when the load required to unlatch the latch bolt is relatively high.