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: An inside door release mechanism for a vehicle comprises first and second inputs 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 inputs are actuated simultaneously.

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 lock mechanism has a manually actuable element, a lock lever and an actuator, with the manually actuable element connected to the lock lever via a transmission path. The transmission path includes a rigid link with an end defining an abutment for selectively driving the lock lever. A drive feature couples the abutment to the lock lever when the lock lever is rotated between locked and unlocked positions by operation of the manually actuable element. The drive feature decouples the abutment from the lock lever when the manually actuable element is actuated in an attempt to move the lock lever from a superlocked position, allowing the abutment to move relative to the lock lever.

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 lock mechanism has a manually actuable element, a lock lever and an actuator, with the manually actuable element connected to the lock lever via a transmission path. The transmission path includes a rigid link with an end defining an abutment for selectively driving the lock lever. A drive feature couples the abutment to the lock lever when the lock lever is rotated between locked and unlocked positions by operation of the manually actuable element. The drive feature decouples the abutment from the lock lever when the manually actuable element is actuated in an attempt to move the lock lever from a superlocked position, allowing the abutment to move relative to the lock lever.

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: 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 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: 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 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 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 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: A reinforcement module for a vehicle door comprises a plurality of elongate reinforcement members (1) and a plurality of connectors (2a, 2b and 2c). Each connector (2a, 2b and 2c) is engageable with the free end portions of at least two of the elongate reinforcement members (1) to connect those elongate reinforcement members together. The arrangement is such that at least one of the elongate reinforcement members (1) extends generally transversely with respect to at least one other elongate reinforcement member.