Abstract: An electronic communications device such as a key fob is provided, and in some embodiments comprises a flexible film and a spacer layer defining at least one aperture. The flexible film can cover at least a portion of the spacer layer, and defines an exterior surface of the key fob. The flexible film includes at least one contact surface and a surface adjacent to the at least one contact surface. The at least one contact surface flexes when a force is applied in order to actuate at least one switch.

Abstract: Residual magnetic locks, brakes, rotation inhibitors, clutches, actuators, and latches. The residual magnetic devices can include a core housing and an armature. The residual magnetic devices can include a coil that receives a magnetization current to create an irreversible residual magnetic force between the core housing and the armature.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system for use with a vehicle including an RF transmitter positionable in a vehicle and a key fob having an antenna configured to receive an RF signal from the RF transmitter and convert the RF signal to electrical energy, a power management circuit configured to distribute the electrical energy in the key fob, and an energy storage device configured to store at least some of the electrical energy converted from the RF signal.

Abstract: A device and method for a key fob. The key fob device can include a housing, a lid defining one or more apertures, a circuit board including one or more switches, and a flexible film coupled to the housing and/or the lid. The flexible film can include one or more contact surfaces and stylized graphics.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for activating a passive entry system. The motion detector can include a latch input lever, a switch, and a damper. The damper can provide more resistance to the latch input lever in order to transfer motion to the switch in response to fast movement of the door handle. In some embodiments, the motion detector can include a switch actuator, a notched lever, and a switch. Movement of the notched lever can cause the switch actuator to contact the switch. In other embodiments, the motion detector can include a switch actuator, a notched lever, and a magnetic sensor switch. The magnetic sensor switch can include a magnetic switch member that moves in response to a second end of the switch actuator in order to complete a circuit to the passive entry system.

Abstract: A codeable lock, operable by an authorized key, includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis, a lock cylinder positioned within the housing and selectively rotatable relative to the housing about the longitudinal axis, and a sidebar moveable between a locked position, in which at least a portion of the sidebar is engaged with the lock cylinder and the housing to prevent rotation of the lock cylinder relative to the housing, and an unlocked position, in which the sidebar is disengaged from at least one of the housing and the lock cylinder. The codeable lock also includes a codebar positioned within the lock cylinder. The codebar is moveable from an uncoded state to a coded state upon insertion of the authorized key into the lock cylinder and by securing the codebar to the sidebar. The codeable lock further includes a tumbler positioned within the lock cylinder and engaged with the codebar.

Abstract: Residual magnetic locks, brakes, rotation inhibitors, clutches, actuators, and latches. The residual magnetic devices can include a core housing and an armature. The residual magnetic devices can include a coil that receives a magnetization current to create an irreversible residual magnetic force between the core housing and the armature.

Abstract: A latch assembly having at least one control element having a first path of motion in which a ratchet is moved to an unlatched position and a second path of motion in which the ratchet is not so moved, the path of motion taken by the control element dependent upon whether an engagement element is engaged with the control element or disengaged therefrom. Preferably, the control element moves the ratchet by contact with a pawl which itself can be engaged with the ratchet. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control element can be partially or fully actuated through its second path of motion while still being engagable with its engagement element. If already partially or fully actuated through its second path of motion, the engagement element is preferably movable into contact with the control element and can move the control element to its first path of motion.

Abstract: Highly preferred embodiments of the present invention have a lock bolt extendible and retractable by movement of a power transmission assembly driven by an actuator and having a cam thereon which cams against the lock bolt to retract the lock bolt and unlock the steering column. In some preferred embodiments, the cam has a curved surface with varying distance from the axis of rotation of the cam or pivot to produce smooth and controlled lock bolt camming action with little to no jarring motion. In order to significantly reduce manufacturing and assembly time and cost, some or all of the power transmission assembly can be assembled prior to installation in the lock assembly frame. More preferably, some or all of the power transmission assembly is integrally formed. Preferably, part or all of the lock assembly can be assembled without turning, flipping, or otherwise re-orienting the lock assembly during assembly.

Abstract: In some embodiments, lock assemblies are disclosed which have a housing, a barrel, and at least one tumbler. In some cases, the lock is codeable after the lock assembly has been assembled. Although not required, some embodiments can be re-coded to a new code with and without disassembling the lock assembly. The tumbler(s) can be pivotable, while in other embodiments the tumbler(s) move in a substantially linear fashion. The tumbler(s) can be comprised of two pieces or portions, wherein one piece/portion of the tumbler(s) either directly or indirectly engages the coded surface of a key while the other piece/portion is positionable to prevent rotation of the barrel with respect to the housing. In some embodiments, the tumblers are external to the barrel.

Abstract: A latch assembly, comprising a control element having a pivot point and an actuator. The actuator has a first position in which the control element is engaged by the actuator for pivotal movement about the pivot point and a second position in which the control element is disengaged by the actuator from pivotal movement about the pivot point. The latch assembly further includes a ratchet arranged and configured for rotation with the control element when the control element is engaged by the actuator and for non-rotation when the control element is disengaged by the actuator. A highly preferred embodiment of the invention includes an automatic unlocking circuit powered by a backup power source.

Abstract: A locking and latching system of modular construction in which some of the components of the system are pre-assembled prior to their installation into the structural framework of a vehicle door. The modular construction of the lock and latch system can include the outside and inside door handles, the outside and inside locks, the door latch itself, as well as linkages between these components. The modular components can further facilitate the assembly process by being of a design which simplifies the process of installing them into the structural framework of a vehicle door without requiring the use of specialized tools, thereby reducing the labor costs associated with assembly.

Abstract: A latch assembly having at least one control element having a first path of motion in which a ratchet is moved to an unlatched position and a second path of motion in which the ratchet is not so moved, the path of motion taken by the control element dependent upon whether an engagement element is engaged with the control element or disengaged therefrom. Preferably, the control element moves the ratchet by contact with a pawl which itself can be engaged with the ratchet. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control element can be partially or fully actuated through its second path of motion while still being engagable with its engagement element. If already partially or fully actuated through its second path of motion, the engagement element is preferably movable into contact with the control element and can move the control element to its first path of motion.

Abstract: A modular latch assembly having at least one control element having one path of motion in which a ratchet is moved to an unlatched position and another path of motion in which the ratchet is not so moved, the path of motion taken by the control element dependent upon whether an engagement element is extended into engagement with the control element or retracted from engagement therewith. Preferably, the control element moves the ratchet by contact with a pawl which itself can be engaged with the ratchet. A manual override can be installed for manually shifting an engagement element into and out of engagement with a control element to place the control element in latched and unlatched states as desired. The latch assembly is preferably provided with a number of different control element positions for receiving control elements therein, each of which is actuatable to move the pawl when in an unlocked state.

Abstract: A locking and latching system is disclosed in which some of the components of the system can be pre-assembled prior to installation into the structural framework of a vehicle door. The construction of the lock and latch system of the present invention can include outside and inside door handles, outside and inside locks, the door latch itself, as well as linkages between these components. The components of the present invention can further facilitate the assembly process by being of a design which simplifies the process of installing them into the structural framework of a vehicle door without requiring the use of specialized tools, thereby reducing labor costs associated with assembly.

Abstract: A latch assembly having at least one control element having one path of motion in which a ratchet is moved to an unlatched position and another path of motion in which the ratchet is not so moved, the path of motion taken by the control element dependent upon whether an engagement element is engaged with the control element or disengaged therefrom. Preferably, the control element moves the ratchet by contact with a pawl which itself can be engaged with the ratchet. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two or more unlatching inputs are capable of unlatching the latch assembly. However, two or more of these inputs are in series rather than in parallel so that the number of paths ending at the element or device holding the latch in its latched state is preferably fewer than the number of unlatching inputs to the latch assembly.

Abstract: A latch assembly having at least one control element having one path of motion in which a ratchet is moved to an unlatched position and another path of motion in which the ratchet is not so moved, the path of motion taken by the control element dependent upon whether an engagement element is engaged with the control element or disengaged therefrom. Preferably, the control element moves the ratchet by contact with a pawl which itself can be engaged with the ratchet. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two or more unlatching inputs are capable of unlatching the latch assembly. However, two or more of these inputs are in series rather than in parallel so that the number of paths ending at the element or device holding the latch in its latched state is preferably fewer than the number of unlatching inputs to the latch assembly.

Abstract: Highly preferred embodiments of the present invention have a lock bolt extendible and retractable by movement of a power transmission assembly driven by an actuator and having a cam thereon which cams against the lock bolt to retract the lock bolt and unlock the steering column. In some preferred embodiments, the cam has a curved surface with varying distance from the axis of rotation of the cam or pivot to produce smooth and controlled lock bolt camming action with little to no jarring motion. In order to significantly reduce manufacturing and assembly time and cost, some or all of the power transmission assembly can be assembled prior to installation in the lock assembly frame. More preferably, some or all of the power transmission assembly is integrally formed. Preferably, part or all of the lock assembly can be assembled without turning, flipping, or otherwise re-orienting the lock assembly during assembly.

Abstract: A remote control mechanism for remotely controlling an apparatus includes components having locations on the apparatus, and devices that are associated with the components and operable to change the configuration of the components. The control mechanism includes a housing that is shaped to resemble the apparatus and various switches that are coupled to the housing. The switches are operable to control the devices and at least some of the switches are located on the housing at positions that correspond to the locations of the components on the apparatus.

Abstract: A door assembly is disclosed for a motor vehicle. The door assembly comprises a molded door panel having a first side and a second side. The first side of the door panel is adapted to face into a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The second side of the door panel supports a belt line reinforcement, a lock and catch assembly, and a window lift assembly. The door assembly of the present invention is adapted for joining with a door exterior.