Abstract: A vehicle door latch system configured to temporarily prevent door latch mechanisms from unlatching during a predetermined event is provided. The vehicle door latch system includes a forkbolt pivotally mounted to a housing portion of the vehicle door latch. The forkbolt is capable of moving between a latching position and an unlatching position. The door latch system also includes a block out mechanism configured for movement between a blocking position and an unblocking position. The block out mechanism is configured to prevent the forkbolt from moving from the latching position to the unlatching position when the block out mechanism is in the blocking position. A biasing member biases the block out mechanism into the unblocking position.

Abstract: A garage monitoring system is provided that determines if the garage door is opened or closed, and will not issue a move door command if the garage door is already opened and it will not issue a move door command if smoke is detected first. The system's sequence of operation is can thus be described as follows: a. If CO is detected first, high concentration, sound alarm and open door immediately. b. If CO is detected first, low concentration, sound alarm and wait a time period to see if smoke alarm activates. If smoke alarm does not activate, open garage door, otherwise do not change the position of the garage door. c. If smoke is detected first, sound alarm and do not change the position of the garage door.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch system configured to temporarily prevent door latch mechanisms from unlatching during a predetermined event is provided. The vehicle door latch system includes a forkbolt pivotally mounted to a housing portion of the vehicle door latch. The forkbolt is capable of moving between a latching position and an unlatching position. The door latch system also includes a block out mechanism configured for movement between a blocking position and an unblocking position. The block out mechanism is configured to prevent the forkbolt from moving from the latching position to the unlatching position when the block out mechanism is in the blocking position. A biasing member biases the block out mechanism into the unblocking position.

Abstract: A garage monitoring system is provided that determines if the garage door is opened or closed, and will not issue a move door command if the garage door is already opened and it will not issue a move door command if smoke is detected first. The system's sequence of operation is can thus be described as follows: a. If CO is detected first, high concentration, sound alarm and open door immediately. b. If CO is detected first, low concentration, sound alarm and wait a time period to see if smoke alarm activates. If smoke alarm does not activate, open garage door, otherwise do not change the position of the garage door. c. If smoke is detected first, sound alarm and do not change the position of the garage door.

Abstract: A garage monitoring system for use with an automatic garage door opening mechanism that includes a carbon monoxide detector configured to sense the presence of carbon monoxide within the garage and generate an audible alarm when carbon monoxide reaches a predetermined level in the garage. A heater is positioned adjacent the carbon monoxide detector for maintaining the carbon monoxide detector above a minimum operational temperature. The garage monitoring system further includes a garage door position sensor for determining the position of the garage door and generating a signal corresponding to the position of the garage door.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting the movement of a fork bolt when it is in a locking position. The apparatus comprising a latch mechanism for use with a striker, the latch mechanism comprising: a housing being configured to movably receive a fork bolt therein, the fork bolt traveling from an open door position to a closed door position to a locked door position, the fork bolt engaging the striker as the fork bolt moves from the open door position to the closed door position and the locked door position; a protrusion disposed on a surface of the housing, the protrusion having a length corresponding to the movement of the fork bolt from the open door position to the closed door position and the locked door position, the protrusion gradually increasing in height from the surface along the length wherein the protrusion makes contact with the fork bolt as the fork bolt travels from the open door position to the closed door position and the locked door position and movement of the fork bolt.

Abstract: A garage monitoring system for use with an automatic garage door opening mechanism that includes a carbon monoxide detector configured to sense the presence of carbon monoxide within the garage and generate an audible alarm when carbon monoxide reaches a predetermined level in the garage. A heater is positioned adjacent the carbon monoxide detector for maintaining the carbon monoxide detector above a minimum operational temperature. The garage monitoring system further includes a garage door position sensor for determining the position of the garage door and generating a signal corresponding to the position of the garage door.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting the movement of a fork bolt when it is in a locking position. The apparatus comprising a latch mechanism for use with a striker, the latch mechanism comprising: a housing being configured to movably receive a fork bolt therein, the fork bolt traveling from an open door position to a closed door position to a locked door position, the fork bolt engaging the striker as the fork bolt moves from the open door position to the closed door position and the locked door position; a protrusion disposed on a surface of the housing, the protrusion having a length corresponding to the movement of the fork bolt from the open door position to the closed door position and the locked door position, the protrusion gradually increasing in height from the surface along the length wherein the protrusion makes contact with the fork bolt as the fork bolt travels from the open door position to the closed door position and the locked door position and movement of the fork bolt.

Abstract: A jackscrew apparatus for converting reciprocal rotational motion into reciprocal linear motion includes a nut threaded on a screw for reciprocal translational motion and against rotational motion. A motor is connected to the screw and reversibly rotates the screw about a longitudinal screw axis to drive the nut through its reciprocal translational motion. A lost motion drive linkage is connected between the motor and the nut and allows lost rotational motion between the motor and the nut. The lost rotational motion allows the motor to accelerate before bearing the load of rotating the screw and driving the translational motion of the nut.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch includes an integral switch assembly which optionally includes a central locking switch and a central glass drive switch. The switches are responsive to movement of latch elements and perform the switching functions for circuitry that effects securement and unsecurement of the vehicle in a preselected manner.

Abstract: Objectional vehicle door opening and closing sounds are eliminated by dampening vibration in the vehicle door system. An integral dampener is positioned to engage the bolt of the door latch assembly reducing the resonation of the door opening's frame caused by release of the striker from the latch bolt. The integral dampener frictionally engages the bolt for an initial opening and final closing portion of the linear travel of the door. Once initial opening has occurred and the striker has returned to its normal door-open, no-load position, the integral dampener disengages from the bolt and the latch assembly operates in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a fork bolt lever that is latched by a detent lever. The detent lever is operated by an intermittent lever that is operated by a transfer lever that is actuated by inside and outside door handles via operating levers. The door latch includes a locking lever that disconnects the door handle from the intermittent lever when it is in the locked position. The door latch also includes an anti-theft feature in the form of an electrically actuated "dead bolt" lock that is engaged and disengaged solely by a key lock cylinder. The door latch further includes an override feature that unlocks the door latch mechanically in the event of electrical power failure.

Abstract: A loop striker for use with a vehicle closure latch having a rotatable fork bolt that traps a leg of the loop striker when the fork bolt is in a latched position includes a base having a pair of laterally spaced legs that is adapted for securement to a support, a cross bar that is spaced from the base and attached to the pair of laterally spaced legs, and a tab at one end of the cross bar that overhangs the trapped leg to prevent the fork bolt from walking around the corner of the loop at the end of the trapped leg.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a fork bolt lever that is latched by a detent lever. The detent lever is operated by an intermittent lever that is operated by a transfer lever that is actuated by inside and outside door handles via operating levers. The door latch includes with a locking lever that disconnects the door handles from the intermittent lever when it is in the locked position. The door latch also includes an interlock between the intermittent lever and the locking lever that is automatically engaged in response to the position of the detent so that the door latch cannot be locked when the fork bolt lever is in an unlatched position. Consequently the door latch can only be locked when the door is closed and the fork bolt lever is in a latched position. This prevents the driver from locking his or her keys in the vehicle.

Abstract: A magnetic alignment fixture to temporarily hold a door latch striker in position relative to a door jamb while the alignment of the doors is adjusted. The magnetic alignment fixture includes a base plate of flexible material having an aperture for receiving and positioning the striker. The base plate magnetically holds the striker on the door jamb. The base plate may be moved by sufficient force applied against the striker in the plane parallel to the door jamb to overcome the magnetic force holding the base plate and thereby adjusts the position of the striker. The flexibility of the base plate allows the base plate to be flexibly peeled away from the door jam and the striker in a direction perpendicular to the door jamb after the striker is secured to the door jamb.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a child safety vehicle door lock with a blocking arrangement for selectively blocking operation of an operating handle to prevent release of the door latch by an unauthorized person such as a child passenger. The blocking arrangement includes a blocking lever of plastic material pivotally mounted of the latch frame for manual movement between blocking and non-blocking positions. The blocking lever and frame have detent elements for releasably locating the blocking lever in each of its positions. The blocking lever includes a portion, which when in the blocking position, is engaged on one side by the frame and engaged on the other side by the a portion of the operating lever.