Abstract: A protective mechanism for use when gripping a medical device to a rack is provided. A related system and method are also provided. The protective mechanism includes a guide member, a connector, an actuation member configured to have a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the actuation member is pivotally coupled to the guide member. The cover member is pivotally coupled to the guide member and is configured to interact with the actuation member so as to pivot to uncover the connector when the actuation member pivots in a first direction and to pivot to cover the connector when the actuation member pivots in a second direction.

Abstract: A lockout device for selectively blocking linear movement of a movable frame member relative to a fixed frame member includes a lock tab pivotably mountable to the fixed frame member and having a contact surface configured to slidably engage a slide surface of the movable frame member when the lock tab has a first orientation, the movable frame member including a stop surface at one end of the slide surface, a holder for releasably holding the lock tab in a second orientation with the contact surface spaced from the slide surface, and a body mountable to the movable frame member and configured such that movement of the movable frame member in a first direction causes the body pivot the lock tab into the second orientation and movement of the movable member in a second direction causes the body to pivot the lock tab into the first orientation.

Abstract: A lock kit for a fenestration assembly includes a panel stop. The fenestration assembly includes a first panel and a second panel, at least one of the first and second panels being slideable relative the other of the first and second panels. The panel stop is configured to pivotably mount within a recess of a frame member of the first panel and pivot between a first stop position configured to maintain the first and second panels in a fully closed position, a second stop position configured to limit sliding of the first and second panels beyond a preset partially-open position, and a third position substantially within the recess, the third position being configured to not restrict a range of motion of the first and second panels.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to splitboard joining devices. The splitboard joining devices can quickly and easily join the skis of a splitboard to create a snowboard. The devices can clamp the splitboard skis in a direction perpendicular and parallel to the seam of the splitboard and normal to the top surface of the splitboard skis. This can prevent the splitboard skis from moving up and down relative to each other, moving apart in a direction perpendicular to the seam, sliding relative to each other in a direction parallel to the seam, and rotating about the seam. The splitboard joining devices can constrain rotation and movement about the seam of the splitboard to make a splitboard ride like a normal snowboard and enhance a rider's experience on a splitboard.

Abstract: A lock switch module for an appliance door-lock is provided. The lock switch module may include a PCB (printed circuit board) with an insulating support, multiple conductive tracks applied to the insulating support, an electrical connector, multiple terminals connected to respective conductive tracks, and a door-lock switch that is electrically connected between two of the conductive tracks. A locking pin can move between retracted and extracted positions and cooperate with the door-lock switch to correspondingly change the door-lock switch's state. A low voltage electric motor has a rotating output shaft and is connected electrically to at least two conductive tracks of the PCB. A transmission mechanism is operatively positioned between the output shaft of the electric motor and the locking pin to drive, following the actuation of the electric motor, the movement of the locking pin between the retracted and extracted positions.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch apparatus has a latch that is engaged with a striker; a ratchet member rotatably supported by a ratchet shaft and that has a pawl portion, wherein the pawl portion is movable between a latch engaging position, where the pawl portion can face a full latch engaging portion of the latch, and a latch releasing position, where the pawl portion is not in contact with the full latch engaging portion, wherein release component force is generated in a latch releasing direction when latch return force is applied in a releasing direction at the latch engaging position, and the ratchet member is pushed out from the latch engaging position to the latch releasing position by the release component force; a ratchet restraint that is arranged on a side of the ratchet member and that can be moved about a pin between a block position and a release position.

Abstract: A rubbish bin lock assembly includes a rubbish bin that has a lid is hingedly to a top end of the rubbish bin for opening and closing the rubbish bin. A plurality of receivers is each attached to the rubbish bin. A rod is included which has a sequence of bends thereon thereby facilitating the rod to be positioned around the lid. A plurality of engagements is each integrated into the rod and each of the engagements releasably engages a respective one of the receivers when the lid is in a closed position. In this way the lid is inhibited from being opened by animals from opening the lid. Additionally, each of the engagements disengages the respective receiver when the rod is urged into an unlocked position thereby facilitating the lid to be opened.

Abstract: A door assembly for a horizontal axis appliance having a cabinet with a front panel defining an opening and a tub positioned within the cabinet includes a primary door rotatably mounted to the front panel to permit selective access to the opening, a secondary door secured on an exterior side of the primary door, an interior cavity defined between the primary door and the secondary door, one or more electrical components arranged within the interior cavity, and an electrical closing mechanism for securing the primary door and the secondary door in a closed position. Thus, when the primary door and the secondary door are in the closed position, the electrical closing mechanism powers the one or more electrical components.

Abstract: A closure latch assembly for a motor vehicle closure panel includes a housing; a ratchet pivotably mounted for movement between striker capture and a striker release positions; a release lever, and a pawl assembly. Pawl assembly includes a first and second pawls. First pawl is pivotably mounted to housing for movement about a first pivot axis between ratchet checking and ratchet releasing positions in response to movement of release lever. Second pawl is pivotably mounted to first pawl for movement about a second pivot axis spaced from first pivot axis. Second pawl is engaged with ratchet locking surface while first pawl is in the ratchet checking position to releasably maintain ratchet in the striker capture position. Second pawl is pivotal relative to first pawl about second pivot axis when first pawl pivots toward the ratchet releasing position to allow ratchet to pivot to the striker release position.

Abstract: A number of magnetically assisted latch mechanisms are presented, where the latching and unlatching action is done with reduced user effort, therefore promoting speed and efficiency without sacrificing the strength of the bond of the connected components. The latching mechanisms are designed to secure panels or other similar small and large mostly flat components. The latching method is done by a rotating component that takes all the separating load once rotated into the locked position. The rotatable lock, or hammer, is also locked itself into position to prevent accidental movement by the hammer.

Abstract: There is provided an electrical assembly comprising of a latching device including a latching member configured to be positionable in a first position and a second position, the latching device further including an actuator configured to selectively move the latching member between the first and second positions and an operating state detection unit configured to detect an abnormal operating state of the latching device; and a controller configured to selectively drive the actuator to move the latching member to a selected one of the first and second positions in response to the detection of the abnormal operating state.

Abstract: A latch system for locking of a door to a cabinet comprises a latch receiver secured to the cabinet and having first and second ramps and a rest surface. The latch system further comprises a door latch comprising a handle, a shank coupled to the handle, and a cam latch supported by the shank. In response to rotation of the handle (in either rotational directions), the shank and the cam latch rotate to cause a lock arm of the cam latch to slidably interface with the first and second ramps of the latch receiver, and to seat against the rest surface, thus placing the door latch in a locked position. The latch receiver can have a plurality of ramps, and the lock arm can have a plurality of cam surfaces, so that it can be locked from both rotational directions. The door latch can have a compression load adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle door latch system, more particularly, relates to a vehicle door latch system comprising: a locking member spring applying an elastic force to the locking member in the opposite direction of an external force when the locking member is moved by the external force; a locking guide member rotatably installed in a housing; and a cam-part formed in a locking member for guiding the locking guide member and formed with a stopping slot; so that the structure of the device becomes simple, and at the same time, releasing of the locking member is prevented when the latch is rotated by the main gear even when the locking member is moved by the same main gear used for the latch.

Abstract: A metal pipe having a thickened end portion, the metal pipe includes: when viewed in a longitudinal direction of the metal pipe, a thin portion which has a thickness t0; a first thickened portion which is provided on one end and has a thickness T which is larger than the thickness t0; and a first taper portion which is provided between the thin portion and the first thickened portion and has the thickness which gradually increases from t0 to T; when a hardness of an inner surface of the first thickened portion is measured in a circumferential direction and the hardness is plotted with respect to a position in the circumferential direction, in which a waveform representing a high hardness portion having a hardness which is 95% or more of a maximum hardness in the circumferential direction and a waveform representing a low hardness portion having a hardness which is less than 95% of the maximum hardness alternately appear, and a plurality of combinations of the waveform representing the high hardness portion an

Abstract: A lock device is provided with: a latch unit having a slit which allows a striker to enter and exit and configured to engage with and to be disengaged from the striker; and a support member for supporting a spring member outside the latch unit in such a manner that the spring member extends in the width direction of the slit. The spring member is elastically deformed when in contact with the striker having entered the slit, and as a result, the spring member applies pressing force to the striker, the pressing force acting in the direction in which the striker exits the slit.

Abstract: A pop-up structure of a tail gate may include a tail gate disposed to open and close a passage of a vehicle body, a striker to be fixed to the vehicle body, a locking device mounted on the tail gate and locked to the striker to fix the tail gate to the vehicle body, and a pop-up device disposed at the tail gate and pushing against the striker by a predetermined distance to lift the tail gate by a corresponding predetermined height when the locking device is unlocked from the striker, in which the pop-up device may include a bracket mounted on the tail gate, a pop-up lever rotatably disposed about a pop-up lever pin on the bracket, a rotation lever rotatably disposed about a rotation lever pin, and a push home pushing the striker, and a pop-up lever spring elastically supporting the pop-up lever to rotate in one direction.

Abstract: A locking system that has an opening in a door adapted and arranged for receiving a lock bolt and a lock fixed in a wall for actuating a lock bolt adapting and arranged for being received by the opening in the door when the door is closed. Alternatively, the locking system is mounted on the exterior of the detention cell door and the adjacent exterior cell wall. The locking system further comprises a blocking strip protruding from a door jamb, the strip coupled to the door jamb, the strip coupled to the door jamb and positioned adjacent the lock bolt for blocking access to the lock bolt between the door and the door jamb. The locking system further comprises a system for monitoring and reporting the status of a detention cell door, the lock bolt, and the roller bolt.

Abstract: A locking device is provided for a vehicle seat, for locking the back rest to a seat part and/or for locking the backrest to a body of a vehicle. The locking device uses a locking lever which can be moved from an unlocked position into a locked position in which it lockingly interacts with a bolt.

Abstract: An electromagnetic opening device comprises a housing, a fixed iron core, a movable iron core having a bottom end engaging with the fixed iron core, a shaft sleeve that sleeves a top end of the movable iron core and extends outside of the housing, and an electromagnetic coil, and a vibration sensing mechanism comprising a sensing block having a rotation shaft, a stopping end and a balancing end located on two sides of the movable iron core. A bottom of the stopping end is rotationally connected onto the housing through the rotation shaft. When the sensing block compresses a balance spring disposed between the balancing end and the housing through the rotation of the rotation shaft, the stopping end abuts against the shaft sleeve. The vibration sensing mechanism effectively prevents a mistaken shrinkage of the shaft sleeve of the movable iron core and abnormally opening of a safe deposit box.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) comprising a front wall (2); an opening (3) that is disposed on the front wall (2) and that enables the items to be placed therein; a cover (4) closing the opening (3), a tenon (5) disposed on the cover (4); and a lock (9) disposed on the front wall (2) and having a body (6) that remains behind the front wall (2), a latch (7) that is pivotally connected to the body (6), that the tenon (5) rotates by pushing while being placed into the body (6), that enables the tenon (5) to be kept inside the body (6) and that has a locking position (C) wherein the tenon (5) is kept inside the body (6) and a free position (O) changed by rotating as the tenon (5) is dislodged, and the lock (9) further having a spring (8), one end of which is connected to the body (6), one end to the latch (7), that is compressed by the rotation of the latch (7) and that enables the latch (7) to resume its former position by transferring the stored energy to the latch (7) when the latch

Abstract: A compression latch assembly for latching a panel to a frame includes a housing assembly, a lockplug assembly, a handle actuator assembly, and a rotating pawl assembly. The housing assembly defines an exterior well and a first and second compartment. The lockplug assembly resides within the first compartment and includes a lockplug having a circumferential guide surface. The handle actuator assembly has a handle within the exterior well, a crank coupled to the handle, and a drive shaft coupled to the crank. The handle and the crank rotate about common pivot point within the second compartment. The handle is selectively captured and ejected by interaction between the circumferential guide surface and a locking pin on the handle. The rotating pawl assembly has a hook defining a slot that receives the drive shaft. Pivotal movement of the handle actuates the hook by movement of the drive shaft within the slot.

Abstract: An ejector lever includes a lever body and an unlocking mechanism, where the unlocking mechanism includes an unlocking hook and a safety latch, the unlocking hook is rotatably connected to the lever body using a first rotating shaft, and the safety latch is rotatably connected to the lever body using a second rotating shaft. The unlocking hook is provided with a first end and a second end, the first end is opposite to the second end across the first rotating shaft, the first end is provided with a hook, the second end is provided with a first abutting part, the safety latch is provided with a second abutting part, and the first abutting part is in contact with the second abutting part; and the second abutting part is configured to apply first force on the first abutting part when the safety latch rotates around the second rotating shaft.

Abstract: A locking system that has an opening in a door adapted and arranged for receiving a lock bolt and a lock fixed in a wall for actuating a lock bolt adapting and arranged for being received by the opening in the door when the door is closed. Alternatively, the locking system is mounted on the exterior of the detention cell door and the adjacent exterior cell wall. The locking system further comprises a blocking strip protruding from a door jamb, the strip coupled to the door jamb, the strip coupled to the door jamb and positioned adjacent the lock bolt for blocking access to the lock bolt between the door and the door jamb. The locking system further comprises a system for monitoring and reporting the status of a detention cell door, the lock bolt, and the roller bolt.

Abstract: A rotary latch assembly for a galley cart compartment door is disclosed comprising a barrel member rotating on a spindle and a handle connected to the barrel member. An interfering block outside the barrel member can prevent rotation of the barrel member when engaged with the barrel member, and be displaced by a lock button diametrically opposed with the interfering block. The handle of the rotary latch bears against the door in a locked position to prevent the door from opening, and the button when depressed releases the barrel member to rotate and the handle to pivot out of the path of the door.

Abstract: This invention relates to a locking arrangement 10 which includes a body 12 and a locking member 14 which is displaceable relative to the body 12. The locking member 14 defines at least one striker element engagement formation 18.1, 18.2 which is configured to engage a striker element 100 for part of its displacement relative to the locking arrangement 10 along a predetermined displacement path. The locking member 14 is displaceable between first and second spaced apart positions in each of which the engagement formation 18.1, 18.2 is positioned such that a said striker element 100 is releasably engageable therewith and between which a said striker element 100 is in engagement with the engagement formation 18.1, 18.2. The locking arrangement 10 further includes a securing mechanism 16 which is configured to secure the locking member 14 releasably in at least one of the first and second spaced apart positions.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to design a door lock or flap lock which can be easily and reliably opened with little effort. Said aim is achieved by a door lock or flap lock comprising a locking mechanism that consists of a latch and at least one pawl for locking the latch. The lock further comprises a triggering lever which, upon being actuated allows the locked locking mechanism to be unlocked. The lock also comprises a spring for moving the pawl in the direction of the locking position. When the triggering lever is actuated, the triggering lever rests against the spring to push the spring away from the pawl and decrease or cancel the spring force. Using the triggering lever, functions, the number of parts can be kept to a minimum. Advantageously, the lock therefore is not complex to produce and is compact and lightweight.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for controlling access to a controlled area. The method may comprise receiving a card identification signal in an access card controller through an access card reader associated with an entrance to the enclosed area, and then authenticating the card identification signal. The method may then comprise sending an unlock signal through a solid state relay to unlock a door at the entrance to the enclosed area associated with the access card reader when the card identification signal has been successfully authenticated.

Abstract: A door handle assembly for a motor vehicle includes an operating handle, a mechanical coupling device, and a locking device attached to a handle mounting. An acceleration force can block an actuation of the closing assembly via the operating handle and/or the coupling device so that an unintended unlatching of the door closure during a vehicle accident is prevented. The locking device has a locking element, which is movably coupled to the mechanical coupling device by a connecting element, such that, a pivotal movement of the mechanical coupling device will rotate the locking element about a rotational axis. The locking element includes at least one locking member which is designed to block the rotational movement of the locking element when a predetermined displacement speed of the operating handle has been exceeded.

Abstract: A hood latch includes a base coupled to a frame or a panel of a vehicle, a fork having a first fork protrusion, a second fork protrusion and a third fork protrusion and is coupled to the base to fix a striker positioned on a vehicle hood, a trigger which has a first trigger protrusion, a second trigger protrusion, and a third trigger protrusion, the first trigger protrusion is configured to contact the second fork protrusion or the third fork protrusion, thus controlling a rotation of the fork, a trigger connecting link configured to contact the trigger to rotate the trigger, and a trigger varying link coupled to a first side of the trigger connecting link. A rotating angle of the trigger is based on a contact between the trigger connecting link and a third trigger protrusion or a contact between the trigger varying link and the second trigger protrusion.

Abstract: A locking device for a foldable backrest of a seat, has a locking housing with a handle, the handle being pivotably between locking and unlocking positions and by which a pawl can be carried between retaining and non-retaining positions, and has a blocking element which is movable by a closable lock manually between a blocking position blocking the handle and a release position releasing the handle. The blocking element is a locking bolt mounted pivotably in the locking housing between the blocking and release positions and having release and blocking recesses. A blocking pin, in the release position of the locking bolt, projects into the release recess and is freely movable between the locking and unlocking positions. The blocking pin, in the blocking position of the locking bolt and the locking position of the handle, protrudes into the blocking recess and is blocked against pivoting into the unlocking position.

Abstract: Provided is a position holding device for a rotating lever, which includes a rotating lever and a torsion spring, and is capable of elastically holding the rotating lever at the two positions including a first position and a second position. The torsion spring includes a coiled part, and a first arm part and a second arm part each extending from the coiled part and facing each other across an engagement portion of the rotating lever. The first arm part includes a mountain portion formed at an intermediate portion thereof. The second arm part includes an urging portion. As a result, an urging force generated by the urging portion can be applied to the rotating lever as a braking force against an urging force generated by the mountain portion. Consequently, it is possible to reduce an abutment noise generated when the rotating lever abuts against a stopper member.

Abstract: An appliance latch provides a hook that may be energized against a spring force to receive a catch element which releases the hook to pull the catch element into engagement. A toggle arm may be used to hold the hook in the energized state before receipt of the catch element to provide for a sensitive and predictable release of the spring force with rotation of the hook. The hook may be mounted on a floating pivot both to accommodate the toggle arm operation and to permit re-engagement of the catch element with the hook in the event that the hook is released from its energized state without engagement of the catch element, for example, by inertial forces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking system, in particular motor vehicle door lock, with at least one lever (1), and with a position-securing unit (5, 6, 7, 8) for the lever (1), wherein the position-securing unit (5, 6, 7, 8) has at least one spring element (5) and is designed for defining at least one stable position (E) of the lever (1), wherein the spring element (5) reaches through the lever (1) in the region of an opening (8), and wherein the opening (8) permits pivoting movements of the lever (1) in relation to the spring element (5) within a predetermined pivoting angle range (9).

Abstract: A rotary latch assembly for a galley cart compartment door is disclosed comprising a barrel member rotating on a spindle and a handle connected to the barrel member. An interfering block outside the barrel member can prevent rotation of the barrel member when engaged with the barrel member, and be displaced by a lock button diametrically opposed with the interfering block. The handle of the rotary latch bears against the door in a locked position to prevent the door from opening, and the button when depressed releases the barrel member to rotate and the handle to pivot out of the path of the door.

Abstract: This invention concerns mainly a handle system with two locking latches (7, 8) called “self-locking”, independent one from the other for locking, but fitted with a single unlocking paddle (6). This system is fitted with indicators, which: detect the door's opening and closing and indicate separately the locking of the two latches (7, 8).

Abstract: An integrated lock and latch device for use in sliding sash windows includes a lock assembly including a sweep cam that has a pinion portion adjacent and extending downwardly from it. The pinion portion presents gear teeth extending outwardly. A tilt latch assembly including a sliding bolt is biased toward an extended position where a terminal portion of the sliding bolt extends outwardly. The sliding bolt has at least one track portion. The sweep cam is rotatably shiftable between a locked position where the sweep cam is engaged to the keeper, an intermediate unlocked position where the sweep cam is disengaged from the keeper and a tilt position where the sweep cam is disengaged from the keeper and the first gear teeth are engaged to the second gear teeth and the sliding bolt is withdrawn inwardly from the extended position.

Abstract: An adjustable striker assembly for a vehicle closure. The striker assembly employs at least one threaded connector that when rotated moves a striker relative the vehicle in an axial direction of the threaded connector. A latch in combination with the striker define a gap between the closure and vehicle part proximate the two. Adjustment of the striker via the threaded connector allows for changing the distance of the gap between the closure and vehicle part.

Abstract: A latch has a displaceable latching element in a housing for engagement with a separate striker arm to be latched behind an engagement shoulder of the latching element. The housing mounts a cylinder lock to receive a key from the front. A rotor is mounted on the rear of cylinder lock and rotation of the key causes rotation of the rotor to drive a locking element to engage and lock the latching element. The rotor may also be axial displaceable against spring biasing responsive to a rear unit pushing element whereby unlocking from a rear cylinder lock may rotate the rotor to unlock and pushing causes the latching element to be displaced against its biasing to release the striker arm.

Abstract: A latch has a displaceable latching element in a housing for engagement with a separate striker arm to be latched behind an engagement shoulder of the latching element. The housing mounts a cylinder lock to receive a key from the front. A rotor is mounted on the rear of the cylinder lock and rotation of the key causes rotation of the rotor to drive a locking element to engage and lock the latching element. The rotor may also be axial displaceable against spring biasing responsive to a rear unit pushing element whereby unlocking from a rear cylinder lock may rotate the rotor to unlock and pushing causes the latching element to be displaced against its biasing to release the striker arm.

Abstract: A gate latch for use with a gate may include a first handle to operate the gate latch from a first side of the gate and a second handle to operate the gate latch from a second side of the gate.

Abstract: A gate latch for use with a gate may include a first handle to operate the gate latch from a first side of the gate and a second handle to operate the gate latch from a second side of the gate.

Abstract: A rotary latch mechanism is provided for securing the lid of a container in a closed position wherein a mechanical advantage is employed to facilitate latching and unlatching of a latch plate of the rotary latch mechanism.

Abstract: An operation rod includes a first rod and a second rod. A one-end portion of the first rod is connected to a lock closer to be rotationally movable. The second rod is supported so as to be slidingly movable relative to a hand lever. A connecting portion connects an opposite-end portion of the first rod and a one-end portion of the second rod to each other. The connecting portion includes: a long hole which is formed in the opposite-end portion of the first rod; and a pin which is formed on the one-end portion of the second rod and which engages with the long hole to be slidingly movable therein. While the hand lever is moving rotationally, the connecting portion allows the opposite-end portion of the first rod to move rotationally and slidingly relative to the one-end portion of the second rod.

Abstract: A window opening limit device includes a substantially planar base and a sash stop pivotally engaged with the base between a first stop position and a second stop position. The sash stop is adapted to pivot about a first axis substantially parallel to the planar base. A catch is pivotally engaged with the base between a first catch position and a second catch position, and is adapted to pivot about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the planar base. When in the first catch position, the catch is engaged with the sash stop, and when in the second catch position, the catch is disengaged from the sash stop.

Abstract: A gate latch is adapted to be installed on a gate post and a complementary striker arm is secured typically to a gate so that, upon closure of the gate, the striker arm engages a displacable latching element mounted in a housing of the latch to displace the latching element. The latching element is biased towards its open position but when the striker arm engages with the latching element it is displaced, thereby releasing an interference portion of a biased locking element, whereby the locking element is released to move under its biasing into a locking position so that self-locking is provided for the latch. A rotary release mechanism may be actuated to return the locking element so that the latching element can be released to release the striker bar and the gate may be opened.

Abstract: A latch and keeper combination is utilized for securing a radome to an aircraft fuselage. The keeper has a keeper housing and an eyebolt member which extends toward the latch from the keeper housing. The latch has a pivoting handle member pivotally attached to a latch housing. A hook member depends from the handle member. Once the hook member is generally placed about the eye bolt, depressing the handle member further causes the hook to rotate within the latch housing. As the handle member is completely depressed, the hook member fully engages the eye bolt, while at the same time members axially extend from the latch to engage the keeper which provides a resistance to shear between the latch and keeper. The apparatus may also have a safety which prevents the handle from fully closing until the eye bolt is fully engaged by the hook member, thereby providing visual confirmation that the latch has completely engaged the keeper.

Abstract: A drawer latch assembly. The assembly provides a catch member which is mechanically connected but a separate component from the drawer handle. The drawer handle and catch operate in a concerted pivoting motion and pivot about a common fastener. The drawer handle provides a pair of arms which extend through the front wall of the drawer and have terminal end portions which include the cut out segment which locates and receives a portion of the latch member. In this manner the latch and terminal end portions of the arms are keyed together which alleviates stress on the pivot point and allows for easy repair of the arrangement in the event that either the handle or the catch become damaged.

Abstract: An improved latch assembly (14) is provided for securing a vehicle door (12) in a closed position. Specifically, in one embodiment, the improved latch assembly (14) is intended to secure a first door fastener (16) to an opposing second door fastener (18) when the vehicle door (12) is subjected to a substantial acceleration. In this embodiment, the improved latch assembly (14) includes a release lever (26) coupled to the first door fastener (16). This release lever (26) is intended to selectively disengage the first door fastener (16) from the opposing second door fastener (18) thereby releasing the vehicle door (12) from its closed position. The Improved latch assembly (14) further includes an inertia-actuated detent lever (38) that is intended to block a predetermined path of the release lever (26) and prevent the release lever (26) from unlatching the vehicle door (12) from its closed position.

Abstract: A handle assembly is provided for a vehicle passenger door or compartment door and has a free floating paddle when the door or compartment is locked. The paddle is pivotally mounted on the exterior of the handle housing, while a logic assembly is mounted on the interior of the housing. The logic assembly includes a pivotal drive plate, a pivotal driven plate, and a pivotal lock arm. The drive plate is independent of the driven plate when the door is locked. The drive plate and driven plate moving in unison when the door is unlocked and the paddle is opened, thereby opening the latch mechanism for the vehicle compartment.

Abstract: A lock includes a lock housing, a lock interface, a rotary locking member, a locking bolt, and a locking mechanism. The rotary locking member extends from a side portion of the lock housing, the rotary locking member being rotatable about a first axis between a locking position and a releasing position. The locking bolt is configured to hold the rotary locking element in the locking position when the locking bolt is in a first position and to allow the rotary locking member to rotate from the locking position to the releasing position when the locking bolt is in a second position. The locking mechanism is configured to slide the locking bolt from the first position to the second position in response to proper manipulation of the lock interface.