Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US 79/00088 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 15, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 15, 1979 PCT Filed Feb. 15, 1979 PCT Pub. No. WO80/01703 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 21, 1980A vehicle door latch assembly (16) is provided whereby a key (104) may be used to lock the door (10) and to prevent rotation of the outside door handle (20). A lock release lever (22) is provided inside the vehicle door for overriding the key lock (103) to permit the inside and outside handles (18,20) to operate to open the door. Even with the lock release lever (22) and the key lock (103) in the locked position, the inside handle (18) can be turned to move the lock release lever (22) to the unlocked position and to open the door. The outside handle (20) can now be used to open the door also. The outside handle (20) can also be released for operation by turning the key (104) in the lock (103) to the unlocked position.

Abstract: In an automobile having a rear opening adapted to be closed by a rear door, a locking device for the door which comprises a striker on the car body, a latch lever provided on the door for engagement with the striker, a claw lever provided on the door for releasably holding the latch lever in a locking position, an unlocking lever adapted for engagement with the claw lever, and a push button type actuating member for actuating the unlocking lever so that the latter drives the claw lever so as to let it release the latch lever for unlocking movement. The unlocking lever and the actuating member are both mounted on the outer panel of the door so that unlocking movement is not produced when the outer panel is deformed in a crash from behind.

Abstract: An improved door lock mechanism having an opener plate which can pivot to move a detent to a locking or unlocking position, the detent being able to open or close the door latch. The opener plate is further movable to an activating or non-activating position by a first locking lever connected to a garnish button for movement against a turn-over snap action spring and a second locking lever covering the first locking lever and connected to a key cylinder for movement with the cylinder without lost motion.

Abstract: So as to mount a lock mechanism in a vehicle door at least partly of sandwich construction the door in the region of its outer side and end wall is provided with a compartment which from the end wall surface extends into the door and has one adjacent or complementary recessed portion in the outer side wall of the door. The lock mechanism is made in the form of a cassette which comprises at least two main parts, i.e. one lock house part and one adjoining control part. The cassette and the commpartment with the adjoining recessed portion are designed in such a way relative to each other that in the mounted position of the cassette the outside of its lock house part connects to and forms part of the door's outer end wall surface whereas the outside of its control part connects to and forms part of the door's outer side wall surface.