Modular structural latch

An integrated structural latch for vehicle doors comprising a structural latching module and a non-structural latching module;

• the structural latching module comprising a metal plate having an opening therethrough and having a ratchet disposed on one side of the opening and a pawl disposed on the other side thereof, the ratchet and pawl being pivotably mounted and resiliently biased, and being secured to the metal plate upon the interior thereof;
• the metal plate being bent at substantially 90.degree. to form two substantially parallel brackets extending outwardly away from the pawl and the ratchet, the bracket extensions, one being longer than the other, for securing the metal plate to an intrusion beam proximate the opening, the bracket extension proximate the opening having a further opening therethrough at substantially 90.degree. to the opening within the metal plate, the bracket extension remote the opening providing structural support for the integrated latch mechanism, the ratchet and pawl extending in a plane substantially parallel to the extension of the metal plate, the ratchet having disposed therethrough proximate the opening in the metal plate a notch for receiving a striker in use, and having disposed on one side of the notch a primary detent means for engagement with the pawl, having disposed on the other side of the notch a secondary detent for engagement with the pawl;
• the pawl being disposed upon the opposite side of the opening in the metal plate having a detent means at one end thereof proximate the ratchet and having a tail portion remote said detent at the other end thereof;
• the non-structural actuating module being secured to the structural latching module and comprising a housing formed by injection molding techniques having an opening therethrough aligned in use with the opening through the metal plate of the structural latching module, having two actuation levers formed from thermoplastic materials extending in use at substantially 90.degree. to the extension of said opening, the first actuating lever being secured within a molded channel disposed within the housing and formed during the formation of the housing, said actuation lever having disposed upon one end thereof proximate the opening a detent portion and an elongated slot, and having formed at the other end thereof, remote said opening an elongated slot and means to secure a remote actuating device thereto, the second actuating lever being formed from thermoplastic materials and being secured in a molded channel disposed within the housing and formed during the formation of said housing, the second actuation lever having disposed at one end thereof a pivotable release lever, said release lever having an arm extending therefrom for engagement with the pawl mechanism of the structural latching module, the actuating lever having disposed at the same end proximate the release lever, an elongated slot, and having formed at the other end thereof remote said release lever, an elongated slot and an abutting surface, said abutting surface providing stop means for the movement of the second actuating lever within its channel;
• having a locking lever extending substantially at 90.degree. to the extension of said ratchet mechanism in use, and having disposed upon its surface proximate said actuating levers a pin, said pin extending through the elongated slots disposed upon the actuating levers proximate said opening, the locking lever having attached thereto remote actuation means exterior to the housing for pivoting said locking lever thus engaging or disengaging said secondary actuating lever;
• whereby in use the structural latching module and the non-structural actuating module marry to form the modular structural latch, wherein all actuation components are contained within the actuation module, and all of the latching components are contained within the structural module.