Vehicle door lock system

In a vehicle door lock system for a vehicle door that closes an access opening of a vehicle body, for securely latching the door in a closed position, and for locking the closed latched door, wherein the system is of the type including:

• a) striker means for attachment to a vehicle body at a striker location near an access opening of the vehicle body that is closable by a door of the vehicle;
• b) rotary latch means for attachment to the vehicle door at a latch location for rendering the door "latched" as by latchingly engaging the striker means for securely latching the vehicle door in a closed position, with the latch location being substantially adjacent the striker location when the vehicle door is closed;
• c) latch operator means for attachment to the vehicle door for movement relative to the door between a normal position and a latch operating position, including first operator means connected to the vehicle door at a first operator location which is spaced from the latch location, with the first operator means being movable at the first operator location between a first normal position and a first latch operating position;
• d) connection means for establishing a driving connection between the latch operator means and the rotary latch means to normally enable the latch operator means to "unlatch" the door as by releasing the rotary latch means from latchingly engaging the striker means and to thereby enable the vehicle door to be moved from its closed position, including first linkage means that extends along a first path from the first operator location to the latch location, and with the first linkage means being drivingly connected to the first operator means at the first operator location and to the rotary latch means at the latch location for normally establishing a driving connection that extends along the first path for enabling the first operator means to unlatch the door as by causing the rotary latch means to withdraw latching engagement of the rotary latch means with the striker means and to thereby unlatch the door in response to movement of the first operator means between the first normal position and the first latch operator position;
• e) lock control means for selectively disabling the normal driving connection that is provided by the connection means between the latch operator means and the rotary latch means when the door is latched and to thereby "lock" the closed latched door against being unlatched, including first control means for selectively preventing the first linkage means from enabling the first operator means to unlatch the rotary latch means from latching engagement with the striker means;
• f) the first linkage means including at least a first pair of elongate linkage elements, with one of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements being connected to the first operator means, and with the other of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements being connected to the rotary latch means;
• g) the first control means including first paired lever means for normally drivingly connecting the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements, but also for selectively disrupting the normal driving connection between the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements to thereby selectively prevent the first linkage means from enabling the first operator means to unlatch the rotary latch means from latching engagement with the striker means, the first paired lever means having a first pair of pivotally mounted levers that are connected to the door for pivotal movement about a common axis of pivotal movement, with the levers of the first pair of pivotally mounted levers extending in overlying relationship, and with one of the levers of the first pair of pivotally mounted levers being connected to a first of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements, and with the other of the levers of the first pair of pivotally mounted levers being connected to a second of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements, and with the first control means additionally including first connection means coupled to both of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements for movement between a connection position wherein the first connection means is operable to drivingly connect the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements for concurrent pivotal movement about said common axis so that movement of either one of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements will result in corresponding movement of the other of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements, and a disconnection position wherein the first connection means is operable to drivingly disconnect the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements for concurrent pivotal movement about said common axis so that movement of either one of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements will not result in corresponding movement of the other of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements, and positioning means for effecting movement of the first connection means between its connection position and its disconnection position;
• and,
• h) the position means including at least one control lever that is pivotally connected to the door and that extends in overlying relationship with at least one of the levers of the first pair of pivotally mounted levers, a first control member located at a first control location spaced from the location of the control lever, and elongate control linkage means for drivingly connecting the first control member to the control lever, with the control lever being operable, in response to movement of the first control member, to effect movement of the first connection means between its connection position and its disconnection position;
• i) the improvement, wherein:
• a) the striker means includes an L-shaped bracket having an elongate central portion that interconnects with an end formation, and that has a generally cylindrical stud that is connected to the central portion and extends in cantilevered fashion from the central formation at a location spaced from the end formation;
• b) the rotary latch means includes elongate latch housing means for defining a protective enclosure for latch operating components, and having means for defining an end region;
• c) the rotary latch means further includes rotary latch bolt means including a pair of pivotal latch bolts mounted by the latch housing means for rotation in unison between latched and unlatched positions, and being operative, when in their latched positions, to securely grasp the stud that is carried by the L-shaped bracket of the striker means to releasably retain the rotary latch means in engagement with the striker means;
• d) the striker further includes wedge block means including a wedge block member rigidly secured to the end formation of the L-shaped bracket of the striker means for defining an inclined surface that faces toward said stud;
• and,
• e) the rotary latch means further includes inclined surface means defined by the end region of the latch housing means for engaging the opposed inclined surface of the wedge block means when the rotary latch means is brought into latching engagement with the striker means to guide the rotary latch means into proper alignment with the striker means during latching and to retain the rotary latch means in proper alignment with the striker means while latched.

In a door lock system for a vehicle door that closes an access opening of a vehicle body, for securely latching the door in a closed position, and for locking the closed latched door, wherein the system is of the type including:

• a) striker means including a plurality of striker members for attachment to a vehicle body at a plurality of spaced striker locations near an access opening of the vehicle body that is closable by a door of the vehicle;
• b) rotary latch means including a plurality of rotary latch units for attachment to the vehicle door at plurality of spaced latch locations for rendering the door "latched" as by latchingly engaging the striker means for securely latching the vehicle door in a closed position, with the latch locations each being adjacent a separate one of the striker locations when the vehicle door is closed, and with each of the rotary latch units latchingly engaging a separate one of the striker members when the door is closed;
• c) latch operator means for attachment to the vehicle door, including:
• i) first operator means connected to the vehicle door at a first operator location which is spaced from each of the latch locations, with the first operator means being movable at the first operator location between a first normal position and a first latch operating position;
• and,
• ii) second operator means connected to the vehicle door at a second operator location which is spaced from each of the latch locations, with the second operator means being movable at the second operator location between a second normal position and a second latch operating position;
• d) latch unit interconnection means for drivingly interconnecting the rotary latch units to effect concurrent unlatching of the rotary latch units from latching engagement with their associated striker members;
• e) connection means for establishing a driving connection between the latch operator means and a selected one of the rotary latch units to normally enable the latch operator means to "unlatch" the door as by releasing the selected rotary latch unit from latchingly engaging its associated striker member and, through concurrent operation of the latch unit interconnection means, to release the other of the rotary latch units from latching engagement with their associated striker members to thereby enable the vehicle door to be moved from its closed position, the connection means including:
• i) first linkage means that extends along a first path from the first operator location to the latch location of the selected rotary latch unit, and with the first linkage means being drivingly connected to the first operator means at the first operator location and to the selected rotary latch unit at its latch location for normally establishing a driving connection that extends along the first path for enabling the first operator means to unlatch the door as by causing the rotary latch means to withdraw latching engagement of the rotary latch means with the striker means and to thereby unlatch the door in response to movement of the first operator means between the first normal position and the first latch operator position;
• and,
• ii) second linkage means that extends along a second path from the second operator location to the latch location of the selected rotary latch unit, and with the second linkage means being drivingly connected to the second operator means at the second operator location and to the selected rotary latch unit at its latch location for normally establishing a driving connection that extends along the second path for enabling the second operator means to unlatch the door as by causing the rotary latch means to withdraw latching engagement of the rotary latch means with the striker means and to thereby unlatch the door in response to movement of the second operator means between the second normal position and the second latch operator position;
• and,
• f) lock control means for selectively disabling the normal driving connection that is provided by the connection means between the first operator means and the selected rotary latch unit means when the door is latched and to thereby "lock" the closed latched door against being unlatched, including first control means for selectively preventing the first linkage means from enabling the first operator means to unlatch the rotary latch means from latching engagement with the striker means;
• i) the improvement, wherein:
• a) the striker means includes an L-shaped bracket having an elongate central portion that interconnects with an end formation, and that has a generally cylindrical stud that is connected to the central portion and extends in cantilevered fashion from the central portion at a location spaced from the end formation;
• b) the rotary latch means includes elongate latch housing means for defining a protective enclosure for latch operating components, and having means for defining an end region;
• c) the rotary latch means further includes rotary latch bolt means including a pair of pivotal latch bolts mounted by the latch housing means for rotation in unison between latched and unlatched positions, and being operative, when in their latched positions, to securely grasp the stud that is carried by the L-shaped bracket of the striker means to releasably retain the rotary latch means in engagement with the striker means;
• d) the striker means further includes wedge block means including a wedge block member rigidly secured to the end formation of the L-shaped bracket of the striker means for defining an inclined surface that faces toward said stud;
• and,
• e) the rotary latch means further includes inclined surface means defined by the end region of the latch housing means for engaging the opposed inclined surface of the wedge block means when the rotary latch means is brought into latching engagement with the striker means to guide the rotary latch means into proper alignment with the striker means during latching and to retain the rotary latch means in proper alignment with the striker means while latched.

In a door lock system for a vehicle door that closes an access opening of the vehicle body, for securely latching the door in a closed position, and for locking the closed latched door, wherein the system includes a plurality of rotary latches mounted on a vehicle door for engaging a plurality of strikers mounted on the vehicle body, with both exterior and interior handle assemblies being mounted on the door and being operable to unlatch the door except that, when the system is locked, at least the exterior handle assembly is disabled and wherein the system is of the type comprising:

• a) striker means including a plurality of striker members mounted on a vehicle body at spaced striker locations which are adjacent a body access opening that provides access from an exterior of the body to an interior of the body, with the access opening being selectively closable by a vehicle door;
• b) rotary latch means including a plurality of rotary latch units mounted on a vehicle door that is movable between open and closed positions to selectively close the body access opening, with the rotary latch means being operable to render the door "latched" as by causing the rotary latch units to each latchingly engage a separate one of the striker members when the door is in its closed position to securely latch the door, with the rotary latch units being mounted on the vehicle door at spaced latch locations that are adjacent the striker locations when the vehicle door is closed, and with the vehicle door having an interior and an exterior;
• c) latch operator means mounted on the vehicle door including interior handle means which is accessible from and operable from an interior side of the door and from an interior portion of the vehicle body, and exterior handle means which is accessible from and operable from an exterior side of the door and from the exterior of the body;
• d) the latch operator means additionally including first operator means carried by the vehicle door at a first operator location which is spaced from each of the latch locations and being drivingly connected to a selected one of the interior handle means and the exterior handle means, with the first operator means being movable at the first operator location between a first normal position and a first latch operating position;
• e) the latch operator means additionally including second operator means carried by the vehicle door and being drivingly connected to the other of the interior handle means and the exterior handle means;
• f) latch unit interconnection means for rotary latch units to effect concurrent unlatching of the rotary latch units from latching engagement with their associated striker members;
• g) connection means for establishing a driving connection between the first operator means and a selected one of the rotary latch units, and between the second operator means and the selected one of the rotary latch units, to normally enable the interior handle means and the exterior handle means of the latch operator means to "unlatch" the door as by releasing the rotary latch means from latchingly engaging the striker means and to thereby enable the vehicle door to be moved from its closed position, and being operable to disable at least one of the interior handle means and the exterior handle means of the latch operator means from "unlatching" the door;
• h) the connection means including first linkage means that extends along a first path from the first operator location to the latch location of the selected rotary latch unit, and with the first linkage means being drivingly connected to the first operator means at the first operator location and to the selected rotary latch means at its latch location for normally establishing a driving connection that extends along the first path for enabling the first operator means to unlatch the door as by causing the rotary latch means to withdraw latching engagement of the rotary latch means with the striker means and to thereby unlatch the door in response to movement of the first operator means between the first normal position and the first latch operator position;
• i) lock control means for selectively disabling the normal driving connection that is provided by the connection means between the latch operator means and the rotary latch means when the door is latched and to thereby "lock" the closed latched door against being unlatched, including first control means for selectively preventing the first linkage means from enabling the first operator means to unlatch the rotary latch means from latching engagement with the striker means;
• j) the first linkage means including at least a first pair of elongate linkage elements, with one of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements being connected to the first operator means, and with the other of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements being connected to the rotary latch means;
• k) the first control means including first paired lever means for normally drivingly connecting the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements, but also for selectively disrupting the normal driving connection between the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements to thereby selectively prevent the first linkage means from enabling the first operator means to unlatch the rotary latch means from latching engagement with the striker means, the first paired lever means having a first pair of pivotally mounted levers that are connected to the door for pivotal movement about a common axis of pivotal movement, with the levers of the first pair of pivotally mounted levers extending in overlying relationship, and with one of the levers of the first pair of pivotally mounted levers being connected to a first of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements, and with the other of the levers of the first pair of pivotally mounted levers being connected to a second of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements, and with the first control means additionally including first connection means coupled to both of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements for movement between a connection position wherein the first connection means is operable to drivingly connect the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements for concurrent pivotal movement about said common axis so that movement of either one of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements will result in corresponding movement of the other of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements, and a disconnection position wherein the first connection means is operable to drivingly disconnect the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements for concurrent pivotal movement about said common axis so that movement of either one of the linkage elements will not result in corresponding movement of the other of the linkage elements of the first pair of linkage elements, and positioning means for effecting movement of the first connection means between its connection position and its disconnection position;
• l) the positioning means including:
• i) at least one control lever that is pivotally connected to the door and that extends in overlying relationship with at least one of the levers of the first pair of pivotally mounted levers;
• ii) a first control member located at a first control location spaced from the location of the control lever, and first elongate control linkage means for drivingly connecting the first control member to the control lever, with the control lever being operable, in response to movement of the first control member, to effect movement of the first connection means between its connection position and its disconnection position;
• and,
• iii) a second control member located at a second control location spaced from the location of the control lever, and second elongate control linkage means for drivingly connecting the second control member to the control lever, with the control lever being operable, in response to movement of the second control member, to effect movement of the first connection means between its connection position and its disconnection position;
• m) the first control member including a key operated lock that is mounted on the vehicle door and that is operable from the exterior of the door;
• and,
• n) the second control member including interior lock operator means mounted on the vehicle door and being accessible from the interior side of the door;
• o) the improvement, wherein:
• i) the striker means includes an L-shaped bracket having an elongate central portion that interconnects with an end formation, and that has a generally cylindrical stud that is connected to the central portion and extends in cantilevered fashion at a location spaced from the end formation;
• ii) the rotary latch means includes elongate latch housing means for defining a protective enclosure for latch operating components, and having means for defining an end region;
• iii) the rotary latch means further includes rotary latch bolt means including a pair of pivotal latch bolts mounted by the latch housing means for rotation in unison between latched and unlatched positions, and being operative, when in their latched positions, to securely grasp the stud that is carried by the L-shaped bracket of the striker means to releasably retain the rotary latch means in engagement with the striker means;
• iv) the striker means further includes wedge block means including a wedge block member rigidly secured to the end formation of the L-shaped bracket of the striker means for defining an inclined surface that faces toward said stud;
• and,
• v) the rotary latch means further includes inclined surface means defined by the end region of the latch housing means for engaging the opposed inclined surface of the wedge block means when the rotary latch means is brought into latching engagement with the striker means to guide the rotary latch means into proper alignment with the striker means during latching and to retain the rotary latch means in proper alignment with the striker means while latched.

A rotary lock system for a door that closes an access opening, for securely latching the door in a closed position, and for locking the closed latched door, the system comprising:

• a) striker means including a plurality of strikers members for attachment to structure that surrounds and defines the access opening that is closable by the door;
• b) rotary latch means including a plurality of rotary latch units for attachment to the door at a plurality of spaced latch locations for rendering the door "latched" as by latchingly engaging the striker means for securely latching the vehicle door in a closed position, with the latch locations each being adjacent a separate one of the striker locations when the door is closed;
• c) each of the striker members including an L-shaped bracket having an elongate central portion that interconnects with an end formation, and that has a generally cylindrical stud that is connected to the central portion and extends in cantilevered fashion therefrom at a location spaced from the end formation;
• d) each of the rotary latch units including elongate latch housing means for defining a protective enclosure for latch operating components, and for defining an end region;
• e) each of the rotary latch units further including rotary latch bolt means including a pair of pivotal latch bolts mounted by the latch housing means for rotation in unison between latched and unlatched positions, to securely grasp the stud of an associated one of the striker members to releasably retain the rotary latch unit in engagement with said associated one of the striker members;
• f) each of the striker members further including wedge block means including a wedge block member rigidly secured to the end formation of the L-shaped bracket of the striker member for defining an inclined surface that faces toward the stud of the striker member;
• g) each of the rotary latch units further including inclined surface means defined by an end region of the latch housing means of the latch unit for engaging the inclined surface of the wedge block means of an associated one of the striker members when the rotary latch unit is brought into latching engagement with said associate one of the striker members to guide the rotary latch unit into proper alignment with the striker member during latching and to retain the rotary latch unit in proper alignment with the striker member while latched.