Unitary latch, blast lock, and release handle assembly for vehicle door

A unitary door latch, lock and handle assembly for opening a vehicle door pivotally mounted in a door frame, the frame including a striker to retain the door in a closed position, the door including an exterior handle, the assembly comprising:

• a rotary latch module including a catch and a rotor engaging the striker to maintain the door in a closed position and disengaging the striker to allow the door to pivot open;
• a lock module including a lock pawl releasably engaging the door frame to lock the door in a closed position and disengaging the frame to allow the door to pivot open;
• a handle module including an interior handle for actuating the disengagement of both the latch module and the lock module and for actuating engagement of the lock module;
• a carrier plate to which the latch module, lock module and handle module are rigidly mounted to form a single pre-assembled unit for subsequent installation on the door;
• the rotary latch module further including a first lever connected to the exterior handle of the door and a second lever connected to the interior handle of the handle module;
• a first rod extending between the latch and handle modules, a second rod extending between the lock and handle modules, and a third rod connecting the latch module to the exterior handle;
• wherein pulling the interior handle rearwardly sequentially disengages the lock module and then releases the rotor of the latch module so that the door can then pivot open;
• and
• wherein pushing the interior handle forwardly engages the lock module to retain the door in a closed position.