DOOR LATCH SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE

Abstract

A door latch system for an automotive vehicle uses a push-pull cable linked to a lock cylinder and to a latch to move the latch assembly into the locked position while simultaneously blocking the latch's lock/unlock lever from moving into the unlocked position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear elevation of a van-type vehicle having a door latch system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lock slider and carrier according to one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a door latch, combined with the slider and carrier of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a blocking pin according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partially schematic representation of the lock/unlock and blocking pin features of the present inventive lock mechanism.

FIGS. 6 a and 6b are perspective views of a lock cylinder and associated primary push-pull cable and housing assembly.

Claims

1. A door latch system for an automotive vehicle, comprising: a latch assembly attached to a door, with said latch having a primary lock/unlock lever with a locked position and an unlocked position;a lock cylinder extending through an outer surface of the door; anda primary push-pull cable having a first end linked to said lock cylinder and a second end linked to said primary lock/unlock lever.

2. A door latch system according to claim 1, further comprising a blocker pin, actuated by said push-pull cable, for engaging a portion of the latch system so as to prevent movement of said primary lock/unlock lever to said unlocked position.

3. A door latch system according to claim 2, wherein said blocker pin is carried upon a slider driven by said push-pull cable.

4. A door latch system according to claim 3, wherein said slider is linked to said lock/unlock lever.

5. A door latch system according to claim 3, wherein said portion of said latch system engaged by said blocker pin comprises a secondary lock/unlock lever pivotably mounted to said latch assembly and slaved to said primary lock/unlock lever.

6. A door latch system according to claim 3, further comprising an interior latch unlocking cable attached to said slider.

7. A door latch system according to claim 6, wherein said push-pull cable and said interior latch unlocking cable are at least partially unitary.

8. A door latch system according to claim 3, wherein said slider is housed within a carrier attached to said latch assembly.

9. A door latch system according to claim 8, wherein said carrier comprises a channel-shaped enclosure having opposing sidewalls for supporting said slider for reciprocating motion, with said sidewalls having apertures permitting the passage of said blocker pin and a linkage terminal integral with said slider and carrying a link extending to said primary lock/unlock lever.

10. A door latch system according to claim 1, further comprising an interior latch unlocking cable driven by a handle.

11. A door latch system according to claim 5, wherein said secondary lock/unlock lever is redundantly driven by a manually accessible plunger extending through an interior surface of the door.

12. A door latch system according to claim 1, wherein said push-pull cable comprises a tubular, flexible cylindrical housing having a reciprocable metallic core extending therethrough.

13. A door latch system according to claim 12, wherein said lock cylinder is attached to a housing receiving said push-pull cable such that said lock cylinder will detach from said housing in the event that said lock cylinder is subjected to tampering.

14. A door latch system according to claim 1, wherein said lock cylinder comprises a key lock.

15. A method for locking a door latch system for an automotive vehicle, comprising the steps of: engaging a key with a lock cylinder extending through an outer surface of a vehicle door; manually rotating the lock cylinder with said key so as to actuate a push-pull cable attached to a latch assembly; andusing the push-pull cable to move a lock/unlock lever associated with said latch assembly to a locked position, while simultaneously using the push-pull cable to move a blocker pin into a blocking position with respect to a portion of said latch assembly slaved to said lock/unlock lever, such that said lock/unlock lever is prevented from moving out of said locked position.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the portion of said latch blocked by said blocker pin comprises a lever pivotably mounted to said latch assembly and linked to a manually accessible plunger extending through an inner surface of said door.

17. A method for locking a door latch system for an automotive vehicle, comprising the steps of: commanding a linear driver to actuate a push-pull cable attached to a latch assembly; and using the push-pull cable to move a lock/unlock lever associated with said latch assembly to a locked position, while simultaneously using the push-pull cable to move a blocker pin into a position blocking a portion of said latch assembly slaved to said lock/unlock lever, such that said lock/unlock lever is prevented from moving out of said locked position.