DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention is related to door lock and latch mechanism, also known as door lock mechanism. Specifically this invention is related to a compact reliable door latch & lock mechanism of vehicle. This mechanism will be referred as latch mechanism / lock mechanism in the further description of the specification.

BACKGROUND

Generally doors are secured closed to a vehicle body with a latch which is locked to prevent unauthorized access and unintentional opening from inside. A latch mechanism associated with the door is operated by applying a pulling force on handle of the door by the user. The pulling force applied further transfers the energy from door handle to a latch lever associated with the said latch mechanism through an arrangement comprising of springs, cables/links and motion transferring arrangements.

KNOWN PRIOR ARTS

The known prior arts or known latch & lock mechanisms comprise various long links/cables and complex motion transfer arrangements and are associated with a locking arrangement.

In this known arrangement/mechanism, the latch arrangement firmly closes the door at its desired location. The locking arrangement is a separate mechanism comprising various links which restricts movement of latch arrangement to prevent the opening of door even though door handle is operated unintentionally.

These arrangements are costly, complex, and bulky and consume significant space in the door panel of the vehicle. Further, these arrangements call for latch element to be mounted on the door panel and subsequently the cables/links are assembled to this latch element for connecting with handles and with lock mechanism. Thus the known latch and lock mechanisms are complex and consume significant time for assembly onto vehicle and also consume time during servicing/repair.
The prior art mechanisms need various parts of the latch and lock assembly to be assembled independently on door which cause complexicity in assembly process and consume time on assembly line.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Thereby the main objectives of the invention are to reduce the total weight & also the cost of the door latch and lock mechanism suffered in prior art.

The another object is to provide a simple & compact mechanism consuming less space.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide latch & lock mechanism which can easily assembled to a vehicle and has ease of serviceability.

Yet another object of the invention is to make a separate assembly of latch and lock mechanism but are of such nature which can be directly fitted on to the door on assembly line, thus reducing complexicity of assembly process and improve productivity.

Yet another objective is to provide shape of latch mechanism and position of latch mechanism so as to eliminate use of a separate door closing grip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As per the invention, a door latch & lock mechanism comprising at least a door handle , a latch element , a motion transferring mechanism wherein the said door handle/s are operatively connected to said latch element through said motion transferring mechanism to operate the door; said motion transferring mechanism comprising two rotatable elements positioned adjacent to each other; said motion transferring elements are provided with locking arrangement comprising a lock, capable of restricting motion of one of said rotatable elements at its first position and allowing motion of both of said rotatable elements at its second position.

Preferably, at first position of lock, the handle operation movement is not transferred to latch mechanism through said motion transferring element to operate the door.

Preferably, at second position of lock, the handle operation movement is transferred to latch mechanism through said motion transferring element to operate the door.

In one embodiment said rotating elements having their axis parallel to each other.

In another embodiment preferably the said rotating elements are positioned one above the other in the assembly arrangement,

In another embodiment preferably the said rotating elements shall have common axis of rotation

In another embodiment preferably said rotating elements are barrel shaped.

The said door handles, motion transferring elements and latch mechanism are operatively connected through links or cables or combination thereof.

The said lock mechanism is movable along the axis of the said rotating elements. In one of its position along the axis of rotation of motion, the transferring elements restricts rotation of one of the rotating element thereby not allowing the motion to be transferred from handle to the latch mechanism, thus not allowing the door to be opened while the handle is operated. This is the lock state of the door.

In another position of lock mechanism along the axis of rotation of motion the transferring elements allows rotation of both the rotating elements thereby allowing the door to be opened while the handle is operated. This is the unlock state of the door.

The above described latch mechanism is generally comprising of a pair of handle, one being located at the exterior side of the vehicle and other being located inside the vehicle. But it shall even have only one of the handle and the arrangement works. The compact arrangement of the latch and lock mechanism allows to position the handles at very close proximity to each other. The distance between these two handles could be equal or less than a foot.

The said locking mechanism could be operated manually by hand or by through a key. While operated through key, an additional small linkage mechanism is employed.

The present lock mechanism can be fabricated as independent sub assembly and each can be directly mounted onto the door.

The present latch & lock mechanism can be directly mounted over the door panel by using known fastening means and can be accommodated in less space. The invented latch & lock mechanism can be employed to 3 wheeled vehicles, 4 wheeled vehicles, including compact cars for example quadricycle.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1a, 1b and 1c illustrate latch and lock mechanisms having complex arrangement according to prior arts.
Fig 2 and 3 Illustrate perspective views of present invention.,
Fig, 4 Illustrates a view of latch/lock mechanism of present invention assembled with door trim
Fig 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D Illustrates connection scheme of door trim assembly comprising latch & lock mechanism with door panel assembly.
Fig 5A, Illustrates lever latched engaged in door striker
Fig 5B Illustrates disengaged condition of lever lock (2) with lever barrel (11), depicting locked position.
Fig 6A, 6B Illustrate door handle movement transfer to latch element and movement of barrels (motion transferring elements in unlocked condition
Fig 7 Illustrates engaged condition of door panel and latch through door striker
Fig 8 illustrates mounting of door striker on panel.
Fig 9 illustrates connections of door handles and their operation.
PART DESCRIPTION Part no
Screw pan cross 1
Lever 2
Nut hex thick 3
Cir clip external 4
Spring lever lock 5
Screw tapping pan cross 6
Barrel pin 7
Latch assembly 8
Lever Holder 9
Handle barrel 10
Lever barrel 11
lock 12
Washer 13
Link inner 14
Link outer 15
Washer_plain_small 17
Latch cable assly 18
Circlip type e 19
Pin inner handle 20
Pin outer handle 21
Door striker 22
Handle link pin 23
Handle inner 25
Handle outer 26
Washer plain small 27
Latch barrel mechanism assembly 29
Door trim inner 30
Door panel inner 31
Latch lever 32
Latch element means 35
Lock means/ arrangement 40
Door latch & lock mechanism 50
Fitting locations 51,52,53,54
Door trim upper latch sub-assembly 60
Cutout 61
Door 63
Door panel 64
Body panel 65
Middle portion of latch sub-assembly 66

Figure 1A, 1B and 1C show known arrangements of latch and lock mechanism. These mechanisms have many parts and are very complex in nature. These mechanisms are bulky and consume more space, also various parts of the latch and lock mechanism needs to be fitted on the door on manufacturing line, thus need significant time for assembly.

Figure 2 to 8 disclose figures according to invention.In one aspect, the invention discloses door latch & lock mechanism (50) for doors operable with door striker (22) in a vehicle (not shown). It shall have a door handle means mounted on door panel 64 to open and close the door having one outer handle (26) positioned at the exterior side of the vehicle. It may have one inner handle (25) positioned at the interior side of the vehicle, or it may have both handles. It shall also have a motion transfer means with two rotatable elements (10, 11) and a lock (12) with lock means (40) provided with a lever (2). The first rotating element is a handle barrel element (10). The second rotating element is a lever barrel element (11). Both the barrel elements are operatively connecting selectively (depending upon the position of lock (12)) the said door handle means and a plunger type latch element means (35) in response to motion of the handles. The said latch element means shall include at least a spring operable latch lever (32) or plunger and a latch cable (18) operably responsive to latch lever (32). The said latch means (35) is mounted on the said door panel 64 co-operating operably with the door handle means. Outer handle 26 is connected to handle barrel 10 via a cable 15 (or link outer 15). Inner handle 25 is connected to handle barrel 10 via a cable 14 (or link inner 14).
The said cable (18) is connecting the lever barrel (11) with the plunger (32) of the latch means (35), a lock means/arrangement (40) is provided to said lock (12) corresponding to the rotating elements of the motion transfer means selectively allowing and not allowing motion of both the rotatable elements(10,11) at different position of lock (12). Both the rotatable elements(10,11)being operatively disengaged until first position, thereby hindering the transfer of the motion of the handle through cable (18) to disengage the latch lever (32) of the latch element means away from the door striker (22), which first position thereby is representative of door lock state. Thereafter allowing further movement to one of the two rotatable elements in the first position and until second position, which is created by moving the lock (12) at second position along with said locking means (40), which operatively engages both the barrels as shown in figure 6b thereby allowing the transfer of motion of handle to pull the latch lever (32) of the latch element (35) and which second position thereby is representative of door unlock state.

In the arrangement, it is preferred that the two rotating elements have the axis parallel to each other. In the arrangement, it is preferred that the two rotating elements have a common axis of rotation. Also, both the said rotating elements are preferably barrel shaped. Generally one of the said rotating element is positioned above the other rotating element. The said lock means is moveable along the axis of the said rotating elements. The said lock (12) comprising a locking means (40) provided with a lever (2), which is capable of aligning the handle barrel (10) and lever barrel (11) along a common axis by sliding along the slots (10a,10b) provided in the handle barrel (10) and lever barrel (11) respectively. In the unlocked position of lock (12) said locking mean(40) aligns both the slots (10a and 11a) of both barrels(10,11) which helps to ensure that two barrels behave as a single unit and rotate simultaneously in the unlock state when the either of the handles (25 or 26) is manually operated. Thus allowing the transfer of motion of handle to pull the latch lever (32) of the latch element (35) to open the door.

During locked state , the said locking means (40) does not aligns both the slots (10a,11a) of the said barrels (10,11) thus not allowing the barrels to rotate simultaneously and hence not allowing the transfer of motion of handle to pull the latch lever (32) of the latch element (35) to open the door.
The said locking means (40) is capable of manually operable by hand.

Further, the said lock mechanism may be made operable with a key, with associated linkage mechanism.

Referring to figure 9, the spring lever lock (5) inures that both the handles 25, 26 return to their original position when either of the handle is operated. When either of the handle 25 or 26 is operated, barrel 10 rotates through links 14 or 15. Spring 5 get compressed between washer 13 and lever holder 9. When operated handle is released, compressed spring 5 expands and allow returning of the handle/s to original position.

The said latch & lock means is of such nature that it is adapted to be mounted directly on the door panel as a single sub assembly 60 element with any known fastening or joining means. The compactness is visible advantageously as the said two door handles may be arranged with a gap less than or equal to a foot between themselves.

The door trim upper latch sub-assembly 60 is inserted through cutout 61 available in Door 63 as shown in FIG 4B. FIG 4C shows the door 63 after insertion of door trim upper latch sub-assembly 60 in cutout 61. This door trim upper latch sub-assembly 60 is fixed to door 63 at four locations 51, 52, 53 & 54 as shown in FIG 4D. Door striker 22 is fitted on body panel 65 as shown in FIG 8.

Thus, complete the latch & lock assembly as a single element can be fitted on to the door in very less time, which improves productivity on assembly line and reduces the complexicity of system.

Further, upper middle portion (66) of latch sub assembly(60) once assembled to door acts as a grip provision for closing the door from inside of the vehicle, thus obviating need of providing separate provision of door grip or similar arrangement used for door closing. The know arrangements disclose a separate handle arrangement or provision of cut out in the arm rest for the purpose of closing of door from inside of vehicle.
As described above, the invention discloses a door latch and locking mechanism (50) for a vehicle. This vehicle is being operable with doors associated with door striker (22) mounted in the vehicle. The mechanism as per the invention have four major components which are:
a. a door handle means,
b. latch element means,
c. motion transfer means and
d. a lock means.

In this arrangement, the said door handle means is operatively connected to said latch element means through the said lock means and through said motion transfer means; said motion transfer means selectively engaged/disengaged with said door striker (22). This arrangement is novel to the extent that in the motion element having two mutually engagable rotating elements, which when disengaged mutually occurring when the lock means is in one state disallow the motion transfer from handle means to the striker which state is representative of door lock state and which when engaged mutually occurring when the lock means is in second state allow the motion transfer from handle means to the striker, which state is representative of door unlock state.

In another aspect of the invention the arrangement is such that the four components which are door handle means, latch elements means, motion transfer means and lock means are arranged such that the said door handle means is mounted on door panel (64) to open and close the door having atleast one outer handle (26) positioned at the exterior side of the vehicle or atleast one inner handle (25) positioned at the interior side of the vehicle, or combination of the two handles.

In another aspects as illustrated above and explained previously the said motion transfer means shall comprise of two rotatable elements which are a rotatable handle barrel element (10) and a rotatable lever barrel element (11) operatively connecting selectively the said door handle means and the latch element means (35) in response to operation of the handles, wherein the outer handle (26) of door handle means is connected to handle barrel (10) via an outer link cable (15) and the inner handle (25) of door handle means is connected to handle barrel (10) via an inner link cable (14).

In another aspect most preferably the said latch element means (35) is a plunger type latch element means and shall include a spring operable latch lever (32) disposed across striker (22), the said latch lever element means (35) mounted on the said door panel (64) co-operating operably with the door handle means, wherein the said cable (18) is connected between the said lever barrel element (11) and latch lever (32) of the said latch element means (35) and said latch cable (18) operably responsive to door handle means. Further on, the said lock means (40) shall have movable lever lock (12) operably associated with the rotating elements of the motion transfer means selectively allowing motion of the two rotatable elements (10,11) corresponding to different positions of lever lock (12), such that when the lock (12) is at first position along locking means (40) the rotatable elements (10,11) are operatively disengaged thereby there is no transfer of motion of handle through cable (18) to pull the latch lever (32) of the latch element means disengagingly away from the door striker (22) which first position is representative of ‘door lock’ state and when lock (12) is at second position along the lock means (40) due to further movement of one of the two rotatable elements away from the first position, the two rotatable elements are operatively engaged thereby allowing the transfer of motion of the handle through cable (18) to pull the latch lever (32) of the latch element means (35) disengagingly away from the door striker (22), which second position is representation of ‘door unlock’ state.

The invention has been disclosed with embodiments and illustrations for purpose of understanding and shall not limit the scope of the invention.

Variations and alternations known to person skilled in the art deemed to be within scope of this invention. ,CLAIMS:A door latch and locking mechanism (50) for a vehicle with doors operable with door striker (22) mounted in a vehicle comprising of :
a. a door handle means,
b. latch element means,
c. motion transfer means and
d. a lock means
wherein the said door handle means is operatively connected to said latch element means through the said lock means and through said motion transfer means; said motion transfer means selectively engaged/disengaged with said door striker (22), characterized in the motion element having two mutually engagable rotating elements, which when disengaged mutually occurring when the lock means is in one state disallow the motion transfer from handle means to the striker which state is representative of door lock state and which when engaged mutually occurring when the lock means is in second state allow the motion transfer from handle means to the striker, which state is representative of door unlock state.

2. The door latch and locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arrangement of door handle means, latch elements means, motion transfer means and lock means is such that the said door handle means is mounted on door panel (64) to open and close the door having atleast one outer handle (26) positioned at the exterior side of the vehicle or atleast one inner handle (25) positioned at the interior side of the vehicle, or combination of the two handles.

3. The door latch and locking mechanism as claimed in claims 1-2 wherein, the said motion transfer means shall comprise of two rotatable elements which are a rotatable handle barrel element (10) and a rotatable lever barrel element (11) operatively connecting selectively the said door handle means and the latch element means (35) in response to operation of the handles, wherein the outer handle (26) of door handle means is connected to handle barrel (10) via an outer link cable (15) and the inner handle (25) of door handle means is connected to handle barrel (10) via an inner link cable (14).
4. The door latch and locking mechanism as claimed in claims 1-3 wherein the said latch element means (35) is a plunger type latch element means and shall include a spring operable latch lever (32) disposed across striker (22), the said latch lever element means (35) mounted on the said door panel (64) co-operating operably with the door handle means, wherein the said cable (18) is connected between the said lever barrel element (11) and latch lever (32) of the said latch element means (35) and said latch cable (18) operably responsive to door handle means,

5. The door latch and locking mechanism as claimed in claims 1-4 wherein the said lock means (40) shall have movable lever lock (12) operably associated with the rotating elements of the motion transfer means selectively allowing motion of the two rotatable elements (10,11) corresponding to different positions of lever lock (12), such that when the lock (12) is at first position along locking means (40) the rotatable elements (10,11) are operatively disengaged thereby there is no transfer of motion of handle through cable (18) to pull the latch lever (32) of the latch element means disengagingly away from the door striker (22) which first position is representative of ‘door lock’ state and when lock (12) is at second position along the lock means (40) due to further movement of one of the two rotatable elements away from the first position, the two rotatable elements are operatively engaged thereby allowing the transfer of motion of the handle through cable (18) to pull the latch lever (32) of the latch element means (35) disengagingly away from the door striker (22), which second position is representation of ‘door unlock’ state.

6. The door latch and locking mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said two rotating elements(10,11) shall have their axis parallel to each other.

7. The door latch and locking mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said two rotating elements having a common axis of rotation.

8. The door latch and locking mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein both the said rotating elements are preferably barrel shaped.

9. The door latch and locking mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein one of the said rotating element is positioned above the other rotating element.

10. The door latch and locking mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said lock means is moveable along the axis of the said rotating elements.

11. The door latch and locking mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said locking means is manually operable by hand.

12. The door latch and locking mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said lock means is operable with a key which key is associated with a linkage mechanism.
13. The door latch and locking mechanism as claimed in claim 5, is further adapted to be mounted directly on the door panel of the vehicle with any known fastening means.

14. The door latch and locking mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said two door handles of the door handle means may be arranged with a gap less than or equal to a foot between themselves when the combination of the handle is mounted on the door panel.