GB2475272A

GB2475272A - A latch having a movable abutment member determining locking and unlatching

Info

Publication number: GB2475272A
Application number: GB0919770A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel V Spurr; Robert Frank Tolley; Alistair Facey
Original assignee: Body Systems USA LLC; Meritor Technology LLC
Current assignee: Body Systems USA LLC
Priority date: 2009-11-12
Filing date: 2009-11-12
Publication date: 2011-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2029-11-12
Also published as: GB0919770D0; KR20110052499A; GB2475272B

Abstract

A latch system such as for a vehicle including a latch having a rest position where a resilient means 30 biases a element 26 in a first direction into an element first position; when actuated the transmission element 26 is biased into a second direction such that the latch element 26 is biased to the normally locked position; in an actuated unlatched position (fig.2) the movable abutment obstructs movement of the transmission element in the second direction and ensures it transmits the unlatching action; in an actuated locked position (fig,4) the movable abutment is moved to a position which does not obstruct the shuttle 26, the shuttle is allowed to move in the second direction and the transmission path is broken such that the latch remains latched. The latch transmission element 26 preferably has an abutment 26B for engaging and releasing a pawl lifter 38 when the element 26 is actuated and retained by abutment 36 in the unlatched actuated position; element 26 may be pivotally mounted at 26A to a release lever (22, fig.1) with movable abutment 36 blocking biased pivotal movement in the second direction.

Description

Latch Arrangement The present invention relates to a latch arrangement, in particular a latch arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a land vehicle, in particular a car or truck.

Latch arrangements are known where a latch has a locked condition and an unlocked condition.

Latches can have a blocked locking system, whereby a manually actuable element, such as an outside door handle, is prevented from moving. Alternatively, latches can have a free wheel locking system whereby a manually actuable element such as an outside door handle is free to move from its rest position to its actuated position but the transmission path between the outside door handle and a pawl (retaining a claw) is broken when the latch is locked and as such movement of the outside door handle is not transferred to movement of the pawl.

Both block locking mechanisms and freewheeling locking mechanisms have a complicated system of motors and/or linkages to move various components between a locked condition and an unlocked condition.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simplified locking arrangement.

Thus, according to the present invention there is provided a latch system including a latch having a rest position where a resilient means biases an element in a first direction into an element first position, the latch having an actuated unlatched position wherein said latch is released and wherein said resilient means biases said element in a second direction and movement of said element in said second direction is prevented by a movable abutment positioned in a movable abutment first position, the latch having an actuated locked position wherein said bias means biases said element in said second direction to move said element to an element locked position, said movable abutment being positioned in a movable abutment second position to allow said element to move to said locked position.

Advantageously, the same resilient means biases the element in opposite directions at different times during operation of a device. In a rest position the resilient means biases the element in the first direction so that an abutment of the element faces an abutment of a transmission path connected with a release pawl or the like.

The resilient means biases the element in an opposite direction when a latch is in an actuated unlatched position and when the latch is in an actuated locked position.

Under both circumstances the resilient means biases the element such that, if allowed to move in that direction, the abutment of the element moves away from an abutment of a transmission path connected with a release pawl or the like. When the latch system is in an actuated unlatched position a moveable abutment is positioned to ensure movement of the element actuates the transmission path and hence moves the unlatching pawl or the like. In an actuated locked position, said moveable element is positioned so as to allow an abutment of the element to bypass, and hence not engage the abutment of the transmission path connected to the release pawl or the like.

Advantageously, the resilient means includes an arm, a first part of said arm engaging a first part of said element to bias said element in said first direction, a second part of said element engaging a second part of said element to bias said element in said second direction.

Advantageously different parts of the same arm can be used to bias the element in opposite directions.

In one embodiment the resilient means includes a first arm and a second arm, said first arm engaging a first part of said element to bias said element in said first direction, said second arm engaging a second part of said element to bias said element in said second direction.

Advantageously the first arm can bias the element in one direction whilst the second ann can bias the element in opposite direction.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a latch anangement including a latch bolt having a closed position and an open position, a retaining means having a retaining position for holding the latch bolt in the closed position and having a release position for allowing the latch bolt to move to the open position, a manually actuable element, a transmission path selectively operably connecting the manually actuable element to the retaining means, the transmission path having a first part, a shuttle, and a second part, the shuttle having a first shuttle abutment, a second shuttle abutment and a third shuttle abutment, the second part having a second part abutment, the second part operably connecting the second part abutment to the retaining means, the latch arrangement further including a resilient means having a first resilient means abutment and a second resilient means abutment, a moveable abutment having a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch arrangement having a rest position in which:-the first transmission path is in a first transmission path rest position, the second transmission path is in a second transmission path rest position, the shuttle is in a shuttle rest position, the first resilient means abutment is engaged with a first shuttle abutment to bias the shuttle to the shuttle rest position, the latch arrangement having a first actuated position in which:-the first transmission path is in a first transmission path actuated position, the second transmission path is in a second transmission path actuated position, the shuttle is in a shuttle release position, the moveable abutment is in the unlocked position preventing the shuttle from moving to a shuttle locked position, the second resilient means abutment is engaged with the second shuttle abutment bias the shuttle towards the shuttle lock position, the third shuttle abutment is engages with the second part abutment, the latch arrangement having a second actuated position in which:-the first transmission path is in the first transmission path actuated position, the second transmission path is in the second transmission path rest position, the shuttle is in the shuttle lock position, the moveable abutment is in the locked position allowing the shuttle to move to the shuttle lock position, the second resilient means abutment is engaged with the second shuttle abutment to bias the shuttle towards the shuttle lock position, and the third shuttle abutment is disengaged from the second part abutment.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a view of a latch anangement according to the present invention in a rest condition, Figure 2 is a view of the latch arrangement of figure 1 in an actuated unlocked condition (also known as a released condition), Figure 3 is a view of the latch arrangement of figure 1 part way towards movement to an actuated lock condition, Figure 4 is a view of the latch arrangement of figure 1 in an actuated locked condition, Figures 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 show a second embodiment latch alTangement according to the present invention in various positions, Figures 6 and 10 show an end view of figures 5 and 10 respectively, Figures 13 and 14 show a third embodiment of the latch arrangement according to the present invention in various positions, Figure 15 shows a part view of a fourth embodiment of the latch arrangement according to the present invention, Figures 16 to 21 show certain components of the latch arrangement of figure 15, and Figures 22 to 31 show various top views of the latch arrangement of figure 15 in various positions.

With reference to figures 1 to 4 there is shown a latch arrangement 10 including a latch 12. The latch includes a latch chassis 14 and a latch bolt 16 (shown schematically in figures 1 and 2).

The latch bolt has a closed position as shown in figure 1 and an open position as shown in figure 2. In the closed position the latch bolt 16 retains a striker, and in the open position the latch bolt releases a striker. The latch bolt is held in the closed position by a retaining means 18 (shown schematically in figures 1 and 2) in this case in the form of a pawl. The retaining means has a retaining position as shown in figure 1 for holding the latch bolt in the closed position and has a release position as shown in figure 2 for allowing the latch bolt to move to the open position. The latch bolt and retaining means can be any known latch bolt and any known retaining means, for example the latch bolt may be any known rotating claw and the retaining means may be any known pawl.

Typically the latch will be mounted on a door and the striker will be mounted on the door frame in a known manner.

A manually actuable element in the form of an outside door handle 20 is provided for operating the latch.

Rotatably mounted on chassis 14 is outside release lever 22. Outside release lever 22 is rotatably mounted about pin 23 and axis R. Outside release lever 22 has a first arm 24 and a second arm 25 having an end 25A. Outside release lever 22 is generally planar with end 25A of the second arm 25 being bent generally at 90 degrees to the generally planar portion of the outside release lever 22.

An element 26 (also known as a shuttle) is generally elongate and includes a recess 26A and an end 26B remote from recess 26A. Element 26 is generally planar with the end 26B being bent at 90 degrees to the generally planar portion of the element. End 26B includes an abutment 26C. Recess 26A includes an abutment 26D against which end 25A engages.

Mounted around a boss 28 of chassis 14 is a resilient means in the form of a helical spring 30 having a first arm 32 and a second arm 34. First arm 32 engages element 26 as will be further described below and second arm 34 engages an abutment 14A of chassis 14.

Chassis 14 also includes an abutment 14B.

A moveable abutment 36 is moveable between the position shown in figures 1/2 and the position shown in figures 3/4.

A pawl lifter 38 is rotationally fast with pin 40 which in turn is rotatably fast with pawl 18. Pin 40 is rotatable about axis S in chassis 14. Pawl lifter 38 includes an abutment 38A.

Outside door handle 20 is connected via linkage 20A to outside release lever 22.

Linkage 20A and outside release lever 20 therefore form a transmission path between the outside door handle and the element 26. Pawl lifter 38 and pin 40 form a transmission path between element 26 and the pawl 18.

Operation of the latch is as follows:-In summary, with the moveable abutment as positioned in figures 1 and 2 the latch is unlocked and operating the outside door handle causes the components to move from the figure 1 position to the position shown in figure 2 wherein the pawl 18 has been disengaged from the latch bolt allowing the latch bolt to release the striker and open an associated door. However, when the moveable abutment 36 is positioned as shown in figures 3 and 4 the latch is locked and operating the outside door handle causes the components to move initially to the figure 3 position and then to the figure 4 position wherein it would be appreciated that the pawl lifter has not moved and hence the pawl 18 is still in engagement with the latch bolt 16 which in turn is retaining an associated striker, thereby preventing the door from opening.

In more detail as shown in figure 1 end 32A of first arm 32 of spring 30 is in engagement with abutment 26E of element 26. As shown in figure 1 there is a gap Gi between portion 32B of first aim 32 and abutment 26F of element 26. The relative position of abutment 26E and abutment 26D results in the tension in the helical spring 30 acting generally downwards on abutment 26E causing the element 26 to be biased in a clockwise direction about end 25A into engagement with abutment 14B. In this position abutment 38A of pawl lifter 38 faces abutment 26C.

As shown in figure 1 moveable abutment 38 is positioned proximate edge 26G of element 26.

In order to unlatch the latch from the position shown in figure 1 the outside door handle 20 is operated which causes outside release lever 22 to rotate in an anticlockwise direction around axis R causing end 25A to move generally upwardly and hence lift element 26 generally upwardly when viewing the figures. As element 26 is lifted it is constrained from rotating by abutment 14B and moveable abutment 36. As such, as element 26 is lifted abutment 26C engages abutment 38A and disengages pawl 18 from latch bolt 16 and allows the latch bolt to release the striker and hence allows the door to be opened.

As shown in figure 2 portion 32B of spring 30 is in engagement with abutment 26F.

Tension in the spring 30 and the relative position of abutment 26F and end 25A results in the spring biasing the element 26 in an anticlockwise direction about end 25A.

However, because of the proximity of moveable abutment 36 to edge 26G the element 26 is unable to rotate in an anticlockwise direction around end 25A. As will be appreciated, as shown in figure 2 there is a gap G3 between end 32A and abutment 26E.

In order to lock the latch moveable abutment 36 as shown in figure 1 is moved to the alternative position of this component, i.e. the position shown in figures 3 and 4.

Thus, starting with the components as positioned in figure 1 except with moveable abutment positioned as shown in figure 3, operation of the outside door handle again causes the outside release lever 22 to rotate in an anticlockwise direction about axis R during the initial part of movement. As shown in figure 3, the gap Gi as shown in figure 1 between portion 32B and abutment 26F has closed causing the element 26 to rotate in an anticlockwise direction around end 25A. Continued movement of the outside door handle 20 causes the end 32A to disengage from abutment 26E (see gap G2 in figure 4). This causes the element 26 to rotate further in an anticlockwise direction until such time as edge 26G engages moveable abutment 36. As shown in figure 4 abutment 26C has moved upwardly and to the right when compared with figure 1 and hence has not come into contact with abutment 38A of pawl lifter 38 and hence has not caused pawl lifter 38 to move. As such, as shown in figure 4 pawl lifter 38 is in the same position as shown in figure 1 and hence the pawl 18 is still retained a latch bolt in the closed position.

As shown in figure 1 the element 26 is biased in a clockwise direction (see especially gap Gi). As shown in figure 4 the element is biased in an anticlockwise direction (see especially gap G2). As shown in figure 2 the element is also biased in an anticlockwise direction (see especially gap G3). Thus in the rest position shown in figure 1 the element is biased in a first direction and in both the unlatched position shown in figure 2 and the locked position shown in figure 4 the element is biased in a second direction. However, as shown in figure 2 moveable abutment 36 prevents rotation of the element in the anticlockwise direction whereas as shown in figure 4 the moveable abutment 36 has been positioned so as to allow anticlockwise rotation of the element 26.

With reference to figures 5 to 12 there is shown a second embodiment of a latch anangement 110 in which components the equivalent of those of latch arrangement 10 are labelled 100 greater.

In this case the end 125A of second arm 125 is in the form of a pin and the recess 126A is in the form of a hole in element 126 with an edge of the hole forming abutment 126D. Outside release lever 122 pivots about pivot R which is fixed relative to chassis 114. Pawl lifter 138 is pivotable about axis S which is fixed relative to chassis 114. The moveable abutment 136 is in the form of a link 150 rotatable between the position shown in figure 6 and 10 about axis T. Figures 5, 8, 11 and 12 equate to figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

The latch 112 includes chassis abutments 1 14C, 1 14D and 1 14E. The helical spring 130 includes first arm 151 having portions 151A and 151B and a second arm 152 having portions 152A and 152B.

Spring 130 is tensioned such that separating the first aim and the second arm increases the tension in the spring.

As shown in figure 5 portion 15 lB of first arm 151 is engaged with abutment 126E of element 126. Portion 151A of first arm 151 is spaced from chassis abutment 114E by gap G5. Portion 152A of second arm 152 is engaged with chassis abutment 114D and portion 152B of second ann 152 is spaced from abutment 126F of element 126 by gap G4. As such, first arm 151 biases element 126 in a clockwise direction about pin 125A.

As mentioned above, figure 5 shows the latch arrangement 110 in an unlocked position and in order to release the latch the outside door handle is operated causing the outside release lever 122 to rotate in an anticlockwise direction about axis R and hence cause the element 126 to progressively move from the figure 5 position through the figure 7 position to the figure 8 position. As shown in figure 7 abutment 138A of pawl lifter 138 has engaged abutment 126C of element 126 and hence when the components reach the figure 8 position the pawl lifter 138 has been rotated thereby disengaging the pawl 118 from the latch bolt 116.

As shown in figure 8 the portion 152B of second arm 152 is engaged with abutment 126F of element 126. A gap G6 exists between portion 152A and chassis abutment 114D. Portion 1S1A is in engagement with chassis abutment 114E. A gap G7 exists between portion 15 lB and abutment 126E. Thus, as shown in figure 8 the spring 130 biases the element 126 in an anticlockwise direction around pin 125A. However, anticlockwise movement of element 126 is prevented by moveable abutment 136 being engaged with edge 126G (see especially figure 6).

Figures 10 and 11 show the latch arrangement in a locked position, see especially figure 10 where moveable abutment 136 is remote from edge 126G. Operation of the outside door handle starting from the figure 9/10 position causes components to move through the figure 11 position to the figure 12 position. As will be appreciated abutment 126C has moved generally upwardly and to the left thereby bypassing abutment 138A of pawl lifter 138 and hence leaving the pawl 118 in engagement with the latch bolt 116 and hence leaving the latch in a latched condition. Comparison between figures 12 and 8 show that, in both figures, portion 152B is engaged with abutment 126F, portion 15 1A is engaged with abutment 1 14E and gaps G6 and G7 exist between appropriate components. As such, in both figures 8 and 12 the spring is biasing the element 126 in an anticlockwise direction, the difference being that in figure 8 the moveable abutment prevents rotation of the element 126 in an anticlockwise direction whereas in figure 12 the moveable abutment 136 does not prevent anticlockwise rotation of element 126.

Abutment 1 14C limits anticlockwise rotation of element 126 but, as will be appreciated, abutment 1 14C does not prevent abutment 126C bypassing the pawl lifter abutment 138A.

With reference to figures 13 and 14 there is shown a third embodiment of a latch arrangement 210 with components that fulfil the same function as latch arrangement labelled 100 greater.

Figure 13 equates to figure 9 and figure 14 equates to figure 12. Tn this case helical spring 230 has first arm 251 and second arm 252 both of which are longer than corresponding arms 151 and 152. Tn this case pin 225 extends above element 226, i.e. pin 225A extends out of the plane of the drawing of figure 13 more than element 226.

As shown in figure 13 portion 25 1A of first arm 251 engages abutment 226E of element 226 to bias element 226 in a clockwise direction about pin 225A. Gap G8 exists between portion 251B and pin 225A. Gap G9 exists between portion 252A and abutment 226F. Portion 225B is engaged with pin 225A. As such, as shown in figure 13 the element 226 is biased in a clockwise direction by the engagement between portion 251 A and abutment 226E and the spring force is reacted by engagement between portion 225B and pin 225A.

As shown in figure 14 portion 252A is engaged with abutment 226F and hence biases element 226 in an anticlockwise direction about pin 225A. A gap Gil exists between abutment 226E and portion 251A. A gap G10 exists between portion 252B and pin 225A. Portion 25 lB is engaged with pin 225A. As such, as shown in figure 14 element 226 is biased in an anticlockwise direction around pin 225A by engagement between portion 225A and abutment 226F and the spring biased force is reacted by engagement between pin 225A and portion 25 lB.

With reference to figures 15 to 31 there is shown a fourth embodiment of a latch alTangement 410 in which component equivalent to those of latch arrangement 10 are labelled 400 greater.

To simplify the explanation only part of the chassis 414 is shown in figure 15. In particular the pivots about which outside release lever 422 pivots and the pivot about which pawl lifter 438 pivots are not shown. The latch anangement 410 also includes an inside release lever 460, the operation of which will be described below.

Figures 22, 23 and 24 show operation of the latch when unlocked. Figure 22 equates to figure 1 and figure 24 equates to figure 2. As shown in figure 22 portion 451A of first arm 451 is engaged with chassis abutment 414F. Portion 452B of second arm 452 is engaged with abutment 426H of element 426 thereby biasing element 426 clockwise about axis U (see also figure 21) so that abutment 426C is aligned with abutment 438A of pawl lifter 438. Moveable abutment 436 is positioned in figure 22 (and as shown in figure 15) immediately adjacent edge 426G of element 426 thereby preventing element 426 rotating anticlockwise (when viewing figure 22) about axis U. As shown in figure 24 portion 452A of second arm 452 is engaged with chassis abutment 4 14G. Portion 45 lB of first arm 451 is engaged with abutment 426J of element 426. As such as shown in figure 24 the element 426 is being biased in an anticlockwise direction about axis U by spring 430 but is prevented from moving in an anticlockwise direction by engaging between moveable stop 436 and edge 426G.

Figures 25, 26 and 27 show the sequence of events when the latch is in a locked condition and the outside door handle is operated (for ease of explanation the inside release lever 460 has been removed from figures 26 and 27). In this case the lever 450 has been rotated about axis C such that moveable abutment 436 is positioned above edge 426G when viewing figure 15. As such moveable abutment 436 is unable to prevent rotation of link 426 about axis U. Thus, when components are moved from the figure 25 position to the figure 26 position portion 451B of first arm 451 has engaged abutment 426J and biases element 426 in an anticlockwise direction about axis U. Continued movement of the components from the figure 26 position to the figure 27 position causes the abutment 426C of element 426 to bypass abutment 438A of pawl lifter 438A and hence the latch is not opened.

As mentioned above, moveable abutment 436 is mounted on link 450. Link 450 is rotatable about axis T between the positions shown in figure 28 and 29. As shown in figure 28, moveable abutment 436 is in line with edge 426G of element 426 thereby preventing element 426 rotating about axis U, as described above. As showed in figure 28 abutment 436 is positioned above (when viewing figure 29) edge 426G thereby allowing element 426 to rotate about axis U as described above.

Link 450 includes an arm 470 at the end 470A of which is mounted a permanent magnet 471. Permanent magnet 471 is orientated such that, in this example, a north pole N is proximate electromagnet core 475 when the link 450 is positioned as shown in figure 28 and the south pole is positioned remote from electromagnet core 475 when in the figure 28 position. When the link 450 is positioned as shown in figure 29, the north pole of the permanent magnet 471 is positioned proximate frame end 476 of electromagnet 474 and the south pole of the permanent magnet 471 is positioned remote from frame end 476.

The link 450 includes an abutment 456, the purpose of which will be described below.

Electromagnet 474 includes a coil 477 powering of which by a DC (direct current) electric source in a first sense created a north magnetic pole at the end of 475A of the electromagnet core 475 and creates a south magnetic pole at the frame end 476.

Powering the electromagnet coil in an opposite sense creates a south magnetic pole at end 475A of the electromagnet core 475 and creates a north magnetic pole at the frame end 476.

The link 450 can be moved between the position shown in figures 28 and 29 as follows: -Starting with the components positioned as shown in figure 28, the electromagnet 474 is not powered, i.e. no current is flowing through the electromagnetic coil 477. The north pole N of the permanent magnet 471 is therefore attracted to end 475A of the electromagnetic core 475 since this is made from a ferromagnetic material.

In order to move the link from the position shown in figure 28 to the position shown in figure 29 a pulse of DC electricity is fed through coil 477 in a first direction such that a south pole is created at frame end 476 and a north pole is created at end 475A of the electromagnet core 475. The north pole created at the end 475A repels the north pole N and the south pole created at frame end 476 attracts the north pole end and hence the link 450 rotates from the position shown in figure 28 to the position shown in figure 29. Once the link is in the position shown in figure 29 electric cunent to the coil 477 can be cut since link will remain in the position shown in figure 29 due to the attraction between the north pole N and the frame end 476, since the frame 476 is made from a ferromagnetic material. In order to move the components from the position shown in figure 29 to the position shown in figure 28 a reverse current is fed through coil 477, i.e. coil is fed in the opposite sense thereby creating a north magnetic pole at frame end 476 and a south magnetic pole at core end 475A of electromagnet core 475. The south pole created at frame end 476 attracts the north magnetic pole N and the north pole created at end 475A repels the north magnetic pole whereupon the link rotates about axis T from the figure 29 position to the figure 28 position. Once the link has achieved the position shown in figure 28 current to the electromagnet core can be cut and components will remain in this position since the north pole will be attracted and held in place by the ferromagnetic material of the electromagnet core end 465A.

The inside release lever 60 is pivotally mounted about axis V. The inside release lever includes a first abutment 461, a second abutment 462 and a third abutment 463. An inside door handle 464 is connected via a transmission path 465 to the third abutment 463. As shown in figure 28 the components are in an unlocked condition. Operation of the inside door handle 464 causes the inside door release lever 460 to rotate in an anticlockwise direction about axis V casing the second abutment 462 to engage abutment 438B which in turn causes the pawl lifter 438 to rotate and release the latch (i.e. pawl lifter 438 is caused to rotate in an anticlockwise direction when viewing figure 22).

Operating the inside release lever 460 when the components are positioned as shown in figure 29 operates as follows:-Starting from the figure 29 position initial operation of the inside release lever 460 causes it to rotate in an anticlockwise direction about axis V thereby moving the first abutment 461 of the inside release lever 460 towards the abutment 456 of link 450.

Continued anticlockwise rotation of the inside release lever 460 causes the first abutment 461 to engage and move abutment 456. Movement of abutment 456 causes the link 450 to rotate in a clockwise direction from the position shown in figure 29 to the position of the link 450 as shown in figure 28. Once the link 450 is positioned as shown in figure 28, i.e. with the north pole N proximate the end 465A of the electromagnet core 475 (as shown in figure 30). Once the components have achieved the position shown in figure 30 the moveable abutment 436 is positioned adjacent edge 426G of element 426. Continued movement of the inside release lever 460 to the figure 31 position will cause the second abutment 462 to engage abutment 438B of pawl lifter 438 and hence rotate pawl lifter 438 in an open direction to release the latch.

Once the latch, and hence the door has been opened, closing of the door, and hence the latch will return the component to the position shown in figure 28. Thus, starting in the locked position shown in figure 29, operating the outside door handle 420 will not release the latch. Again, starting with the components shown in figure 29, operating the inside door handle 466 will release the latch and allow the door to be opened. Subsequent closing of the door will return components to the position shown in figure 28, i.e. to an unlocked condition. Thus, the first abutment 461 cooperates with the abutment 456 to provide "override unlocking", i.e. with a locked door, operating on the inside door handle releases the latch and unlocks the door such that when the door is subsequently closed operating of the outside door handle will open the door. This prevents keys and the like being locked in the vehicle.

Claims

Claims 1. A latch system including a latch having a rest position where a resilient means biases an element in a first direction into an element first position, the latch having an actuated unlatched position wherein said latch is released and wherein said resilient means biases said element in a second direction and movement of said element in said second direction is prevented by a movable abutment positioned in a movable abutment first position, the latch having an actuated locked position wherein said bias means biases said element in said second direction to move said element to an element locked position, said movable abutment being positioned in a movable abutment second position to allow said element to move to said locked position.
2. A latch system as defined in claim 1 wherein said element is pivotally movable in said first and second directions.
3. A latch system as defined in claims 1 or 2 wherein said resilient means includes an arm, a first part of said arm engaging a first part of said element to bias said element in said first direction, a second part of said arm engaging a second part of said element to bias said element in said second direction.
4. A latch system as defined in claim 3 wherein said resilient means includes an abutment engaged with a chassis of the latch to react against a said biasing of said element in said first direction and/or said second direction.
5. A latch system as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein the said resilient means includes a first arm and a second arm, said first arm engaging a first part of said element to bias said element in said first direction, said second arm engaging a second part of said element to bias said element in said second direction.
6. A latch system as defined in claim 5 wherein said first arm engages a first part of a latch chassis to react against said biasing of said element in said second direction.
7. A latch system as defined in claim 6 wherein said second arm engages a second part of said latch chassis to react against said biasing of said element in said first direction.
8. A latch arrangement as defined in claim 5 wherein said first arm engages a moveable stop to react against said biasing of said element in said second direction.
9. A latch system as defined in claim 8 wherein said second arm engages said moveable stop to react against said biasing of said element in said first direction.
10. A latch system as defined in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein said moveable stop is positioned on said element.
11. A latch system as defined in any preceding claim wherein said moveable abutment is moveable between said movable abutment first and second positions by a power actuator such as an electric actuator.
12. A latch arrangement as defined in claim 11 wherein said element is moveable by a first manually actuable element and said element is moveable by a second manually actuable element, said first manually actuable element being operable to move the moveable abutment from the movable abutment first positioned to the movable abutment second position.
13. A latch system as defined in any preceding claim wherein said moveable abutment is mounted on a component having a permanent magnet adjacent an electromagnet, powering of the electromagnet in a first sense moves the moveable abutment to the movable abutment first position and powering of the electromagnet in a second sense moves the moveable abutment to the movable abutment second position.
14. A latch arrangement including a latch bolt having a closed position and an open position, a retaining means having a retaining position for holding the latch bolt in the closed position and having a release position for allowing the latch bolt to move to the open position, a manually actuable element, a transmission path selectively operably connecting the manually actuable element to the retaining means, the transmission path having a first part, a shuttle, and a second part, the shuttle having a first shuttle abutment, a second shuttle abutment and a third shuttle abutment, the second part having a second part abutment, the second part operably connecting the second part abutment to the retaining means, the latch arrangement further including a resilient means having a first resilient means abutment and a second resilient means abutment, a moveable abutment having a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch arrangement having a rest position in which:-the first transmission path is in a first transmission path rest position, the second transmission path is in a second transmission path rest position, the shuttle is in a shuttle rest position, the first resilient means abutment is engaged with a first shuttle abutment to bias the shuttle to the shuttle rest position, the latch arrangement having a first actuated position in which:-the first transmission path is in a first transmission path actuated position, the second transmission path is in a second transmission path actuated position, the shuttle is in a shuttle release position, the moveable abutment is in the unlocked position preventing the shuttle from moving to a shuttle locked position, the second resilient means abutment is engaged with the second shuttle abutment bias the shuttle towards the shuttle lock position, the third shuttle abutment is engages with the second part abutment, the latch arrangement having a second actuated position in which:-the first transmission path is in the first transmission path actuated position, the second transmission path is in the second transmission path rest position, the shuttle is in the shuttle lock position, the moveable abutment is in the locked position allowing the shuttle to move to the shuttle lock position, the second resilient means abutment is engaged with the second shuttle abutment to bias the shuttle towards the shuttle lock position, and the third shuttle abutment is disengaged from the second part abutment.