GB875997A - Improvements in or relating to releasable fastening devices for vehicle doors - Google Patents

Abstract

875,997. Latches. WILMOT-BREEDEN Ltd. Oct. 15, 1959 [Oct. 22, 1958], No. 33713/58. Class 44. A releasable fastening device, which is adapted to be released directly from outside or remotely from inside the doors on which it is mounted and to be locked from inside the doors to prevent direct release, comprises a longitudinally resilient link 28 which interconnects an internal locking mechanism, comprising lever 26, with an element, such as plate 10, which is displaced during a fastening operation and provides a degree of lost motion there-between in the normal unlocked position, the arrangement being that the link during the fastening operation urges the element from a locked to an unlocked position, the return movement of the element during a latter portion of the fastening operation being accommodated by the lost motion of the spring which is sufficient to allow operation of the locking mechanism without loading the link. As shown, a cam is formed integrally with a cam plate 10, rotation of the latter either by inside operating means, comprising a remote control lever 12, operating on a release area 14, or by a push-button assembly, acting through a lever 17 pivoted at 18 and a release arm 16, causing the fastening device to be released. Rotation of a stem 22 (Fig. 6) either by means of a key turned in a push-button 20 or by an internal locking lever 26 renders the push-button inoperative, the stem then passing through a slot 24 in the lever 17. If lever 26 is moved to its locking position by means of lever 12 when the door is open, then by pressing the push-button as the door is closed the lever 26 remains in its locked position, due to the lost motion of a spring 28 interconnecting the arm and a portion 26b of the locking lever 26. A child safety device which prevents the door being opened from the inside and projects through the free edge of the door comprises a lever 30 (Fig. 2), which in its operative position prevents a pin 34, attached to the lever 12, from upward movement; hence the latch cannot be released by the lever 12. A generally G-shaped keeper is provided with two guides pressed outwardly from the backplate, a lower arc housing a spring-loaded wedge which presses the keeper against an upper guide. The invention is applicable to a rotary toothed cam using a pawl and ratchet arrangement. Specification 871,895 is referred to.