Patent ID: 6386600
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: E05B,Y10T

Abstract:
A vehicle door latch assembly including a latch operatively co-acting with a striker as a vehicle door nears a closed position, a latching pawl self-engaging with the latch to hold it in latched condition retaining the door, and unlatching means selectively operable to disengage the latching pawl for opening the door, said unlatching means comprising a pawl lifter moveable from a position of rest to carry the latching pawl out of engagement with the latch and a power driven output member selectively moveable to engage and displace the pawl lifter from said position of rest; characterised in that said output member is a plunder advanced and retracted by a drive motor and also displaceable laterally to an inactive angular position at which it does not engage with the pawl lifter, and in that the unlatching means further includes guide means controlling the path of movement of the plunger including a track formation on one of the plunger and a stationary part of the assembly coacting with a follower on the other of said plunger and said stationary part to cause the plunger to be displaced to said inactive position during retraction from an advanced position whereby, if power should fail during retraction, manual operation of the pawl lifter for unlatching will not be obstructed by the plunger.