Patent ID: 7097212
Filing Date: 2006-08-29
Classification: E05B,F15B,F16F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A door latch comprising a locking mechanism for selectively locking and unlocking the door latch, the locking mechanism comprising an input for operable connection to a door handle, a rheological fluid held within a cylinder, the fluid having a first state in which the fluid has a first viscosity and a second state in which the fluid has a second viscosity, the second viscosity being higher than the first viscosity, and an output operably connected to a release mechanism of the latch, the fluid acting so as to in the first state prevent actuation of the output and the release mechanism upon actuation of the input and in the second state permit actuation of the output and the release mechanism upon actuation of the input, the locking mechanism further comprising a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder, a ram connected to the piston, and a connecting arm pivotally interconnecting the ram, the input, and the output.