Door latch mechanism

Abstract

A latch mechanism having an input member and an output member, the mechanism having a first condition at which the input and output members are coupled such that movement of the input member from its first position to its second position causes movement of the output member from its first position to its second position, the mechanism having a second condition at which the input member is not coupled to the output member, the mechanism further including a block member, which, with the mechanism in its second condition, further prevents at least one of the input and output member from moving to its respective second position.

1 . A latch mechanism, comprising an input member and an output member, the latch mechanism having a first condition at which the input and output members are coupled such that movement of the input member from its first position to its second position causes movement of the output member from its first position to its second position, the latch mechanism having a second condition at which the input member is not coupled to the output member, the latch mechanism further including a blocking member, which, with the latch mechanism in its second condition, further prevents at least one of the input and output members from moving to its respective second position.  
     
     
         2 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 1  in which the blocking member prevents the output member from moving to its respective second position.  
     
     
         3 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 2  in which the blocking member does not prevent the input member from moving to its respective second position.  
     
     
         4 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 1  in which the blocking member does not prevent the input member from moving to its respective second position.  
     
     
         5 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 4  in which the blocking member prevents the output member from moving to its respective second position.  
     
     
         6 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 1  in which the input member is rotatable about an input pivot between its first and second positions.  
     
     
         7 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 1  in which the output member is rotatable about an output pivot between its first and second positions.  
     
     
         8 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 7  in which the input and output pivots are coaxial.  
     
     
         9 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 8  in which the input and output members lie adjacent to each other.  
     
     
         10 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 1  in which the blocking member is stationary.  
     
     
         11 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 1  in which the blocking member is movable.  
     
     
         12 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 1  in which the blocking member is abutable by one of the input or output members.  
     
     
         13 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 1  in which the input and output members are coupleable by a clutch.  
     
     
         14 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 13  in which the clutch rotates to actuate the input and output members.  
     
     
         15 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 14  in which the clutch is pivotably mounted to at least one of the input and output members.  
     
     
         16 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 13  in which the clutch translates to actuate the input and output members.  
     
     
         17 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 16  in which the clutch is operably connected to the blocking member such that movement of the clutch to its coupling position causes the blocking member to move away from its blocking position and movement of the clutch to its de-coupling position causes the blocking member to move to is blocking position.  
     
     
         18 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 1  in which the input member is connectable to an inside door handle.  
     
     
         19 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 18  including a clutch that acts as part of a child safety mechanism.  
     
     
         20 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 1  in which the input member is connectable to an outside door handle.  
     
     
         21 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 20  including a clutch that acts to actuate the latch.  
     
     
         22 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 17  in which the input member is connectable to an inside and outside door handle.  
     
     
         23 . A latch mechanism as defined in  claim 22  in which the clutch acts as part of superlock mechanism.