Unitary latch, blast lock, and release handle assembly for vehicle door

摘要

An assembly is provided for opening a heavy weight door, such as on a military vehicle, by an occupant in the vehicle. The assembly includes a latch module with a catch and rotor adapted to engage and disengage the striker on the door frame, a blast lock module including a pawl adapted to engage and disengage the door frame, and a release handle module with a single interior handle for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the latch and blast lock modules. The three modules are pre-assembled on a carrier plate so as to form a rigid, unitary assembly for mounting on the inside of the door. When a person chooses to exit the vehicle, the handle is actuated so as to retract the blast lock and then release the latch. When the door is closed, a person inside the vehicle can actuate the handle so as to engage the blast lock for safety.

主权项

1. A unitary door latch, lock and handle assembly for opening a vehicle door pivotally mounted in a door frame, the frame including a striker to retain the door in a closed position, the door including an exterior handle, the assembly comprising:
a rotary latch module including a catch and a rotor engaging the striker to maintain the door in a closed position and disengaging the striker to allow the door to pivot open; a lock module including a lock pawl releasably engaging the door frame to lock the door in a closed position and disengaging the frame to allow the door to pivot open; a handle module including an interior handle for actuating the disengagement of both the latch module and the lock module and for actuating engagement of the lock module; a carrier plate to which the latch module, lock module and handle module are rigidly mounted to form a single pre-assembled unit for subsequent installation on the door; the rotary latch module further including a first lever connected to the exterior handle of the door and a second lever connected to the interior handle of the handle module; a first rod extending between the latch and handle modules, a second rod extending between the lock and handle modules, and a third rod connecting the latch module to the exterior handle; wherein pulling the interior handle rearwardly sequentially disengages the lock module and then releases the rotor of the latch module so that the door can then pivot open; and wherein pushing the interior handle forwardly engages the lock module to retain the door in a closed position.