A latch assembly for a motor vehicle includes a latch mechanism, a power-operated latch release mechanism, and an over-center spring-biased reset mechanism. The power-operated latch release mechanism is operable during a power release operation to shift the reset mechanism from a first over-center operating state into a second over-center operating state.

This invention describes an electric drive mechanism (120) for translating a blocking member (126) to secure or release a lock. The lock is configured as a latch lock (100), a slide bolt padlock (200), a U-shackle padlock (300) or a snap padlock (400). The blocking member (126) is supported by two or more steel balls (130) disposed in helical grooves formed on a helical member (124) to provide a self-centering and low friction drive mechanism (120), which allows an electric motor (122) connected to the helical member to be small and of low power. Unobstructed movement of the blocking member (126) is provided by an alignment or detent mechanism (160, 217, 317) or torsion spring in the snap padlock (400). An electronic control board (140) allows electronic operation of the lock via an application in a smartphone. A PCB (121) located near the electric motor provides tamper-proofing.

A latch having a ratchet biased for release of a striker and for retaining of the striker, the ratchet having a ratchet surface, a first pawl having a pawl surface, the first pawl for holding the ratchet in an initial closed position when the first pawl is engaged with the ratchet, a second pawl for maintaining the first pawl in the initial closed position when the second pawl is engaged with the first pawl, and a bearing positioned between the first pawl and the ratchet for rotation during rotation of the ratchet and the first pawl, such that contact between the ratchet and the first pawl is facilitated by one or more contact regions between an exterior surface of the bearing and adjacent respective at least one of the pawl surface or the ratchet surface.

The present disclosure relates to a handle for a vehicle door having an activation lever configured for rotating around an activation axis from a rest position to an activation position for activating a latch of the vehicle door, and a bracket intended to receive the activation lever. One of the activation lever and the bracket comprises a driving element, and the other comprises a stop element, the driving element cooperating with the stop element such that when the activation lever is actuated from the rest position to the activation position, the driving element passes from a first side of the stop element corresponding to an initial position, to a second side corresponding to a final position, when the activation lever comes back from the activation position to the rest position, the driving element and the stop element cooperates to make the activation lever come back in the initial position.

A latch comprising: a housing having a slot for a striker; a ratchet rotationally mounted on the housing and biased for release of the striker from the slot and retaining of the striker in the slot dependent upon angular position of the ratchet with respect to the housing, the ratchet having a ratchet surface; a pawl rotationally mounted on the housing and biased towards the ratchet, the pawl having a pawl surface; and a rotatable bearing positioned between the pawl surface and the ratchet surface for rotation there between during rotation of the ratchet and the pawl, such that contact between the ratchet and the pawl is facilitated by one or more localized contact regions between an exterior surface of the bearing and adjacent respective at least one of the pawl surface or the ratchet surface; wherein the contact region is a localized contact region with respect to the exterior surface having a spheroidal shape.

A latch comprising: a housing having a slot for a striker; a ratchet rotationally mounted on the housing and biased for release of the striker from the slot and retaining of the striker in the slot dependent upon angular position of the ratchet with respect to the housing, the ratchet having a ratchet surface; a pawl rotationally mounted on the housing and biased towards the ratchet, the pawl having a pawl surface; and a rotatable bearing positioned between the pawl surface and the ratchet surface for rotation there between during rotation of the ratchet and the pawl, such that contact between the ratchet and the pawl is facilitated by one or more localized contact regions between an exterior surface of the bearing and adjacent respective at least one of the pawl surface or the ratchet surface; wherein the contact region is a localized contact region with respect to the exterior surface having a spheroidal shape.

A lockset (10) is actuable by pivoting a lever (14) about a longitudinal axis of the lockset (10) by rotating the lever (14) and by pushing or pulling on the lever (14). An actuator linked to the lever extends into a retractor assembly (33) of the lockset and is configured to actuate a retractor (40) to retract a latch bolt (550) in order to enable a corresponding door (22) to be opened. The latch bolt (550) has a blocking surface (560) that is configured to engage an edge of a door strike plate (45) in order to prevent the door (22) from opening. The blocking surface (560) is inclined relative to an axis of the latch bolt (550).

The door lock according to the invention comprises a lock body, a bolt, a follower, a driver on both sides of the follower, and a latch solution to connect at least one of the drivers in force transmission connection and out of force transmission connection with the follower. The door lock further comprises a baffle plate between the follower and the driver at least on one side of the follower. The baffle plate comprises at least one support surface, which is set against the lock body or against a part which is connected to the lock body in a fixed manner. The baffle plate can thus not be rotated in relation to the lock body. A baffle plate which cannot be rotated prevents turning force from being transmitted from the driver to the follower.

An electric strike according to the present invention comprises a housing, and an actuator mounted to the housing to switch operation of said strike between open and locked modes. In changing the modes the actuator provides lateral motion and a blocking element is included that is also mounted to the housing and cooperates with the actuator. The actuator's lateral motion causes rotational movement in the blocking element to switch between said open and locked modes. Different embodiments of the present invention can operate as dual mode electric strikes wherein the actuator is movable between fail-safe and fail-secure positions, and can include switches and paddles to monitor the position or condition of certain mechanisms in or working with the strikes. In some embodiments the blocking element can be rotatably mounted to the housing at a plurality of rotation mounting points and can comprise a plurality of blocking surfaces. In other embodiments, at least one of the one or more blocking surfaces having a pre-load movement mechanism to reduce friction with the keeper.

A handle assembly for a door or window comprises a handle and a second element, installable on opposite sides of the door or window, and a pin element rotatable around a pin rotation axis and insertable into the handle or in the second element at variable depths. The handle assembly further comprises a friction reducing group positioned coaxially to the pin element and positionable between the handle and the door or window in the axial direction of the pin rotation axis. Clamping devices constrain the handle and/or the second element on the pin element at adjustable distances along the axial direction according to the thickness of the door or window, so that when the handle assembly is installed on the door or window, an axial clamping pressure of the handle and of the second element is maintained on the respective side of the door or window. An installation method of the handle assembly on the door or window is also provided.