A motorized moveable strike assembly is provided for a vehicle door. The assembly includes a strike on the door post which is moveable by an electric motor between extended and retracted positions. A latch on the door releasably engages the strike. A switch in the latch sends a signal to the controller to actuate the motor after the latch is engaged so as to retract the strike from the extended position to fully close the door. When the latch is disengaged from the strike, the latch switch sends a signal to controller to actuate the motor so as to extend the strike from the retracted position to the extended position as to prepare for the next door closing.

A striker mounting structure is designed to mount a striker on a vehicle body and prevent a door from entering a passenger compartment. A reinforcement provided on the vehicle body is covered by an outer panel. A striker mounting surface is arranged to be spaced away from the reinforcement in a front/backward direction of the vehicle body. The reinforcement is provided with an insertion hole opening toward a direction away from the passenger compartment. The striker and a reinforcement member are fixed to opposite sides of the striker mounting surface. A connecting rod is fixed to the reinforcement member and is formed with a locking portion extending into the insertion hole in a direction toward the passenger compartment and formed with an abutment portion. A distance between an end of the abutment portion and the passenger compartment is smaller than a distance between the striker and the passenger compartment.

A piezoelectric energy harvester system for collecting kinetic energy is provided, wherein the kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy, and wherein at least a portion of the converted electrical energy is utilized to operate a load. The system comprises an energy input portion and an energy harvesting portion. The energy input portion includes an input member configured to be actionable by an outside force. The energy harvesting portion includes a capture member, a sprocket portion, and a piezoelectric energy harvester. The capture member is adapted for receiving mechanical input from the input member. The sprocket portion is disposed for movement with the capture member. The sprocket portion includes at least one radially disposed sprocket actuator configured for making contact with and exciting the piezoelectric energy harvester. The piezoelectric energy harvester is excited by the contact to produce the kinetic energy.

A vibration-reducing apparatus for an assembly comprising a first member including a latch and a second member including a striker may include a threaded post having arm members extending outwardly therefrom, the threaded post being rotatably advanceable in discrete increments in a threaded opening extending through the first member such that, in a closed position of the first and second members, a distal portion of the threaded post extending through the first member contacts the second member upon rotational advancement of the threaded post in the threaded opening; and a locking region arranged to interact with at least a portion of the arm members, the rotational advancement of the threaded post in the threaded opening and contact with the second member reducing an engagement distance between the latch and the striker with the first and second members in the closed position, and attenuating vibrations between the latch and the striker.

A motorized moveable strike assembly is provided for a vehicle door. The assembly includes a strike on the door post which is moveable by an electric motor between extended and retracted positions. A latch on the door releasably engages the strike. A switch in the latch sends a signal to the controller to actuate the motor after the latch is engaged so as to retract the strike from the extended position to fully close the door. When the latch is disengaged from the strike, the latch switch sends a signal to controller to actuate the motor so as to extend the strike from the retracted position to the extended position as to prepare for the next door closing.

A fitting includes a functional lock part with a restraining area for a door element, and first and second fitting elements. Each of the fittings includes at least sectionwise a locating portion, which includes an intermediate layer able to contact the door element. The fitting elements delimit the restraining area. The functional lock part includes a third fitting element disposed between the first and second fitting elements. The fitting further includes an adjusting mechanism disposed between the fitting elements, with which a position alignment of the functional lock part can be performed.

A striker mounting structure is configured to mount a striker on a vehicle body. A hook fixed to a door is hooked to the striker. A reinforcement formed with an insertion hole may be attached to the vehicle body. An outer panel covering a reinforcement may include a striker mounting surface spaced from the reinforcement. A reinforcement member may be fixed to the striker and the striker mounting surface. Two or more connecting rods may extend from the reinforcement member. Each of the connecting rods may include locking portions, which are inserted in the insertion hole formed in the reinforcement.

An actuator-controlled strike comprising a housing disposable within a doorframe and including a cavity for a spring latch and a dead latch of a mortise-type lockset. A keeper is pivotably mounted within the chamber to engage the spring latch. A pivotably mounted kicker cooperates with the keeper. A pivotably mounted dead latch release is supported by the keeper when the spring latch is within the strike. The keeper is released by the actuator and rotates into a position to ramp the spring latch out of the strike, also allowing the dead latch release to release the dead latch into the cavity, allowing the spring latch to be ramped out of the strike. Pivoting the keeper causes the kicker to urge the spring latch onto an exit ramp on a face of the keeper. The dead latch release can be installed in a plurality of different locations in the housing.

An actuator-controlled strike comprising a housing disposable within a doorframe and including a chamber for receiving a spring latch and a dead latch of a mortise-type lockset. A keeper is pivotably mounted within the chamber to restrain the spring latch. A pivotable spring latch lifter is positively driven by the keeper, and a pivotable dead latch release platform is supported by the keeper when the spring latch is locked within the strike. The keeper is released by the actuator and then may be rotated which causes rotation of the dead latch release platform, allowing the dead latch to enter the chamber. The keeper positively drives the spring latch lifter to lift the spring latch onto the external ramp of the strike. In an alternate embodiment, an internal ramp feature may be used instead of the spring latch lifter to positively lift the spring latch out of the chamber.

An actuator-controlled strike comprising a housing disposable within a doorframe and including a cavity for a spring latch and a dead latch of a mortise-type lockset. A keeper is pivotably mounted within the chamber to engage the spring latch. A pivotably mounted kicker cooperates with the keeper. A pivotably mounted dead latch release is supported by the keeper when the spring latch is within the strike. The keeper is released by the actuator and rotates into a position to ramp the spring latch out of the strike, also allowing the dead latch release to release the dead latch into the cavity, allowing the spring latch to be ramped out of the strike. Pivoting the keeper causes the kicker to urge the spring latch onto an exit ramp on a face of the keeper. The dead latch release can be installed in a plurality of different locations in the housing.