Vehicle door lock assembly

A lock assembly for a vehicle door (10) includes an electrically operable latch means (18) operable between a latched state in which opening of the door is prevented and an unlatched state in which opening of the door is permitted. The lock assembly also includes illuminable push-type switch means (...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors GARRY MACDONALD, STEVE BRINDLE
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 19.04.2006
Subjects
ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
HANDCUFFS
KEYS
LOCKS
SAFES
WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS
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Summary:A lock assembly for a vehicle door (10) includes an electrically operable latch means (18) operable between a latched state in which opening of the door is prevented and an unlatched state in which opening of the door is permitted. The lock assembly also includes illuminable push-type switch means (22) which is operable to control the latch means (18), and control means for sensing whether the vehicle is in motion. The control means is configured to disable the switch means (22) in response to vehicle motion above a predetermined speed so as to prevent actuation of the movable latch part, and hence opening of the door, in such circumstances. The switch is preferably electroluminescent or a pressure sensitive panel illuminated via a fibre optic cable from a light emitting diode - in particular a light emitting polymer. The illumination is present only below the predetermined speed and the non-illuminated switch can be formed to be indistinguishable from its surround.
Bibliography:Application Number: GB20030022991