Remote control latch release mechanism

Claim 2

A remote control latch release mechanism comprising: a handle assembly slidably journalled in a support means and having cable coupler means, a pair of cable elements connected to the coupler means for coordinated movement by the handle assembly in latch releasing direction, one of the cable elements being connected to a release lever of a latch mechanism located remotely from the handle assembly and the other cable element being coupled to a locking device operable to hold the other cable against movement in latch releasing direction and thereby the handle against latch releasing actuation, and disabling means rendering the handle assembly inoperative against latch releasing actuation upon the other cable element being severed between the coupler means and the locking device.

Claim 3

A remote control latch release mechanism according to claim 1, in which: the disabling means comprises a slide plunger to which the other cable element is connected, the slide plunger being housed within the coupler means and coupled to the latter by a pawl member, and spring means operable to retract the other cable after the latter is severed and to move the slide plunger relative to the pawl member, and coacting cam means on the slide plunger and pawl member, the coacting cam means being operative upon movement of the slide plunger relative to the pawl member to wedge the latter into abutting relation to an abutment on the handle assembly support means, the pawl means when abutting the abutment preventing movement of the handle assembly in latch releasing direction.

Claim 4

A remote control latch release mechanism according to claim 2, in which: the slide plunger when fully retracted engages an abutment in the coupler means to prevent movement of the slide plunger in non-retracted direction and thereby to lock the pawl member against movement out of engagement with the support means abutment.

Claim 5

A remote control latch release mechanism according to claim 3, in which: the locking device comprises a guide means mounted on a support structure, the end of the other cable opposite its slide plunger connected end being received in the guide means, an abutment on the other cable within the guide means, a blocking means slidably guided within the guide means for movement into and out of abutting relation to the abutment means, and a key-operated means operable to shift the blocking means into abutting relation to the other cable abutment thereby to immobilize the other cable.

Claim 6

A remote control latch release mechanism according to claim 4, in which: the blocking means is an ignition switch activation rod, the rod having an abutment engaging portion positioned to engage the other cable abutment in at least ignition locked position of the ignition switch.

Claim 7

A remote control latch release mechanism comprising: a housing mounted within a vehicle passenger compartment, a handle assembly having a cable coupler means slidably journalled within the housing, an operating cable extending between the cable coupler means and a release lever of a hood latch mechanism for transmitting retraction movement of the handle assembly to the release lever to unlatch the hood latch mechanism, a slide plunger slidably mounted in the cable coupler means, a locking cable coupled to the slide plunger, pawl means latching the slide plunger to the handle assembly to transmit movement of the latter to the locking cable upon the handle assembly being operated to unlatch the latch mechanism, and a locking means, the locking cable extending from the slide plunger to the locking means, the locking means being operable to immobilize the locking cable to prevent movemeNt of the handle assembly in latch mechanism unlatching direction, and disabling means rendering the handle assembly inoperative to move in latch mechanism unlatching direction upon the locking cable being severed between the slide plunger and the locking means.

Claim 8

A remote control latch release mechanism comprising: a housing mounted within a vehicle passenger compartment, a handle assembly having a cable coupler means slidably journalled within the housing, an operating cable extending between the cable coupler means and a release lever of a hood latch mechanism for transmitting retraction movement of the handle assembly to the release lever to unlatch the hood latch mechanism, a slide plunger slidably mounted in the cable coupler means, a locking cable coupled to the slide plunger, pawl means latching the slide plunger to the handle assembly to transmit movement of the latter to the locking cable upon the handle assembly being operated to unlatch the latch mechanism, and a locking means, the locking cable extending from the slide plunger to the locking means, the locking means being operable to immobilize the locking cable to prevent movemeNt of the handle assembly in latch mechanism unlatching direction, and disabling means rendering the handle assembly inoperative to move in latch mechanism unlatching direction upon the locking cable being severed between the slide plunger and the locking means.

Claim 9

A remote control latch release mechanism according to claim 6 in which: the locking means comprises a guide means mounted on a vehicle steering column, an abutment means on the locking cable within the guide means, a blocking means slidably guided within the guide means for movement into and out of abutting relation to the abutment means, and a key-operated means operable to shift the blocking means into abutting relation to the abutment means thereby to immobilize the locking cable.

Claim 10

A remote control latch release mechanism according to claim 7, in which: the blocking means is an ignition switch activation rod extending longitudinally of the steering column, the rod having an abutment engaging portion positioned to engage the abutment means in at least ignition locked position of the ignition switch.

Claim 11

A remote control latch mechanism according to claim 8, in which: the disabling means comprises the slide plunger and a spring means operable to retract the slide plunger in a locking cable retracting direction, and coacting cam means on the slide plunger and pawl means wedging the pawl means into abutting relation to an abutment on the housing upon retracting movement of the slide plunger, the pawl means when engaged with the housing abutment preventing movement of the handle assembly in latch mechanism unlatching direction.

Claim 12

A remote control latch mechanism according to claim 9, in which: the slide plunger when fully retracted engages an abutment in the coupler means preventing movement of the slide plunger in non-retracted direction and thereby locking the pawl means against movement out of engagement with the housing abutment.

Claim 13

A remote control latch mechanism according to claim 6, in which: the disabling means comprises the slide plunger and a spring means operable to retract the slide plunger in a locking cable retracting direction, and coacting cam means on the slide plunger and pawl means wedging the pawl means into abutting relation to an abutment on the housing upon retracting movement of the slide plunger, the pawl means when engaged with the housing abutment preventing movement of the handle assembly in latch mechanism unlatching direction.

Claim 14

A remote control latch mechanism according to claim 11, in which: the slide plunger when fully retracted engages an abutment in the coupler means preventing movement of the slide plunger in non-retracted direction and thereby locking the pawl means against movement out of engagement with the housing abutment.