LOCKING SYSTEM
A system and method for locking and unlocking separate access doors of a vehicle using a single movement, is disclosed. The locking system includes a sliding member, a primary rotating lever coupled to the sliding member, a secondary rotating lever operably connected to the primary rotating lever through a plurality of linkages, and at least two pivotal latches positioned at separate access areas of the vehicle and operably connected to the linkages, wherein a single movement of the sliding member rotates primary and secondary rotating levers to pivot the latches simultaneously between an engaged position and a disengaged position at the separate access areas.
1 . A locking system for a vehicle having separate access areas, the locking system comprising:
a sliding member;
a primary rotating lever coupled to the sliding member;
a secondary rotating lever operably connected to the primary rotating lever through a plurality of linkages; and,
at least two pivotal latches positioned at separate access areas of the vehicle and operably connected to the linkages, wherein a single movement of the sliding member rotates primary and secondary rotating levers to pivot the latches simultaneously between an engaged position and a disengaged position at the separate access areas.
2 . The locking system of claim 1 , wherein the slidable member is a handle.
3 . The locking system of claim 2 , wherein the handle is accessible from a single location.
4 . The locking system of claim 1 , wherein the system includes a plurality of secondary rotating levers.
5 . The locking system of claim 1 , wherein the access areas include a driver side door and a rear passenger door.
7 . A locking system for simultaneously locking and unlocking separate access doors of a vehicle, the lock system comprising:
a sliding member at a single location;
a primary rotating component coupled to the sliding member;
a secondary rotating component operably connected to the primary rotating component through a plurality of linkages; and,
a pivotal latch positioned at each separate access door of the vehicle, wherein a single movement of the sliding member rotates the primary and secondary rotating components through the linkages to pivot the separate latches simultaneously between a locked position and an unlocked position at the separate access doors.
8 . The locking system of claim 7 , wherein the primary rotating component includes a main lever.
9 . The locking system of claim 7 , wherein the secondary rotating components includes a plurality of secondary levers.
10 . A method for simultaneously locking and unlocking separate access doors on a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a sliding member at a single location;
coupling a primary rotating lever to the sliding member;
coupling a secondary rotating lever to the primary rotating lever through a series of linkages;
providing separate pivotal latches at separate access doors of the vehicle; and,
moving the sliding member laterally to rotate the primary and secondary rotating levers through the linkages pivoting the latches to simultaneously to lock and unlock the separate access doors.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the secondary rotating levers includes a plurality of rotating levers.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the method further includes the step of coupling the secondary rotating levers to the latches through a second set of linkages.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the method further includes the step of locking the primary rotating lever between an engaged position and a disengaged position using a biasing member.