Modular vehicle door lock and latch system and method

• US 20030177796A1
• Filed: 01/28/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
• Original Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
• Inventors: Dimig, Steven J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,843,085 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/237
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/0004 Lock assembling or manufacturing making locksmith's goods of sheet metal B21D53/38; assembling in general B23P21/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 79/06 Mounting of handles, e.g. to the wing or to the lock
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 79/20 using flexible connections, e.g. Bowden cables
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/08 using electromagnets or solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/36 Locks for passenger or like doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/12 Inner door handles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/13 with a locking knob forming part of the inside door handle unit
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/18 a longitudinal grip part being pivoted about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the grip part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/23 Vehicle door latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/57 Operators with knobs or handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5761 Retractable or flush handle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5889 For automotive vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]

Abstract

A locking and latching system of modular construction in which some of the components of the system are pre-assembled prior to their installation into the structural framework of a vehicle door. The modular construction of the lock and latch system of the present invention can include the outside and inside door handles, the outside and inside locks, the door latch itself, as well as linkages between these components. The modular components of the present invention can further facilitate the assembly process by being of a design which simplifies the process of installing them into the structural framework of a vehicle door without requiring the use of specialized tools, thereby reducing the labor costs associated with assembly.

Claims

1. A door latch assembly for installation on a door of a vehicle, the door having an interior side, an exterior side, and an aperture communicating between the interior and exterior sides, the door latch assembly comprising:

a latch securable to the door on the interior side and actuable between a plurality of positions;

a linkage securable to the door, the linkage being operably coupled to the latch and accessible from the exterior side of the door through the aperture; and

a user manipulatable control insertable at least partially through the aperture from the exterior side to couple to the linkage, the user manipulatable control being operable to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between the plurality of positions.

2. The door latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the user manipulatable control includes an outside door handle, and wherein the plurality of positions includes an open position and a closed position.

3. The door latch assembly of claim 2, further comprising a cable connected between the linkage and the latch, wherein the outside door handle includes a projection, and wherein the linkage includes a cable actuator coupled between the cable and the projection, the outside door handle being operable to actuate the latch through the projection, cable actuator, and cable.

4. The door latch assembly of claim 2, wherein the outside door handle is a self-docking type outside door handle.

5. The door latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a housing coupled to the linkage and the door, wherein the linkage is coupled to the door through the housing.

6. The door latch assembly of claim 5, wherein the housing is at least partially positioned within the aperture.

7. The door latch assembly of claim 6, wherein the housing includes a recess receiving at least a portion of the door surrounding the aperture.

8. The door latch assembly of claim 5, wherein the user manipulatable control includes an outside door lock, and wherein the plurality of positions includes a locked position and an unlocked position.

9. The door latch assembly of claim 8, wherein the outside door lock is operable to selectively actuate the latch by turning a key inserted into the outside door lock.

10. The door latch assembly of claim 8, wherein:

the housing includes a cylindrical opening; and

the outside door lock is received within the cylindrical opening of the housing.

11. The door latch assembly of claim 10, wherein the outside door lock includes a projection that is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, the projection being moved to the extended position after the outside door lock is received within the cylindrical opening of the housing to maintain the outside door lock within the cylindrical opening.

12. The door latch assembly of claim 10, wherein the outside door lock includes a central axis and a pin rotatable about the central axis, the pin being coupled to the linkage.

13. The door latch assembly of claim 12, further comprising a cable connected between the linkage and the latch, wherein the linkage includes a cable actuator coupled between the cable and the pin such that the outside door lock is operable to actuate the latch through the pin, cable actuator, and cable.

14. The door latch assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the user manipulatable control includes an outside door handle and an outside door lock; and

the plurality of positions includes an open position, a closed position, a locked position, and an unlocked position.

15. The door latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising an inside door handle operatively coupled to the latch and operable to selectively actuate the latch, wherein the plurality of positions includes an open position and a closed position.

16. The door latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising an inside door lock operatively coupled to the latch and operative to selectively actuate the latch, wherein the plurality of positions includes a locked position and an unlocked position.

17. The door latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cable connected between the linkage and the latch, the user manipulatable control being operable to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage and cable.

18. A method of installing a door latch assembly to a door of a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a latch that is actuable between a plurality of positions;

operably coupling a linkage to the latch;

securing the latch to the door on an interior side of the door;

securing the linkage to the door such that the linkage is accessible from an exterior side of the door through an aperture in the door;

inserting a user manipulatable control at least partially through the aperture from the exterior side;

coupling the user manipulatable control to the linkage; and

operating the user manipulatable control to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between the plurality of positions.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:

inserting a user manipulatable control includes inserting an outside door handle at least partially through the aperture from the exterior side of the door;

coupling the user manipulatable control includes coupling the outside door handle to the linkage; and

operating the user manipulatable control includes operating the outside door handle to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between open and closed positions.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein:

operably coupling a linkage to the latch includes operably coupling the linkage to the latch with a cable;

coupling the outside door handle to the linkage includes coupling a projection of the outside door handle to a cable actuator of the linkage; and

operating the outside door handle includes operating the outside door handle to selectively actuate the latch through the projection, cable actuator, and cable between the open and closed positions.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising docking the outside door handle to the door and within the aperture by operating the outside door handle.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein securing the linkage to the door includes securing the linkage to the door through a housing such that the linkage is accessible from the exterior side of the door through the aperture in the door.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein securing the linkage to the door through the housing includes securing the linkage to the door through the housing such that the housing is at least partially positioned within the aperture.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein securing the linkage to the door through the housing includes inserting at least a portion of the door surrounding the aperture into a recess of the housing.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein:

inserting a user manipulatable control includes inserting a outside door lock at least partially into the aperture from the exterior side of the door;

coupling the user manipulatable control includes coupling the outside door lock to the linkage; and

operating the user manipulatable control includes operating the outside door lock to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between locked and unlocked positions.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein operating the outside door lock includes turning a key inserted into the outside door lock to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between the locked and unlocked positions.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein coupling the outside door lock to the linkage includes positioning the outside door lock within a cylindrical opening of the housing.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein:

positioning the outside door lock within a cylindrical opening of the housing includes moving a projection of the outside door lock from a retracted position to an extended position after the outside door lock is positioned within the cylindrical opening of the housing, the method further comprising maintaining the outside door lock within the cylindrical opening with the extended projection.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein coupling the outside door lock to the linkage includes coupling a rotatable pin of the outside door lock to the linkage.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein:

operably coupling a linkage to the latch includes operably coupling the linkage to the latch with a cable;

coupling the rotatable pin of the outside door lock to the linkage includes coupling the pin to a cable actuator of the linkage; and

operating the outside door lock includes operating the outside door lock to selectively actuate the latch through the pin, cable actuator, and cable between the locked and unlocked positions.

31. The method of claim 18, wherein:

inserting a user manipulatable control includes inserting an outside door handle and an outside door lock at least partially through the aperture from the exterior side;

coupling the user manipulatable control includes coupling the outside door handle and the outside door lock to the linkage; and

operating the user manipulatable control includes operating the outside door handle and outside door lock to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between open, closed, locked, and unlocked positions.

32. The method of claim 18, further comprising operatively coupling an inside door handle to the latch, and operating the inside door handle to selectively actuate the latch between open and closed positions.

33. The method of claim 18, further comprising operatively coupling an inside door lock to the latch, and operating the inside door lock to selectively actuate the latch between locked and unlocked positions.

34. The method of claim 18, wherein operably coupling a linkage to the latch includes operably coupling the linkage to the latch with a cable.

35. A door latch system for installation on a door of a vehicle, the door having an aperture in communication between interior and exterior sides of the door, the door latch system comprising:

a first module for installation on the door from the interior side of the door, the first module including,

a latch connectable to the interior side of the door, the latch actuable between a plurality of positions, and

a linkage operably connected to the latch and actuable to actuate the latch, the linkage being connectable to the interior side of the door to be accessible from the exterior side of the door through the aperture; and

a second module for installation on the door from the exterior side of the door, the second module including,

a user operable control at least partially insertable into the aperture from the exterior side to couple with the linkage, the user operable control being operable to actuate the linkage to actuate the latch between the plurality of positions.

36. The door latch system of claim 35, wherein the user operable control includes an outside door handle, and wherein the plurality of positions includes an open position and a closed position.

37. The door latch system of claim 36, further comprising a cable connected between the linkage and the latch, wherein the door handle includes a projection, and wherein the linkage includes a cable actuator coupled between the cable and the projection, the door handle being operable to actuate the latch between open and closed positions via the projection, the cable actuator, and the cable.

38. The door latch system of claim 36, wherein the outside door handle is a self-docking type outside door handle.

39. The door latch system of claim 35, further comprising a housing coupled to the linkage and the door, wherein the linkage is coupled to the door through the housing.

40. The door latch system of claim 39, wherein the housing is at least partially positioned within the aperture.

41. The door latch system of claim 40, wherein the housing includes a contoured recess receiving at least a portion of the door defining the aperture.

42. The door latch system of claim 39, wherein the user operable control includes an outside door lock, and wherein the plurality of positions includes a locked position and an unlocked position.

43. The door latch system of claim 42, wherein the outside door lock is operable to selectively actuate the latch by turning a key inserted into the outside door lock.

44. The door latch system of claim 42, wherein:

the housing includes a cylindrical opening; and

the outside door lock is received within the cylindrical opening of the housing.

45. The door latch system of claim 44, wherein the outside door lock includes a projection that is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, the projection being moved to the extended position after the outside door lock is received within the cylindrical opening of the housing to maintain the outside door lock within the cylindrical opening.

46. The door latch system of claim 44, wherein the outside door lock includes a central axis and a pin rotatable about the central axis, the pin being coupled to the linkage.

47. The door latch system of claim 46, further comprising a cable connected between the linkage and the latch, wherein the linkage includes a cable actuator coupled between the pin and the cable such that the outside door lock is operable to actuate the latch between the locked and unlocked positions via the cable actuator and the cable.

48. The door latch system of claim 35, wherein:

the user operable control includes an outside door handle and an outside door lock; and

the plurality of positions includes an open position, a closed position, a locked position, and an unlocked position.

49. The door latch system of claim 35, wherein:

the first module includes an inside door handle operatively coupled to the latch and operable to selectively actuate the latch; and

the plurality of positions includes an open position and a closed position.

50. The door latch system of claim 35, wherein:

the first module includes an inside door lock operatively coupled to the latch and operative to selectively actuate the latch; and

the plurality of positions includes a locked position and an unlocked position.

51. The door latch system of claim 35, further comprising a cable connected between the linkage and the latch, the user operable control being operable to selectively actuate the latch between the plurality of positions via the linkage and the cable.

52. A method for installing a door latch system on a door of a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a first module including a latch actuable between a plurality of positions, and a linkage operably connected to the latch and actuable to actuate the latch;

installing the first module to the door from the interior side of the door;

providing a second module including a user operable control;

installing the second module to the door from the exterior side of the door;

coupling the user operable control with the linkage;

operating the user operable control;

actuating the linkage with the user operable control; and

actuating the latch with the linkage between the plurality of positions.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein installing the first module includes connecting the latch to an interior side of the door, and connecting the linkage to the interior side of the door such that the linkage is accessible from the exterior side of the door through an aperture in the door, and wherein installing the second module includes at least partially inserting the user operable control through the aperture from the exterior side.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein:

at least partially inserting the user operable control includes at least partially inserting an outside door handle through the aperture from the exterior side;

coupling the user operable control includes coupling the outside door handle to the linkage; and

operating the user operable control includes operating the outside door handle.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein:

providing a first module includes providing a cable operably coupled between the linkage to the latch;

coupling the outside door handle to the linkage includes coupling a projection of the outside door handle to a cable actuator of the linkage;

operating the outside door handle includes operating the outside door handle and projection; and

actuating the linkage includes actuating the cable actuator with the projection;

the method further comprising actuating the cable with the cable actuator, wherein actuating the latch includes actuating the latch with the cable between open and closed positions.

56. The method of claim 54, further comprising docking the door handle to the door and within the aperture by actuating the outside door handle.

57. The method of claim 53, wherein connecting the linkage to the interior side of the door includes connecting the linkage to the interior side of the door through a housing such that the linkage is accessible from the exterior side of the door through the aperture.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein connecting the linkage to the interior side of the door through a housing includes connecting the linkage to the interior side of the door through a housing such that the housing is at least partially positioned within the aperture.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein connecting the linkage to the interior side of the door through a housing includes receiving at least a portion of the door defining the aperture into a recess of the housing.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein:

at least partially inserting the user operable control includes at least partially inserting a outside door lock through the aperture from the exterior side;

coupling the user operable control includes coupling the outside door lock with the linkage;

operating the user operable control includes operating the outside door lock; and

actuating the linkage includes actuating the linkage with the outside door lock.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein operating the outside door lock includes turning a key inserted into the outside door lock.

62. The method of claim 60, wherein coupling the outside door lock with the linkage includes positioning the outside door lock within a cylindrical opening of the housing.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein positioning the outside door lock within a cylindrical opening of the housing includes moving a projection of the outside door lock from a retracted position to an extended position after the outside door lock is positioned within the cylindrical opening of the housing.

64. The method of claim 62, wherein coupling the outside door lock to the linkage includes coupling a rotatable pin of the outside door lock to the linkage.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein:

providing a first module includes providing a cable operably coupled between the linkage and the latch;

coupling the rotatable pin of the outside door lock to the linkage includes coupling the pin to a cable actuator of the linkage;

operating the outside door lock includes operating the outside door lock and pin; and

actuating the linkage includes actuating the cable actuator with the pin;

the method further comprises actuating the cable with the cable actuator, wherein actuating the latch includes actuating the latch with the cable between locked and unlocked positions.

66. The method of claim 53, wherein:

at least partially inserting a user operable control includes at least partially inserting an outside door handle and an outside door lock through the aperture from the exterior side;

coupling the user operable control includes coupling the outside door handle and the outside door lock with the linkage; and

operating the user operable control includes operating the outside door handle and outside door lock.

67. The method of claim 52, wherein providing a first module includes providing an inside door handle operably coupled to the latch, the method further comprising operating the inside door handle and actuating the latch with the inside door handle between open and closed positions.

68. The method of claim 52, wherein providing a first module includes providing an inside door lock operably coupled to the latch, the method further comprising operating the inside door lock and actuating the latch with the inside door lock between locked and unlocked positions.

69. The method of claim 52, wherein providing a first module includes providing a cable operably coupled between the linkage and the latch.

70. A door latch assembly for installation on a door of a vehicle, the door having an outer panel, an inner panel connected to the outer panel and defining a door cavity, the door latch assembly comprising:

a latch securable to the door within the cavity, the latch being actuable between a plurality of positions;

a linkage positionable within the cavity and accessible from an interior side of the inner panel, the linkage operably coupled to the latch; and

a user manipulatable control connectable to the interior panel from the interior side of the inner panel to couple to the linkage from the interior side, the user manipulatable control being operable to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between the plurality of positions.

71. The door latch assembly of claim 70, wherein:

the inner panel includes a aperture in communication between the cavity and the interior side; and

the linkage is accessible through the aperture from the interior side, the user manipulatable control being at least partially insertable through the aperture from the interior side to couple with the linkage from the interior side.

72. The door latch assembly of claim 70, wherein:

the user manipulatable control includes an inside door handle; and

the plurality of positions includes an open position and a closed position.

73. The door latch assembly of claim 72, wherein:

the linkage includes a cable; and

the inside door handle includes a cable actuator coupled to the cable from the interior side, the inside door handle being operable to actuate the latch through the cable actuator and cable between open and closed positions.

74. The door latch assembly of claim 70, wherein:

the user manipulatable control includes an inside door handle and an inside door lock; and

the plurality of positions includes an open position, a closed position, a locked position, and an unlocked position.

75. The door latch assembly of claim 74, wherein:

the linkage includes a first cable and a second cable;

the inside door handle includes a first cable actuator coupled to the first cable from the interior side; and

the inside door lock includes a second cable actuator coupled to the second cable from the interior side, the inside door handle being operable to actuate the latch through the first cable actuator and the first cable between open and closed positions, and the inside door lock being operable to actuate the latch through the second cable actuator and the second cable between locked and unlocked positions.

76. The door latch assembly of claim 70, wherein the linkage includes a cable.

77. A method of installing a door latch assembly to a door of a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a latch that is actuable between a plurality of positions;

operably coupling a linkage to the latch;

securing the latch to the door within a door cavity defined by inner and outer panels;

positioning the linkage within the cavity such that the linkage is accessible from an interior side of the inner panel;

connecting a user manipulatable control to the inner panel from the interior side;

coupling the user manipulatable control to the linkage from the interior side; and

operating the user manipulatable control to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between the plurality of positions.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein positioning the linkage includes positioning the linkage such that the linkage is accessible through an aperture in the inner panel from the interior side, the method further comprising at least partially inserting the user manipulatable control through the aperture from the interior side.

79. The method of claim 77, wherein:

connecting a user manipulatable control includes connecting an inside door handle to the inner panel from the interior side;

coupling the user manipulatable control includes coupling the inside door handle to the linkage from the interior side; and

operating the user manipulatable control includes operating the inside door handle to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between open and closed positions.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein:

operably coupling a linkage to the latch includes operably coupling a cable to the latch;

coupling the inside door handle includes coupling a cable actuator of the inside door handle to the cable from the interior side; and

operating the inside door handle includes operating the inside door handle to selectively actuate the latch through the cable actuator and cable between the open and closed positions.

81. The method of claim 77, wherein:

connecting a user manipulatable control includes connecting an inside door handle and an inside door lock to the inner panel from the interior side;

coupling the user manipulatable control includes coupling the inside door handle and the inside door lock to the linkage from the interior side; and

operating the user manipulatable control includes operating the inside door handle and inside door handle to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between open, closed, locked, and unlocked positions.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein:

operably coupling a linkage to the latch includes operably coupling a first cable and a second cable to the latch;

coupling the inside door handle and inside door lock includes coupling a first cable actuator of the inside door handle to the first cable from the interior side and coupling a second cable actuator of the inside door lock to the second cable from the interior side;

operating the inside door handle includes operating the inside door handle to selectively actuate the latch through the first cable actuator and first cable between the open and closed positions and operating the inside door lock to selectively actuate the latch through the second cable actuator and second cable between the locked and unlocked positions.

83. The door latch assembly of claim 77, wherein operably coupling a linkage to the latch includes operably coupling a cable to the latch.

84. A door latch assembly for installation on a door of a vehicle, the door having an interior side, an exterior side, and an aperture communicating between the interior and exterior sides, the door latch assembly comprising:

a latch securable to the door on the interior side and actuable between a plurality of positions;

a linkage operably coupled to the latch; and

a bracket coupled between the latch and the linkage to position the linkage relative to the latch such that the linkage is accessible from the exterior side through the aperture when the latch is secured to the door.

85. The door latch assembly of claim 84, further comprising a user manipulatable control insertable at least partially through the aperture from the exterior side to couple to the linkage, the user manipulatable control being operable to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage.

86. The door latch assembly of claim 85, wherein:

the user manipulatable control includes an outside door handle; and

the plurality of positions includes an open position and a closed position.

87. The door latch assembly of claim 85, wherein:

the user manipulatable control includes an outside door lock; and

the plurality of positions includes a locked position and an unlocked position.

88. The door latch assembly of claim 85, wherein:

the user manipulatable control includes an outside door handle and an outside door lock; and

the plurality of positions includes an open position, a closed position, a locked position, and an unlocked position.

89. The door latch assembly of claim 84, wherein the bracket is flexible.

90. The door latch assembly of claim 84, further comprising:

an inside door handle operably coupled to the latch; and

an additional bracket coupled between the inside door handle and the latch to position the inside door handle relative to the latch.

91. The door latch assembly of claim 84, further comprising:

an inside door lock operatively coupled to the latch; and

an additional bracket coupled between the inside door lock and the latch to position the inside door lock relative to the latch.

92. The door latch assembly of claim 84, further comprising a cable connected between the linkage and the latch.

93. The door latch assembly of claim 84 wherein the linkage is coupled to the door.

94. A method for installing a door latch assembly on a door of a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a latch that is securable to the door on an interior side of the door and actuable between a plurality of positions;

operably coupling a linkage to the latch;

coupling a bracket between the latch and the linkage;

securing the latch to the door;

positioning the linkage relative to the latch with the bracket such that the linkage is accessible from an exterior side of the door through an aperture in the door.

95. The method of claim 94, further comprising:

at least partially inserting a user manipulatable control through the aperture from the exterior side of the door;

coupling the user manipulatable control to the linkage; and

operating the user manipulatable control to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between the plurality of positions.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein:

at least partially inserting a user manipulatable control includes at least partially inserting an outside door handle into the aperture from the exterior side of the door;

coupling the user manipulatable control includes coupling the outside door handle to the linkage; and

operating the user manipulatable control includes operating the outside door handle to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between open and closed positions.

97. The method of claim 95, wherein:

at least partially inserting a user manipulatable control includes at least partially inserting an outside door lock through the aperture from the exterior side of the door;

coupling the user manipulatable control includes coupling the outside door lock to the linkage; and

operating the user manipulatable control includes operating the outside door lock to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between locked and unlocked positions.

98. The method of claim 95, wherein:

at least partially inserting a user manipulatable control includes at least partially inserting an outside door lock and an outside door handle through the aperture from the exterior side of the door;

coupling the user manipulatable control includes coupling the outside door lock and the outside door handle to the linkage; and

operating the user manipulatable control includes operating the outside door lock and outside door handle to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between locked, unlocked, open, and closed positions.

99. The method of claim 94, further comprising flexing the bracket.

100. The method of claim 94, further comprising:

operably coupling an inside door handle to the latch;

coupling an additional bracket between the inside door handle and the latch; and

positioning the inside door handle relative to the latch with the additional bracket.

101. The method of claim 94, further comprising:

operably coupling an inside door lock to the latch;

coupling an additional bracket between the inside door lock and the latch; and

positioning the inside door lock relative to the latch with the additional bracket.

102. The method of claim 94, wherein operably coupling a linkage to the latch includes operably coupling the linkage to the latch with a cable.

103. The method of claim 94, further comprising coupling the linkage to the interior side of the door.

104. A door latch assembly for installation on a door of a vehicle, the door having an interior side, an exterior side, and an aperture communicating between the interior and exterior sides, the door latch assembly comprising:

a housing securable to the door and accessible from the exterior side through the aperture; and

an outside door lock at least partially received within the housing through the aperture from the exterior side, the outside door lock having first and second states, the outside door lock being freely removable from the housing in the first state and the outside door lock being resistant to removal from the housing in the second state.

105. The door latch assembly of claim 104, wherein the housing is at least partially positioned within the aperture.

106. The door latch assembly of claim 105, wherein the housing includes a recess receiving at least a portion of the door defining the aperture.

107. The door latch assembly of claim 104, further comprising:

a latch securable to the door on the interior side and actuable between locked and unlocked positions, wherein;

the housing includes a linkage operably coupled to the latch;

the outside door lock couples to the linkage when the outside door lock is partially received within the housing; and

the outside door lock is operable to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between the locked and unlocked positions.

108. The door latch assembly of claim 107, wherein the outside door lock is operable to selectively actuate the latch by turning a key inserted into the outside door lock.

109. The door latch assembly of claim 107, wherein the outside door lock includes a central axis and a pin positioned a distance away from and rotatable about the central axis, the pin being coupled to the linkage.

110. The door latch assembly of claim 109, further comprising a cable connected between the linkage and the latch, wherein the linkage includes a cable actuator coupled between the pin and the cable such that the outside door lock is operable to actuate the latch through the pin, cable actuator, and cable between the locked and unlocked positions.

111. The door latch assembly of claim 104, wherein:

the housing includes a cylindrical opening; and

the outside door lock is received within the cylindrical opening of the housing.

112. The door latch assembly of claim 104, wherein the outside door lock includes a projection, the projection being retracted in the first state and extended in the second state.

113. The door latch assembly of claim 112, wherein the projection is biased toward an extended position.

114. A method for assembling a door latch assembly on a door of a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing an outside door lock having first and second states;

securing a housing to an interior side of the door such that the housing is accessible from an exterior side of the door through an aperture in the door;

at least partially inserting the outside door lock within the housing through the aperture from the exterior side while the outside door lock is in the first state,

changing the outside door lock from the first state to the second state after the outside door lock is at least partially inserted into the housing; and

resisting removal of the outside door lock from the housing while the outside door lock is in the second state.

115. The method of claim 114, wherein securing a housing includes at least partially positioning the housing within the aperture.

116. The method of claim 115, wherein securing a housing includes receiving a portion of the door defining the aperture within a recess on the housing.

117. The method of claim 114, further comprising:

providing a latch actuable between locked and unlocked positions;

securing the latch to the door on the interior side of the door;

operably coupling a linkage to the housing;

operably coupling the linkage to the latch;

coupling the outside door lock to the linkage when the outside door lock is partially received within the housing; and

operating the outside door lock to selectively actuate the latch through the linkage between the locked and unlocked positions.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein operating the outside door lock includes turning a key inserted into the outside door lock.

119. The method of claim 117, wherein providing an outside door lock includes providing an outside door lock having a central axis and a pin positioned a distance away from and rotatable about the central axis, the method further comprising coupling the pin to the linkage when the outside door lock is partially received within the housing.

120. The method of claim 119, wherein:

operatively coupling the linkage to the latch includes operatively coupling a cable actuator of the linkage to the latch with a cable; and

operating the outside door lock includes operating the outside door lock to selectively actuate the latch through the pin, cable actuator, and cable between the locked and unlocked positions.

121. The method of claim 114, wherein:

at least partially inserting the outside door lock includes at least partially inserting the outside door lock within a cylindrical opening of the housing through the aperture from the exterior side while the outside door lock is in the first state;

changing the outside door lock includes changing the outside door lock from the first state to the second state after the outside door lock is at least partially inserted into the cylindrical opening; and

resisting removal of the outside door lock includes resisting removal of the outside door lock from the cylindrical opening while the outside door lock is in the second state.

122. The method of claim 114, wherein:

providing an outside door lock includes providing an outside door lock having a projection that is retracted in the first state and extended in the second state;

at least partially inserting the outside door lock includes at least partially inserting the outside door lock within the housing through the aperture from the exterior side of the door while the projection is retracted;

changing the outside door lock includes extending the projection after the outside door lock is at least partially inserted into the housing; and

resisting removal of the outside door lock includes resisting removal of the outside door lock from the housing while the projection is extended.

123. The method of claim 122, further comprising biasing the projection toward the extended position.