Powered latch mechanism with manual release
AssigneeStrattec Security Corporation
InventorsJoseph P. Fannon, Ian Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A powered latch includes a forkbolt pivotable about a first axis between a latched position for retaining a striker and an unlatched position for releasing the striker. A detent lever is pivotable about a second axis and engageable with the forkbolt to secure the forkbolt in the latched position. The latch further includes a powered actuator and a power release lever rotatable about a third axis by the powered actuator to release the detent lever from the forkbolt. The power release lever is manually movable along the third axis from a first position to a second position. Movement of the power release lever from the first position to the second position is operable to release the detent lever.
Claims17
A powered latch comprising:
- a forkbolt pivotable about a first axis between a latched position for retaining a striker and an unlatched position for releasing the striker;
- a detent lever pivotable about a second axis and engageable with the forkbolt to secure the forkbolt in the latched position;
- a powered actuator;
- and
- a power release lever rotatable about a third axis by the powered actuator to release the detent lever from engagement with the forkbolt, the power release lever further being manually movable from a first position along the third axis to a second position along the third axis,
- wherein the manual movement of the power release lever from the first position along the third axis to the second position along the third axis is operable to release the detent lever from engagement with the forkbolt.
A powered latch comprising:
- a forkbolt pivotable about a first axis between a latched position for retaining a striker and an unlatched position for releasing the striker;
- a detent lever pivotable about a second axis and engageable with the forkbolt to secure the forkbolt in the latched position;
- a power release lever;
- and
- a powered actuator operable to rotate the power release lever, through a coupling of the power release lever to the powered actuator, about a third axis for releasing the detent lever from engagement with the forkbolt,
- wherein the power release lever is manually movable from a first position along the third axis to a second position along the third axis defining a manual release position in which the power release lever is decoupled from the powered actuator, the movement to the manual release position simultaneously actuating the manual releasing of the detent lever from engagement with the forkbolt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.