# US 11,110,840 B1 · Latching device for motor vehicle applications > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,110,840 B1 - Document ID: US11110840B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/860,622 - Filed: 2020-04-28 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-28 - Assignees: Kiekert AG - Applicants: Kiekert AG - Inventors: Robert J. Hunt; Robert S. Pettengill - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11110840B1 ## CPC - B60N 2/366: {characterised by the locking device} - B60N 2/933: {rotatable} - B60N 2/2245: {provided with a lock mechanism on the upper part of the back-rest} - B60N 2/938: {and provided with braking systems} - B60N 2002/952: {characterised by details of the locking system} - B60N 2002/971: {the locking system being an element distinct from articulation means, retaining the seat or seat part in its folded position, e.g. controlled by a wire} - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A latching device for motor vehicle applications, in particular to a multi-position backrest latch for locking and unlocking seat backrests in motor vehicles. The basic structure of the device has a locking mechanism substantially consisting of a catch and pawls, and also has a locking pin that interacts with the locking mechanism, and a cam element, which acts upon the locking pin in the direction of an open position. According to the invention, the cam element acts on a blocking element which engages over the locking pin. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A latching device for motor vehicle applications the latching device comprising: a locking mechanism having a catch and pawl, a locking pin that interacts with the locking mechanism, and a cam element which acts upon the locking mechanism in a direction of an open position, and a blocking element, wherein the cam element acts on the blocking element which engages over the locking pin; wherein the cam element is rotatably connected to the blocking element on a head side of the blocking element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The latching device according to claim 1, wherein the cam element comprises a control link. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The latching device according to claim 1 further comprising a stationary control curve that interacts with the cam element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The latching device according to claim 3, wherein the stationary control curve is formed on a latch case. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The latching device according to claim 3, wherein the stationary control curve has a contour that is configured to be closer to a pivot axis of the cam element when the blocking element rotates away from the locking pin. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The latching device according to claim 1, wherein the blocking element is formed as an L-shaped or F-shaped blocking lever. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The latching device according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is a multi-position locking mechanism comprising a comfort pawl that secures the catch and a blocking pawl that interacts with the comfort pawl. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The latching device according to claim 7 further comprising a latch case, wherein the catch, the comfort pawl, and the blocking pawl are mounted on the latch case. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The latching device according to claim 8, wherein the latch case has an inlet opening that receives the locking pin to latch the locking mechanism. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The latching device according to claim 3, wherein the head side of the blocking element is at an end of the blocking element that is remote from an axis of rotation of the blocking element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The latching device according to claim 1, wherein the latching device is arranged in a backrest latch and the locking pin has at least two locking pin engagement positions in which the locking pin is fastened in an insertion slot of the catch. ### Claim 12 A latching device for motor vehicle applications comprising comprising: a locking mechanism having a catch and pawl, a locking pin that interacts with the locking mechanism, and a cam element which acts upon the locking mechanism in a direction of an open position, and a blocking element, wherein the cam element acts on the blocking element which engages over the locking pin, wherein the cam element comprises a control link, and wherein the control link engages in an elongated hole in the blocking element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The latching device according to claim 12, wherein the cam element is mounted on the blocking element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The latching device according to claim 12, wherein the control link rests on a spring. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The latching device according to claim 14, wherein the spring acts on both the control link and the blocking element through the elongated hole. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The latching device according to claim 15, wherein the blocking element is simultaneously pushed into engagement with the locking pin when the control link is constrained in the elongated slot of the blocking element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The latching device according to claim 14, wherein the spring is a leg spring having a leg base that surrounds an axis of the blocking element. ### Claim 18 A latching device for motor vehicle applications comprising comprising: a locking mechanism having a catch and pawl, a locking pin that interacts with the locking mechanism, and a cam element which acts upon the locking mechanism in a direction of an open position, and a blocking element, wherein the cam element acts on the blocking element which engages over the locking pin, wherein the cam element comprises a control link, and wherein the control link is an elongated component having a first end connected to the cam and an opposite end that engages in an elongated hole formed in the blocking element. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The latching device according to claim 18, wherein the opposite end of the control link is movable along the elongated hole.