Latch mechanism for a vehicle
AssigneeStrattec Security Corporation
InventorsKurt Limberg, Michael Strole
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch mechanism for a vehicle includes a mounting bracket defining a slot configured to receive a striker of the vehicle. The latch mechanism also includes a catch pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket. The catch is pivotable between a first position in which the catch allows removal of the striker from the slot, a second position in which the catch secures the striker within the slot, and a third position in which the catch pivots past the second position. The latch mechanism further includes a dampener element operable to slow movement of the catch as the catch pivots from the second position to the third position.
Claims20
A latch mechanism for a vehicle, the latch mechanism comprising:
- a mounting bracket defining a slot configured to receive a striker of the vehicle;
- a catch pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket, the catch pivotable between a first position in which the catch allows removal of the striker from the slot, a second position in which the catch secures the striker within the slot, and a third position in which the catch pivots past the second position;
- and
- a dampener element operable to slow movement of the catch as the catch pivots from the second position to the third position.
A latch mechanism for a vehicle, the vehicle including a frame and a hood pivotally coupled to the frame, the latch mechanism comprising:
- a mounting bracket configured to mount to one of the frame and the hood, the mounting bracket defining a slot configured to receive a striker on the other of the frame and the hood;
- a catch pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket, the catch pivotable between a first position in which the catch allows removal of the striker from the slot, a second position in which the catch secures the striker within the slot, and a third position in which the catch pivots past the second position;
- and
- a dampener element mounted on the mounting bracket, the dampener element configured to engage at least one of the striker and the catch as the catch pivots from the second position to the third position.
A vehicle comprising:
- a frame;
- a hood pivotally coupled to the frame and including a striker;
- and
- a latch mechanism including
- a mounting bracket mounted to the frame, the mounting bracket defining a slot that receives the striker,
- a catch pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket, the catch pivotable between a first position in which the catch allows removal of the striker from the slot, a second position in which the catch secures the striker within the slot, and a third position in which the catch pivots past the second position,
- a biasing member coupled to the catch and the mounting bracket to bias the catch toward the first position, and
- a dampener element operable to dampen movement of the striker and the catch as the catch pivots from the second position to the third position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.