Hood latch release handle

A mechanism configured to fasten a hood panel to a vehicle body for covering an under-hood compartment defined by the vehicle body, the mechanism comprising:

• a pivotable latch;
• and
• a first resilient element;
• wherein:
• the pivotable latch includes:
• a primary catch portion configured to facilitate closure of the under-hood compartment via the hood panel;
• a secondary catch portion configured to limit a position of the hood panel within a predetermined distance from the vehicle body and thereby generate an opening between the vehicle body and the hood panel;
• and
• a release handle portion configured to be shifted into the opening between the vehicle body and the hood panel to provide access to the release handle portion by an operator and facilitate a release of the secondary catch portion to uncover the under-hood compartment via the hood panel;
• and
• the first resilient element is configured to selectively preload the primary catch portion to facilitate closure of the under-hood compartment and preload the secondary catch portion to limit the position of the hood panel within the predetermined distance from the vehicle body.

A vehicle comprising:

• a vehicle body defining a compartment;
• a hood panel configured to cover the compartment and thereby define an under-hood compartment;
• and
• a mechanism configured to fasten the hood panel to the vehicle body such that the hood panel maintains closure of the compartment and having a pivotable latch, a first resilient element, and a striker;
• wherein:
• the pivotable latch includes:
• a primary catch portion configured to facilitate closure of the under-hood compartment via the hood panel;
• a secondary catch portion configured to limit a position of the hood panel within a predetermined distance from the vehicle body and thereby generate an opening between the vehicle body and the hood panel;
• and
• a release handle portion configured to be shifted into the opening between the vehicle body and the hood panel to provide access to the release handle portion by an operator and facilitate a release of the secondary catch portion to uncover the under-hood compartment via the hood panel;
• and
• the first resilient element is configured to selectively preload the primary catch portion to facilitate closure of the under-hood compartment and preload the secondary catch portion to limit the position of the hood panel within the predetermined distance from the vehicle body;
• the striker is configured to cooperate with the latch to selectively shift the release handle portion into the opening between the vehicle body and the hood panel;
• the latch includes a surface arranged between the primary and secondary catch portions and configured to guide the latch via contact with the striker to thereby position the release handle portion in the opening between the vehicle body and the hood panel;
• and
• the release handle portion is configured such that actuating the release handle portion shifts the secondary catch portion away from the striker.