Vehicle latch assembly
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsDaniel Trentin, Stewart Marrogi, Daniel Varricchio
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch assembly for a vehicle has a latch body configured to be assembled on one of a moveable part on the vehicle and a fixed part on the vehicle. A latch is coupled to one of the latch body and a vehicle body and has a claw configured to latch onto a striker on the other of the moveable part and the fixed part in a latched position. A load spring is coupled to the latch body and configured to compress with force applied to the striker in the latched position.
Claims17
A latch assembly for a vehicle, the latch assembly comprising:
- a latch body configured to be arranged on a moveable part of the vehicle;
- a latch coupled to the latch body and having a jaw configured to latch onto a striker, configured to be arranged on a fixed part of the vehicle, in a latched position;
- and
- a load spring coupled to the latch body and configured to compress with force applied to the load spring by the striker in the latched position of the jaw, wherein the load spring has a generally C-shape with first and second spring end portions connected to a rigid support and an arcuate portion between the first and second spring end portions that has a concave shape configured to engage the striker in the latched position.
-7. (Canceled)
The latch assembly of claim 7, wherein the rigid support comprises nylon.
A vehicle tailgate comprising:
- a tailgate latch assembly comprising:
- a latch body configured to be arranged on the vehicle tailgate;
- a latch coupled to the latch body and having a jaw configured to latch onto a striker, configured to be arranged on a fixed body part of the vehicle, in a latched position;
- and
- a load spring coupled to the latch body and configured to compress with force applied to the load spring by the striker in the latched position of the jaw, wherein the load spring has a generally C-shape with first and second spring end portions connected to a rigid support and an arcuate portion between the first and second spring end portions that has a concave shape configured to engage the striker in the latched position.
-14. (canceled)
The latch assembly of claim 14, wherein the rigid support comprises nylon.
A vehicle comprising:
- a body generally defining a bed having a floor and first and second lateral side walls;
- first and second strikers provided in the corresponding first and second lateral side walls at a rear end of the bed;
- a tailgate pivotally coupled to a rear end of the body and moveable between a vertical closed position, forming a rear wall of the bed, and a downward horizontal position;
- and
- first and second latch assemblies provided on opposite lateral sides of the tailgate, wherein each of the first and second latch assemblies comprising:
- a latch body configured to be assembled on the tailgate of the vehicle;
- a latch coupled to the latch body and having a jaw configured to latch onto a corresponding one of the first and second strikers in a latched position;
- and
- a load spring coupled to the latch body and configured to compress with force applied to the load spring by a corresponding one of the first and second strikers in the latched position of the corresponding jaw of the first and second latch assemblies, wherein the load spring has a generally C-shape with first and second spring end portions connected to a rigid support and an arcuate portion between the first and second spring end portions that has a concave shape configured to engage the striker in the latched position.
-20. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.