Apparatus for blocking the movement of an inertially activated component

A door latch mechanism for an automotive vehicle having a door movable between an opened position and a closed position, said door latch mechanism being selectively operable to secure said door in said closed position, comprising:

• a latch lever movable to effect a release of said door latch mechanism and allow said door to move from said closed position to said opened position;
• and
• a blocking apparatus cooperable with said latch lever to prevent movement of said latch lever during a crash event in which external crash forces are imposed on said vehicle, said blocking apparatus including:
• a housing;
• a plunger formed with a flange and supported in said housing for linear movement extending into said housing, said plunger being biased outwardly relative to said housing into engagement with said latch lever, said latch lever having a cam surface positioned for engagement with said plunger when moved in a first direction;
• and
• a bell-shaped inertial member pivotally supported for movement relative to said plunger between a normal position in which said plunger is free to move inwardly relative to said housing when engaged by said cam surface, and a blocking position in which said inertial member pivots into engagement with said plunger flange to prevent said inward movement of said plunger.

In an automobile having a frame on which is mounted at least one door movable between an opened position and a closed position, said door including a latching mechanism selectively operable to secure said at least one door in said closed position, said latching mechanism including a latch lever movable to actuate said latching mechanism to release said door from said closed position, the improvement comprising:

• said latch lever being formed with a cam surface;
• a plunger engaged with said latch lever such that the movement of said latch lever engages said plunger with said cam surface to cause said plunger to move inwardly with respect to a housing in which said plunger is mounted;
• and
• a blocking member having a cavity and being pivotally mounted in said housing, said plunger being located within said cavity and having a flange that is movable into and out of said cavity when said latch lever moves said plunger inwardly, pivotal movement of said blocking member being operable to engage said plunger flange with said blocking member to block the movement of said plunger flange into said cavity when said automobile incurs a crash event, said latch lever being unable to move to actuate said latching mechanism unless said plunger is free to retract into said cavity.