Latch assembly for a vehicle door
US8056944B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 2003 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 21, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T292/1092
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An improved latch assembly (14) is provided for securing a vehicle door (12) in a closed position. Specifically, in one embodiment, the improved latch assembly (14) is intended to secure a first door fastener (16) to an opposing second door fastener (18) when the vehicle door (12) is subjected to a substantial acceleration. In this embodiment, the improved latch assembly (14) includes a release lever (26) coupled to the first door fastener (16). This release lever (26) is intended to selectively disengage the first door fastener (16) from the opposing second door fastener (18) thereby releasing the vehicle door (12) from its closed position. The Improved latch assembly (14) further includes an inertia-actuated detent lever (38) that is intended to block a predetermined path of the release lever (26) and prevent the release lever (26) from unlatching the vehicle door (12) from its closed position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.