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Hood latch mechanism

  • US 4,875,724 A
  • Filed: 10/26/1987
  • Issued: 10/24/1989
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1986
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A latch mechanism comprising a mounting plate carrying a slot having a mouth, a pivotably-biased pawl mechanism comprising a top arm and bottom arm and centrally disposed detent, a ratchet mechanism biased for rotation carrying a notch having a mouth, a detent on one side of the notch for engaging the detent of the pawl mechanism for precluding the rotation of the ratchet mechanism, the mouth of the notch of the ratchet mechanism for aligning with the mouth of the slot for both receiving a striker, and stop means to stop the rotation of the ratchet mechanism when the mouth of the notch is aligned with the mouth of the slot to prevent over-rotation of the ratchet mechanism, the ratchet mechanism arranged for guiding the striker to proximate the bottom of the slot so that the detent of the pawl engages the detent of the ratchet mechanism precluding the ratchet mechanism from rotating to release the striker, the arm on the top of the pawl mechanism normally positioned over the slot and being precluded from movement away from the slot unless the mouth of the notch and mouth of the slot are both directed towards the top arm and whereby if the mouths of the notch and slot are not aligned but the striker is proximate the mouths of the notch and slot and the ratchet mechanism has not engaged the stop means but is proximate thereto, movement of the pawl mechanism away from the ratchet mechanism causes the portion of the ratchet mechanism remote the notch to be engaged by the bottom arm of the pawl mechanism and align the mouth of the notch with the mouth of the slot, and when aligned, a clearance is provided between the bottom arm and portion of the ratchet mechanism remote the notch to permit the top arm to be pivoted away from over the slot, and whereby when the arm on the top of the pawl mechanism is pivoted from over the slot and rotation is attempted of the ratchet mechanism, the ratchet mechanism attempts to cause the arm on top of the pawl mechanism to be pivoted to a position over the slot thereby preventing accidental release of the striker.

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