Latch apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method of operating a latch assembly, comprising:
- providing a ratchet having a latched position and an unlatched position;
actuating a control element to move the control element in a first path;
restraining the ratchet against release to the unlatched position during movement of the control element in the first path;
actuating a locking element to move a portion of the locking element from a position out of engagement with the control element to a position engaged with the control element while the control element is at least partially actuated; and
moving the control element via the locking element to a second path different from the first path.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A latch assembly having at least one control element having a first path of motion in which a ratchet is moved to an unlatched position and a second path of motion in which the ratchet is not so moved, the path of motion taken by the control element dependent upon whether an engagement element is engaged with the control element or disengaged therefrom. Preferably, the control element moves the ratchet by contact with a pawl which itself can be engaged with the ratchet. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control element can be partially or fully actuated through its second path of motion while still being engagable with its engagement element. If already partially or fully actuated through its second path of motion, the engagement element is preferably movable into contact with the control element and can move the control element to its first path of motion. The latch assembly can have a second control element also having first and second paths of motion determined at least partially upon whether an engagement element is engaged with the second control element or disengaged therefrom. The second control element can be connected to the first engagement element to move the first engagement element into and out of engagement with the first control element when the second control element is actuated in its engaged state.
-
Citations
9 Claims
-
1. A method of operating a latch assembly, comprising:
-
providing a ratchet having a latched position and an unlatched position; actuating a control element to move the control element in a first path; restraining the ratchet against release to the unlatched position during movement of the control element in the first path; actuating a locking element to move a portion of the locking element from a position out of engagement with the control element to a position engaged with the control element while the control element is at least partially actuated; and moving the control element via the locking element to a second path different from the first path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
Specification