Remote control hood latch release mechanism

Claim 2

A remote control hood latch release mechanism comprising: a housing mounted on a support within a vehicle compartment, an actuator means movably mounted within the housing, a first cable means extending between the actuator means and a hood latch mechanism release lever for transmitting movement of the actuator means to the release lever to unlatch the hood latch mechanism, a locking means, a second cable means, coupling means coupling the second cable means to the actuator means, the second cable means extending from the actuator means to the locking means, the locking means being operable to immobilize the second cable means to prevent movement of the actuator means in unlatching direction.

Claim 3

A remote control hood latch release mechanism according to claim 1, in which: the coupling means comprises a rack and pinion segment, the actuator means is reciprocally movable in the housing and carries the rack, the pinion is pivotally supported within the housing in mesh with the rack, and the second cable means is connected to the piNion.

Claim 4

A remote control hood latch release mechanism according to claim 2, in which: the locking means comprises a guide means mounted on a vehicle steering column, the second cable means being slidably received in the guide means, an abutment means on the second cable means wtihin the guide means, a blocking means slidably guided within the guide means for movement into and out of abutting relation to the abutment means, and a key-operated means operable to shift the blocking means into abutting relation to the abutment means thereby to immobilize the second cable means.

Claim 5

A remote control hood latch release mechanism according to claim 3, in which: the blocking means is an ignition switch activation rod extending longitudinally of the steering column, the rod having an abutment engaging portion intermediate its end positioned to engage the abutment means in at least ignition lock position of the ignition switch.

Claim 6

A remote control hood latch release mechanism according to claim 1, in which: the locking means comprises a guide means mounted on a vehicle steering column, the second cable means being slidably received in the guide means, an abutment means on the second cable means within the guide means, a blocking means slidably guided within the guide means for movement into and out of abutting relation to the abutment means, and a key-operated means operable to shift the blocking means into abutting relation to the abutment means thereby to immobilize the second cable means.

Claim 7

A remote control hood latch release mechanism according to claim 5, in which: the blocking means is an ignition switch activation rod extending longitudinally of the steering column, a rod having an abutment engaging portion intermediate its ends positioned to engage the abutment means in at least ignition lock position of the ignition switch.

Claim 8

A remote control hood latch release mechanism comprising an actuator means movably mounted in a housing, and a first Bowden cable element coupled at one of its ends to the actuator means and at its other end to a release lever of a hood latch mechanism, the first Bowden cable being operative to transmit movement of the actuator means to the release lever in hood latch mechanism unlatching direction, wherein the improvement comprises: a second Bowden cable element, coupling means coupling one end of the second Bowden cable element to the actuator means within the housing for movement responsive to movement of the actuator means, guide means mounted on a support means in which guide means the other end of the second Bowden cable element is received, abutment means carried on the second Bowden cable element within the guide means, blocking means slidably guided within the guide means for movement into and out of abutting relation to the abutment means, and key-operated means operable to shift the blocking means into abutting relation to the abutment means thereby to prevent movement of the second Bowden cable element, the second Bowden cable element upon being held immovable preventing movement of the actuator means in hood latch mechanism unlatching direction.

Claim 9

A remote control hood latch release mechanism comprising an actuator means movably mounted in a housing, and a first Bowden cable element coupled at one of its ends to the actuator means and at its other end to a release lever of a hood latch mechanism, the first Bowden cable being operative to transmit movement of the actuator means to the release lever in hood latch mechanism unlatching direction, wherein the improvement comprises: a second Bowden cable element, coupling means coupling one end of the second Bowden cable element to the actuator means within the housing for movement responsive to movement of the actuator means, guide means mounted on a support means in which guide means the other end of the second Bowden cable element is received, abutment means carried on the second Bowden cable element within the guide means, blocking means slidably guided within the guide means for movement into and out of abutting relation to the abutment means, and key-operated means operable to shift the blocking means into abutting relation to the abutment means thereby to prevent movement of the second Bowden cable element, the second Bowden cable element upon being held immovable preventing movement of the actuator means in hood latch mechanism unlatching direction.

Claim 10

A remote control hood latch release mechanism according to claim 7, in which: the coupling means comprises a rack and pinion, one of which is carried on the actuator means and the other of which is connected to the second Bowden cable element.

Claim 11

A remote control hood latch release mechanism according to claim 8, in which: the actuator means is reciprocally movable in the housing and carries the rack, and the pinion is pivotally supported within the housing in mesh with the rack and has the second Bowden cable element coupled directly thereto.

Claim 12

A remote control hood latch release mechanism according to claim 9, in which: the support means on which the guide means is mounted is a vehicle steering column, and The blocking means is an ignition switch activation rod extending longitudinally of the steering column, the rod having an abutment means engaging portion positioned to engage the abutment means in at least ignition lock position of the ignition switch.

Claim 13

A hood latch release mechanism according to claim 8, in which: the actuator means is reciprocally movable in the housing and carries a rack, and a pinion is pivotally supported within the housing in mesh with the rack and has the second Bowden cable element coupled directly thereto, reciprocal movement of the actuator means being transmitted by the rack and pinion to the second Bowden cable element.

Claim 14

A remote control hood latch release mechanism according to claim 11, in which: the support means on which the guide means is mounted is a vehicle steering column, and the blocking means is an ignition switch activation rod extending longitudinally of the steering column, the rod having an abutment engaging portion intermediate its ends positioned to engage the abutment means in at least ignition lock position of the ignition switch.