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US4258945A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Latch for a vehicle door

Assignee: ECIA Equipements et Composants pour lIndustrie Automobile SA
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Filing: 1979-10-12
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Granted: 1981-03-31
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Expires: 1999-10-12
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Abstract

Abstract The latch is of the type comprising a case for the latch mechanism and a keeper which is movable relative to the mechanism. An actuating element for releasing the latch mechanism and the keeper for opening the door is provided. Means are provided for reducing the force exerted on the actuating element by the keeper when opening the latch. The force reducing means comprise a lever which is pivotally mounted in the case and comprises at least one stop recess which cooperates with the actuating element and is pivotally mounted on a first link forming a claw for retaining the keeper in the latched position of the latch. The first link is pivotally mounted on a second link which is pivotally mounted in the case.

Inventors

  • 👤 Rene J. Pouget

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 10:27
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B85/00; E05B85/20; E05B85/24; E05B85/243; E05B77/00; E05B77/46; E05B77/48; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/0886; Y10T292/0892; Y10T292/1043; Y10T292/1075; Y10T292/1082

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 131 words
A latch for a vehicle door comprising a case, a latch mechanism in the case, a keeper movable relative to the mechanism, an actuating element for releasing the latch mechanism and the keeper for opening the door, and means for reducing the force exerted on the actuating element by the keeper when opening the latch, said force reducing means comprising a lever which is pivotally mounted in said case and comprises at least one stop recess cooperating with said actuating element, a first link forming a claw for engaging and retaining the keeper in a latching position of the latch, and a second link which is pivotally mounted in said case and on which second link the first link is pivotally mounted, the lever being pivotally mounted on the first link.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 131 words
A latch for a vehicle door comprising a case, a latch mechanism in the case, a keeper movable relative to the mechanism, an actuating element for releasing the latch mechanism and the keeper for opening the door, and means for reducing the force exerted on the actuating element by the keeper when opening the latch, said force reducing means comprising a lever which is pivotally mounted in said case and comprises at least one stop recess cooperating with said actuating element, a first link forming a claw for engaging and retaining the keeper in a latching position of the latch, and a second link which is pivotally mounted in said case and on which second link the first link is pivotally mounted, the lever being pivotally mounted on the first link.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 71 words
A latch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first link comprises two identical members forming a claw and disposed on each side of said lever and said second link, each member forming a claw having a portion of the link which is pivotally mounted adjacent respective ends of the portion of the link on the lever and on the second link and a hooking nose portion for retaining the keeper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 59 words
A latch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pivotal lever is pivotally mounted on said case in substantially the middle of the lever, a first end of the lever being pivotally mounted on said first link whereas there is formed adjacent an opposite end of the lever at least one stop recess which cooperates with said actuating element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 55 words
A latch as claimed in claim 3, wherein said actuating element is in the form of a second lever which has a tab bent at a right angle and is mounted on said case to pivot in a plane parallel to the plane of said pivotal lever, said bent tab cooperating with the stop recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 33 words
A latch as claimed in claim 4, comprising a pivot pin on which said second link is pivotally mounted, said actuating element being mounted on said case to pivot about said pivot pin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 30 words
A latch as claimed in claim 4 or 5, comprising an elastically yieldable means for constantly biasing said actuating element in a direction for applying it against said pivotal lever.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 44 words
A latch as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second lever comprises a bearing surface formed by an end edge of the second lever and against which bearing surface bears said bent tab of the actuating element in an open position of the latch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 46 words
A latch as claimed in claim 5, comprising an elastically yieldable means for constantly biasing said actuating element in a direction for applying it against said pivotal lever, said elastically yieldable means being a spring having a plurality of branches and mounted around said pivot pin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
A latch as claimed in claim 1, comprising an automatic control device connected to the actuating element for shifting the actuating element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 29 words
A latch as claimed in claim 1, wherein an abutment of said case and a bearing surface formed on said first link determined the open position of the latch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 41 words
A latch as claimed in claim 10, comprising a pivot pin on which said second link is pivotally mounted, said actuating element being mounted on said case to pivot about said pivot pin, said abutment being formed by said pivot pin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 31 words
A latch as claimed in claim 9, comprising a safety unlatching device which is controlled by means for authorizing the opening of the door and is associated with the actuating element.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2709621A Cited
US3328060A Cited
US3378291A Cited
US4163443A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1984-03-30 1984-09-29 1985-03-31 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1988-03-30 1988-09-29 1989-03-31 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1992-03-30 1992-09-29 1993-03-31 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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