Patent ID: 7261339
Filing Date: 2007-08-28
Classification: E05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A locking device for a vehicle, the device comprising: a lock on a door or hatch of the vehicle, the lock having a rotary latch and spring-loaded into an open position, wherein the rotary latch, when the door is closed, receives a stationary lock member fixed to the door and is rotated into at least one defined locked position, wherein the rotary latch has at least one detent; a catch pivotably supported in the lock, wherein the catch, upon rotation of the rotary latch, drops into the at least one detent of the rotary latch and defines a blocking position of the catch for securing the locked position of the rotary latch; a catch spring having a spring force and forcing the catch in a defined direction into the blocking position; the catch being movable from the blocking position into a release position in which the rotary latch is released; wherein the catch, when actuated, is held in the release position until the rotary latch has reached the open position; wherein the catch spring is an over-center helper spring, and the direction of the spring force of the over-center helper spring is changeable in dependence on the position of the catch; wherein, in the blocking position of the catch, the spring force is directed toward the rotary latch and, in the release position, the spring force is directed away from the rotary latch; and wherein the direction of action of the spring force changes when the catch moves from the blocking position to the release position, and when during turning back of the rotary latch the rotary latch collides with the catch to move from the release position to the blocking position.