Patent ID: 6581987
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: E05B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A latching mechanism for selectively retaining a closure having a striker, the latching mechanism comprising, in combination:a housing forming a vertically extending groove for receiving the striker, the housing being adapted to accept an over slam force from the striker at a bottom end of the groove; first and second axles located on opposite sides of the groove; a striker spring located at the groove; pawl pivotable about the first axle and defining a notch; a ratchet pivotable about the second axle and defining a protrusion adapted to cooperate with the notch of the pawl to selectively retain the ratchet in a locked position, the ratchet also defining a pocket for receiving the striker and retaining the striker in the groove when the ratchet is in the locked position; a first spring member biasing the pawl in a first direction of rotation and a second spring member biasing the ratchet in a second direction of rotation which is opposite the first direction of rotation; and wherein the striker spring is directly engaged by the striker when the striker is in the pocket and the ratchet is in the locked position so that the striker spring moves the striker along the groove to pivot the ratchet out of the locked position against the bias of the second spring member when the protrusion is disengaged from the notch.