Patent ID: 6692216
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A latch assembly adapted for use with a vehicle tire carrier having a lock bracket with an aperture and a cable disposed in the aperture, the latch assembly comprising, in combination:a lock housing connected to the cable; a cable guide member adjacent to the lock housing; and a lock arm adjacent to the cable guide member, the lock arm having one end, another end, and a cam surface, the one end pivotally connected to the cable guide member, the lock arm being movable from an unlocked position to a locked position, wherein when the other end is moved toward the lock bracket, the cam surface engages the lock bracket to pivot the lock arm from an unlocked position to a locked position so that when the cable breaks, the lock arm engages the lock bracket, the lock arm further having a lower cam surface at the one end; and a spring assembly engaging the lower cam surface to bias the other end to an unlocked position.