Patent Abstract:
A motor vehicle hood latch mechanism comprises a latch assembly including a primary latch and a secondary latch. The secondary latch restrains the hood in a released position subsequent movement of the primary latch to an unlocked position. The secondary latch secures a striker to restrain the hood in a released position and allows the hood to move to an open position upon manipulation. A secondary latch release handle comprises a secondary latch release handle arm having a refracted position and a deployed position, the secondary latch release handle arm extending longitudinally forward relative the motor vehicle in each of the retracted and deployed positions, wherein the secondary latch release handle arm is extended forward to the deployed position by translational motion upon movement of the primary latch to the unlocked position.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a hood latch release handle for a motor vehicle, specifically a secondary latch release handle arm that is deployed longitudinally forward upon disengagement of the primary latch. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Latch assemblies for motor vehicles are generally well-known in the art. In most motor vehicles, a hood is used to enclose the engine or luggage compartment of the motor vehicle. Such hoods are typically situated so as to be opened from the front of the vehicle and hinged along a rearward edge, such that the hood opens from the front of the vehicle. The hood is typically equipped with one or more strikers attached to the lower surface near the forward edge of the hood. The striker is situated to interact and to be restrained by the latch assembly attached to the motor vehicle chassis, likewise located proximate the forward edge of the hood. As is common in the industry, a latch release handle is typically situated in the occupant compartment, typically near the driver&#39;s side kick panel or under the instrument panel. The handle is typically connected via a bowden cable to a latch release lever operatively connected to a primary latch of the latch assembly. Upon actuation of the hood release handle in the occupant compartment, the bowden cable pulls on the latch release lever, thereby releasing the striker from the primary latch of the latch assembly. At this point, the hood is partially opened to a pre-determined height, such as about 35 to 40 mm, and is held to this position by a secondary latch. 
         [0003]    Such secondary latches are manually operated while in front of the vehicle, such that in the event of an inadvertent release of the primary latch handle or failure of the primary latch while the vehicle is in motion, the hood will not abruptly raise due to wind pressure. Rather, the secondary latch requires an operator standing in front of the vehicle to manually operate the secondary latch to free the hood striker from the secondary latch of the latch assembly, thereby allowing the hood to be fully raised, providing access to the engine in the engine compartment and/or luggage within the luggage compartment. 
         [0004]    Thus, in the context of such latch assemblies having primary and secondary latches, after the operator pulls the primary latch release lever from inside the passenger compartment, the hood is released from engagement with the primary latch and moved to a secondary latch release position. The operator then must move to the front of the vehicle in close proximity to the hood where the operator must then search for and locate a secondary latch release handle by inserting his or her fingers under the partially opened hood and then actuate the handle left or right (or up or down, depending the vehicle design) to release the secondary latch. The hood can then be fully opened, either manually or through some other assist mechanism, such as gas cylinders or torsion springs. 
         [0005]    The location of the secondary latch release handle varies significantly from vehicle to vehicle. Particularly to an operator unfamiliar with the motor vehicle he or she may be operating, the secondary latch release handle can be frustratingly difficult to locate by touch alone. It is often difficult to see through the narrow, partial opening of the hood, particularly in poorly lit areas or at night. Hence, a latch assembly which overcomes these drawbacks would be advantageous. 
         [0006]    The hood latch disclosed herein particularly accomplishes the foregoing by adapting the present typical motor vehicle hood latch assembly described above through the use of a secondary latch handle arm that is extended longitudinally forward from a retracted position to a deployed position upon disengagement of the primary latch, so that the secondary latch release handle arm is presented to the operator by forward translational motion of the extended secondary latch handle arm extending forward beyond the hood of the motor vehicle for ready actuation. 
         [0007]    Thus, the solution presented by the present disclosure is a relatively low-cost solution that automatically presents a forward-extending and readily available secondary latch release handle arm upon the release of the primary latch, providing for convenient and confident actuation of the secondary latch release handle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a motor vehicle hood latch mechanism comprises a latch assembly including a primary latch and a secondary latch. The secondary latch restrains the hood in a released position subsequent movement of the primary latch to an unlocked position. The secondary latch secures a striker to restrain the hood in a released position and allows the hood to move to an open position upon manipulation. A secondary latch release handle comprises a secondary latch release handle arm having a retracted position and a deployed position, the secondary latch release handle arm extending longitudinally forward relative the motor vehicle in each of the retracted and deployed positions, wherein the secondary latch release handle arm is extended forward of the hood to the deployed position by translational motion upon movement of the primary latch to the unlocked position. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the disclosure is a motor vehicle hood latch mechanism that comprises a release pawl mechanism having a release pawl rotatable between a locked position, wherein the release pawl restrains the primary latch to engage the striker, and an unlocked position, wherein the release pawl releases the primary latch from engagement with the striker, and a first resilient member urging the release pawl toward the locked position. 
         [0010]    Still another aspect of the present disclosure is a motor vehicle hood latch mechanism, wherein the release pawl mechanism and the secondary latch release handle arm are operatively coupled to release the secondary latch release handle arm from its retracted position upon rotation of the release pawl. 
         [0011]    Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a motor vehicle hood latch mechanism, further comprising a secondary latch release handle arm sleeve within which the secondary latch release handle arm is slidably retained for movement between the retracted position and the deployed position, a second resilient member urging the secondary latch release handle arm to the deployed position, and a retainer releasably retaining the secondary latch release handle arm in the retracted position. 
         [0012]    An additional aspect of the present disclosure is a motor vehicle hood latch mechanism, wherein the secondary latch release handle arm further comprises an engaging edge and the retainer comprises an engaging surface resiliently urged against the engaging edge to releasably retain the secondary latch release handle arm in the retracted position. 
         [0013]    Another aspect of the present disclosure is a motor vehicle hood latch mechanism, wherein the engaging edge is defined in part by an inner circumference of an opening and the engaging surface is a slidable pin urged to extend into the opening by a third resilient member. 
         [0014]    Still another aspect of the present disclosure is a motor vehicle hood latch mechanism, further comprising a release cable operatively coupled at a first end to a release pawl mechanism and coupled at a second end to the retainer. 
         [0015]    A further aspect of the present disclosure is a motor vehicle hood latch mechanism, further comprising a pulley and wherein the release cable defines a path from the release pawl mechanism to the retainer and around the pulley. 
         [0016]    Yet a further aspect of the present disclosure is a motor vehicle hood latch mechanism, wherein the retainer is urged to engage the secondary latch release handle arm when the secondary latch release handle is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position against the urging of the second resilient member. 
         [0017]    An additional aspect of the present disclosure is a motor vehicle hood latch mechanism further comprising a release pawl mechanism having a release pawl rotatable between a locked position, wherein the release pawl restrains the primary latch to engage the striker, and an unlocked position, wherein the release pawl releases the primary latch from engagement with the striker, and a first resilient member urging the release pawl toward the locked position, a secondary latch release handle sleeve within which the secondary latch release handle arm is slidably retained for movement between the retracted position and the deployed position, a second resilient member urging the secondary latch release handle arm to the deployed position, and a retainer releasably retaining the secondary latch release handle arm in the retracted position, wherein the release pawl mechanism and the secondary latch release handle arm are operatively coupled to release the secondary latch release handle arm from its retracted position upon rotation of the release pawl from the locked position to the unlocked position. 
         [0018]    Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a hood latch comprising a primary latch releasably engaging a striker disposed proximate an edge of the hood, a secondary latch releasably engaging the striker, and a secondary latch release handle arm released to a deployed position forward of the hood by translational motion upon movement of the primary latch to an unlocked position. 
         [0019]    A still further aspect of the present disclosure is a hood latch wherein the primary latch further has a locked position and the secondary latch release handle arm further has a retracted position, the secondary latch release handle arm extending longitudinally forward in the retracted and deployed positions, and wherein the secondary latch release handle arm moves to the deployed position from the retracted position by translational motion upon movement of the primary latch to the unlocked position. 
         [0020]    Another aspect of the present disclosure is a hood latch further comprising a secondary latch release handle sleeve within which the secondary latch release handle arm is slidably retained for movement between the refracted position and the deployed position, a resilient member urging the secondary latch release handle arm to the deployed position, and a retainer resiliently urged to releasably retain the secondary latch release handle arm in the retracted position. 
         [0021]    A yet additional aspect of the present disclosure is a hood latch wherein the secondary latch release handle arm is returned to the retracted position by pushing the secondary latch release handle rearwardly by translational motion until the retainer is urged to engage the secondary latch release handle arm against the urging of the resilient member. 
         [0022]    A further aspect of the present disclosure is a hood latch further comprising an opening at a distal end of the secondary latch release handle arm within which the secondary latch release handle arm is slidably retained for translational motion between the refracted position and the deployed position, a resilient member urging the secondary latch release handle arm to the deployed position, and a retainer comprising a spring-loaded pin received in the opening to releasably retain the secondary latch release handle arm in the retracted position. 
         [0023]    According to another aspect of the present disclosure is a hood latch for a hood having a closed locked position, a released position, and an open position, wherein the secondary latch restrains the hood in the released position subsequent movement of the primary latch to the unlocked position, the secondary latch being movable between a locked position, wherein the secondary latch secures the striker to restrain the hood in the released position, and an unlocked position, wherein the secondary latch allows the hood to move to the open position. 
         [0024]    Still another aspect of the present disclosure is a hood latch further comprising a release pawl mechanism having a release pawl rotatable between a locked position, wherein the release pawl restrains the primary latch to engage a striker on the hood, and an unlocked position, wherein the release pawl releases the primary latch from engagement with the striker, and a resilient member urges the release pawl toward the locked position. 
         [0025]    Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a hood latch wherein the release pawl mechanism and the secondary latch release handle arm are operatively coupled to release the secondary latch release handle arm from its retracted position upon rotation of the release pawl. 
         [0026]    According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method of unlatching a hood of a motor vehicle hood having a striker disposed proximate an edge of a hood having a closed locked position, a released position, and an open position, and comprises the steps of attaching a latch assembly to a chassis member of the motor vehicle proximate the striker for releasably engaging the striker to restrain the hood in the closed locked position, the latch assembly including a primary latch movable between a locked position, wherein the primary latch secures the striker to restrain the hood in the closed locked position, and an unlocked position, wherein the primary latch allows the hood to move to the released position, and a secondary latch restraining the hood in the released position subsequent movement of the primary latch to the unlocked position, the secondary latch movable between a locked position, wherein the secondary latch secures the striker to restrain the hood in the released position, and an unlocked position, wherein the secondary latch allows the hood to move to the open position, coupling a secondary latch release handle arm having a retracted position and a deployed position to the primary latch, the secondary latch release handle arm extending longitudinally forward relative the motor vehicle in each of the retracted and deployed positions, and moving the secondary latch release arm from the retracted position to the deployed position by translational motion by moving the primary latch from the locked position to the unlocked position. 
         [0027]    According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method of unlatching the hood of a motor vehicle hood further comprises the step of returning the secondary latch release handle arm to the retracted position by pushing the secondary latch release handle rearwardly by translational motion until a retainer is urged to engage the secondary latch release handle arm against the urging of a resilient member. 
         [0028]    These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    In the drawings: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is a front side perspective view of a motor vehicle incorporating the hood latch in accordance with the prior art; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a front side perspective view of the hood latch of the prior art with the latch placed in the locked position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a front plan view of the hood latch of the prior art with the latch placed in the locked position; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4A  is a front plan view of the hood latch of the prior art in the locked position; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4B  is a front plan view of the hood latch of the prior art in the released and partially open position; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4C  is a front plan view of the hood latch of the prior art in the open position; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the pawl release lever of the hood latch of the prior art in the locked position; 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is a rear plan view of the pawl release lever of the hood latch of the prior art in the locked position; 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the hood latch of the present disclosure with the latch in the locked position; 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged front perspective view of the secondary latch release handle and secondary latch release handle arm in the of the present disclosure with the secondary latch release handle arm in the retracted position; 
           [0040]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of the secondary latch release handle arm and retainer of the present disclosure with the secondary latch release handle arm in the retracted position; 
           [0041]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged front perspective view of the secondary latch release handle arm and retainer of the present disclosure with the secondary latch release handle arm in the retracted position; 
           [0042]      FIG. 11  is a first front side perspective view of the secondary latch release handle arm in the deployed position; and 
           [0043]      FIG. 12  is a second front side perspective view of the secondary latch release handle arm in the deployed position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0044]    For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the latch as oriented in  FIG. 2 . However, it is to be understood that the latch may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0045]    Motor vehicle  10  includes a hood  12  covering an engine compartment  14 . Hood  12  is generally formed as a panel having a forward edge  16  and a rearward edge  18 . Hood  12  may be connected to the body of the motor vehicle  10  by hinges  20 . In the closed position shown in  FIG. 1 , hood  12  is disposed adjacent and extends across an opening  22  in the body of motor vehicle  10 , providing access to an engine compartment  14 . Hood  12  is releasably connected to the motor vehicle  10  by a hood latch  30  and is pivotable relative to the motor vehicle  10  to move between an open position and a closed position. In the described example, hood latch  30  is located adjacent the forward edge  16  of the hood and the hinges  20  may be located at the rearward edge  18  of hood  12 . 
         [0046]    Motor vehicle  10  may be provided with a deformable forward section  26  extending generally forward of the forward edge  16  of hood  12  and engine compartment  14 . It is contemplated that the deformable forward section  26  will deform upon contact with an object in a collision to absorb the impact force associated with the collision. It is also contemplated that the forward edge  16  of the hood  12  may be designed to allow for deformation upon impact with an object should the vehicle not include a deformable forward section  26 . 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-9 , the latch assembly  30  is shown.  FIGS. 2-6  generally show an existing hood latch  30  for a motor vehicle, while  FIGS. 7-12  show a hood latch  30  equipped with the improvement disclosed herein. The hood latch  30  includes a latch mounting bracket  32  attached via mounting holes  34  to a front chassis member or base via fasteners (not shown) extending transverse and parallel to the lateral axis of the motor vehicle, as is well-known in the art. The latch assembly  30  interacts with a striker  36  disposed on the forward edge  16  of the hood  12  relative to the motor vehicle. The hood  12  has a closed locked position, a released position, and an open position. In the closed locked position, seen in  FIG. 4A , the hood  12  cannot be raised and is restrained in place by a latch  38  capturing and restraining the striker  36 . The latch  38  has a primary latch portion  40  extending transversely and a secondary latch portion  42  depending from the primary latch portion  40  and normal to the primary latch portion  40  and extending in a downward direction to create a hook-shaped structure, as shown. In the release position, best seen in  FIG. 4B , the primary latch  40  is released but the secondary latch portion  42  is not, thereby allowing the hood  12  to be raised, typically 35 to 40 mm. In the open position, best seen in  FIG. 4C , both the primary and the secondary latch portions  40 ,  42  are in the open position, and the hood  12  may be raised as described previously. The primary latch portion  40  restrains the hood  12  in the closed locked position within a channel  44  configured to receive the striker  36 , as shown. The latch  38  also includes a lower portion  46  to which a latch engagement stud  48  is attached, as will be described further below. 
         [0048]    The latch  38  further includes a pawl engaging primary latch tab  50  and secondary latch tab  51  adapted for interaction with a release mechanism  49  comprising a release pawl  52  pivotally mounted to the bracket  32  to receive and engage the primary latch tab  50 , as best shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , and a primary release lever  56 . The release pawl  52  has a latch cam engaging surface  54  and is operatively coupled with the primary release lever  56 . The release pawl  52  and primary release lever  56  are urged into contact with the latch  38  via pawl torsion spring  58 . A distal end  60  of the primary release lever  56  is connected to a bowden primary hood release cable  28  that, as described above, is in turn connected to the hood latch release lever inside the occupant compartment. A latch torsion spring  62  is provided about the pivot bolt axis  70  of the latch  38 . The latch torsion spring  62  has an upper leg  64  and lower leg  66 . The upper leg  64  is disposed adjacent the latch engagement stud  48 , while the lower leg  66  is restrained in a lower notch  68  in the bracket  32 . The latch torsion spring  62  thus urges the latch  38  into a counterclockwise rotation (as shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C ) about latch pivot bolt  70 , urging the latch  38  to raise from the closed locked position to the release position and ultimately to the unlocked position. 
         [0049]    The pawl torsion spring  58  is situated below the latch pivot bolt  70  about a pawl spring pivot bolt  72  and operates to urge the primary release lever  56  and the mechanically coupled pawl  52  into successive engagement with the primary and secondary latch tabs  50 ,  51  relative to the latch cam engaging surface  54  of the pawl  52 . That is, in the closed locked position, the primary latch portion  40  engages and captures the striker  36  within the channel  44 . The primary latch tab  50  of the latch  38  is engaged by the latch cam engaging surface  54 , with both being urged into contact with one another. As the bowden cable is actuated, the primary release lever  56  is rotated counterclockwise, as seen in  FIG. 4A , causing the release pawl  52 , also rotatably mounted about the pawl spring pivot bolt  72 , to rotate in the counterclockwise direction as well, thereby removing the pawl  52  from engagement with the pawl engaging tab  50  of the latch  38 . Thus, urged by the latch torsion spring  62 , the latch  38  likewise rotates in a counterclockwise direction to the first released position, shown in  FIG. 4B . As the striker  36  is caught between the secondary latch portion  42  and the lower portion  46  within the channel  44 , the striker  36  is likewise placed within the hood latch  30  to a released position within the bracket  32 . While in the release position just described, the striker  36  is nonetheless restrained by the secondary latch portion  42  such that it is unable to exit from the channel  44  and is thereby restrained by the latch  38  from any further travel by the latch cam engaging surface  54  abutting the secondary latch tab  51 . However, as a consequence of having traveled upwards, the striker  36 , along with the forward edge  16  of the hood  12 , is raised approximately 35 to 40 mm above its original position. Of course, other assist mechanisms, such as gas cylinders, may be employed in addition to torsion springs. 
         [0050]    In normal operation, the motor vehicle operator then moves to the front of the motor vehicle  10  in close proximity to the hood  12  to search for and locate the secondary latch release handle  74  by inserting his or her fingers under the partially opened hood  12 . Once located, the motor vehicle operator actuates the secondary latch release handle  74  left or right, or up or down, depending on the design. As shown, the secondary latch release handle  74 , typically a one-piece stamped component, has a substantially planar base portion  78  and a fixed, forwardly extending arm  80  and is rotatably mounted about a secondary release handle pivot bolt  76  and is displaced in a counterclockwise manner and further engages the pawl  52  to cause the latch cam engaging surface  54  to move away from the secondary latch tab  51  on the latch  38 , thus releasing the latch  38  to further rotate counterclockwise, thereby causing the secondary latch portion  42  to no longer impede the upward portion of the striker  36 . Further, with this rotation of the latch  38 , the lower portion  46  of the latch  38  urges the striker  36  in an upward direction so that the striker  36  is free of the hood latch  30 . The hood  12  may be freely opened. 
         [0051]    However, as noted previously, the location and design of the secondary latch release handle  74  varies greatly from vehicle to vehicle. The secondary latch release handle  74  is often difficult to locate by the sense of touch alone. Moreover, it is often difficult to see the secondary latch release handle  74  through the narrow, partial opening of the hood  12 , especially in dark places or at night. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIGS. 7-12 , a secondary latch release handle  74  that overcomes these shortcomings is disclosed. As in previous designs, the hood  12  is held in the closed position by a hood latch striker  36  operably latched to the hood latch  30 . One end of the primary hood release cable  28  is attached to the primary release lever  56  and the other end is operably attached to the inside hood release lever in the passenger compartment (not shown). As in previous designs, the hood latch  30  has a secondary release handle  74 , which when operated as described above, fully opens the hood  12 . 
         [0053]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 7-8 , the improved secondary latch release mechanism  82  comprises a secondary latch release handle  74  having a deployable, secondary latch release handle arm  84  operatively coupled with a deployable handle release cable  86 , where a first end  88  of the deployable handle release cable  86  is securely attached to the primary release lever  56  of the hood latch  30 , and the other second end  90  is securely attached to a retainer  92 , such as a spring-loaded pin  94 , that retains or holds the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  in a first retracted position. Pulleys  96  are provided as needed for routing the deployable handle release cable  86  about the hood latch  30 . As shown, a pair of pulleys  96  is provided. 
         [0054]    The deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  is thus retained by the spring-loaded pin  94  in the retracted position when the hood  12  is latched at the primary latch position shown in  FIG. 4A . As can be seen in  FIG. 10 , the end  98  of the spring-loaded pin  94  is inserted into an opening  100 , such as a hole or a slot, at a distal end  102  of the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84 . The inner circumference  104  of the opening  100  thus creates an engaging edge, and the sliding end  98  of the spring-loaded pin  94  thus creates an engaging surface resiliently urged against the engaging edge to releasably retain the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  in the refracted position. The opening  100  is somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the spring-loaded pin  94  as required in order to allow for manufacturing tolerances, so that the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  is consistently retained in a secure manner. The spring  106  for the spring-loaded pin  94  can be held securely in position by welding or fastening it to the latch mounting bracket  32 . 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  is held in position by a deployable secondary latch release handle arm sleeve  108 . The deployable secondary latch release handle arm sleeve  108  is securely attached (such as by welded, bonded, or fastened) to the base portion  78  of the secondary latch release handle  74 . The deployable secondary latch release handle arm sleeve  108  also allows the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  to slide within its slot  110  from the retracted position, as shown in  FIGS. 7-8 , to a deployed position, and vice versa. The deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  is held in this retracted state against the urging of a deployable secondary latch release handle arm spring  112 . One end  114  of the deployable secondary latch release handle arm spring  112  is attached to the fixed deployable secondary latch release handle arm sleeve  108  and the other end  116  is attached to the distal end  102  of the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84 . 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , it can be seen that the deployable secondary latch release handle arm spring  112  is at an extended or energized state when the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  is in the retracted position, which in turns places a forward force on the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84 . This forward force on the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  is in turn resisted by the spring-loaded pin  94  and opening  100 , which retain the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  in the retracted position by engagement of the spring-loaded pin  94  with the opening  100 . 
         [0057]    In operation, as the motor vehicle operator pulls on the passenger compartment hood release lever, the primary hood release cable  28  attached to it pulls on the primary release lever  56 , which in turn releases release pawl  52 , which thereby releases the primary latch portion  40  to allow the striker  36  to engage the secondary latch  42  and which allows the motor vehicle operator to partially open the hood  12 . The act of pulling of the primary hood release cable  28  by the motor vehicle operator and the pulling of the primary release lever  56  also simultaneously pulls the deployable handle release cable  86 , due to its attachment to the primary release lever  56 . This action of the deployable handle release cable  86  then pulls the spring-loaded pin  94  from engagement with the opening  100  on the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84 . 
         [0058]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show the subsequent action of the deployment of the secondary release handle arm  84 . As the spring-loaded pin  94  is pulled away and is disengaged from the opening  100  in the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84 , the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  then deploys forward in purely translational motion by sliding within the slot  110  of the secondary deployable latch release handle sleeve  108  toward the outside of the motor vehicle  10  through the partial opening of the hood  12  due to the urging of the deployable secondary latch release handle arm spring  112 . The deployable secondary latch release handle arm spring  112  then reverts back to its contracted and non-energized state, and the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  is thus presented to the motor vehicle operator outside and forward of the hood  12  in its deployed state.  FIGS. 11 and 12  show a rendition of such deployment and the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  in its forward extended position. The motor vehicle operator may then actuate the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84 , along with the secondary latch release handle  74 , to the left or right (or up or down, depending on the latch design) and fully open the hood  12 . 
         [0059]    To close the hood  12 , the motor vehicle operator simply pushes the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  back to its retracted position. The distal end  102  of the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  may have a curved bent portion  118 , and the end  98  of the spring-loaded pin  94  may be chamfered in such a way as to facilitate the sliding of the spring-loaded pin  94  along the length of the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  until the end  98  of the spring-loaded pin  94  re-engages the opening  100  in the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84 . The deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  is then thus reset to its retracted position and energized for future deployment. The motor vehicle operator can now close the hood  12  using normally accepted hood closing process. 
         [0060]    The present disclosure thus describes a secondary latch release handle  74  that is selectively extended longitudinally forward after disengagement of the primary latch  40 , so that the secondary latch release handle  74  is presented to the operator by only translational motion of the extended secondary latch release handle  74 . Where the hood  12  is in or nearly in the same substantially horizontal plane as the front fascia, as is becoming a more modern trend, the hood  12  in the partially opened position thereby presents a very narrow opening within which to deploy the secondary latch handle  74 . The disclosure overcomes this disadvantage by using purely translational motion of the extended secondary latch handle  74 . Further, the lack of rotational motion and the lack of a cam-engaging surface to deploy the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  eliminate wear and potential malfunction of the secondary release handle  74  over time. 
         [0061]    A further advantage of the present system is that the system and method can be adapted to an existing hood latch  30  by replacement of but a few components. The normal operation of the existing hood latch  30  will not be affected by secondary latch release handle arm  84  of the present disclosure, and the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  will only be activated when the primary latch portion  40  is released. Another further advantage of the present system is a secondary latch release handle  74  that requires minimum package volume and therefore has a minimum footprint normal to the vehicle front plane. 
         [0062]    The secondary latch release handle  74  disclosed here thus automatically extends outside of the motor vehicle  10  through the partial opening of the hood  12  when the operator disengages the primary latch portion  40 . The operator then simply actuates the deployable secondary latch release handle arm  84  left or right (or up or down per the latch design intent) and fully opens the hood  12 . There is no need to kneel down, look for the handle under the hood  12  in darkness, or try to feel for it blindly and locate it by using one&#39;s fingers. Actuation action is also unhindered as there are no space constraints outside of the vehicle  10  to interfere with operation of the secondary latch release handle arm  84 . 
         [0063]    It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8