Patent ID: 7210716

Claim:
A latch mechanism comprising: a handle having a pivot about which said handle is rotated, said handle having a latch position and an unlatch position when rotated about said pivot; a movement prevention device associated with said handle and movable between a non-blocking position and a blocking position in response to sudden change in inertia on said mechanism, said non-blocking position of said movement prevention device permitting unrestricted movement of said handle between said latch and unlatch positions, and said blocking position of said movement prevention device interfering with movement of said handle from said latch position to said unlatch position; biasing means urging said movement prevention device to said non-blocking position; an arm connected to said handle and having a gear segment which is moved upon movement of said handle; a gear damper having a rotor and a gear thereon, said gear drivingly engaged with said gear segment; said movement prevention device interfering with movement of at least one of said gear and said gear segment in response to sudden change in inertia on said mechanism; said movement prevention device comprising a sliding plate associated with said damper and having a projection blocking movement of said arm when in said blocking position; and said plate defining slots and said damper having pins disposed in said slots for guiding movement of said plate.