Patent ID: 6863317

Claim:
A latch assembly for a swinging panel hinged to a vehicle body comprising: a latch body adapted to be attached to a one of a vehicle body and a swinging panel hinged to the vehicle body; a striker adapted to be attached to another one of the vehicle body and the swinging panel and engage said latch body in a closed position of the swinging panel; a lever having first and second ends, said lever being pivotably attached to said latch body at a pivot point intermediate said first and second ends, said first end of said lever operable to engage said striker; a spring having one end attached to said lever between said second end and said pivot point and an opposite end fixed relative to said latch body, said spring operable to apply a force to rotate said lever about said pivot point in an opening direction and cause relative movement between the vehicle body and the swinging panel; and a solenoid attached to said second end of said lever, said solenoid, when activated, operable to overcome said force applied by said spring and rotate said first end of said lever about said pivot point in a closing direction to permit said striker to engage with said latch body.