GB692009A - Improved bonnet latch for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

692,009. Catches. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. Oct. 19, 1951 [Oct. 31, 1950], No. 24392/51. Class 44 A catch mechanism for the bonnet of a motor vehicle comprises a keeper on the movable part 12, Fig. 1, having a shank 21 and a conical head 22, a dished plate 30 secured to the fixed part 16 and formed with an aperture 31, Figs. 6, 7, to receive the keeper head, a catch lever 34 pivoted to the plate 30 and having a tongue 39 co-operating with the head of the keeper, a remotely controlled releasing lever 40 also pivoted to the plate 30 and having a cam portion 44a engaging a lug 38 of the catch lever and a spring 47 anchored at one end to a lug 37 of the catch lever 34 which is urged thereby to the latching position and at the other end to the lever 40 which is urged thereby to the unoperative position. The dished portion 30a of the plate 30 has a flange 32 surrounding the keeper receiving aperture 31. The tongue 39 projects through a slot 33 in the flange and engages in the fastening position with the rear face 22a of the keeper head. The lever 34 is pivoted at 36 within the dished part 30a. The release lever is pivoted at 43 on the other side of the aperture, the cam 44a being formed on a hook-shaped extension 44. The other end of the lever is extended over the dished part 30a and has an upturned lug 45a guided in an arcuate slot 46. A Bowden cable 51 is secured to the lug 45a so that the lever may be displaced to the releasing position by means of a control knob 50, Fig. 1, on the dash-board of the vehicle. A spring 27 surrounding the shank of the keeper is compressed when the bonnet is shut and gives it a small initial opening when the catch is released. To prevent the bonnet flying open when the catch is released an auxiliary catch 18 is provided thereon to engage a spring-loaded pivoted hook 61 releasable by a hand inserted under the bonnet to allow it to open fully.