MXPA99004989A - Hood latch for an engine compartment - Google Patents

Abstract

A hood latch assembly (10) has a housing (14) having a mouth (13). A ratchet (16) is pivotally mounted within the housing (14) to cooperate with the mouth (13) to pivot between an open, a secondary closed and a primary closed condition for receiving, engaging and cinching a keeper of a striker (80). The ratchet (16) is biased to the open condition. A pivotally mounted primary pawl (18) is biased for engagement with the ratchet (16) to releasably retain the ratchet (16) in the primary closed condition. A pivotally mounted secondary pawl (62) is biased for engagement with the ratchet (16) to releasably retain the ratchet (16) in the secondary closed condition. The secondary pawl (62) has a release lever (20) which rotates between a deployed position and a retracted position. As the ratchet (16) engages the striker (80), the ratchet (16) will rotate in a latching sense from the open condition to the secondary closed condition. As the ratchet (16) further rotates from the secondary closed to the primary closed condition, fully engaging the striker (80), the secondary pawl (62) follows the ratchet (16), allowing the release lever (20) to rotate from a deployed position to a retracted position. Upon release of the primary engagement by disengaging the primary pawl (18), the ratchet (16) will rotate from the primary closed to the secondary closed condition. The secondary pawl (62) will follow the ratchet (16) rotating the release lever (20) from the retracted position to the deployed position. The operator then manipulates the release lever (20) to release the ratchet (16), allowing the ratchet (16) to rotate from the secondary closed to the open condition. The hood latch (10) has a light (82) which is operable responsive to movement of the release arm (20) moving from the retracted position and the deployed position. Changes of the hood latch (10) between the primary closed condition and the secondary closed condition will open and close the switch (78). The switch (78) is disposed between a light source (82) mounted to illuminate the hood latch (10) region and a source of electrical power. Opening and closing of the switch (78) will responsively illuminate the light (82).

Description

CAPO LOCK FOR THE COMPARTMENT OF AN ENGINE Field of the invention This invention relates to a bonnet lock for a vehicle. In particular, this invention is concerned with a hood latch having a retractable secondary release arm and a light operable in the release of a primary release arm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Vehicle hood lock systems are well known in the art. Normally, the bonnet or cover of the luggage carrier of a vehicle will have a latch for coupling and fastening in a firing pin. The bolt will have a swivel mounted ratchet that engages with a ratchet in a ratchet relationship. The ratchet cooperates with a mouth of the box to rotate between an open condition and a closed condition to receive, engage and adhere to a pin or safety plate of a firing pin. The ratchet holds a rattle in the closed and close conditions. It is required that the hood locks have a secondary clamping mechanism and a primary clamping mechanism. The primary clamping mechanism is operable from inside the vehicle, usually under the dashboard. A secondary lock is only operable from the outside. REF .: 30304 The provision of a release lever on the secondary clamping mechanism which is presented only normally in the release of the primary clamping mechanism is known. Examples of such fastening mechanisms are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,961,601; 4,991,884; 5,000,493 and 5,141,265. In these clamping mechanisms, the secondary clamping mechanism is separated from the primary clamping mechanism, which requires additional components and work for assembly. In many cases the location of the arm is difficult to find, which requires the operator to probe blindly or flex to look for the arm. Since the exact location of the handle varies from manufacturer to manufacturer there is a need to provide a secondary release lever that is easily accessible and visible to the operator when the bonnet latch is in the secondary position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The disadvantages of the prior art can be overcome by providing a hood latch assembly for a vehicle having a simple mechanism to present a secondary release arm by releasing the primary release element and the which retracts after closing the hood.

It is desirable to provide a bonnet lock having a light which will light once the secondary release arm is positioned for activation. According to one aspect of the invention, a bonnet bolt assembly having a box having a mouth is provided. A ratchet is rotatably mounted on the box to cooperate with the mouth to rotate between an open condition, a secondary closed condition and a primary closed condition for receiving, engaging and sticking to a safety pin or plate of a firing pin. The rattle is predisposed to the open condition. A primary ratchet rotatably mounted is predisposed to engage with the ratchet to releasably retain the ratchet in the primary closed condition. A secondary ratchet rotatably mounted is predisposed for coupling with the ratchet to releasably retain the ratchet in the secondary closed condition. The secondary ratchet has a release lever that rotates between an unfolded position and a retracted position. As the ratchet engages the firing pin, the ratchet will rotate in a securing direction from the open condition to the secondary closed condition. As the ratchet rotates further from the closed condition secondary to the primary closed condition to fully engage the firing pin, the secondary ratchet follows the ratchet to allow the release lever to rotate from a deployed position to a retracted position. After release of the primary coupling when uncoupling the primary ratchet, the ratchet will rotate from the primary closed condition to the secondary closed condition. The secondary ratchet will follow the ratchet to rotate the release lever from the retracted position to the deployed position. The operator then manipulates the release lever to release the ratchet, to allow the ratchet to rotate from the closed condition secondary to the open condition. The hood latch has a light which is operable in response to a ratchet coupling of the primary ratchet or alternatively to the movement of the release arm moving from the retracted position and the deployed position. As the hood lock changes states between the primary closed condition and the secondary closed condition, the switch will open and close. The switch is arranged between a lighting element mounted to illuminate the bonnet latch region and a source of electrical power. In response, the opening and closing of the switch will illuminate the bulb.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings that illustrate the embodiments of the invention: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the hood lock assembly or assembly of the present invention; Figure 2 is an elevation view of the hood lock assembly of Figure 1 in an open condition; Figure 3 is an elevation view of the bonnet bolt assembly or assembly of Figure 1 in a secondary closed condition and Figure 4 is an elevation view of the hood bolt assembly of Figure 1 in a primary closed condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The bonnet bolt assembly or assembly 10 of the present invention is illustrated in general in Figure 1. The bolt 10 generally comprises a cover plate 12, a box 14, a ratchet or retainer 16, a primary ratchet 18 and a secondary release lever 20. The cover plate 12 and the case 14 are preferably stamped from sheet metal and each is formed and has a series of holes and protrusions to receive the various components as shown in FIG. will describe later in the present. Each of the cover plate 12 and the box 14 have a mouth 11 and 13 respectively. The retaining fork or ratchet 16 is rotatably mounted on the bolt 22 through the opening 24. The bolt 22 extends between the opening 26 that is on the cover plate 12 and the opening 28 that is on the box 14. The ends of the bolt 22 are finished for riveting the cover plate 12 to the box 14. The spring 30 is concentrically mounted on the bolt 22. One end of the spring 30 engages with the ratchet arm 32, while that the other end extends through the opening 34 of the box 14 to predispose the ratchet 16 to the open condition. The ratchet 16 has a primary retainer 36, a secondary retainer 38 and a camming surface 40. The camming surface 40 has a circumferential extension having a variable radial length. As the cam surface 40 rotates in relation to the secondary release lever 20 in a fixing direction, the radial length decreases. The ratchet 16 has a latching arm 42 having a distal end extending substantially tangential to the rotation of the ratchet 16. The hook shape of the distal end facilitates firing of the firing pin when the bonnet latch is in a closed condition high school. The ratchet 16 cooperates with the mouths 11 and 13 to releasably retain a striker mounted on a bonnet of a vehicle. The primary ratchet 18 is rotatably mounted on the bolt 44. The bolt 44 extends between the opening 46 that is on the cover plate 12 and the opening 48 that is on the case 14. The ends of the bolt 44 are finished for riveting the cover plate 12 to the box 14. The spring 50 is concentrically mounted on the bolt 44. One end of the spring 50 engages the primary pawl 18, while the other extends through the opening 52. of the box 14 for predisposing the primary ratchet 18 to the ratchet coupling with the ratchet 16. The primary ratchet 18 comprises a disc 54 having a bracket or abutment 56 for engaging the retainer 36 of the ratchet 16. The disc 54 also has a cam surface 58 for the switch. The primary ratchet 18 has a handle 59 extending from the disc 54. At the distal end of the handle 59 is a Bowden wire fitting 60 for receiving a Bowden wire to activate the primary ratchet 18 from inside the vehicle.

The secondary release lever 20 has a secondary ratchet 62 which receives the pin 64 to rotatably mount the secondary release lever 20 on the tongue 66 of the case 14. The spring 68 is concentrically mounted on the pin 64. One end of the spring 68 engages with secondary release lever 20, while the other end extends through the opening 70 of the box 14 to predispose the secondary release lever 20 to the coupling with the ratchet 16. The secondary ratchet 62 has a tab 72 that follows the camming surface 40. of the ratchet 16, while the bolt assembly 10 moves between the closed primary or closed secondary conditions. Since the radial length of the cam surface 40 varies, the secondary ratchet 62 will rotate as the ratchet 16 rotates. Preferably, the change in radial length of the cam surface 40 will cause at least 15 degrees of rotation of the secondary release lever 20. The length of the secondary release lever 20 can be selected to provide a desired amount of movement in the far end of it. When the latch assembly 10 is in the secondary closed condition, the abutment 38 of the ratchet 16 will engage the tongue 72 to resist rotation of the ratchet 16 in an opening direction.

The compression spring 74 has a plug 76 fitted at an upper end thereof. Each of the cover plate 12 and the box 14 have an ad channel for receiving and oscillating the compression spring 74 in a manner well known in the art. The plug 76 engages with the arm 32 of the ratchet 16 in such a way that the spring 74 provides a predisposition for opening the bonnet. The switch 78 is mounted on the cover plate 12. The arm 79 of the switch is positioned to engage with the cam surface 58 of the primary ratchet switch 18. The switch 78 is electrically connected to a light 82 mounted at a distal end thereof. secondary release arm 20. The light 82 is preferably mounted at the distal end of the secondary release arm 20; however, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the light 82 can be mounted anywhere on or near the bolt assembly 10 to provide illumination to the general region of the secondary release arm 20. The light 82 is preferably an incandescent bulb, however other light sources can be used. In such light sources are included LED (light emitting diodes) and optical fibers. When the bolt assembly 10 is in the primary closed condition, the arm 79 of the switch will extend beyond the cam surface end of the switch to open the switch 78. When the bolt assembly 10 is not in the closed condition primary, the arm 79 of the switch will follow the cam surface 58 of the switch to close the switch 78. With reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the striker 80 will engage the arm 32 of the ratchet 16 and slide along the the same as the ratchet 16 rotates in a fixing direction from the open condition to the secondary closed condition. The abutment 38 will rotate beyond the secondary ratchet 62 to allow the tongue 72 to releasably retain the ratchet 16 in the secondary closed condition. In this secondary closed condition the secondary release lever 20 will be in an unfolded position as it extends generally forward of the bolt assembly 10. The further forward movement of the striker 80 will cause the ratchet 16 to rotate additionally in a fixing direction. The arm 32 will engage the plug 76 to compress the spring 74. The tongue 72 will follow the cam surface 40 of the ratchet 16 to rotate the secondary release lever 20 from the deployed position to the retracted position, where the lever The secondary release 20 will generally extend in the same plane as the latch assembly 10. The primary ratchet 18 will also follow the ratchet 16 until the abutment 56 engages with the retainer 36 to releasably fix the ratchet 16 in the primary closed condition. After release of the primary ratchet 18, the abutment 56 will be separated from the ratchet 16. The biasing force of the compression spring 74 will rotate the ratchet 16 in a releasing direction until the bracket 38 engages with the tab 72 of the secondary ratchet 62. The secondary ratchet 62 has followed the camming surface 40 to cause the secondary release lever 20 to rotate from the retracted position to the deployed position. The latch arm 42 of the ratchet 16 will be engaged on the firing pin 80. After the release of the secondary release lever 20, the secondary ratchet 62 will be separated from the ratchet 16 to allow the predisposition of the spring 30 to rotate the ratchet 16 to the fully open condition for releasing the firing pin 80. The foregoing specific embodiment is illustrative of the practice of the present invention. However, it will be understood that other means known or apparent to those skilled in the art or described herein may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects or products to which it refers.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as -advantage, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A bonnet bolt, characterized in that it comprises: a box having a mouth; a ratchet rotatably mounted inside the box to cooperate with the mouth to rotate between an open condition, a primary closed condition and a secondary closed condition for receiving, engaging and sticking to a pin or safety plate of a hammer, the ratchet is predisposed or driven to the open condition, a rotatably mounted primary ratchet having predisposing means for predisposing or urging the primary ratchet to a coupling with the ratchet to releasably retain the ratchet in the primary closed condition, a rotationally mounted secondary ratchet having means or predisposing elements for predisposing the secondary ratchet to a coupling with the ratchet to releasably retain the ratchet in the secondary closed condition, the secondary ratchet has a secondary release arm extending therefrom and the secondary release arm it is rotating between a retr run when the primary ratchet is engaged and a deployed position once the primary ratchet has been released.
2. 2. "A bonnet bolt according to claim 1, characterized in that the bonnet bolt further comprises a light element mounted to illuminate a front region of the bonnet bolt, the light element is turned off and on in response to the ratchet rotating between the primary closed condition and the secondary closed condition
3. 3. A bonnet bolt according to claim 2, characterized in that the ratchet has a cam surface having a variable radial length and the secondary ratchet follows the cam surface to effect the movement between the retracted position and the deployed position
4. 4. A bonnet bolt according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotational movement of the secondary release arm between the retracted position and the deployed position is in response to the rotation of the ratchet between the primary closed condition and the secondary closed condition
5. 5. A cap bolt or in accordance with the claim. 4, characterized in that when the secondary release arm is in the retracted position, the secondary release arm is in a plane generally parallel to the box and when the secondary release arm is in the unfolded position the release arm secondary extends forward of the box.
6. 6. A bonnet bolt according to claim 5, characterized in that the light element is mounted in a region of the distal end of the secondary release arm.
7. A bonnet bolt according to claim 6, characterized in that the light element comprises a bulb, means for electrically connecting the bulb to an electrical source and a switch for opening and closing the electrical connection.
8. 8. A bonnet bolt according to claim 7, characterized in that the switch is mounted by means of a gear with the primary release pawl.
9. 9. A bolt of. hood according to claim 4, characterized in that when the secondary release arm is in the retracted position, the secondary release lever is in a plane generally parallel to the box and when the secondary release arm is in the position unfolded, the secondary release arm is rotated at least 15 degrees in relation to it.
10. A bonnet bolt according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratchet has a cam surface having a variable radial length and the secondary ratchet follows the cam surface to effect movement between the retracted position and the deployed position.
11. 11. A bonnet lock according to claim 10, characterized in that the rotational movement of the secondary release arm between the retracted position and the deployed position is in response to the rotation of the ratchet between the primary closed condition and the secondary closed condition.
12. A bonnet bolt according to claim 11, characterized in that when the secondary release arm is in the retracted position the secondary release arm is in a plane generally parallel to the case and when the release arm - secondary is in the deployed position the secondary release arm extends forward of the box.
13. A bonnet bolt according to claim 11, characterized in that when the secondary release arm is in the retracted position, the secondary release arm is in a plane generally parallel to the box and when the release arm secondary is in the deployed position the secondary release arm is rotated at least 15 degrees in relation to it.
14. A bonnet bolt according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratchet has an arm for coupling with a hammer as the ratchet is rotated in a fastening direction and a latching arm for engaging with a hammer when the ratchet is in a secondary closed condition.
15. 15. A bonnet latch according to claim 14, characterized in that the ratchet has a cam surface having a variable radial length and the secondary tringuete follows the cam surface to effect movement between the retracted position and the deployed position.
16. A bonnet bolt according to claim 15, characterized in that the rotational movement of the secondary release arm between the retracted position and the deployed position is in response to the rotation of the ratchet between the primary closed condition and the secondary closed condition. .
17. A bonnet bolt according to claim 16, characterized in that when the secondary release arm is in the retracted position, the secondary release arm is in a plane generally parallel to the box and when the release arm secondary is in the deployed position the secondary release arm extends forward of the box.
18. 18. A bonnet bolt according to claim 17, characterized in that the bonnet bolt further comprises a lighting element for illuminating a front region of the bonnet bolt, the lighting means are extinguished and ignited in response to the rattle that rotates between the primary closed condition and the secondary closed condition. A bonnet bolt according to claim 16, characterized in that when the secondary release arm is in the retracted position, the secondary release arm is in a plane generally parallel to the box and when the release arm secondary is in the deployed position, the secondary release arm is rotated at least 15 degrees in relation to it. A bonnet bolt according to claim 19, characterized in that the bonnet bolt further comprises a lighting element mounted to illuminate a front region of the bonnet bolt, the illumination element is turned off and turned on in response to the ratchet which rotates between the primary closed condition and the secondary closed condition. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A bonnet bolt assembly (10) is described having a box (14) comprising a mouth (13). A rattle (16) is rotatably mounted within the box (14) to cooperate with the mouth (13) to rotate between an open condition, a secondary closed condition and a primary closed condition to receive, engage with and adhere to a pin or safety plate of a hammer (80). The rattle (16) is predisposed to the open condition. A primary ratchet (18) rotatably mounted is predisposed for coupling with the ratchet (16) to releasably retain the ratchet (16) in the primary closed condition. A secondary pawl (62) rotatably mounted is predisposed to engage with the ratchet (16) to releasably retain the ratchet (16) in the secondary closed condition. The secondary pawl (62) has a release lever (20) that rotates between an unfolded position and a retracted position. As the ratchet (16) engages with the striker (80), the ratchet (16) will rotate in a clamping direction from the open condition to the secondary closed condition. As the ratchet (16) rotates further from the closed condition secondary to the prime closed condition, to fully engage with the firing pin (80), the secondary ratchet (62) follows the ratchet (16) to allow the release lever (20) rotate from an unfolded position to a retracted position. After release of the primary coupling when separating the primary ratchet (18), the ratchet (16) will rotate from the primary closed condition to the secondary closed condition. The secondary ratchet (62) will follow the ratchet (16) which rotates the release lever (20) from the retracted position to the deployed position. The operator then manipulates the release lever (20) to release the ratchet (16) to allow the ratchet (16) to rotate from the closed condition secondary to the open condition. The hood lock (10) has a light (82) that is operable in response to the movement of the release arm (20) moving from the retracted position and the deployed position. The changes of the latch (10) of the bonnet between the primary closed condition and the secondary closed condition will open and close the switch (78). The switch (78) is arranged between a light source (82) mounted to illuminate the latch region (10) of the bonnet and a source of electrical power. In response to the opening and closing of the switch (78) the light (82) will illuminate.