WO2012047606A2

WO2012047606A2 - Compliant latch mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2012047606A2
Application number: PCT/US2011/053356
Authority: WO
Inventors: Scott Fast
Original assignee: Fisher & Company, Incorporated
Priority date: 2010-09-28
Filing date: 2011-09-27
Publication date: 2012-04-12
Also published as: WO2012047606A3

Abstract

A latch mechanism is provided and may include a housing and a claw member rotatably supported by the housing between an unlocked state and at least two locked states. A pawl member may be rotatably supported by the housing and may be operable to lock the claw member in the at least two locked states relative to the housing.

Description

COMPLIANT LATCH MECHANISM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 /387,056, filed on September 28, 2010. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a latch mechanism and more particularly to a latch mechanism for a seat assembly.

BACKGROUND

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] A latch mechanism may be incorporated into a seat assembly to allow a user to selectively move the seat assembly relative to a vehicle and provide access to areas behind or below the seat. Such latch mechanisms typically include a claw that selectively engages a striker associated with the vehicle to prevent movement of the seat assembly relative to the vehicle.

[0005] The seat assembly may include a series of latch mechanisms located at different positions on the seat assembly to selectively engage the vehicle at more than one location. Due to manufacturing tolerances in any of the components associated with the vehicle, seat assembly, latch mechanism and/or striker, proper engagement between each striker and latch mechanism often requires that each latch mechanism travel a different distance in a direction substantially perpendicular to a floorpan of the vehicle (i.e., along the "Z-axis"). For example, a latch mechanism located at an outboard area of the seat assembly may have to travel into the floorpan of the vehicle to a greater extent when compared to a latch mechanism located at an inboard area of the vehicle to allow the inboard latch mechanism to sufficiently engage and retain the inboard striker therein. [0006] Conventional latch mechanisms allow for movement towards and away from a striker in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floorpan of a vehicle to allow each latch mechanism to properly engage a striker. However, such conventional latch mechanisms typically include an oversized housing and an oversized recess to allow the striker to properly engage the claw at various locations along the recess and relative to the housing to accommodate variations in the vehicle, seat assembly, latch mechanism, and/or striker. While the oversized housing and oversized recess account for variations in the vehicle, seat assembly, latch mechanism, and/or striker, such characteristics add to the overall size, weight, and cost of the latch mechanism, thereby rendering the latch mechanism and seat assembly more complex and costly.

SUMMARY

[0007] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0008] A latch mechanism is provided and may include a housing and a claw member rotatably supported by the housing between an unlocked state and at least two locked states. A pawl member may be rotatably supported by the housing and may lock the claw member in the at least two locked states relative to the housing.

[0009] In another configuration, a latch mechanism is provided and may include a housing and a claw member rotatably supported by the housing in at least a first locked state and a second locked state. A cam may be rotatably supported by the housing and may be located in a first position relative to the claw member in each of the first locked state and the second locked state.

[0010] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a latch mechanism according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the latch mechanism of FIG. 1 ;

[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the latch mechanism of FIG. 1 ;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the latch mechanism of FIG. 1 in a first locked state;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of the latch mechanism of FIG. 1 in a second locked state;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a side view of the latch mechanism of FIG. 1 in a third locked state;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view of the latch mechanism of FIG. 1 in an unlocked state; and

[0019] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a vehicle incorporating the latch mechanism of FIG. 1 into a seat assembly.

[0020] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0023] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0024] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0025] With reference to FIGS. 1 -8, a latch mechanism 10 is provided and may include a housing 12, a lock mechanism 14, and an actuation mechanism 16. The latch mechanism 10 may be movable between a locked state and an unlocked state and may be associated with a seat assembly 19 to selectively prevent movement of the seat assembly 19 relative to an external structure such as, for example, a vehicle 21 (FIG. 8). The lock mechanism 14 may be in communication with the actuation mechanism 16, whereby the actuation mechanism 16 selectively toggles the lock mechanism 14 from the locked state to the unlocked state to permit movement of the seat assembly 19 relative to the vehicle 21 .

[0026] With particular reference to FIGS. 1 -3, the housing 12 may include a first plate 18 and a second plate 20. The first plate 18 may include a first-seat flange 22, a first-striker flange 24, and a first plurality of apertures 26 for securing the latch mechanism 10 to the seat assembly 19. The first-striker flange 24 may also include a first plurality of apertures 28 and a first catch 30. The first plurality of apertures 28 may receive a corresponding plurality of pin members 32 while the first catch 30 may be generally U-shaped and may receive a striker element 34, which may be fixed to the vehicle 21 (FIGS. 4-7).

[0027] The second plate 20 may include a second-seat flange 36, a second-striker flange 38, and an actuator flange 40. The second-seat flange 36 may include a second plurality of seat apertures 41 for further securing the latch mechanism 10 to the seat assembly 19. The second-striker flange 38 may include a second plurality of apertures 42, a second catch 44, and an actuator slot 46. The second catch 44 may generally be U-shaped and may selectively receive the striker element 34, as shown in FIGS. 4-7. The second plurality of apertures 42 may receive the corresponding plurality of pin members 32, such that the second plate 20 is coupled to the first plate 18 via the plurality of pin members 32.

[0028] The lock mechanism 14 may be rotatably supported by the housing 12 about respective pin members 32 and may include a lock or claw member 52, a pawl member 54, a cam 56, and a biasing member 58. The claw member 52 may include a locking channel 60, a pawl-interface surface 62, and a cam-interface surface 64. The locking channel 60 may be substantially U- shaped and may receive the striker element 34 upon rotation of the claw member 52 from an unlocked state, shown in FIG. 7, to a locked state, shown in FIGS. 4-6. The pawl-interface surface 62 may include a plurality of asymmetrical first-locking teeth 66, whereby each first-locking tooth 66 is substantially V- shaped. The claw member 52 may further include a hook portion 68 that receives a first end 72 of the biasing member 58. [0029] The pawl member 54 may include a claw-interface surface 76 and a lip portion 80. The claw-interface surface 76 may include a plurality of asymmetrical second-locking teeth 82, whereby each second-locking tooth 82 is substantially V-shaped. The lip portion 80 may receive a second end 84 of the biasing member 58 to rotationally bias the claw member 52 and pawl member 54 relative to the housing 12. Specifically, in the locked state, the biasing member 58 may bias the plurality of first-locking teeth 66 on the pawl-interface surface 62 into engagement with the plurality of second-locking teeth 82 on the claw- interface surface 76 to prevent rotation of the claw member 52 and pawl member 54 relative to the housing 12.

[0030] The cam 56 may be rotatably supported between the first and second housing plates 18, 20 via a pin member 32 and may include a post 57 received within an aperture 59 and an engagement surface 61 in selective engagement with the claw member 52. The post 57 may be substantially perpendicular to a surface 65 of the cam 56 and may include an annular groove 63 disposed proximate to a distal end thereof.

[0031] The actuation mechanism 16 may be rotatably supported by the housing 12 about one of the plurality of pin members 32 and may include an actuation member 90 (FIG. 1 ) and a biasing member 92. The actuation member 90 may be a cable received by the actuator flange 40 of the second plate 20 and may be attached to the post 57 at the groove 63. The biasing member 92 may include a first end 93 that is fixed for rotation with pivot 33 and a second end 95 that is in engagement with the post 57 generally between the surface 65 of the cam 56 and the groove 63. While the second end 95 of the biasing member 92 is described as being disposed between the surface 65 of the cam 56 and the groove 63 of the post 57, the second plate 20 extends generally between the biasing member 92 and the cam 56, as the post 56 extends generally through and is slidably received within the slot 46 of the second plate 20. The biasing member 92 may exert a rotational force on the cam 56 via the post 57, thereby causing the engagement surface 61 of the cam 56 to engage the cam-interface surface 64 of the claw member 52 to prevent rotation of the claw member 52 relative to the housing 12 and place the latch mechanism 10 in the locked state. [0032] The latch mechanism 10 may further include a cover 96, a bumper 98, and a biasing member 100. The bumper 98 may be slidingly received by the cover 96 to allow the biasing member 100 to bias the bumper 98 into engagement with the striker element 34 and further bias the striker element 34 into engagement with the claw member 52 when the latch mechanism 10 is in the locked state. In one embodiment, the bumper 98 is at least partially constructed of rubber or nylon such that vibration of the housing 12 and/or claw member 52 relative to the striker element 34 is absorbed by the bumper 98, thereby reducing noise during use.

[0033] Operation of the latch mechanism 10 will now be described in detail. FIGS. 4-6 illustrate the latch mechanism 10 in a first locked state, a second locked state, and a third locked state, respectively. FIG. 7 illustrates the latch mechanism 10 in an unlocked state. In the unlocked state (FIG. 7), the striker element 34 may initially apply a force on the claw member 52 when the striker element 34 enters the locking channel 60 of the claw member 52. In one configuration, the latch mechanism 10 is disposed proximate to a seat bottom 23 (FIG. 8) of the seat assembly 19 and approaches the striker element 34 in a direction substantially perpendicular to a floorpan 27 of the vehicle 21 as the seat assembly 19 is moved into close proximity with the floorpan 27.

[0034] Sufficient movement of the latch mechanism 10 relative to the housing 12 towards the floorpan 27 causes the striker element 34 to enter the catches 30, 44 of the first and second housing plates 18, 20 and engage the claw member 52 within the locking channel 60. Engagement of the striker element 34 and the claw member 52 causes rotation of the claw member 52 about one of the plurality of pin members 32 in the clockwise (CW) direction relative to the view shown in FIG. 4. The latch mechanism 10 moves from the unlocked state (FIG. 7) to one of a plurality of locked states (three exemplary locked states shown in FIGS. 4-6) upon engagement of the claw member 52 and pawl member 54.

[0035] The first-locking teeth 66 of the claw member 52 may engage the second-locking teeth 82 of the pawl member 54 when the latch mechanism 10 is in the locked state to prevent rotation of the claw member 52 relative to the housing 12 in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the view shown in FIG. 4. Preventing rotation of the claw member 52 in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the view shown in FIG. 4 prevents removal of the striker element 34 from the locking channel 60 and therefore prevents movement of the seat assembly 19 relative to the vehicle 21 until the latch mechanism 10 is returned to the unlocked state (FIG. 7).

[0036] During clockwise (CW) rotation of the claw member 52 relative to the view shown in FIG. 4, the first-locking teeth 66 may slidingly engage the second-locking teeth 82 such that the pawl-interface surface 62 ratchets along the claw-interface surface 76. The pawl member 54 and associated second- locking teeth 82 may be shaped such that the claw member 52 is permitted to ratchet along the second-locking teeth 82 when rotated in the clockwise (CW) direction relative to the view shown in FIG. 4 to prevent rotation of the claw member 52 in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction.

[0037] The teeth 82 may include a shape that causes a force applied to the pawl member 54 by the claw member 52— when the claw member 52 is rotated in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction— to be transmitted through a rotational axis 86 of the pawl member 54. Accordingly, the shape of the pawl member 54 and associated second-locking teeth 82 may restrict rotation of the pawl member 54 about the rotational axis 86 when the counterclockwise (CCW) force is applied to the pawl member 54 via the claw member 52 to allow the force to be transmitted to the pin member 32 and first and second housing plates 18, 20. Furthermore, the first-locking teeth 66 of the claw member 52 may be shaped such that when the counterclockwise force is applied to the pawl member 54 via the claw member 52, the first- and second-locking teeth 66, 82 are unable to slide or ratchet along one another. Thus, in the locked state, the pawl member 54 and the first- and second-locking teeth 66, 82 may restrict the claw member 52 from rotating in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction with respect to the views shown in FIGS. 4-6.

[0038] The position of engagement between the pawl member 54 and the claw member 52 at surfaces 62, 76 is determined generally based on a distance of travel of the striker element 34 within each of the first and second housing plates 18, 20. Specifically, as the striker element 34 is received within the first catch 30 and second catch 44 of the first and second housing plates 18, 20 and is moved relative to the first and second housing plates 18, 20, the teeth 66 of the claw member 52 engage the pawl member 54 to prevent rotation of the claw member 52 in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction or rotation of the pawl member 54 in the clockwise (CW) direction relative to the view shown in FIG. 4.

[0039] When the teeth 66 initially engage the teeth 82, the teeth 82 of the pawl member 54 are engaged proximate to a top portion of the teeth 66 of the claw member 52 (FIG. 4). Should the striker element 34 continue to travel within the first catch 30 and second catch 44 of the first and second housing plates 18, 20 and continue to rotate the claw member 52 in the clockwise (CW) direction relative to the view shown in FIG. 4, the pawl member 54 is permitted to ratchet along the teeth 66 of the claw member 52 (FIG. 5) until the teeth 82 of the pawl member 54 are disposed proximate to a bottom portion of the teeth 66 of the claw member 52 (FIG. 6). Allowing the pawl member 54 to ratchet along the teeth 82 of the claw member 52 allows the striker element 34 to move a sufficient distance within the first catch 30 and second catch 44 of the first and second housing plates 18, 20 to allow the striker element 34 to move into a desired position relative to the housing 12.

[0040] The latch mechanism 10 must be properly positioned relative to the striker element 34 to allow the striker element 34 to move into the housing 12 and locking channel 60 of the claw member 52 to place the latch mechanism 10 in the locked state. Specifically, the striker element 34 must sufficiently move into the housing 12 to cause the claw member 52 to rotate into engagement with the pawl member 54 (FIGS. 4-6) and place the latch mechanism 10 in the locked state.

[0041] If the seat assembly 19 includes a single latch mechanism 10, once the claw member 52 is rotated sufficiently relative to the housing 12 by the striker element 34 such that the claw member 52 engages the pawl member 54, the latch mechanism 10 is in the locked state and the seat assembly 19 is prevented from being rotated relative to the vehicle 21 , as shown in FIG. 4. If, however, the seat assembly 19 includes multiple latch mechanisms 10 (FIG. 8) that respectively engage individual striker elements 34, one or more of the latch mechanisms 10 may need to allow the claw member 52 to ratchet along the pawl member 54 to allow the other of the latch mechanisms 10 to move into the locked state.

[0042] For example, if a first latch mechanism 10 engages a striker element 34 and is moved into the first locked state (FIG. 4) but a second latch mechanism 10 has not sufficiently engaged a striker element 34 such that the second latch mechanism 10 is in the locked state, movement of the seat assembly 19 towards the floorpan 27 of the vehicle 21 is required to further rotate the claw member 52 of the second latch mechanism 10. Because the first latch mechanism 10 is moved with the seat assembly 19, movement of the seat assembly 19 towards the floorpan 27 of the vehicle 21 causes concurrent movement of the first latch mechanism 10 towards the floorpan 27 of the vehicle 21 along with the second latch mechanism 10. Therefore, the cam 56 of the first latch mechanism 10 must accommodate the additional travel of the striker element 34 into the housing 12 of the first latch mechanism 10 to allow the striker element 34 associated with the second latch mechanism 10 to sufficiently move into the housing 12 of the second latch mechanism 10 and into engagement with the pawl member 54. The additional movement of the striker element 34 into the housing 12 of the first latch mechanism 10 is accommodated by allowing the claw member 52 to continue to rotate in the clockwise (CW) direction relative to the view shown in FIG. 4 and ratchet along the pawl member 54 (FIG. 5) until the claw member 52 of the second latch mechanism 10 engages the pawl member 54. Once the first latch mechanism 10 and the second latch mechanism 10 are each in the locked state, additional movement of the seat assembly 19 towards the floorpan of the vehicle 21 is not required to place the latch mechanisms 10 in the locked state.

[0043] While the first latch mechanism 10 and second latch mechanism 10 should theoretically be moved into the locked state at the same time, manufacturing tolerances associated with the latch mechanisms 10, seat assembly 19, vehicle 21 , and/or striker element 34 may cause the latch mechanisms 10 to be moved into the locked state at different positions. Due to such manufacturing tolerances, the latch mechanisms 10 must be able to allow for additional movement towards the floorpan 27 of the vehicle 21 even if one latch mechanism 10 is already in the locked state to permit other latch mechanisms 10 associated with the seat assembly 19 to move into the locked state. While the foregoing example describes a pair of latch mechanisms 10, any number of latch mechanisms 10 may be associated with the seat assembly 19 and similarly must accommodate for additional movement of a striker element 34 into the housing 12 of each latch mechanism 10 to allow each latch mechanism 10 to properly move into the locked state when the seat assembly 19 is moved towards the floorpan 27 of the vehicle 21 . Regardless of the particular number of latch mechanisms 10 associated with the seat assembly 19, movement of the seat assembly 19 generally towards the floorpan 27 of the vehicle 21 is restricted once a striker element 34 encounters the bottom of the catch 30, 44 of one or more of the latch mechanisms 10, as engagement between the striker element 34 and the bottom of the catch 30, 44 of the latch mechanism 10 prevents further movement of the striker element 34 into the housing 12.

[0044] When the latch mechanism 10 is in any of the locked states shown in FIGS. 4-6, the cam 56 is held in the substantially same position relative to the housing 12. In one configuration, the post 57 engages an end of the slot 46, thereby preventing further movement of the cam 56 relative to the housing 12. In another configuration, the claw member 52 may include a projection 59 extending generally towards the cam 56 (FIG. 4), whereby engagement between the projection 59 of the claw member 52 and the cam 56 prevents further rotation of the cam 56 in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the view shown in FIG. 4. While the cam 56 is described as including a post 57 that abuts an end of the slot 46 or a surface that engages a projection 59 of the claw member 52 to prevent further rotation of the cam 56 in the clockwise (CW) direction relative to the view shown in FIG. 4, the cam 56 may be positioned relative to the housing 12 by engagement between the post 57 and an end of the slot 46, as well as due to engagement between the projection 59 of the claw member 52 and the cam 56. [0045] In operation, once the latch mechanism 10 is moved into the locked state (FIGS. 4-6), the biasing member 92 imparts a force on the cam 56 to cause the cam 56 to rotate in the clockwise (CW) direction relative to the view shown in FIG. 4. Upon sufficient rotation of the cam 56 in the clockwise (CW) direction relative to the view shown in FIG. 4, the post 57 will contact an end of the slot 46 and/or will contact the projection 59 of the claw member 52 to prevent further rotation of the cam 56 in the clockwise (CW) direction relative to the view shown in FIG. 4. Preventing further rotation of the cam 56 in the clockwise (CW) direction relative to the view shown in FIG. 4 by way of a mechanical stop (i.e., via engagement of the post 57 and slot 46 and/or between the cam 56 and the projection 59) causes the cam 56 to be positioned relative to the housing 12 in substantially the same position each time the latch mechanism 10 is moved into the locked state.

[0046] Positioning the cam 56 in the same position relative to the housing 12 when the latch mechanism 10 is in the locked state properly positions the cam 56 relative to the claw member 52 to allow the cam 56 to absorb forces applied on the cam 56 via the claw member 52 when the claw member 52 is rotated in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the view shown in FIG. 4. When a force is applied on the claw member 52 (i.e., when the seat assembly 19 is moved away from the floorpan 27 of the vehicle 21 when the latch mechanism is in the locked state), the striker element 34 applies a force on the claw member 52, thereby causing the claw member 52 to attempt to rotate in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the view shown in FIG. 4. When the claw member 52 is in the position shown in FIG. 4, rotation of the claw member 52 in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction causes the force to be transmitted to the pawl member 54 due to engagement between the teeth 66 of the claw member 52 and the teeth 82 of the pawl member 54. In addition, because the claw member 52 is in close proximity to the engagement surface 61 of the cam 56, the cam-interface surface 64 of the claw member 52 almost immediately applies a force on the cam 56 at the engagement surface 61 .

[0047] As described, when the latch mechanism 10 is in the locked state and in the position shown in FIG. 4, rotation of the claw member 52 in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the view shown in FIG. 4 is prevented due to interaction between the claw member 52 and the pawl member 54, as well as interaction between the claw member 52 and the cam 56. If, however, the claw member 52 is locked relative to the housing 12 such that the teeth 66 of the claw member 52 are engaged with the teeth 82 of the pawl member 54 such that a gap exists between the cam-interface surface 64 of the claw member 52 and the engagement surface 61 of the cam 56 (FIGS. 5 and 6), when the claw member 52 initially rotates in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the views shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, movement of the claw member 52 in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction is initially prevented via engagement between the teeth 66 of the claw member 52 and the teeth 82 of the pawl member 54 and is not prevented by the cam 56. If the force is continually applied to the claw member 52 and exceeds a predetermined threshold, the claw member 52 will disengage the pawl member 54 and continue to rotate in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction until the cam-interface surface 64 of the claw member 52 contacts the engagement surface 61 of the cam 56. At this point, further rotation of the claw member 52 in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the views shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is restricted due to engagement between the claw member 52 and the cam 56 at engagement surface 61 .

[0048] Because the cam 56 is positioned in the substantially same position relative to the housing 12 when the latch mechanism 10 is in each of the locked states shown in FIGS. 4-6, engagement between the cam-interface surface 64 of the claw member 52 and the engagement surface 61 of the cam 56 can be controlled such that the force applied on the engagement surface 61 of the cam 56 via the cam-interface surface 64 of the claw member 52 is transmitted substantially along a longitudinal axis of the cam 56 and directly into the housing plates 18, 20 at pivot 33. Allowing the forces associated with rotation of the claw member 52 in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the views shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to be transmitted along the longitudinal axis of the cam 56 directly into the housing plates 18 and 20 via the pivot 33 allows the latch mechanism 10 to effectively restrict rotation of the claw member 52 in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the views shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The cam 56, therefore, prevents removal of the striker element 34 from the housing 12 and, thus, prevents rotation of the seat assembly 19 relative to the vehicle 21 .

[0049] A force may be applied to the actuation member 90 to move the latch mechanism 10 from the locked state (FIGS. 4-6) to the unlocked state (FIG. 7). Applying a force on the actuation member 90 causes a force to similarly be applied to the post 57 of the cam 56, as a distal end of the actuation member 90 is received within the groove 63 of the post 57. The force applied to the actuation member 90 causes the cam 56 to rotate in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the views shown in FIGS. 4-7 and likewise causes the post 57 to move within the slot 46. Movement of the post 57 within the slot 46 causes the post 57 to move towards the pawl member 54 and engage the pawl member 54, thereby causing the pawl member 54 to rotate in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the views shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 along with the cam 56. Upon sufficient rotation of the cam 56 and pawl member 54 in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the views shown in FIGS. 4-7, the cam-interface surface 64 of the claw member 52 disengages the engagement surface 61 of the cam 56, thereby permitting the claw member 52 to rotate in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the views shown in FIGS. 4-7. Rotation of the claw member 52 in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the views shown in FIGS. 4-7 is accomplished via the biasing member 58, which is permitted to apply a force on the claw member 52 and rotate the claw member 52 in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the views shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, as the cam 56 and pawl member 54 no longer prevent such rotation.

[0050] Once the actuation member 90 is released, the biasing member 92 is once again permitted to bias the cam 56 in the clockwise (CW) direction relative to the views shown in FIGS. 4-7. When a force is once again applied to the claw member 52 via the striker element 34 such that the claw member 52 is rotated in the clockwise (CW) direction relative to the views shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the cam 56 is positioned relative to the housing 12 and claw member 52 (FIGS. 4-6) to prevent rotation of the claw member 52 in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction relative to the views shown in FIGS. 4-6, as previously described.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . A latch mechanism comprising:

a housing;

a claw member rotatably supported by said housing between an unlocked state and at least two locked states; and

a pawl member rotatably supported by said housing and operable to lock said claw member in said at least two locked states relative to said housing.

2. The latch mechanism of Claim 1 , wherein said at least two locked states includes a first locked state and a second locked state.

3. The latch mechanism of Claim 2, wherein said claw member ratchets along said pawl member from said first locked state to said second locked state.

4. The latch mechanism of Claim 2, further comprising a cam rotatably supported by said housing and located in a first position relative to said claw member in each of said first locked state and said second locked state.

5. The latch mechanism of Claim 4, wherein engagement between said claw member and said cam determines said first position.

6. The latch mechanism of Claim 5, wherein engagement between said cam and said housing determines said first position in combination with engagement between said claw member and said cam.

7. The latch mechanism of Claim 4, wherein engagement between said cam and said housing determines said first position.

8. The latch mechanism of Claim 4, wherein said cam is in selective engagement with said claw member to prevent movement of said claw member from said at least two locked states to said unlocked state.

9. The latch mechanism of Claim 1 , wherein said claw member includes a first series of teeth and said pawl member includes a second series of teeth, said first series of teeth engaging said second series of teeth in said at least two locked states.

10. The latch mechanism of Claim 9, wherein said first teeth ratchet along said second teeth as said claw member moves between said at least two locked states.

1 1 . A latch mechanism comprising:

a housing;

a claw member rotatably supported by said housing in at least a first locked state and a second locked state;

a cam rotatably supported by said housing and located in a first position relative to said claw member in each of said first locked state and said second locked state.

12. The latch mechanism of Claim 1 1 , wherein said first locked state is different than said second locked state.

13. The latch mechanism of Claim 1 1 , wherein said claw member is in a different position relative to said housing in each of said first locked state and said second locked state.

14. The latch mechanism of Claim 1 1 , wherein engagement between said claw member and said cam determines said first position.

15. The latch mechanism of Claim 14, wherein engagement between said cam and said housing determines said first position in combination with engagement between said claw member and said cam.

16. The latch mechanism of Claim 1 1 , wherein engagement between said cam and said housing determines said first position.

17. The latch mechanism of Claim 1 1 , wherein said cam is in selective engagement with said claw member to prevent movement of said claw member from said at least two locked states to said unlocked state.

18. The latch mechanism of Claim 1 1 , wherein said claw member includes a first series of teeth and said pawl member includes a second series of teeth, said first series of teeth engaging said second series of teeth in said at least two locked states.

19. The latch mechanism of Claim 18, wherein said first teeth ratchet along said second teeth as said claw member moves between said first locked state and said second locked state.

20. The latch mechanism of Claim 1 1 , wherein said claw member ratchets along said pawl member from said first locked state to said second locked state