Abstract: A latch assembly is provided for selectively engaging a striker in order to latch a door to a motor vehicle body. The latch assembly includes a housing. A ratchet is rotatably mounted to the housing for movement between an engaged position engaging the striker and a release position. A pawl is rotatably mounted to the housing and engageable with the ratchet to retain the ratchet in the engaged position. An inertia catch is coupled to the housing and is operably connected to the pawl for preventing the pawl from moving out of engagement with the ratchet in the event of a motor vehicle impact.

Abstract: A latch assembly selectively engages a striker for latching a door to a motor vehicle body. The latch assembly includes a housing. A ratchet is rotatably mounted to the housing for movement between an engaged position engaging the striker and a release position. A ratchet-engaging pawl is rotatably mounted to the housing and engageable with the ratchet to retain the ratchet in the engaged position. An inertia mechanism is operably connected to the ratchet-engaging pawl to prevent the ratchet-engaging pawl from pivoting out of engagement with the ratchet when the ratchet-engaging pawl begins to pivot due to inertial forces acting thereupon.