Abstract: A cinching latch assembly for latching a striker includes a forkbolt biased to rotate about a first pivot point between a primary latched position, a secondary latched position, and a fully released position. The cinching latch assembly also includes a detent biased to rotate about a second pivot point to engage with the forkbolt in at least one position of the forkbolt, and a lift lever biased to rotate about a third pivot point, the lift lever having a first end to lift up on the striker during at least one position of the striker within the latch assembly. The cinching latch assembly also includes a cinch lever that, during a powered cinching operation, lowers the lift lever away from the striker prior to the forkbolt moving from the fully released position to the secondary latched position.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes a forkbolt biased to rotate in a first direction about a first pivot point, and a detent biased to rotate in a second direction about a second pivot point, the detent configured to engage with the forkbolt in at least two different positions. The latch assembly further includes a tertiary catch biased to rotate in the first direction. The detent is configured to engage a portion of the tertiary catch and rotate the tertiary catch when the detent is rotated in the first direction.

Abstract: An automotive latch assembly includes an outer housing, a latching element at least partially housed within the outer housing, and at least one of a tie-down feature or bottle opener feature that is an aperture that extends through an element of the latching assembly.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes a forkbolt biased to rotate in a first direction about a first pivot point, and a detent biased to rotate in a second direction about a second pivot point, the detent configured to engage with the forkbolt in at least two different positions. The latch assembly further includes a lever having a first end coupled to the detent and a second end biased toward the forkbolt. The latch assembly further includes a switch configured to detect a position of both the forkbolt and the combined lever and detent.

Abstract: A cinching latch assembly for latching a striker includes a forkbolt biased to rotate about a first pivot point between a primary latched position, a secondary latched position, and a fully released position. The cinching latch assembly also includes a detent biased to rotate about a second pivot point to engage with the forkbolt in at least one position of the forkbolt, and a lift lever biased to rotate about a third pivot point, the lift lever having a first end to lift up on the striker during at least one position of the striker within the latch assembly. The cinching latch assembly also includes a cinch lever that, during a powered cinching operation, lowers the lift lever away from the striker prior to the forkbolt moving from the fully released position to the secondary latched position.

Abstract: A powered latch with manual release includes a forkbolt, a detent lever, and a powered actuator. The forkbolt is pivotable about a first axis to latch and unlatch a striker. The detent lever is pivotable about a second axis and engageable with the forkbolt to secure the forkbolt in the latched position. A power cinching lever is rotatable by the powered actuator to cinch the forkbolt to the latched position. A power release lever is rotatable by the powered actuator to release the detent lever from the forkbolt. A manual release lever is supported for rotation about a third axis and operable by a single manual rotation from outside the powered latch, without operation of the powered actuator, to both: interrupt a power transmission path between the powered actuator and the power cinching lever, and drive the detent lever to release the forkbolt.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes a forkbolt biased to rotate in a first direction about a first pivot point, and a detent biased to rotate in a second direction about a second pivot point, the detent configured to engage with the forkbolt in at least two different positions. The latch assembly further includes a tertiary catch biased to rotate in the first direction. The detent is configured to engage a portion of the tertiary catch and rotate the tertiary catch when the detent is rotated in the first direction.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes a forkbolt biased to rotate in a first direction about a first pivot point, and a detent biased to rotate in a second direction about a second pivot point, the detent configured to engage with the forkbolt in at least two different positions. The latch assembly further includes a lever having a first end coupled to the detent and a second end biased toward the forkbolt. The latch assembly further includes a switch configured to detect a position of both the forkbolt and the combined lever and detent.

Abstract: A powered latch with manual release includes a forkbolt, a detent lever, and a powered actuator. The forkbolt is pivotable about a first axis to latch and unlatch a striker. The detent lever is pivotable about a second axis and engageable with the forkbolt to secure the forkbolt in the latched position. A power cinching lever is rotatable by the powered actuator to cinch the forkbolt to the latched position. A power release lever is rotatable by the powered actuator to release the detent lever from the forkbolt. A manual release lever is supported for rotation about a third axis and operable by a single manual rotation from outside the powered latch, without operation of the powered actuator, to both: interrupt a power transmission path between the powered actuator and the power cinching lever, and drive the detent lever to release the forkbolt.

Abstract: An adjustable cinching striker assembly for installation on a vehicle. The adjustable striker assembly includes a mounting frame for selectively mounting the adjustable striker assembly to the vehicle, and a striker moveably coupled to the mounting frame. A motor is coupled to the striker for moving the striker with respect to the mounting frame from an uncinched position to a cinched position, movement of the striker defining a cinching direction. The cinched position is adjustable with respect to the mounting frame.

Abstract: An adjustable cinching striker assembly for installation on a vehicle. The adjustable striker assembly includes a mounting frame for selectively mounting the adjustable striker assembly to the vehicle, and a striker moveably coupled to the mounting frame. A motor is coupled to the striker for moving the striker with respect to the mounting frame from an uncinched position to a cinched position, movement of the striker defining a cinching direction. The cinched position is adjustable with respect to the mounting frame.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a vehicle includes a mounting bracket defining a slot configured to receive a striker of the vehicle. The latch mechanism also includes a catch pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket. The catch is pivotable between a first position in which the catch allows removal of the striker from the slot, a second position in which the catch secures the striker within the slot, and a third position in which the catch pivots past the second position. The latch mechanism further includes a dampener element operable to slow movement of the catch as the catch pivots from the second position to the third position.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for releasing an automotive pedal in a crash includes mounting a pedal pivot pin by separable housing pieces fit to the pin to support the pedal for normal operation. One of the housing pieces is hinged to be able to swing away when disconnected from the other housing piece in a crash to release the pedal. The housing pieces are held together by locking clips gripping abutting upper portions of the housing pieces, the clips in turn held in position by a blocking portion of a retainer which is shifted in a crash to allow the clips to disengage. The surfaces gripped by the clips are sloped so that a reaction force on the pin creates a disengaging force on the clips to produce a very rapid release of the clips when the retainer is shifted in a crash. The retainer is located in its clip retention position by locating elements which are sheared off in a crash.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for a closure of a motor vehicle compartment includes a housing forming a vertically extending groove for receiving a striker bar secured to the closure, first and second hollow rivets located on opposite sides of the groove, a striker spring located at the groove for upwardly biasing the striker bar out of the groove, a pawl pivotable about the first hollow rivet and defining a notch, and a ratchet pivotable about the second hollow rivet and defining a protrusion adapted to cooperate with the notch of the pawl to selectively retain the ratchet in a locked position. the ratchet also defines pocket for receiving the striker bar and retaining the striker bar in the groove when the ratchet is in the locked position. Fasteners extend though passageways in the hollow rivets to secure the latching mechanism to the motor vehicle. The striker spring is positioned to directly engage the striker bar when the striker bar is in the groove to bias the striker bar in a direction out of the groove.