Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device for sliding doors, or for swinging-sliding doors of vehicles, particularly of rail vehicles, by which a locking pin connected to a door leaf is fixed in the closed position thereof. The device is characterized in that in the closed position of the locking pin the same is fixed in this position by a latch, a guide bar connected to the latch and having a notch assumes a position in which a locking element of a locking lever projects into the notch, thus fixing the position of the guide bar and the locking lever in turn is held in the closed position by a toggle lever mechanism that is located in the beyond dead point position.

Abstract: A locking device includes a locking mechanism and a striker. The locking mechanism has a base plate, a hook, a pawl, a release lever, a thrust member, a locking spring and a thrust spring. The hook, when rotated, is capable of forming a locked condition in which the striker is held or an unlocked condition. The pawl is rotatably supported via a support shaft as a first shaft and is capable of rotating to a position in which the pawl can engage the hook. The release lever is rotatably supported via a support shaft as a second shaft. The release lever, when applied with a manipulation force for unlocking, is capable of rotating the pawl from the engageable position in a non-engaging direction. The thrust member is rotatably supported via the support shaft and is capable of further pressing the hook in the locked condition toward a locking direction. Further, the support shaft is positioned beyond the support shaft as viewed from an input point of the manipulation force to the release lever.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes a latch movable between released and restrained positions and a latch spring biasing toward the released position. A first lever is movable between open and closed positions, corresponding to the released and restrained positions, respectively. A first lever spring biases toward the closed position. A second lever is movable between unlocked and locked positions, corresponding to the first lever open and closed positions, respectively. A second lever spring biases toward the locked position. An active material based actuator selectively moves the second lever from the locked to unlocked position in response to an activation signal. A primary activation mechanism selectively produces the activation signal without a mechanical connection to the passenger compartment. An auxiliary activation mechanism does not rely on the vehicle power system. A key or portable energy storage device may cause the activation signal from the primary or auxiliary activation mechanism.

Abstract: The combination of an over-the-road vehicle and a locking system. The vehicle has a frame bounding a cargo space and at least one access door. The one door has a first latch assembly thereon that cooperates with a second latch assembly on one of: a) the vehicle frame; and b) a second door to releasably maintain the one door in its closed position. The locking system includes a first locking assembly on the first door and a second locking assembly on the one of the vehicle frame and second door. The first and second latch assemblies are secured to the vehicle using fasteners. The first and second locking assemblies are secured to the vehicle using these same fasteners. The first and second locking assemblies can be maintained together either inside or outside of the cargo space.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening a door of a climatic test cabinet, an incubator, an environmental simulation chamber or a freezer is suitable for unlocking the door when the door is closed and locked and for transferring it to an open position. The force for opening the door need no longer be applied by the user himself operating lever mechanisms and transferring the door to an open position, but instead the force for opening the door may be applied by the apparatus.

Abstract: A door lock apparatus for a vehicle includes a latch mechanism engaged with and released from a striker, a first lever rotatably driven by a driving unit from a predetermined first initial position, a second lever operatively connected to the first lever and rotated from a predetermined second initial position and switching a state of the latch mechanism relative to the striker, a biasing member biasing the second lever to be returned to the second initial position, and an engagement portion provided at the first lever and releasing the second lever by thrusting the second lever in accordance with the rotational movement of the first lever returning to the first initial position from a constrained state where the second lever is constrained not to be returned to the second initial position after the second lever has changed the states of the latch mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a circuit arrangement having at least one sensor (5) and a connected control unit (7), wherein the sensor (5) has at least two switching states (“open” and “closed”), which correspond to varying current intensity (I1; I2) at the output of said sensor and are detected by the control unit (7), and the two switching states (“open” and “closed”) of the sensor (5) belong to different current paths (6a; 6a, 6b) of a line network (6) and/or to different voltage states of an output line.

Abstract: A lock unit (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least a catch (2), a first pawl (3) having a pawl rotation axis (4), and a blocking lever (5), in which the catch (2) in a locked state of the lock unit (1) transfers a pivoting moment onto the first pawl (3) and in which the first pawl (3) is fixed by a blocking lever (5) and in which a second pawl (6) is provided that is mounted on the pawl rotation axis (4) and is engageable with the blocking lever (5) and the catch (2).

Abstract: An exit device that includes a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking a door, the locking mechanism having a latch bolt, and a link connected to the latch bolt, movement of the link between locked and unlocked positions causes movement of the latch bolt between an extended state and a retracted state to lock and unlock the door, and a motor operably connected to the link. A method of operating the exit device includes operating the motor to move the link in a first direction toward the unlocked position, the motor being operated until the link reaches a hard stop position; thereafter determining a soft stop position based on the hard stop position; and thereafter selectively using the motor to move the link in the first direction toward the unlocked position, the motor being operated only until the link reaches the soft stop position.

Abstract: A latching system for and a method of latching a first member to a second member are provided. The latching system includes a latching mechanism including a displaceable feature which, when operatively displaced, allows a striker to engage with a housing of the latching mechanism, at a recess defined by the housing, to provide supplementary or auxiliary latching force. The displaceable feature may be displaced by an actuating load transmitted between the striker and the latching mechanism, where the actuating load is substantially greater than the nominal load experienced by the latching system during ordinary latching conditions. The engagement of the striker with the housing at the recess may transfer a portion of the actuating load to the housing during the event generating the actuating load, thereby increasing the latching strength of the latching system and reducing the potential for deformation or distortion of the latching element during the event.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a vehicle door latch, whose basic version contains a locking mechanism (1, 2) with at least one operating lever (3) for the locking mechanism (1, 2) and a motor drive (4, 5, 6, 7) for opening the locking mechanism (1, 2). According to the invention, the motor drive (4, 5, 6, 7) directly acts upon the locking mechanism (1, 2) solely via the operating lever (3).

Abstract: A door opening and closing apparatus for a vehicle includes a displacement body operating a latch and being displaced within a moving region including a closing region, a releasing region and a neutral region positioned between the closing region and the releasing region, the displacement body displacing by an actuator, a control unit controlling the actuator for selectively engaging and disengaging the latch and a striker, a first detection portion outputting a first detection signal changed when the displacement body passes through a first border portion of the neutral region closer to the closing region, and a second detection portion outputting a second detection signal changed when the displacement body passes through a second border portion of the neutral region closer to the releasing region. The control unit controls a moving position of the displacement body based on the first detection signal and the second detection signal.

Abstract: A closure latch includes a ratchet movable between an open position and a closed position. A pawl is provided and is movable between a ratchet locking position wherein the pawl holds the ratchet in the closed position and a ratchet release position. An inside door release lever is operatively connectable to the pawl. A lock includes a lock link movable between an unlocked position wherein the lock link operatively connects the inside door release lever to the pawl, and a locked position wherein the inside door release lever operatively disconnects the inside door release lever from the pawl. A lock lever cam rotatable between an unlocking range wherein the lock lever cam permits the lock link to move to the unlocked position, and a locking range wherein the lock lever moves the lock link to the locked position.

Abstract: A closure assembly is mounted on a vehicle and moveable between a closed position and at least one open position. The closure assembly includes a closure structure mounted to an associated vehicle for movement between the closed position and the at least one open position. A first lock assembly is selectively locking the closure structure to the associated vehicle. A second lock assembly is selectively locking the closure structure to the associated vehicle. One of the first and second lock assemblies includes a latch that requires overstroking to lock the latch in a latched position.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch assembly includes a latch rod coupled to a latch mechanism and operable by a door handle to unlatch the latch mechanism. The latch assembly may include a release clip operably connected to the latch mechanism for releasably connecting the latch rod to the latch mechanism. A latch rod release bracket may be mounted to an inner surface of a vehicle door, and include an extension having a wedge-shaped area adjacent a lower portion thereof engageable with a detent on the release clip to disengage the release clip and thereby release the latch rod during a side impact event. Also provided is a method of releasing a latch rod from a latching mechanism in a vehicle door during a side impact event, with the method using the latch rod release bracket described above.

Abstract: A latch system includes a latch bolt, a pawl for releasably retaining the latch bolt in a closed position, a first release member, a first transmission path connecting the first release member to the pawl, a second release member, and a second transmission path connecting the second release member to the pawl. A portion of the first transmission path and a portion of the second transmission path have a common portion, the common portion including a lock link having a first position at which the lock link completes the first transmission path and the second transmission path such that operation of either the first release member or the second release member opens a latch, and the lock link having a second position at which the lock link breaks the first transmission path and the second transmission path such that a single operation of either the first release member or the second release member does not open the latch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor-driven lock with a rotary bolt, especially for rear doors, hatches or trunks of automotive vehicles, comprising a rotary bolt and a latch, also rotary between a closed position, in which it retains the bolt in a locking position, and another releasing position, in which it releases the mentioned bolt, the lock furthermore comprising a motor-driven drive cam and transmission means, to move the latch from its locking position to its releasing position, comprising a rocker arm, which can swing back and forth between two end positions, provided with a peripheral extension loosely coupled to the end of the latch, and provided with a control slide extending in a curved shape about the axis of rotation of the drive cam.

Abstract: A door open/close system for a vehicle includes: a plurality of door open/close devices 11, 11? having a latch mechanism 14 including a latch 13 for engaging with an engaging member 12, a motor 16a (16a?) for driving the latch mechanism 14, and a latch state detecting member 21 (21?); and a control member 4 for starting to drive the motor of any one of all the door open/close device when the latch state detecting member of the one door open/close devices detects that the latch mechanism is in the half-latch state, said control member driving synchronously the motors of all the door open/close devices except the one door open/close device to change the latch mechanisms from the half-latch state to the full-latch state when the latch state detecting members of all the door open/close devices except the one door open/close device detect that the latch mechanisms are in the half-latch state in a case that the door of the vehicle is changed from a fully opened state to a fully closed state.

Abstract: A locking apparatus for a folding top of a vehicle includes a housing, a locking hook, a coupling device, and a driving apparatus. The locking hook has a gripping end and a bearing end. The coupling device is movably mounted in the housing to be horizontally adjustable in a longitudinal direction of the locking hook. The bearing end is mounted to the coupling device such that the bearing end is movably mounted in the housing to be horizontally adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the locking hook such that the locking hook is movable between closed and opened positions. The driving apparatus is for driving the locking hook to move between the closed and opened positions and includes a first two-bar linkage, a driving arm connected with the two-bar linkage, and an actuating drive for actuating the driving arm.

Abstract: A door panel of a side door of a machine has a latching mechanism, and a frame of the machine includes a striker. The striker includes a pair of vertically arranged mounting base portions, a pair of slanted shimmy-stopping surface portions formed on the mounting base portions so as to protrude in a V-like shape towards the latching mechanism, and a metal hooking portion protruding from a flat end portion that is provided between the slanted shimmy-stopping surface portions. The latching mechanism includes a mechanism body portion including main body plates. A U-shaped latch groove portion for engaging the metal hooking portion of the striker is formed by cutting away a part of each main body plate, and shimmy suppressing portions that are vertically arranged in a V-like shape are provided at the open end of each latch groove portion.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a vehicle door latch with a locking mechanism (1, 2), comprising also at least one operating lever (3a, 3b) and a locking lever (4, 5). According to the invention, the operating lever (3a, 3b) contains a first partial lever (3a) and a second partial lever (3b). The locking lever (4, 5) controls a coupling element (12), optionally connecting the partial levers (3a, 3b) with each other.

Abstract: An electromechanically actuated safety lock mechanism particularly suited for elevator hall doors, dumb waiters, and similar lift mechanisms and other applications. A door lock and switch comprises a fixed contact member that is attached to a movable door and a movable locking mechanism attached to a door jamb or second moving door. The locking mechanism may include an involute gear and star wheel, a pawl constrained by a torsion spring and an electromechanical device for actuating the pawl.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch structure is basically provided with a door latch mechanism and a door latch engagement bracket. The door latch mechanism includes a latch release lever that is movably arranged between a rest position and a release position. The door latch engagement bracket defines an opening that is aligned with the latch release lever while the latch release lever is in the rest position such that the latch release lever extends through the opening upon movement of the door latch engagement bracket toward the latch mechanism while the latch release lever is in the rest position, and such that the door latch engagement bracket prevents movement of the latch release lever from the rest position to the release position while the latch release lever is extending through the opening in the door latch engagement bracket.

Abstract: A locking device for a handle assembly of a motor vehicle door including a base and a handle portion includes a lock cup fixedly secured to the base and having a plurality of teeth. A spool is rotatably coupled to the lock cup and operably connected to the handle portion. The spool has a pawl rotatably mounted thereto and includes a pawl pin extending out therefrom. An inertia element is disposed within the lock cup and is rotatable out of a rest position upon rotation of the spool. The inertia element includes an elongated slot extending between first and second ends for receiving the pawl pin therewithin. A spring extends between the spool and the inertia element. The spring biases the inertia element towards the rest position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method retain a print unit in a dock with a retainer that is at least partially below a top of a fluid supply of the print unit.

Abstract: A base plate is fixed to one of a door and a vehicle body of a vehicle. A latch is pivotally secured to the base plate and engages with a striker of the other of the door and the vehicle body, thereby connecting the door to the vehicle body. A ratchet is pivotally secured to the base plate and engages with the latch to allow the door to be held in a closed position. The base plate is fixed to the door or vehicle body with bolts. The striker which engages with the latch is positioned substantially on a straight line between center of the two bolts.

Abstract: A cover closure for housings of laboratory devices and the like, in particular for centrifuge housings, in which a cover hook is engaged by a closure hook and brought into a closing position, and the closing and opening movement of the closure hook essentially being caused by an eccentric in connection with a crank guide and a guide path.

Abstract: A door lock apparatus, at both sides of a region interposing a second link lever therebetween, includes a sector lever shaft and an inside lever shaft that extend in parallel with a swinging shaft of the second link lever. The door lock apparatus also includes an inside handle lever swingably arranged about the inside lever shaft, and when an inside door handle arranged inside a vehicle is open-operated while the second link lever is disposed in a cancel position, moves the second link lever upwards by swinging about the center of the inside lever shaft, and when the inside door handle is open-operated while the second link lever is disposed in a non-cancel position, swings the sector lever in a locked position to an unlocked position about the center of the sector lever shaft, by swinging about the center of the inside lever shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch system configured to temporarily prevent door latch mechanisms from unlatching during a predetermined event is provided. The vehicle door latch system includes a forkbolt pivotally mounted to a housing portion of the vehicle door latch. The forkbolt is capable of moving between a latching position and an unlatching position. The door latch system also includes a block out mechanism configured for movement between a blocking position and an unblocking position. The block out mechanism is configured to prevent the forkbolt from moving from the latching position to the unlatching position when the block out mechanism is in the blocking position. A biasing member biases the block out mechanism into the unblocking position.

Abstract: A seat back locking device for an automobile for a seat back 5 configured so as to be capable of being changed from an upright position to a folded-down position and vice versa, including a locking mechanism 10 for locking the seat back 5 in the upright position, a locking knob 20 for unlocking the locking mechanism 10, and a key cylinder 30 capable of locking and unlocking the locking knob 20. In the locking device, a contact part 33 that comes into contact with a contacted part 26 provided on the locking knob 20 is connectingly provided integrally with a cylinder body 31 of the key cylinder 30 so that the key cylinder 30 can be changed over between a locked state in which the contact part 33 comes into contact with the contacted part 26 to inhibit the rotation of the locking knob 20 and an unlocked state in which the contact part 33 does not come into contact with the contacted part 26 to allow the rotation of the locking knob 20.

Abstract: A locking paddle handle assembly for closures has a housing with a paddle handle pivotally mounted therein, a latch which latches and unlatches the closure upon rotation of the paddle handle, and an exterior key lock with a movable member that shifts between locked and unlocked positions. A deadbolt lock selectively engages the closure frame in the locked position to positively retain the closure closed. The deadbolt lock is operably connected with the movable key lock member, such that movement of the latter between the latched and unlatched positions contemporaneously shifts the deadbolt lock between the locked and unlocked positions. A remotely operable controller may be mounted either horizontally or vertically relative the handle assembly and is operably connected to a multi-armed lock cam to power shift the deadbolt lock between the locked and unlocked positions from a remote location.

Abstract: A door latch device in a motor vehicle comprises an engagement portion including a latch which engages with a striker of a vehicle body. The door latch device comprises an inner lever connected to an inside handle, a lock lever connected to a lock knob on a door inside the vehicle, a subsidiary lever connected to the lock lever, a childproof lock lever, a motor and an actuating member driven by the motor to actuate the childproof lock lever. Childproof locking and a double locking can be carried out by the single motor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a lock provided with a single switch to indicate the “open” or “closed” state of said lock, comprising an actuator (5, 6) acting on a kinematic chain (7) to produce the functions of the lock, a switch (19) adapted to indicate the states of the lock, a double-notched closure (2, 3) bolt (1), a pawl (9) including a pawl tooth (4) designed to be urged into engagement with the first (2) or second (3) notch for closing the bolt (1). The invention is characterized in that it comprises a mobile cam (12) for actuating the switch, said actuating cam (12) being mobile under the action of the bolt (1) and/or of the pawl (9) during the opening and/or closing phase of the lock.

Abstract: A latch system for a liftgate of a motor vehicle. The system includes a handle rotatable relative to the liftgate. The system also includes a switch having a first contact biased apart from a second contact by a biasing member. The first contact is movable relative to the second contact to close the switch upon rotation of the handle. The system further includes a power actuation system in communication with and responsive to the switch to move the liftgate from the closed position to the opened position when the switch is in the closed position.

Abstract: A latch with dual rotary magnets is disclosed. The latch is particularly suited for releasably securing dual doors of a compartment in the closed position. Each rotary magnet helps secure in a closed position a respective door that is provided with a magnetic insert. Hook-like rotary pawls that rotate with the magnets provide for mechanical securing of the doors in the closed position. The latch is provided with a safety feature that makes the latch resistant to opening in the event that the vehicle in which the latch is installed is involved in a collision.

Abstract: A door latch apparatus for a vehicle includes a latch, a pawl, a motor, a release power transmitting mechanism, an active rotary member arranged in a standby area in a normal state, a driven rotation member rotating about a rotational shaft arranged in parallel with a rotational shaft of the active rotary member and away therefrom, a cam projection formed at the active rotary member, a cam groove formed at the driven rotation member and slidably engaging with the cam projection, the cam groove extending away from a reference line when the standby area is arranged close to one side of the rotation range and the active rotary member is positioned close to the one side of the rotation range, and a standby state detecting device detecting whether or not the active rotary member is arranged within the standby area based on a rotational position of the driven rotation member.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch device, comprising: a housing provided in a vehicle door; a latch rotatably supported by the housing, wherein a striker provided in the vehicle body can be fitted to the latch; a pawl having a shaft portion rotatably supported by the housing, wherein the pawl is engageable with the latch to restrict rotation of the latch; a helical torsion spring having a helical portion through which the shaft portion is passed, first and second engaging legs extending radially outward in relation to the helical portion, wherein the first engaging leg is engaged with the pawl, and the second engaging leg is engaged with the housing, the helical torsion spring always urging the pawl to rotate to an engagement position where the pawl can be engaged with the latch; and a projecting wall formed in the housing, the projecting wall contacting an outer circumferential surface of the helical portion.

Abstract: A latch for an appliance or the like provides a floating bolt assembly spring biasing a door against a sealing gasket in different positions depending on gasket compliance. A lock provides a stop that may adjustably bridge a distance between the latch frame and the floating bolt assembly as the gasket ages thereby providing positive locking of the door over the life of the appliance.

Abstract: A system is provided for latching a door of an automobile. The system includes, but is not limited to, a first power source, second power source, a latch for the door coupled to the first power source and the second power source, and an electronic control unit configured to control an operation of the latch. The electronic control unit is further configured to determine a status of the first power source, evaluate the status of the first power source, and control the operation of the latch with the second power source if the evaluation of the status indicates the first power source is unavailable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a door lock comprising a door catch system for double door-type helicopter doors that can, when being closed, additionally be displaced perpendicularly to the plane of the door opening into the closed position (flush fitting). Said door lock comprises a catch element (30) associated with the latch element (31) and actively linked therewith, said catch element maintaining the door ‘caught’ directly in front of its locked position when the door is manually closed until the door is translated to its final closed position via the latch element (31).

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a closure latch for a vehicle door, wherein during a crash event, the closure latch has an inertia member that prevents the vehicle door from opening. The inertia member may only temporarily prevent the vehicle door from opening, or alternatively it may cause a lock lever to move to a locked position, so that the vehicle door remains locked even after the inertia member is no longer actuated.

Abstract: A locking paddle handle assembly for closures has a housing with a paddle handle pivotally mounted therein, a latch which latches and unlatches the closure upon rotation of the paddle handle, and a exterior key lock with a movable member that shifts between locked and unlocked positions. A latch lock selectively engages the latch, such that when the movable key lock member is in the locked position, the latch is retained in the latched position, wherein the closure cannot be opened. A deadbolt lock selectively engages the closure frame in the locked position to positively retain the closure closed. Both the latch lock and the deadbolt lock are operably connected with the movable key lock member, such that movement of the latter between the latched and unlatched positions contemporaneously shifts both the latch lock and the deadbolt lock between the locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: A compartment latch is shown. It includes a fork bolt that moves between an open position and a closed position and a first detent lever that that cooperates with the fork bolt and that moves between a latched position and a released position. A support for holding the fork bolt and the detent lever is also provided. A second detent lever for biasing against the first detent lever when the first detent lever is in the released position is provided. The second detent lever is connected to the support at a hinge.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch assembly is provided, the vehicle door latch assembly having: a release lever pivotally secured to the latch assembly for movement between a locked position and an unlatched position; a pendulum stop pivotally secured to the release lever for movement between a blocking position and an unblocking position, wherein the release lever is prevented from moving to the locked position when the pendulum stop is in the blocking position; and a spring for biasing the pendulum stop into the unblocking position wherein the pendulum stop is configured such that movement of the release lever from the unlatched position towards the locked position will cause the pendulum stop to move from the unblocking position to the blocking position such that movement of the release lever from the unlatched position towards the locked position is limited to a predetermined position between the locked position and the unlatched position.

Abstract: Device (1) for a motor vehicle lock (2) comprising an inlet (3) for a latch pin (4), wherein the inlet (3) has an entrance region (5) and an end region (6) with at least one damper element (7) which can absorb the contact force from the latch pin (4), wherein the damper element (7) has at least one opening (8), in which at least the rigid insert (9) is disposed against the damper element (7).

Abstract: A double latch assembly for a motor vehicle having two pivotably mounted closure members is disclosed in which a sequencing lever is used to release first and second pawls used to hold first and second rotatable claws in respective latched positions. A single actuator A1 is used to release both of the pawls but because of the use of a disengageable coupling between the sequencing lever and the second pawl it is ensured that the first pawl is always released before the second pawl. Only a single actuator A1 is required to release both pawls and no sensors are required to control the sequencing of the pawls.

Abstract: A device includes a latch of a door and rotates while engaging with a striker of a vehicle body; a pawl which is rotatable between a latched position to restrict a rotation of the latch and a unlatched position to permit the rotation of the latch; a motor; a release power transmitting unit which transmits a rotational power of the motor to the pawl and rotates the pawl from the latched position to the unlatched position. The device further includes a motor-side rotation board, a relay rotation board, and a pawl-side rotation board, which are connected to be integrally rotatable. The relay rotation board become movable to a power shutoff position by pressing operation though an operating hole formed in a door. In the power shutoff position, connecting between the three boards is released, and the motor-side rotation board and the pawl-side rotation board become individually rotatable.

Abstract: Provided is an automotive door latch device, including: a latch pushed to rotate by a striker; a latch return spring for biasing the latch toward a return position thereof; a pawl engageable with the latch to inhibit the latch to pivot in a door opening direction (return position); and a pawl return spring for biasing the pawl toward a return position thereof. A housing part of a body, which houses the latch and the pawl, is opened downward at a position below the pawl on one side of the body. The pawl return spring is assembled to a spring mounting part formed on another side of the body at a position spaced downward from a rotational support part of the pawl, and includes a pawl-side end part that engages with the pawl through a through hole provided in the body. Thus, dust or the like entering the housing part of the body, which houses the latch and the pawl, can be discharged out of the body with higher efficiency.

Abstract: A latch assembly is provided, the latch assembly having a fork bolt movably secured thereto for movement between a latched position and an unlatched position. A detent lever is also provided. The detent lever is capable of movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the detent lever retains the fork bolt in the latched position when the detent lever is in the engaged position. The detent lever has a stop member and a guide member each protruding away from a surface of the detent lever and the stop member is in a spaced relationship with respect to the guide member. The latch assembly also includes an actuator for moving the detent lever from the engaged position to the disengaged position by contacting the guide member while the stop member is positioned so that the actuator will contact the stop member and prevent further movement of the actuator when the fork bolt is in the unlatched position and the detent lever is in the disengaged position.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an opening/closing body for automatically opening/closing the opening/closing body. The apparatus includes a displacement body movable and displaced between movable regions including a closing region, a releasing region and a neutral region, a neutral detecting first switch configured to output a first detection signal in response to passage of the displacement body through a first boundary portion of the neutral region, a neutral detecting second switch configured to output a second detection signal in response to passage of the displacement body through a second boundary portion of the neutral region, and a control unit for effecting braking control for reducing the moving speed of the opening/closing body if neither the first detection signal nor the second detection signal are detected within a predetermined period after starting of a neutral returning movement which is effected after a latch closing movement of the opening/closing body.