Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

David Kowalczyk

Carl D May

Ian J Dow

Jeffrey L Konchan

Charles M Wilson

John F Reelhorn

Dennis F Saxton

The present invention generally includes a latch assembly including a completely symmetrical metal frame and a polymeric isolation plate mounted between the frame and levers. The polymeric isolation plate is not symmetrical but serves as a templet to assure that only the proper holes are being used on the metal frame for either right-hand or left-hand drive latch assemblies. The polymeric isolation plate also includes integral cylindrical bushings. Detent and fork-bolt levers are trapped onto the respective bushings by metal rivets so that the levers actually rotate on the low friction bushings and not on the metal rivets. The isolator plate includes an integral flange which is interposed between the striker of the vehicle and the throat of the frame to avoid rubbing metal-to-metal contact, to protect the throat, frame and striker and for quieter operation. A rivet for holding a secondary lever has an enlarged flattened head which minimizes bypass of the fork-bolt and detent lever while also supporting the secondary lever. The enlarged flattened head eliminates the need for a cover plate to minimize bypass of the detent and fork-bolt lever. The latch can be used for a hood latch assembly, or a decklid latch assembly wherein the secondary lever is not required, and is designed to be built on a common set of asm equipment for right- and left-drive and hood/decklid versions.

Hood and decklid latch assemblies

The vehicle has a luggage compartment panel which carries a latch engageable with a striker mounted on the vehicle body. A release trigger carried by the latch is positioned near the striker when the latch engages the striker. An actuator member is movably mounted on the striker and has an actuator arm extending into proximity with the trigger. A remote release handle mounted in the operator compartment is connected to the actuator member so that operator actuation of the release handle moves the actuator member relative the striker to carry the actuator arm into engagement with the trigger and actuate the trigger to unlatch the latch. A hinge is interposed in the actuator member by which the operator may fold the actuator member to a folded condition removing the actuator arm from proximity with the release trigger so that operator actuation of the remote release handle moves the actuator member without releasing the latch.

Compartment latch remote release with folding member for disabling the

A remote release actuating system for a deck lid latch includes an actuator lever pivotally mounted on the latch so that pivotal movement on the actuator lever unlatches the latch. At least a first and second remote actuatable actuator means are respectively coupled to the actuator lever by first and second lost motion coupling mechanisms so that the operator actuation of either one of the first and second operator actuatable actuator means pivots the actuator lever about the pivot means to unlatch the latch while the other of the first and second remote actuatable actuator means remains unactuated and free of any backdrive effort being imposed thereon. Accordingly, the effort required to effect a remote release of the deck lid latch is minimized.

Growing community of inventors

Sterling Heights, MI, United States of America

David Kowalczyk