The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 27, 2001
Filed:
Sep. 02, 1999
Katsuhito Kurachi, Nisshin, JP;
Naohiro Shimajiri, Toyota, JP;
Nifco Inc., Yokohama, JP;
Abstract
A latch unit of the invention includes a casing having a holding chamber for holding a striker and a side chamber situated adjacent to the holding chamber, and a responding member housed in the side chamber. The holding chamber and the side chamber are partitioned by an elastic member projecting toward an introduction opening of the holding chamber for introducing the striker to be attached to the latch unit. The electric member is provided with an engaging projection for engaging the striker as the striker is inserted into the holding chamber. The side chamber is provided with an urging device for urging the responding member toward a base portion of the elastic member. An urging force of the urging device is set such that when an inertia force is applied to release an engagement of the elastic member and the striker to thereby extract the striker from the holding chamber, the responding member is allowed to move to a position for preventing the elastic member from being bent toward the side chamber. Thus, engagement of the latch and the striker is not released in case of emergency.