US 11,851,921 B2
Automotive latch including bearing to facilitate release effort
Uzochukwu Okeke, Bradford (CA); Kar Wang Woo, Markham (CA); and Neil Guillermo, Richmond Hill (CA)
Assigned to MAGNA CLOSURES INC., Newmarket (CA)
Filed by MAGNA CLOSURES, INC., Newmarket (CA)
Filed on Aug. 10, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/989,202.
Application 16/989,202 is a continuation of application No. 15/232,179, filed on Aug. 9, 2016, granted, now 10,745,947.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/344,069, filed on Jun. 1, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/208,007, filed on Aug. 21, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2020/0370346 A1, Nov. 26, 2020
Int. Cl. E05B 85/26 (2014.01); E05B 77/36 (2014.01); E05B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC E05B 85/26 (2013.01) [E05B 17/007 (2013.01); E05B 77/36 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A latch assembly, comprising:
a latch housing formed with a slot configured for receiving a striker;
a ratchet mounted via a ratchet pivot post to the latch housing for pivotal movement about a ratchet pivot axis between a striker release position, whereat the ratchet is positioned to receive the striker when the striker is inserted into the slot, and a striker capture position, whereat the ratchet is positioned to retain the striker, the ratchet defining a ratchet engagement surface;
a pawl mounted via a pawl pivot post to the latch housing for pivotal movement about a pawl pivot axis between a ratchet holding position, whereat the pawl is positioned to maintain the ratchet in its striker capture position, and a ratchet releasing position, whereat the pawl is positioned to permit the ratchet to pivotally move to its striker release position, the pawl defining a pawl engagement surface;
an arm separate from the pawl, mounted on one side of the pawl, and having a mounting pin extending therefrom; and
a bearing rotatably mounted on the mounting pin for rotation about a bearing axis, the arm configured independent from the pawl for positioning the bearing between the ratchet and the pawl along a path of travel extending from a corresponding one of the ratchet pivot axis and the pawl pivot axis, the bearing having an arcuate exterior surface configured to define a first contact point directly engaging the ratchet engagement surface and a generally opposite second contact point directly engaging the pawl engagement surface when the ratchet is located in its striker capture position and the pawl is located in its ratchet holding position;
wherein pivotal movement of the pawl from its ratchet holding position toward its ratchet releasing position generates rolling friction localized at the first and second contact points for causing rotation of the bearing about the bearing axis.