US 12,331,563 B2
Hood pin with interrupter switch
Kevin Steven Ford, Knoxville, TN (US)
Assigned to Lokar, Inc.
Filed by Lokar, Inc., Knoxville, TN (US)
Filed on Sep. 6, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/903,406.
Application 17/903,406 is a division of application No. 16/155,942, filed on Oct. 10, 2018, granted, now 11,434,671.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/573,508, filed on Oct. 17, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0412131 A1, Dec. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. E05B 83/24 (2014.01); E05B 17/10 (2006.01); E05B 41/00 (2006.01); E05B 81/66 (2014.01); E05C 19/12 (2006.01)
CPC E05B 83/24 (2013.01) [E05B 17/10 (2013.01); E05B 41/00 (2013.01); E05B 81/66 (2013.01); E05B 83/243 (2013.01); E05C 19/12 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/536 (2013.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for securing a vehicle hood to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
an elongated pin defining a longitudinal direction along a length thereof;
a latch attached to one end of the pin that moves between an open position and a closed position;
a latch housing surrounding the pin and the latch, the latch and the latch housing cooperating to encase the pin when the latch is in the closed position, wherein movement of the latch between the open position and the closed position advances and withdraws the pin along the longitudinal direction within the latch housing;
a compression spring attached to the pin that biases the latch toward the open position; and
an actuator head attached to the pin;
wherein movement of the latch into the closed position from the open position causes the vehicle hood to be secured to the vehicle body; and
wherein movement of the latch into the closed position from the open position causes the pin to advance along the longitudinal direction to cause the actuator head to engage an electric switch and the electric switch to send a signal to the vehicle.