FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention generally relates to a hood latching mechanism, and particularly related to a hood latch, associated with a vehicle which is to be operated from outside of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] A hood latch mechanism very often applied with a striker, which shall either be associated with a hood or body of the vehicle. In majority of the applications where the latch mechanism is operated from inside the vehicle, the striker may be associated with the hood and the latch mechanism shall be associated with the body of the vehicle. When the hood is forcefully pressed downward towards body of the vehicle, the striker associated with the hood is get engaged with the latch mechanism associated with the body of the vehicle. The latch mechanism of the recent development comprises a first latching means and a second latching means, wherein the first latching means includes a spring actuated single latching member or a pair of latching member to engage with the striker associated with the hood of the vehicle as the hood is pressed at a force more than the force exerted by the spring associated with the latching member. If any sudden hit is experienced during running of the vehicle and the hit exert a force more than the force exerted by the spring associated with the hood, then the hood may get opened very suddenly and may cause restriction to the complete vision of operator who is running the vehicle and thereby cause vehicle accidents.

[003] To avoid aforesaid problems, the second latching means is introduced along with the first latching means. In this case, even if the first latching means is completely disengaged from the striker associated with the hood, the hood will not get opened up unless the operator further actuate the second latching means manually. Hence, the second latching means avoid accidental opening of the hood during running of the vehicle and it thereby acts as a safety feature to the latch mechanism. The present invention is intended to provide a second latching means to avoid unlatching of the striker from the first latching means if any unexpected sudden impact load exert on the vehicle.

[004] A typical latch mechanism comprises the first latching means operated from inside the vehicle via cable, or any mechanical linkages and the second latching means operated by the operator by actuating a corresponding lever associated with the second latching means from the front of the vehicle where the hood latch is disposed. There could be other latch mechanism wherein both the first latch means and the second latch means are actuated through cable or other mechanical linkages from inside of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings associated with the background art and achieves other advantages not realized by the background art.

[006] The main objective of the present invention is to avoid unlatching of the striker associated with the body of the vehicle such as tractor from the first latching means associated with the hood latching mechanism of the present invention during running of the vehicle, if any impact load struck on the vehicle. If the vehicle experiences a force higher than the force exerted by the torsional spring which restrains the position of a first latching member and a second latching member, then the striker will be unlatched from the first latching means. Hence, the second latch means is introduced in association with the first latching means to avoid accidental opening of the hood of the vehicle during running time.

[007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the hood latching mechanism comprising the first latch means that includes the first latching member and the second latching member, which are disposed on a rectangular plate of housing via a first pivot pin to define a first slot to comfortably accommodate and latch the striker. The first latching member and the second latching member has a second slot adapted to be engaged with a latching lever, wherein said latching lever has a horizontal arm having free end thereof provided with a follower profile adapted to follow a cam profile provided on the first latching member and the second latching member and then engaged with the second slot and, has a vertical arm having free end thereof is adapted to be actuated by an operating lever. The latching lever is pivotally mounted on the rectangular plate via a second pivot pin. The hood latching mechanism further comprising the second latch means that includes a first latching arm, a second latching arm and a third latching arm, wherein said first latching arm has a free end that is located above the free end of the horizontal arm of the latching lever. A gap is defined between bottom surface of free end of the first latching arm and top surface of the free end of the horizontal arm of the latching lever, wherein, said gap is restricted within a distance that is to be covered by the follower profile of the latching lever for fully getting unlatched from the second slot of the first latching member and the second latching member.

[008] The first latching arm and the second latching arm lies in horizontal planes which are parallel to each other and the third latching arm lies in a vertical plane that inter connect the first latching arm and the second latching arm. A third pivot pin is passing through the first latching ami and the second latching arm to pivotally mount the second latch means with the housing. The second latch means is restrained with help of a third torsional spring, wherein one end of the third torsional spring is made to rest on the housing and another end of the third torsional spring is coupled with the first latch arm.

[009] According to another aspect of the present invention, during fully latched condition of the first latch means with the striker, the free end of the first latch arm is positioned above the free end of the horizontal arm of the latching lever.

[010] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, during partially unlatched condition of the follower profile of the horizontal arm of the latching lever with the second slot, the free end of the first latch arm is still positioned above the free end of the horizontal arm of the latching lever.

[011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, during fully unlatched condition of the first latch means with the striker, the free end of the first latch arm is moved away from top of the free end of the horizontal arm of the latching lever.

[012] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[013] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[014] FIG.1 is a perspective view of a hood latching mechanism according to preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[015] FIG.2 is an explicit perspective view explaining the association of a first latch means and a second latch means.

[016] FIG.3 is an elevation of the hood latch mechanism of FIG.1 shows fully latched position of a striker associated with the body of the vehicle.

[017] FIG.4 is an elevation of the hood latch mechanism of FIG.1 shows partially unlatched position of a striker associated with the body of the vehicle.

[018] FIG.5 is an elevation of the hood latch mechanism of FIG.1 shows fully unlatched position of a striker associated with the body of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[019] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the corresponding drawings shown herein below are to be understood that the present disclosure shall be deemed as an example of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of FIG 2- 6

[020] Referring to FIG.1, a hood latching mechanism according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is being designated by numeral 100. The hood latching mechanism 100 has a housing 102 adapted to be removably mounted on body of a vehicle. Here, off road vehicle such as tractor is being considered as a vehicle to associate the hood latching mechanism of the present invention. The housing 102 has a rectangular plate 104 provided with mounting means 106 adapted to removably mount the housing 102 on the body of the vehicle.

[021] Referring to FIG.1 & FIG.2, said hood latching mechanism includes a first latch means 108 and a second latch means 110, wherein the first latch means 108 comprises a first latching member 112 and a second latching member 114. The first latching member 112 and the second latching member 114 together disposed on the rectangular plate 104 via a first pivot pin 116 to define a first slot 118 to comfortably accommodate and latch a striker 120 (FIG.3) associated with body of the vehicle. The first latching member 112 is pivotally mounted with the first pivot pin 116 and restrained with the help of a torsional spring 122, wherein one end of the torsional spring 122 is made to rest on the housing and another end of the torsional spring is coupled with the first latching member 112. Same as said earlier, the second latching member 114 is pivotally mounted with the first pivot pin 116 and restrained with the help of a torsional spring 122, wherein one end of the torsional spring 122 is made to rest on the housing and another end of the torsional spring is coupled with the second latching member 114. Said first latching member 112 and the second latching member 114 has a second slot 124 adapted to be engaged with a latching lever 126. Said latching lever 126 is a L-shape lever and has a horizontal arm 128 having free end thereof is provided with a follower profile 130 adapted to follow a cam profile 132 provided on the first latching member 112 and the second latching member 114 and then engaged with the second slot 124. Said latching lever 126 has a vertical arm 134 having free end thereof is adapted to abut with the second latch means 110. The latching lever 126 is pivotally mounted on the rectangular plate 104 via a second pivot pin 136 and restrained with the help of a torsional spring 138, wherein one end of the torsional spring 122 is made to rest on the housing 102 and another end of the torsional spring 122 is coupled with the latching lever 126.

[022] The second latch means 110 comprises a first latching arm 140 which is in Z-shape as shown in FIG.2, a second latching arm 142 and a third latching arm 144, wherein both the first latching arm 140 and the second latching arm 142 lies in horizontal planes which are parallel to each other and the third latching arm 144 lies in a vertical plane that inter connect the first latching arm 140 and the second latching arm 142. A third pivot pin 146 is passing through the first latching arm 140 and the second latching arm 142 to pivotally mount the second latch means with the housing 102. Said second latch means is restrained with the help of a third torsional spring 148, wherein one end of the third torsional spring 148 is made to rest on the housing and another end of the third torsional spring is coupled with the first latching arm 140. An operating lever 150 is adapted to be coupled with the third latching arm 144 and projected slightly outside of the hood/body of the vehicle to operate the hood latching mechanism.

[023] Referring to FIG.3 to FIG.5, the first latching arm 140 has a free end 152 that is being designed in such a way to locate above the free end of the latching lever 126. A gap 154 is defined between bottom surface of free end 152 of the first latching arm 140 and top surface of free end of the latching lever 126, wherein said gap 154 is predefined within a distance that is to be covered by the follower profile of the latching lever 126 for fully getting unlatched from the second slot 124 of the first latching member 112 and the second latching member 114. The second latching arm 142 is adapted to abut with the free end of the vertical arm 134 of the latching lever 126 (shown in FIG.2). Gap 156 defined between the free end of the second latching arm 142 and free end of the vertical arm 134 of the latching lever is well within a distance which is to be covered by free end 152 of the first latching arm 140 for completely coming out from top of the free end of the horizontal arm 128 of the latching lever 126. Referring to FIG.3, fully latched condition of the hood latching mechanism 100 is shown, wherein the striker 120 associated with body of the vehicle is fully latched inside the first slot 118 defined between the first latching member 112 and the second latching member 114. Referring to FIG.4, as the third latching arm 144 is actuated by the operating lever 150, the second latch means 110 is getting tilted about the central axis of the third pivot pin 146 in anticlockwise direction which in turn tilt the latching lever 126 about central axis of the second pivot pin 136 in clockwise direction. As the free end 152 of the first latching arm 140 is still on top of the free end of the horizontal arm 128 of the latching lever 126, the follower profile 130 of the horizontal arm 128 of the latching lever is partially unlatched from the second slot 124. Referring to FIG.5, as the third latching arm 144 is actuated further by the operating lever 150, the second latch means 110 is getting tilted further about the central axis of the third pivot pin 146 in anticlockwise direction which in turn tilts the latching lever 126 about central axis of the second pivot pin 136 in clockwise direction. As the free end 152 of the first latching arm 140 is completely out of top surface of the free end of the horizontal arm 128 of the latching lever 126, the follower profile 130 of the horizontal arm 128 of the latching lever is fully unlatched from the second slot 124 and hence releases the striker 120.

[024] It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed in the foregoing description. Accordingly, the particular embodiments described in detail herein are illustrative only and are not limiting to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any all equivalents thereof.

CLAIMS

We claim,

1) A hood latching mechanism (100) comprising a first latch means (108), said first latch means (108) includes a first latching member (112) and a second latching member (114), which are disposed on a rectangular plate (104) of a housing (102) via a first pivot pin (116) to define a first slot (118) to comfortably accommodate and latch a striker (120), said first latching member (112) and the second latching member (114) has a second slot (124) adapted to be engaged with a latching lever (126), wherein said latching lever (126) has a horizontal arm (128) having free end thereofprovided with a follower profile (130) adapted to follow a cam profile (132) provided on the first latching member (112) and the second latching member (114) and then engaged with the second slot (124) and, has a vertical arm (134) having free end thereof is adapted to be actuated by an operating lever (150), said latching lever (126) is pivotally mounted on the rectangular plate (104) via a second pivot pin (136), characterized by said hood latching mechanism (100) comprising a second latch means (110), said second latch means (110) comprises a first latching arm (140), a second latching arm (142) and a third latching arm (144), wherein said first latching arm (140) has a free end (152) that is located above the free end of the horizontal arm (128) of the latching lever (126).

2) The hood latching mechanism according to claim 1, a gap (154) is defined between bottom surface of free end (152) of the first latching arm (140) and top surface of the free end of the horizontal arm (128) of the latching lever (126).

3) The hood latching mechanism according to claim 2, said gap (154) is restricted within a distance that is to be covered by the follower profile (130) of the latching lever (126) for fully getting unlatched from the second slot (124) of the first latching member (112) and the second latching member (114).

4) The hood latching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first latching arm (140) and the second latching arm (142) lies in horizontal planes which are parallel to each other and the third latching arm (144) lies in a vertical plane that inter connect the first latching arm (140) and the second latching arm (142).

5) The hood latching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a third pivot pin (146) is passing through the first latching arm (140) and the second latching arm (142) to pivotally mount the second latch means (110) with the housing (102).

6) The hood latching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said second latch means (110) is restrained with help of a third torsional spring (148), wherein one end of the third torsional spring (148) is made to rest on the housing (102) and another end of the third torsional spring (148) is coupled with the first latching arm (140).

7) The hood latching mechanism according to claim 1, during fully latched condition of the first latch means (108) with the striker (120), the free end (152) of the first latch arm (140) is positioned above the free end of the horizontal arm (128) of the latching lever (126).

8) The hood latching mechanism according to claim 1, during partially unlatched condition of the follower profile (130) of the horizontal arm (128) of the latching lever (126) with the second slot (124), the free end (152) of the first latch arm (140) is still positioned above the free end of the horizontal arm (128) of the latching lever (126).

9) The hood latching mechanism according to claim 1, during fully unlatched condition of the first latch means (108) with the striker (120), the free end (152) of the first latch arm (140) is moved away from top of the free end of the horizontal arm (128) of the latching lever (126).