CLIAMS:What is claimed is:
1. A latch assembly for a vehicle seat, comprising:
a base plate having a receiving pocket adapted to accommodate a striker rod of a vehicle body part;
a lock cam adapted to be rotatably coupled to said base plate, said lock cam comprising:
a lock pocket, wherein said lock cam is adapted to lock and unlock said striker rod by engaging and disengaging said striker rod respectively in said lock pocket and accommodate said striker rod positioning tolerances in a locking position and an unlocking position;
a release cam adapted to be rotatably coupled on said base plate, wherein said release cam pivots and contacts with said lock cam in said locking position and said unlocking position, and wherein said release cam is adapted to prevent said lock cam from unlocking on an impact of an external force; and
a damper attached to said base plate, wherein said damper is adapted to press and support said striker rod in said locking position of said lock cam.
2. The latch assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said release cam is adapted to be rotatably coupled on said base plate at an opposite end to a position of said lock cam on a side of said base plate.
3. The latch assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein an axis of rotation of said lock cam with respect to a vertical axis of said base plate is same with an axis of rotation of said release cam with respect to said vertical axis of said base plate.
4. The latch assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein a first spring arrangement on said lock cam enables movement of said lock cam during said locking position and said unlocking position by engaging and disengaging said striker rod respectively in said lock pocket.
5. The latch assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein a second spring arrangement on said release cam enables movement of said release cam to pivot and contact with said lock cam in said locking position and said unlocking position.
6. The latch assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said release cam comprises a pressing surface adapted to press and support said lock cam in said locking position.
7. The latch assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said pressing surface on said release cam is adapted to absorb pressure to prevent said lock cam from unlocking on an impact of said external force.
8. The latch assembly as recited in claims 1 or 6, wherein said lock cam has a locking surface which at said locking position of said lock cam is supported by said pressing surface of said release cam, and said pressing surface of said release cam is a part of an arc whose center is at a distance from a rotating center of said release cam and forms a predetermined pressure angle by contacting said locking surface if said lock cam is at said locking position.
9. The latch assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein at said locking position of said lock cam, said striker rod accommodated in said receiving pocket of said base plate is supported by said receiving pocket, said lock cam and said damper at the same time.
10. The latch assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said release cam is adapted to rotate by a user operation to release said lock cam from said locking position to said unlocking position.
11. The latch assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising an indicator on a knob of a lever connected with said release cam, wherein said lever is adapted to move according to the movement of said release cam during said locking position and said unlocking position to automatically indicate a position of said latch assembly to a user.
12. The latch assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein said indicator is a visual indicator.

13. The latch assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said damper is adapted to press and support said striker rod elastically when said lock cam locks said striker rod.
14. The latch assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said lock pocket, at said locking position of said lock cam, accommodates and supports said striker rod accommodated in said receiving pocket of said base plate, and a damping surface of said damper, at said locking position of said lock cam, elastically presses and supports said striker accommodated in said receiving pocket.
15. A latch assembly for a vehicle seat, comprising:
a base plate having a receiving pocket adapted to accommodate a striker rod of a vehicle body part;
a lock cam adapted to be rotatably coupled to said base plate, said lock cam is adapted to lock and unlock said striker rod by engaging and disengaging said striker rod respectively and accommodate said striker rod positioning tolerances in a locking position and an unlocking position;
a release cam adapted to be rotatably coupled on said base plate, wherein said release cam pivots and contacts with said lock cam in said locking position and said unlocking position;
a damper attached to said base plate, wherein said damper is adapted to press and support said striker rod in said locking position of said lock cam; and
an indicator on a knob of a lever connected with said release cam, wherein said lever is adapted to move according to the movement of said release cam during said locking position and said unlocking position to automatically indicate a position of said latch assembly to a user.
16. The latch assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein a lock pocket of said lock cam, at said locking position of said lock cam, accommodates and supports said striker rod accommodated in said receiving pocket of said base plate, and a damping surface of said damper, at said locking position of said lock cam, elastically presses and supports said striker accommodated in said receiving pocket.

17. The latch assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein at said locking position of said lock cam, said striker rod accommodated in said receiving pocket of said base plate is supported by said receiving pocket, said lock cam and said damper at the same time.
18. The latch assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said lock cam has a locking surface which at said locking position of said lock cam is supported by a pressing surface of said release cam, and said pressing surface of said release cam is a part of an arc whose center is at a distance from a rotating center of said release cam and forms a predetermined pressure angle by contacting said locking surface if said lock cam is at said locking position.
19. The latch assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein said pressing surface on said release cam is adapted to absorb pressure to prevent said lock cam from unlocking on an impact of said external force.
20. A latch assembly for a vehicle seat, comprising:
a base plate having a receiving pocket adapted to accommodate a striker rod of a vehicle body part;
a lock cam adapted to be rotatably coupled to said base plate, said lock cam comprising:
a lock pocket, wherein said lock cam is adapted to lock and unlock said striker rod by engaging and disengaging said striker rod respectively in said lock pocket and accommodate said striker rod positioning tolerances in a locking position and an unlocking position;
a release cam adapted to be rotatably coupled on said base plate, wherein said release cam pivots and contacts with said lock cam in said locking position and said unlocking position, and wherein said release cam is adapted to prevent said lock cam from unlocking on an impact of an external force;
a damper attached to said base plate, wherein said damper is adapted to press and support said striker rod in said locking position of said lock cam; and
an indicator on a knob of a lever connected with said release cam, wherein said lever is adapted to move according to the movement of said release cam during said locking position and said unlocking position to automatically indicate a position of said latch assembly to a user.
,TagSPECI:LATCH ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE SEAT
FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY
[001] The present invention relates to a latch assembly for a vehicle seat, and, more particularly, to a latch assembly to assemble or disassemble the vehicle seat to and from a vehicle body.

BACKGROUND
[002] In the present day scenario, most of the automobile companies are trying on enhance the safety of the passengers. These companies are focussing on different parts of the vehicles which can improve the safety level of the vehicles even by slightest of margins. One such part is a latch assembly for a vehicle seat which helps in assembling and disassembling a vehicle seat to and from a vehicle body.
[003] There are various requirements of an ideal latch assembly, but one of the important requirements of the latch assembly is to maintain its coupling state for a vehicle seat during an external impact/pressure/force.
[004] To maintain the coupling state rigidly, new latch assemblies has been developed and disclosed in various patent literatures and non patent literatures. In an example, US Patent Application No. 2009/0224586 provides a locking device. The locking device includes a locking mechanism provided on one of two members to be engaged with each other and a striker provided on the other of the two members. The locking mechanism includes a base plate, a hook, a pawl, a cam, a locking spring, a thrust spring and a cancelling plate. The base plate has a recess that is capable of receiving the striker. The hook is rotatably attached to the base plate via a shaft. The hook, when rotated, is capable of forming a locked condition in which the striker is held between the hook and the recess of the base plate or an unlocked condition in which the hook is spaced away from the striker.
[005] In another example, US Patent No. 7,455,336 provides a locking device for a vehicle seat. The locking device includes a housing including a softer material and at least one insert of a higher strength material. A latch is arranged in the housing, and the latch is pivotably mounted on a first bearing element. The latch is used for locking with a mating element. A securing element is arranged in the housing and pivotably mounted on a second bearing element. The securing element is provided for securing a locked state of the locking device by interacting with the latch. The insert and the bearing elements are joined together and at least partially encased by the softer material.
[006] The latch assemblies disclosed above and elsewhere in the related art, do not rigidly maintain the coupling in the events of external impact. Since there are a lot of variables involved in a coupling of the latch assembly, the latch assembly of the literature operate with a lot of difficulty by extensively accommodating the manufacturing tolerances. In addition, none of the latch assemblies indicates a locking and unlocking position of the latch assembly to a user for his appropriate action.
[007] In light of the above stated discussion, there is a need for the latch assembly which should overcome the above stated problems. In addition, the latch assembly should be easily operable with only a small operating force and should prevent a generation of rattling noise due to clearances in its coupled state. Moreover, the latch assembly should indicate its locking and unlocking position to the user for his appropriate action

SUMMARY
[008] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[009] In an aspect of the present invention, a latch assembly for a vehicle seat is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a base plate, a lock cam, a release cam and a damper. The base plate has a receiving pocket and accommodates a striker rod of a vehicle body part. In addition, the lock cam is rotatably coupled to the base plate and includes a lock pocket. The lock cam locks and unlocks the striker rod by engaging and disengaging the striker rod respectively in the lock pocket. In addition, the lock cam accommodates the striker rod positioning tolerances in a locking position and an unlocking position. Further, the release cam is rotatably coupled on the base plate. The release cam pivots and contacts with the lock cam in the locking position and the unlocking position and prevent the lock cam from unlocking on an impact of an external force. Furthermore, the damper is attached to the base plate. The damper presses and supports the striker rod in the locking position of the lock cam.
[0010] In an embodiment, the release cam is rotatably coupled on the base plate at an opposite end to a position of the lock cam on a side of the base plate. Further, an axis of rotation of the lock cam with respect to a vertical axis of the base plate is same with an axis of rotation of the release cam with respect to the vertical axis of the base plate.
[0011] In an embodiment, a first spring arrangement on the lock cam enables movement of the lock cam during the locking position and the unlocking position by engaging and disengaging the striker rod respectively in the lock pocket. In an embodiment, a second spring arrangement on the release cam enables movement of the release cam to pivot and contact with the lock cam in the locking position and the unlocking position. In an embodiment, the release cam is rotated by a user operation to release the lock cam from the locking position to the unlocking position.
[0012] In an embodiment, the release cam includes a pressing surface to press and support the lock cam in the locking position. The pressing surface on the release cam absorbs pressure to prevent the lock cam from unlocking on an impact of the external force. In addition, the lock cam has a locking surface which at the locking position of the lock cam is supported by the pressing surface of the release cam. The pressing surface of the release cam is a part of an arc whose centre is at a distance from a rotating centre of the release cam and forms a predetermined pressure angle by contacting the locking surface if the lock cam is at the locking position.
[0013] In an embodiment, the striker rod accommodated in the receiving pocket of the base plate is supported by the receiving pocket, the lock cam and the damper at the same time at the locking position of the lock cam.
[0014] In an embodiment, the latch assembly further includes an indicator on a knob of a manually operated lever connected with the release cam. The lever is adapted to move according to the movement of the release cam during the locking and unlocking position to automatically indicate a position of the latch assembly to a user. The indicator can be a visual indicator.
[0015] In an embodiment, at the locking position of the lock cam, the lock pocket accommodates and supports the striker rod accommodated in the receiving pocket of the base plate. In addition, at the locking position of the lock cam, a damping surface of the damper elastically presses and supports the striker accommodated in the receiving pocket.
[0016] In another aspect of the present invention, a latch assembly for a vehicle seat is provided. The latch assembly includes a base plate, a lock cam, a release cam, a damper and an indicator. The base plate has a receiving pocket to accommodate a striker rod of a vehicle body part. In addition, the lock cam is rotatably coupled to the base plate. The lock cam locks and unlocks the striker rod by engaging and disengaging the striker rod respectively and accommodates the striker rod positioning tolerances in a locking position and an unlocking position. Further, the release cam is rotatably coupled on the base plate. The release cam pivots and contacts with the lock cam in the locking position and the unlocking position. Furthermore, the damper is attached to the base plate. The damper presses and supports the striker rod in the locking position of the lock cam. Furthermore, the latch assembly includes an indicator on a knob of a manually operated lever connected with the release cam. The lever is adapted to move according to the movement of the release cam during the locking and unlocking position to automatically indicate a condition of the latch assembly to a user.
[0017] In an embodiment, at the locking position of the lock cam, a lock pocket of the lock cam accommodates and supports the striker rod accommodated in the receiving pocket of the base plate. In addition, at the locking position of the lock cam, a damping surface of the damper elastically presses and supports the striker accommodated in the receiving pocket.
[0018] In an embodiment, at the locking position of the lock cam, the striker rod accommodated in the receiving pocket of the base plate is supported by the receiving pocket, the lock cam and the damper at the same time.
[0019] In an embodiment, the lock cam has a locking surface which at the locking position of the lock cam is supported by a pressing surface of the release cam. The pressing surface of the release cam is a part of an arc whose centre is at a distance from a rotating centre of the release cam and forms a predetermined pressure angle by contacting the locking surface if the lock cam is at the locking position.
[0020] In an embodiment, the pressing surface on the release cam absorbs pressure to prevent the lock cam from unlocking on an impact of the external force.
[0021] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a latch assembly for a vehicle seat is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a base plate, a lock cam, a release cam, a damper and an indicator. The base plate has a receiving pocket and accommodates a striker rod of a vehicle body part. In addition, the lock cam is rotatably coupled to the base plate and includes a lock pocket. The lock cam locks and unlocks the striker rod by engaging and disengaging the striker rod respectively in the lock pocket. In addition, the lock cam accommodates the striker rod positioning tolerances in a locking position and an unlocking position. Further, the release cam is rotatably coupled on the base plate. The release cam pivots and contacts with the lock cam in the locking position and the unlocking position and prevent the lock cam from unlocking on an impact of an external force. Furthermore, the damper is attached to the base plate. The damper presses and supports the striker rod in the locking position of the lock cam. Furthermore, the latch assembly includes an indicator on a knob of a manually operated lever connected with the release cam. The lever is adapted to move according to the movement of the release cam during the locking and unlocking position to automatically indicate a position of the latch assembly to a user.
[0022] Other aspects and exemplary embodiments are provided in the drawings and the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0023] The invention itself, together with further features and attended advantages, will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanied drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a first latch assembly for a vehicle seat, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] Figure 2 illustrates a lock pocket enabling a lock cam of the first latch assembly to engage a striker rod, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] Figure 3A, Figure 3B and Figure 3C illustrate a locking process of the lock cam, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] Figure 4A illustrates a pressing surface of a release cam and forming a predetermined pressure angle with the lock cam while the lock cam is in locking position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] Figure 4B illustrates directional movements of the lock cam and the release cam while moving from a locking position to an unlock position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] Figure 5A and Figure 5B illustrate a room for manufacturing allowances in the first latch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] Figure 6A and Figure 6B illustrate an indicator on a knob of a manually operated lever to automatically indicate the unlocking position to a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] Figure 7 illustrates an exploded view of the first latch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] Figure 8 illustrates a second latch assembly for the vehicle seat, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] Figure 9 illustrates the lock pocket enabling the lock cam of the second latch assembly to engage the striker rod, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] Figure 10A, Figure 10B and Figure 10C illustrate the locking process of the lock cam, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] Figure 11A illustrates the pressing surface of the release cam and forming a predetermined pressure angle with the lock cam while the lock cam is in locking position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] Figure 11B illustrates directional movements of the lock cam and the release cam while moving from the locking position to the unlock position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] Figure 12A and Figure 12B illustrate the room for manufacturing allowances in the second latch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] Figure 13A and Figure 13B illustrate the indicator on the knob of a manually operated lever to automatically indicate the unlocking position to the user, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0039] Figure 14 illustrates an exploded view of the second latch assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in nature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS AND THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENT
[0041] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention.
[0042] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, apparatus or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or apparatus or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
[0043] In accordance with the present invention the drawbacks as stated hereinabove have been overcome by providing a latch assembly which should operate without any difficulty by accommodating the manufacturing tolerances. For the better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made to the embodiment illustrated in greater depth in the accompanying figures and description below, further, in the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in various views.
[0044] Figure 1 illustrates a latch assembly 100 for a vehicle seat, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The latch assembly 100 is used for locking and unlocking a seat back onto a vehicle body part. It may be noted that the present invention will be explained by considering the latch assembly 100 positioned/attached on the seat back; however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the latch assembly 100 can be attached on a seat cushion for locking and unlocking a whole seat onto the vehicle body part. In addition, it may be noted that the term “latch assembly 100” or “a first latch assembly 100” are used interchangeably in the present application to illustrate and differentiate between slight variations in various shapes/configurations of the components of the latch assemblies according to various embodiments of the present invention.
[0045] The latch assembly 100 includes a base plate 102, a lock cam 104, a release cam 106 and a damper 108. The base plate 102 supports various components of the latch assembly 100 which include but may not be limited to the lock cam 104, the release cam 106 and the damper 108. The base plate 102 includes a receiving pocket (not shown in the figures) to accommodate a striker rod 110 of a vehicle body part. The lock cam 104 is rotatably coupled to the base plate 102 with a rotating center 112. Similarly, the release cam 106 is rotatably coupled to the base plate 102 with a rotating center 114. The lock cam 104 and the release cam 106 are coupled to the base plate 102 at two opposite ends on a side of the base plate 102 such that an axis of rotation of the lock cam 104 with respect to a vertical axis of the base plate 102 and an axis of rotation of the release cam 106 with respect to the vertical axis of the base plate 102 is same.
[0046] The lock cam 104 rotates between a locking position where the lock cam 104 engages the striker rod 110 and an unlocking position where the lock cam 104 allows the striker rod 110 to escape. In an embodiment, a lock pocket 202 (refer to Figure 2) of the lock cam 104 engages the striker rod 110.
[0047] Figure 2 illustrates the lock pocket 202 enabling the lock cam 104 to engage the striker rod 110, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The lock pocket 202 of the lock cam 104 is a recess which is formed when the lock cam 104 is moulded while manufacturing. For the sake of explaining the locking and unlocking process/positions/state, the lock pocket 202 is shown to have a first curved surface 202A, a second curved surface 202B and a third curved surface 202C. These curved surfaces 202A, 202B and 202C in combination is a recess (the lock pocket 202). The width at any point of the lock pocket 202 is more than a diameter of the striker rod 110, thereby enabling the lock cam 104 to engage or disengage the striker rod 110 when the lock cam 104 rotates on the base plate 102.
[0048] As shown by a double headed arrow 206, the lock cam 104 rotates on the base plate 102 with the rotating center 112 in both clockwise and anticlockwise direction. In an embodiment, the lock cam 104 includes a first spring mechanism (not shown in the figures) which enables the rotation of the lock cam 104 in both directions.
[0049] Similarly, as shown by a double headed arrow 208, the release cam 106 rotates on the base plate 102 with the rotating center 114 in both clockwise and anticlockwise direction. In an embodiment, the release cam 106 includes a second spring mechanism (not shown in the figures) which enables the rotation of the release cam 106 in both directions. The rotation of the lock cam 104 and the release cam 106 in both the directions enables the lock cam 104 to engage or disengage the striker rod 110. It may be noted that a locking position of the lock cam 104 refers to a position when the lock pocket 202 of the lock cam 104 engages the striker rod 110. In addition, an unlock position of the lock cam 104 refers to a position when the striker rod 110 escapes from the lock pocket 202 of the lock cam 104.
[0050] Figure 3A, Figure 3B and Figure 3C illustrate a locking process of the lock cam 104, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The locking process includes the transition of the lock cam 104 from a locking position to the unlocking position and vice versa.
[0051] Referring to Figure 3A, the lock cam 104 is in unlocking position and does not engage the striker rod 110. As best seen from Figure 3B, when the lock cam 104 rotates in a direction (shown by a single head arrow 302), the lock pocket 202 partially starts engaging the striker rod 110. Simultaneously, a pressing surface 204 of the release cam 106 starts coming in contact with a locking surface 212 of the lock cam 104. As best seen from Figure 3C, when the lock cam 104 further rotates in the direction (shown by the single head arrow 302), the lock pocket 202 of the lock cam 104 fully engages the striker rod 110. This position is referred to as the locking position of the lock cam 104. In this locking position, the receiving pocket of the base plate 102 accommodates the striker rod 110. In addition, at this position, the striker rod 110 is supported by the receiving pocket of the base plate 102, the lock cam 104 and the damper 108 at a same time.
[0052] In an embodiment, the lock cam 104 is always pressed clockwise by the first spring mechanism towards the unlocking position. In this embodiment, the release cam 106 is always pressed by the second spring mechanism to rotate in a counter clockwise direction. The release cam 106 rotates around the rotating centre 114 to interact with the lock cam 104. As the release cam 106 is pressed by the second spring mechanism to rotate counter clockwise, it maintains a stable locking state of the lock cam 104 through the pressing surface 204. The pressing surface 204 presses and supports the lock cam 104 in the locking position. In this embodiment, on an impact of the external pressure, when the lock cam 104 starts rotating towards the unlocking position, the release cam 106 prevents the lock cam 104 from further rotating through the pressing surface 204 engaged with the locking surface 212. In this scenario, on an impact of the external force, the pressing surface 204 of the release cam 106 absorbs the pressure from the lock cam 104 to prevent the lock cam 104 from unlocking.
[0053] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4A, the pressing surface 204 is a part of an arc whose centre is at a distance from the rotating centre 114 of the release cam 106 and forms a predetermined pressure angle by contacting the locking surface 212 if the lock cam 104 is at the locking position. When the lock cam 104 is in locking position, the release cam 106 receives an impact from the lock cam 104 through the pressing surface 204. The release cam 106 absorbs the impact (external pressure) from the pressing surface 204 through the locking surface 212, thereby preventing the lock cam 104 to unlock the seat on an external impact. In this embodiment, mathematically, a normal direction of the force F forms a predetermined pressure angle O (shown in Figure 4A) with a centre line drawn to the rotating centre 114. If the pressure angle O increases, the supporting force F of the pressing surface decreases. On the contrary, if the pressure angle O decreases, the supporting force F increases.
[0054] In addition, as shown in Figure 4B, the user operates the release cam 106 in a direction shown by an arrow 410 to unlock the vehicle seat. Accordingly, the lock cam 104 rotates in a direction shown by an arrow 412 and releases the striker rod 110 while rotating towards the unlocking position.
[0055] In an embodiment, the striker rod 110 of the vehicle body part rise from a lower outside of the receiving pocket of the base plate 102. The striker rod 110 inserts into the inside of the receiving pocket contacts a damping surface of the damper 108 which forms an integral unit with the base plate 102. The damper 108 presses and supports the striker rod 110 elastically when the lock cam 104 locks the striker rod 110.
[0056] In another embodiment, the release cam 106 presses the lock cam 104 in the locking position. The lock cam 104 accommodates the striker rod 110 as far as the lock cam 104 is pressed and rotated by the pressing surface 204 of the release cam 106. Referring to Figure 5A, as shown by a contoured area 512, the release cam 106 presses the lock cam 104 such that the striker rod 110 is inserted in the lock pocket 202 and touches or is very close to the second curved surface 202B of the lock pocket 202. Referring to Figure 5B, as shown by the contoured area 512, the release cam 106 presses the lock cam 104 such that the striker rod 110 is inserted in the lock pocket 202 and touches the first curved surface 202A and the third curved surface 202C and does not touch the second curved surface 202B of the lock pocket 202.
[0057] It may be noted that positions of the striker rod 110 in the lock pocket 202 are different. These positions are illustrated to show that the latch assembly 100 in the locking position (or during the transition from the unlocking position to the locking position) has a room for the manufacturing allowances to some extent within the accommodating space of the striker rod 110. The receiving pocket of the base plate 102 and the lock pocket 202 of the lock cam 104 provide the stated space. For example, as shown in FIG 5A, when the striker rod 110 is locked not only at the bottom end part (touching the curved surfaces 202A, 202B and 202C) of the lock pocket 202 but also at the top end part (touching only the curved surfaces 202A and 202C) as shown in Figure. 4B, the receiving pocket of the base plate 102, the lock pocket 202 and the damper 108 supports the striker rod 110 in the locking state. In addition, the generation of rattling noise induced by the striker rod 110 having clearances in its locked state in the receiving pocket of the base plate 102 and the lock pocket 202 is absorbed and reduced by the damper 108.
[0058] In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 6A and Figure 6B, the latch assembly 100 includes an indicator 602 on a knob 608 of a manually operated lever 604. The manually operated lever 604 is connected with the release cam 106 with a fastening means 606 to automatically indicate the unlocking position to a user when the latch assembly 100 is in unlocking position. As shown in Figure 6A, when the lock cam 104 is in locking position, the release cam 106 is in downward position, thereby the lever 604 connected to the release cam 106 is below an axis 612 of a seat foam of the vehicle. Now, as shown in Figure 6B, when the lock cam 104 moves from the locking position to unlocking position, the release cam 106 moves upward, thereby causing the lever 604 to move upward (shown by an arrow 614 ). The indicator 602 projects above the axis 612 of the seat form, thereby indicating the user about the unlocking condition.
[0059] Now, referring to Figure 7, an exploded view of the first latch assembly 100 is shown. The first latch assembly 100 includes the base plate 102, the lock cam 104, the release cam 106 and a damper 108. In addition, the first latch assembly 100 includes the fastening means and the spring mechanism 704.
[0060] The latch assembly 100 for the vehicle seat described above can be provided on a seatback for locking and unlocking the seatback onto a vehicle body part. However, the latch assembly 100 according to the present invention is not limited for that use but can also be provided on a seat cushion for locking and unlocking a whole seat onto the vehicle body part. In addition, the latch assembly 100 of the present invention is essentially shown to include the base plate 102, the lock cam 104, the release cam 106, the damper 108 and the indicator 602; however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the latch assembly 100 may include some other components which may not be necessary for explaining this invention but lies within the scope of the present invention. Examples of these components include but may not be limited to fastening means and spring means. It may also be noted that the various components of the latch assembly 100 may have slight variations in different embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that these slight changes in the shape/configuration/mechanism for different components will not change the scope and novelty of the present invention. For example, referring to Figure 8, a second latch assembly 800 having different shapes of the components are shown.
[0061] Similar to the first latch assembly 100, the second latch assembly 800 includes the base plate 102, the lock cam 104, the release cam 106 and the damper 108. The base plate 102 supports various components of the latch assembly 800 which include but may not be limited to the lock cam 104, the release cam 106 and the damper 108. The base plate 102 includes the receiving pocket to accommodate the striker rod 110 of the vehicle body part.
[0062] On the same line, similar to the Figure 2, Figure 9 illustrates the lock pocket 202 enabling the lock cam 104 of the second latch assembly 800 to engage the striker rod 110. In addition, similar to Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, Figures 10A, 10B and 10C illustrate the locking process of the lock cam 104 of the second latch assembly 800 respectively. Further, similar to Figure 4A, Figure 10A illustrate the pressing surface of the release cam 106 and forming a predetermined pressure angle with the lock cam 104 while the lock cam 104 is in locking position. In addition, Figure 11B illustrates directional movements of the lock cam 104 and the release cam 106 while moving from the locking position to the unlock position. Furthermore, similar to the Figure 5A and Figure 5B, Figure 12A and Figure 12B illustrate the room for manufacturing allowances in the second latch assembly 800 respectively. Furthermore, similar to Figure 6A and Figure 6B, Figure 13A and Figure 13B illustrate the indicator 602 on the knob 608 of the manually operated lever 604 to automatically indicate the unlocking position to the user. Moreover, similar to the Figure 7, Figure 14 illustrates an exploded view of the second latch assembly 800.
[0063] It may be noted that the first latch assembly 100 and the second latch assembly 800 is shown to have slight variations in the shape/configuration/mechanism of their respective various components to show that the scope of the present invention will not vary according to the above sated attributes.
[0064] Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, advantages of one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed provide a compact latch assembly. In addition, the latch assembly of the present invention provides more safety as the release cam receives an impact from the lock cam through the pressing surface; and absorbs the impact to great extent through the centre of release cam. Moreover, as the latch assembly requires a lot of variables in coupling, the latch assembly of the present invention operates without difficulty by extensively accommodating the manufacturing tolerances. Even if the striker rod position is little changed, the latch assembly of the present invention operates without difficulty although there may be errors to some degree in coupling condition of striker rod. In addition, the latch assembly of the present invention is light weight, easily operated with only a small operating force and prevents a generation of rattling noise due to clearances in its coupled state.
[0065] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.