Hood latch mechanism with in-line striker spring

摘要

A latching mechanism for selectively retaining a closure having a striker is provided that includes a housing forming a vertically extending groove for receiving the striker, first and second axles located on opposite sides of the groove, a striker spring located at the groove, a pawl pivotable about the first axle and defining a notch, and a ratchet pivotable about the second axle and defining a protrusion adapted to cooperate with the notch of the pawl to selectively retain the ratchet in a locked position. The ratchet defines a pocket for receiving the striker and retaining the striker in the groove when the ratchet is in the locked position. The housing is adapted to accept an over slam force from the striker at a bottom end of the groove. Preferably, the striker spring is substantially in-line with a path of the striker into the groove.