Patent attributes
A latching mechanism releasably engages a striker. The latching mechanism includes a housing secured to the vehicle body, and defining a striker channel through which the striker is selectively movable along a striker path. The latching mechanism includes a release lever pivotally connected to the housing and configured to rotate in a first direction in response to a tensile force. A detent is pivotally connected to the housing and to the release lever, and is movable with lost motion relative to the release lever. A fork bolt is adjustably connected to the housing and movable between a fully latched position, where the fork bolt fixes the striker relative to the housing, and a secondary position, where the striker is movable relative to the housing. Moving the fork bolt from the secondary position to the fully latched position causes the lost motion between the detent and the release lever.