US Patent 11377880 Vehicular latch assembly with latch mechanism having self-locking ratchet

A latch assembly for a vehicular latching system configured to provide an anti-chucking locking function in cooperation with a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism has a ratchet that is moveable by a striker between a striker release position, a striker capture position, and a striker over-travel position. A pawl is operable in a ratchet holding position to hold the ratchet when the ratchet is in the striker capture position and operable in a ratchet releasing position to release the ratchet to allow the ratchet to return to its striker release position. A latch release mechanism operates to move the pawl between its ratchet holding and ratchet releasing positions. The anti-chuck locking function is provided by the pawl having a lock tooth and the ratchet having a lock notch for locking engagement therebetween when the pawl holds the ratchet in its striker capture position for muting vibrations of the latch assembly.