Importance

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Abstract

A latch assembly includes a latch bolt having a power closure abutment, a first safety abutment and a closed abutment that is moveable between an open position, a first safety position and a closed position. The latch assembly includes a pawl including a pawl tooth having an engaged position defined by engagement between the pawl tooth and one of the first safety abutment and the closed abutment at which the pawl releaseably retains the latch bolt in one of the first safety position and the closed position, respectively, and a released position in which the latch bolt is free to move to the open position. The latch assembly also includes a closure element having a first abutment and a second abutment. The first abutment is releaseably engageable with the closure abutment. The closure element has a first position at which the closure element is disengaged from the closure abutment, a second position at which the first abutment of the closure element is engaged with the closure abutment and the latch bolt is in the first safety position, and a third position at which the first abutment of the closure element is engaged with the closure abutment and the latch bolt is in the closed position. When the closure element is in the first position and the latch bolt is in the first safety position, actuation of a power actuator causes the closure element to move through the second position to the third position, thereby closing the latch. During movement of the closure elements from the second position into the third position, the closure abutment is positioned generally between the first abutment and the second abutment.

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First Claim