PUSH-PUSH LATCHING MECHANISM INCLUDING AN IMPACT LOAD LOCK OUT FEATURE FOR A VEHICLE ACCESS PANEL

A storage compartment for a vehicle includes a first surface fixedly mounted relative to the vehicle, a second surface moveably mounted relative to the first surface, and a latching mechanism including a first latch element mounted to one of the first surface and the second surface and a second latch element mounted to another of the first surface and the second surface. The second latch element includes a first passage, a second passage, and an impact load lockout feature including a latch element rest arranged between the first passage and the second passage. The latch element rest includes an opening and a latch element trap. The opening is formed to allow passage of the first latch element into the latch element trap when the second surface is exposed to an impact load exceeding a design force.