Hood latch and release mechanism and operating system including same

A vehicle hood latch and release mechanism is latched when the hood striker engages the latch portion of the mechanism as the hood is moved to its closed position. The mechanism is actuated to release the hood striker by a pushing action on the cable or strand movable in the sheath of a cable assembly rather than by the typical pulling action on current hood releasing mechanisms. The pushing action is obtained with actuation of a hood latching and releasing control, by movement of a handle which operatively pushes on the cable or strand, transmitting a longitudinally compressive force rather than a longitudinally tensional force to the latch mechanism and moving that mechanism to the striker-released position. Release of the control permits one or more springs to cause the control handle to be returned to its position wherein the latching and release mechanism is ready to again be latched to the hood striker. The handle is also in this position when the latching mode of the hood latching and releasing mechanism latches the hood striker to hold the hood closed. Modifications of the hood latching and releasing control are disclosed.