Cargo container latch

Claim 2

A cargo container latch assembly for an aircraft storage compartment comprising: a carriage having a pair of parallel sides; first and second hook arms pivotally mounted between the sides for rotation about an axis transverse to the sides and with their axis of rotation parallel; said first and second hook arms being movable from a retracted and inoperative cargo restraining position to an erected cargo engaging position whereat they are in a crossed relationship with their hook portions facing in opposite directions and outwardly of each other; said first hook arm having an opening in its width taken in the direction parallel to its rotational axis through which the second hook arm passes when both hook arms are rotated to their erected position; a spring biased latching pawl connected to said first hook arm for rotation therewith and having a width taken in the direction parallel to the rotational axis of said first hook arm for spanning the opening in the first hook arm through which the second hook arm passes abutment means for limiting relative rotation of said spring biased latching pawl with respect to said first hook arm such that rotation of said first hook arm causes said pawl to engage the second hook arm for simultaneously rotating in the same direction, both hook arms from their retracted to their erected position whereat, the pawl is spring biased into a latched relationship with the second hook arm for restraining both hook arms from rotation about their respective axes.

Claim 3

A retractable cargo container latch assembly having a base that is fastened to the floor of an aircraft storage compartment, said base being manually adjustable in a fore and aft direction by locking engagement with a longitudinal track in the compartment floor, said cargo latch assembly comprising: first and second hook arms pivotally mounted to the base for rotation about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and having their hook portions facing oppositely and outwardly of each other; the second hook arm having its axis of rotation parallel to and longitudinally spaced apart from the axis of rotation of the first hook arm; the axis of rotation of each hook arm being positioned with respect to each other such that the hook arms are in a crossed relationship when rotated to an upright extended position for engaging a cargo container; said first hook arm having a central cut-out portion in its width taken in the direction parallel to its rotational axis through which the second hook arm passes when both hook arms are rotated to their erected position; a pawl pivotally mounted on the rotational axis of the first hook arm; stop means between the pawl and the first hook arm for limiting rotational movement of the pawl with respect to the first hook arm; spring means biasing said stop means such that rotation of the first hook arm substantially imparts a like rotation to the pawl; said pawl having a width taken in the direction parallel to the rotational axis of said first hook arm for spanning the central cut-out portion in the first hook arm through which the second hook arm passes such that rotation of said first hook arm from the retracted position to the erected position, causes the spring biased pawl to engage the second hook arm for rotating both hook arms together in the same direction to their erected position whereat the pawl is spring biased into a latched relationship with the second hook arm for restraining both hook arms from rotation about their respective axis.

Claim 4

A retractable cargo container latch assembly having a base that is fastened to the floor of an aircraft storage compartment, said base being manually adjustable in a fore and aft direction by locking engagement with a longitudinal track in the compartment floor, said cargo latch assembly comprising: first and second hook arms pivotally mounted to the base for rotation about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and having their hook portions facing oppositely and outwardly of each other; the second hook arm having its axis of rotation parallel to and longitudinally spaced apart from the axis of rotation of the first hook arm; the axis of rotation of each hook arm being positioned with respect to each other such that the hook arms are in a crossed relationship when rotated to an upright extended position for engaging a cargo container; said first hook arm having a central cut-out portion in its width taken in the direction parallel to its rotational axis through which the second hook arm passes when both hook arms are rotated to their erected position; a pawl pivotally mounted on the rotational axis of the first hook arm; stop means between the pawl and the first hook arm for limiting rotational movement of the pawl with respect to the first hook arm; spring means biasing said stop means such that rotation of the first hook arm substantially imparts a like rotation to the pawl; said pawl having a width taken in the direction parallel to the rotational axis of said first hook arm for spanning the central cut-out portion in the first hook arm through which the second hook arm passes such that rotation of said first hook arm from the retracted position to the erected position, causes the spring biased pawl to engage the second hook arm for rotating both hook arms together in the same direction to their erected position whereat the pawl is spring biased into a latched relationship with the second hook arm for restraining both hook arms from rotation about their respective axis.