US4538843A — Preloaded latch

Claim 1

Independent Claim 164 words

For use in an aircraft component having spaced-apart walls that include opposed movable panels, latching apparatus for securing the panels in flush positions, comprising: first and second housings, each said housing having a generally inwardly extending strut portion with an inwardly facing mating surface and mounting means for mounting the housing on one of the panels; latch hook means mounted on the first housing; catch means mounted on the second housing for engaging the latch hook means to secure each of the panels in its flush position; and means for tensioning the engagement of the latch hook means and the catch means to preload the latching apparatus; wherein the latch hook means and catch means are positioned to provide a latch load path that is generally perpendicular to the panels; and wherein when the latching apparatus is in a latching position, said mating surfaces are urged together and said inwardly extending strut portions form a strut to react the preload on the latching apparatus.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 164 words

For use in an aircraft component having spaced-apart walls that include opposed movable panels, latching apparatus for securing the panels in flush positions, comprising: first and second housings, each said housing having a generally inwardly extending strut portion with an inwardly facing mating surface and mounting means for mounting the housing on one of the panels; latch hook means mounted on the first housing; catch means mounted on the second housing for engaging the latch hook means to secure each of the panels in its flush position; and means for tensioning the engagement of the latch hook means and the catch means to preload the latching apparatus; wherein the latch hook means and catch means are positioned to provide a latch load path that is generally perpendicular to the panels; and wherein when the latching apparatus is in a latching position, said mating surfaces are urged together and said inwardly extending strut portions form a strut to react the preload on the latching apparatus.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 85 words

Latching apparatus as described in claim 1, in which the means for tensioning includes a lever pivotably mounted on the first housing to pivot within an opening in the panel on which the first housing is mounted; the latch hook means includes a draw hook pivotably mounted on the lever; and the pivotal axes of the lever and the draw hook are positioned to provide over-center latching action to tension the engagement of the draw hook and catch means and urge said mating surfaces together.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 58 words

Latching apparatus as described in claim 2, further comprising biasing means for biasing the draw hook to pivot toward one end of the lever, and auxiliary latch hook means for engaging a portion of the draw hook to prevent pivoting of the draw hook with respect to the lever when the latching apparatus is in a latching position.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 24 words

Latching apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising adjustment means for adjusting the tensioning of the latch hook means and the catch means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 87 words

Latching apparatus as described in claim 4, in which: the catch means comprises a carrier having a shaft end and an opposite yoke end with two arms, said carrier having a longitudinal axis coincident with the load path; a catch bar carried between the two arms; and mounting means for slidably mounting the carrier on the second housing; and the adjustment means includes means for engaging the shaft end of the carrier to adjust the position of the carrier along the load path to adjust said tensioning.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 114 words

Latching apparatus as described in claim 5, in which said means for engaging includes an internally threaded hollow bolt with an open end into which said shaft end is threadedly received and an opposite closed end with axially directed means for receiving a tool to rotate the bolt about said shaft end; and the adjustment means further includes stop means for preventing the carrier from rotating, said stop means including two opposed support members, each of which has a slot therein into which one of said arms is slidably received; said axially directed means being positioned to be externally accessible through a suitable opening in the panel on which the second housing is mounted.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 35 words

Latching apparatus as described in claim 6, further comprising thrust bearing means positioned between an annular shoulder on said bolt and the second housing for transferring the preload on the carrier to the second housing.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 64 words

Latching apparatus as described in claim 1, in which one of the inwardly facing mating surfaces has a tongue thereon, and the other said mating surface has a groove thereon, said tongue and groove being urged together when the latching apparatus is in a latching position to strengthen the strut and to carry shear forces between the latch hook means and the catch means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 181 words

Over-center latching apparatus for securing first and second bodies together, at least one of said bodies being movable with respect to the other, comprising: first and second housings, each said housing having a generally inwardly extending strut portion with an inwardly facing mating surface and mounting means for mounting the housing on a mounting surface of one of the bodies; a lever pivotably mounted on the first housing to pivot within an opening in said mounting surface; a draw hook pivotably mounted on the lever; and catch means mounted on the second housing for engaging the draw hook to secure the bodies together; wherein the catch means and the pivotal axis of the lever are positioned to provide a latch load path that is generally perpendicular to said mounting surface of the movable body; and wherein when the latching apparatus is in a latching position, the draw hook and catch means are tensioned to preload the latching apparatus, said mating surfaces are urged together, and said inwardly extending strut portions form a strut to react the preload on the latching apparatus.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 181 words

Over-center latching apparatus for securing first and second bodies together, at least one of said bodies being movable with respect to the other, comprising: first and second housings, each said housing having a generally inwardly extending strut portion with an inwardly facing mating surface and mounting means for mounting the housing on a mounting surface of one of the bodies; a lever pivotably mounted on the first housing to pivot within an opening in said mounting surface; a draw hook pivotably mounted on the lever; and catch means mounted on the second housing for engaging the draw hook to secure the bodies together; wherein the catch means and the pivotal axis of the lever are positioned to provide a latch load path that is generally perpendicular to said mounting surface of the movable body; and wherein when the latching apparatus is in a latching position, the draw hook and catch means are tensioned to preload the latching apparatus, said mating surfaces are urged together, and said inwardly extending strut portions form a strut to react the preload on the latching apparatus.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 58 words

Latching apparatus as described in claim 9, further comprising biasing means for biasing the draw hook to pivot toward one end of the lever, and auxiliary latch hook means for engaging a portion of the draw hook to prevent pivoting of the draw hook with respect to the lever when the latching apparatus is in a latching position.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 22 words

Latching apparatus as described in claim 9, further comprising adjustment means for adjusting the tensioning of the draw hook and catch means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 87 words

Latching apparatus as described in claim 11, in which: the catch means comprises a carrier having a shaft end and an opposite yoke end with two arms, said carrier having a longitudinal axis coincident with the load path; a catch bar carried between the two arms; and mounting means for slidably mounting the carrier on the second housing; and the adjustment means includes means for engaging the shaft end of the carrier to adjust the position of the carrier along the load path to adjust said tensioning.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 90 words

Latching apparatus as described in claim 12, in which said means for engaging includes an internally threaded hollow bolt with an open end into which said shaft end is threadedly received and an opposite closed end with axially directed means for receiving a tool to rotate the bolt about said shaft end; and the adjustment means further includes stop means for preventing the carrier from rotating, said stop means including two opposed support members, each of which has a slot therein into which one of said arms is slidably received.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 35 words

Latching apparatus as described in claim 13, further comprising thrust bearing means positioned between an annular shoulder on said bolt and the second housing for transferring the preload on the carrier to the second housing.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 63 words

Latching apparatus as described in claim 9, in which one of the inwardly facing mating surfaces has a tongue thereon, and the other said mating surface has a groove thereon, said tongue and groove being urged together when the latching apparatus is in a latching position to strengthen the strut and to carry shear forces between the draw hook and the catch means.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 204 words

In a latch mechanism of the type having a latch hook and a catch that engages the latch hook, with the engagement of the hook and catch being tensioned along a load path, the improvement comprising: a carrier for the catch; said carrier having a longitudinal axis coincident with the load path, a threaded shaft end, and an opposite yoke end with two arms between which the catch is carried; mounting means for slidably mounting the carrier to a body to be secured by the mechanism; and adjustment means for adjusting the position of the carrier along the load path to adjust the tensioning of the hook and catch; said adjustment means comprising an internally threaded hollow bolt with an open end into which said shaft end of the carrier is threadedly received and an opposite closed end with axially directed means for receiving a tool to rotate the bolt about said shaft end, and stop means for preventing the carrier from rotating, said stop means including two opposed support members, each of which has a slot therein into which one of said arms is slidably received; said axially directed means being positioned to be externally accessible through a suitable opening in said body.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 204 words

In a latch mechanism of the type having a latch hook and a catch that engages the latch hook, with the engagement of the hook and catch being tensioned along a load path, the improvement comprising: a carrier for the catch; said carrier having a longitudinal axis coincident with the load path, a threaded shaft end, and an opposite yoke end with two arms between which the catch is carried; mounting means for slidably mounting the carrier to a body to be secured by the mechanism; and adjustment means for adjusting the position of the carrier along the load path to adjust the tensioning of the hook and catch; said adjustment means comprising an internally threaded hollow bolt with an open end into which said shaft end of the carrier is threadedly received and an opposite closed end with axially directed means for receiving a tool to rotate the bolt about said shaft end, and stop means for preventing the carrier from rotating, said stop means including two opposed support members, each of which has a slot therein into which one of said arms is slidably received; said axially directed means being positioned to be externally accessible through a suitable opening in said body.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 47 words

A latch mechanism as described in claim 16, in which the mounting means for slidably mounting the carrier includes an annular shoulder on the bolt, a support wall in a force transmitting relationship with the shoulder, and means for fixedly mounting the support wall on said body.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 45 words

A latch mechanism as described in claim 17, in which said mounting means further includes thrust bearing means positioned between the shoulder and one side of the support wall, and retaining ring means engaging the bolt and abutting the other side of the support wall.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 19 words

A latch mechanism as described in claim 16, further comprising ratchet means for preventing unwanted rotation of the bolt.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 37 words

A latch mechanism as described in claim 19, in which the ratchet means comprises a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, axially-elongated teeth projecting radially outwardly from the bolt, and spring means yieldably urged against the bolt between said teeth.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1988-09-02	1989-03-04	1989-09-03	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1992-09-02	1993-03-04	1993-09-03	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1996-09-02	1997-03-04	1997-09-03	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Preloaded latch

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag