Latch for aircraft panel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11713104-B2
Application number	US-202117202358-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 16, 2021
Priority date	Mar 17, 2020
Publication date	Aug 1, 2023
Grant date	Aug 1, 2023

Abstract

A latch ( 12 ) intended for assembling a removable panel ( 18 ) to a structure ( 14 ), notably that of an aircraft, includes a bracket ( 30 ) fixed to the panel; a keeper ( 32 ) and a push button ( 34 ) hinged to the bracket; a torsion spring ( 40 ) comprising two arms respectively in abutment on the keeper and the push button. The latch is movable between a closed configuration, in which the keeper is in contact with the push button, and an open configuration, in which the keeper is spaced apart from the push button. The latch further includes a roller ( 42 ) rotatably supported on an arm ( 86 ) of the spring; and the keeper includes a profile ( 58 ) on which the roller moves when the latch is moved between the closed and open configurations.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A latch for assembling a removable panel to a structure, said latch comprising:
a bracket capable of being fastened to the structure;
a keeper, supported on the bracket for pivoting around a first axis;
a push button, supported on the bracket for pivoting around a second axis parallel to the first axis;
a spring, comprising a first arm and a second arm connected by at least one intermediate portion, one end of each of said first and second arms in abutment respectively on the keeper and on the push button;
the latch is movable between a closed configuration, in which the keeper is in contact with the push button, and an open configuration, in which the keeper is spaced apart from the push button; a first stress of the spring in the closed position is greater than a second stress of said spring in the open position;
said latch being characterized in that:
at least one intermediate portion of the spring is positioned around the second axis;
the latch further comprises a moving surface supported adjacent an end of at least the first arm to be movable relative to the first arm and the keeper; and
the keeper comprises a non-linear moving profile in contact with the moving surface in the closed and open configurations of the latch, said moving surface being capable of moving along the non-linear moving profile during the movement of the latch between the closed and open configurations.

2. The latch according to claim 1 , wherein the moving surface comprises a roller rotatable at the end of the first arm, along a third axis parallel to the second axis.

3. The latch according to claim 1 , in which the moving profile comprises a first end and second end, said second end is in contact with the moving surface in the open configuration, a distance between the first axis and the second end is less than a distance between the first axis and the first end.

4. The latch according to claim 3 , in which the moving profile also comprises an intermediate area near the first end, a distance between the first axis and the second end is less than a distance between the first axis and the intermediate area.

5. The latch according to claim 1 , in which a distance between the second axis and a third axis relative to which the moving surface is supported is less than a distance between the first axis and the second axis.

6. The latch according to claim 1 , in which the first and second arms of the spring form a first angle (α) in the closed configuration and a second angle (β) in the open configuration, a difference between the first and second angles is less than 60°.

7. The latch of claim 6 wherein the difference between the first and second angles is less than 30°.

8. The latch of claim 7 wherein the difference between the first and second angles is less than 20°.

9. The latch according to claim 2 , in which the first arm of the spring comprises two substantially parallel branches, the roller is positioned between the two said branches.

10. The latch according to claim 1 , in which the keeper comprises two walls traversed by the first axis.

11. The latch according to claim 10 , in which the moving profile of the keeper comprises a part placed between the two walls and is fixed to said two walls.

12. An aircraft comprising: a structure; a panel movable relative to said structure; and a latch as stated in claim 1 , said latch is attached to the panel such that in the closed configuration of the latch, said latch prevents the opening of the panel relative to the structure.

13. A latch for assembling a removable panel to a structure, said latch comprising:
a bracket capable of being fastened to the structure;
a keeper, supported on the bracket for pivoting around a first axis;
a push button, supported on the bracket for pivoting around a second axis parallel to the first axis;
a spring, comprising a first arm and a second arm connected by at least one intermediate portion, one end of each of said first and second arms in abutment respectively on the keeper and on the push button;
the latch is movable between a closed configuration, in which the keeper is in contact with the push button, and an open configuration, in which the keeper is spaced apart from the push button; a first stress of the spring in the closed position is greater than a second stress of said spring in the open position;
said latch being characterized in that:
at least one intermediate portion of the spring is positioned around the second axis;
the latch further comprises a moving surface supported adjacent an end of at least the first arm to be movable relative to the first arm and the keeper; and
the keeper comprises a moving profile in contact with the moving surface in the closed and open configurations of the latch, wherein the moving profile comprises a first end and second end, said second end is in contact with the moving surface in the open configuration, a distance between the first axis and the second end is less than a distance between the first axis and the first end, and wherein said moving surface being capable of moving along the moving profile during the movement of the latch between the closed and open configurations.

Assignees

• Lisi Aerospace

Inventors

• Antoine Jimmy
• Defrance Vincent

Classifications

• B64C1/14 Primary

  Windows; Doors; Hatch covers or access panels; Surrounding frame structures; Canopies; Windscreens {accessories therefor, e.g. pressure sensors, water deflectors, hinges, seals, handles, latches, windscreen wipers}(fairings movable in conjunction with undercarriage elements B64C25/16; bomb doors B64D1/06) · CPC title

• E05C3/048 Primary

  parallel to the wing edge · CPC title

• F16B5/008

  by a rotating or sliding and rotating movement · CPC title

• F16B5/0084

  characterised by particular locking means · CPC title

• Y10T403/608

  Pivoted · CPC title