Single release latching system with multiple independently latching latch assemblies

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11873669-B2
Application number	US-202217568210-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 4, 2022
Priority date	Jan 15, 2021
Publication date	Jan 16, 2024
Grant date	Jan 16, 2024

Abstract

A latching system includes a guide body, and a latch rod slidably retained by the guide body. Latch assemblies fixed to the latch rod, are spaced apart from one another, and independently biased to a latched position. A first rod-biasing spring is coaxial with the latch rod and disposed between the guide body and a first latch assembly. The first rod-biasing spring biases the latch rod to a rest position corresponding with a latched position of the latch assemblies. Multiple catches are secured at a spacing equal to a spacing of the latch assemblies on the latch rod such that the latch assemblies latch to the catches independently of one another. A force on the latch rod against the first rod-biasing spring moves the latch rod along the longitudinal axis of the latch rod from a rest position to an actuated position and unlatches the latch assemblies simultaneously.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A latching system for latching a first structure to a second structure, the latching system comprising:
a guide body configured to be secured to the second structure;
a latch rod slidably retained by the guide body;
multiple latch assemblies fixed to the latch rod, spaced apart from one another, and independently biased to a latched position;
a first rod-biasing spring coaxial with the latch rod and disposed between the guide body and a first of the latch assemblies;
multiple catches securable to the first structure and spaced apart from one another at a spacing equal to a spacing of the multiple latch assemblies such that the latch assemblies latch to the catches independently of one another;
wherein a force on the latch rod along a longitudinal axis of the latch rod in a direction against the first rod-biasing spring moves the latch rod along the longitudinal axis of the latch rod from a rest position to an actuated position and unlatches the multiple latch assemblies simultaneously; and
a lock nut secured to the latch rod adjacent to the first of the latch assemblies and preloading the first rod-biasing spring to bias the latch rod to the rest position, the latch rod returning to the rest position when the force on the latch rod is removed.

2. The latching system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an actuator disposed adjacent to the latch rod and adapted to receive the force to move the latch rod along the longitudinal axis of the latch rod against the first rod-biasing spring from the rest position to the actuated position.

3. The latching system of claim 2 , further comprising:
a bracket secured to the actuator;
an additional lock nut secured to the latch rod adjacent to a second of the latch assemblies; wherein the latch rod extends through the bracket between the second of the latch assemblies and the additional lock nut.

4. The latching system of claim 2 , wherein:
the actuator is a lever with a slot;
the latch rod extends through the slot;
a latch body of one of the latch assemblies is disposed adjacent to the lever; and
the lever is pivotable to apply the force to the latch rod via the lever pushing against the latch body to move the latch rod to the actuated position.

5. The latching system of claim 1 , wherein the latch rod is configured with a pair of circumferential grooves spaced apart from one another along the latch rod, the first of the latch assemblies is disposed along the latch rod between the pair of circumferential grooves, and the latching system further comprising:
a pair of split rings engaged in the pair of circumferential grooves to retain a latch body of the first of the latch assemblies to the latch rod between the circumferential grooves on to the latch rod; and
a screw extending through the latch body against the latch rod to further retain the latch body to the latch rod.

6. The latching system of claim 1 , wherein:
at least a portion of the latch rod has a non-circular perimeter; and
the guide body has an opening through which the latch rod extends, the opening having a shape that interferes with the non-circular perimeter of the latch rod upon a rotational force applied to the latch rod to limit rotation of the latch rod about the longitudinal axis of the latch rod.

7. The latching system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second rod-biasing spring coaxial with the latch rod and acting against a second of the latch assemblies.

8. The latching system of claim 7 , wherein the latch rod is configured with a circumferential groove, and the latching system further comprising:
a latch rod retainer slidably retaining the latch rod; wherein the second rod-biasing spring is disposed between the latch rod retainer and a latch body of the second of the latch assemblies;
a split ring disposed in the circumferential groove between the second rod-biasing spring and the latch body of the second of the latch assemblies;
a screw extending through the latch body of the second of the latch assemblies and against the latch rod to further retain the latch body of the second of the latch assemblies to the latch rod; and
an additional lock nut disposed on the latch rod with the latch body of the second of the latch assemblies between the split ring and the additional lock nut.

9. The latching system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a base extending parallel with the latch rod and configured to be secured to the second structure; wherein the guide body is integral with the base.

10. The latching system of claim 9 , wherein:
the base interferes with inner sides of the multiple latch assemblies upon a rotational force applied to the latch rod to limit rotation of the latch rod about the longitudinal axis of the latch rod.

11. The latching system of claim 1 , wherein each of the latch assemblies includes:
a latch body fixed to the latch rod;
a latch pawl connected to the latch body and pivotable relative to the latch body between a latched position and an unlatched position, the latch pawl of each of the latch assemblies pivotable independently of the latch pawl of each other latch assembly; and
a biasing member biasing the latch pawl to the latched position.

12. The latching system of claim 11 , wherein:
the biasing member biasing the latch pawl to the latched position is a torsion spring;
the latch pawl has a notch; and
an end of torsion spring is seated in the notch.

13. The latching system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a bracket having a body securable to the first structure, and having a guide pin configured to extend outward from the body of the bracket;
a guide receptacle configured to receive the guide pin to establish a relative orientation of the first structure and the second structure in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the latch rod.

14. The latching system of claim 13 , wherein the guide receptacle is integral with the guide body.

15. The latching system of claim 13 , wherein the bracket has an elongated slot extending therethrough, and a plurality of first serrations are disposed at an inner side of the bracket; and the latching system further comprising:
a serrated plate configured to secure to the first structure and having a plurality of second serrations configured to interlock with the plurality of first serrations; and
a set screw configured to extend through the elongated slot to the serrated plate;
wherein the relative orientation of the first structure and the second structure is adjustable along a length of the elongated slot by engaging the first serrations with the second serrations at different relative orientations; and
wherein the relative orientation of the first structure and the second structure is set by tightening the set screw against the serrated plate.

16. A latching system for latching a closure panel to a compartment structure, the latching system comprising:
a guide body configured to be secured to the compartment structure;
a latch rod slidably retained by the guide body;
a first latch assembly and a second latch assembly, each of the latch assemblies including:
a latch body fixed to the latch rod, the latch body of the first latch assembly spaced apart from the latch body of the second latch assembly along a length of the latch rod by a predetermined distance;
a latch pawl connected to the latch body and pivotable relative to the latch body between a latched position and an unlatched position, the latch pawl of the first latch assembly pivotable independently of the latch pawl of the second latch assembly;
a biasing member biasing the latch paw

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Zarkowskyj Peter J

Classifications

• E05C9/028 Primary

  externally mounted on the wing, i.e. surface mounted (E05C9/008 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E05C9/10

  Actuating mechanisms for bars {(E05C9/02 - E05C9/06 take precedence)} · CPC title

• E05C9/1883

  pivotally mounted on the actuation bar · CPC title

• E05C9/22

  Guides for sliding bars, rods or cables · CPC title

• E05B15/0006 Primary

  Devices for aligning wing and frame; Anti-rattling devices (for vehicle doors E05B83/367) · CPC title