Seat latching mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11999271-B2
Application number	US-202217578546-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 19, 2022
Priority date	Jan 19, 2021
Publication date	Jun 4, 2024
Grant date	Jun 4, 2024

Abstract

A latching mechanism configured to secure a first component and a second component. The latching mechanism includes a locking plate that operatively engages a first latch plate and a second latch plate. The plates each include an end that inserts into a slot located on the second component, therein securing the first component to the second component. Actuation of the latching mechanism displaces the plates, therein releasing the ends from the slot and allowing for movement of the first component in relation to the second component.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A latching mechanism configured to secure a first component and a second component, the first component configured for sliding longitudinally with respect to the second component, the latching mechanism comprising:
a locking plate operatively engaging a first latch plate and a second latch plate, wherein the locking plate, the first latch plate, and the second latch plate are each mechanically coupled to the first component;
a first cylindrical member disposed on the first latch plate,
a second cylindrical member operatively connecting the first latch plate and the second latch plate,
a plurality of slots disposed on the second component, the plurality of slots configured to receive a first end of the first latch plate and a second end of the second latch plate,
wherein reception of the first end and the second end into one of the slots secures the first component to the second component; and

a first axle operatively coupled to the locking plate, allowing for rotation of the locking plate therearound,
wherein rotation of the locking plate displaces the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member; and
wherein rotation of the locking plate in a first direction removes the first end and the second end from one of the slots, therein releasing the first component from the second component.

2. The latching mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second spring operatively connected to one or both of the first latch plate and the second latch plate, the second spring biasing one or both of the first end and the second end towards the plurality of slots.

3. The latching mechanism of claim 1 , wherein rotation of the locking plate in the first direction displaces the first cylindrical member in a second direction.

4. The latching mechanism of claim 1 , wherein rotation of the locking plate in the first direction allows for displacement of the second cylindrical member in a third direction.

5. The latching mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second axle operatively connected to the first latch plate allowing for rotation therearound; and
a third axle operatively connected to the second latch plate allowing for rotation therearound.

6. The latching mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first spring operatively connected to the locking plate, the first spring biasing the locking plate against rotation in the first direction.

7. A latching system configured to transition a first component and a second component between a secured orientation and a released orientation, the latching system comprising:
a connecting member mechanically coupled to a locking plate;
a first axle operatively connected to the locking plate, wherein actuation of the connecting member in a first direction causes rotation of the locking plate around the first axle in a second direction;
a first latch plate and a second latch plate operatively engaged by the locking plate, wherein rotation of the locking plate displaces a first end of the first latch plate and a second end of the second latch plate;
a plurality of slots configured to receive the first end and the second end,
wherein reception of the first end and the second end into one of the plurality of slots places the latching system in the secured orientation.

8. The latching system of claim 7 , wherein in the secured orientation, the first end and the second end are in the same slot.

9. The latching system of claim 7 , wherein displacement of the first end and the second end occurs via rotation of the first latch plate around a second axle and rotation of the second latch plate around a third axle.

10. The latching system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a first spring operatively connected to the locking plate, the first spring biasing the locking plate opposite the first direction.

11. The latching system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a second spring operatively connected to the first latch plate and the second latch plate, the second spring biasing the first end and the second end towards the plurality of slots.

12. The latching system of claim 7 , wherein rotation of the locking plate in the second direction biases a portion of the first latch plate in the first direction.

13. The latching system of claim 8 , wherein the first end biases against a first inner wall of the slot and the second end biases against a second inner wall of the slot, the first wall and the second wall being opposing walls.

14. A seat latching system, the seat latching system comprising:
a stationary seat frame;
a movable seat frame which is configured to move relative to the stationary seat frame;
a lever operatively connected to a connecting member;
a locking plate operatively connected to the connecting member and a first axle;
a first cylindrical member disposed on a first latch plate, the first cylindrical member operatively engaged by the locking plate;
a second cylindrical member operatively connecting the first latch plate to a second latch plate; and
a plurality of slots disposed on the stationary seat frame, the plurality of slots configured to receive a first end of the first latch plate and a second end of the second latch plate,
wherein actuation of the lever causes the connecting member to move in a first direction, causing rotation of the locking plate around the first axle in a second direction,
wherein rotation of the locking plate in the second direction releases the first end and the second end from one of the slots, thereby allowing the position of the moveable seat frame to be adjusted.

15. The seat latching system of claim 14 , wherein the locking plate comprises:
a first edge operatively engaging the first cylindrical member; and
a second edge operatively engaging the second cylindrical member,
wherein the second edge comprises a notch configured to receive the second cylindrical member.

16. The seat latching system of claim 14 , wherein rotation of the locking plate in the second direction pushes the first cylindrical member in the first direction, causing the first latch plate to rotate around a second axle in a third direction.

17. The seat latching system of claim 14 , wherein rotation of the locking plate in the second direction pushes the second cylindrical member in a fourth direction, causing the second latch plate to rotate around a third axle in the second direction.

18. The seat latching system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a first spring operatively connected to the locking plate, the first spring biasing the locking plate opposite the first direction; and
a second spring operatively connected to the second cylindrical member, the second spring biasing the first end and the second end towards the plurality of slots.

19. The seat latching system of claim 14 , wherein upon release of the lever, the first latch plate rotates in the second direction and the second latch plate rotates in a third direction, biasing the first end and the second end towards the plurality of slots.

Assignees

• Textron Aviation Inc
• Textron Innovations Inc

Inventors

• Ward Barry John

Classifications

• B60N2/0862 Primary

  sliding · CPC title

• B60N2/366 Primary

  characterised by the locking device · CPC title

• B60N2002/952

  characterised by details of the locking system · CPC title

• B64D11/0639

  with features for adjustment or converting of seats · CPC title