Latch with a Built-In Adjustment Mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016201704-A1
Application number	US-201615079282-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 24, 2016
Priority date	May 3, 2013
Publication date	Jul 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for adjusting a latch. An apparatus comprises a latch body, a first member, and a second member associated with the latch body. A receiving area extends through at least a portion of the latch body. The first member is configured to be at least partially received within the receiving area of the latch body. The first member has a first coupling element. The second member has a second coupling element. Movement of the first member along an axis through the receiving area changes a distance between the first coupling element and the second coupling element.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus comprising:
a latch body, wherein a receiving area extends through at least a portion of the latch body; a first member configured to be at least partially received within the receiving area of the latch body, wherein the first member has a first coupling element; a second member associated with the latch body, wherein the second member has a second coupling element and wherein movement of the first member along an axis through the receiving area changes a distance between the first coupling element and the second coupling element; a first attachment structure configured to engage the first coupling element of the first member; and a second attachment structure configured to engage the second coupling element of the second member.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first attachment structure is associated with a first panel and wherein the second attachment structure is associated with a second panel.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising:
the first panel having the first attachment structure associated therewith; and the second panel having the second attachment structure associated therewith; wherein the first panel and the second panel are configured for use in forming a sidewall for an interior of an aircraft.

4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein moving the first member along the axis through the receiving area such that the distance between the first coupling element and the second coupling element changes a width of a gap between the first panel and the second panel.

5 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the latch body further comprises:
a structural attachment feature configured for attachment to a structural member of an aircraft, such that the first panel and the second panel are associated with the structural member.

6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the structural member is selected from the group consisting of a frame of the aircraft, a stringer of the aircraft, a rib of the aircraft, and a spar of the aircraft.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first attachment structure comprises a first hook configured to engage the first coupling element of the first member and the second attachment structure comprises a second hook configured to engage the second coupling element of the second member.

8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first coupling element comprises:
a first elongated portion of the first member configured to receive the first hook; and a first plurality of retention collars configured to axially constrain the first elongated portion in the first hook; wherein when engaged, the first hook is unable to move along the axis independently from the first member.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the second coupling element comprises:
a second elongated portion of the second member configured to receive the second hook; and a second plurality of retention collars configured to axially constrain the second elongated portion in the second hook; wherein when engaged, the second hook is unable to move along the axis independently from the second member.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first member further comprises:
a stop feature configured to enter a control area within the latch body when the first member enters the receiving area within the latch body, wherein the control area has an open end and a closed end.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:
an end element configured for association with the latch body, wherein the end element is used to close the open end of the control area with the stop feature of the first member located within the control area such that a distance by which the first member can be moved along the axis is determined by a length of the control area.

12 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
an adjustment member configured to form a portion of the receiving area and receive at least a portion of the first member and wherein relative rotation between the adjustment member and the first member causes the first member to move along the axis.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the adjustment member is a separate component positioned relative to the latch body and configured to be held within a retaining area formed by the latch body such that a channel through the latch body opens into a hole within the adjustment member to form the receiving area.

14 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first member has outer threads configured to engage inner threads along a hole in the adjustment member.

15 . The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising:
a locking mechanism configured to prevent the relative rotation between the adjustment member and the first member.

16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises:
a pivotable element, wherein rotation of the pivotable element into a locked position locks the adjustment member in place to prevent the relative rotation between the adjustment member and the first member and wherein rotation of the pivotable element into an unlocked position unlocks the adjustment member to allow the relative rotation between the adjustment member and the first member.

17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the adjustment member comprises:
a plurality of grooves, wherein the pivotable element is configured to enter a groove in the plurality of grooves when the pivotable element is in the locked position.

18 . A method for adjusting a latch, the method comprising:
engaging a first coupling element of a first member to a first attachment structure; engaging a second coupling element of a second member associated with a latch body of the latch to a second attachment structure; inserting the first member having the first coupling element at least partially through a receiving area that extends through at least a portion of the latch body; and moving the first member along an axis through the receiving area such that a distance between the first coupling element and the second coupling element changes.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein moving the first member along the axis through the receiving area comprises:
rotating the first member relative to an adjustment member that forms a portion of the receiving area to move the first member along the axis through the receiving area such that the distance between the first coupling element and the second coupling element of the second member associated with the latch body changes.

20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein engaging the first coupling element of the first member to the first attachment structure further comprises:
engaging a first elongated portion of the first member to a first hook of the first attachment structure; axially constraining the first hook between a first plurality of retention collars of the first elongated portion, wherein the first hook is unable to move along the axis independently from the first member; engaging a second elongated portion of the second member to a second hook of the second attachment structure; and axially constraining the second hook between a second plurality of retention collars of the second elongated portion, wherein the second hook is unable to move along the axis independently from the second member.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Pacini Phillip E
• Branham Russell J
• Cheng Kam Wang

Classifications

• F16B5/0088

  with locking means moving substantially perpendicular to the main plane, e.g. pins, screws · CPC title

• B64C1/066 Primary

  Interior liners · CPC title

• F16B5/0628 Primary

  allowing for adjustment parallel or perpendicular to the plane of the sheets or plates · CPC title

• F16B5/0225

  allowing for adjustment parallel to the plane of the plates · CPC title

• Y10T403/291

  having tool-engaging means or operating handle · CPC title