Positive lock latching mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016347465-A1
Application number	US-201514726444-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 29, 2015
Priority date	May 29, 2015
Publication date	Dec 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An apparatus and method according to one or more embodiments are provided for a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism may be implemented, for example, as a positive lock latching mechanism that provides a positive indication when a latch is not engaged. In one example, an apparatus includes a latch arm comprising a slotted hole and a latch hook configured to engage a pin. The latch includes a bifold handle coupled to the latch arm, the bifold handle comprising a first handle portion and a handle extension portion, wherein the first handle portion comprises a lock hook configured to translate through the slotted hole to engage the pin and the handle extension portion is configured to move away from the first handle portion when the lock hook is not engaged with the pin. Additional systems and methods are also provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus comprising:
a latch comprising:
a latch arm comprising a slotted hole and a latch hook configured to engage a pin; and
a bifold handle coupled to the latch arm, the bifold handle comprising a first handle portion and a handle extension portion, wherein the first handle portion comprises a lock hook configured to translate through the slotted hole to engage the pin and the handle extension portion is configured to move away from the first handle portion when the lock hook is not engaged with the pin.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the bifold handle comprises a first end of the first handle portion coupled to the latch arm and a second end of the first handle portion coupled to the handle extension portion; and the handle extension portion is configured to move adjacent to the first handle portion when the lock hook is engaged with the pin.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first handle portion comprises:
a first spring mechanism configured to limit the travel of the lock hook; a second spring mechanism configured to apply a force to the handle extension portion to move the handle extension portion relative to the first handle portion when the lock hook is not engaged with the pin; and a third spring mechanism configured to apply a force to the first handle portion to move the first handle portion relative to the pin when the lock hook is not engaged with the pin.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the handle extension portion comprises a handle catch fixedly disposed on one or more sides of the handle extension portion, the handle catch configured to prevent the handle extension portion from moving relative to the first handle portion when the lock hook is engaged with the pin.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising:
a catch pin disposed across the first handle portion and coupled to a latch release button, wherein: the latch release button is coupled to the lock hook; the catch pin travels along a slotted hole disposed in the first handle portion and relative to the lock hook; the handle catch is configured to translate to a locked position; the catch pin is configured to translate to contact the handle catch in the locked position when the lock hook is engaged with the pin to keep the handle extension portion adjacent to the first handle portion; and the catch pin is configured to translate away from the handle catch when the lock hook is not engaged with the pin to allow the handle extension portion to move away from the first handle portion.

6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the latch release button is configured to disengage the lock hook from the pin when the latch release button is depressed and the catch pin is configured to translate away from the handle catch when the latch release button is depressed to allow the handle extension portion to move away from the first handle portion.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an adjustment nut disposed in the latch, configured to apply a selectable preload to the latch by adjusting a position of the latch relative to the pin.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a first cowl member, a second cowl member, and the pin, wherein:
the pin is disposed on the second cowl member; the latch is mechanically coupled to the first cowl member; and the latch is configured to translate the first cowl member towards the second cowl member when the latch arm engages the pin.

9 . An aircraft comprising the latch of claim 1 , the aircraft further comprising:
a first cowl member comprising a first cowl member outer surface, wherein the latch is mechanically coupled on the first cowl member; a second cowl member comprising a second cowl member outer surface; and a pin disposed on the second cowl member, wherein the latch is configured to translate the first cowl member towards the second cowl member when the latch arm of the latch engages the pin and at least a portion of the bifold handle is configured to be flush with the first cowl member outer surface and/or the second cowl member outer surface when the lock hook is engaged.

10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein a surface of the handle extension portion is configured to be flush with the first cowl member outer surface and/or the second cowl member outer surface when the lock hook is engaged and the handle extension portion is configured to move away from the first cowl outer surface when the lock hook is not engaged.

11 . A method of using a latch, the method comprising:
moving a latch arm from a first position to a second position; securing the latch arm at the second position; moving a first handle member from a third position to the second position; securing the first handle member at the second position, wherein securing the first handle member comprises moving a catch pin from a resting position to a center position; and moving a handle extension member into a secured position adjacent to the first handle member.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the latch arm comprises a latch hook and securing the latch arm at the second position comprises pulling the latch hook over a pin.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the first handle member comprises a lock hook and securing the first handle member comprises pushing the lock hook over a pin.

14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein moving the handle extension member into the secured position comprises:
moving the handle extension member to the second position; and securing the handle extension member with the catch pin.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein securing the handle extension member with the catch pin comprises:
moving, with a handle catch, the catch pin from a center position to a resting position; moving the handle catch from an unengaged position to an engaged position; and moving the catch pin from the resting position to the center position.

16 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
adjusting a preload of the latch arm.

17 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
drawing together, with the latch arm, a first panel and a second panel.

18 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising unsecuring the latch, wherein unsecuring the latch comprises:
moving the handle extension member from the secured position into an unsecured position; unsecuring the first handle member; moving the first handle member away from the second position; unsecuring the latch arm; and moving the latch arm away from the second position.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein unsecuring the latch further comprises:
depressing a latch release button, wherein depressing the latch release button moves the catch pin to a release position.

20 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the moving the first handle member comprises rotating the first handle member and the moving the handle extension member comprises rotating the handle extension member.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Mellor Mitchell L R

Classifications

• Y10S292/49

  Toggle catches · CPC title

• E05C19/145

  flush · CPC title

• E05C19/14

  with toggle action · CPC title

• E05B41/00

  Locks with visible indication as to whether the lock is locked or unlocked {(indicator lights E05B17/10)} · CPC title

• B64D29/06 Primary

  Attaching of nacelles, fairings or cowlings · CPC title