Patent ID: 11873669
Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
Field: Civil engineering (Other fields)
Classification: CPC E  B | IPC E

Claim 0:
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.