Patent Publication Number: US-4548435-A

Title: Latch assembly channel

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a latch assembly which provides a means for opening the latch which ensures that the latch will not be inadvertently opened due to external loadings or vibrations of the latch assembly. The latch mechanism of this invention may be utilized for securing exterior panels of aircraft which must be periodically removed for maintenance of the aircraft and the like. It is of the utmost importance that such latches remain secured when the panels are exposed to external forces such as wind loading and vibration which may occur during operation of the aircraft. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a latch assembly including a latch bolt and a latch trigger, the latch trigger having a protrusion adapted for engagement within a latch bolt recess. The latch trigger is urged out of engagement with the latch bolt upon rotation of a sleeve which is positioned adjacent the latch trigger. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of the latch assembly of this invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the latch assembly of this invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the latch assembly of this invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the latch assembly of this invention illustrating the latch assembly in the unlatched position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the figures of drawings, a detailed description of this invention will be set out. Referring specifically to FIG. 2, a latch assembly 1 is shown including a latch bolt means 3 adapted for pivotal movement about a latch bolt means pivot 5, latch bolt means pivot 5 being a fixed pivot. A latch bolt means biasing member 7, preferably a torsional coil spring is positioned about a fixed latch bolt means biasing member pin 9 and bears against the latch bolt means 3. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 when the latch assembly is in the latch position as illustrated in FIG. 2, the latch bolt means 3 is substantially flushed with skin 11 of the surrounding panel surface. Actuator assembly 13 for latching and unlatching the latch assembly 1 includes a latch trigger means 15 and a rotatable shaft 17. Latch trigger means biasing means 19 is preferably a torsional coil spring and bears against the pivotal latch trigger means 15. The rotatable sleeve 17 includes a cross pin 21 which is fixed to the exterior of the rotatable shaft 17. The latch trigger means 15 is adapted to pivot about a fixed latch trigger means pivot 23. The latch trigger means biasing means 19 is preferably coiled about latch trigger means pivot 23. The latch trigger means 15 includes a pair of latch trigger means leg 25. 
     The rotatable shaft 17 preferably includes a recess 27 adapted to accommodate an operating tool such as 29 shown in FIG. 4 for operative rotation of the rotatable shaft 17. The latch bolt means 3 includes a latch bolt means recess 31 adapted for engagement by a latch trigger means protrusion 33. The latch trigger means 15 includes a latch trigger means shoulder 35 and the rotatable sleeve 17 includes a shaft shoulder 37. The latch trigger means biasing means 19 is preferably positioned such as to urge the rotatable sleeve shoulder 37 from the latch trigger means shoulder 35. The latch trigger means 15 further includes a latch trigger means face 41 adapted for engagement by a latch bolt means 39. 
     The configuration the latch of this invention having been described, the operation of the latch assembly 1 will now be set out. The latch bolt means 3 and the latch trigger means 15 are adapted to pivot between first predetermined positions shown in FIG. 2 where the latch assembly is latched and second predetermined positions shown in FIG. 4 where the latch assembly is unlatched. When it is desired to unlatch the latch assembly of the invention, the rotatable shaft 17 is rotated as by means of operating tool 29 such that the rotatable sleeve cross pin 21 bears upon 1 or the other of the latch trigger means leg 25. FIG. 3 illustrates the rotatable sleeve cross pin 21 in the latch position by solid line and is illustrated by dotted line as having been rotated in order to bear upon a latch trigger means leg 25. As a force is exerted against the latch trigger means leg 25, the trigger means 15 is urged to pivot about latch trigger means pivot 23 as illustrated in FIG. 4. This rotation of latch trigger means 15 as the latch bolt means recess 31 is no longer contained by the latch trigger means protrusion 33 and thus latch bolt means biasing means 7 urges the latch bolt means 3 into its second predetermined position as illustrated in FIG. 4. 
     When it is desired to latch the latch assembly of this invention, the latch bolt means 3 is pivoted against the latch bolt means biasing member 7 so as to compress the latch bolt means biasing member. The latch bolt means 3 is provided with a latch bolt means shoulder 39 which engages latch trigger means face 41 and urges the latch trigger means 15 to assume the first predetermined latch trigger means position as illustrated in FIG. 2. The latch trigger means biasing means 19 also urges the latch trigger means 15 to assume the first predetermined position as illustrated by FIG. 2. 
     While an embodiment in application of this invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent those skilled in the art that other modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except by the scope of claims that follow.