Patent Publication Number: US-11041331-B2

Title: Latch having tool recess in trigger

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application relates to and claims the benefit of commonly-owned, (i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/142,602, filed Apr. 3, 2015, entitled “LATCH HAVING TOOL RECESS IN TRIGGER”; (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/242,656, filed Oct. 16, 2015, entitled “LATCH HAVING 90 DEGREE TOOL RECESS IN TRIGGER”; (iii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/142,601, filed Apr. 3, 2015, entitled “HOOK LATCH WITH QUARTER-TURN KEY/FLAG SYSTEM”; and (iv) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/157,197, filed May 5, 2015, entitled “HOOK LATCH WITH SPECIAL KEY-FLAG SYSTEM,” the entirety of each of the foregoing provisional patent applications is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to latches and, more particularly, hook latches having a tool recess in its trigger. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Removable and moveable elements installed on exterior surfaces of aerospace vehicles, such as hatches, doors, access panels, engine cowlings, nacelles, and radomes employ latches. Handles mounted on the latches are used to open or close the elements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an embodiment, a latch, including a body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an engagement member at the first end, the engagement member being adapted to engage releasably a clevis; and a handle having a first end, a second end opposite the first end of the handle, and a trigger attached pivotally to the handle, wherein the handle is attached rotatably to the first end of the body and is moveable between a closed position, in which the handle is retained releasably to the body, and an open position, in which the handle is retracted from the body, wherein the trigger is pivotable between a first position, in which the trigger is engaged releasably with the clevis, and a second position, in which the trigger is disengaged from the clevis, and wherein the trigger includes a recess that is sized and shaped to receive a tool for pivoting the trigger from its first position to its second position. 
     In an embodiment, the recess includes a shape that is selected from the group consisting of rectangular, square, circular, cross, triangular, diamond and star. In an embodiment, the trigger includes a top portion, the recess being formed within the top portion. In an embodiment, the recess is adapted to receive the tool at a ninety degree angle relative to the handle when the handle is in a closed position. In an embodiment, the recess is adapted to receive the tool at an oblique angle relative to the handle when the handle is in a closed position. 
     In an embodiment, the trigger includes at least one detent extending from the top portion and is adapted to engage releasably the clevis when the trigger is in its first position. In an embodiment, the trigger includes a trigger spring. In an embodiment, the engagement member is a hook. In an embodiment, the tool is a screwdriver. 
     In another embodiment, a latch including a body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an engagement member at the first end, the engagement member being adapted to engage releasably a clevis; and a handle having a first end, a second end opposite the first end of the handle, and a trigger attached to the handle by a pin having a trigger spring, wherein the handle is attached rotatably to the first end of the body and is moveable between a closed position, in which the handle is retained releasably to the body, and an open position, in which the handle is retracted from the body, wherein the trigger includes a drive having a socket that is sized and shaped to receive a key, wherein the trigger is moveable between a first position, in which the trigger is engaged releasably with the clevis, and a second position, in which the trigger is disengaged from the clevis, and wherein the handle is adapted to be opened from its closed position by engaging the key with the drive to facilitate movement of the trigger from its first position to its second position. 
     In an embodiment, the key is adapted to turn the drive one-quarter turn and clear the drive from the handle. In an embodiment, the key is further adapted to toggle the drive against the trigger-spring until the drive stops against the pin and is further adapted to be pushed toward the second end of the handle to move the trigger to its second position. In an embodiment, the socket is a D-shaped socket. In an embodiment, the key is a quarter-turn-key. In an embodiment, the key is adapted to remain engaged with the socket when the handle is in its open position. In an embodiment, when the handle is moved from its closed position to its opened position, the key is adapted to be turned to lock the trigger. In an embodiment, the trigger includes a top portion, the socket being formed within the top portion. In an embodiment, the trigger includes at least one detent extending from the top portion and is adapted to engage releasably the clevis when the trigger is in its first position. In an embodiment, the engagement member is a hook. 
     In an embodiment, a body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an engagement member at the first end, the engagement member being adapted to engage releasably a clevis; and a handle having a first end, a second end opposite the first end of the handle, and a trigger attached to the handle by a pin having a trigger spring, wherein the handle is attached rotatably to the first end of the body and is moveable between a closed position, in which the handle is retained releasably to the body, and an open position, in which the handle is retracted from the body, wherein the trigger includes a drive having a socket that is sized and shaped to receive a key, and a slide positioned at a bottom portion of the trigger and above the pin, wherein the slide is moveable slidably relative to the trigger from a first position to a second position that is toward the second end of the handle, wherein the trigger is moveable between a first position, in which the trigger is engaged releasably with the clevis, and a second position, in which the trigger is disengaged from the clevis, and wherein the handle is adapted to be opened from its closed position by engaging the key with the drive to facilitate the movement of the trigger from its first position to its second position and movement of the slide from its first position to its second position to clear the slide from the handle. 
     In an embodiment, the socket is a tear drop-shaped socket and the key includes a tear drop-shaped end. In an embodiment, the key is adapted to remain engaged with the socket when the handle is in its open position. In an embodiment, when the handle is moved from its closed position to its open position, the key is adapted to move towards the first end of the handle to lock the trigger. In an embodiment, the trigger includes a top portion, the socket being formed within the top portion. In an embodiment, the trigger includes at least one detent extending from the top portion and is adapted to engage releasably the clevis when the trigger is in its first position. In an embodiment, the engagement member is a hook. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a latch; 
         FIGS. 2A through 2E  are side elevational views of the latch shown in  FIG. 1 , showing sequentially the operation thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a latch; 
         FIGS. 4A through 4E  are side elevational views of the latch shown in  FIG. 3 , showing sequentially the operation thereof; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a latch; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the latch shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIGS. 7A through 7D  are side elevational views of the latch shown in  FIG. 5 , showing sequentially the operation thereof; 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a latch; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the latch shown in  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIGS. 10A through 10D  are side elevational views of the latch shown in  FIG. 8 , showing sequentially the operation thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in an embodiment, a latch  10  includes a body  11  having a first end  13  and a second end  15  opposite the first end  13 , and a handle  12  attached rotatably (pivotally) to the first end  13  of the body  11 . In an embodiment, the handle  12  rotates relative to the body  11  between a closed position, in which the handle  12  is releasably retained to the body  11 , and an open position, in which the handle  12  fully extends from the body  11 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 2E , in an embodiment, the handle  12  includes a first end  17  and a second end  19  opposite the first end  17 , an exterior surface  21 , an interior surface  23 , and opposing side members  25 . In an embodiment, the handle  12  includes a rectangular-shaped aperture extending from the exterior surface  21  to the interior surface  23  (not shown in the Figures). 
     In an embodiment, the first end  17  of the handle  12  is attached pivotally to the first end  13  of the body  11  by a handle pivot pin  40  that extends through the opposing side members  25 . In an embodiment, the handle pivot pin  40  includes bushings. In an embodiment, a back spring  39  surrounds the handle pivot pin  40  and engages a bushing  27  that includes a pin that extends through the opposing side members  25  to facilitate opening the handle from its closed position. 
     In an embodiment, the handle  12  includes a trigger  14  that is attached rotatably (pivotally) to the handle  12  via a rivet/bushing  16 . In an embodiment, the trigger  14  includes a rectangular-shaped top portion  29  that is sized and shaped to mate with the aperture of the handle  12  and a pair of opposing detents  31 , each having a cupped tip  33  and a slot  35 , and depending from the top portion  29  of the trigger  14 . In an embodiment, the trigger  14  includes a trigger spring  37 . 
     In an embodiment, the trigger  14  includes a tool recess  18  formed with the top portion  29 . In an embodiment, the recess  18  is sized and shaped to receive an external tool  20  such as a flat-head screw driver. In an embodiment, the recess  18  is rectangular in shape. In other embodiments, the recess  18  can be other shapes and sizes, such as square, circular, triangular, diamond, cross, star, etc. In an embodiment, the body  11  includes a hook  22  at the first end thereof and engages releasably a clevis  24 . In another embodiment, the body  11  includes other types of grasping or locking members adapted to engage releasably the clevis  24 . In an embodiment, the slots  35  of the detents  31  of the trigger  14  are adapted to engage the clevis  24  when the handle  12  is in its closed position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A through 2E , in an embodiment, the latch  10  is opened from its closed position as follows. First, the tool  20  is placed in position and engages the recess  18  of the trigger  14  until it stops ( FIGS. 2A and 2B ). In an embodiment, the tool  20  is inserted obliquely relative to the top portion  29  of the trigger  14  and the recess  18 . The tool  20  is rotated towards the second end  19  of the handle  12  to rotate the trigger  14  from a first engaged position to a second disengaged position such that the detents  31  of the trigger  14  are disengaged from the clevis  24  and allow the handle  12  to drop to a free-travel position (see  FIGS. 2C and 2D ). It is noted that the tool  20  only interacts directly with the trigger  14  to disengage the trigger  14  from the clevis  24  and allows the handle  14  to drop to its free-travel position. The tool  20  is removed from the recess  18  of the trigger  14 , with the trigger spring  37  resetting the trigger  14  back to its first position, and the handle  12  is rotated to a full open position to disengage the hook  22  from the clevis  24  (see  FIG. 2E ). 
     An alternate embodiment of a latch constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 4E . To facilitate consideration and discussion, all elements, whether or not illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 4E , which correspond to the elements described above with respect to  FIGS. 1 through 2E , have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by one hundred (100). The embodiment represented by  FIGS. 3 through 4E  is constructed and operates in the same manner as the latch  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 2E , except as described below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in another embodiment, the latch  110  includes a handle  112  that is rotatable from and between an open position to a closed position, and a trigger  114  attached to the handle  112  via a rivet/bushing  116 . In an embodiment, the trigger  114  includes a tool recess  118  formed therein, the recess  118  being sized and shaped to receive an external tool  120  such as a flat-head screw driver. In an embodiment, the tool recess  118  is sized, shaped and positioned within the trigger  114  such that when the external tool  120  is received initially therein, the longitudinal axis of the tool  120  is positioned ninety degrees (90°) relative to the handle  112  and the trigger  114  when the handle  112  is in a closed position. In an embodiment, the latch  110  includes a hook  122  that engages a clevis  124 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A through 4E , in an embodiment, the latch  110  is opened from its closed position as follows. First, the tool  120  is placed in position and engages the recess  118  of the trigger  114  until it stops ( FIGS. 4A and 4B ). Once again, the longitudinal axis of the tool  120  is positioned ninety degrees (90°) relative to the handle  112  and the trigger  114  when the handle  112  is in its closed position. The tool  120  is then rotated towards a second end  119  of the handle  112  to disengage the trigger  114  from the clevis  124  and allow the handle  112  to drop to a free-travel position (see  FIGS. 4C and 4D ). It is noted that the tool  120  only interacts directly with the trigger  114  to disengage the trigger  114  from the clevis  124  and allowing the handle  114  to drop to its free-travel position. The tool  120  is removed and the handle  112  is rotated to a full open position to disengage the hook  122  from the clevis  124  (see  FIG. 4E ). 
     An alternate embodiment of a latch constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 5 through 7D . The embodiment represented by  FIGS. 5 through 7D  is constructed and operates in a similar manner as the latches  10 ,  110  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4E , except as described below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in another embodiment, a latch  210  includes a body  211  and a handle  212  attached rotatably (pivotally) and is rotatable from and between an open position to a closed position, and a trigger  214  attached to the handle  212  via a pin  225  with a trigger-spring  218  wrapped around a pin  216 . In an embodiment, the trigger  214  includes a drive  220  embedded therein, the drive  220  having a socket  221  that is sized and shaped to receive a key  222 . In an embodiment, the socket  221  is a “D” socket. In an embodiment, the key  222  is a quarter-turn-key. In an embodiment, the latch  210  includes a hook  224  that engages a clevis  226 . In another embodiment, the latch  210  includes other types of grasping or locking members that are adapted to engage the clevis  226 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A through 7D , in an embodiment, the latch  210  is opened from its closed position by first aligning the key  222  with the drive  220  prior to the key&#39;s  222  engagement with the drive  220 . Once the key  222  is fully engaged with the drive  220 , the key  222  is turned one-quarter turn counterclockwise to unlock the trigger  214  (i.e., to clear the drive  220  from the handle  212 ), as well as to toggle the drive  220  against the trigger-spring  218  until the drive  220  stops against the pin  216 . While in this position, the key  222  is pushed toward the front of the handle  212  to allow the trigger  214  to disengage the clevis  226 . In this manner, the handle  212  rotates to a free-travel position. The handle  212  is then rotated to disengage the hook  224  from the clevis  226  until it stops at a full open position. 
     To close the latch  210  from a full open position, the handle  212  is rotated until both the hook  224  and the trigger  214  engage the clevis  226 . The key  222  is then turned one-quarter turn clockwise to lock the trigger  214  before the key  222  is enabled to be pulled out. 
     An alternate embodiment of a latch constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 8 through 10D . To facilitate consideration and discussion, all elements, whether or not illustrated in  FIGS. 8 through 10D , which correspond to the elements described above with respect to  FIGS. 6 through 7D , have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by one hundred (100). The embodiment represented by  FIGS. 8 through 10D  is constructed and operates in the same manner as the latch  210  shown in  FIGS. 6 through 7D , except as described below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , in another embodiment, a latch  310  includes a body  311  having a handle  312  attached rotatable (pivotally) to the body  311 . In an embodiment, the handle  312  is rotatable from and between an open position to a closed position. A trigger  314  is attached to the handle  312  via a pin  325  with a trigger-spring  318  wrapped around a pin  316 . In an embodiment, the trigger  314  includes a drive  320  embedded therein, the drive  320  having a socket  321  that is sized and shaped to receive a key  322 . In an embodiment, the socket  321  is a “tear drop” shaped socket and the key  322  has a tear drop-shaped end  323 . In an embodiment, the key  322  is elongated in shape. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A through 10D , in an embodiment, the latch  310  is opened from its closed position by first aligning the key  322  with the drive  320  of the trigger  314  prior to the key&#39;s  322  engagement with the drive  320 , as shown in  FIG. 10A . Once the key  322  is fully engaged with the drive  320  and stopped by the slide  321 , as shown in  FIG. 10B , the key  322  is pushed slightly toward the front of the handle  312  to move the slide  321  from its first position to its second position to clear the slide  321  from the handle  312  and unlock the trigger  314 . While in this position, the key  322  is moved forward toward the front of the handle  312  to allow the trigger  314  to disengage the clevis  326 . The key  322  remains in the drive  320  of the trigger  314 . In this manner, the handle  312  rotates to a free-travel position. The handle  312  is then rotated to disengage the hook  324  from the clevis  326  until it stops at a full open position. The key  322  continues to remain in the drive  320  of the trigger  314 . 
     To close the latch  310  from a full open position, the handle  312  is rotated until both the hook  324  and the trigger  314  engage the clevis  326 . The key  322  is then pushed toward the back of the handle  312  until stopped in order to lock the trigger  314  before the key  322  is enabled to be pulled out. 
     It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.