Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to aircraft landing gear, and, more specifically, to a system and method for locking landing gear in a stowed position.

Aircraft uplock mechanisms are designed to lock landing gear in a stowed position and assist in carrying the weight of the landing gear during flight. Conventional uplock mechanisms comprise spring loaded catch systems and hydraulic systems to release the locking mechanism. Hydraulic actuation systems can be complex in functionality and design. <CIT> relates to a catch device for an aircraft landing gear. <CIT> relates to retaining a catch member.

An uplock system is defined in claim <NUM>, comprising a cam plate comprising a cam channel, a hook having an opening and a hook arm, the hook configured to rotate with respect to the cam plate, a stopper configured to rotate with respect to the cam plate, a first biasing member configured to bias the stopper in a first rotational direction relative to the cam plate, and a follower rotatably coupled to the hook by a follower pin located through the hook arm and the follower, wherein a portion of the follower moves within the cam channel, wherein the first biasing member is configured to bias the stopper in the first rotational direction to stop the portion of the follower from moving along the channel and secure the hook in a locked position.

In various embodiments, the portion of the follower is configured to push against the stopper to rotate the stopper in a second rotational direction, against the bias of the first biasing member, in response to the hook rotating with respect to the cam plate.

In various embodiments, the portion of the follower is configured to push against the stopper to rotate the stopper in the second rotational direction, against the bias of the first biasing member, in response to the hook rotating in the second rotational direction with respect to the cam plate, to an unlocked position.

In various embodiments, the uplock system further comprises a second biasing member configured to bias the hook in a second rotational direction.

In various embodiments, the uplock system further comprises a third biasing member configured to bias the follower towards the stopper.

In various embodiments, the portion of the follower comprises a roller.

In various embodiments, the follower is coupled to the hook at a location opposite the hook from the opening.

In various embodiments, the uplock system further comprises a non-return stopper rotatably coupled to the cam plate, the non-return stopper configured to rotate with respect to the cam plate in response to contacting the follower.

In various embodiments, the uplock system further comprises a fourth biasing member operably coupled to the non-return stopper.

In various embodiments, the first biasing member comprises a compression spring.

In various embodiments, the second biasing member comprises a tension spring.

In various embodiments, the third biasing member comprises a leaf spring.

In various embodiments, the uplock system further comprises a cam feature, wherein the cam channel surrounds the cam feature.

In various embodiments, in the locked position, the roller is in contact with the stopper, the cam feature, and a third biasing member.

In various embodiments, the uplock system further comprises a manual release system, the manual release system including a cable coupled to the hook, wherein the cable is configured to rotate the hook in the second rotational direction to begin an unlocking process. The manual release system may be configured to return to an initial position in response to tension on the cable being released.

A method of operating an uplock system is provided in claim <NUM>, comprising rotating a landing gear towards a deployed position, wherein the landing gear comprises a latchable member, contacting, by the latchable member, a hook, wherein the hook is configured to rotate with respect to a cam plate, rotating the hook in a second rotational direction in response to the contacting, moving a follower along a cam channel in response to the rotating of the hook, wherein the cam channel is disposed in the cam plate and the follower is rotatably coupled to the hook, contacting, by the follower, a stopper, wherein a load is transmitted from the follower into a first biasing member in response to the follower contacting the stopper, and moving, by the stopper, away from the follower, in response to the load overcoming a spring force of the first biasing member.

In various embodiments, the hook is configured to release the latchable member in response to the hook rotating in the second rotational direction.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations, unless expressly indicated herein otherwise.

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the inventions, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in accordance with this invention and the teachings herein. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option. Surface shading lines may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.

In various embodiments, a landing gear uplock system may be a passive system. A passive landing gear uplock system may provide a lightweight and simple system which may decrease overall part count and/or decrease overall weight of a landing gear assembly.

A landing gear uplock system may comprise a hook member supported between a first cam plate and a second cam plate, wherein the landing gear uplock system is substantially mirrored about the hook member according to various embodiments and as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. Although in various portions of the present specification the landing gear uplock system may be described relative to only one side of the landing gear uplock system (i.e., with respect to only one of the cam plates), the landing gear uplock system may comprise an equal and opposite side which includes the same features as the side described, as shown herein. For example, in various portions of the present specification, although the landing gear uplock system is illustrated herein as having a single cam plate, there may be a second cam plate on the opposite side of the hook member which is also operatively coupled to the hook and which may operate in a similar manner as the first cam plate.

With combined reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, an uplock system <NUM> (also referred to herein as a powerless, self-operated uplock system <NUM>) is illustrated. In various embodiments, uplock system <NUM> may be used in the landing gear of an aircraft. Uplock system <NUM> may generally include a hook <NUM>, a cam plate <NUM> (also referred to herein as a first cam plate), a cam plate <NUM> (also referred to herein as a second cam plate), a following member <NUM> (also referred to herein as follower), a cam channel <NUM>, a stopper <NUM> (also referred to herein as a flap stopper), a first biasing member <NUM> (also referred to herein as first spring), a second biasing member <NUM> (also referred to herein as second spring), and a third biasing member <NUM> (also referred to herein as third spring). As previously mentioned, uplock system <NUM> may include two of each of the aforementioned members in mirrored position with respect to each other, except that uplock system <NUM> may only comprise one hook <NUM>, in accordance with various embodiments. In this regard, uplock system <NUM> may further comprise biasing member <NUM> (also referred to herein as a first biasing member), biasing member <NUM> (also referred to herein as a second biasing member), biasing member <NUM> (also referred to herein as a third biasing member), and stopper <NUM> (also referred to herein as a flap stopper). In various embodiments, first biasing member <NUM> comprises a coil spring and/or compression spring. However, first biasing member <NUM> may comprise a coil spring, elastic band, leaf spring, Belleville washer, or any other forms of a spring. In various embodiments, second biasing member <NUM> comprises a coil spring and/or tension spring. However, second biasing member <NUM> may comprise a coil spring, elastic band, leaf spring, Belleville washer, or any other forms of a spring. In various embodiments, third biasing member <NUM> comprises a leaf spring. However, third biasing member <NUM> may comprise a coil spring, elastic band, leaf spring, Belleville washer, tension spring, compression spring, or any other forms of a spring.

In various embodiments, the hook <NUM> may comprise a first prong <NUM>, a second prong <NUM>, and hook arm <NUM>. In various embodiments, first prong <NUM> and second prong <NUM> may define a hook opening <NUM> located between first prong <NUM> and second prong <NUM>. Hook arm <NUM> may extend away from hook opening <NUM>. In various embodiments, hook <NUM> may comprise a fork structure as shown by first prong <NUM> and second prong <NUM>, in accordance with various embodiments.

Hook <NUM> may be coupled to first cam plate <NUM> and second cam plate <NUM> via pin <NUM> (also referred to herein as a first pivot and/or a hook pin). Hook <NUM> may be configured to pivot about pin <NUM>. Thus, hook <NUM> may be rotationally engaged with first cam plate <NUM> and second cam plate <NUM> via pin <NUM>. Follower <NUM> may be coupled to hook arm <NUM> via a pin <NUM> (also referred to herein as a second pivot or a follower pin). Follower <NUM> may be configured to pivot about pin <NUM>. Follower <NUM> may include roller <NUM>. Roller <NUM> may be located on the opposite side of follower <NUM> from pin <NUM>.

Stopper <NUM> may be pivotally coupled to cam plate <NUM> via a pin <NUM>. Uplock system <NUM> may comprise a second stopper <NUM>. Second stopper <NUM> may be similar to stopper <NUM>. Second stopper <NUM> may be disposed opposite hook <NUM> from stopper <NUM>, in a mirrored configuration. Stopper <NUM> may be pivotally coupled to cam plate <NUM> via a pin <NUM>. First biasing member <NUM> may be coupled between cam plate <NUM> and stopper <NUM>. The first biasing member <NUM> may bias the stopper <NUM> to rotate about its associated pin <NUM> in the clockwise direction as viewed in <FIG>, for example, as illustrated by arrow <NUM>. The second biasing member <NUM> may bias hook <NUM> to rotate about the first pin <NUM> in the counter-clockwise direction as viewed in <FIG>, for example, as illustrated by arrow <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, cam plate <NUM> is omitted for clarity purposes.

With reference to <FIG>, a schematic view of uplock system <NUM> securing a landing gear in a stowed and locked position is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, hook opening <NUM> may be configured to receive a latchable member (also referred to herein as a landing gear roller) <NUM>. Landing gear roller <NUM> may be released from hook opening <NUM> in response to landing gear <NUM> moving to a deployed position as illustrated in <FIG>. Landing gear roller <NUM> may be coupled to aircraft landing gear <NUM>. Landing gear roller <NUM> may be configured to engage hook <NUM> to lock landing gear roller <NUM> in a stowed position. Biasing member <NUM> may stop follower <NUM> from moving along cam channel <NUM>, thereby preventing rotation of hook member <NUM> and securing hook <NUM> in a locked position. The urging of biasing member <NUM> may be overcome in response to actuation of landing gear actuator <NUM>. For example, extension of landing gear actuator <NUM> may transmit a load through hook <NUM>, follower <NUM>, stopper <NUM>, and into biasing member <NUM>, thereby compressing biasing member <NUM> and causing stopper <NUM> to rotate away from cam channel <NUM>, which allows follower <NUM> to move clockwise in cam channel <NUM> as hook <NUM> rotates, and allows landing gear roller <NUM> to be released from hook opening <NUM>. In various embodiments, landing gear roller <NUM> may be configured to move in the y-direction as illustrated by roller movement window <NUM>. Roller movement window <NUM> illustrates the path by which landing gear roller <NUM> travels.

With reference to <FIG>, a method <NUM> for operating an uplock system <NUM> is provided, in accordance with various embodiments.

With further reference to <FIG>, when a landing gear is moved from a stowed position to a deployed position, actuator <NUM> may be actuated to rotate landing gear <NUM> (see step <NUM> in <FIG>). In response, landing gear roller <NUM> may move in the direction as illustrated by first arrow <NUM> (negative y-direction) and engage second surface <NUM> of hook <NUM> to begin the unlocking process of uplock system <NUM> (see step <NUM> in <FIG>). The engagement may cause hook <NUM> to rotate about first pin <NUM> in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in <FIG>, for example, (also referred to herein as a second rotational direction) (see step <NUM> in <FIG>). The rotation of hook <NUM> about first pin <NUM> in the counter-clockwise direction may drive follower <NUM> generally in the positive y-direction causing roller <NUM> to engage or otherwise interact with stopper <NUM> (see step <NUM> of <FIG>). The interaction of roller <NUM> and cam channel <NUM> may cause follower <NUM> to rotate about second pin <NUM>. Furthermore, the rotation of hook <NUM> about pin <NUM> may cause follower <NUM> to push against stopper <NUM>, thereby exerting a landing gear deployment force into biasing member <NUM>. In response to the landing gear deployment force overcoming the spring force of biasing member <NUM>, stopper <NUM> may move away from cam channel <NUM> to allow follower to move along cam channel <NUM>. Stated differently, stopper <NUM> may move away from follower <NUM>. In various embodiments, stopper <NUM> rotates with respect to cam plate <NUM> about pin <NUM> (see <FIG>) in the counter-clockwise direction as viewed in <FIG> in response to follower <NUM> pushing against stopper <NUM> (see <FIG>). In various embodiments, the bias of biasing member <NUM> is strong enough to prevent unwanted deployment of landing gear <NUM>. For example, the spring force of biasing member <NUM> may be configured to withstand forces between hook <NUM> and landing gear roller <NUM> that are greater than two times the mass of landing gear <NUM> times the force of gravity at sea level (<NUM>), and in various embodiments, the spring force of biasing member <NUM> may be configured to withstand forces between hook <NUM> and landing gear roller <NUM> that are greater than three times the mass of landing gear <NUM> times the force of gravity at sea level (<NUM>), and in various embodiments, the spring force of biasing member <NUM> may be configured to withstand forces between hook <NUM> and landing gear roller <NUM> that are greater than four times the mass of landing gear <NUM> times the force of gravity at sea level (<NUM>). In various embodiments, the spring force of biasing member <NUM> may be configured to withstand forces between hook <NUM> and landing gear roller <NUM> that are up to about four times the mass of landing gear <NUM> times the force of gravity at sea level (<NUM>), wherein the term "about" in this context can only mean ± <NUM>%. In this regard, extension of actuator <NUM> may exert a deployment force (see arrow <NUM>) on hook <NUM> that is greater than about four times the mass of landing gear <NUM> times the force of gravity at sea level (<NUM>) in accordance with various embodiments, is greater than three times the mass of landing gear <NUM> times the force of gravity at sea level (<NUM>) in accordance with various embodiments, and/or is greater than two times the mass of landing gear <NUM> times the force of gravity at sea level (<NUM>) in accordance with various embodiments. However, the spring force of biasing member <NUM> may be tailored in accordance with various desired design parameters, such as landing gear weight, the mechanical advantage of hook <NUM>, temperature, etc. In response to overcoming the bias of biasing member <NUM>, stopper <NUM> may be rotated out of the way of follower <NUM> and follower <NUM> may move along cam channel <NUM> as hook <NUM> rotates about pin <NUM> (see step <NUM> and step <NUM> of <FIG>). As hook <NUM> rotates in the counter-clockwise direction, the landing gear roller <NUM> may be released from hook <NUM> to allow the landing gear <NUM> to fully deploy.

With further reference to <FIG>, uplock system <NUM> is illustrated in an unlocked position, with hook <NUM> in a receiving position, configured to receive landing gear roller <NUM>. With momentary reference to <FIG>, in response to a landing gear being retracted from a deployed position to a stowed position, landing gear roller <NUM> may move generally in the positive y-direction and engage first surface <NUM> of hook <NUM> to begin the locking process of uplock system <NUM> (see step <NUM> in <FIG>). The engagement may cause hook <NUM> to rotate about first pin <NUM> in a clockwise direction as viewed in <FIG>, for example, (also referred to herein as a first rotational direction) (see step <NUM> in <FIG>). The rotation of hook <NUM> about first pin <NUM> in the clockwise direction may drive follower <NUM> in the positive x-direction and negative y-direction causing roller <NUM> to engage or otherwise interact with the surface <NUM> of cam plate <NUM> that defines cam channel <NUM> (see step <NUM> in <FIG>). Thus, hook <NUM> may be moved out of its unlocked or first stable position as illustrated in <FIG>. As the hook <NUM> rotates about pin <NUM>, the hook <NUM> may rotate against the bias of biasing member <NUM>, generating a preload in biasing member <NUM>. With momentary reference to <FIG>, the interaction of roller <NUM> and cam channel <NUM> may cause follower <NUM> to rotate about second pin <NUM>. With additional reference to <FIG>, as roller <NUM> moves along cam channel <NUM>, roller <NUM> may contact biasing member <NUM> which may cause follower <NUM> to preload biasing member <NUM>. Biasing member <NUM> may bias roller <NUM> against cam feature <NUM>. Cam feature <NUM> may comprise a boss feature extending from cam plate <NUM> and partially defining cam channel <NUM>. In various embodiments, cam channel <NUM> surrounds cam feature <NUM>. Accordingly, with additional reference to <FIG>, biasing member <NUM> may bias roller <NUM> towards stopper <NUM>. In various embodiments, the bias of biasing member <NUM> may be large enough to drive follower towards stopper <NUM>, causing follower <NUM> to rotate about second pin <NUM>, but not great enough to impede the rotation of hook <NUM>.

With further reference to <FIG>, as landing gear roller <NUM> continues to engage hook <NUM> (moving in the positive y-direction), hook <NUM> may continue to rotate about first pin <NUM> in the clockwise direction. With momentary reference to <FIG>, in response to piston <NUM> completing its retraction stroke, hook <NUM> may complete its maximum rotation in the clockwise direction (i.e., maximum movement of roller <NUM> in the hook opening <NUM> in the positive X-direction) with roller <NUM> in contact with first surface <NUM> of hook <NUM>. Roller <NUM> may follow the outer surface of cam feature <NUM> in the negative x-direction until roller <NUM> is no longer in contact with cam feature <NUM>, at which point biasing member <NUM> may bias follower <NUM> to begin to rotate about second pin <NUM> in the counter-clockwise direction as viewed in <FIG>. Follower <NUM> may continue to rotate about second pin <NUM> with roller <NUM> traveling along cam channel <NUM> under the urging of biasing member <NUM> (see step <NUM> in <FIG>). In this regard, step <NUM> may comprise changing, by roller <NUM> from traveling in a first direction (e.g., to the right in <FIG>) to a second direction (e.g., to the left in <FIG>) under the urging of biasing member <NUM> and in response to roller <NUM> reaching a terminal point <NUM> of cam feature <NUM>. Furthermore, step <NUM> may comprise changing, by roller <NUM> from traveling in a third direction (e.g., down in <FIG>) to a fourth direction (e.g., up in <FIG>) and in response to roller <NUM> clearing terminal point <NUM> of cam feature <NUM>. Follower <NUM> may continue to rotate about second pin <NUM> with roller <NUM> traveling along cam channel <NUM> under the urging of biasing member <NUM>. With the roller <NUM> in this position, retract actuator may be switched off (e.g., in response to a hydraulic valve being moved to a neutral position), allowing retract actuator piston <NUM> (see <FIG>) to take to idle stroke under the influence of the self-weight (due to the force of gravity acting downward (i.e., the negative Y-direction) of landing gear <NUM>. Rotation of landing gear <NUM> (in the clockwise direction in <FIG>) allows landing gear roller <NUM> to contact second surface <NUM> of hook <NUM> to drive hook <NUM> in the counter clockwise direction. Hook <NUM> may rotate in the counter clockwise direction and drive roller <NUM> in the upward direction (i.e., positive Y-direction) along cam channel <NUM>. Simultaneously, third biasing member <NUM> may drive roller <NUM> towards the left direction (negative X-direction) until roller <NUM> strikes (or is stopped by) stopper <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> (see step <NUM> in <FIG>). At this time, with reference to <FIG>, landing gear roller <NUM> may be locked within hook <NUM>. Landing gear roller <NUM> may contact surface <NUM> of hook <NUM>. However, biasing member <NUM> may urge stopper <NUM> in the first rotational direction, extending into the path of roller <NUM> along cam channel <NUM>, thereby blocking rotation of hook <NUM> and securing the landing gear roller <NUM> (see step <NUM> in <FIG>). In response to landing gear roller <NUM> contacting surface <NUM>, roller <NUM> may contact stopper <NUM> and/or cam feature <NUM>. In various embodiments, roller <NUM> may be wedged between stopper <NUM> and/or cam feature <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates uplock system <NUM> in a locked position (also referred to herein as a second stable position), in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, in the locked position, the roller <NUM> may be in contact with the stopper <NUM>, the cam feature <NUM>, and the third biasing member <NUM>. Landing gear roller <NUM> may be retained, or prevented from moving in the negative y-direction, by the second surface <NUM> of hook <NUM> when hook <NUM> is in the locked position.

With further reference to <FIG>, to begin the unlocking process of uplock system <NUM>, landing gear roller <NUM> may move in the negative y-direction which may cause hook <NUM> to rotate about first pin <NUM> in the counter-clockwise direction. Landing gear roller <NUM> may move in the negative y-direction in response to extension of actuator <NUM> (see <FIG>). As explained with reference to <FIG>, while biasing member <NUM> prevents undesirable deployment of landing gear <NUM>, actuation of actuator <NUM> may drive hook <NUM> to rotate and overcome the bias of biasing member <NUM>. The rotation of hook <NUM> about first pin <NUM> in the counter-clockwise direction may drive follower <NUM> generally in the positive y-direction causing roller <NUM> to engage or otherwise interact with stopper <NUM> (see step <NUM> of <FIG>). Furthermore, the rotation of hook <NUM> about pin <NUM> may cause follower <NUM> to push against stopper <NUM>, thereby exerting a landing gear deployment force into biasing member <NUM>. With additional reference to <FIG>, in response to the landing gear deployment force overcoming the spring force of biasing member <NUM>, stopper <NUM> may rotate away from cam channel <NUM> to allow follower to move along cam channel <NUM>. In response to overcoming the bias of biasing member <NUM>, stopper <NUM> may be rotated out of the way of follower <NUM> and follower <NUM> may move along cam channel <NUM> as hook <NUM> rotates about pin <NUM> (see step <NUM> and step <NUM> of <FIG>). With momentary reference to <FIG>, as hook <NUM> rotates in the counter-clockwise direction, the roller <NUM> may move past stopper <NUM>, in response to which biasing member <NUM> may urge stopper <NUM> to rotate in the first rotational direction to return the stopper <NUM> to its original stopping position by contacting rest pad <NUM> (see <FIG>). Rest pad <NUM> may be fixed with respect to cam plate <NUM>. Roller <NUM> may contact a non-return stopper <NUM>. Non-return stopper <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to cam plate <NUM>. A fourth biasing member <NUM> may be configured to bias the non-return stopper <NUM> in the first rotational direction (i.e., clockwise direction as viewed in <FIG>). In various embodiments, fourth biasing member <NUM> comprises a torsion spring. The non-return stopper <NUM> may be configured to rotate in the second rotation direction (i.e., counter-clockwise direction as viewed in <FIG>) in response to roller <NUM> contacting non-return stopper <NUM>. With additional reference to <FIG>, non-return stopper <NUM> continues to rotate against the bias of torsion spring <NUM> with roller <NUM> until the roller <NUM> clears the non-return stopper <NUM> and hook <NUM> returns to its unlocked or first stable position as illustrated in <FIG>. After clearing non-return stopper <NUM>, non-return stopper <NUM> rotates back to its original position, as illustrated in <FIG>, to prevent roller <NUM> from travelling counter-clockwise along cam channel <NUM>. As hook <NUM> rotates in the counter-clockwise direction, returning to its unlocked position, the landing gear roller <NUM> may be released from hook <NUM> to allow the landing gear <NUM> to fully deploy.

In various embodiments, cam channel <NUM> and/or cam feature <NUM> are integral, or monolithic, with cam plate <NUM>. Accordingly, cam plate <NUM> cam feature <NUM> may comprise a single piece. In various embodiments, cam channel <NUM> is formed into cam plate <NUM> using subtractive manufacturing methods. In various embodiments, cam plate <NUM> may be manufactured via any suitable method.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a manual release system <NUM> may be coupled to uplock system <NUM>, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, manual release system <NUM> may comprise one or more emergency guides, such as emergency guide <NUM> and/or emergency guide <NUM>. Emergency guide <NUM> may be attached to cam plate <NUM>. Emergency guide <NUM> may be attached to cam plate <NUM>. Manual release system <NUM> may further comprise an emergency pin <NUM> extending between emergency guide <NUM> and emergency guide <NUM>. For example, a first end of emergency pin <NUM> may be supported by emergency guide <NUM> and a second end of emergency pin <NUM> may be supported by emergency guide <NUM>. A middle portion of pin <NUM> may be configured to engage hook <NUM>. A middle portion of pin <NUM> may be configured to engage or contact hook arm <NUM> of hook <NUM>. However, middle portion of pin <NUM> may be configured to engage any suitable portion of hook <NUM>, e.g., to maximize the mechanical advantage for rotating hook <NUM> about pin <NUM>. Manual release system <NUM> may further comprise one or more cables, such as cable <NUM> and cable <NUM>. Cable <NUM> and cable <NUM> may be coupled to emergency pin <NUM>. In an emergency, such as when a landing gear deployment component is disabled for example, tension may be applied to cables <NUM>, <NUM> to rotate hook <NUM> to an unlocked position to release a landing gear roller. As tension is applied to the cables <NUM>, <NUM>, pin <NUM> may move within emergency guides <NUM>, <NUM> and cause hook <NUM> to rotate to the unlocked position. For example, cables <NUM>, <NUM> may be routed to a cockpit of an aircraft for manual actuation of manual release system <NUM>. In various embodiments, manual release system <NUM> may reset itself in response to the landing gear <NUM> being released from hook <NUM> and a pilot releasing tension on cables <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., via a handle). For example, tension on cables <NUM>, <NUM> may be released by a pilot and the force of gravity may aid in returning pin <NUM> to its original position. In this regard, pin <NUM> may achieve its initial position (settle at the bottom of guides <NUM>, <NUM>), ready for the next operation cycle.

In various embodiments, each component of uplock system <NUM> may comprise any metallic material such as, for example, aluminum, steel, spring steel, titanium, aluminum alloy, steel alloy (e.g., stainless steel alloys), and/or titanium alloy.

However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the inventions. The scope of the inventions is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more.

In the detailed description herein, references to "various embodiments", "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "an example embodiment", etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic.

Claim 1:
An uplock system for a landing gear, comprising:
a cam plate (<NUM>) comprising a cam channel (<NUM>);
a hook (<NUM>) having an opening and a hook arm (<NUM>), the hook configured to rotate with respect to the cam plate;
a stopper (<NUM>) configured to rotate with respect to the cam plate;
a first biasing member (<NUM>) configured to bias the stopper in a first rotational direction relative to the cam plate; and
a follower (<NUM>) rotatably coupled to the hook by a follower pin (<NUM>), wherein a portion of the follower is configured to move within the cam channel;
wherein the first biasing member is configured to bias the stopper in the first rotational direction to stop the portion of the follower from moving along the cam channel and to secure the hook in a locked position,
characterised in that the follower pin (<NUM>) is located through the hook arm (<NUM>) and the follower (<NUM>).