Patent Description:
Various latching mechanisms exist for use in aircraft as aircraft have many components, such as fuselage panels, including cowlings and the like, which must be opened and closed securely. For example, tension latches mounted on a first panel are typically configured to cinch to a keeper on a second panel to hold the first panel, which may be a moveable panel, closed relative to the second panel. Other latches include sliding toggle linkages to minimize the kinematic envelope of the latch. These linkages rotate around a mounting pin to produce the latch reach. The complexity of certain aircraft latches makes them relatively large and heavy, which is disfavored in aircraft. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a latch having a reduced size and weight, but that exhibits the strength of larger and heavier latches.

<CIT> discloses a clevis-sensing adjustable hook latch.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hook body for a latch mechanism in accordance with claim <NUM>.

Optionally, a forward upper plate is positioned between and connects the first upper longitudinal beam and the second upper longitudinal beam to the hook body load bearing plate.

Optionally, the forward upper plate extends in the longitudinal direction and lies in an upper plane that is orthogonal to the hook body load bearing plate.

Optionally, the plurality of longitudinal members includes a first lower longitudinal beam, the first lower longitudinal beam connected to the first aft flange.

Optionally, the plurality of longitudinal members includes a second lower longitudinal beam, the second lower longitudinal beam connected to the second aft flange.

Optionally, a forward lower plate is positioned between and connects the first lower longitudinal beam and the second lower longitudinal beam to the hook body load bearing plate.

Optionally, the forward lower plate extends in the longitudinal direction and lies in a lower plane that is orthogonal to the hook body load bearing plate.

Optionally, the plurality of longitudinal members includes an upper longitudinal beam and a lower longitudinal beam, the upper longitudinal beam and the lower longitudinal beam connected to an aft flange and defining an axial cutout extending longitudinally between the hook body load bearing plate and the aft flange.

Optionally, a forward upper plate is positioned between and connects the upper longitudinal beam to the hook body load bearing plate and a forward lower plate is positioned between and connects the lower longitudinal beam to the hook body load bearing plate.

Optionally, the axial cutout is configured to receive a pin, and enable the hook body to slide in the longitudinal direction with respect to the pin.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latch mechanism in accordance with claim <NUM>.

Optionally, the second upper longitudinal beam and the second lower longitudinal beam connected to the second aft flange define a second axial cutout extending longitudinally between the hook body load bearing plate and the second aft flange.

Referring now to the drawings, <FIG> provide schematic illustrations of an aircraft <NUM> having and an aircraft propulsion system <NUM>, in accordance with various embodiments. The aircraft propulsion system <NUM> may include various systems, such as, for example, a gas turbine engine system housed within a nacelle <NUM>. The nacelle <NUM> typically comprises a plurality of aerodynamic panels, such as, for example, one or more core cowl panels <NUM> (e.g., a first core cowl panel <NUM> and a second core cowl panel <NUM>), one or more thrust reverser panels <NUM> and one or more fan cowl panels <NUM>, each of which may be removable, hinged, or otherwise configurable to enable access to internal components of the aircraft <NUM> or the aircraft propulsion system <NUM>. The aircraft <NUM> may also include various additional systems, such as, for example, one or more landing gear <NUM>, which generally support the aircraft <NUM> when the aircraft <NUM> is not flying, allowing the aircraft <NUM> to taxi, takeoff or land without damage.

In various embodiments and with additional reference to the nacelle <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the first core cowl panel <NUM> and the second core cowl panel <NUM> are coupled, in various embodiments, along a seam <NUM> by a latch mechanism <NUM> (or a plurality of latch mechanisms). In the latched state, a latch handle <NUM> of the latch mechanism <NUM> may sit relatively flush or may be recessed within an aerodynamic panel surface <NUM> defined by the first core cowl panel <NUM> and the second core cowl panel <NUM>. In the unlatched state, the latch handle <NUM> of the latch mechanism <NUM> may protrude above or outside of the aerodynamic panel surface <NUM>. While the foregoing description of the latch mechanism <NUM> is presented with reference to the first core cowl panel <NUM> and the second core cowl panel <NUM>, a similar description may be provided with reference to other panel assemblies of the aircraft <NUM> or the aircraft propulsion system <NUM>, including, for example, the one or more thrust reverser panels <NUM> and the one or more fan cowl panels <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a latch mechanism <NUM> (e.g., a latch mechanism for an aircraft panel), similar to the latch mechanism <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>, is illustrated and its operation described. The latch mechanism <NUM> comprises a latch handle <NUM> coupled to a latch linkage <NUM> and a hook body <NUM>. In various embodiments, the latch linkage <NUM> includes a first link <NUM> (or a forward link) and a second link <NUM> (or an aft link). The latch handle <NUM> includes an upper surface <NUM> extending between a first face <NUM> and a second face (opposite the first face <NUM>) to define, in cross section through the ZX-plane, a relatively U-shaped latch handle. The latch mechanism <NUM> also includes a hook mechanism <NUM>, including a hook <NUM> adjustably coupled (i.e., in the Y-direction or a longitudinal direction) to the hook body <NUM>, configured to removably couple with a mating pin <NUM> coupled to a cowl panel, such as, for example, the first core cowl panel <NUM> (or the second core cowl panel <NUM>) described above. The first link <NUM> is configured to pivot about an axle <NUM> and to slide in an axial direction (i.e., in the Y-direction) with respect to an axial cutout <NUM> of the hook body <NUM>. The axle <NUM> extends through the axial cutout <NUM> and is typically connected to a cowl panel, such as, for example, the second core cowl panel <NUM> described above, via a first pin <NUM> (or a forward pin) that extends through the axle <NUM>. The second link <NUM> is pivotally connected to the latch handle <NUM> and to the hook body <NUM> via a second pin <NUM> (or an aft pin), while both the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> are pivotally connected to each other via a third pin <NUM>.

In operation, (e.g., when decoupling the first core cowl panel <NUM> and the second core cowl panel <NUM>), the latch handle <NUM> is rotated about the second pin <NUM> and away from the hook body <NUM>, causing the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> to articulate with respect to each other about the third pin <NUM>. The mutual articulation about the third pin <NUM>, caused by engagement of a channel <NUM> cut into the latch handle <NUM> with the third pin <NUM>, thereby further causes the hook body <NUM>, together with the hook mechanism <NUM>, to be urged in an axial direction (i.e., the Y-direction) with respect to the first pin <NUM>, which remains stationary with respect to the cowl panel to which the latch mechanism <NUM> is connected (e.g., the second core cowl panel <NUM>). Once the hook mechanism <NUM> or the hook <NUM> is decoupled from the mating pin <NUM>, the first core cowl panel <NUM> and the second core cowl panel <NUM> may be decoupled. Coupling the first core cowl panel <NUM> and the second core cowl panel <NUM> is accomplished by reversing the operational steps above described.

In various embodiments, the coupling and decoupling of the latch mechanism <NUM> to the mating pin <NUM> may be adjusted by adjusting the location of the hook <NUM> with respect to the hook body <NUM> using an adjustment mechanism <NUM> that comprises, for example, an adjustment nut <NUM> threadedly coupled to a shaft <NUM> that is connected to the hook <NUM>. Rotating the adjustment nut <NUM> in a first direction, for example, increases the distance (or axial position) between the hook <NUM> and the hook body <NUM>, while rotating the adjustment nut <NUM> in a second direction decreases the distance (or axial position) between the hook <NUM> and the hook body <NUM>. In various embodiments, a bearing block <NUM> is positioned between the adjustment nut <NUM> and a hook body load bearing plate <NUM> of the hook body <NUM>, while a bias element <NUM> (e.g., a wave spring) is disposed aft of the adjustment nut <NUM> and configured to bias the adjustment nut <NUM> toward the bearing block <NUM> and the hook body load bearing plate <NUM> when the latch mechanism <NUM> assumes a decoupled or an unloaded state.

Referring now to <FIG>, various schematic views of a latch mechanism <NUM>, or components thereof, similar to the latch mechanism <NUM> above described, are provided in accordance with the invention. Referring to <FIG>, for example, a side view and an overhead view, respectively, of a hook body <NUM>, similar to the hook body <NUM> described above, are provided, while a perspective view of various components of the latch mechanism <NUM>, including the hook body <NUM>, is provided in <FIG>. Referring more specifically to the hook body <NUM>, the hook body includes a first upper longitudinal beam <NUM> and a first lower longitudinal beam <NUM> and a second upper longitudinal beam <NUM> and a second lower longitudinal beam (hidden) (or a plurality of longitudinal members). By longitudinal, the disclosure contemplates the various beams being parallel with a longitudinal direction Y (e.g., the Y-direction shown in <FIG>) or, as in the claimed embodiment, within a deviation ranging between about zero degrees (<NUM>°) and about twenty (<NUM>°) from being parallel to the longitudinal direction (e.g., the deviation being in the Z or X directions shown in <FIG>). The first upper longitudinal beam <NUM> and the first lower longitudinal beam <NUM> are connected to a first aft flange <NUM>, while the second upper longitudinal beam <NUM> and the second lower longitudinal beam are connected to a second aft flange <NUM>. The first aft flange <NUM> and the second aft flange <NUM> are coupled to a first aft link <NUM> and a second aft link <NUM>, respectively, via an aft pin <NUM>, similar to the second pin <NUM> (or aft pin) described above, which is also coupled to a latch handle, similar to the latch handle <NUM> described above. Note that by reference to "longitudinal beam," the disclosure contemplates the various longitudinal beams being substantially straight and running parallel with respect to the longitudinal direction or within a deviation ranging between about zero degrees (<NUM>°) and about twenty (<NUM>°) from running parallel to the longitudinal direction.

In similar fashion, the first upper longitudinal beam <NUM> and the second upper longitudinal beam <NUM> are connected to a forward upper plate <NUM>, while the first lower longitudinal beam <NUM> and the second lower longitudinal beam are connected to a forward lower plate <NUM>. The forward upper plate <NUM> and the forward lower plate <NUM> are connected to a hook body load bearing plate <NUM>, similar to the hook body load bearing plate <NUM> described above. In various embodiments, the forward upper plate <NUM> lies or is disposed within an upper plane that is substantially perpendicular to the hook body load bearing plate <NUM> and extends in the longitudinal direction away from the load bearing plate (i.e., toward an aft direction). Similarly, the forward lower plate <NUM> lies or is disposed within a lower plane that is substantially perpendicular to the hook body load bearing plate <NUM> and extends in the longitudinal direction away from the load bearing plate (i.e., toward the aft direction). Also similar to the description above, the latch mechanism <NUM> includes an adjustment nut <NUM> threadedly engaged with a shaft <NUM> that is connected to a hook <NUM>. A bearing block <NUM> is positioned between the adjustment nut <NUM> and the hook body load bearing plate <NUM>. In various embodiments, the bearing block <NUM> receives the axial load placed on the adjustment nut <NUM> when the latch mechanism <NUM> assumes a deployed or a loaded state and distributes the load throughout the hook body load bearing plate <NUM>. As described further below, the distributed load is then transferred via the longitudinal beams to the first aft flange <NUM> and to the second aft flange <NUM> and ultimately to the aft pin <NUM> via an efficient load transfer design of the hook body <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the load paths resulting from a load placed on the latch mechanism <NUM> are illustrated. When an axial load (a tensile load) is placed on the shaft <NUM>, a compressive load F is translated through the bearing block <NUM> and into the hook body load bearing plate <NUM>. The compressive load on the hook body load bearing plate <NUM> is then translated into tensile loads that are distributed throughout the various structural components of the hook body <NUM>. As illustrated by the dashed arrows, for example, the tensile load is distributed and translated through the forward upper plate <NUM> and the forward lower plate <NUM> and then through, respectively, the first upper longitudinal beam <NUM> and the second upper longitudinal beam <NUM> and the first lower longitudinal beam <NUM> and the second lower longitudinal beam. The tensile load is then distributed and translated through the first aft flange <NUM> and to the second aft flange <NUM> and ultimately to the aft pin <NUM>.

As illustrated, the tensile load distributed and translated throughout the hook body <NUM> occurs without experiencing local stress concentrations, due primarily to the box-like structure of the hook body <NUM>. More specifically, each of the first upper longitudinal beam <NUM>, the second upper longitudinal beam <NUM>, the first lower longitudinal beam <NUM> and the second lower longitudinal beam are oriented essentially in the axial direction, from the forward upper plate <NUM> and the forward lower plate <NUM> to the first aft flange <NUM> and to the second aft flange <NUM>. In other words, the hook body <NUM> does not exhibit any elements within the structure where the load paths deviate substantially from the axial direction. In various embodiments, the box-like structure that results in the efficient load path described above is a result of the hook body <NUM> having a constant or essentially constant height H<NUM> (or hook body height) and a constant or essentially constant width W (or hook body width), both of which are essentially orthogonal to the axial load paths extending through the various structural elements above described. Further, an axial cutout <NUM>, similar to the axial cutout <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>, also exhibits an essentially longitudinal or axial configuration. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, the axial cutout <NUM> exhibits a constant or essentially constant height H<NUM> (or axial cutout height) along an axial length L of the axial cutout <NUM>. Note that a first axial cutout resides between the first upper longitudinal beam <NUM> and the first lower longitudinal beam <NUM> (similar to the axial cutout <NUM>) and a second axial cutout resides between the second upper longitudinal beam <NUM> and the second lower longitudinal beam (similar to the axial cutout <NUM>).

Referring now to <FIG>, various schematic views of a latch mechanism <NUM>, or components thereof, similar to the latch mechanism <NUM> and the latch mechanism <NUM> above described, but falling outside the wording of the claims, are provided. Referring to <FIG>, for example, a side view and an overhead view, respectively, of a hook body <NUM>, similar to the hook body <NUM> and the hook body <NUM> described above, are provided, while a perspective view of various components of the latch mechanism <NUM>, including the hook body <NUM>, is provided in <FIG>. Referring more specifically to the hook body <NUM>, the hook body includes an upper longitudinal beam <NUM> and a lower longitudinal beam <NUM> (or a plurality of longitudinal members). The upper longitudinal beam <NUM> and the lower longitudinal beam <NUM> are connected to an aft flange <NUM>. The aft flange <NUM> is coupled to a first aft link <NUM> and a second aft link <NUM> via an aft pin <NUM>, similar to the second pin <NUM> (or aft pin) described above, which is also coupled to a latch handle, similar to the latch handle <NUM> described above. Similar to the above description, the disclosure contemplates the various beams being parallel with a longitudinal direction Y (e.g., the Y-direction shown in <FIG>) or within a deviation ranging between about zero degrees (<NUM>°) and about twenty (<NUM>°) from being parallel to the longitudinal direction (e.g., the deviation being in the Z or X directions shown in <FIG>). Further, by reference to "longitudinal beam," the disclosure contemplates the various longitudinal beams being substantially straight and running parallel with respect to a longitudinal direction or within a deviation ranging between about zero degrees (<NUM>°) and about twenty (<NUM>°) from running parallel to the longitudinal direction.

In similar fashion, the upper longitudinal beam <NUM> is connected to a forward upper plate <NUM>, while the lower longitudinal beam <NUM> is connected to a forward lower plate <NUM>. The forward upper plate <NUM> and the forward lower plate <NUM> are connected to a hook body load bearing plate <NUM>, similar to the hook body load bearing plate <NUM> and to the hook body load bearing plate <NUM> described above. In various embodiments, the forward upper plate <NUM> lies or is disposed within an upper plane that is substantially perpendicular to the hook body load bearing plate <NUM> and extends in the longitudinal direction away from the load bearing plate (i.e., toward an aft direction). Similarly, the forward lower plate <NUM> lies or is disposed within a lower plane that is substantially perpendicular to the hook body load bearing plate <NUM> and extends in the longitudinal direction away from the load bearing plate (i.e., toward the aft direction). Also similar to the description above, the latch mechanism <NUM> includes an adjustment nut <NUM> threadedly engaged with a shaft <NUM> that is connected to a hook <NUM>. A bearing block <NUM> is positioned between the adjustment nut <NUM> and the hook body load bearing plate <NUM>. In various embodiments, the bearing block <NUM> receives the axial load placed on the adjustment nut <NUM> when the latch mechanism <NUM> assumes a deployed or a loaded state and distributes the load throughout the hook body load bearing plate <NUM>. As described further below, the distributed load is then transferred via the longitudinal beams to the aft flange <NUM> and ultimately to the aft pin <NUM> via an efficient load transfer design of the hook body <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the load paths resulting from a load placed on the latch mechanism <NUM> are illustrated. When an axial load (a tensile load) is placed on the shaft <NUM>, a compressive load F (e.g., as illustrated in <FIG>) is translated through the bearing block <NUM> and into the hook body load bearing plate <NUM>. The compressive load on the hook body load bearing plate <NUM> is then translated into tensile loads that are distributed throughout the various structural components of the hook body <NUM>. As illustrated by the dashed arrows, for example, the tensile load is distributed and translated through the forward upper plate <NUM> and the forward lower plate <NUM> and then through, respectively, the upper longitudinal beam <NUM> and the lower longitudinal beam <NUM>. The tensile load is then distributed and translated through the aft flange <NUM> and ultimately to the aft pin <NUM>.

As illustrated, the tensile load distributed and translated throughout the hook body <NUM> occurs without experiencing local stress concentrations, due primarily to the box-like structure of the hook body <NUM>. More specifically, each of the upper longitudinal beam <NUM> and the lower longitudinal beam <NUM> are oriented essentially in the axial direction, from the forward upper plate <NUM> and the forward lower plate <NUM> to the aft flange <NUM>. In other words, the hook body <NUM> does not exhibit any elements within the structure where the load paths deviate substantially from the axial direction. In various embodiments, the box-like structure that results in the efficient load path described above is a result of the hook body <NUM> having a constant or essentially constant height H<NUM> (or hook body height) and a constant or essentially constant width W (or hook body width), both of which are essentially orthogonal to the axial load paths extending through the various structural elements above described. Further, an axial cutout <NUM>, similar to the axial cutout <NUM> and the axial cutout <NUM> described above, also exhibits an essentially longitudinal or axial configuration. As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, the axial cutout <NUM> exhibits a constant or essentially constant height H<NUM> (or axial cutout height) along an axial length L of the axial cutout <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a first latch mechanism <NUM><NUM> and a second latch mechanism <NUM><NUM>, similar to the latch mechanism <NUM>, the latch mechanism <NUM> or the latch mechanism <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>, <FIG> or <FIG>, are illustrated. Each of the first latch mechanism <NUM><NUM> and the second latch mechanism <NUM><NUM> includes a hook body <NUM> having similar structural elements and characteristics as the hook body <NUM> and the hook body <NUM> described above, so those elements and characteristics are not repeated here. Due to the design and axial construction of the hook body <NUM>, as described above, an additional benefit of the disclosure is the ability to change a functional length of the latch mechanisms without having to change the length or design of the hook body <NUM> and, in particular, without having to change a hook body length, LF, of the hook body <NUM>, where the hook body length LF extends from a forward portion of a hook body load bearing plate <NUM> to an aft flange <NUM> (or one of a first aft flange or a second aft flange as described above).

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first latch mechanism <NUM><NUM> includes a first hook mechanism <NUM><NUM>, a first forward link <NUM><NUM> and a first aft link <NUM><NUM>. The first hook mechanism includes a hook <NUM> that is attached to a first shaft <NUM><NUM> and the first forward link <NUM><NUM> is connected to a first pin <NUM> (or a forward pin), similar to the first pin <NUM> (or the forward pin) described above with reference to <FIG>. So configured, the first latch mechanism <NUM><NUM> exhibits a first functional length L<NUM> that extends between the center of the hook <NUM> and the center of the first pin <NUM>. Note the first aft link <NUM><NUM> is connected to a second pin <NUM>, similar to the second pin <NUM> described above, and both the first forward link <NUM><NUM> and the first aft link <NUM><NUM> are pivotally connected to a third pin <NUM>, similar to the third pin <NUM> described above. Referring now to <FIG>, the second latch mechanism <NUM><NUM> exhibits a second functional length L<NUM> that extends between the center of a hook <NUM> that is attached to a second shaft <NUM><NUM> and the center of the first pin <NUM>. The increase of the second functional length L<NUM> over the first functional length L<NUM> is accomplished by increasing the length of the second shaft <NUM><NUM> over the first shaft <NUM><NUM> or by decreasing the length of the second forward link <NUM><NUM>, such that a distance between the first pin <NUM> and the third pin <NUM> is reduced, with the second pin <NUM> and the third pin <NUM> being located at the same position for both the first latch mechanism <NUM><NUM> and the second latch mechanism <NUM><NUM>.

The foregoing disclosure provides a hook body and a latch mechanism that constrains the loads experienced by the hook body to lie primarily in a longitudinal direction, thereby preventing or reducing various moments or torques that might otherwise occur when loading the latch mechanism. Reducing the moments or torques enables the loads experienced by the various components to be confined to pure axial loads, typically in tension, when the latch mechanism is in a deployed state. A bearing block and, in particular, a block load bearing plate, may be incorporated into the hook body or mechanism to distribute the loads placed on it throughout the hook body load bearing plate, thus enabling the loads to be evenly distributed throughout the longitudinal beams, with the loads being primarily tensile loads without moments or torques placed on the beams. The load distribution facilitates smaller, lighter and more compact hook bodies to be incorporated into a latch mechanism. In addition, the disclosure provides for an adjustable latch mechanism, whereby a functional length may be increased or decreased by swapping one or both of the hook mechanism or the latch linkage with components having or accommodating different lengths to thereby affect latch mechanisms exhibiting different functional lengths while using a common hook body. Note that while the foregoing disclosure describes a hook body comprising a plurality of elements, such as, for example, longitudinal beams, aft flanges, upper and lower plate members and load bearing plates, the disclosure contemplates embodiments where each of the various elements is incorporated into a single-piece, monolithic component when fabricated. Further, the disclosure contemplates embodiments where the longitudinal beams include the plate members as well as the aft flanges into single-piece, monolithic longitudinal members. In other words, the term longitudinal member may be construed to include each (or one or more of) of a plate, a longitudinal beam and an aft flange.

Numbers, percentages, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are about or approximately equal to the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by various embodiments of the present disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable industrial process, and may include values that are within <NUM>%, within <NUM>%, within <NUM>%, within <NUM>%, or within <NUM>% of a stated value. Additionally, the terms "substantially," "about" or "approximately" as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the term "substantially," "about" or "approximately" may refer to an amount that is within <NUM>% of, within <NUM>% of, within <NUM>% of, within <NUM>% of, and within <NUM>% of a stated amount or value.

Claim 1:
A hook body (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) for a latch mechanism (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM><NUM>; <NUM><NUM>), comprising:
a plurality of longitudinal members (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>), each of the plurality of longitudinal members (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) extending in a longitudinal direction with respect to the hook body (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>), the plurality of longitudinal members (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) including a first upper longitudinal beam (<NUM>; <NUM>) and a second upper longitudinal beam (<NUM>), the first upper longitudinal beam (<NUM>; <NUM>) and the second upper longitudinal beam (<NUM>) having between about zero degrees to about twenty degrees deviation from parallel in the longitudinal direction; and
a hook body load bearing plate (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) connected to the plurality of longitudinal members (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) and being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the hook body load bearing plate (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) configured to slidably receive a shaft (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM><NUM>; <NUM><NUM>) connected to a hook (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>), the shaft (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM><NUM>; <NUM><NUM>) extending in use in the longitudinal direction with respect to the hook body (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>),
characterized in that the hook body (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) further comprises:
a first aft flange (<NUM>; <NUM>) and a second aft flange (<NUM>), wherein the first upper longitudinal beam (<NUM>; <NUM>) is connected to the first aft flange (<NUM>; <NUM>) and the second upper longitudinal beam (<NUM>) is connected to the second aft flange (<NUM>).