Patent ID: 7210421

Claim:
A latch system for sealing a bulkhead door mounted to cover an opening in a bulkhead, comprising: a) an elongate striker disposed on a surface of said bulkhead door in a direction parallel to an edge of said door, said striker including a wedge portion having constant thickness in said parallel direction and varying thickness in a direction orthogonal to said edge of said door; b) an elongate locking wedge disposed on said bulkhead adjacent said opening for translation between an open position wherein said elongate locking wedge is clear of said bulkhead door and a lock position wherein said elongate locking wedge overlaps said bulkhead door edge and is engaged with said elongate striker; c) an exterior shield attached to said locking wedge for covering said locking wedge and said bulkhead door edge when said locking wedge is in said lock position; and d) a first outer surface on said exterior shield and a second outer surface on said striker, wherein said first and second outer surfaces are abutting when said elongate locking wedge is in said lock position.