Patent ID: 8054638

Claim:
A latching apparatus coupled to a first component for facilitating docking of the first component to a second component, the latching apparatus comprising: a pivotable actuation handle; a slide linkage coupled adjacent a first end to the pivotable actuation handle, the slide linkage being slidable in directions which the first component is docked to and undocked from the second component; a pivotable linkage coupled to a second end of the slide linkage; and wherein with the first component disposed for docking relative to the second component, pivotal actuation of the pivotable actuation handle to open is translated to linear extension of the slide linkage, which is translated to pivotal movement of the pivotable linkage for facilitating aligning a latching hook at a distal end thereof over a hook pocket of the second component, and pivotal actuation of the pivotable actuation handle closed is translated to linear retraction of the slide linkage, which is translated to pivotal movement of the pivotable linkage to engage the latching hook at the distal end of the pivotable linkage with the hook pocket, and thereby to draw the first component into docked relation with the second component.