Patent ID: 8016327

Claim:
A bifurcated latching system for securing together first and second portions of an aircraft structure, the bifurcated latching system comprising: (a) a pin latch assembly comprising a pin latch receptacle having a first end for attachment to one of the first and second portions and an opposed second end, a pin having a first end for attachment to the other of the first and second portions and an opposed second end, the pin latch receptacle receiving the second end of the pin in mating relation, and locking means to secure the pin latch receptacle to the pin; and (b) a pawl latch assembly comprising a pawl latch receptacle having a first end for attachment to one of the first and second portions and an opposed second end defining a receptacle bore, and including at least one pawl, a pawl latch pin having a first end for attachment to the other of the first and second portions and an opposed second end, means for biasing the at least one pawl to an engaged position, the pawl latch receptacle bore matingly receiving the second end of the pawl latch pin, the at least one pawl biased by the biasing means to engage the pawl latch pin when the pawl latch pin is matingly received by the pawl latch receptacle bore to secure in mating engagement the pawl latch receptacle and the pawl latch pin.