A method of latching a rigidizing latch assembly, the rigidizing latch assembly comprising a male latch, the male latch comprising a male latch housing, comprising an upper portion, a lower portion, a plurality of lead-in guides, and a grasp interface disposed proximate the upper portion;
- a latch assembly movably disposed within the male latch housing, the latch comprising a latch support configured to move within the male latch housing, the latch support comprising a driver interface;
- a plurality of latches connected to the latch support, each latch comprising an angled lower portion and a mating portion;
- a plurality of tensioners disposed intermediate the latch support and a corresponding latch of the plurality of latches;
- a driver operatively in communication with the latch support, the driver comprising a driver interface, a latch support engager adapted to movably engage with the driver interface, and an upper driver portion, and a male latch core, the male latch core comprising an inner annulus, and a plurality of latch receivers, each latch receiver comprising an angled face configured to complimentarily engage with an angled lower portion of a corresponding latch;
- an extraction foot operatively in communication with the driver, and a driver interface access port configured to allow access to the driver interface from an exterior of the male latch housing, and a receptacle, comprising a receptacle housing sized to receive the lower portion of the male latch housing, a positioning target adapted to provide a visual positioning targeting cue, and a plurality of latch interfaces dimensioned to releasably mate with the plurality of lead-in guides, each latch interface comprising a mating surface configured to cooperatively and securely engage a mating portion of a corresponding latch, the method comprising:
- a. capturing the male latch into the receptacle by:
- i. rotating the driver which is engaged to the threaded portion of the latch support to move the latch support in a direction that places the latches into withdrawn position by engaging the latch receiver angled face with a corresponding angled lower portion of a corresponding latch;
- ii. maneuvering the male latch with the plurality of latches in their withdrawn position proximate the receptacle;
- iii. maneuvering the male latch a predetermined distance into the receptacle;
- iv. rotating the driver which is engaged to the threaded portion of the latch support to move the latch support in a direction that places the latches in an intermediate position between limits of travel of the latches, the latches being spring-loaded outward and allowed to be pushed towards a centerline of the male latch until they contact the inner housing;
- b. once captured, locking the male latch in the receptacle by further inserting the male latch into the receptacle until the mating portion of a corresponding latch is inserted beyond its corresponding latch interface mating surface;
- c. once locked, rotating the driver until the latches are fully engaged against the latch interfaces;
- and
- d. continuing to advance the male latch into the receptacle until the lead-in guides are in contact to rigidize the assembly where each latch receiver angled face is disengaged from its corresponding latch angled lower portion.