Pin latch with adjustable pre-load

A latch mechanism for selectively blocking movement of a first component relative to a second component, the latch mechanism comprising:

• a frame coupled to the first component for movement therewith;
• a handle coupled to the frame for rotation relative to the frame;
• a linkage coupled to the handle and the frame;
• a pin coupled to the linkage;
• and
• a pre-load adjustment mechanism coupled to the frame,
• wherein the linkage is configured to convert rotation of the handle into axial movement of the pin relative to the pre-load adjustment mechanism between an extended position and a retracted position, the pin extends from the frame and engages with the first and second components in the extended position to block movement of the first component relative to the second component and is spaced apart from the second component in the retracted position to allow movement of the first component relative to the second component, and the pre-load adjustment mechanism is configured to engage with the pin in the extended position to place a pre-load through the linkage to bias the linkage toward an over-center configuration and bias the pin toward the extended position, and
• wherein the pre-load adjustment mechanism includes a mount coupled to the frame and a collar coupled to the mount, wherein a shaft of the pin is sized to extend through the mount and the collar, and wherein the collar is movable relative to the mount at the selection of a user to adjust an amount of pre-load through the linkage when the pin is in the extended position, and
• wherein the linkage includes a pivot link coupled to the frame for rotation relative to the frame, a pin link coupled between the pivot link and the pin, and a connection point between the pin link and the pivot link is offset toward the handle from an axis extending between a connection point between the frame and the pivot link and a connection point between the pin link and the pin in the over-center configuration.

A latch mechanism comprising:

• a frame;
• a handle coupled to the frame for rotation relative to the frame;
• a linkage coupled to the handle and the frame;
• a pin coupled to the linkage;
• a pre-load adjustment mechanism coupled to the frame, the pre-load adjustment mechanism including a mount coupled to the frame and a collar coupled to the mount;
• and
• a pin-travel guide including a slider coupled to the pin and a slot formed in the frame, the slider extending into the slot,
• wherein the linkage is configured to convert rotation of the handle into axial movement of the pin relative to the pre-load adjustment mechanism between an extended position and a retracted position, the pin extends from the frame in the extended position, the pin-travel guide is configured to support the pin against skewing relative to the frame during movement between the extended and retracted positions, a shaft of the pin is sized to extend through the mount and the collar and a flange coupled to the shaft is sized to block the pin from passing completely through the collar, the pre-load adjustment mechanism is configured to engage with the pin in the extended position to place a pre-load through the linkage to bias the linkage toward an over-center configuration and bias the pin toward the extended position, and the collar is movable relative to the mount at the selection of a user to adjust an amount of pre-load through the linkage, and
• wherein the linkage includes a pivot link coupled to the frame for rotation relative to the frame, a pin link coupled between the pivot link and the pin, and a connection point between the pin link and the pivot link is offset toward the handle from an axis extending between a connection point between the frame and the pivot link and a connection point between the pin link and the pin in the over-center configuration.