Locking system with multiple latches

A system for latching a respective first work member in a plurality of first work members relative to an adjacent respective second work member in a plurality of second work members at a corresponding plurality of respective latching locations, comprising:

• a central actuation mechanism;
• and
• a plurality of latch mechanisms each mounted on a respective first work member and each individually and operably connected to the central actuation mechanism via a respective flexible connector, each latch mechanism comprising an elongate latching member constructed and arranged to be selectively extended along a direction of extension of the elongate latching member into a latching position in engagement with a respective second work member at a respective latching location, and retracted into a release position in correspondence with an operation of the central actuation mechanism, wherein the latching members of the respective latch mechanisms are resiliently biased towards extensions;
• wherein each respective flexible connector comprises an inner flexible cable slidably disposed within an outer flexible tubular sheath, wherein a first end of the inner cable is connected with an end of the corresponding latching member and a second end of the inner cable is operably connected with the central actuation mechanism, such that extension and retraction of the latching member corresponds with extension and retraction of the inner cable within the outer sheath obtained by operation of the central actuation mechanism;
• wherein the central actuation mechanism comprises:
• a base plate lying substantially in a plane;
• a drive member rotatably mounted on the base plate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the base plate lies;
• and
• a cable pull member pivotable on a peripheral portion of the drive member, the cable pull member including an engaging portion for engaging respective second ends of the inner cables of the flexible connectors opposite the first ends of the inner cables connected to the respective latching members;
• wherein the drive member is rotatable between a latching position in which the latching members are extended and a release position in which the latching members are retracted,
• wherein the drive member is resiliently biased to rotate towards the release position from the latching position and towards the latching position from the release position,
• wherein the release position of the drive member is located such that it causes the cable pull member connected thereto to move in a direction that pulls the inner cables engaged by the engaging portion;
• wherein the central actuation mechanism is selectively lockable in a state in which the plurality of latch mechanisms are in the latching position.

A method for latching and locking a plurality of respective first and second work members relative to one another at a corresponding plurality of respective latching locations, comprising:

• mounting a respective latch mechanism on the plurality of first work members, each latch mechanism being individually and operably connected to a central actuation mechanism via a respective flexible connector, each latch mechanism comprising an elongate latching member constructed and arranged to be selectively extended along a direction of extension of the elongate latching member into a latching position in engagement with the respective second work member at a respective latching location, and retracted into a release position in correspondence with an operation of the central actuation mechanism, wherein each respective flexible connector comprises an inner flexible cable slidably disposed within an outer flexible tubular sheath, a first end of the inner cable being connected with an end of the corresponding latching member and a second end of the inner cable being operably connected with the central actuation mechanism, such that extension and retraction of the latching member corresponds with extension and retraction of the inner cable within the outer sheath obtained by operation of the central actuation mechanism, wherein the latching members of the respective latch mechanisms are resiliently biased towards extension;
• wherein the central actuation mechanism comprises:
• a base plate lying substantially in a plane;
• a drive member rotatably mounted on the base plate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the base plate lies, the drive member being resiliently biased towards the release position from the latching position and towards the latching position from the release position;
• and
• a cable pull member pivotable on a peripheral portion of the drive member, the cable pull member including an engaging portion for engaging second respective ends of the inner cables of the flexible connectors opposite the first ends of the inner cables connected to the respective latching members;
• wherein selectively operating the central actuation mechanism comprises selectively rotating the drive member between a latching position in which the latching members are extended and a release position in which the latching members are retracted, wherein the release position of the drive member is located such that it causes the cable pull member connected thereto to move in a direction that pulls the inner cables engaged by the engaging portion;
• and
• selectively operating and locking the central actuation mechanism in a state in which the plurality of latch mechanisms are in the latching position.