Integrally safe quick release latch-keeper
AssigneeAMI Industries, Inc.
InventorsKassidy L. Carson, John Hampton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch assembly may comprise a keeper and a lever. The keeper may include a keeper channel defined at least partially by a first channel surface and a second channel surface. The lever may be configured to rotate relative to the keeper and between an engaged state and a released state. The lever may comprise a shaft and a lever protrusion extending from the shaft. The lever protrusion may be defined at least partially by a proximal surface and a distal surface. The keeper channel may be configured to receive the lever protrusion. In the engaged state, the proximal surface of the lever may contact the second channel surface of the keeper and the first channel surface of the keeper may be spaced apart from the lever protrusion.
Claims19
A latch assembly, comprising:
- a keeper including a keeper channel, the keeper channel being defined at least partially by a first channel surface and a second channel surface;
- and
- a lever configured to rotate relative to the keeper, the lever being configured to rotate between an engaged state and a released state, wherein the lever comprises a shaft and a lever protrusion extending from the shaft, the lever protrusion being defined at least partially by a proximal surface and a distal surface,
- wherein the keeper channel is configured to receive the lever protrusion,
- wherein in the engaged state the proximal surface of the lever protrusion contacts the second channel surface of the keeper, and
- wherein in the engaged state the first channel surface of the keeper is spaced apart from the distal surface of the lever protrusion defining a gap, the gap being configured to receive a tool having a shape complementary to the gap.
An ejection seat, comprising:
- a seatback;
- a passive head and neck protection system including a strut support configured to pivot relative to the seatback;
- and
- a latch assembly coupled to the passive head and neck protection system, the latch assembly being configured to rotate between an engaged state and a released state, wherein in the engaged state the latch assembly prevents the strut support from pivoting away from the seatback, the latch assembly comprising:
- a keeper including a keeper channel, the keeper channel being defined at least partially by a first channel surface and a second channel surface;
- and
- a lever configured to rotate relative to the keeper, the lever including a shaft and a lever protrusion extending from the shaft, the lever protrusion being defined at least partially by a proximal surface and a distal surface,
- wherein the keeper channel is configured to receive the lever protrusion,
- wherein in the engaged state the proximal surface of the lever protrusion contacts the second channel surface of the keeper, and
- wherein in the engaged state the first channel surface of the keeper is spaced apart from the lever protrusion.
An ejection seat, comprising:
- a first structure;
- a biased component configured to pivot relative to the first structure;
- and
- a latch assembly coupled to the biased component, the latch assembly being configured to rotate between an engaged state and a released state, wherein in the engaged state the latch assembly prevents the biased component from translating relative to the first structure, the latch assembly comprising:
- a keeper including a keeper channel, the keeper channel being defined at least partially by a first channel surface and a second channel surface;
- and
- a lever configured to rotate relative to the keeper, the lever including a shaft and a lever protrusion extending from the shaft, the lever protrusion being defined at least partially by a proximal surface and a distal surface,
- wherein the keeper channel is configured to receive the lever protrusion,
- wherein in the engaged state the proximal surface of the lever protrusion contacts the second channel surface of the keeper, and
- wherein in the engaged state the first channel surface of the keeper is spaced apart from the lever protrusion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.