Latch for air cargo container doors
AssigneeAdvanced Composite Structures, LLC
InventorsThomas Pherson, Wendell Douglas Gissel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch for securing a component to a track in a base of air cargo equipment, such as a pallet or the floor of a unit load device. The latch includes a rigid support configured to be attached at the bottom edge of the component. The latch also includes a handle. The handle rotates relative to the support between an open position and a closed position. The handle uses a rotationally tapered locking cam to secure the component to the track. In one embodiment, the component is a door, such as a fabric curtain.
Claims18
A latch for securing a component to a track in a base of air cargo equipment, the latch comprising:
- a rigid support configured to be attached at a bottom edge of the component;
- and
- a handle, the handle configured to rotate relative to the support between an open position and a closed position,
- wherein the handle comprises a rotationally tapered locking cam, and
- wherein the support comprising a locking plate configured to wrap under the component, the locking plate having a foot configured to fit within an undercut region of the track provided in the base.
A door for an air cargo container, comprising:
- at least one layer of fabric constructed from high tenacity fibers;
- and
- a latch attached at a bottom edge of the at least one layer of fabric for securing the at least one layer of fabric to a track in a base of the air cargo container, the latch comprising:
- a rigid support attached at the bottom edge of the at least one layer of fabric;
- and
- a handle, the handle configured to rotate relative to the support between an open position and a closed position, the handle including a rotationally tapered locking cam.
A container, comprising:
- a base, the base comprising a track provided along at least a portion of at least one side of the base;
- a plurality of walls;
- a door;
- and
- at least one latch attached at a bottom edge of the door,
- wherein the base, the plurality of walls, and the door combine to enclose an interior volume for receiving cargo,
- wherein the bottom edge of the door is configured to be at least partially received within the track,
- wherein, when the at least one latch is in a closed position, the bottom edge of the door is wedged within the track, and
- wherein the bottom edge of the door includes a bar extending at least partially therealong, the bar configured to add stiffness to the bottom edge of the door.
A container, comprising:
- a base, the base comprising a track provided along at least a portion of at least one side of the base;
- a plurality of walls;
- a door;
- and
- at least one latch attached at a bottom edge of the door,
- wherein the base, the plurality of walls, and the door combine to enclose an interior volume for receiving cargo,
- wherein the bottom edge of the door is configured to be at least partially received within the track,
- wherein, when the at least one latch is in a closed position, the bottom edge of the door is wedged within the track, and
- wherein the track has a T-shaped channel and the at least one latch wedges the bottom edge of the door into contact with an arm that defines the channel to form a substantially weather-resistant seal.
A door for an air cargo container, comprising:
- at least one layer of fabric;
- and
- at least one latching means attached at a bottom edge of the at least one layer of fabric for securing the bottom edge of the at least one layer of fabric to a track in a base of the air cargo container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.