US 12,416,181 B2Granted

Door flag

AssigneeTextron Innovations Inc.

InventorsRichard Stoddard Conkling, Evan M. Johnson, Joseph Allan Smarsh

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A flag mechanism for an aircraft door includes a first arm and a second arm each having a flag on a first end and a catch on a second end. A first cam is operatively coupled to a first latching member and a second cam is operatively coupled a second latching member. The first and second latching members are each configured for latching the aircraft door, which are locked when the first and second cams are rotated to a locked position. A first stud extends from a side of the first cam and a second stud extends from a side of the second cam. The first and second studs are each configured to be received by a respective catch of the first and second arms while the first and second cams are rotated, thereby moving each respective flag from a first position to a second position for simultaneous visual inspection.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A flag mechanism for a door of an aircraft, comprising:

an arm comprising a flag disposed on a first end and a catch disposed on a second end;
a rotatable arcuate member operatively coupled to a latching member, wherein the latching member is configured to be inserted into a frame surrounding the door when the rotatable arcuate member is rotated to a locked position;
a stud extending from a side of the rotatable arcuate member, wherein the stud is configured to be received by the catch while the rotatable arcuate member is being rotated to the locked position such that the stud actuates the arm thereby moving the flag from a first position to a second position,
wherein the stud is configured to be released by the catch, while the rotatable arcuate member is counter-rotated away from the locked position to an unlocked position,
wherein the flag is configured to return to the first position upon the stud being released by the catch due to gravity, and
a magnet operatively coupled to the arm wherein the magnet is configured to provide a magnetic force that maintains the flag in the first position upon the stud being released by the catch.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/338,722Filed 21 Jun 2023 · us provisional application
Priority: 21 Jun 2022
Published: US 2023/0407674 A121 Dec 2023
Granted: 16 Sep 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

B64C 1/143
Passenger doors: of the plug type
E05B 41/00
Locks with visible indication as to whether the lock is locked or
B64C 1/1407
Windows; Doors; Hatch covers or access panels; Surrounding frame structures; Canopies; Windscreens accessories therefor, e.g. pressure sensors,…:…
E05B 77/22
Vehicle locks characterised by special functions or purposes: functions related to actuation of locks from the passenger compartment of the vehicle