Misalignment latch for an aircraft system

An assembly for an aircraft, comprising:

• a mount comprising a mount bearing surface with a semi-spherical geometry;
• a keeper comprising a keeper nut, a first keeper bearing surface with a semi-spherical geometry and a second keeper bearing surface with a semi-spherical geometry, the first keeper bearing surface engaging the mount bearing surface;
• and
• a latch including a handle and a hook structure operatively coupled to the handle, the handle configured to move between a closed position and an open position, the hook structure engaged with the keeper when the handle is in the closed position, and the hook structure disengaged from the keeper when the handle is in the open position,
• wherein the hook structure comprises a hook bearing surface with a semi-spherical geometry, and the hook bearing surface is engaged with the second keeper bearing surface when the handle is in the closed position;
• and
• wherein the first keeper bearing surface includes an array of detents and an array of grips, the array of detents arranged circumferentially about a centerline of the keeper, and the array of grips arranged circumferentially about the centerline, the array of grips disposed longitudinally between the array of detents and a keeper base end, wherein each of the array of detents and each of the array of grips is formed by a recess, a notch, or a blind aperture which projects partially into the keeper nut from the semi-spherical geometry of the first keeper bearing surface.

An assembly for an aircraft, comprising:

• a mount, the mount comprising a mount bearing surface;
• a keeper coupled to the mount through a first bearing, the keeper including a first keeper bearing surface, a second keeper bearing surface with a semi-spherical geometry, a keeper shaft and a keeper nut threaded onto the keeper shaft;
• and
• a latch including a handle and a hook structure operatively coupled to the handle, the handle configured to move between a closed position and an open position, the hook structure comprising a hook bearing surface, the hook structure engaged with the keeper when the handle is in the closed position, the hook structure coupled to the keeper through a second bearing when the hook structure is engaged with the keeper, and the hook structure disengaged from the keeper when the handle is in the open position;
• wherein:
• the keeper shaft is rotationally fixed relative to the mount and/or the keeper nut is rotationally fixed relative to the mount,
• the keeper and the hook structure form a ball joint at an interface between the first keeper bearing surface and the hook bearing surface, and
• the keeper and the mount form a ball joint at an interface between the second keeper bearing surface and the mount bearing surface;
• wherein the keeper nut further comprises one or more detents and one or more grips, the one or more detents arranged circumferentially about a centerline of the keeper shaft in an annular array, the one or more grips arranged circumferentially about the centerline of the keeper shaft, the one or more grips disposed longitudinally between the one or more detents and a keeper base end, wherein each of the one or more detents and each of the one or more grips is formed by a recess, a notch, or a blind aperture which projects partially into the keeper nut from the semi-spherical geometry of the second keeper bearing surface.