Rotary ball lock latching mechanism

A ball latching mechanism for engaging an aircraft surface panel comprising:

• an aircraft panel defining an upper surface, a lower surface, and a post extending perpendicular from the lower surface, the post defining a circumferential recess formed thereabout;
• a panel support member extending substantially parallel to the panel, the panel support member defining a post receiving aperture formed therethrough;
• a post engaging mechanism disposed adjacent the support panel second surface, the ball mechanism defining a central aperture in substantial vertical alignment with the post receiving aperture, for receiving and engaging the post;
• the post engaging mechanism further defining a rotatable sleeve defining an inner surface thereof, the inner surface defining at least one groove having an upper end and lower end, the groove characterized by a maximum depth at the groove upper end and a minimum depth at the groove lower end;
• a ball disposed in the groove and translatable between the groove upper end and the groove lower end;
• a resilient sleeve disposed radially inward of the groove, the resilient sleeve abutting against the ball and being deformable by the ball as the ball moves to the groove lower end;
• and
• wherein the resilient sleeve and the post vertically translate within the cylindrical housing in response to rotation of the rotatable sleeve and translation of the ball between the groove upper end and the groove lower end to urge the panel into and out of abutting engagement with the panel support member.