Preloaded latch

Over-center latching apparatus for securing first and second bodies together, at least one of said bodies being movable with respect to the other, comprising:

• first and second housings, each said housing having a generally inwardly extending strut portion with an inwardly facing mating surface and mounting means for mounting the housing on a mounting surface of one of the bodies;
• a lever pivotably mounted on the first housing to pivot within an opening in said mounting surface;
• a draw hook pivotably mounted on the lever;
• and
• catch means mounted on the second housing for engaging the draw hook to secure the bodies together;
• wherein the catch means and the pivotal axis of the lever are positioned to provide a latch load path that is generally perpendicular to said mounting surface of the movable body;
• and
• wherein when the latching apparatus is in a latching position, the draw hook and catch means are tensioned to preload the latching apparatus, said mating surfaces are urged together, and said inwardly extending strut portions form a strut to react the preload on the latching apparatus.

In a latch mechanism of the type having a latch hook and a catch that engages the latch hook, with the engagement of the hook and catch being tensioned along a load path, the improvement comprising:

• a carrier for the catch;
• said carrier having a longitudinal axis coincident with the load path, a threaded shaft end, and an opposite yoke end with two arms between which the catch is carried;
• mounting means for slidably mounting the carrier to a body to be secured by the mechanism;
• and
• adjustment means for adjusting the position of the carrier along the load path to adjust the tensioning of the hook and catch;
• said adjustment means comprising an internally threaded hollow bolt with an open end into which said shaft end of the carrier is threadedly received and an opposite closed end with axially directed means for receiving a tool to rotate the bolt about said shaft end, and stop means for preventing the carrier from rotating, said stop means including two opposed support members, each of which has a slot therein into which one of said arms is slidably received;
• said axially directed means being positioned to be externally accessible through a suitable opening in said body.