J-hook latching device
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorMalcolm B. Milam
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latching device for latching two items together has a housing and a shaft mounted to one item such that rotation of the shaft by a sprocket causes the shaft to move longitudinally up and down. The shaft has one end extending beyond the housing with a alignment cone attached to this end for engaging a receptor on the other item. A latch mounted to the shaft by a traveling nut provides a pivot point for the latch so that rotation of the shaft causes the pivot point of the latch to translate along the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Camming surfaces and a camming spring are used for rotating the latch so that the latch will engage and disengage a receptor on the other item.
Claims14
A latching device for latching a first and second item together comprising:
- a housing affixed to said first item having a shaft mounted thereon such that rotation of said shaft causes said shaft to move longitudinally;
- said shaft having at least one end extending beyond said housing and having a first alignment means attached to this end for engaging a second alignment means on said second item;
- a latch mounted to said shaft by a mounting means providing a pivot point for said latch such that rotation of said shaft causes said pivot point of said latch to translate along the longitudinal axis of said shaft;
- and
- means for rotating said latch such that said latch will engage said second alignment means on said second item thereby latching said first and second items together.
The device of claim wherein said first alignment means comprises an object having a conical shape.
A latching device for latching a first and second item together comprising:
- a housing affixed to said first item having a shaft mounted thereon such that rotation of said shaft causes said shaft to move longitudinally;
- said housing having a first alignment means attached to one end for engaging a second alignment means on said second item;
- a latch mounted to said shaft by a mounting means providing a pivot point for said latch such that rotation of said shaft causes said pivot point of said latch to translate along the longitudinal axis of said shaft;
- and
- means for rotating said latch such that said latch will engage said second alignment means on said second item thereby latching said first and second items together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.