Opposing hook latch

A latch assembly f or securing opposed catches, the latch comprising:

• (a) a housing having opposed upright side wall each including first and second cam slots;
• (b) a stationary center link having a upright slot, the center link being connected to the housing such that the upright slot is located approximately mid-way between the housing first and second cam slots;
• (c) first and second elongated links each having distal and proximal ends and opposed arms at their proximal ends, portions of the right elongated link being located within the left elongated link opposed arms;
• the distal ends each including a hook, each elongated link further including an L-shaped slot located between the distal and proximal ends, and a hole located near the proximal end;
• (d) first and second intermediate links each including distal and proximal ends and opposed arms at their proximal ends, portions of the second intermediate link being located within the right elongated link opposed arms, portions of the first intermediate link being located within the second intermediate link opposed arms, portions of the stationary center link being located within the first intermediate link opposed arms;
• the elongated links, the intermediate links, and the stationary center link being substantially located between the housing opposed side walls;
• (e) first, second, and middle crosspins;
• the first crosspin being movably interconnected between the housing first cam slot, the left elongated link L-shaped slot, the right elongated link hole, and the first intermediate link distal end;
• the second crosspin being movably interconnected between the housing second cam slot, the right elongated line L-shaped slot, the left elongated link hole, and the second intermediate link distal end;
• the middle crosspin being interconnected between the first and second intermediate proximal ends and the stationary center link upright slot;
• and
• (f) a handle connected to one of the first and second intermediate links;
• wherein movement of the middle crosspin along the upright slot is initiated by rotation of the one of the first and second intermediate links caused by rotation of the handle;
• whereby movement of the middle crosspin along the upright slot causes rotation of the intermediate links and movement of the first and second crosspins in their respective slots further causing rotation of the left and right elongated links as the first and second crosspins transverse their respective L-shaped slots and causing extension of the second and first elongated links respectively.

A latching system for an aircraft hoop-tie assembly having opposed hoop-tie bands, the system comprising:

• (a) a latch assembly comprising:
• a stationary center link having a upright slot;
• first and second elongated links each having distal and proximal ends, the distal ends each including a hook, each elongated link further including a slot located between the distal and proximal ends;
• first and second intermediate links each including distal and proximal ends;
• and first, second, and middle crosspins;
• the first crosspin being movably interconnected between the first elongated link's slot, the second elongated link's distal end, and the first intermediate link distal end;
• the second crosspin being movably interconnected between the second elongated link's slot, the first elongated link distal end, and the second intermediate link distal end;
• the middle crosspin being interconnected between the first and second intermediate proximal ends of the first and second intermediate links and the stationary center link upright slot;
• and
• (b) opposed catches for engaging the latch assembly hooks, one being adapted for connection to one hoop-tie band, the other catch being adapted for connection to the other hoop-tie band.