US 6,945,573 B2Granted

Externally adjustable latch

AssigneeHartwell Corporation

InventorsAntonio Ruiz, Braskel Elmer Phillips

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Abstract

The present disclosure envisions an externally controllable adjustment assembly which is carried on the bolt of a latch assembly. The externally controllable adjustment assembly is generally flush-mounted relative to the exterior surfaces of a corresponding panel and structure. A small access opening is provided to access the adjustment assembly so as to help maintain the aerodynamic design of the latch. The externally controllable adjustment assembly includes an adjuster which works with an adjuster body. An external force is applied by the adjuster to one end of the adjuster body to transfer forces to a plunger positioned at the opposite end of the adjuster body. Adjustment of the plunger helps to adjust the latching force of the latch on the structure. The present disclosure allows for controllable external adjustment as well as controllable preloading of the forces on the latch. The adjuster can be controllably preloaded by using a torque-wrench or torque measuring device to make adjustments to a desired level of force.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A latch assembly of for use in latching a first structure relative to a second structure comprising:

a frame attachable to a first structure;
a bolt moveably carried on the frame;
the bolt being sized and dimensioned to extend from a first structure to overlie at least a portion of a second structure;
a trigger assembly operatively associated with the bolt and engageable with at least a portion of the frame to retain the bolt in a closed position and disengagable from the frame to allow movement of the bolt;
an adjustment assembly operatively associated with the latch;
an adjuster body of the adjustment assembly operatively associated with the bolt, the adjuster body having a first end and a second end;
a controllable adjuster of the adjustment assembly adjustably retained on the bolt for acting on the first end;
a plunger assembly operatively associated with the bolt;
the plunger assembly having a first end communicating with the adjuster body and a second end for abutting an interior surface of a second structure;
wherein the adjuster may be controllably adjusted to act on the first end of the adjuster body to adjust the plunger assembly carried relative to an interior surface of the second structure;
and
wherein the adjuster is threaded, the bolt defining a threaded bore therein positioned proximate to the first end of the adjuster body for receiving the adjuster therein, adjustment of the adjuster being accomplished by threadedly moving the adjuster in the threaded bore.

9 more elements

A latch assembly for use in latching a first structure to a second structure with the latch being attached to the first structure and comprising:

a frame attachable to a first structure;
a bolt moveably carried on the frame;
the bolt being sized and dimensioned to extend from a first structure to overlie at least a portion of a second structure;
a trigger assembly operatively associated with the bolt and engageable with the frame to retain the bolt in a closed position and disengagable from the frame to allow movement of the bolt;
an adjuster body moveably carried on the bolt;
an adjuster body being pivotable lever pivotally retained on the bolt;
an adjuster body having a first end and a second end;
a controllable adjuster adjustably retained on the bolt for acting on the first end of the adjuster body;
a plunger assembly carried on the bolt proximate to a second end of the adjuster body for abutting an interior surface of a second structure;
the plunger assembly being retained on the pivotable lever;
wherein the controllable adjuster is controllably adjustable to act on the first end of the adjuster body to adjust the plunger assembly relative to an interior surface of the second structure for adjusting a clamping force produced by the latch on a second structure when in a latched position;
the pivotable lever including a first end and a second end generally positioned on opposite sides of a pivot point of the lever, the adjuster abutting the first and the plunger assembly carried on a second end, whereby adjustment of the adjuster abutting the first end operates to pivot the lever about the pivot point to move the plunger assembly retained thereon relative to an interior surface of a second structure;
and;
the plunger assembly includes a plunger arm having a slot therein, the second end of the pivotable lever positioned in the slot, a lever pin extending through the plunger and through the slot in the second end of the pivotable lever for retaining the plunger on the second end of the pivotable lever.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/404,172Filed 1 Apr 2003 · us provisional application
Priority: 1 Apr 2002
Published: US 2004/0012208 A122 Jan 2004
Granted: 20 Sep 2005
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

E05B 65/006
Locks or fastenings for special use: for covers or panels
B64D 29/06
Power-plant nacelles, fairings or cowlings: attaching of nacelles, fairings or cowlings
E05B 63/0056
Locks or fastenings with special structural characteristics: locks with adjustable or exchangeable lock parts
E05B 2015/0441
Attachments or mountings; Mounting of springs: tensioning after mounting