Side-driven action pin latch
AssigneeAlcoa Inc.
InventorThai Do
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pin latch including a mounting block having a longitudinal axis, a pin slidably retained within the mounting block and having a pivot-pin, and a sliding plate slidably retained within the mounting block, the plate having a slot and a longitudinal axis extending from first and second ends thereof and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mounting block. The pivot-pin engages the slot of the plate such that movement of the sliding plate along its longitudinal axis induces movement of the pin in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the mounting block. A plurality of pin latches are connected in series by links in a side-by-side fashion or around corners. One link emanating from an actuator is connected to one of the plates that the actuator can actuate the pins of all the pin latches simultaneously.
Claims14
A pin latch, comprising:
- a mounting block including a base with a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, and a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the mounting block further including a longitudinal axis extending from the front end of the base to the rear end of the base, and a pedestal projecting outwardly from the top surface of the base, the pedestal including a jaw located proximate to the rear end of the base, the jaw including a cantilevered-plate and a planar step elevated above the top surface of the base, the cantilevered-plate and the step forming a mouth;
- a pin slidably retained within the mounting block, the pin including a first end positioned proximate to the front end of the base of the mounting block, a second end opposite the first end of the pin and positioned proximate to the rear end of the base of the mounting block, and a first pivot-pin located proximate to the second end of the pin, wherein the pin extends in substantially the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the mounting block;
- and
- a sliding plate slidably retained within the mounting block, the sliding plate including a first end, a second end opposite the first end of the sliding plate, and a slot, the sliding plate having a longitudinal axis extending from the first end of the sliding plate to the second end of the sliding plate, wherein the longitudinal axis of the sliding plate extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mounting block,
- wherein the mouth receives slidably the sliding plate, and
- wherein the first pivot-pin of the pin engages the slot of the sliding plate, wherein movement of the sliding plate along its longitudinal axis induces movement of the pin in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the mounting block, and wherein the pin is movable between a retracted position, in which the first end of the pin is retracted within the mounting block, and an extended position, in which the first end of the pin extends outwardly from the mounting block.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.