Latch with a built-in adjustment mechanism
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsPhillip E. Pacini, Russell J. Branham, Kam Wang Cheng
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for adjusting a latch. An apparatus comprises a latch body, a first member, and a second member associated with the latch body. A receiving area extends through at least a portion of the latch body. The first member is configured to be at least partially received within the receiving area of the latch body. The first member has a first coupling element. The second member has a second coupling element. Movement of the first member along an axis through the receiving area changes a distance between the first coupling element and the second coupling element.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a latch body, wherein a receiving area extends through at least a portion of the latch body;
- a first member configured to be at least partially received within the receiving area of the latch body, wherein the first member has a first coupling element;
- a second member associated with the latch body, wherein the second member has a second coupling element and wherein movement of the first member along an axis through the receiving area changes a distance between the first coupling element and the second coupling element;
- a third member associated with the latch body, wherein the third member has a third coupling element;
- an adjustment member wherein relative rotation between the adjustment member and the first member causes the first member to move along the axis;
- and
- a pivotable element, wherein the pivotable element is movable independent of the adjustment member and wherein rotation of the pivotable element into a locked position locks the adjustment member in place to prevent the relative rotation between the adjustment member and the first member and wherein rotation of the pivotable element into an unlocked position unlocks the adjustment member to allow the relative rotation between the adjustment member and the first member.
A method for using a latch, the method comprising:
- inserting a first member having a first coupling element at least partially through a receiving area that extends through at least a portion of a latch body of the latch, wherein the latch comprises a second member associated with the latch body having a second coupling element and a third member associated with the latch body having a third coupling element;
- moving the first member along an axis through the receiving area such that a distance between the first coupling element and the second coupling element associated with the latch body changes;
- rotating the first member relative to an adjustment member that forms a portion of the receiving area to move the first member along the axis through the receiving area such that the distance between the first coupling element and the second coupling element of the second member associated with the latch body changes;
- and
- pivoting a pivotable element, wherein the pivotable element is movable independent of the adjustment member and wherein rotation of the pivotable element into a locked position locks the adjustment member in place to prevent the relative rotation between the adjustment member and the first member and wherein rotation of the pivotable element into an unlocked position unlocks the adjustment member to allow the relative rotation between the adjustment member and the first member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.