Back to results
US 9,797,425 B2Granted
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.
Claims19
An apparatus comprising:
- a latch body, wherein a receiving area extends through at least a portion of the latch body and comprising a slot forming a control area having a closed end and an open end;
- 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 and a stop feature protruding radially from the first member and configured to ride in the slot forming the control area within the latch body when the first member is at least partially received within the receiving area of the latch body;
- an end element associated with the latch body and comprising an opening including a notch, wherein the stop feature is configured to pass through the notch in the end element and the open end of the slot forming the control area when the end element is positioned with respect to the latch body such that the notch in the end element is aligned with the slot forming the control area and such that the open end of the slot forming the control area is closed to prevent movement of the stop feature through the open end of the slot forming the control area when the end element is positioned with respect to the latch body such the notch in the end element is not aligned with the open end of the slot forming the control area;
- 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 first attachment structure configured to engage the first coupling element of the first member;
- and
- a second attachment structure configured to engage the second coupling element of the second member.
4 more elements
A method for adjusting a latch, the method comprising:
- engaging a first coupling element of a first member to a first attachment structure wherein the first member comprises a stop feature protruding radially from the first member;
- engaging a second coupling element of a second member associated with a latch body of the latch to a second attachment structure, wherein the latch body comprises a slot forming a control area having a closed end and an open end;
- positioning an end element associated with the latch body and comprising an opening including a notch in a first position with respect to the latch body wherein the notch in the end element is aligned with the open end of the slot forming the control area;
- inserting the first member having the first coupling element at least partially through a receiving area that extends through at least a portion of the latch body by passing the stop feature protruding from the first member through the notch in the end element and into the slot forming the control area when the end element is positioned in the first position with respect to the latch body;
- positioning the end element in a second position with respect to the latch body wherein the notch in the end element is not aligned with the open end of the slot forming the control area such that the end element prevents movement of the stop feature through the open end of the slot forming the control area;
- and
- 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 changes.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.