Aircraft door lock actuating mechanism

Abstract

An aircraft door latching bolt actuating mechanism in which inside and outside handles are provided to selectively actuate a crank having connections with one or more door latching bolts. The outside handle is supported for movement between a normal, generally flush non-operative position and a non-flush operative position permitting movement of the crank to a bolt releasing position. In one form, the handle is pivoted between its ends for swinging movement between its flush and non-flush positions, and in another form is spring biased for pop-up movement from the flush to non-flush position. The outside handle is normally retained in its flush position by a latch or lock engaged with a releasable keeper which can be manually released from the door exterior to enable use of the outside handle. When utilizing the inside handle, a connected first cam operates to release the keeper to enable movement of the pop-up handle embodiment to its non-flush position. In the case of the pivotally swingable handle, a connected second cam is utilized to move the released outside handle to its non-flush position. Movement of the outside handle to the non-flush position thus serves as a visual exterior indication that the door has been unlocked.