The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 06, 1990
Filed:
Mar. 17, 1989
John C Stammreich, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US);
William Bourne, Jr, Redondo Beach, CA (US);
Raymond Harmon, Orange, CA (US);
V.S.I. Corp., Chantilly, VA (US);
Abstract
An externally accessible, clutching adjustable latching mechanism is provided having an adjusting assembly which permits the latching mechanism to be mounted over a greater range of depths than conventional adjusting mechanisms and controls the amount of pre-load which is possible by the adjustment feature, and protects the aircraft skin from being damaged during such adjustment. An internal clutching mechanism insures the accomplishment of proper, minimum preload on the structures connected by the latching mechanism. The adjusting assembly includes a two-part driver (14a, 14b) and a drive unit (15) which translates rotational movement of the driver into linear movement of a connecting element (10), allowing infinitely small, non-incremental adjustment of the position of the connecting element (10) relative to the structures joined by the mechanism. The driver further includes clutching plates (36, 39) and springs (72) which provide a disengaging feature when a pre-selected pre-load has been achieved as a result of adjustment of the connecting element. The disengagement prevents any additional pre-load from being applied to the structures by the rotation of the mechanism.