Latching mechanism

Abstract

An aircraft latch utilizes a spindle in combination with an over-center linkage assembly to impart linear motion to a hook member, causing the hook member to either disengage or engage a keeper member on the adjacent structure. The over-center linkage and the spindle are operated by different and independent operations of a handle member. Specifically, the over-center linkage is moved from a stored position, in which the two link members are in end-to-end axial alignment, to a position in which the two link members are no longer in end-to-end axial alignment. This movement is caused by pivoting the handle member from a position in which the longitudinal axis of the handle member is parallel to the axis of the aligned link members, to a second position in which the handle member is pivoted at least ninety degrees. This pivoting motion, which may be accompanied by other actions, such as releasing a trigger, causes the two link members to pivot with respect to each other, or 'break'. Once the two link member have broken from the over-center position, the handle is then rotated, causing the spindle to rotate, and thereby imparting a generally linear motion to the hook member, causing the hook to disconnect from the keeper member. The hook member is caused to engage the keeper member by reversing these steps.