Cross-Reference to Related Application

This application relates to commonly owned, co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/337,615 entitled "SIDE-DRIVEN 5 ACTION PI LATCH SYSTEM." filed February 9, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field of the _. Invention

The present invention relates to a pin latch, and, more particularly, to

I D a side-driven action pin latch.

Background Art

Access doors to spaces, such as airline passenger cabins, employ multiple pin latches. Multiple pin latches must secure these doors in their is locked positions, especially under stressful environmental conditions.

Secause of the requirement to rapidly unlock the door, pins employed by the multiple pin latches must be simultaneously retracted from the door frame by a rotation of an external handle that is connected to a pin latch actuator centrally positioned within the door.

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Disclosure of the invention

In an embodiment, a pin latch Includes a mounting block having a base with a lop surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, and a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the mounting block having a longitudinal axis extending from the front end to the rear end of the base, In an embodiment, the pin latch includes a pin slidably retained within the mounting block, the pin including a first end positioned proximate to the front end of the base of the mounting block, a second end opposite the first end of the pin and positioned proximate to the rear end of the base of the mounting block, and a pivot-pin located proximate to the second end of the pin, wherein the pin extends in substantially the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the mounting block, in an embodiment, the pin latch includes a sliding plate slidably retained within the mounting block, the sliding plate including a first end, a second end opposite the first end of the sliding plate, and a slot, the sliding plate having a longitudinal axis extending from the first end of the sliding plate to the second end of the sliding plate, wherein the longitudinal axis of the sliding plate extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mounting block.

In an embodiment, the pivot-pin of the pin engages the slot of the plate, wherein movement of the sliding plate along its longitudinal axis induces movement of the pin in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the mounting block. In an embodiment, the pin is movable between a retracted position, In which the first end of the pin is retracted within the mounting block, and an extended position, in which the first end of the pin extends outwardly from the mounting block,

in an embodiment, a plurality of the pin latches are connected in series with each other by links (e.g., rods) in a side-by side fashion and/or In a daisy-chain fashion around corners. Because of the side-driven action of the pin latches, in an embodiment, the links interconnect adjacent plates of pin latches. In an embodiment, one link emanating from the pin latch actuator is connected to one of the plates so that the actuator may simultaneously actuate (i.e., retract or protract) the pins of all the pin latches simultaneously. In an embodiment, more than four pin latches may be actuated by the actuator simultaneously, in an embodiment, the actuator need not be located centrally among the pin latches.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments considered In conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top, front perspective view of a side-driven action pin latch constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with a mounting block employed by the pin latch being transparently depicted for clarity;

FiG. 2 is a top front perspective view of the pin latch shown in FIG. 1, which shows a plate employed by the pin latch extending from a first side of the mounting block, and a pin employed by the pin latch retracted within the mounting block;

FIG> 3 is a top front perspective view of the pin latch shown in FIG, 1 , which shows the plate extending from a second side of the mounting block and the pin protracted out of the mounting block;

FIG. 4 is a top front perspective view of another embodiment of a side-driven action pin latch of the present invention;

FIG. S is a top perspective view of a pin latch system including a pin latch actuator connected by links to chains of the pin latches shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the pin latches being shown with their associated pins in protracted positions; and

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the pin latch system shown in FIG. 5 ₅ the pin latches being shown with their associated pins in retracted positions.

Best Μού& for Carrying Out the invention

FIGS, 1 through 3 illustrate a side-driven action pin latch 10 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in an embodiment, the pin latch 10 includes a mounting block 12, a pin 14 siidahly retained within the mounting block 12, and a sliding plate 16 slidabiy retained within the mounting block 12. In an embodiment the mounting block 12 includes a base 18 having top and bottom surfaces 20, 22. In an embodiment, a pedestal 24 projects outwardly from the top surface 20 of the base 18, and a plurality of feet 26 project outwardly from the bottom surface 22 of the base 18. In an embodiment, a hole 28 is positioned within each of the feet 26 for the purpose of confining a mounting-bolt or other suitable fastener (not shown in the Figures) for fastening the mounting block 12, for instance, to a door, an access panel, or any other suitable external surface or structure (not shown in the Figures). In an embodiment, the base 18 further includes front and rear ends 30, 32, respectively, and first and second sides 34, 36, respectively, in an embodiment, the mounting block 12 may be fabricated from aluminum. In other embodiments, the mounting block 12 may be fabricated from other suitable materials known in the art.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, in an embodiment, the pedestal 24 of the mounting block 1 includes a jaw 38 located proximate to the rear end 32 of the base 18 and a hub 40 located proximate to the front end 30 of the base 18. In an embodiment, the jaw 38 includes a planar cantilevered-plate 42 and a planar step 44 that is elevated above the top surface 20 of the base 18. In an embodiment, the plane of the cantilevered-plate 42 is parallel with the plane of the step 44, thereby forming a U-shaped mouth 46. in an embodiment, a portion of the mouth 48 adjacent to the rear end 32 of the base 18 is open, as are the sides of the mouth 46 adjacent to the first and second sides 34, 38 of the base 18 _; respectively, in an embodiment, an array of holes 48 is formed within the cantilevered-plate 42, with the axes of the holes 48 being oriented normally to the plane of the cantilevered-plate 42. In an embodiment, an array of holes 50 is formed within the step 44, with the axes of the holes 50 being oriented normally to the plane of the step 44. In an embodiment, each of the axes of the holes 48 of the cantilevered-plate 42 is coincident with a corresponding one of the axes of the holes 50 of the step 44 (i.e., each corresponding set of opposing holes 48, 50 are aligned with each other). In an embodiment, a pivot-pin 52 is fixedly fastened within each of the matching sets of aligned holes 48, 50, in some embodiments, the pivot- pins 52 are fastened within the holes 48, 50 by riveting, press fitting, gluing, welding, or other suitable means known in the art. In an embodiment, s rollers 54 are positioned on the pivot-pins 52 and are sized and shaped to rotate freely about the pivot-pins 52 for purposes that are described hereinbelow. fn an embodiment, the pivot-pins 52 and the rollers 54 are fabricated from stainless steel. In other embodiments, the pivot-pins 52 and the rollers 54 may be fabricated from other suitable materials known in0 the art

Still referring to FIGS, 1 through 3, in an embodiment, the hub 40 includes a bore 58, which has a longitudinal axis A-A and is orientated in the same direction as a longitudinal axis of the mounting block 1.2. Semicircular concaved sections 60, 62 in the cantiievered-plate 42 and thes ste 44, respectively, have longitudinal axes that are coincident with the longitudinal axis A~A of the bore 58, and have sizes and shapes that are the same as corresponding semicircular sections of the bore 58. In an embodiment, a bushing 64 is fixedly fastened in the bore 58 of the hub 40 by press fitting or other suitable means known in the art (e.g., gluing orc welding). n some embodiments, the bushing 64 may be fabricated from brass, bronze, or other suitable materials known in the art. In an embodiment, the pin latch 10 need not include the bushing 64.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, in an embodiment, the mounting block 12 houses the pin 14 and the plate 16. In an embodiment _: the pin 14 includes a first end 66 located proximate to the front end 30 of the base 18, and a second end 68 located proximate to the rear end 32 of the base 18. in an embodiment, the pin 14 is positioned within the bushing 64 of the bore 58 with its axis coincident with the axis A- A of the bore 58. In an embodiment, the pin 14 is sized and shaped to freeiy slide along the axis A-A within the bushing 64. in an embodiment, the bushing 64 diminishes metallic frictional wear that would otherwise occur if the pin 14 were permitted to slide directly within the bore 58 of the mounting block 12, In an embodiment, a groove 70 Is formed axiaiiy within the pin 14 at the second end 68 thereof, in an embodiment, a pair of aligned holes 72 is transversely formed within the pin 14 and located proximate to the second end 68 of the pin 14. in an embodiment, a pivot- pin 74 is received within the holes 72. In an embodiment, the pivoi-pin 74 is fastened within the holes 72 by riveting, press fitting, gluing, welding, or other suitable means known in the art. In an embodiment, a roller 76 is positioned on the pivot-pin 74, and is sized and shaped to fit within the groove 70 and rotate freely about the pivot-pin 74. In an embodiment, the pivot-pin 74, the plate 18, and the roller 76 are made of stainless steel. In other embodiments, the pivot-pin 74, the plate 16, and the roller 78 are made from other appropriate materials. In an embodiment, the aforesaid position, size and shape of the concaved semi-circular sections 60, 62 of the caniiievered-piate 42 and step 44, respectively, avoids metallic contact between the pin 14 and the cantiievered-pSafe 42 and step 44 during motion of the pin 14 in direction of the longitudinal axis A ^» A of the bore 58. With continued reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, in an embodiment, the plate 16 includes first and second ends 78, 80, In an embodiment, holes 82 are formed within the first and second ends 78, SO, respectively, of the plate 16 for facilitating the fastening of links thereto, which shall be described In more detail below (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Sn another embodiment, the holes 82 need not be included, and the first and second ends 78, 80 of the plate may include other attachment means for attachment to the links. In an embodiment, the plate 16 includes a slot 84 having a channel 86. In an embodiment, the channel 86 is obliquely oriented to the longitudinal axis B-B of the plate 16 as well as the longitudinal A-A axis of the bore 58 and, in turn, the longitudinal axis of the pin 14, In an embodiment, the groove 70 of the pin 14 is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the. plate 16. In an embodiment, the thickness of the plate 16 is smaller than: (a) the height of the roller 76 of the pin 14, and (b) the width of the groove 70 of the pin 14, thereby permitting the rolter 76 to be installed within the slot 84 of the plate 16. in an embodiment, a sliding motion of the plate 16 is facilitated by the rollers 54 positioned in the mouth 46 of the jaw 38 such that the plate 1 slides along the longitudinal axis B- B, which is perpendicularly oriented to the longitudinal axis A-A of the bore 58.

In an embodiment, because the roller 76 of the pin 4 is constrained to roll in the slot 84 of the plate 16, the sliding movement of the plate 16 in a direction along the longitudinal axis B-B produces movement of the roller 76 and the pin 14 in the direction of the longitudinal axis A-A of the bore 58. Referring specifically to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, a movement of the first end 78 of the piate 18 towards the first side 34 of the base 18 a distance D1 produces a movement of the pin 14 a distance D2 in the direction away from the front side 30 of the base 18, i.e., the pin 14 is protracted (i.e., extends) outside the bore 58 of the mounting block 12.

FIG, 4 depicts another embodiment of the present invention. Elements illustrated in FIG. 4 which correspond, either identically or substantially, to the elements described above with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by one hundred, respectively. Unless otherwise stated, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is constructed and assembled in the same manner as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, in an embodiment, a side-driven action pin latch 110 includes a mounting block 112 in which a pin 114 and a sliding piate 116 are siidably retained therein. In an embodiment, the plate 116 includes first and second ends 178 _» 180, and holes 182 formed within the first and second ends 178, 180, respectively, of the piate 116 for fastening links thereto, which will he described in more detail below (see FIGS. 5 and β). In an embodiment, the piate 116 includes a slot 184 with a channel 186 which is obliquely oriented to a longitudinal axis of the plate 116. In an embodiment, a movement of the first end 178 of the plate 116 towards the mounting block 112 produces a movement of the pin 114 in the direction towards the mounting block 112 _» i.e., the pin 114 is retracted inside the mounting block 112,

In an embodiment, FIG, S illustrates a pin latch system 210 which incorporates three of the pin latches 10 configured in a chain C1 _s and three of the pin latches 110 configured in a chain C2. All of the pins 14, 114 of the pin latches 10, 110, respectively, are shown in their protracted positions, in an embodiment, the system 210 includes a pin latch actuator 290 with opposing links L1 _s L3 extending therefrom, and a handle 292 attached thereto. In an embodiment, the chain CI includes an array of three of the pin latches 10 located at Position 1 , Position 2, and Position 3, and a hell crank 294 having movable arms A1, A2 located between Position 1 and Position 2. In an embodiment, the elements of the chain CI are serially linked together in the following manner (a) one end of the link L1 is plvoialfy connected to the first end 78 of the plate 16 of the pin latch 10 located at Position 1 ; (b) the second end 80 of the plate 16 of the pin latch 10 located at Position 1 is pivotally connected to one end of the arm A1 of the of the bell crank 294 located between Position 1 and Position 2; (c) one end of the arm A2 is pivotally connected to the first end 78 of the plate 16 of the pin latch 10 located at Position 2; and (d) one end of a link L2 is pivotaly connected to the second end 80 of the plate 16 of the pin latch 10 located at Position 2 and an opposite end of the link L2 is pivotally connected to the first end 78 of the plate 16 of the pin latch 10 located at Position 3,

In an embodiment, with continued reference to FIG. 5, the chain C2 includes an array of three of the pin latches 110 located at Position 4, Position 5, and Position 6, and a be!! crank 296 having movable arms A3, A4 located between Position 4 and Position 5. in an embodiment, the elements of the chain C2 are serially linked together in the following manner; (a) one end of the link 13 is pivotally connected to the second end 180 of the plate 118 of the pin latch 110 located at Position 4; (b) the first end 178 of the piate 116 of the pin iatch 110 located at Position 4 is pivotally connected to one end of the arm A3 of the of the bell crank 296 located between Position 4 and Position 5; (c) one end of the arm A4 is pivotally connected to the second end 180 of the piate 116 of the pin iatch 110 located at Position 5; and (d) one end of a link L4 Is pivotally connected between the first end 178 of the plate 116 of the pin latch 110 located at Position 5 and an opposite end of the link L4 is pivotally connected to the second end 180 of the piate 116 of the pin latch 110 located at Position 6,

Referring to FIGS, 5 and 6, in an embodiment, when a user rotates the handle 292 from the position shown in FIG, 5, in the direction of the arrow H, to the position shown in FIG. 6, the pin iatch actuator 290 retracts the links L1, L3. in an embodiment, the chains C1, C2 then transmit the movement of the links L1, L3 to side-driven action of the plates 16, 116 of the pin latches 10, 110, respectively, in an embodiment, the side-driven action of the plates 16. 116 then retracts all of the pins 14, 114 of the system 21 simultaneously.

In an embodiment, because of the side-driven action of the pin latches 10, 110, the adjacent plates 16, 116 of the pin latches 10 _s 110, respectively, can be arranged and interconnected in a serial or chain array. In this manner, in an embodiment, more than four of the pin latches 10 (and/or the pin latches 1 0) may be activated by the pin latch actuator 290 simultaneously. In addition, in an embodiment, the pin latch actuator 290 need not be located centrally in relationship to the pin latches 10, 110. in one or more other embodiments, four or less than four of the pin latches 10 (and/or the pin latches 110) can be utilized and activated in the system 210.

it should be noted that the present invention can have numerous modifications and variations. For instance, in an embodiment, the system

210 may have numerous other variations, combinations, numbers and/or configurations of the pin latches 10, 110. In an embodiment, the links L1- L4 may include tu nbuckles to facilitate the positioning of the pin latches 10, 110 within the system 210. In addition, the bell cranks 294 _f 296 may be eliminated from the system 210 by the use of Sinks L1-L4 that bend around corners (e.g., by using appropriately sized throttle-cable linkages). In an embodiment, the pin latches 10, 110 may be used for doors and access panels for aircraft, such as fuselages, nacelles, etc. In other embodiments, the pin latches 10, 110 can be used in other suitable environments and for other structures.

It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, all such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.