| CPC B64D 29/06 (2013.01) [E05C 5/00 (2013.01); F02K 1/80 (2013.01)] | 13 Claims |
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1. A hook body for a safety latch mechanism, comprising:
a plurality of longitudinal members, each of the plurality of longitudinal members extending in a longitudinal direction with respect to the hook body; and
a load slot at a proximal end of the hook body, the load slot having a loading portion and a receiving portion, wherein the receiving portion comprises a first set of four walls extending substantially perpendicular from an outer surface of the hook body to the loading portion with one wall of the first set of four walls comprising a receiving cutout for a longitudinal rod of a T-bolt and wherein the loading portion comprises two second sets of four walls substantially parallel to the hook body and substantially perpendicular to the receiving portion and extending from a first end of the loading portion to a second end of the loading portion with each of the second sets of four walls configured to receive a respective end of a transverse rod of the T-bolt,
wherein, during engagement:
the receiving portion positioned at the first end of the loading portion is configured to receive, in a first direction, the transverse rod of the T-bolt; and
the loading portion is configured to allow the transverse rod to translate, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, along a length of the loading portion until the transverse rod engages with a loading end at the second end of the loading portion opposite the first end in order to apply a load to the transverse rod upon translation of the hook body away from the transverse rod,
wherein, during disengagement:
the loading portion is configured to allow the transverse rod to translate, in a third direction opposite the second direction, along the length of the loading portion until the transverse rod reaches the receiving portion; and
the receiving portion is configured to allow the transverse rod to release, in a fourth direction that is perpendicular to the third direction and opposite the first direction, from the load slot,
wherein the plurality of longitudinal members includes a first longitudinal member and a second longitudinal member, the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member connected to an aft flange and defining a longitudinal cutout extending longitudinally between the load slot and the aft flange,
wherein the longitudinal cutout is configured to receive a pin and enable the hook body to slide in the longitudinal direction with respect to the pin, the pin coupled to an axle of the safety latch mechanism that is further coupled to a latch handle,
wherein upon rotating the latch handle of the safety latch mechanism toward the hook body, responsive to the pin pushing on a distal end of the longitudinal cutout away from the T-bolt, the hook body and the load slot are urged in an opposite longitudinal direction with respect to the pin, thereby causing the load slot to apply the load to the transverse rod of the T-bolt, and
wherein the translation of the transverse rod in the third direction and the fourth direction along the length of the loading portion prevents unintended decoupling or disengagement of the hook body from the T-bolt in an event the latch handle becomes detached from the hook body thereby forming the safety latch mechanism.
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