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EP-4316990-B1 - ADJUSTABLE LATCH HOOK WITH INDEXING BEARING BLOCK

EP4316990B1EP 4316990 B1EP4316990 B1EP 4316990B1EP-4316990-B1

Inventors

  • MCMAHAN, PAUL F.
  • SHIVARUDRAPPA, SHASHIDHAR
  • MAHESHWARAPPA, RAMESH
  • CHALLAMREDDY, Sangareddy
  • RASHID P, Muhammed

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20230803

Claims (11)

  1. A latch hook adjustment assembly (38), comprising: a latch frame (44) having a front wall (56) having a front wall aperture (72), an interior wall (66), and a forward cavity (70) disposed between the front wall (56) and the interior wall (66); a pivotally mounted latch handle (46) that extends lengthwise between a first end and a second end in communication with latch frame (44); a hook member (48) having an at least partially threaded shaft (84); a bearing block (50) having a first side surface (100) and a second side surface (102), the first side surface (100) being opposite the second side surface (102), one or more indexing features (96), and a bearing block bore (98), wherein the one or more indexing features (96) project outwardly from the second side surface (102), and the bearing block bore (98) extends between the first side surface (100) and the second side surface (102), and the one or more indexing features (96) are disposed adjacent the bearing block bore (98); and a nut (52) having a first axial end surface (104) and a second axial end surface (106), a nut bore (110) that extends through the first axial end surface (104) and the second axial end surface (106) and at least a portion of the nut bore (110) is configured for threaded engagement with the hook member shaft (84), and a plurality of index cavities (114) disposed in the first axial end surface (104) adjacent the nut bore (110); and wherein the bearing block (50) and nut (52) are disposed in the forward cavity (70) of the latch frame (44), and the shaft (84) of the hook member (48) extends through the front wall aperture (72), the bearing block (50), and the nut (52), and the shaft (84) is in threaded engagement with the nut (52); and the latch hook adjustment assembly (38) is disposable in an engaged configuration wherein the one or more indexing features (96) are engaged with the plurality of index cavities (114), and a disengaged configuration wherein the one or more indexing features (96) are disengaged with the plurality of index cavities (114); characterised in that each index cavity (114) is open to the nut bore (110).
  2. The latch hook adjustment assembly (38) of claim 1, wherein the bearing block (50) includes a pilot boss (94) extending outwardly from the second side surface (102) contiguous with the bearing block bore (98), and the nut (52) includes a pilot boss bore (112) disposed in the first axial end surface (104) contiguous with the nut bore (110), wherein the pilot boss bore (112) is configured to receive the pilot boss (94).
  3. The latch hook adjustment assembly (38) of claim 2, wherein the plurality of indexing features (96) are contiguous with the pilot boss (94).
  4. The latch hook adjustment assembly (38) of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bearing block (50) includes a sleeve (90) extending outwardly from the first side surface (100) and the bearing block bore (98) extends through the sleeve (90), wherein the sleeve (90) is configured to be receivable within the front wall aperture (72).
  5. A latch mechanism (34), comprising: a latch housing (36); a latch keeper (40); and the latch hook adjustment assembly (38) of claim 1 or 2, the assembly further comprising a spring member (54), wherein the spring member (54) is disposed in the forward cavity (70) of the latch frame (44), and the shaft (84) of the hook member (48) extends through the spring member (54).
  6. The latch mechanism (34) of claim 5, wherein the one or more indexing features (96) are disposed for radial alignment with the plurality of index cavities (114).
  7. The latch mechanism (34) of claim 5 or 6, wherein the plurality of index cavities (114) are configured to mate with the one or more indexing features (96).
  8. The latch mechanism (34) of claim 7, wherein the mating configuration between the index cavities (114) and the one or more indexing features (96) permits the latch hook adjustment assembly (38) to be moved from said engaged configuration to said disengaged configuration by rotation of the nut (52).
  9. The latch mechanism (34) of any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the latch frame (44) includes a top wall (58) and a bottom wall (60), wherein the front wall (56) extends between the top wall (58) and the bottom wall (60), and the interior wall (66) extends between the top wall (58) and the bottom wall (60), and the forward cavity (70) is defined by the front wall (56), top wall (58), the bottom wall (60), and the interior wall (66), and the interior wall (66) includes an interior wall aperture (74) aligned with the front wall aperture (72).
  10. The latch mechanism (34) of any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the nut (52) includes an outer radial surface (108) and a plurality of engagement recesses (116) disposed in the outer radial surface (108).
  11. An aircraft nacelle (24), comprising: a fan cowl (28) having a first fan cowl member (28A) and a second fan cowl member (28B); and a latch keeper (40) attached to the second fan cowl member (28B); at least one latch hook adjustment assembly (38) as recited in any of claims 1 to 4, the latch hook adjustment assembly attached to the first cowl member.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to latch handle assemblies capable of being used in an aircraft and, more particularly, to adjustable latch hooks for latch handle assemblies. 2. Background Information Latch assemblies are commonly used in the nacelle of an aircraft, for example, in fan cowls that enclose the engine fan case. Fan cowls are hinged to the pylon or to a frame structure attached at the top of the nacelle. Aircraft fan cowls are often held together with latch assemblies at various axial positions along the fan case. Fan cases may be encased by a fan cowl having two members, which fan cowl members may be joined together with a latch mechanism (e.g., at the bottom of the fan cowls). For example, a fan cowl may include a latch assembly at the bottom of the fan cowl to allow each fan cowl member to be pivoted between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The open configuration provides access into the nacelle (e.g., to the engine). In closed configuration, the fan cowl members are positioned to close access to the nacelle and provide an aerodynamic exterior surface. Due to build tolerance of the nacelle components, a fan cowl latch assembly is typically adjustable to fit each individual nacelle and to adjust for geometrical changes of the nacelle over time. Nacelle and fan cowl designs are often influenced by the size of the components that must be enclosed within the nacelle and fan cowl. A larger nacelle / fan cowl (e.g., one large enough to house conventional components) may provide disadvantages including aerodynamic drag, additional weight, and the like. Hence, in some instances there is a desire to utilize smaller and/or thinner configurations in the fan cowl region of the nacelle. What is needed is a latch assembly that can be used in a variety of different nacelle configurations, including those that must be used in limited spaces. EP 3 907 139 A1 discloses prior art systems and methods for latch hook length adjustment. EP 4 019 720 A1 discloses a prior art encapsulated bearing block design for an adjustable hook latch. WO 2017/156474 A1 discloses a prior art high offset hook latch. WO 2020/159920 A1 discloses a prior art clevis-sensing adjustable hook latch. US 2022/194612 A1 discloses a prior art adjustable hook latch mechanism. SUMMARY According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latch hook adjustment assembly as set forth in claim 1. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latch mechanism as set forth in claim 5. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aircraft nacelle as set forth in claim 11. Further embodiments are provided as set forth in dependent claims 2 to 4 and 6 to 10. The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. For example, aspects and/or embodiments of the present disclosure may include any one or more of the individual features or elements disclosed above and/or below alone or in any combination thereof as long as they fall within the scope of the appended claims. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, the following description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aircraft in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a nacelle for an aircraft in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 3 is a planar view of a present disclosure latch mechanism.FIG. 4 is a side view of a present disclosure latch mechanism.FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of a present disclosure latch mechanism.FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a portion of a present disclosure latch mechanism.FIG. 7 is a sectional planar view of a portion of a present disclosure latch mechanism.FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a present disclosure hook member having a bearing block disposed on the hook member shaft.FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a present disclosure hook member having a nut disposed on the hook member shaft.FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a present disclosure hook member having a bearing block, nut, and a spring member disposed on the hook member shaft.FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a present disclosure bearing block.FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a present disclosure nut.FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a present disclosure nut. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Aspects of the present disclosure include latch mechanisms that may be used in an aircraft fan cowl, an aircraft fan cowl that utilizes the present disclosure system, and an aircraft that utilizes the present disclosure system. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional fixed wing