Abstract: An assembly for installing and using a grommet in a panel of composite material for attachment to a substructure, having interposed therebetween a layer of a compressible gasket material, includes a flared grommet with a spacer disposed between the flare and the panel to protect the panel corners in the grommet flaring operation, to distribute the concentrated load imposed on the panel when the grommet end is flared, and to shim the flared end against the substructure to eliminate the imposition of an unsupported load on the panel as a fastener connecting the grommet and substructure is drawn up to secure the panel and substructure together.

Abstract: An adjustable, multipivot aircraft panel latch featuring a means for adjusting the latch tension after the panel is installed without the necessity of opening the latch. This is accomplished by an adjustment screw mounted on a yoke member in operative engagement with the latch arm. By the particular arrangement of components, the latch arm may be adjusted relative to a keeper on the aircraft structure by rotating the screw with a conventional drive tool inserted through a small opening in the top of the latch housing.

Abstract: A stud-like panel fastener with a wire-spring holdout for retaining the fastener in a retracted position on a panel. The fastener is formed with a bore extending from its leading end and a longitudinal slot at the lower portion of the fastener body in communication with the bore. A generally U-shaped wire spring member is carried within the bore with a lower protruding bearing surface on one leg of the member extending through the slot and beyond the periphery of the fastener body. When the fastener is retracted, the bearing surface of the spring member, in contact with the sidewall of the panel opening, holds the fastener against downward movement. Owing to the advantageous construction, the holdout is self-cleaning, as the sidewalls of the slot tend to wipe the bearing surface in use, and debris cannot build up behind the holdout and render it inoperative due to the large void behind the bearing surface. Also, the holdout can be quickly installed or replaced without special tools.

Abstract: A stud-like captive panel fastener which a rigid, continuous, retaining ring may be installed on or removed from without deformation of the ring and which will not accidentally become dislodged from the fastener under normal usage. The fastener is formed with an enlarged head, keyways extending intermediate the ends of the fastener, installation slots extending from the leading end of the fastener and parallel to the keyways, and cross-channels connecting the installation slots and the keyways. After the fastener is inserted through an opening in a panel, the fastener is captivated to the panel by a rigid, continuous retaining ring which is placed on the fastener by first entering the tabs of the ring in the installation slots and then rotating the ring in a bayonet manner within the cross-channels until the tabs enter the keyways.

Abstract: An adjustable, flush mounted, over-center hook latch of the type employed to secure aircraft panels. The effective length of the latch arm is adjustable to correct misalignment of the components joined by the latch by moving the pivot axis of the latch arm relative to the fulcrum axis of the latch handle. This is accomplished by a pair of cooperating yoke members, one of which is mounted about the pivot axis and the other about the fulcrum axis and are slidable relative to each other by a driver. By the particular arrangement of the parts, the latch can be adjusted when installed and in its closed position by the driver being engaged with a conventional drive tool extending through a small opening in the latch handle.

Abstract: A captive panel fastener assembly comprising a stud having three splines substantially along its length, a retaining ring with inwardly extending tabs slidably riding within said splines and a plug press-fitted to a bore at the forward end of the stud. After insertion of the stud through a hole in a panel, to which the stud is to be captivated, the tabs of the retaining ring are engaged with the splines and the plug is then inserted into the bore to retain the ring on the stud. The stud is thereby captivated to the panel. The manner of installing the ring permits a more rigid and closely fitting retaining ring to be used as a captivating means and thus the ring is more resistant to accidental displacement than more flexible retaining rings.