Abstract: A latch and keeper combination for use with an aircraft panel or the like for joining one member to another member under tension and shear loading. A keeper for attaching to one member and having a bracket with an eye bolt and a bushing included therein, and a latch for attaching to another member and having a housing with cover and a hook, a lever and a shear pin included therein. The hook and lever are rotatably mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis, with the hook having an arcuate finger for engaging the keeper eye bolt, with the shear pin sliding into and out of the keeper bushing and with the lever driving the pin. The hook rotates the lever to a closed position to engage the shear pin with the bushing and to an open position to disengage the shear pin from the bushing. A plunger carried in the housing for translation along the axis, and a spring in the housing for urging the plunger outward along the axis, with plunger and hook providing for locking the hook in the closed position.

Abstract: A strap assembly has one or more cleat members slidably installed on the strap portion thereof. These cleat members have projections thereon which engage the tread of the tire of a vehicle to be retained in position for transportation on a rail car or other transport. The opposite ends of the strap assembly are secured to the body of the transport. A ratchet buckle or other such device is installed in series with the strap and is used to tighten down the strap against the vehicle tire.

Abstract: An adjustable latching mechanism is provided having a fixture (12, 13) which contains a rotatable element (14) and restrains that element from movement linearly along its axis. Also provided is a member (15) which is positioned intermediate the rotatable element (14) and the connecting element (10), e.g. a latch keeper, and intermediate the fixture (13) and the connecting element (10). The intermediate member (15) translates rotational movement of the rotatable element (14) into linear movement of the connecting element (10), allowing infinitely small, non-incremental adjustment of the position of the connecting element (10) relative to the structures joined by the mechanism. The connecting element (10) is restrained against rotational movement. A sleeve-like member (47) is fitted around a portion of the fixture (12) and prevents inadvertent dislodging of a pin (30) inserted through the connecting element (10) and contained within slots (28, 29) in the fixture (12).

Abstract: A latch assembly for aligning the holes in a panel and a frame such as those used in aircraft doors. The assembly includes a hook for engagement with a striker to retain the panel and a sliding hook mechanism to align the holes. The sliding hook mechanism is operated by a camming means to urge the hook toward or away from the striker to bring the holes into alignment thereby preventing damage to the fastener and freeing both hands of a workman to secure or release the fasteners.