An internally mounted safety latch mechanism to prevent the flip doors of the walkway platform from being lifted when no guardrail is installed.
The safety latch mechanism addresses the issue of manual guardrail installation by automatically preventing the flip door from being lifted without a guardrail, ensuring consistent safety through engagement with the guardrail post.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- THE BOEING CO
- Filing Date
- 2022-07-01
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing designs for movable deck platforms in aircraft assembly rely on manual installation of guardrails, leading to potential worker safety risks due to frequent omission of guardrails during the pulsing of the production line.
A safety latch mechanism is integrated into the system, comprising a guardrail post with a post dog, a latch eye on the flip door, and a safety latch mechanism coupled to a fixed structure, which prevents the flip door from being lifted unless a guardrail is installed by engaging and disengaging door latches based on the presence of the guardrail post.
Ensures that the flip door remains in a lowered position until a guardrail is properly installed, thereby preventing accidental lifting and enhancing worker safety by ensuring consistent guardrail usage.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure broadly relates to systems and methods including an adjustable access platform and guardrails, and more particularly to preventing the flip door of an adjustable access platform from being lifted when no guardrail is installed.
Background Art
[0002] During the manufacture of an aircraft within an aircraft production facility, the aircraft moves along the production line between different stages of assembly. This periodic (e.g., daily) movement is referred to as "pulsing" of the production line.
[0003] At some stages of assembly, workers may access the upper parts of the aircraft through fixed deck platforms located within a range of two to three feet from each side of the aircraft fuselage. In such scenarios, a movable deck platform (e.g., a flip door) may be coupled to the fixed deck platform and be operable to provide the remaining platform access to the aircraft body for the workers.
[0004] Prior to the pulsing of the production line, the movable deck platform may be manually rotated (e.g., lifted upward away from the fuselage or lowered downward) to provide sufficient clearance for the movement of the aircraft along the production line. To avoid falling from the fixed deck platform at this stage, a removable guardrail may be manually installed near the end of the fixed deck platform.
[0005] When the new aircraft is in the proper position along the production line, the guardrail is manually removed and the movable deck platform may be reinstalled or rotated to a horizontal position. Thereby, the gap between the fixed deck platform and the aircraft fuselage is closed again, allowing access with the worker standing right next to the fuselage.
[0006] Existing designs for movable deck platforms typically rely on the manual installation of guardrails or other forms of fall protection around the deck platform after it has been raised. However, in such designs, workers often forget to install the guardrails, potentially exposing them to the risk of falling. Therefore, a safer alternative design is desired. [Overview of the Initiative]
[0007] In one embodiment, a system is described for preventing a flip door from being lifted in the absence of a guardrail. The system comprises a guardrail having a post with a post dog. The system also comprises a latch eye configured to be coupled to the flip door. The system also comprises a safety latch mechanism configured to be coupled to a fixed structure. The safety latch mechanism comprises a body, a socket configured to receive the post, and a door latch rotatably coupled to the body and biased to a latched position configured to engage with the latch eye and thereby hold the flip door in a lowered position. Based on the post being inserted into the socket of the safety latch mechanism, the post dog engages with the door latch, rotating the door latch from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the flip door to be lifted from the lowered position to the raised position.
[0008] In another embodiment, a different system is described for preventing a flip door from being lifted in the absence of a guardrail. The system comprises a guardrail having two posts. Each post has its own post dog. The system also comprises two latch eyes configured to be coupled to the flip door. The system also comprises two safety latch mechanisms configured to be coupled to a fixed structure on both sides of the flip door. Each safety latch mechanism comprises a body, a socket configured to receive a post, and a door latch rotatably coupled to the body and biased to a latched position configured to engage with a corresponding latch eye of the two latch eyes, thereby holding the flip door in a lowered position. Based on the fact that each post is inserted into the socket of the safety latch mechanism, each post dog engages with the door latch, rotating the door latch from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the flip door to be lifted from the lowered position to the raised position.
[0009] In another embodiment, a method is described. The method involves positioning each of the two posts of a guardrail near its respective socket located within one of two safety latch mechanisms coupled to a fixed structure on both sides of a flip door. Each post has its own post dog, and each safety latch mechanism comprises its own body having its own socket, each door latch rotatably coupled to the body and biased to a latched position configured to hold the flip door in a lowered position by engaging with a corresponding latch eye of two latch eyes coupled to the flip door, thereby holding the flip door in a lowered position, and each post latch rotatably coupled to the body and biased to a locked position, held in an unlocked position based on the flip door being in a lowered position and the corresponding latch eye engaging with the post latch. The method also includes inserting each post of each of the two posts into its respective socket. As a result, each post dog engages with its respective door latch, rotating each door latch from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the flip door to be lifted from the lowered position to the raised position. The method also includes lifting the flip door from the lowered position to the raised position, thereby disengaging the corresponding latch eye from its respective post latch. This causes each post latch to rotate from the unlocked position toward its respective post to the locked position, thereby engaging with its respective post and holding its respective post within the safety latch mechanism.
[0010] The features, functions, and advantages described above can be realized individually in various examples or combined in yet another example. Further details of the embodiments can be understood by referring to the following description and drawings.
[0011] Novel characteristics that may be featured in the exemplary embodiments are specified in the appended claims. However, the exemplary embodiments, as well as preferred modes of use, further purposes, and their descriptions will be best understood by referring to the accompanying drawings and reading the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0012] [Figure 1] A system according to an exemplary embodiment is depicted. [Figure 2] Figure 1 illustrates a safety latch mechanism according to one exemplary embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the safety latch mechanism and a portion of the guardrail shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] A flip door in one exemplary embodiment is depicted. [Figure 5] An operational scenario including the system shown in Figure 1, according to one exemplary embodiment, is depicted. [Figure 6] An operational scenario including the system shown in Figure 1, according to one exemplary embodiment, is depicted. [Figure 7] An operational scenario including the system shown in Figure 1, according to one exemplary embodiment, is depicted. [Figure 8] An operational scenario including the system shown in Figure 1, according to one exemplary embodiment, is depicted. [Figure 9] An operational scenario including the system shown in Figure 1, according to one exemplary embodiment, is depicted. [Figure 10] An operational scenario including the system shown in Figure 1, according to one exemplary embodiment, is depicted. [Figure 11] An operational scenario including the system shown in Figure 1, according to one exemplary embodiment, is depicted. [Figure 12] An operational scenario including the system shown in Figure 1, according to one exemplary embodiment, is depicted. [Figure 13] An operational scenario including the system shown in Figure 1, according to one exemplary embodiment, is depicted. [Figure 14] A flowchart of an exemplary method according to one exemplary embodiment is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0013] This specification will now provide a more comprehensive description of the embodiments disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, although the accompanying drawings show only a portion, not all, of the embodiments disclosed. In practice, several different examples may be described, but these examples should not be construed as limiting the examples specified herein. Rather, these examples are provided to ensure that this disclosure is comprehensive and all-encompassing, and that the scope of this disclosure is fully conveyed to those skilled in the art.
[0014] As used herein, the terms “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” and “proximate” mean that the described characteristics, parameters, or values do not need to be exactly realized, but deviations or variations may occur, including tolerances, measurement errors, measurement accuracy limits, and other factors known to those skilled in the art, that do not negate the effects that the characteristics are supposed to produce.
[0015] Unless otherwise specified, the elements depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0016] Within the scope of the embodiments, a safety latch mechanism is described herein for preventing a movable deck platform (e.g., a flip door) from being lifted when no guardrail (or guardrails) is installed. To facilitate this, a latch eye is coupled to the flip door, and the safety latch mechanism includes a body, a socket for receiving a guardrail post, and a door latch that is rotatably coupled to the body, biased to a latching position configured to engage the latch eye and thereby hold the flip door in a lowered position (e.g., spring-biased). Then, when the guardrail post is inserted into the socket, a post dog of the post engages the door latch and rotates the door latch to an unlatch position, thus disengaging the door latch from the latch eye and allowing the flip door to be lifted. Within the scope of the embodiments, the safety latch mechanism can be installed from the inside in a fixed structure (e.g., coupled to the interior of the fixed structure to which the flip door is coupled, whereby the safety latch mechanism occupies a portion of the space below the fixed structure).
[0017] The safety latch mechanism also includes a post latch biased to a locked position. In such an arrangement, based on the flip door being in a lowered position, the latch eye is configured to engage the post latch and hold the post latch in an unlocked position. Thus, when the post is inserted into the socket of the safety latch mechanism and the flip door is lifted to a raised position, the latch eye is disengaged from the post latch, thereby rotating the post latch from the unlocked position towards the post to a locked position. Then, the post latch engages the post and holds the post within the safety latch mechanism.
[0018] In the arrangement described above, safety is enhanced because the flip door cannot be lifted until the protective guardrail is installed.
[0019] These and other improvements are described in more detail below. The embodiments described below are for illustrative purposes. The embodiments described below, as well as other embodiments, may similarly provide other improvements.
[0020] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The various elements of system 100 can be formed from one or more materials such as aluminum, steel, plastic, and / or other materials. Further, it should be understood that such elements can additionally or alternatively be formed from machined parts.
[0021] System 100 includes a guardrail 102 that includes a post 104 having a post dog 106. In some embodiments, guardrail 102 can similarly include other parts not explicitly shown in FIG. 1, such as at least one rail (e.g., a top rail and a base rail, or a top rail and one or more extending rails perpendicular to the top rail) and at least one additional post. In such a scenario, post 104 and at least one additional post can be coupled to the top rail and the base rail.
[0022] System 100 also includes a latch eye 107 configured to be coupled to a flip door 118. Latch eye 107 can be coupled to flip door 118 by one or more fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.), welding, or other means.
[0023] System 100 also includes a safety latch mechanism 108 configured to be coupled to a fixed structure 110. For example, safety latch mechanism 108 can be coupled to fixed structure 110 by one or more fasteners. Fixed structure 110 can be a deck structure having one or more deck platforms on which workers can walk and stand.
[0024] The safety latch mechanism 108 includes a body 112, a socket 114 located within the body 112 and configured to receive a post 104, and a door latch 116. The door latch 116 is rotatably coupled to the body 112 and engages with a latch eye 107, thereby being biased to a latched position configured to hold the flip door 118 in a lowered position.
[0025] As described herein, elements "rotatably coupled" to one another may be coupled by pins, rotary bearings, or at least one rotary bushing and stripper bolt. Other types of flexible and / or adjustable couplings are also considered for connecting related elements in a rotatable / swivelable manner. For example, it should be understood that other types of rotatable couplings are considered herein. Non-limitingly, the elements of system 100 may be rotatably coupled to one another by linear or articulated shafts, clevis pins, sliding bearings (e.g., sleeve bearings / bushings), rolling bearings, or roller bearings, among other options.
[0026] The flip door 118 can be rotatably coupled to the fixed structure 110. Thereafter, the flip door 118 can rotate between a lowered position and a raised position. A guardrail 102 is inserted into the safety latch mechanism 108 to release the door latch 116 and thus allow the flip door 118 to be lifted from the lowered position to the raised position. In particular, based on the fact that the post 104 is inserted into the socket 114 of the safety latch mechanism 108, the post dog 106 engages with the door latch 116, rotating the door latch 116 from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the flip door 118 to be lifted from the lowered position to the raised position.
[0027] In some embodiments, the safety latch mechanism 108 also includes a post latch 120, which is rotatably coupled to the body 112 and biased to a locked position. In such scenarios, the latch eye 107 is configured to engage with the post latch 120 and hold the post latch 120 in an unlocked position, based on the flip door 118 being in a lowered position.
[0028] The post latch 120 may also be involved in facilitating engagement between the guardrail 102 and the safety latch mechanism 108. In particular, based on the fact that the post 104 is inserted into the socket 114 of the safety latch mechanism 108 and the flip door 118 is raised to the raised position, the latch eye 107 is configured to disengage from the post latch 120, thereby rotating the post latch 120 from the unlocked position to the locked position toward the post 104. The post latch 120 then engages with the post 104, holding the post 104 within the safety latch mechanism 108. For example, the upper portion of the post latch 120 may rest on the top of the post dog 106 when rotated forward. This prevents upward movement of the post dog 106 (and therefore the post 104) away from the socket 114.
[0029] Furthermore, the post latch 120 may be involved in disengaging the guardrail 102 from the safety latch mechanism 108. In particular, based on the flip door 118 being lowered from the raised position, the latch eye 107 is configured to engage (e.g., push) with the post latch 120, rotating the post latch 120 from the locked position to the unlocked position, disengaging it from the post dog 104, thereby allowing the post 104 to be removed from the socket 114. Furthermore, based on the post 104 being removed from the socket 114, the door latch 116 rotates from the unlocked position to the latched position, thereby engaging (e.g., hooking) with the latch eye 107, holding the flip door 118 in the lowered position.
[0030] In some embodiments, the post latch 120 is rotatably coupled to the door latch 116. This allows the post latch 120 to rotate independently of the door latch 116. For example, both the post latch 120 and the door latch 116 may be coupled to the body 112 of the safety latch mechanism 108 via an axle. This allows both the post latch 120 and the door latch 116 to rotate independently around the axle.
[0031] In some embodiments, the body 112 of the safety latch mechanism 108 has an upper part 122, a first side 124, and a second side 126. In such scenarios, the door latch 116 is rotatably coupled to at least one side of the body 112 (e.g., the first side 124) and can be biased to the latched position via at least one door latch spring 128 (e.g., a pair of springs). The at least one door latch spring 128 is coupled between the door latch 116 and at least one side of the body 112 (e.g., between the first side 124 and the door latch 116). Furthermore, the post latch 120 is rotatably coupled to at least one side of the body 112 and can be biased to the locked position via at least one post latch spring 130 (e.g., a pair of springs). The at least one post latch spring 130 is coupled between the post latch 120 and the upper part 122 of the body 112. In an alternative embodiment, the door latch 116 and / or post latch 120 may be biased by several other mechanisms other than a spring.
[0032] In some embodiments, the door latch 116 includes a hook portion 132 and a bar portion 134. For example, the hook portion 132 may constitute one end of the door latch 116, and the bar portion 134 may constitute the other end on the opposite side of the door latch 116. In such a scenario, based on the door latch 116 being in the latched position, the hook portion 132 hooks onto the latch eye 107, holding the flip door 118 in the lowered position. Furthermore, based on the post 104 being inserted into the socket 114 of the safety latch mechanism 108 and the flip door 118 being raised to the raised position, the post dog 106 pushes the bar portion 134 downward, thereby rotating the door latch 116. This then causes the hook portion 132 to dishook from the latch eye 107, allowing the flip door 118 to be raised from the lowered position to the raised position.
[0033] In some embodiments, the system 100 also includes a second latch eye 136 configured to connect to a second flip door 138 adjacent to the flip door 118. The second flip door 138 is configured similarly to the flip door 118 and can therefore be rotatably connected to the fixed structure 110. Thereafter, the second flip door 138 can rotate between a lowered position and an raised position. In such a scenario, based on the door latch 116 being in the latched position, the door latch 116 also engages with (e.g., hooks) the second latch eye 136, thereby holding the second flip door 138 in the lowered position. To facilitate this, for example, the hook portion 132 of the door latch 116 may include two hooks: one close to the first side 124 of the body 112 and the other close to the second side 126 of the body 112. Furthermore, based on the fact that the post 104 is inserted into the socket 114 of the safety latch mechanism 108, the post dog 106 engages with the door latch 116, rotating the door latch 116 from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the second flip door 138 to be raised from the lowered position.
[0034] In some embodiments, instead of having a safety latch mechanism 108 that engages with the latch eyes of two separate flip doors and holds the two separate flip doors in a lowered position, the door latch 116 of the safety latch mechanism 108 may be configured to engage with multiple latch eyes of a single flip door (e.g., flip door 118). For example, a second latch eye 136 may be configured to be coupled to the flip door 118.
[0035] In some embodiments, the fixed structure 110 includes a walk surface 140 and a support bracket 142. The support bracket 142 has an inner surface 144 facing the space below the walk surface 140, and an outer surface 146 on the opposite side of the inner surface 144, facing away from the space below the walk surface 140. The support bracket 142 also includes an opening 148 configured to receive a latch eye 107 based on the flip door 118 being in a lowered position. In such a scenario, a safety latch mechanism 108 is coupled to the inner surface 144 of the support bracket 142. That is, the safety latch mechanism 108 faces inward toward the space below the walk surface 140 and is located within that space. Furthermore, in such a scenario, the system 100 may also include a flip door 118 and a fixed structure 110.
[0036] In some embodiments, the walking surface 140 includes a hole 150 configured to substantially align with a socket 114 and to receive a post 104. Furthermore, in embodiments in which the guardrail 102 includes a second post (not shown in Figure 1), the walking surface 140 may have a pair of holes including the hole 150 and a second hole 152. The second hole 152 is configured to substantially align with a socket of another safety latch mechanism (not shown) or substantially with a second socket (not shown) of safety latch mechanism 108 and to receive a second post.
[0037] Figure 2 illustrates a safety latch mechanism 108 of system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, the socket 114 extends from the body 112, thereby receiving a post 104 (not shown) adjacent to the body 112. More specifically, the socket 114 is composed of two members, each of which protrudes from the body 112, and each includes a circular or other shaped opening located inside and substantially aligned with the openings of the other. Each opening may be shaped according to a shape selected for the post 104 and post dog 106. Both of these are not clearly shown in Figure 2. Other quantities and other shapes of members are also possible.
[0038] As further illustrated, the door latch 116 and post latch 120 are rotatably coupled to each other by bolt 153 and rotatably coupled to the second side 126 of the body 112. Although not clearly shown in Figure 2, the door latch 116 and post latch 120 may be rotatably coupled to each other by bolt 153 or a separate bolt and rotatably coupled to the first side 124 of the body 112. Bolt 153 defines an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the body 112.
[0039] As further illustrated, at least one door latch spring 128 is coupled to the door latch 116 at the second side 126 of the body 112, and at least one post latch spring 130 is coupled to the post latch 120 at the upper part 122 of the body 112. Although not clearly shown in Figure 2, the second spring of at least one door latch spring 128 may be coupled to the door latch 116 at the first side 124 of the body 112. Furthermore, although the post latch 120 is shown in the locked position, in a scenario where the flip door 118 (not shown) is in the lowered position, a latch eye 107 (not shown) may hold the post latch 120 in the unlocked position.
[0040] In various embodiments illustrated herein, the post latch 120 is shown to include a first post latch arm 154 and a second post latch arm 155. The first post latch arm 154 is rotatably coupled to the first side 124, and the second post latch arm 155 is rotatably coupled to the second side 126. Furthermore, the first post latch arm 154 and the second post latch arm 155 are each attached to the upper part 122 of the body 112 by their respective springs, and the first post latch arm 154 and the second post latch arm 155 are each rotatable independently of each other. Furthermore, in this arrangement, each of the two post latch arms is configured to be held in the unlocked position by the corresponding latch eye independently of each other, and similarly configured to be rotatable in the locked position by disengaging from the corresponding latch eye independently of each other. For example, the first post latch arm 154 is held by the latch eye 107, and the second post latch arm 155 is held by the second latch eye 136. Therefore, until the two adjacent flip doors are in the lowered position, and thus both post latch arms are in the unlocked position, post 104 (not shown) will not be able to be removed from socket 114.
[0041] Figure 3 illustrates an operating scenario in which post 104 is inserted into socket 114 of the safety latch mechanism 108. For illustrative purposes, a portion of post 104 (i.e., the lower portion including post dog 106) is shown. As illustrated, when post 104 is inserted, post dog 106 pushes the bar portion 134 of door latch 116 downward, and thus rotates the hook portion 132 of door latch 116 upward. Further illustrated, post latch 120 is in the locked position above post dog 106, and thus holds post 104 in socket 114.
[0042] Figure 4 depicts a flip door 118. The flip door 118 includes a strike flange portion 156 and a walkway portion 158. As shown, two latch eyes 160 are coupled to the flip door 118. The two latch eyes 160 include a latch eye 107 of system 100. The latch eye 107 is coupled to one of the two strike flanges that make up the strike flange portion 156. The other latch eye 162 (not shown in Figure 4 and different from a second latch eye 136 which may be coupled to a second flip door 138) is coupled to the other of the two strike flanges. In particular, the two latch eyes 160 are coupled to the surface of the strike flanges. Thereafter, when the flip door 118 is rotatably coupled to the fixed structure 110 (not shown in Figure 4), the strike flanges face, adjacent to (or in contact with) the outer surface 146 (not shown) of the support bracket 142 (not shown). Furthermore, based on the lowered position of the flip door 118, the two latch eyes 160 may protrude through corresponding openings in the support bracket 142 (not shown).
[0043] Figures 5 to 13 depict various operating scenarios, including system 100 as shown and explained with reference to Figure 1. For clarity, only a subset of the overall structure of system 100 is specifically coded in Figures 5 to 13.
[0044] Figure 5 illustrates an operating scenario in which multiple flip doors are in a lowered position. As illustrated, the multiple flip doors include flip door 118, as well as two other flip doors adjacent to flip door 118, namely a second flip door 138 and a third flip door 164. Four holes, including hole 150 and a second hole 152, are illustrated within the walkway surface 140. In the lowered position, the flip doors extend substantially parallel to a reference plane of the fixed structure 110 that is parallel to the walkway surface 140.
[0045] Although not explicitly shown, multiple safety latch mechanisms may be attached to the inner surface 144 of the support bracket 142. Each of them has its own socket substantially aligned with each of the holes.
[0046] As further illustrated, each of the other two flip doors is shown to be configured similarly to flip door 118. Each of them has its own strike flange portion and its own walk portion. The strike flange portion of the third flip door 164 is also designated as strike flange portion 156 and is shown to be pushed up against the outer surface 146 of the support bracket 142.
[0047] Figure 6 depicts another view of the operating scenario with the flip door 118 (not shown) in the lowered position. As illustrated, both the latch eye 107 (coupled to the flip door 118) and the second latch eye 136 (coupled to the second flip door 138 (not shown)) are held by the hook portion 132 of the door latch 116, and thus the flip door 118 is held in the lowered position. Further illustrated, the latch eye 107 protrudes through an opening 148 in the support bracket 142, and the second latch eye 136 protrudes through another opening 166 in the support bracket 142. Both latch eyes then push up the lower portion of the post latch 120, holding the post latch 120 in the unlocked position.
[0048] Figure 7 depicts an operating scenario in which the flip door 118, the second flip door 138, and the third flip door 164 are in the lowered position, and the two posts 168 of the guardrail 102, including post 104, are inserted into their respective sockets of two safety latch mechanisms (not shown). As illustrated, the guardrail 102 also includes a foldable top rail 170, as well as two extending rails 172 perpendicular to the foldable top rail 170. Some embodiments of the guardrail 102 are foldable for storage purposes and can be unfolded before being inserted into the sockets of the safety latch mechanisms. In an alternative embodiment, the guardrail 102 may include only one post configured in the same or similar manner as the post 104 described above.
[0049] Figure 8 depicts another view of the operating scenario, where the two posts 168 of the guardrail 102 are inserted into their respective sockets in the two safety latch mechanisms 174. In an exemplary embodiment, another system 200 may include a guardrail 102 having two posts 168. Post 104 of the two posts 168 is representative. System 200 may also include two safety latch mechanisms 174. Safety latch mechanism 108 of system 100 is representative of the two safety latch mechanisms 174. Another system 200 may also include two latch eyes 160. The two latch eyes 160 include latch eye 107 and another latch eye 162. As shown, the two latch eyes 160 protrude through a pair of openings 176. Opening 148 of the pair of openings 176 is representative.
[0050] The two safety latch mechanisms 174 are illustrated to each have two respective door latches in the unlocked position. However, since the flip door 118, the second flip door 138, and the third flip door 164 are in the lowered position, the respective post latches of those flip doors are still held in the unlocked position (for example, the two latch eyes 160 are in contact with and pressing against the two door latches). Since the door latches are each in the unlocked position, the two latch eyes 160 can move out of the pair of openings 176, and the flip door 118 can be moved to the raised position.
[0051] Figure 9 then shows an enlarged view of the operation scenario in Figure 8.
[0052] Figure 10 depicts an operating scenario in which the flip door 118 (not shown) is raised to the raised position, but the second flip door 138 and the third flip door 164 are not in the raised position, as indicated by the latch eyes still protruding through their openings. Based on the flip door 118 being in the raised position, the first post latch arm 154 is in the locked position, and based on the second flip door 138 being in the lowered position, the second post latch arm 155 is in the unlocked position. In some scenarios, the first post latch arm 154 in the locked position may hold the post 104, but the second post latch arm 155 in the locked position may provide additional support in holding the post 104.
[0053] Figure 11 depicts another view of the operation scenario in Figure 10, where the flip door 118 is visible.
[0054] Figure 12 depicts another view of the operation scenario in Figure 10, where each flip door is visible.
[0055] Figure 13 illustrates an operating scenario in which a pair of guardrails 178 are inserted into the safety latch mechanism instead of a guardrail 102 being inserted into two safety latch mechanisms 174 (not shown). That is, Figure 13 illustrates a scenario in which posts from two separate guardrails can be used to lift multiple flip doors, rather than two posts from a single guardrail being used to lift a single flip door. Further illustrated, each of the flip doors is in the raised position.
[0056] Figure 14 shows a flowchart of one embodiment of Method 300, which may be used in conjunction with System 100, other Systems 200, and their elements shown in Figures 1 to 13. Method 300 may include one or more actions, functions, or operations, as illustrated by one or more of blocks 302 to 306.
[0057] Block 302 includes the method 300 positioning each of the two posts of the guardrail near its respective socket located within one of two safety latch mechanisms coupled to a fixed structure on either side of the flip door. Each post has its own post dog, and each safety latch mechanism comprises its own body having its own socket, each door latch rotatably coupled to the body and biased to a latched position configured to hold the flip door in a lowered position by engaging with a corresponding latch eye of two latch eyes coupled to the flip door, and each post latch rotatably coupled to the body and biased to a locked position, and held in an unlocked position based on the flip door being in a lowered position and the corresponding latch eye engaging with the post latch.
[0058] In block 304, method 300 includes inserting each post of the two posts into its respective socket. Thereafter, each post dog engages with its respective door latch, rotating each door latch from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the flip door to be raised from the lowered position to the raised position.
[0059] In block 306, method 300 includes lifting the flip door from a lowered position to an elevated position, thereby disengaging the corresponding latch eye from its respective post latch. The respective post latch then rotates from the unlocked position toward its respective post to a locked position, thereby engaging with its respective post and holding its respective post within the safety latch mechanism.
[0060] Within the scope of the embodiment, Method 300 may also include lowering the flip door from the raised position to the lowered position, thereby engaging the corresponding latch eye with the respective post latch; rotating each post latch from the locked position to the unlocked position, disengaging it from the respective post dog, thereby allowing each post to be removed from its respective socket. Method 300 may also include removing each of the two posts from its respective socket, thereby rotating each door latch to the latched position, thereby engaging the corresponding latch eye, and holding the flip door in the lowered position.
[0061] Various embodiments of the (one or more) systems, (one or more) devices, and (one or more) methods disclosed herein include a wide variety of components, features, and functions. It should be understood that various embodiments of the (one or more) systems, (one or more) devices, and (one or more) methods disclosed herein may include, in any combination or subcombination, any component, features, and functions of any of the other embodiments of the (one or more) systems, (one or more) devices, and (one or more) methods disclosed herein, and all such possibilities are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure.
[0062] Furthermore, this disclosure includes embodiments as defined below. Article 1. A system (100) for preventing a flip door (118) from being lifted when a guardrail (102) is not installed, A guardrail (102) with a post (104) having a post dog (106), A latch eye (107) configured to be coupled to a flip door (118), and It includes a safety latch mechanism (108) configured to be coupled to a fixed structure (110), and the safety latch mechanism (108) is Main unit (112), A socket (114) configured to receive the post (104), and The door latch (116) is rotatably coupled to the main body (112) and is biased to a latch position such that it engages with the latch eye (107) and thereby holds the flip door (118) in a lowered position. System (100), based on the fact that the post (104) is inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108), the post dog (106) engages with the door latch (116), rotating the door latch (116) from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby enabling the flip door (118) to be raised from the lowered position to the raised position. Article 2. The safety latch mechanism (108) further comprises a post latch (120) which is rotatably coupled to the main body (112) and biased to the locked position. Based on the flip door (118) being in the lowered position, the latch eye (107) is configured to engage with the post latch (120) and hold the post latch (120) in the unlocked position. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein, based on the post (104) being inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108) and the flip door (118) being raised to the raised position, the latch eye (107) is disengaged from the post latch (120), thereby rotating the post latch (120) from the unlocked position toward the post (104) to the locked position, so that the post latch (120) engages with the post (104) and holds the post (104) within the safety latch mechanism (108). Article 3. The system (100) according to Clause 2, wherein the post latch (120) is rotatably coupled to the door latch (116) such that the post latch (120) rotates independently of the door latch (116). Article 4. Based on the fact that the flip door (118) is lowered from the raised position to the lowered position, the latch eye (107) is configured to engage with the post latch (120), rotate the post latch (120) from the locked position to the unlocked position, and disengage from the post (104), thereby enabling the post (104) to be removed from the socket (114). Based on the fact that the post (104) is removed from the socket (114), the door latch (116) rotates from the unlocked position to the latched position, thereby engaging with the latch eye (107) and holding the flip door (118) in the lowered position, according to the system (100) of Clause 2. Article 5. The door latch (116) comprises a hook portion (132) and a bar portion (134), Based on the fact that the door latch (116) is in the latch position, the hook portion (132) hooks onto the latch eye (107) and holds the flip door (118) in the lowered position. The system (100) according to Clause 2, wherein the post (104) is inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108) and the flip door (118) is lifted to the raised position, the post dog (106) pushes the bar portion (134) downward, thereby rotating the door latch (116), so that the hook portion (132) is released from the latch eye (107), allowing the flip door (118) to be lifted from the lowered position to the raised position. Article 6. The system (100) according to Clause 2, wherein the socket (114) extends from the body (112) so that the socket (114) can receive the post (104) adjacent to the body (112). Article 7. The door latch (116) is rotatably coupled to at least one side of the body (112) and is biased via at least one door latch spring (128) coupled between the door latch (116) and the at least one side. The system (100) according to Clause 2, wherein the post latch (120) is rotatably coupled to the at least one side of the body (112) and biased via at least one post latch spring (130) coupled between the post latch (120) and the upper part (122) of the body (112). Article 8. The system further comprises a second latch eye (136) configured to be coupled to a second flip door (138) adjacent to the aforementioned flip door (118), Based on the fact that the door latch (116) is in the latch position, the door latch (116) further engages with the second latch eye (136), thereby holding the second flip door (138) in the lowered position. The system (100) according to Clause 1, wherein the post (104) is inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108), the post dog (106) engages with the door latch (116), rotating the door latch (116) from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby enabling the second flip door (138) to be raised from the lowered position to the raised position. Article 9. The aforementioned flip door (118), and The aforementioned fixing structure (110) is further provided, The fixing structure (110) comprises a walking surface (140) and a support bracket (142), the support bracket (142) having an inner surface (144) facing the space below the walking surface (140), an outer surface (146) opposite to the inner surface (144) and facing away from the space, and an opening (148) configured to receive the latch eye (107), The safety latch mechanism (108) is coupled to the inner surface (144) of the support bracket (142), The walking surface (140) comprises a hole (150) substantially aligned with the socket (114), the system (100) according to Clause 1. Article 10. A system (200) for preventing a flip door (118) from being lifted when a guardrail (102) is not installed, A guardrail (102) having two posts (168), each post (104) having its own post dog (106), Two latch eyes (160) configured to be coupled to the flip door (118), and The flip door (118) is provided with two safety latch mechanisms (174) configured to be coupled to a fixed structure (110) on both sides, and each safety latch mechanism (108) is Main unit (112), A socket (114) configured to receive the post (104), and The door latch (116) is rotatably coupled to the main body (112) and is biased to a latched position in which it engages with the corresponding latch eye (107) of the two latch eyes (160), thereby holding the flip door (118) in a lowered position. System (200), based on the fact that each post (104) is inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108), each post dog (106) engages with the door latch (116), rotating the door latch (116) from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby enabling the flip door (118) to be raised from the lowered position. Article 11. Each safety latch mechanism (108) further comprises a post latch (120) which is rotatably coupled to the main body (112) and biased to the locked position. Based on the fact that the flip door (118) is in the lowered position and the corresponding latch eye (107) is engaged with the post latch (120), the post latch (120) is configured to be held in the unlocked position. The system (200) according to claim 10, wherein each of the posts (104) is inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108) and the flip door (118) is raised to the raised position, the corresponding latch eye (107) is disengaged from the post latch (120), thereby rotating the post latch (120) from the unlocked position toward each of the posts (104) to the locked position, so that the post latch (120) engages with each of the posts (104) and holds each of the posts (104) within the safety latch mechanism (108). Article 12. The system (200) according to Clause 11, wherein the post latch (120) is rotatably coupled to the door latch (116) such that the post latch (120) rotates independently of the door latch (116). Article 13. Based on the fact that the flip door (118) is lowered from the raised position to the lowered position, the corresponding latch eye (107) is configured to engage with the post latch (120), rotate the post latch (120) from the locked position to the unlocked position, and disengage from each of the posts (104), thereby enabling each of the posts (104) to be removed from the socket (114). Based on the fact that each of the posts (104) is removed from the socket (114), the door latch (116) rotates from the unlocked position to the latched position, thereby engaging with the corresponding latch eye (107) and holding the flip door (118) in the lowered position, according to the system (200) of Clause 11. Article 14. The door latch (116) comprises a hook portion (132) and a bar portion (134), Based on the fact that the door latch (116) is in the latch position, the hook portion (132) hooks onto the corresponding latch eye (107) and holds the flip door (118) in the lowered position. The system (200) according to Clause 11, wherein each of the posts (104) is inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108) and the flip door (118) is lifted to the raised position, the posts (104) push the bar portion (134) downward, thereby rotating the door latch (116), so that the hook portion (132) is released from the corresponding latch eye (107), allowing the flip door (118) to be lifted from the lowered position to the raised position. Article 15. The system (200) according to Clause 11, wherein the socket (114) extends from the body (112) so that the socket (114) receives the post (104) adjacent to the body (112). Article 16. The door latch (116) is rotatably coupled to at least one side of the body (112) and is biased via at least one door latch spring (128) coupled between the door latch (116) and the at least one side. The system (200) according to Clause 11, wherein the post latch (120) is rotatably coupled to the at least one side of the body (112) and biased via at least one post latch spring (130) coupled between the post latch (120) and the upper part (122) of the body (112). Article 17. The system (200) according to Clause 10, wherein at least one of the two safety latch mechanisms (174), the door latch (116), is further configured to engage with a second latch eye (136) of a second flip door (138) adjacent to the flip door (118), thereby holding the second flip door (138) in the lowered position. Article 18. The aforementioned flip door (118), and The aforementioned fixing structure (110) is further provided, The fixing structure (110) comprises a walking surface (140) and a support bracket (142), the support bracket (142) having an inner surface (144) facing the space below the walking surface (140), an outer surface (146) opposite to the inner surface (144) and facing away from the space, and a pair of openings (176) configured to receive the two latch eyes (160), The safety latch mechanism (108) is coupled to the inner surface (144) of the support bracket (142), The walking surface (140) comprises a pair of holes (150, 152), each of which is substantially aligned with one of the sockets (114) of each of the two safety latch mechanisms (174), in the system (200) according to Clause 10. Article 19. The two posts (168) of the guardrail (102) are positioned near their respective sockets (114) located within one of two safety latch mechanisms (174) coupled to a fixed structure (110) on both sides of the flip door (118), wherein each post (104) has its respective post dog (106), and each safety latch mechanism (108) has its respective body (112) having its respective socket (114), rotatably coupled to the body (112), and in the latched position, the two are coupled to the flip door (118) Each door latch (116) is configured to engage with a corresponding latch eye (107) of the latch eyes (160) and thereby be biased to a latched position, which holds the flip door (118) in a lowered position; and each post latch (120) is rotatably coupled to the body (112) and is biased to a locked position, which holds the flip door (118) in an unlocked position based on the lowered position and the corresponding latch eye (107) engaging with the post latch (120), to be arranged (302), Inserting (304) each post (104) of the two posts (168) into the respective sockets (114), such that each post dog (106) engages with the respective door latch (116), causing each door latch (116) to rotate from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby enabling the flip door (118) to be lifted from the lowered position to the raised position, and A method (300) comprising lifting (306) the flip door (118) from the lowered position to the raised position, thereby disengaging the corresponding latch eye (107) from the respective post latch (120), so that the respective post latch (120) rotates from the unlocked position toward the respective post (104) toward the locked position, so that the respective post latch (120) engages with the respective post (104) and holds the respective post (104) within the safety latch mechanism (108). Article 20. Lowering the flip door (118) from the raised position to the lowered position, thereby engaging the corresponding latch eye (107) with the respective post latch (120), rotating the respective post latch (120) from the locked position to the unlocked position, disengaging it from the respective post (104), thereby allowing the respective post (104) to be removed from the respective socket (114), and The method of the present invention (300) of the present invention, further comprising removing each post (104) of the two posts (168) from the respective socket (114), thereby rotating the respective door latch (116) to the latch position, thereby engaging with the corresponding latch eye (107), and holding the flip door (118) in the lowered position.
[0063] The descriptions of various advantageous configurations are presented for illustrative and explanatory purposes only and are not intended to be complete or to limit the embodiments of the disclosed forms. Many modifications and variations will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, various advantageous embodiments may represent different advantages compared to other advantageous embodiments. One or more selected embodiments have been chosen and described to best illustrate the principle and practical application of the embodiment and to enable those skilled in the art to understand the disclosure of various embodiments and the various modifications suitable for the specific application under consideration.
Claims
1. A system (100) for preventing a flip door (118) from being lifted when a guardrail (102) is not installed, A guardrail (102) equipped with a post (104) having a post dog (106), A latch eye (107) configured to be coupled to the flip door (118), and It is equipped with a safety latch mechanism (108) configured to be coupled to a fixed structure (110), and the safety latch mechanism (108) is Main body (112), A socket (114) configured to receive the post (104), and The door latch (116) is rotatably coupled to the main body (112) and is biased to a latch position such that it engages with the latch eye (107) and thereby holds the flip door (118) in a lowered position. System (100), based on the fact that the post (104) is inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108), the post dog (106) engages with the door latch (116), rotating the door latch (116) from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby enabling the flip door (118) to be raised from the lowered position to the raised position.
2. The safety latch mechanism (108) further comprises a post latch (120) which is rotatably coupled to the main body (112) and biased to the locked position. Based on the fact that the flip door (118) is in the lowered position, the latch eye (107) is configured to engage with the post latch (120) and hold the post latch (120) in the unlocked position. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein, based on the post (104) being inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108) and the flip door (118) being raised to the raised position, the latch eye (107) is disengaged from the post latch (120), thereby rotating the post latch (120) from the unlocked position toward the post (104) to the locked position, so that the post latch (120) engages with the post (104) and holds the post (104) within the safety latch mechanism (108).
3. The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the post latch (120) is rotatably coupled to the door latch (116) such that the post latch (120) rotates independently of the door latch (116).
4. Based on the fact that the flip door (118) is lowered from the raised position to the lowered position, the latch eye (107) is configured to engage with the post latch (120), rotate the post latch (120) from the locked position to the unlocked position, and disengage from the post (104), thereby enabling the post (104) to be removed from the socket (114). The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein, based on the fact that the post (104) is removed from the socket (114), the door latch (116) rotates from the unlocked position to the latched position, thereby engaging with the latch eye (107) and holding the flip door (118) in the lowered position.
5. The door latch (116) comprises a hook portion (132) and a bar portion (134), Based on the fact that the door latch (116) is in the latch position, the hook portion (132) hooks onto the latch eye (107) and holds the flip door (118) in the lowered position. The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the post (104) is inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108) and the flip door (118) is lifted to the raised position, the post dog (106) pushes the bar portion (134) downward, thereby rotating the door latch (116), so that the hook portion (132) is released from the latch eye (107), allowing the flip door (118) to be lifted from the lowered position to the raised position.
6. The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the socket (114) extends from the body (112) so as to receive the post (104) adjacent to the body (112).
7. The door latch (116) is rotatably coupled to at least one side of the main body (112) and is biased via at least one door latch spring (128) coupled between the door latch (116) and the at least one side. The system (100) according to claim 2, wherein the post latch (120) is rotatably coupled to at least one side of the body (112) and biased via at least one post latch spring (130) coupled between the post latch (120) and the upper part (122) of the body (112).
8. The system further includes a second latch eye (136) configured to be coupled to a second flip door (138) adjacent to the aforementioned flip door (118), Based on the fact that the door latch (116) is in the latch position, the door latch (116) further engages with the second latch eye (136), thereby holding the second flip door (138) in the lowered position. Based on the fact that the post (104) is inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108), the post dog (106) engages with the door latch (116), rotating the door latch (116) from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby enabling the second flip door (138) to be raised from the lowered position to the raised position, according to claim 1 (100).
9. The aforementioned flip door (118), and The aforementioned fixing structure (110) is further provided, The fixing structure (110) comprises a walking surface (140) and a support bracket (142), the support bracket (142) having an inner surface (144) facing the space below the walking surface (140), an outer surface (146) opposite to the inner surface (144) and facing away from the space, and an opening (148) configured to receive the latch eye (107), The safety latch mechanism (108) is coupled to the inner surface (144) of the support bracket (142), The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the walking surface (140) comprises holes (150) substantially aligned with the socket (114).
10. A system (200) for preventing a flip door (118) from being lifted when a guardrail (102) is not installed, A guardrail (102) having two posts (168), each post (104) having its own post dog (106), Two latch eyes (160) configured to be coupled to the flip door (118), and The flip door (118) is provided with two safety latch mechanisms (174) configured to be connected to a fixed structure (110) on both sides, and each safety latch mechanism (108) is Main body (112), A socket (114) configured to receive the post (104), and The door latch (116) is rotatably coupled to the main body (112) and is biased to a latched position in which it engages with the corresponding latch eye (107) of the two latch eyes (160), thereby holding the flip door (118) in a lowered position. System (200), based on the fact that each post (104) is inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108), each post dog (106) engages with the door latch (116), rotating the door latch (116) from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby enabling the flip door (118) to be raised from the lowered position.
11. Each safety latch mechanism (108) further comprises a post latch (120) which is rotatably coupled to the main body (112) and biased to the locked position. Based on the fact that the flip door (118) is in the lowered position and the corresponding latch eye (107) is engaged with the post latch (120), the post latch (120) is configured to be held in the unlocked position. The system (200) according to claim 10, wherein each of the posts (104) is inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108) and the flip door (118) is raised to the raised position, the corresponding latch eye (107) is disengaged from the post latch (120), thereby rotating the post latch (120) from the unlocked position toward each of the posts (104) to the locked position, so that the post latch (120) engages with each of the posts (104) and holds each of the posts (104) within the safety latch mechanism (108).
12. The system (200) according to claim 11, wherein the post latch (120) is rotatably coupled to the door latch (116) such that the post latch (120) rotates independently of the door latch (116).
13. Based on the fact that the flip door (118) is lowered from the raised position to the lowered position, the corresponding latch eye (107) is configured to engage with the post latch (120), rotate the post latch (120) from the locked position to the unlocked position, and disengage from each of the posts (104), thereby enabling each of the posts (104) to be removed from the socket (114). Based on the fact that each of the posts (104) is removed from the socket (114), the door latch (116) rotates from the unlocked position to the latched position, thereby engaging with the corresponding latch eye (107) and holding the flip door (118) in the lowered position, the system (200) according to claim 11.
14. The door latch (116) comprises a hook portion (132) and a bar portion (134), Based on the fact that the door latch (116) is in the latch position, the hook portion (132) hooks onto the corresponding latch eye (107) and holds the flip door (118) in the lowered position. The system (200) according to claim 11, wherein each of the posts (104) is inserted into the socket (114) of the safety latch mechanism (108) and the flip door (118) is lifted to the raised position, the posts (104) push the bar portion (134) downward, thereby rotating the door latch (116), so that the hook portion (132) is released from the corresponding latch eye (107), allowing the flip door (118) to be lifted from the lowered position to the raised position.
15. The system (200) according to claim 11, wherein the socket (114) extends from the body (112) so as to receive the post (104) adjacent to the body (112).
16. The door latch (116) is rotatably coupled to at least one side of the main body (112) and is biased via at least one door latch spring (128) coupled between the door latch (116) and the at least one side. The system (200) according to claim 11, wherein the post latch (120) is rotatably coupled to at least one side of the body (112) and biased via at least one post latch spring (130) coupled between the post latch (120) and the upper part (122) of the body (112).
17. The system (200) according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the two safety latch mechanisms (174), the door latch (116), is further configured to engage with a second latch eye (136) of a second flip door (138) adjacent to the flip door (118), thereby holding the second flip door (138) in the lowered position.
18. The aforementioned flip door (118), and The aforementioned fixing structure (110) is further provided, The fixing structure (110) comprises a walking surface (140) and a support bracket (142), the support bracket (142) having an inner surface (144) facing the space below the walking surface (140), an outer surface (146) opposite to the inner surface (144) and facing away from the space, and a pair of openings (176) configured to receive the two latch eyes (160), The safety latch mechanism (108) is coupled to the inner surface (144) of the support bracket (142), The system (200) according to claim 10, wherein the walking surface (140) comprises a pair of holes (150, 152), each of which is substantially aligned with one of the sockets (114) of each of the two safety latch mechanisms (174).
19. The two posts (168) of the guardrail (102) are positioned near their respective sockets (114) located within one of two safety latch mechanisms (174) connected to a fixed structure (110) on both sides of the flip door (118), wherein each post (104) has its respective post dog (106), and each safety latch mechanism (108) has its respective body (112) having its respective socket (114), rotatably coupled to the body (112), and in the latched position, the two are coupled to the flip door (118) Each door latch (116) is configured to engage with a corresponding latch eye (107) of the latch eyes (160) and thereby be biased to a latched position, which holds the flip door (118) in a lowered position; and each post latch (120) is rotatably coupled to the body (112) and is biased to a locked position, which holds the flip door (118) in an unlocked position based on the fact that the flip door (118) is in the lowered position and the corresponding latch eye (107) is engaged with the post latch (120), to be arranged (302), Inserting (304) each post (104) of the two posts (168) into the respective sockets (114), so that the respective post dogs (106) engage with the respective door latches (116), causing the respective door latches (116) to rotate from the latched position to the unlocked position, thereby enabling the flip door (118) to be lifted from the lowered position to the raised position, and A method (300) comprising lifting (306) the flip door (118) from the lowered position to the raised position, thereby disengaging the corresponding latch eye (107) from the respective post latch (120), so that the respective post latch (120) rotates from the unlocked position to the locked position toward the respective post (104), so that the respective post latch (120) engages with the respective post (104) and holds the respective post (104) within the safety latch mechanism (108).
20. Lowering the flip door (118) from the raised position to the lowered position, thereby engaging the corresponding latch eye (107) with the respective post latch (120), rotating the respective post latch (120) from the locked position to the unlocked position, disengaging it from the respective post (104), thereby allowing the respective post (104) to be removed from the respective socket (114), and The method (300) of claim 19, further comprising removing each post (104) of the two posts (168) from the respective socket (114) thereby rotating the respective door latch (116) to the latch position, thereby engaging with the corresponding latch eye (107) and holding the flip door (118) in the lowered position.