There have been a number of versions of the cockpit storage areas which become available to the Europa. The following is what was developed here when a selection of latch springs was found. These are much like the early shutter springs on cameras and may still be found at surplus stores. The main purpose was to (a) save weight while (b) making use of spare cut-offs from the cockpit. It meant using a no. 60 drill (~1 mm) in a highspeed drill to carefully cut out the sections in headrest inboard sides and seatfront sections. These are then treated much as other cutouts by inserting micro in between surfaces to exclude moisture, and then resiting them in situ with suitable opening and closing mechanisms. I was anxious not to leave open compartments where jamming items might be loosened by turbulence (FOD).
The diagram below SHOULD be self-explanatory, but to clarify:
(1) the latching system is a SLIDE which is positioned by two SLIDE GUIDES, a STOP and a LATCH SPRING;
(2) It is actuated by the long (centre) finger into a fingerhole to retract the slide against the spring for release;
(3) the panel itself is positioned by two types of "ears" - PE, PANEL EARS which hold it in place in its opening, and - HE, HEADREST EARS which guide slide and PE's into position and hold the panel outward in position (NOTE HE are sloped).
The latch spring is held by a small screw at its centre such that it presents a force on the end of the slide to close it, a secondary stop to pretension the spring, and the slide itself. When released, the slide is pressed forward to lock the panel in place and is stopped by the primary STOP.
I cut the slide from its accompanying guides at an angle to capture the slide and conserve space inside the compartment (see section A-A). The finger hole in the slide is dimensioned as 5/8", but the panel hole is lengthened 3/8", which permits 3/8" travel of the sldie and dictates the position of the primary stop. Slide, guide and ears were cut from surplus cockpit skin sections, but could be 3/32" plastic sheet.
The bottom sketch was intended to produce an overall understanding of the mechanism. The thumb can catch the top edge of the panel coming out, and guide the ears going in. It seems capable of being actuated without looking down/around for it, and short practice should perfect the action. The top panel edge is last out and first in guided by the 'ears'. I will probably attach a keeper chain/string to each panel so that it is always to hand and not jamming something. One latch spring end is bent to slip along the top edge of the slide easily. The outer bottom edge of the slide is chamfered to coax it into position against the back of the compartment when closing (dotted line). Naturally the outer seat front panels are essentially triangular and one will have to adjust the components to reflect the shapes.
Ferg is at VE3LVO@rac.ca
(787 x 1055pixels, 396Kb)
Problems with or comments on these pages please to John Cliff (john@crixbinfield.freeserve.co.uk) Vn 1.01 31/08/01