As part of the redesign of the nose landing gear mechanism, a locking device was also necessary to secure the gear in its retracted position. The search for a suitable mechanically operated uplock that could be used was unsuccessful. Either the locks were too large, too small, only electrically operated, or prohibitively expensive. So, I decided to design one myself, based on an old patent I found on the internet.
When the landing gear is retracted, the lock engages automatically. A proximity switch signals the complete locking. To deploy the gear, the lock is mechanically released via a Bowden cable, allowing the landing gear to be freed. All parts are dimensioned in such a way that the maximum pull force of around 400kg on the hook is safely supported with sufficient reserve.
