Detachable cargo mirror assembly
A detachable cargo mirror assembly for use on a rotorcraft surface that includes a bracket for mounting to a surface on the rotorcraft, the bracket comprising a base portion and a retainer portion having a first pair of opposing holes, an elongated arm having two opposing ends, a first end for coupling with the bracket and a second end coupled to a mirror apparatus, the first end having a passage; and a releasable connector that engages with the first pair of opposing holes and the passage in the elongated arm when the elongated arm is in a first position to display a desired image on the mirror apparatus. The detachable cargo mirror assembly can be removed or in a stowed position when not in use.
1. A locking method for a detachable cargo mirror assembly, the detachable cargo mirror assembly comprising:
a bracket for mounting to a surface on a rotorcraft, the bracket comprising a base portion and a retainer portion having a first pair of opposing holes;
an elongated arm having two opposing ends, a first end for coupling with the bracket and a second end coupled to a mirror apparatus, the first end having a passage; and
a releasable connector that engages with the first pair of opposing holes and the passage in the elongated arm when the elongated arm is in a first position to display a desired image on the mirror apparatus;
wherein the retainer portion further comprises a second pair of opposing holes for engagement with the releasable connector when the elongated arm is in a second position for stowage;
the locking method comprising the steps of:
engaging the first end of the elongated arm in the retainer portion of the bracket;
aligning the second pair of opposing holes with the passage in the elongated arm;
engaging the releasable connector in the second pair of opposing holes and the passage in the first end of the elongated arm; and
maintaining a locked configuration by use of a protrusion proximate one of the second pair of opposing holes;
wherein the protrusion extends beyond a diameter of one of the second pair of opposing holes.
2. An unlocking method for the detachable cargo mirror assembly in claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
releasing the protrusion such that the protrusion does not extend beyond the diameter of one of the second pair of opposing holes;
disengaging the releasable connector from the second pair of opposing holes and the passage in the first end of the elongated arm; and
disengaging the first end of the elongated arm in the retainer portion of the bracket.