An assembly is provided for an aircraft. This aircraft assembly includes an actuator and a cable assembly. The actuator includes a support structure, a handle structure and a guide system configured to guide movement of the handle structure longitudinally along the support structure between a first position and a second position. The guide system includes a first guide element and a second guide element. The first guide element includes a first spring element and is pivotally coupled to the handle structure at a handle structure pivot axis. The second guide element includes a second spring element and is pivotally coupled to the handle structure at the handle structure pivot axis. The cable assembly includes a sleeve and a cable projecting longitudinally out of the sleeve. The sleeve is attached to the support structure. The cable is coupled to the handle structure.

A ball-lock type fastening device for connecting a work piece to a structure is disclosed. The fastening device includes a number of features designed to improve the reliability, repeatability and strength of the locking mechanism compared to traditional ball-lock fasteners. The features include the shape of the locking balls, the shape of the retention housing which engages the locking balls, and mechanisms for controlling deployment and retraction of the locking balls.

A ball-lock type fastening device for connecting a work piece to a structure is disclosed. The fastening device includes a number of features designed to improve the reliability, repeatability and strength of the locking mechanism compared to traditional ball-lock fasteners. The features include the shape of the locking balls, the shape of the retention housing which engages the locking balls, and mechanisms for controlling deployment and retraction of the locking balls.

A door holder and release system having a release apparatus and a door holder. The release apparatus utilizes a switchable permanent magnet, a drive (motor, actuator, or the like), and an energy storage device (e.g., capacitor, battery, or the like). The door holder may be a static or dynamic door holder. When a door is held open by the release apparatus, minimum power is drawn from a power supply to maintain the charge of the energy storage device. During a disengagement event, such as a power loss event (e.g., in the event of a fire, or the like) or a disengagement request, the drive is powered by the energy storage device in order to reduce (e.g., remove, minimize, redirect, or the like) the magnetic field in the switchable permanent magnet such that the release apparatus disengages from the door holder such that the door closes.

A door holder and release system having a release apparatus and a door holder. The release apparatus utilizes a switchable permanent magnet, a drive (motor, actuator, or the like), and an energy storage device (e.g., capacitor, battery, or the like). The door holder may be a static or dynamic door holder. When a door is held open by the release apparatus, minimum power is drawn from a power supply to maintain the charge of the energy storage device. During a disengagement event, such as a power loss event (e.g., in the event of a fire, or the like) or a disengagement request, the drive is powered by the energy storage device in order to reduce (e.g., remove, minimize, redirect, or the like) the magnetic field in the switchable permanent magnet such that the release apparatus disengages from the door holder such that the door closes.

A ball-lock type fastening device for connecting a work piece to a structure is disclosed. The fastening device includes a number of features designed to improve the reliability, repeatability and strength of the locking mechanism compared to traditional ball-lock fasteners. The features include the shape of the locking balls, the shape of the retention housing which engages the locking balls, and mechanisms for controlling deployment and retraction of the locking balls.

A ball-lock type fastening device for connecting a work piece to a structure is disclosed. The fastening device includes a number of features designed to improve the reliability, repeatability and strength of the locking mechanism compared to traditional ball-lock fasteners. The features include the shape of the locking balls, the shape of the retention housing which engages the locking balls, and mechanisms for controlling deployment and retraction of the locking balls.

Security doorstop assemblies configured for securing a door closed or partially closed. The doorstop assemblies include a detent (e.g., arm) assembly attachable to a wall proximate a header of a doorframe associated with the door. The detent assembly includes means for allowing movement of the detent assembly between an inactive position, in which the detent assembly is proximate the wall and out of the contact with the door, and an active position, in which the detent assembly is remote from the wall and oriented to arrest the movement of the door as it is being swung open. Methods for securing a door using the doorstop assemblies are also disclosed.

Security doorstop assemblies configured for securing a door closed or partially closed. The doorstop assemblies include a detent (e.g., arm) assembly attachable to a wall proximate a header of a doorframe associated with the door. The detent assembly includes means for allowing movement of the detent assembly between an inactive position, in which the detent assembly is proximate the wall and out of the contact with the door, and an active position, in which the detent assembly is remote from the wall and oriented to arrest the movement of the door as it is being swung open. Methods for securing a door using the doorstop assemblies are also disclosed.