View source for Canopy Spring Latch

[[File:cc_image.png|20px]]<i><small> Mark Qvale - July, 2020</small></i><br>
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== <br>Introduction ==

Many folks have asked "where do you get the canopy latch you show in your canopies?". The answer is "many places"  and then there are the modifications I do...<br><br>

=== Where to Buy ===

Below are three of the type I use found on the <u>[https://hobbyking.com/ HobbyKing]</u> website (HobbyKing pictures). You can find these latches on Amazon as well as many online RC stores. The title above each picture is searchable on the HobbyKing site.
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'''Canopy Lock Latch (2pc)'''
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'''Canopy Lock / Latch Spring Loaded (2pc)'''
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'''Aluminum Canopy Lock / Latch Spring Loaded'''
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Of these three, the first one, which is all hard plastic, is the most susceptible to breakage so I generally don't recommend it unless you modify it (see below) by getting rid of the plastic actuator. 
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All three can be found on this HobbyKing page - '''<u>[https://hobbyking.com/en_us/catalogsearch/result/?q=spring%20latch Spring Latches]</u>'''
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You can also find these on many other RC store sites.
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=== Mods ===

The modifiction I do to these is to replace the actuator arm with a shaft collar and socket head screw. This makes it much more durable and in some cases easier to install and adjust. Here is one that I modified-
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With the shaft collar, you can adjust the length of the pin without having to cut the metal rod. The unit shown uses a 3/32" shaft collar and 4-40 socket head screw. You can also use a 2mm shaft collar and its corresponding set screw.
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=== Can you Print this? ===

If you have a printer that can print at a .1mm resolution, yes! You'll have to find 2mm steel rod material for the pin and a shaft collar with set screw. The spring can be taken from a ball point pen.
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Here are design dimensions of the printed part:
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Image is the printed version using the pin and spring from one of the cheap plastic units:
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Below is the STL link if you want to try this printed version.<br>
'''Update, 17 July, 2020: Added four mount holes so mounting is identical to original plastic piece. Also, cleaned up clearances and tolerances so very little (if any) clean-up should be needed.'''
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'''<u>[http://www.itsqv.com/share/Spring_Latch_Base.zip Spring Latch Base]</u>'''
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== See Also ==

=== Vendors ===

:* '''<u>[https://hobbyking.com/ HobbyKing]</u>'''
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=== Comments? Questions? ===

:'''<u>[mailto:qmar80@hotmail.com?Subject=About%20The%20Spring%20Latch&body=Question? email me!]</u>'''

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