Latch for a fold out ramp

Abstract

A latch assembly is suitable for a ramp assembly, the ramp assembly having a ramp portion coupled to a fixed portion so that the ramp portion reciprocates between a stowed position and a deployed position. The latch assembly includes a pin associated with the ramp portion. The latch assembly further includes a latch fitting rotatably coupled to the fixed portion of the ramp assembly. The latch fitting has a hook portion and a tang. The hook portion selectively engages the pin when the ramp assembly is in the stowed position. The tang selectively provides a lifting force to the ramp portion.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A latch assembly for a ramp assembly, the ramp assembly comprising a ramp portion coupled to a fixed portion to reciprocate between a stowed position and a deployed position, the latch assembly comprising:
 (a) a pin associated with the ramp portion; and   (b) a latch fitting rotatably coupled to the fixed portion of the ramp assembly, the latch fitting comprising:
 (i) a hook portion selectively engaging the pin when the ramp assembly is in the stowed position; and 
 (ii) a tang selectively providing a lifting force to the ramp portion.