Self-locking retaining hook

Abstract

The invention relates to a retaining hook (2) with a mechanism for locking an attachment pin (5), this retaining hook (2) being installed on a tube (4a) and comprising: - a cylindrical body (2a) of straight section (S) in connection with the tube (4a) and a base (2f) from which extends a latch (2g) defining an opening (2h); - a locking slide (3) translating along the cylindrical body (2a); and - a compression spring (1a) between the locking slide (3) and the tube (4a). The base (2f) and the latch (2g) are contained inside a cylindrical volume of the same straight section (S) as an extension of the cylindrical body (2a), the latter comprising at least one oblong guide slot (2d). The locking slide (3) has at least one positioning hole (3a) and a blocking pin (3b) which partially obstructs the opening (2h) of the latch (2g) of the hook (2).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] SELF-LOCKING RETAINING HOOK.

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The invention relates to a holding hook arranged for example at the end of a connecting rod, this hook being equipped with an automatic locking system. Such a hook is used in particular as a locking part in mechanisms for holding an opening open, in order to ensure that the opening remains in the open position after hooking.

[0005] In the aeronautical field in particular, cowls and hatches are moving parts of the external structure of an aircraft which, when open, allow access to elements of the internal structure for inspection and / or maintenance operations. To carry out these operations, these cowls and hatches are attached to connecting rods after they have been opened, this attachment making it possible to maintain the opening and prevent the cowl or hatch from closing unexpectedly. When the cowls and hatches are closed, the hook is also used to keep the connecting rod attached to the cowl or hatch frame.

[0006] This hook can also be used to lock a closed opening in its frame. Such hooks can be used in any other field using hooks with manual unlocking such as automotive, naval and construction in particular.

[0007] STATE OF THE ART

[0008] Generally speaking, a hook is a tool for hanging and / or holding an object that is engaged in this hook. A simple hook typically has a beak - performing the hook function - and a straight body. Made from a rigid, non-deformable material, the simple hook can only perform its function if the object being hung is subjected to traction in the curvature of the head.

[0009] A simple hook can also be used to lock a movable element in a chosen position. For example, a door may have a hook with a straight body fixed by a ball joint near an edge of the door, this straight body being long enough for the hook's beak to protrude from the door. When this door is closed in its frame, the hook's beak can be engaged in a ring or an attachment pin fixed to the door frame. The connection between the hook and the ring secures the door to its frame, thus locking the door in the closed position. This locking method is limited by the quality of the connection between the hook and the ring. Indeed, the simple insertion of the hook into the ring implies an equally simple removal of the hook.

[0010] To secure the hook, a locking means is added to this hook to block the hooked part. Two approaches are commonly used to achieve this locking means:

[0011] - either the hook is closed;

[0012] - either the hook is blocked.

[0013] Closing the hook's beak results in a carabiner-type solution in which the beak creates a closed loop with an opening mechanism. However, a carabiner is a separate attachment device that does not fit onto the end of a connecting rod. Another solution for closing a hook is to add an extendable mechanism to the hook that allows the hook's beak to close. Such a mechanism increases the space around the hook to accommodate this mechanism, which can hinder and weaken the attachment. In addition, the installation and operation of this extendable mechanism do not allow for rapid locking of the hook.

[0014] The other approach is to lock the hook into the structure being hung. This type of hook locking typically uses a mechanism installed on the hung structure, which surrounds the hook and immobilizes it. However, this solution has the disadvantage of using an additional mechanism that increases the space requirement and requires installation and implementation.

[0015] The hook can also be closed by a rod attached to a slide moving along the hook body. A spring positioned between the hook body and the slide holds the slide and the rod in a position such that the hook is closed. However, this assembly is generally permanent with crimping of the hook closing elements and carried out from the bottom of the hook body. This hook closing mechanism therefore does not allow for easy assembly or rapid maintenance of the hook.

[0016] STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0017] In order to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art set out above, the main objective of the invention is to improve the locking of a hook.

[0018] To do this, the invention provides for the production of a locking mechanism which is installed at the base of the hook's beak and which slides along the straight body of the hook. Advantageously, this mechanism locks automatically, thus allowing rapid locking, while eliminating the need to manipulate the mechanism, which lengthens the installation and secure positioning of the hook. In addition, the mechanism is unlocked without the use of any special tools.

[0019] More specifically, the present invention relates to a self-locking retaining hook for an attachment pin, this hook being mounted on a tube and comprising:

[0020] - a cylindrical body of straight section and having two ends connected respectively to the tube and a base from which extends a spout defining an opening;

[0021] - a locking slide in translation along the cylindrical body, and

[0022] - a return means between the locking slide and the tube.

[0023] In this holding hook, the base and the beak are included in a cylindrical volume of the same cross-section in extension of the cylindrical body, the latter comprising a bore for insertion of the tube, a bore bottom and at least one oblong guide slot along the body. In addition, the locking slide has at least one positioning hole and a locking lug which partially obstructs the opening of the beak of the hook.

[0024] Advantageously, the shape of the hook's beak in the extension of the cylindrical body reduces the size of the hook and allows the slide to be inserted through the beak. The installation of the locking slide is thus quick and facilitated by the accessibility of the hook.

[0025] Advantageously also, the locking is carried out automatically when the attachment pin is hooked. Indeed, when the hook comes close to the attachment pin to hook it, the attachment pin makes contact with the lug of the locking slide which partially obstructs the opening of the hook nose so that the attachment pin cannot enter the opening of the hook head. Additional pressure of the attachment pin on the lug causes the slide to translate against the return means, until a sufficient opening is freed for the attachment pin to enter the opening of the hook head and release the pressure on the lug. The return means then returns the slide to its original position, the lug again partially obstructing the opening of the hook head and preventing the attachment pin from coming out of the hook, thus achieving automatic locking.Unlocking is achieved by manually translating the slide to move the lug and release the opening of the hook head.

[0026] According to preferred embodiments taken alone or in combination:

[0027] - the return means is a compression spring, positioned in the bottom of the bore of the cylindrical body and bearing against the tube;

[0028] - the cylindrical body has two diametrically opposed oblong slots;

[0029] - the two oblong slots extend on either side of the bottom of the bore;

[0030] - the locking slide has two diametrically opposed positioning holes;

[0031] - a retaining pin is inserted into the two oblong guide slots and the two positioning holes, the pin being movable in the two oblong slots;

[0032] - the locking lug has a guide ramp;

[0033] - the hook beak has one end comprising a flat which directs the attachment axis towards the opening of the hook beak; - the base of the hook has a sliding surface for the lug and a stop surface for this lug of the locking slide, and

[0034] - the hook beak has a rear face continuous with the cylindrical body.

[0035] Advantageously, the compression spring is positioned in the bore of the cylindrical body, providing protection for the return means. The spring thus protected benefits from the bore drilled for installing the hook on the tube and optimizes the size of the hook.

[0036] Advantageously also, the guide ramp of the lug allows the attachment pin to be guided during attachment. When the attachment pin comes close to the free space left by the partial obstruction of the hook opening, this attachment pin comes into contact with the flat at the end of the hook beak. The orientation of the attachment pin by this flat performs the dual function of orienting the attachment pin towards the opening of the hook head and of initiating automatic locking by orienting the thrust of the attachment pin on the lug in the optimal direction of movement of the slide.

[0037] The invention also relates to a method for automatically locking an attachment pin in the locking retaining hook defined above and assembled according to the following steps:

[0038] - positioning of the compression spring in the bore;

[0039] - assembly of the cylindrical body with the tube;

[0040] - insertion of the locking slide around the retaining hook;

[0041] - alignment of the positioning holes of the locking slide with the oblong guide slots of the cylindrical body, and

[0042] - insertion of the pin into the positioning holes and the oblong guide slots.

[0043] The automatic locking of the attachment axis takes place, from a rest position in which the locking lug of the slide partially obstructs the opening of the hook beak, according to the following steps:

[0044] - positioning of the attachment axis near the opening of the hook beak;

[0045] - release of the opening of the hook beak by pressure of the attachment pin on the lug and translation of the locking slide which compresses the compression spring; - complete insertion of the attachment pin into the hook beak, and

[0046] - return of the compression spring which brings the locking slide back to the rest position and which automatically locks the attachment pin in the hook.

[0047] Advantageously, this automatic locking is quick to implement and achieved in a single movement and without the need for any tools. In addition, the locking is secured by the lug which, on the one hand, blocks the attachment pin in the hook and, on the other hand, cannot be actuated by an attachment pin in the hook.

[0048] According to certain preferred forms of implementation taken alone or in combination:

[0049] - the step of releasing the opening of the hook beak is carried out by moving the hook towards the attachment axis or vice versa, and

[0050] - during the sliding step when unlocking, the lug slides on the sliding surface of the hook base.

[0051] Automatic locking is followed by manual unlocking which takes place in the following steps:

[0052] - release of the hook beak opening by pulling the locking slide;

[0053] - placing the lug against the base of the hook beak and holding the locking slide in this position;

[0054] - release of the attachment axis from the hook beak, and

[0055] - release of the locking slide.

[0056] PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

[0057] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following reading of a detailed example of embodiment without limiting its scope, with reference to the appended figures which represent, respectively:

[0058] - figure 1, an exploded perspective view of an example of a self-locking hook according to the invention;

[0059] - figure 2, a perspective view of the hook of figure 1; - figure 3, another perspective view of this hook;

[0060] - figure 4, a side view of this same hook installed on an aircraft opening connecting rod;

[0061] - figure 5, a cross-sectional view of said hook;

[0062] - figure 6, a view along another transverse section of said hook;

[0063] - figure 7, a side view of said locked hook, and

[0064] - figure 8, a side view of said unlocked hook.

[0065] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] In the figures, identical reference signs refer to the same element as well as to the corresponding passages of the description.

[0067] Figure 1 shows an exploded and perspective view of the holding hook 2 with locking mechanism, this hook allowing automatic locking and manual unlocking of the attachment axis 5 of an aircraft nacelle cover (not shown) in the example. This hook 2 is fitted onto a tube 4a and comprises:

[0068] - a cylindrical body 2a of cross-section S, circular in the example, this body 2a having two ends 2b, 2c, connected respectively to the tube 4a, and a base 2f from which extends a spout 2g defining an opening 2h;

[0069] - a slide 3 for locking in translation along the cylindrical body 2a;

[0070] - a compression spring 1a between the locking slide 3 and the tube 4a, and

[0071] - a retaining pin 1 b.

[0072] In this holding hook 2, the base 2f and the beak 2g are included in a cylindrical volume of the same circular cross-section S, in extension of the cylindrical body 2a. The body 2a comprises a bore 2e (shown in figure 5) for inserting the tube 4a, a bottom 2n (shown in figure 6) of the bore and two oblong guide slots 2d along the cylindrical body 2a, these two oblong slots 2d being diametrically opposed. In addition, the locking slide 3 has two diametrically opposed positioning holes 3a and a locking lug 3b which partially obstructs (see the perspective view of the hook in figure 2) the opening 2h of the beak 2g of the hook 2. The base 2f of the hook also has a sliding surface 2i of the locking lug 3b and a stop surface 2j of this lug 3b of the locking slide 3.

[0073] In addition, the retaining pin 1b has at its ends a head 1c and fins 1d. The retaining pin 1b is inserted by the fins 1d into the positioning holes 3a of the slider 3 and the oblong guide slots 2d. The head 1c being larger than the positioning holes 3a, the head 1c of the pin 1b does not pass through the slider 3. The fins 1d are then folded and bear on the slider 3 to prevent the extraction of the pin 1b. The pin 1b therefore keeps the hook 2 and the locking mechanism assembled as illustrated in the perspective views of Figure 2 and Figure 3. Alternatively, any type of pin for holding the slide can be used, in particular with a ball in place of the head, fins at each end of the pin or mechanical and / or magnetic locking mechanisms.

[0074] The assembly of hook 2 and the locking mechanism is shown in perspective and from two different angles in Figure 2 and Figure 3. The installation of the locking mechanism takes place in the following steps:

[0075] - positioning of the compression spring 1a in the bore;

[0076] - assembly of the cylindrical body 2a with the tube 4a;

[0077] - insertion of the locking slide 3 around the retaining hook 2;

[0078] - alignment of the positioning holes 3a of the locking slide 3 with the oblong guide slots 2d of the cylindrical body 2a, and

[0079] - insertion of the pin 1 b into the positioning holes 3a and the oblong guide slots 2d.

[0080] The fixing of the cylindrical body 2a to the tube 4a can be achieved by screwing, crimping, fitting, welding or any other fixing means. In addition, the alignment of the guide slots 2d of the cylindrical body 2a with the positioning holes 3a of the locking slide 3 makes it possible to position the locking lug 3b opposite the opening 2h of the hook 2. In this embodiment, the slots, the holes, the lug and the opening of the hook are aligned. However, any other combination of alignments resulting, on the one hand, in an alignment of the slots with the holes and, on the other hand, in an alignment of the lug with the opening of the hook in a direction different from the alignment of the slots with the holes can be implemented.

[0081] Figure 4 shows a hook 2 according to the present invention which is installed at the end 4b of a telescopic connecting rod 4. This connecting rod 4 is deployed to keep open, for example, an aircraft nacelle cowl, this connecting rod 4 being connected by a pivot connection 4d to its other end 4c. This pivot connection 4d allows the connecting rod 4 to be either retracted and reduced in length, or deployed in extension. When the connecting rod 4 is extended, the hook 2 can keep, for example, a cowl open, this cowl comprising an attachment pin 5 (see the sectional view of Figure 5) adapted and positioned to engage in the hook 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the holding hook, the slider and the tube are made of metallic material. Depending on the masses and the conditions of use, these elements can also be made of plastic and / or composite materials.

[0082] In another example of use, the hook is positioned in a door frame and the door has the attachment pin adapted and positioned to engage the hook. Upon closing the door, the attachment pin engages the hook, which locks and holds the door closed.

[0083] The arrangement of the locking mechanism is detailed in the sectional view of Figure 5 in the locked configuration. The compression spring 1a is then positioned in the bottom 2n of the bore 2e of the cylindrical body 2a and resting against the tube 4a.

[0084] In detail: the locking lug 3b comprises a guide ramp 3c extending from the edge of the slide 3 towards the opening 2h of the hook 2, this guide ramp 3c ending in a thrust plate 3d perpendicular to the translation direction of the slide 3. In addition, the beak 2g of the hook 2 has an end 2k comprising a flat 2I which orients the attachment axis 5 towards the inside of the opening 2h of the hook 2. In addition, the beak 2g of the hook 2 comprises a rear face 2m which is continuous with the external surface of the cylindrical body 2a.

[0085] The attachment pin 5 is then positioned at the end 2k of the beak 2g of the hook 2 and the thrust plate 3d of the locking lug 3b. The slide 3 and in particular the locking lug 3b are dimensioned so that, in the locked configuration, the free space between the end 2k of the beak 2g and the thrust plate 3d of the lug 3b is less than the diameter of the attachment pin 5. Thus, in this locked configuration, the attachment pin 5 can neither enter nor exit the beak 2g of the hook 2.

[0086] By urging the attachment pin 5 in the direction of the hook beak, the attachment pin 5 bears on the flat 2I at the end 2k of the beak 2g. This flat 2I is oriented so as to project the attachment pin 5 in the direction of movement of the slider 3 to cause its movement in reaction, the attachment pin 5 being in contact with the thrust plate 3d at the end of the guide ramp 3c of the locking lug 3d. This thrust plate 3d is oriented so as to optimize the effect of the attachment pin 5 on the lug 3b and push the slider 3 to release the opening 2h of the hook 2 automatically.

[0087] Figure 6 shows another sectional view of the locking mechanism which illustrates the position of the oblong guide slots 2d relative to the bore 2e of the cylindrical body 2a of the hook 2. The compression spring 1a bears against the bottom 2n of the bore 2e and, to facilitate the insertion of the pin 1b into the cylindrical body 2a of the hook 2, this pin 1b is inserted at the end of the compression spring 1a. To do this, the oblong guide slots 2d extend on either side of the bottom 2n of the bore 2e, the insertion zone of the pin 1b in the oblong slots 2d being of a dimension equivalent to the thickness of the pin 1b.

[0088] The final state of the locking of the hook 2 is shown in Figure 7. A rest position of the locking mechanism is defined when the spring holds the slider in the locking configuration and in which the locking lug 3b of the slider 3 partially obstructs the opening 2h of the beak 2g of the hook 2, as illustrated by the side view of Figure 7. The automatic locking takes place from the rest position according to the following steps:

[0089] - positioning of the attachment axis 5 in the vicinity of the opening 2h of the beak 2g of the hook 2;

[0090] - release of the opening 2h of the beak 2g of the hook 2 by pressure of the attachment pin 5 on the locking lug 3b and translation of the locking slide 3 which compresses the compression spring 1a; - complete insertion of the attachment pin 5 into the beak 2g of the hook 2, and

[0091] - return of the compression spring 1a which brings the locking slide 3 back into the rest position and which then automatically locks the attachment pin 5 in the hook 2.

[0092] The translation of the slide 3 is possible by the displacement of the movable pin 1b in the oblong slots 2d.

[0093] Alternatively, the 3d locking lug can completely obstruct the 2h opening of the 2g beak of hook 2.

[0094] The step of releasing the opening 2h of the beak 2g is generally carried out by moving the retaining hook 2 towards the attachment pin 5 or vice versa. The configuration of the lug is such that the attachment pin 5 cannot exert any action on the lug 3b to move the slider 3 when it is in the beak 2g of the hook 2. At the end of this locking, the attachment pin 5 is hooked and the locking mechanism is again in the rest position. This locking is said to be automatic because it occurs spontaneously when the attachment pin is pushed into the opening of the hook.

[0095] Manual unlocking is carried out according to the following steps;

[0096] - release of the opening 2h of the beak 2g of the hook 2 by pulling the locking slide 3;

[0097] - placing the lug 3b against the base 2f of the beak 2g of the hook 2 and holding the locking slide 3 in this position;

[0098] - release of the attachment axis 5 from the beak 2g of the hook 2, and

[0099] - release of the locking slide 3.

[0100] During the pulling step of the slider 3 during unlocking, the lug 3b slides on the sliding surface 2i of the base 2f of the hook 2 and the pin 1b moves in the oblong slots 2d. The movement of the locking slider 3 is limited by the stop surface 2j of the base 2f of the hook. Alternatively or in combination, this movement of the locking slider can be limited by the length of the oblong slots 2d and the abutment of the pin 1b at the end of these oblong slots 2d, by the compression limit of the spring 1a or by any other amplitude limiting means. The configuration of the hook 2 at the end of this step is illustrated in figure 8. In this figure, it appears that the locking slide 3 completely releases the opening 2h of the hook 2 and that the attachment axis 5 is therefore free to exit this opening 2h of the hook 2 by moving the hook 2 towards the attachment axis 5 or vice versa.The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown. It is possible to envisage any type of cross-section of the cylindrical body, in particular polygonal or “U” shaped. In addition, any return means with or without shape memory (elastic blade, tension spring, etc.) can also be used. The manual unlocking of the hook can also be actuated by an automated and / or controlled mechanism.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Holding hook (2) with automatic locking of an attachment axis (5), this holding hook (2) being installed on a tube (4a) and comprising: - a cylindrical body (2a) of cross section (S) and having two ends (2b, 2c) connected respectively to the tube (4a) and a base (2f) from which extends a spout (2g) defining an opening (2h); - a locking slide (3) in translation along the cylindrical body (2a), and - a return means between the locking slide (3) and the tube (4a); characterized in that the base (2f) and the beak (2g) are included in a cylindrical volume of the same cross section (S) in extension of the cylindrical body (2a), the latter comprising a bore (2e) for inserting the tube (4a), a bottom (2n) of the bore and at least one oblong slot (2d) for guiding along the cylindrical body (2a) and in that the locking slide (3) has at least one positioning hole (3a) and a locking lug (3b) which partially obstructs the opening (2h) of the beak (2g) of the hook (2).

2. Holding hook (2) according to claim 1, in which the return means is a compression spring (1a) positioned in the bottom (2n) of the bore (2e) for inserting the cylindrical body (2a) and bearing against the tube (4a).

3. Holding hook (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, in which the cylindrical body (2a) comprises two diametrically opposed oblong slots (2d) which extend on either side of the bottom (2n) of the bore (2e).

4. Holding hook (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the locking slide (3) comprises two diametrically opposed positioning holes (3a).

5. Holding hook (2) according to claim 4 in combination with claim 3, wherein a holding pin (1 b) is inserted into the two oblong slots (2d) and the two positioning holes (3a), the pin (1 b) being movable in the two oblong slots (2d).

6. Holding hook (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the locking lug (3b) comprises a guide ramp.

7. Holding hook (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the beak (2g) of the holding hook (2) has an end (2k) comprising a flat (2I) for orienting the attachment axis (5) towards the opening (2h) of the beak (2g) of the holding hook (2).

8. Holding hook (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the base (2f) of the holding hook (2) comprises a sliding surface (2i) of the locking lug (3b) and a stop surface (2j) of this lug (3b) of the locking slide (3).

9. Holding hook (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the beak (2g) of the holding hook (2) has a rear face (2m) continuous with the cylindrical body (2a).

10. Method for automatically locking an attachment pin (5) in the locking retaining hook (2) according to any one of claim 5 to claim 9 and the assembly of which takes place according to the following steps: - positioning of the compression spring (1a) in the bore (2e); - assembly of the cylindrical body (2a) with the tube (4a); - insertion of the locking slide (3) around the retaining hook (2); - alignment of the positioning holes (3a) of the locking slide (3) with the oblong guide slots (2d) of the cylindrical body (2a), and - insertion of the pin (1 b) into the positioning holes (3a) and the oblong guide slots (2d); characterized in that the automatic locking of the attachment axis (5) takes place from a rest position in which the locking lug (3b) of the slide (3) partially obstructs the opening (2h) of the beak (2g) of the retaining hook (2) according to the following steps: - positioning of the attachment axis (5) in the vicinity of the opening (2h) of the beak (2g) of the retaining hook (2); - release of the opening (2h) of the beak (2g) of the retaining hook (2) by pressure of the attachment pin (5) on the locking lug (3b) and translation of the locking slide (3) which compresses the compression spring (1a); - complete insertion of the attachment pin (5) into the beak (2g) of the retaining hook (2), And - return of the compression spring (1a) which returns the locking slide (3) to the rest position and which automatically locks the attachment pin (5) in the retaining hook (2).

11. Method according to claim 10, in which the step of releasing the opening of the beak (2g) of the holding hook (2) is carried out by moving the holding hook (2) towards the attachment axis (5) or vice versa.

12. Method according to any one of Claim 10 to Claim 11, in which during the step of pulling the slider (3) during manual unlocking, the locking lug (3b) slides on the sliding surface (2i) of the base (2f) of the holding hook (2).

13. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the automatic locking is followed by manual unlocking which takes place according to the following steps: - release of the opening (2h) of the beak (2g) of the retaining hook (2) by pulling the locking slide (3); - placing the locking lug (3b) against the base (2f) of the hook beak (2g) and holding the locking slide (3) in this position; - release of the attachment axis (5) from the beak (2g) of the retaining hook (2), and - release of the locking slide (3).

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