IMPROVED ATTACHMENT DEVICE FOR A RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL TRANSPORT PACKAGE OR ITS SUPPORT CHASSIS, ON A TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening device (14) for a structure within a radioactive material transport package and its support frame (8), on a transport system equipped with at least one fastening element (16). The device comprises a fastening member (26) intended to cooperate with the fastening element (16) provided on the transport system. According to the invention, the device is adjustable to adapt to the position of the structure (8) on the transport system. The device (14) comprises a locking plate (34) arranged in a through opening (36) of a fixed part (24') of the device. The first opening comprises a first central axis (36a). The locking plate (34) is designed to be positioned in different locations within the opening (36) in order to bring a through hole (38) into different positions relative to the first axis (36a). Figure 5

Description

Title of the invention: IMPROVED FIXING DEVICE FOR A TRANSPORT PACKAGING FOR RA MATERIALS DIOACTIVES OR ITS SUPPORT CHASSIS, ON A TRANSPORT SYSTEM Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of transporting radioactive materials. It relates more particularly to the fixing of a radioactive material transport package, or its support frame, on a transport system. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] Before being transported, a package must be fixed to its transport system, for example the platform of a trailer of a road transport vehicle. This fixing can be carried out by directly attaching the body of the package to the platform, or by fixing its support frame to this same platform.

[0003] To do this, the platform is equipped with fixing elements such as rails, threaded holes, etc., intended to cooperate with fixing devices present on the packaging or its support frame.

[0004] When mounting the packaging on the transport system, the removal must be carried out with great precision in order to match the fixing elements of the platform with the fixing devices of the packaging or its support frame. The precision required to obtain the desired cooperation complicates the mounting operations and requires a significant implementation time, especially when the transport system is not equipped with a device for centering the packaging or its support frame.

[0005] There is therefore a need to find a solution that makes it easier to mount the packaging on the transport system, in particular to reduce the implementation time. Statement of the invention

[0006] The invention therefore aims to meet the need identified above. To this end, the invention firstly relates to a device for fixing a structure from among a radioactive material transport package and its support frame, on a transport system equipped with at least one fixing element, the fixing device comprising a structure fixing member, intended to cooperate with the fixing element provided on the transport system.

[0007] According to the invention, the fixing device has an adjustable character for adapt to the position of the structure on the transport system, the adjustable fixing device comprising a locking plate arranged in a first through opening of a fixed part of the fixing device, the first opening comprising a first central axis, the locking plate comprising a passage hole crossed by the fixing member, and being designed so as to be able to be positioned in different positions within the first through opening, in order to bring the passage hole into different positions relative to the first central axis of the first opening.

[0008] The invention thus provides a simple design, which makes it possible to ensure the fixing of the structure on the transport system with a large tolerance of relative positioning between this structure and the transport system. The placement of the packaging on the transport system no longer needs to be extremely precise, which facilitates its implementation.

[0009] Furthermore, thanks to the adjustable nature of the fixing device, the proposed design makes it possible to adapt to transport systems having fixing elements in various configurations, such as for example having fixing rails with center distances of different values.

[0010] The invention preferably has at least one of the following optional features, taken alone or in combination.

[0011] Preferably, the locking plate comprises a body and a secondary locking plate arranged in a second through opening of the body of the locking plate, the second opening comprising a second central axis, the secondary locking plate being crossed by the passage hole of the fixing member, and the secondary locking plate being designed so as to be able to be positioned in different positions within the second through opening of the body of the locking plate, in order to bring the passage hole into different positions relative to the second central axis of the second opening.

[0012] This configuration offers an even wider adaptation to the arrangement of the fastening elements provided on the transport system. In particular, with the two degrees of freedom conferred by this design, it is easily possible to adapt to the particular position of point-type fastening elements, such as threaded holes, or even fastening elements carrying studs / threaded rods integral with the transport system.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first through opening has a generally parallelepiped shape, and the locking plate which only partially closes this first opening, can be brought into different positions within this first opening, by being moved relative to it in a first direction.

[0014] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first through opening has a generally circular shape centered on the first central axis of the first opening corresponding to a first adjustment axis of the adjustable fixing device, the locking plate being designed to be positioned in different angular positions within the first through opening, in relation to the first adjustment axis, in order to bring the passage hole, produced eccentrically in relation to the first adjustment axis, into the different positions relative to this same first adjustment axis, the locking plate preferably having a generally circular shape, of a shape complementary to that of the first through opening.

[0015] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the second through opening has a generally parallelepiped shape, and the secondary locking plate which only partially closes this second opening, can be brought into different positions within this second opening by being moved relative to it in a second direction, this second direction being different from the aforementioned first direction.

[0016] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the second through opening has a generally circular shape centered on the second central axis of the second opening corresponding to a second adjustment axis of the adjustable fixing device, the secondary locking plate being designed to be positioned in different angular positions within the second through opening, in relation to the second adjustment axis, in order to bring the passage hole, produced eccentrically in relation to the second adjustment axis, into the different positions relative to this same second adjustment axis, the secondary locking plate preferably having a generally circular shape, of a shape complementary to that of the second through opening.

[0017] Preferably, the adjustable fixing device also comprises a fixing sleeve passing through the passage hole, the sleeve itself being passed through by the fixing member. In addition, when the fixing element present on the transport system is a rail, the sleeve is preferably intended to be pressed against this fixing rail, which makes it possible to limit the opening of the rail during tightening.

[0018] Preferably, the locking plate ensures the locking of the fixed part, by cooperation in shape with the first through opening, in at least one direction in a plane in which the fixed part is inscribed, orthogonal to the first central axis of the first through opening.

[0019] More precisely, these are two directions in the context of the circular plate embodiment described above, and a single direction for the sliding plate embodiment. In the latter case, other means are provided to ensure blocking in the sliding direction of the plate. Indeed, in this direction, an interface may for example be provided between the fixed part and the locking plate, with their respective surfaces comprising teeth / racks allowing fine adjustment of the position, as well as a take-up of sliding forces, for example in the form of an anti-slip mat.

[0020] Preferably, the locking plate ensures the locking of the fixed part, in a vertical direction of the fixing device, using stop means carried by the locking plate and cooperating with the fixed part. For example, these stop means take the form of a shoulder on the plate.

[0021] Preferably, the fixing device also comprises a clamping member cooperating with a barrel of the fixing member, the latter preferably being a screw, and the clamping member a nut.

[0022] The invention also relates to a support frame for supporting a radioactive material transport package, the support frame having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, and a vertical direction, the frame comprising:

[0023] a support structure comprising:

[0024] - a support part intended to support the packaging,

[0025] - as well as a connecting part intended to be fixed on a system of transportation,

[0026] and a plurality of devices for fixing the connection part to the transport system, at least one of the fixing devices being adjustable and having the characteristics of the fixing device described above, also the subject of the invention.

[0027] Preferably, the fixing member of the adjustable fixing device comprises a head intended to cooperate with one of the fixing rails among two fixing rails equipping the transport system, the two fixing rails being intended to be oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction of the chassis, and the locking plate of the adjustable fixing device being designed so as to be able to be positioned in different positions within the first through opening, in order to bring the passage hole into different positions relative to the first central axis of the first opening.

[0028] This makes it possible to control the spacing in said transverse direction between the passage hole and the first central axis of the first opening, in direction and / or in value, in order to make the passage hole correspond with its associated rail.

[0029] Preferably, the chassis comprises several adjustable fixing devices, and preferably at least two fixing devices spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0030] Preferably, the connecting part of the support structure takes the form of a frame table, parallel to both the longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0031] The invention also relates to a packaging for transporting radioactive materials, the packaging comprising an external body equipped with a plurality of devices for fixing this body to a transport system, at least one of the fixing devices being adjustable and having the characteristics of the fixing device described above, also the subject of the invention. All the characteristics mentioned above for the chassis are also applicable to the packaging.

[0032] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising:

[0033] - a packaging for transporting radioactive materials;

[0034] - a support frame for this packaging;

[0035] - a transport system;

[0036] - a plurality of devices for fixing the support frame to the system of transport, at least one of the fixing devices being adjustable and having the characteristics of the fixing device described above, also the subject of the invention.

[0037] Preferably, the transport system comprises a platform on which fixing elements are fixed, preferably fixing rails.

[0038] The invention also covers a similar assembly, without the support frame, but with the packaging directly fixed to the transport system, in an identical or similar manner.

[0039] Finally, the invention also relates to a method for mounting a structure from among a radioactive material transport package and its support frame, on a transport system equipped with at least one fixing element, using at least one adjustable fixing device as described above, the method comprising the following steps:

[0040] - depositing the structure on the transport system;

[0041] - adjustment of each adjustable fixing device, so as to align its hole crossing with its associated fixing element of the transport system.

[0042] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear in the detailed non-limiting description below. Brief description of the drawings

[0043] This description will be made with regard to the attached drawings among which;

[0044] [Fig.l] represents a side view of a material transport vehicle dioactive, transporting an assembly according to the invention;

[0045] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of a support frame of the packaging shown in [Fig.l], equipped with several adjustable fixing devices, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0046] [Fig.3] is a top view of that of the previous figure;

[0047] [Fig.4] is a sectional view of the fixing device shown in Figures 2 and 3;

[0048] [Fig.5] is a top view of that of the previous figure;

[0049] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of the locking plate belonging to the device fixing shown in the previous figures;

[0050] [Fig.7] is a sectional view of the adjustable fixing device, according to another embodiment preferred embodiment of the invention, and taken along line VII-VII of [Fig.8];

[0051] [Fig.8] is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of [Fig.7];

[0052] [Fig.9] is a sectional view of the adjustable fixing device, according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0053] [Fig. 10] is a sectional view of the adjustable fixing device, according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0054] [Fig. 11] is a sectional view, showing an alternative for the realization of the adjustable fixing device;

[0055] [Fig. 12]

[0056] [Fig. 13]

[0057] [Fig. 14] are sectional views showing other examples for the production of the fixing elements on the transport platform of the vehicle; and

[0058] [Fig. 15] shows a rear view of a package secured to the platform of a vehicle, using the adjustable fastening devices shown in the preceding figures. Description of the embodiments

[0059] Referring firstly to [Fig. 1], a vehicle 1 for transporting radioactive materials is shown, here a road transport vehicle, but it could alternatively be a rail transport vehicle.

[0060] The vehicle comprises a front traction unit 2, as well as a trailer 4 forming a transport system, with in particular the presence of a loading platform 6. On the platform 6, a chassis 8 is mounted for supporting a package 10 for transporting radioactive materials. The attachment of the chassis 8 to the platform 6 is removable, and specific to the present invention. It will thus be described in detail later.

[0061] The packaging 10, its support frame 8 and the transport system 4 form an assembly 15 also comprising several devices 14 for fixing the frame 8 to the platform 6, one or more of which are specific to the present invention, due to their adjustable nature which will be explained below.

[0062] In the preferred embodiment of [Fig.l], the fixing devices 14 cooperate with fixing elements provided on the platform 6, here rails of fixing 16 arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and parallel to the longitudinal central axis 18 of the packaging 10 fixed on the platform. More precisely, these are four fixing devices 14, arranged in a square or rectangle, which are distributed so as to cooperate with two rails 16. Each fixing rail 16 thus cooperates with two devices 14 spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Nevertheless, other types of fixing elements are possible on the platform 6, some of which will be described later.

[0063] Conventionally, the packaging 10 is formed by an external body comprising a lateral body 12, a bottom, and a lid closing an opening of the packaging axially opposite the bottom. The bottom and the lid are covered in [Fig.l] by two shock-absorbing hoods 20, spaced from each other along the longitudinal central axis 18 of the packaging 10, which pass through the bottom and the lid. In this same [Fig.l], the packaging 10 is shown in the horizontal transport position, also called the “lying down” position, in which its longitudinal central axis 18 is parallel to the platform 6 of the vehicle, and therefore parallel to the longitudinal axis of the latter.

[0064] Still conventionally, the packaging 10 forms an outer envelope of a package and defines a cavity used to house the radioactive materials, and possibly a storage basket. The radioactive materials may for example be waste cases, or nuclear fuel assemblies.

[0065] The support frame 8 on which the packaging 10 is mounted is shown in Figures 2 and 3. The frame has a longitudinal direction X intended to be parallel to the longitudinal central axis 18 of the packaging, as well as a transverse direction Y and a vertical direction Z, the three directions X, Y, Z being orthogonal to each other. This XYZ reference is the same one which is attached to each fixing device 14, to the packaging 10, as well as to the platform 6 of the trailer.

[0066] The chassis 8 comprises a support structure formed by two parts 22, 24 which are attached to one another using fixing means, such as bolts. However, these two parts could be made in one piece, that is to say in one piece, without departing from the scope of the invention. It is first of all a support part 22, preferably in the form of a stool, the upper plate 22a of which arranged in an XY plane is intended to support the lateral body of the packaging, in the Z direction. It is then a connection part 24 in the general form of a plate, intended to be fixed on the platform 6 of the trailer via the fixing devices 14 which it integrates at its four corners, respectively. The vertical plates of the support part 22 are fixed on the connecting part 24, which extends in an XY plane taking the form of a chassis table.

[0067] Figures 4 to 6 show one of the fixing devices 14, with a character adjustable specific to the invention. This design can be adopted for all four devices 14, or for only some of them. In this case, preferably two of them are located on the same lateral side of the chassis 8.

[0068] As is apparent from the following, the adjustable nature of the fixing device 14 results from the fact that it comprises a fixing member 26 which can be easily moved after the packaging and its chassis have been placed on the platform, in order to make this fixing member 26 correspond with its associated rail 16. Consequently, this removal can be carried out more easily, more quickly, and with less precision in the relative position of the chassis 8 with respect to the rails 16 integrated in the platform 6.

[0069] The fixing member here is a screw 26 whose head 28 is housed in the corresponding rail 16, and retained in the Z direction upwards by two stop portions 30 opposite the bottom 32 of the rail, and arranged on either side of a barrel of the screw. It may be a rail of the Halfen™ rail type, the transverse spacing between the two vertical stop portions 32 of which allows the insertion of the parallelepiped-shaped screw head 28, which is then pivoted by 90° to be held vertically.

[0070] The fixing device 14 also comprises a locking plate 34 arranged in a first through opening 36 of a fixed part of this fixing device, this fixed part corresponding here to a corner portion 24' of the plate-shaped connection part 24. The first through opening 36 comprises a first central axis 36a oriented in the Z direction. It is also equipped with an eccentric through hole 38, and crossed by the barrel of the screw 26.

[0071] More specifically, in this preferred embodiment of the invention, the first through opening 36 has a generally circular shape centered on the first central axis 36a, corresponding to a first adjustment axis of the adjustable fixing device 14. The locking plate 34 also preferably has a generally circular shape, of a shape complementary to that of the first through opening 36. This allows this plate 34 to be positioned in different angular positions within the first through opening 36, in relation to the first adjustment axis 36a, in order to bring the eccentric passage hole 38 into different angular positions relative to this same first adjustment axis 36a. It is noted that in this embodiment, the screw is preferably in place in the rail before the positioning of the plate 34.

[0072] Also, thanks to this degree of freedom conferred by the rotational mobility of the plate 34 in the first through opening 36, it can easily be adopted the adequate angular relative position of this plate to bring the screw 26 into correspondence with its associated rail 16, so as to ensure the required assembly. This assembly, the outcome of which is shown in Figures 4 and 5, therefore begins with the removal of the chassis 8 on the platform 6, the packaging being mounted on the chassis only after the latter has been fixed on the platform. Then, the screw 26 is inserted into the rail 16, with the plate 34 removed from the chassis 8, therefore inserting the screw through the first through opening 36. The plate 34, in the general shape of a cover or plate with preferably a handling handle 35, is then installed in its first opening 36, in the angular position which allows the insertion of the barrel of the screw 26 into the eccentric passage hole 38 of the plate 36. This adjustment of the angular position of the plate is well carried out to vertically align its through hole 38 with the fixing rail 16.Indeed, by angularly adjusting the position of the plate 34 around the first adjustment axis 36a, it is easily possible to control the spacing “E” in the direction Y between this axis 36a and the axis 38a of the passage hole 38, so that this axis 38a is in correspondence with the rail 16, by traveling between the two stop portions 30 of this rail.

[0073] In this case, the locking plate 34 is then removably mounted on the fixed part 24'. However, in other configurations of the invention, the locking plate 34 can be irremovably mounted on this fixed part 24' integrated into the chassis, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0074] Thanks to the shape cooperation between the lateral surface of the plate 34 and the corresponding surface of the first through opening 36, this plate ensures the blocking of the chassis part 24 in the two directions X and Y.

[0075] In addition to this blocking in the XY plane provided by the fixing device 14, the plate 34 is here also designed to ensure the blocking of the chassis part 24 in the Z direction, using a shoulder 40 cooperating with the upper end of the first opening 36, as is best seen in [Fig.4].

[0076] In addition, a clamping member such as a nut 42 cooperates with the barrel of the screw 26, to vertically clamp the locking plate 34 between the rail 16 and this nut 42, thus forming a bolt with the screw 26. Nevertheless, it is noted that the fixing device 14 could only ensure the absorption of the forces of the chassis 8 in the X and Y directions, the locking of this chassis in the Z direction being able to be carried out by other means.

[0077] Another preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 7 and 8. It differs from the previous embodiment in that the first through opening 36 has a generally parallelepiped shape, just like the locking plate 34. However, the latter only partially closes the first opening 36, so that it can be brought into different positions within this first opening 36, by being moved relative to it in a first direction corresponding here to the direction Y, and thus offer easy control of the positioning of the screw 26 relative to the rail 16, in order to bring them into correspondence.

[0078] The width of the first opening 36 in the direction X corresponds to the length of the plate 34 in this same direction, so that the cooperation of shape allows the forces of the chassis 8 to be taken up in this direction X. Just as in the direction Z, via the nut 42 and the shoulder 40 which is made in the upper part of the locking plate 34. On the other hand, in the direction Y where this plate has a width less than the length of the first opening 36, an anti-slip interface is for example provided between these two elements. This can be done thanks to their respective surfaces comprising teeth or a rack allowing fine adjustment of the position of the plate 34 in the direction Y, while ensuring satisfactory take-up of the sliding forces of the chassis in this same direction.

[0079] In the two preferred embodiments shown in Figures 9 and 10 and which will be described below, the design adopted allows even finer adjustment of the fixing device 14, thanks to two degrees of freedom of movement for moving the passage hole 38 of the screw 26. If these devices prove to be particularly suitable for an application with point-type platform fixing elements, they can nevertheless be implemented with rails 16, as for the preferred embodiments described previously.

[0080] To do this, the locking plate 34 is no longer made in one piece, but in two pieces nested one inside the other. Indeed, the plate 34 comprises a body 34' which constitutes its main part, as well as a secondary locking plate 34” arranged in a second through opening 46 of the body 34'. The second opening 46 comprises a second central axis 46a parallel and distinct from the first central axis 36a. In addition, the secondary locking plate 34” is crossed by the passage hole 38, centered on the axis 38a parallel and distinct from the axis 46a. This secondary locking plate 34” can be mounted removably or not in its second opening 46 of the body 34'.

[0081] More specifically, in the preferred embodiment of [Fig.9], the second through opening 46 has a generally circular shape centered on the second central axis 46a, corresponding to a second adjustment axis of the adjustable fixing device 14. The secondary locking plate 34” also has a generally circular shape, of a shape complementary to that of the second through opening 46. In this way, the secondary locking plate 34” can be positioned in different angular positions within the second opening 46, in relation to the second adjustment axis 46a. This makes it possible to bring the eccentric passage hole 38 and the screw 26 into different angular positions relative to this same second adjustment axis 46a.Also, thanks to these two degrees of freedom conferred by the rotational mobility of the body 34' of the plate 34 in the first opening 36 of the chassis 8, and the rotational mobility of the secondary locking plate 34” in the second opening 46 of the body 34', it is possible to bring the screw 26 into corres. bearing with its associated rail 16 or with any other fixing element, in particular of the point type, so as to ensure the required assembly.

[0082] According to a similar principle, in the preferred embodiment of [Fig. 10], the body 34' of the plate 34 remains circular, but the second through opening 46 has a generally parallelepiped shape, just like the secondary locking plate 34' ' housed movably in this opening. Nevertheless, the secondary plate 34” only partially closes the second opening 46, so that it can be brought into different positions within this second opening 46, by being moved relative to it in a second sliding direction De.

[0083] Here again, the double degree of mobility offered by the rotation of the body 34', and by the sliding of the secondary plate 34” in the body 34', makes it possible to precisely bring the screw 26 into correspondence with its associated rail 16 or with any other fixing element, in particular of the point type, so as to ensure the required assembly.

[0084] In other words, the embodiment of [Fig. 10] corresponds to a combination of the two modes of Figures 4 and 7 described above. In this regard, it is noted that a combination of the two modes of Figures 7 and 10 can also be envisaged, so as to have the two degrees of freedom of sliding in the XY plane, respectively in a first and a second direction distinct from each other.

[0085] Whatever the embodiment envisaged among all those described previously, a fixing sleeve 48 can be housed in the passage hole 38, radially between the latter and the barrel of the screw 26. Such an embodiment is shown diagrammatically in [Fig. 1 1]. In this embodiment, the sleeve 48 itself has a passage hole 50 crossed by the barrel of the screw 26, and this sleeve is centered in the passage hole 38. Thus, the sleeve is gripped vertically between the nut 42 and the stop portions 30 of the rail 16, against which this sleeve 48 is pressed. This contributes to limiting the risks of opening of the rail 16 under the effect of the forces of the screw head 28 vertically upwards, by preventing the deformation of the two stop portions 30 against which the screw head 28 is pressed.In other words, the two stop portions 30, each extending longitudinally in the direction X, are clamped vertically between the screw head 28 and the lower part of the sleeve 48.

[0086] Furthermore, when removing the chassis 8 on the platform 6, the locking plate 34 can remain housed in the first opening 36, and once removal is complete, the screw 26 can be inserted into the rail 16 by passing through the enlarged passage hole 38. The sleeve 48 is then installed in a second step in the passage hole 38, just like the nut 42.

[0087] As mentioned above, the fixing elements 16 provided on the platform 6 can adopt different forms, and are not limited to rails. As of examples, [Fig. 12] shows a fixing element in the form of a threaded hole 16 in the platform 6, and the screw 26 cooperates with this threaded hole 16 by being screwed from above, the head 28 at the top. [Fig. 13] shows a similar example, in which the fixing element takes the form of a passage hole 16 through the platform 6. The screw 26 is thus introduced from below, under the platform 6 and the head 28 at the bottom, to be screwed onto the nut 42 in the upper part of the fixing device 14. [Fig. 14] shows another example in which the fixing element is a weld 16 securely holding a threaded stud 26 projecting upwards on the platform 6, and the upper free end of which cooperates with the clamping nut 42. Alternatively, the nut could be replaced by a through pin.

[0088] It is noted that all the preferred embodiments described above implement a support frame 8 to support the packaging 10. Nevertheless, another configuration of the invention is conceivable, in which the external body 12 of the packaging is fixed directly to the platform 6 of the trailer, via one or more adjustable fixing devices 14. In this case, the fixed part 24' of each device 14 is no longer integrated into the frame which is no longer present, but it then corresponds to an extension of the lateral body 12 of the packaging, for example in the form of a tab extending radially in relation to the longitudinal central axis 18.

[0089] All the characteristics of the devices 14, described previously for the fixing of the support frame 8, are applicable for the direct fixing of the packaging 10 on the platform 6, for example for the purposes of fixing the packaging 10 in a vertical position as shown in [Fig. 15].

[0090] Of course, various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to the invention which has just been described, solely by way of non-limiting examples, and within the limits of the scope defined by the appended claims. In particular, the different embodiments can be combined with each other, their specific characteristics remaining interchangeable and / or combinable.

Claims

Claims

1. Fixing device (14) for a structure from among a radioactive material transport package (10) and its support frame (8), on a transport system (6) equipped with at least one fixing element (16), the fixing device comprising a fixing member (26) for fixing the structure, intended to cooperate with the fixing element (16) provided on the transport system, characterized in that the fixing device has an adjustable character to adapt to the position of the structure (8, 10) on the transport system (6), the adjustable fixing device comprising a locking plate (34) arranged in a first through opening (36) of a fixed part (24') of the fixing device, the first opening comprising a first central axis (36a), the locking plate (34) comprising a passage hole (38) crossed by the fixing member (26),and being designed to be positionable in different positions within the first through opening (36), in order to bring the through hole (38) into different positions relative to the first central axis (36a) of the first opening.,

2. Fastening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking plate (34) comprises a body (34') as well as a secondary locking plate (34”) arranged in a second through opening (46) of the body of the locking plate, the second opening comprising a second central axis (46a), the secondary locking plate (34”) being crossed by the through hole (38) of the fastening member (26), and being designed so as to be able to be positioned in different positions within the second through opening (46) of the body of the locking plate, in order to bring the through hole (38) into different positions relative to the second central axis (46a) of the second opening.

3. Fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first through opening (36) has a generally parallelepiped shape, and in that the locking plate (34) which only partially closes this first opening, can be brought into different positions within this first opening by being moved relative to it in a first direction (Y).

4. A fixing device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the first through opening (36) has a generally circular shape centered on the first central axis of the first opening corresponding to a first adjustment axis (36a) of the adjustable fixing device, and in that the locking plate (34) is designed to be positioned in different angular positions within the first through opening (36), in relation to the first adjustment axis (36a), in order to bring the passage hole (38), produced eccentrically in relation to the first adjustment axis (36a), into the different positions relative to this same first adjustment axis, the locking plate (34) preferably having a generally circular shape, of a shape complementary to that of the first through opening (36).

5. Fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims combined with claim 2, characterized in that the second through opening (46) has a generally parallelepiped shape, and in that the secondary locking plate (34”) which only partially closes this second opening, can be brought into different positions within this second opening (46) by being moved relative to it in a second direction (De).

6. Fastening device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, combined with claim 2, characterized in that the second through opening (46) has a generally circular shape centered on the second central axis of the second opening corresponding to a second adjustment axis (46a) of the adjustable fastening device, and in that the secondary locking plate (34”) is designed to be positioned in different angular positions within the second through opening (46), in relation to the second adjustment axis (46a), in order to bring the passage hole (38), produced eccentrically in relation to the second adjustment axis, into the different positions relative to this same second adjustment axis (46a), the secondary locking plate (34”) preferably having a generally circular shape, of a shape complementary to that of the second through opening (46).

7. Fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking plate (34) ensures the locking of the fixed part (24'), by cooperation in shape with the first through opening (36), in at least one direction (X, Y) in a plane (XY) in which the fixed part (24') is inscribed, orthogonal to the first central axis (36a) of the first through opening (36).

8. Fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking plate (34) ensures the locking of the fixed part (24'), in a vertical direction (Z) of the fixing device, using stop means (40) carried by the locking plate (34) and cooperating with the fixed part (24').

9. Fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a clamping member (42) cooperating with a barrel of the fixing member (26), the latter preferably being a screw, and the clamping member (42) a nut.

10. Support frame (8) for supporting a radioactive material transport package (10), the support frame having a longitudinal direction (X), a transverse direction (Y), and a vertical direction (Z), the frame comprising: a support structure comprising: - a support part (22) intended to support the package (10); - a connection part (24) intended to be fixed to a transport system (6), and a plurality of fixing devices (14) of the connection part (24) on the transport system (6), at least one of the fixing devices (14) being adjustable and having the characteristics of any one of the preceding claims.

11. Support frame according to claim 10, characterized in that the fixing member (26) of the adjustable fixing device (14) comprises a head (28) intended to cooperate with one of the fixing rails (16) among two fixing rails equipping the transport system (6), the two fixing rails (16) being intended to be oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) of the frame, the locking plate (34) of the adjustable fixing device (14) being designed so as to be able to be positioned in different positions within the first through opening (36), in order to bring the passage hole (38) into different positions relative to the first central axis (36a) of the first opening (36).

12. Transport packaging for radioactive materials (10), the packaging comprising an external body (12) equipped with a plurality of fixing devices (14) for this body (12) on a transport system (6), at least one of the fixing devices (14) being adjustable and having the characteristics of any one of claims 1 to 9.

13. Assembly (15) comprising: - a radioactive material transport package (10); - a support frame (8) for this package; - a transport system (6); - a plurality of fixing devices (14) for the support frame (8) on the transport system (6), at least one of the fixing devices (14) being adjustable and having the characteristics of any one of claims 1 to 9.

14. Assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the transport system comprises a platform (6) on which fixing elements (16) are fixed, preferably fixing rails.

15. A method of mounting a structure from among a radioactive material transport package (10) and its support frame (8), on a transport system (6) equipped with at least one fixing element (16), using at least one adjustable fixing device (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising the following steps: - depositing the structure (8, 10) on the transport system (6); - adjusting each adjustable fixing device (14), so as to align its through hole (38) with its associated fixing element (16) of the transport system.

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