Connecting device comprising an expandable sleeve and a conical nut, assembly comprising at least one such connecting device

Abstract

Connecting device comprising an expandable sleeve and a conical nut, assembly comprising at least one such connecting device The invention relates to a connecting device (26), suitable for holding assembled parts (22, 24), which comprises: a screw (30), a nut (32) configured to be screwed onto the screw (30), a tubular body (34) and an expandable sleeve (36) positioned around the shank (38) of the screw (30) and interposed between the head (40) of the screw (30) and the nut (32), the tubular body (34), the expandable sleeve (36) and the nut (32) being locked in rotation relative to each other, the tubular body (34) comprising a portion configured to lock it in rotation or to pivot it, the expandable sleeve (36) being configured to occupy a retracted state and an expanded state in which it has a greater cross-section than the retracted state,the nut (32) comprising cross-sections dimensioned to cause the expandable sleeve (36) to move from the retracted state to the expanded state. Figure 3,

Description

Title of the invention: Connecting device comprising an expandable sleeve and a conical nut, assembly comprising at least one such connecting device

[0001] The present application relates to a connecting device comprising an expandable sleeve and a conical nut, making it possible to hold at least two parts of an assembly together, as well as to an assembly comprising at least one such connecting device.

[0002] According to one configuration, an assembly comprises at least first and second parts as well as at least one connecting device for holding the first and second parts assembled. Each of the first and second parts comprises an inner face oriented towards the other part, an outer face opposite the inner face as well as a through orifice which opens at the inner and outer faces and has an axis of revolution substantially perpendicular to the inner and outer faces. In addition, the connecting device comprises a screw which comprises a threaded rod and a head, provided at one end of the rod, configured to bear against the outer face of the first part as well as a nut configured to be fixed on the threaded rod of the screw and bear against the outer face of the second part.

[0003] According to an embodiment visible in [Fig.l], a nut 10 comprises a body 12 which has a tapped hole cooperating with the threaded rod of the screw as well as a plate 14 secured to the body 12 and configured to be pressed against the external face 16F of a part 16. To allow blind assembly without holding the nut 10 with a tool, the plate 14 of the nut 10 is connected to the part 16 by two fixing elements 18 such as rivets for example. For this purpose, the plate 14 comprises two through holes 14.1, 14.2 and the part 16 comprises a through hole intended for the screw as well as two fixing holes, one for each fixing element 18.

[0004] This embodiment is not satisfactory because it is necessary to make three holes in the part to be assembled, which requires time and potentially weakens the part. According to another disadvantage, the assembly time of such an assembly is relatively long because it is first necessary to fix the nut to one of the parts to be assembled.

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a connecting device adapted to hold at least first and second parts assembled, said connecting device comprising: a. a screw which comprises an at least partially threaded shank and a head secured to the shank and configured to lock in rotation or pivot the screw, b. a nut which extends between first and second ends and comprises first and second cross-sections and an at least partially tapped hole to allow screwing of the nut onto the screw shank.

[0007] According to the invention, the connecting device comprises a tubular body and an expandable sleeve positioned around the screw shank and interposed between the screw head and the nut, a. the tubular body comprising a tubular section as well as at least one part having a section greater than that of the tubular section and configured to lock in rotation or pivot the tubular body, b. the expandable sleeve comprising at least one expandable portion configured to occupy a retracted state in which the expandable portion has a reduced first section and an expanded state in which the expandable portion has a second section greater than the first section, c. the expandable sleeve and the tubular body having shapes which cooperate with each other so as to lock the expandable sleeve and the tubular body in rotation relative to each other, d. the nut and the expanding sleeve having shapes which cooperate with each other so as to lock the nut and the expanding sleeve in rotation relative to each other, e. the first end of the nut being oriented towards the tubular body, the first cross-section being less than the second cross-section and closer to the first end than the second cross-section, the first and second cross-sections being sized to cause a transition of the expandable sleeve from the retracted state to the expanded state.

[0008] This connecting device allows blind mounting (from one side of the assembly only) without the need to install fixing elements to hold the nut.

[0009] According to another characteristic, the expandable sleeve has an axis of revolution, extends between first and second ends and comprises: a. a first section, which extends from the first end, configured to cooperate with the tubular body, b. a second section, which extends from the first section to the second end, configured to cooperate with the nut, c. a collar positioned at the second end secured to the second section, d. at least one longitudinal slot extending at the second section, from the second end.

[0010] According to another characteristic, the expandable sleeve comprises several longitudinal slots, distributed around the expandable sleeve, delimiting between them deformable tabs each comprising a portion of the collar.

[0011] According to another characteristic, each deformable tab extends between first and second ends and has an intermediate zone between the first and second curved ends, the intermediate zone being further spaced from the axis of revolution than the first and second ends in the retracted state.

[0012] According to another characteristic, the nut comprises a lateral face as well as at least one second lug projecting relative to the lateral face and configured to be housed in a longitudinal slot of the expandable sleeve, each longitudinal slot and each second lug having in a transverse plane substantially identical widths so that the nut and the expandable sleeve are locked in rotation relative to each other.

[0013] According to another characteristic, the nut comprises a number of second lugs equal to the number of longitudinal slots present on the expandable sleeve.

[0014] According to another characteristic, the lateral face comprises a first substantially cylindrical portion which extends from the first end and has a first diameter, a second substantially cylindrical portion which extends from the second end and has a second diameter greater than the first diameter as well as an intermediate portion, connecting the first and second portions, which has a diameter increasing, moving away from the first end, between a first value equal to the first diameter and a second value equal to the second diameter.

[0015] According to another characteristic, each second lug is located at the level of the first portion of the lateral face.

[0016] According to another characteristic, the first section has a lateral surface oriented towards the tubular section as well as at least one first lug projecting relative to the lateral surface. In addition, the tubular section comprises at least one housing configured to house the first lug, the housing and the first lug having substantially identical widths in a transverse plane so that the first section and the tubular body are locked in rotation relative to each other.

[0017] According to another characteristic, the housing is a slot which extends from the second end of the tubular section of the tubular body.

[0018] According to another characteristic, the tubular body comprises a collar which has a side face configured to lock in rotation or pivot the tubular body.

[0019] According to another characteristic, the connecting device comprises a compression spring interposed between the tubular body and the expandable sleeve.

[0020] The invention also relates to an assembly which comprises at least first and second parts each comprising a through-orifice as well as at least one connecting device according to one of the preceding characteristics, positioned partly in the through-orifices of the first and second parts.

[0021] According to another characteristic, the assembly comprises at least one protective sleeve lining the through-orifice of at least one of the first and second parts.

[0022] According to another characteristic, the tubular body is configured to cooperate with the first part so as to block the tubular body in translation in a longitudinal direction relative to the first part. In addition, the expandable sleeve comprises at least one expandable part configured to occupy a retracted state in which the expandable part has a first reduced section allowing it to pass through the first and second parts of the assembly via their through orifices as well as an expanded state in which the expandable part has a second section greater than the first section and cooperates with the second part so as to block the expandable sleeve and the second part in translation in the longitudinal direction relative to each other.

[0023] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description of the invention which follows, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings, among which:

[0024] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a portion of an assembly illustrating an embodiment of the prior art,

[0025] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of an assembly illustrating one embodiment of the invention,

[0026] [Fig.3] is a longitudinal section of an assembly illustrating one embodiment of the invention,

[0027] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a connecting device in the disassembled state illustrating an embodiment of the invention,

[0028] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of the different stages of assembly of an ace assembly illustrating an embodiment of the invention,

[0029] [Fig.6] is a longitudinal section of an assembly being mounted illustrating an embodiment of the invention,

[0030] [Fig.7] is a longitudinal section of an assembly during assembly illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

[0031] As illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 5 to 7, an assembly 20 comprises at least first and second parts 22, 24 as well as at least one connecting device 26 for holding the first and second parts 22, 24 assembled.

[0032] Each of the first and second parts 22, 24 comprises an internal face 22.1, 24.1 oriented towards the other part 22, 24, an external face 22.2, 24.2 opposite the internal face 22.1, 24.1 as well as a through orifice 22.3, 24.3 which opens at the level of the internal and external faces 22.1, 24.1, 22.2, 24.2 and has an axis of revolution A22.3, A24.3. According to one configuration, for each of the first and second parts 22, 24, the internal and external faces 22.1, 24.1, 22.2, 24.2 are substantially parallel to each other and the axis of revolution A22.3, A24.3 is substantially perpendicular to the internal and external faces 22.1, 24.1, 22.2, 24.2. The through-holes 22.3, 22.4 have internal diameters d22.3, d24.3. When the first and second parts 22 and 24 are assembled, the axes of revolution A22.3, A24.4 are substantially coaxial and aligned.

[0033] For the remainder of the description, a longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to at least one of the axes of revolution A22.3, A24.4 of the through-orifices 22.3, 24.3 of the first and second parts 22, 24. A transverse plane is substantially perpendicular to at least one of the axes of revolution A22.3, A24.3 of the through-orifices 22.3, 24.3 of the first and second parts 22, 24.

[0034] According to the example illustrated in the various figures, the assembly 20 comprises only two parts and the internal faces 22.1, 24.1 of the first and second parts are pressed against each other. Of course, the invention is not limited to this configuration. The assembly 20 could comprise more than two parts as well as at least one part inserted between the first and second parts 22, 24.

[0035] According to a configuration visible in Figures 3 and 5, the through-orifice 22.3 of the first part 22 comprises, at its end, a chamfer 28 which opens out at the external face 22.2.

[0036] The connecting device 26 comprises a screw 30, a nut 32 configured to cooperate with the screw 30, a tubular body 34 as well as an expandable sleeve 36.

[0037] As illustrated in [Fig.4], the screw 30 comprises a rod 38 which extends between first and second ends 38.1, 38.2 as well as a head 40 secured to the rod 38, more particularly to its first end 38.1. The rod 38 has an axis of revolution A38 and comprises at least one threaded section 38.3 which extends from the second end 38.2 of the rod 38. According to one configuration, the threaded section 38.3 extends from the second end 38.2 to the first end 38.1. According to another configuration, the threaded section 38.3 is spaced from the first end 38.1.

[0038] The head 40 of the screw 30 is configured to be able to lock in rotation or pivot the screw 30 around the axis of revolution A38 of the rod 38, in particular using of a tool.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the head 40 comprises a transverse face 40.1, substantially perpendicular to the axis of revolution A38 of the rod 38 and opposite the rod 38, which comprises an imprint 42 configured to be able to block in rotation or pivot the screw 30 around the axis of revolution A38 of the rod 38, in particular using a tool.

[0040] According to one configuration, the head 40 is a countersunk head and the imprint 42 is cruciform. Of course, the invention is not limited to these shapes for the head 40 and the imprint 42. Alternatively, the head 40 could comprise a side wall with at least one flat surface making it possible to lock in rotation or pivot the screw 30 around the axis of revolution A38 of the rod 38, in particular using a tool.

[0041] The tubular body 34 has an axis of revolution A34 and comprises a tubular section 44 which extends between first and second ends 44.1, 44.2 as well as a collar 46 secured to the first end 44.1 of the tubular section 44.

[0042] This tubular section 44 comprises an external diameter D44 equal to or less than the internal diameter d22.3, d24.3 of the through hole 22.3, 24.3 of each part 22, 24 in which the tubular section 44 is housed. The tubular section 44 has an internal diameter d44 greater than the external diameter D38 of the rod 38 of the screw 30.

[0043] The tubular body 34 and more particularly its collar 46 are configured to cooperate with the first part 22 so as to block in translation in the longitudinal direction (in the direction of the second part 24) the tubular body 34 relative to the first part 22.

[0044] According to one configuration, this collar 46 comprises a lateral face 48, projecting relative to the first part 22, configured to block in rotation or to pivot the tubular body 34 around its axis of revolution A34, in particular using a tool. According to one mode of revolution, the lateral face 48 comprises at least one flat.

[0045] According to an arrangement visible in Figures 2 and 3, the collar 46 is frustoconical and its lateral face 48 has a hexagonal cross-section. According to this configuration, the head 40 of the screw 30 is milled and the end of the through-orifice 22.3 of the first part 24 opening at the external face 22.2 has a chamfer 28. Of course, the invention is not limited to this arrangement for the collar 46 and its lateral face 48. Thus, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the collar 46 may have two transverse faces substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis of revolution A34 of the tubular body 34, one of these transverse faces being configured to bear against the external face 22.2 of the first part 22.

[0046] More generally, the tubular body 34 has an axis of revolution A34 and comprises a tubular section 44 configured to be housed in at least the orifice through 22.3 of the first part 22 as well as at least one part, projecting relative to the first part 22, having a section greater than that of the tubular section 44 and configured to block in rotation or pivot the tubular body 34 around its axis of revolution A34, in particular with a tool. This part projecting relative to the first part 22 has a section greater than that of the through orifice 22.3 of the first part 22 which makes it possible to immobilize in translation in the longitudinal direction, in the direction of the second part 24, the tubular body 34 relative to the first part 22.

[0047] The expandable sleeve 36 has an axis of revolution A36 and extends between first and second ends 36.1, 36.2. It comprises a first section 50 (coaxial to the axis of revolution A36), which extends from the first end 36.1, configured to cooperate with the tubular body 34, a second section 52 (coaxial to the axis of revolution A36), which extends from the first section 50 to the second end 36.2, configured to cooperate with the nut 32 as well as a collar 54 positioned at the second end 36.1 secured to the second section 52 and configured to cooperate with the second part 24 so as to block in translation in the longitudinal direction (towards the first part 22) the expandable sleeve 36 relative to the second part 24.

[0048] The expandable sleeve 36 comprises at least one longitudinal slot 56, oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction, which extends at the level of the second section 52 from the second end 36.2 to allow the second section 52 to flare out and occupy a first state (or retracted state), visible in particular in part (B) of [Fig. 5], in which the expandable sleeve 36 has a reduced section allowing it to pass through the first and second parts 22, 24 via the through-orifices 22.3, 24.3 as well as a second state (or expanded state), visible in particular in part (C) of [Fig. 5], in which the collar 54 bears against the second part 24 so as to block in translation in the longitudinal direction (towards the first part 22) the expandable sleeve 36 relative to the second part 24.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the expandable sleeve 36 is made of a material allowing it to deform elastically between the first and second states. In the absence of constraints or forces, the expandable sleeve 36 occupies the first state corresponding to an undeformed state or automatically returns to this first state. In the presence of forces or constraints, the expandable sleeve 36 occupies the second state corresponding to a deformed state.

[0050] According to one configuration, the first section 50 has a shape of revolution, an external diameter D50 equal to or slightly less than the internal diameter d44 of the tubular section 44 so as to allow the first section 50 to slide in the tubular section 44 of the tubular body 34 as well as an internal diameter d50 equal to or slightly greater than the outside diameter D38 of the rod 38 of the screw 30.

[0051] The expandable sleeve 36, more particularly its first section 50, and the tubular body 34, more particularly the tubular section 44, comprise shapes which cooperate with each other so as to lock the expandable sleeve 36 and tubular body 34 in rotation about the axis of revolution A34 relative to each other. According to one embodiment, the first section 50 has a lateral surface S50 oriented towards the tubular section 44 as well as at least one first lug 58 projecting relative to the lateral surface S50. In addition, the tubular section 44 comprises at least one housing 60 configured to house the first lug 58, the housing 60 and the first lug 58 having substantially identical widths in a transverse plane so that the first section 50 and the tubular body 34 cannot pivot relative to each other. According to one arrangement, the housing 60 is a slot which extends from the second end 44.2 of the tubular section 44 of the tubular body 34. Thus, the first lug 58 can be introduced into the housing 60 from this second end 44.2.

[0052] According to one configuration, the expandable sleeve 36 comprises several longitudinal slots 56, distributed over the circumference of the expandable sleeve 36, delimiting between them deformable tabs 62 each comprising a portion of the collar 54. According to one arrangement, the longitudinal slots 56 are regularly distributed over the circumference of the expandable sleeve 36. By way of example, the expandable sleeve 36 comprises eight longitudinal slots 56. Of course, the invention is not limited to this number of slots. Each deformable tab comprises a first end connected to the first section 50 as well as a second free end movable between a first position close to the axis of revolution A36 of the expandable sleeve when the latter occupies the first state and a second position spaced from the axis of revolution A36 when the expandable sleeve 36 occupies the second state.

[0053] According to an embodiment visible in [Fig.4], the second section 52 of the expandable sleeve 36 and each of the deformable tabs 62 extend between first and second ends E1, E2 and have an intermediate zone E3, between the first and second ends E1, E2 curved; the intermediate zone E3 being further spaced from the axis of revolution A36, in the first state, than the first and second ends E1, E2.

[0054] In the first state (or retracted state), the expandable sleeve 36 has, at the level of the intermediate zones E3, a substantial diameter equal to the external diameter D54 of the collar 54 and slightly less than the internal diameter of the through-orifice 24.3 of the second part 24. This configuration makes it possible to reposition the expandable sleeve 36 in the first state and to be able to extract it from the through-orifices 22.3, 24.3 during possible disassembly.

[0055] Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment for the expandable sleeve 36. Whatever the embodiment, the expandable sleeve 36 comprises at least one expandable part (the second section 52 and the collar 54), configured to occupy a retracted state, corresponding to the first state, in which the expandable sleeve 36 has a first reduced section allowing it to pass through the parts of the assembly 20 via their through orifices 22.3, 24.3 as well as an expanded state, corresponding to the second state, in which the expandable part has a second section greater than the first section and cooperates with the second part 24 so as to block in translation in the longitudinal direction the expandable sleeve 36 and the second part 24 relative to each other.In addition, the expandable sleeve 36 and the tubular body 34 comprise shapes which cooperate with each other so as to lock in rotation, around the axis of revolution A34, the expandable sleeve 36 and the tubular body 34 relative to each other while allowing movement in the longitudinal direction between the expandable sleeve 36 and the tubular body 34.

[0056] The nut 32 extends between first and second ends 32.1, 32.2 and has first and second sections respectively in line with the first and second ends 32.1, 32.2, the first section being oriented towards the tubular body 34 and being smaller than the second section.

[0057] The nut 32 comprises a hole 64, connecting the first and second ends 32.1, 32.2 of the nut 32, at least partially tapped to allow screwing or unscrewing of the nut 32 on the rod 38 of the screw 30, said nut 32 being movable, relative to the head 40 of the screw 30, in the longitudinal direction between a close position and a spaced position during screwing or unscrewing. The hole 64 has an axis of revolution A64.

[0058] The nut 32 and the expandable sleeve 36 comprise shapes which cooperate with each other so as to lock the nut 32 and the expandable sleeve 36 in rotation about the axis of revolution A36 of the expandable sleeve relative to each other while allowing movement in the longitudinal direction between the expandable sleeve 36 and the nut 32.

[0059] According to an embodiment visible in [Fig. 4], the nut 32 has a first transverse face 66.1 (perpendicular to the axis of revolution A64) at its first end 32.1, a second transverse face 66.2 (perpendicular to the axis of revolution A64) at its second end 32.2, a lateral face 68 connecting the first and second transverse faces 66.1, 66.2 as well as at least one second lug 70, projecting relative to the lateral face 68, configured to be housed in one of the longitudinal slots 56 of the expandable sleeve 36, each longitudinal slot 56 and each second lug 70 having in a transverse plane widths substantially identical so that the nut 32 and the expanding sleeve 36 cannot pivot relative to each other.

[0060] According to one arrangement, the nut 32 comprises a number of second lugs 70 equal to the number of longitudinal slots 56 present on the expandable sleeve 36.

[0061] According to one configuration, the lateral face 68 comprises a first substantially cylindrical portion 68.1 which extends from the first end 32.1 and has a first diameter, a second substantially cylindrical portion 68.2 which extends from the second end 32.2 and has a second diameter greater than the first diameter, and an intermediate portion 68.3, connecting the first and second portions 68.1, 68.2, which has a diameter increasing, moving away from the first end 32.1, between a first value equal to the first diameter and a second value equal to the second diameter. According to one arrangement, each second lug 70 is located at the first portion 68.1 of the lateral face 68.

[0062] Of course, the invention is not limited to these embodiments for the nut 32. Whatever the embodiment, the nut 32 extends between first and second ends 32.1, 32.2 and comprises a hole 64 at least partially tapped for screwing onto the rod 38 of the screw 30 as well as first and second cross sections, the first end of the nut 32 being oriented towards the tubular body 34, the first cross section being smaller than the second cross section and closer to the first end 32.1 than the second cross section, the first and second cross sections being sized to cause the expandable sleeve 36 to pass from the first state (or retracted state) to the second state (or expanded state).In addition, the nut 32 and the expandable sleeve 36 comprise shapes which cooperate with each other so as to lock in rotation, around the axis of revolution A36 of the expandable sleeve 36, the nut 32 and the expandable sleeve 36 relative to each other while allowing movement in the longitudinal direction between the nut 32 and the expandable sleeve 36.

[0063] The nut 32 and in particular its first and second cross sections are dimensioned so as to allow the passage of a tightening torque from the screw screwed onto the nut.

[0064] To ensure optimal operation, the internal diameter of the through-orifice 24.3 of the second part 24 near the external face 24.2 is substantially equal to the diameter of the second section of the nut 32 increased by twice the thickness of the second section 52 of the expandable sleeve 36 near its second end 36.2.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the connecting device 26 comprises at least one compression spring 72 interposed between the tubular body 34 and the expandable sleeve 36. This compression spring 72 makes it possible to move the expandable sleeve 36 apart. and the tubular body 34 and potentially to push the expandable sleeve 36 out of the through hole 24.3 of the second part 24 when unscrewing the screw 30. According to one configuration, the tubular section 44 of the tubular body 34 has an internal diameter d44 significantly greater than the external diameter of the rod 38 of the screw 30 so as to house the compression spring 72 between the tubular section 44 and the rod 38 of the screw 30. In addition, the tubular section 44 comprises an internal collar 74 against which a first end of the compression spring 72 can bear, the second end of the compression spring 72 bearing against the first end 36.1 of the expandable sleeve 36.

[0066] According to a first embodiment visible in [Fig. 6], the first and second parts 22 and 24 are metallic. According to this embodiment, the through-orifice 22.3 of the first part 22 has an internal diameter d22.3 greater than the external diameter D44 of the tubular section 44 of the tubular body 34. In addition, the tubular section 44 has a length such that, when the assembly 20 is mounted, a portion of the tubular section 44 is housed in the through-orifice 24.3 of the second part 24 which has an internal diameter d24.3 substantially equal to the external diameter D44 of the tubular section 44 of the tubular body 34.

[0067] According to a second embodiment visible in [Fig.7], at least the second part 24 is made of composite material. According to this embodiment, the assembly 20 comprises at least one protective sleeve 76 for lining the through-orifice 22.3, 24.3 of at least one of the first and second parts 22, 24. According to one configuration, the protective sleeve 76 comprises at least one collar 78, at one of its ends, pressed against the internal or external face 24.1, 24.2 of the first or second part 22, 24.

[0068] According to a configuration of this second embodiment, only the through-orifice 24.3 of the second part 24 comprises a protective sleeve 76. In addition, the through-orifice 22.3 of the first part 22 has an internal diameter d22.3 greater than the external diameter D44 of the tubular section 44 of the tubular body 34. In addition, the tubular section 44 has a length such that, when the assembly 20 is mounted, a portion of the tubular section 44 is housed in the protective sleeve 76 inserted in the through-orifice 24.3 of the second part 24. This protective sleeve 76 has an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter D44 of the tubular section 44 of the tubular body 34.

[0069] The assembly of a connecting device 26 is described in [Fig. 5]. In operation, the tubular body 34 and the sleeve 36 are positioned around the rod 38 of the screw and interposed between the head 40 of the screw 30 and the nut 32. To do this, as illustrated in part (A) of [Fig. 5], the tubular body 34 and the tubular sleeve 36 are fitted onto the rod 38 of the screw 30, the first lug 58 of the expandable sleeve 36 being positioned in the housing 60 of the tubular body 34. Next, the nut 32 is screwed onto the rod 38 of the screw 30 until the second lugs 70 are positioned in the longitudinal slots 56 of the expandable sleeve 36, without however the latter being in the second state (expanded state).

[0070] The expandable sleeve 36 being in the first state (retracted state), the connecting device 26 is introduced into the through holes 22.3, 24.3 of the first and second parts 22, 24 until the nut 32 projects relative to the external face 24.2 of the second part 24, as illustrated in part (B) of [Fig.5].

[0071] Next, the screw 30 is rotated while keeping the tubular body 34 locked in rotation so as to screw the nut 32 onto the rod 38, the expandable sleeve 36 being immobile in rotation relative to the tubular body 34 and the nut 32 being immobile in rotation relative to the expandable sleeve 36. As a variant, the tubular body 34 is rotated and the screw 30 is locked in rotation.

[0072] When the nut 32 is screwed, it approaches the head 40 of the screw 30. Gradually, the nut 32 penetrates into the expandable sleeve 36 which deforms to the second state corresponding to the expanded state. The tubular body 34 being in abutment against the first part 22 and the head 40 of the screw 30 being in abutment against the tubular body 34, the expandable sleeve 36 expands until the portions of the collar 54 are in abutment against the external face 24.2 of the part 24, as illustrated in part (C) of [Fig.5]. The tubular body 32 and the sleeve 36 sliding relative to each other, the nut 32 is screwed until the tubular body 34 and the expandable sleeve 36 exert a desired compressive force on the first and second parts 22, 24. From then on, the connecting device 26 is mounted and the first and second parts 22, 24 are assembled.

[0073] To disassemble the first and second parts 22, 24, it is sufficient to rotate the screw 30 while locking the tubular body 34 in rotation (or to rotate the tubular body 43 while locking the screw 30 in rotation) so as to unscrew the nut 32, which gradually moves away from the tubular body 34 and comes out of the expandable sleeve 36. By elastic deformation, the expandable sleeve 36 returns to the first state corresponding to the retracted state. If the expandable sleeve 36 remains in contact with the second part 24, the compression spring 72 moves the expandable sleeve 36 away from the tubular body 34 and from the second part 24. From then on, the expandable sleeve 36 returns to the first state corresponding to the retracted state. The connecting device 26 can then be extracted from the first and second parts 22, 24 from the external face 22.2 of the first part 22.

Claims

Claims

1. Connecting device (26) adapted to hold at least first and second assembled parts (22, 24), said connecting device (26) comprising: a. a screw (30) which comprises a rod (38) at least partially threaded as well as a head (40) integral with the rod (38), b. a nut (32) which extends between first and second ends (32.1, 32.2) and comprises first and second cross-sections as well as a hole (64) at least partially tapped to allow screwing of the nut (32) onto the shank (38) of the screw (30), characterized in that the connecting device (26) comprises a tubular body (34) and an expandable sleeve (36) positioned around the rod (38) of the screw (30) and interposed between the head (40) of the screw (30) and the nut (32), a. the tubular body (34) comprising a tubular section (44) as well as at least one part having a section greater than that of the tubular section (44) and configured to lock in rotation or pivot the tubular body (34), b. the expandable sleeve (36) comprising at least one expandable portion configured to occupy a retracted state in which the expandable portion has a reduced first section and an expanded state in which the expandable portion has a second section greater than the first section, c. the expandable sleeve (36) and the tubular body (34) having shapes which cooperate with each other so as to lock the expandable sleeve (36) and the tubular body (34) in rotation relative to each other, d. the nut (32) and the expandable sleeve (36) having shapes which cooperate with each other so as to lock the nut (32) and the expandable sleeve (36) in rotation relative to each other, e. the first end (32.1) of the nut (32) being oriented towards the tubular body (34), the first cross-section being smaller than the second cross-section and closer to the first end (32.1) than the second cross-section, the first and second cross-sections being sized to cause the expandable sleeve (36) to move from the retracted state to the expanded state.

2. Connecting device (26) according to claim 1, characterized in that the expandable sleeve (36) has an axis of revolution (A36), extends between first and second ends (36.1, 36.2) and comprises: a. a first section (50), which extends from the first end (36.1), configured to cooperate with the tubular body (34), b. a second section (52), which extends from the first section (50) to the second end (36.2), configured to cooperate with the nut (32), c. a collar (54) positioned at the second end (36.1) secured to the second section (52), d. at least one longitudinal slot (56) which extends at the second section (52) from the second end (36.2).

3. Connecting device (26) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the expandable sleeve (36) comprises several longitudinal slots (56), distributed around the expandable sleeve (36), delimiting between them deformable tabs (62) each comprising a portion of the collar (54).

4. Connecting device (26) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each deformable tab (62) extends between first and second ends (El, E2) and has an intermediate zone (E3) curved between the first and second ends (El, E2), the intermediate zone (E3) being further spaced from the axis of revolution (A36) than the first and second ends (El, E2) in the retracted state.

5. Connecting device (26) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the nut (32) comprises a lateral face (68) as well that at least one second lug (70) protrudes relative to the lateral face (68) and configured to be housed in a longitudinal slot (56) of the expandable sleeve (36), each longitudinal slot (56) and each second lug (70) having in a transverse plane substantially identical widths so that the nut (32) and the expandable sleeve (36) are locked in rotation relative to each other.

6. Connecting device (26) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the nut (32) comprises a number of second lugs (70) equal to the number of longitudinal slots (56) present on the expandable sleeve (36).

7. Connecting device (26) according to one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that the lateral face (68) comprises a first substantially cylindrical portion (68.1) which extends from the first end (32.1) and has a first diameter, a second substantially cylindrical portion (68.2) which extends from the second end (32.2) and has a second diameter greater than the first diameter as well as an intermediate portion (68.3), connecting the first and second portions (68.1, 68.2), which has a diameter increasing, moving away from the first end (32.1), between a first value equal to the first diameter and a second value equal to the second diameter.

8. Connecting device (26) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each second lug (70) is located at the level of the first portion (68.1) of the lateral face (68).

9. Connecting device (26) according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the first section (50) has a lateral surface (S50) oriented towards the tubular section (44) as well as at least one first lug (58) projecting relative to the lateral surface (S50) and in that the tubular section (44) comprises at least one housing (60) configured to house the first lug (58), the housing (60) and the first lug (58) having substantially identical widths in a transverse plane so that the first section (50) and the tubular body (34) are locked in rotation relative to each other.

10. Connecting device (26) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the housing (60) is a slot which extends from the second end (44.2) of the tubular section (44) of the tubular body (34).

11. Connecting device (26) according to one of the preceding claims, ca- characterized in that the tubular body (34) comprises a collar (46) which has a side face (48) configured to lock in rotation or pivot the tubular body (34).

12. Connecting device (26) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the connecting device comprises a compression spring (72) interposed between the tubular body (34) and the expandable sleeve (36).

13. Assembly comprising at least first and second parts (22, 24), each comprising a through-orifice (22.3, 24.3) as well as at least one connecting device (26), according to one of the preceding claims, positioned partly in the through-orifices (22.3, 24.3) of the first and second parts (22, 24).

14. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the assembly (20) comprises at least one protective sleeve (76) lining the through-orifice (22.3, 24.3) of at least one of the first and second parts (22, 24).

15. Assembly according to one of claims 13 to 14, characterized in that the tubular body (34) is configured to cooperate with the first part (22) so as to block in translation in a longitudinal direction the tubular body (34) relative to the first part (22) and in that the expandable sleeve (36) comprises at least one expandable part configured to occupy a retracted state in which the expandable sleeve (36) has a first reduced section allowing it to pass through the first and second parts of the assembly (20) via their through orifices (22.3, 24.3) as well as an expanded state in which the expandable part has a second section greater than the first section and cooperates with the second part (24) so ​​as to block in translation in the longitudinal direction the expandable sleeve (36) and the second part (24) relative to each other.

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