Device and method of fixing a retaining frame to a porthole frame facilitating the dismantling and reassembly of said retaining frame.

Abstract

- A device and method for attaching a retaining frame to a porthole frame that facilitates the removal and reinstallation of said retaining frame. - The fastening device (1) comprises a first portion (12) for receiving a fastener (14) configured to secure a first portion of the retaining frame and exert a force against a first portion of the retaining frame when said fastener (14) is received by the first portion (12) of the fastening device (1) so that a second portion of the retaining frame presses the assembly's sealing gasket against a shoulder of the porthole frame, and a second portion (13) having at least two second openings (15), each for receiving a fastener screw (16) for securing the fastening device (1) to the edge of the porthole frame. The fastening device (1) facilitates the removal and reinstallation of said retaining frame. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Fixing device and method for fixing a retaining frame to a porthole frame facilitating the disassembly and reassembly of said retaining frame. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing device and method for fixing a retaining frame to a porthole frame facilitating the disassembly and reassembly of said fixing bracket. State of the art

[0002] Generally, an aircraft window comprises a window frame, a window frame retainer and an assembly comprising at least one pane of glass and a seal surrounding the pane. The retaining frame is designed to retain said assembly in a rebate of the porthole frame by pressing the seal against the porthole frame. In order for the retaining frame to press the seal, eyebolts are used which both secure the retaining frame to the porthole frame and cause the retaining frame to press the seal against the porthole frame. Typically, six lag bolts are required for a porthole.

[0003] A lag screw has a screw whose head is a ring. Thus, the lag screws are attached to the porthole frame via the ring of the lag screws using a bolt. The retaining frame is then mounted on the porthole frame after placing the assembly in the rebate of the porthole frame. The retaining frame includes a number of openings allowing the passage of the lag screw screws. A nut is then screwed onto each lag screw until the nut applies force against the retaining frame, which causes the retaining frame to press the gasket against the porthole frame.

[0004] During the service life of the porthole, the retaining frame may be removed from the porthole frame, for example for maintenance reasons. During removal, the lag screws may remain attached to the porthole frame. However, the lag screws are free to rotate about an axis passing through the center of their ring following a loss of pretension of the attachment. Due to the fact that the lag screws are free to rotate, reassembly of the retaining frame may be difficult and time-consuming.

[0005] The use of lag screws for portholes is therefore not entirely satisfactory. Statement of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of existing porthole lag screws.

[0007] For this, it relates to a fixing device for fixing a retaining frame to a porthole frame, the porthole frame being intended to receive an assembly comprising at least one pane and a seal surrounding the pane(s), the porthole frame having a rebate formed, on the one hand, by a bottom corresponding to a shoulder and, on the other hand, by an edge perpendicular to the shoulder, the porthole frame having a T-shaped cross-section, the rebate being intended to receive the assembly, the retaining frame comprising a first part intended to be placed on the porthole frame perpendicular to the edge of the porthole frame and a second part intended to press the seal of the assembly against the shoulder when a force is exerted against the first part of the retaining frame towards the porthole frame.

[0008] According to the invention, the fixing device comprises: - a first portion for receiving a fastener, the fastener being configured to exert said force against the first portion of the retaining frame when said fastener is received by the first portion of the fastener so that the second portion of the retaining frame presses the seal of the assembly against the shoulder, - a second part comprising at least two second openings each intended to receive a fixing screw for fixing the fixing device to the edge of the porthole frame when a nut is screwed onto the fixing screw of each of the at least two second openings.

[0009] Thus, thanks to the at least two second openings, it is possible to use at least two fixing elements, thereby forming two fixing points of the fixing device. When the fixing device is fixed to the edge of the porthole frame using at least two fixing elements, the fixing device has a fixed orientation when the retaining frame is dismantled, which facilitates reassembly of the retaining frame on the porthole frame. Indeed, providing two fixing points makes it possible to avoid any rotation of the fixing device.

[0010] Advantageously, the first part of the fixing device comprises a crimping nut having a threaded bore intended to receive the fixing element capable of passing through the first part of the retaining frame, the fixing element corresponding to a pressure screw having a head, the head of the pressure screw being configured to exert said force against the first part of the retaining frame when the pressure screw is screwed into the threaded bore.

[0011] Additionally, the crimp nut has a barrel having the threaded bore and a chamber in the longitudinal extension of the threaded bore, the chamber being configured to be deformed to crimp the crimp nut through the first opening.

[0012] Furthermore, the second part of the fixing device comprises a folded sheet metal comprising a first flat portion intended to be parallel to the first part of the retaining frame and a second flat portion intended to be parallel to the edge of the porthole frame, the first flat portion being intended to be covered at least in part by the first part of the retaining frame when the first part of the retaining frame is placed on the porthole frame, the first flat portion comprising a first opening through which the crimping nut is intended to be crimped, the second flat portion comprising the at least two second openings each intended to receive a fixing screw for fixing the fixing device to the edge of the porthole frame.

[0013] According to a first embodiment, the folded sheet further comprises an intermediate flat portion between the first flat portion and the second flat portion, the first flat portion being connected to a first end of the intermediate flat portion by a first folding line, the second flat portion being connected to a second end of the intermediate flat portion by a second folding line, the first folding line and the second folding line being parallel, the first folding line having a folding direction opposite to the folding direction of the second folding line.

[0014] According to a second embodiment, the folded sheet further comprises a third flat portion and two lateral flat portions, the second flat portion comprising two segments, the first flat portion being linked to a first edge of the third flat portion by a first fold line, the third flat portion having two opposite edges perpendicular to the first edge, each of the two opposite edges being connected to a first end of a respective lateral flat portion by a second fold line, the second fold line of each of the two opposite edges having a folding direction directed in the same folding direction as that of the first fold line, each of the two segments of the second flat portion being linked to a second end of the respective lateral flat portion by a third fold line, the third fold line having a folding direction opposite to the folding direction of the second fold line of each of the two opposite edges.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the at least two second openings are aligned parallel to the first part.

[0016] The invention also relates to a method for fixing to a porthole frame an assembly comprising at least one pane and a sealing gasket surrounding the pane(s), the porthole frame having a rebate formed, on the one hand, of a cor- corresponding to a shoulder and, on the other hand, an edge perpendicular to the shoulder, the porthole frame having a T-shaped cross-section, the rebate being intended to receive the assembly, a retaining frame having a first portion for resting on the porthole frame perpendicular to the edge of the porthole frame and a second portion for pressing the gasket of the assembly against the shoulder when a force is exerted against the first portion of the retaining frame toward the porthole frame, the method comprising the following steps: - a step of placing the assembly in the rebate of the porthole frame, - a step of fixing at least one fixing device as specified above- above to the edge of the porthole frame using at least two fixing screws each passing through the edge of the porthole frame and the at least two openings in the second part of the fixing device(s) and at least two nuts screwed to each of the at least two fixing screws, - a step of placing the retaining frame on the porthole frame, - a step of receiving at least one fixing element by the first part of the respective fastener(s), the fastener(s) exerting a force against the first part of the retaining frame so that the second part of the retaining frame presses the gasket of the assembly against the shoulder.

[0017] According to a particular feature, the fixing step is preceded by a crimping step, the crimping step comprising the crimping of the nut to be crimped in the first opening of the first flat portion of the fixing device(s).

[0018] According to another feature, the fixing step comprises: - a sub-step of positioning the second flat portion of the fixing device(s) against the edge of the window frame so that the at least two second openings are opposite openings made through the edge of the window frame, - a sub-step of introducing fixing screws through each of the at least two second openings of the fixing device(s) and through the openings made through the edge of the porthole frame, - a sub-step of screwing nuts onto each of the fixing screws until the fixing device(s) are held securely to the edge of the porthole frame.

[0019] Furthermore, the step of placing the retaining frame on the porthole frame comprises at least partially covering the first flat portion of the fixing device(s) by the first part of the retaining frame.

[0020] In addition, the receiving step comprises: - a sub-step of screwing the pressure screw into the threaded bore of the crimping nut of the fixing device(s), - a sub-step of tightening the set screw for the fastening device(s) so that the head of the set screw exerts the force against the first part of the retaining frame so that the second part of the retaining frame presses the gasket of the assembly against the shoulder.

[0021] The invention also relates to an aircraft comprising at least one window comprising at least one fixing device as specified above. Brief description of the figures

[0022] The attached figures will make it clear how the invention can be implemented. In these figures, identical references designate similar elements.

[0023] [Fig. 1] shows an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the fixing device.

[0024] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of a detail of a porthole on which the fixing device according to the first embodiment is mounted.

[0025] [Fig.3] represents a profile section of the fixing device according to the first embodiment mounted on a porthole.

[0026] [Fig.4] shows a top view of a sheet intended to be bent to correspond to the bent sheet of the fixing device according to the first embodiment.

[0027] [Fig.5] shows an exploded view of the second embodiment of the fixing device.

[0028] [Fig.6] represents a perspective view of a detail of a porthole on which the fixing device according to the second embodiment is mounted.

[0029] [Fig.7] represents a profile section of the fixing device according to the second embodiment mounted on a porthole.

[0030] [Fig.8] shows a top view of a sheet intended to be bent to correspond to the bent sheet of the fixing device according to the second embodiment.

[0031] [Fig.9] represents a front view of a porthole comprising at least one fixing device.

[0032] [Fig. 10] represents a side view of an aircraft comprising at least one window comprising at least one fixing device.

[0033] [Fig. 11] represents a diagram schematically illustrating steps of the method for fixing to a porthole frame an assembly comprising at least one pane and a sealing gasket. Detailed description

[0034] The fixing device 1 is shown from [Fig.l] to [Fig.8].

[0035] Said fixing device 1 is intended to fix a retaining frame 2 to a porthole frame 3.

[0036] The window frame 3 corresponds to a window frame W which is intended to be mounted to an opening made through an aircraft fuselage AC ([Fig. 10]).

[0037] An aircraft AC may comprise at least one window W comprising at least one fixing device 1.

[0038] The porthole frame 3 is intended to receive an assembly 4 comprising at least one pane 5 and a seal 6 surrounding the pane(s) 5. The porthole frame 3 therefore has a rebate 7 formed, on the one hand, by a bottom corresponding to a shoulder 8 and, on the other hand, by an edge 9 (forming a wall) perpendicular to the shoulder 8. The rebate 7 is intended to receive the assembly 4.

[0039] The window frame 3 may also comprise an external shoulder 34 at the edge 9. This external shoulder 34 serves to fix the window W to the fuselage of the aircraft AC. Thus, preferably, the cross-section of the window frame 3 has a T-shape ([Fig. 3] and [Fig. 7]). The cross-section of the external shoulder 34 and the shoulder 8 together form the horizontal bar of the T-shape. The edge 9 forms the vertical bar of the T-shape.

[0040] As shown in [Fig.3] and [Fig.7], the retaining frame 2 comprises a first part 10 intended to be placed on the porthole frame 3 perpendicular to the edge 9 of the porthole frame 3. The retaining frame 2 also comprises a second part 11 intended to press the seal 6 of the assembly 4 against the shoulder 8 when a force F is exerted against the first part 10 of the retaining frame 2 towards the porthole frame 3.

[0041] For example, the retaining frame 2 has a cross-section (shown in [Fig. 3] and [Fig. 7]) having a general V-shape. A first branch of the V corresponding to the cross-section of the first part 10 is perpendicular to the edge 9 of the porthole frame 3. A second branch of the V corresponding to the cross-section of the second part 11 forms an angle greater than 45° with the first branch of the V. The free end of the second branch of the V bears against the seal 6 so that the second part 11 presses the seal 6 against the shoulder 8.

[0042] Said fixing device 1 comprises a first part 12 and a second part 13.

[0043] The first part 12 of the fixing device 1 is intended to receive a fixing element 14. This fixing element 14 is configured to exert said force F against the first part 10 of the retaining frame 2 when said fixing element 14 is received by the first part 12 of the fixing device 1 so that the second part 11 of the retaining frame 2 presses the seal 6 of the assembly 4 against the shoulder 8.

[0044] Advantageously, the first part 12 of the fixing device 1 comprises a crimping nut 17 having a threaded bore 18 intended to receive the fixing element 14 capable of passing through the first part 10 of the retaining frame 2. The fixing element 14 may correspond to a pressure screw having a head 19. The head 19 of the pressure screw is then configured to exert said force F against the first part 10 of the retaining frame 2 when the pressure screw is screwed into the threaded bore 18 of the crimping nut 17.

[0045] The crimping nut 17 may have a barrel comprising the threaded bore 18 and a chamber 24 in the longitudinal extension of the threaded bore 18. The chamber 24 is configured to be deformed to crimp the crimping nut 17 through the first opening 23. In [Fig.l], [Fig.3], [Fig.5] and [Fig.7], the crimping nut 17 is shown with the chamber 24 already deformed.

[0046] The second part 13 of the fixing device 1 comprises at least two second openings 15 intended to each receive a fixing screw 16 for fixing the fixing device 1 to the edge 9 of the porthole frame 3 when a nut 33 is screwed respectively to a fixing screw 16 of each of the at least two second openings 15.

[0047] The at least two openings 15 provide the possibility of having at least two fixing points. The at least two fixing points make it possible to prevent any rotation.

[0048] In an embodiment shown in the figures, in particular, [Fig.4] and [Fig.8], the at least two openings 15 are aligned parallel to the first part 12. In other words, the at least two openings 15 each have a center included in a plane parallel to the plane containing the first part 12.

[0049] In another embodiment, the at least two openings 15 may not be aligned parallel to the first portion 12.

[0050] Advantageously, the second part 13 of the fixing device 1 comprises a folded sheet 20.

[0051] In a non-limiting manner, the folded sheet 20 is made of aluminum or any other metal suitable for the stresses likely to be exerted on the fixing device 1. By way of non-limiting example, the folded sheet 20 has a thickness of between 1 mm and 2 mm, preferably 1.5 mm.

[0052] This folded sheet 20 comprises a first flat portion 21 intended to be parallel to the first part 10 of the retaining frame 2 and a second flat portion 22 intended to be parallel to the edge 9 of the window frame 3. The first flat portion 21 is intended to be covered at least in part by the first part 10 of the retaining frame 2 when the first part 10 of the retaining frame 2 is placed on the window frame 3. porthole 3. In [Fig.2] and [Fig.6], the part of the fixing device 1 covered by the retaining frame 2 is shown in dotted lines. The first flat portion 21 has a first opening 23 through which the crimping nut 17 is intended to be crimped. The second flat portion 22 has the at least two second openings 15 each intended to receive a fixing screw 16 for fixing the fixing device 1 to the edge 9 of the porthole frame 3. When the fixing device 1 is fixed to the edge 9 of the porthole frame 3, the second flat portion 22 is pressed against the edge 9.

[0053] According to a first embodiment shown in [Fig.l], [Fig.2], [Fig.3] and [Fig.7], the folded sheet 20 further comprises an intermediate flat portion 25 between the first flat portion 21 and the second flat portion 22. The first flat portion 21 is connected to a first end E1 of the intermediate flat portion 25 by a first fold line 26. The second flat portion 22 is connected to a second end E2 (opposite the first end E1) of the intermediate flat portion 25 by a second fold line 27. The first fold line 26 and the second fold line 27 are parallel. The first fold line 26 has a folding direction opposite to the folding direction of the second fold line 27 so that the folded sheet has a general shape of the number seven, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0054] According to a second embodiment shown in [Fig.5], [Fig.6], [Fig.7] and [Fig.8], the folded sheet 20 further comprises a third flat portion 28 and two lateral flat portions 29. The second flat portion 22 comprises two segments 22A, 22B. The two segments 22A and 22B are distinct from each other. The first flat portion 21 is connected to a first edge B1 of the third flat portion 28 by a first fold line 30. The third flat portion 28 has two opposite edges B2 and B3 perpendicular to the first edge B1. Each of the two opposite edges B2, B3 is connected to a first end E3 of a respective lateral flat portion 29 by a second fold line 31. The second fold line 31 of each of the two opposite edges B2, B3 has a folding direction directed in the same folding direction as that of the first fold line 30.Each of the two segments 22A, 22B of the second planar portion 22 is connected to a second end E3 of the respective lateral planar portion 29 by a third fold line 32. The third fold line 32 has a folding direction opposite to the folding direction of the second fold line 31 of each of the two opposite edges B2, B3. The two segments 22A, 22B of the second planar portion 22, the third planar portion 28 and the two lateral planar portions 29 have a general shape of a capital omega when looking at the fixing device 1 in the direction represented by the arrow W in [Fig.7]. Thus, the two segments 22A and 22B are distinct from each other and are connected to each other by the third planar portion 28 and by the two lateral planar portions 29.

[0055] The invention also relates to a method of fixing to a porthole frame 3 an assembly 4 comprising at least one pane 5 and a sealing gasket 6 surrounding the pane(s) 5 ([Fig. 11]).

[0056] The method comprises the following steps: - a step S2 of placing the assembly 4 in the groove 7 of the porthole frame 3, - a step S3 of fixing at least one fixing device 1 to the edge 9 of the porthole frame 3 using at least two fixing screws 16 each passing through the edge 9 of the porthole frame 3 and the at least two openings 15 of the second part 13 of the fixing device(s) 1 and using at least two nuts 33 screwed to each of the at least two fixing screws 16, - a step S4 of placing the retaining frame 2 on the porthole frame 3, - a step S5 of receiving at least one fixing element 14 by the first part 12 of the respective fixing device(s) 1, the fixing element(s) 14 of the fixing device(s) 1 exerting a force F against the first part 10 of the retaining frame 2 so that the second part 11 of the retaining frame 2 presses the seal 6 of the assembly 4 against the shoulder 8.

[0057] By way of non-limiting example, as shown in 9, at least six fixing devices 1 are fixed to the edge 9 of the window frame 3 in the fixing step S3.

[0058] Preferably, the fixing step S3 is preceded by a crimping step S1,

[0059] the crimping step S1 comprising the crimping of the crimping nut 17 in the first opening 23 of the first flat portion 21 of the fixing device(s) 1.

[0060] The fixing step S3 may comprise: - a sub-step S31 of positioning the second flat portion 22 of the fixing device(s) 1 against the edge 9 of the window frame 3 so that the at least two second openings 15 are opposite openings made through the edge 9 of the window frame 3, - a sub-step S32 of introducing fixing screws 16 through each of the at least two second openings 15 of the fixing device(s) 1 and through the openings made through the edge 9 of the porthole frame 3, - a sub-step S33 of screwing nuts 33 to each of the fixing screws 16 until the fixing device(s) 1 are held securely to the edge 9 of the window frame 3.

[0061] Advantageously, step S4 of placing the retaining frame 2 on the porthole frame 3 comprises at least partial covering of the first flat portion 21 of the fixing device(s) 1 by the first part 10 of the retaining frame 2.

[0062] Furthermore, the reception step S5 may comprise: - a sub-step S51 of screwing the pressure screw into the threaded bore 18 of the crimping nut 17 of the fixing device(s) 1, - a sub-step S52 of tightening the pressure screw for the fixing device(s) 1 so that the head 19 of the pressure screw exerts the force F against the first part 10 of the retaining frame 2 so that the second part 11 of the retaining frame 2 presses the seal 6 of the assembly 4 against the shoulder 8.

Claims

Claims

1. Fastening device (1) for fixing a retaining frame (2) to a porthole frame (3), the porthole frame (3) being intended to receive an assembly (4) comprising at least one pane (5) and a seal (6) surrounding the pane(s) (5), the porthole frame (3) having a rebate (7) formed, on the one hand, by a bottom corresponding to a shoulder (8) and, on the other hand, by an edge (9) perpendicular to the shoulder (8), the porthole frame (3) having a T-shaped cross-section, the rebate (7) being intended to receive the assembly (4), the retaining frame (2) comprising a first part (10) intended to be placed on the porthole frame (3) perpendicular to the edge (9) of the porthole frame (3) and a second part (11) intended to press the seal (6) of the assembly (4) against the shoulder (8) when a force (F) is exerted against the first part (10) of the retaining frame (2) towards the porthole frame (3),characterized in that the fixing device (1) comprises: - a first part (12) intended to receive a fixing element (14), the fixing element (14) being configured to exert said force (F) against the first part (10) of the retaining frame (2) when said fixing element (14) is received by the first part (12) of the fixing device (1) so that the second part (11) of the retaining frame (2) presses the seal (6) of the assembly (4) against the shoulder (8), - a second part (13) comprising at least two second openings (15) each intended to receive a fixing screw (16) for fixing the fixing device (1) to the edge (9) of the porthole frame (3) when a nut (33) is screwed onto the fixing screw (16) of each of the at least two second openings (15).,

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first part (12) of the fixing device (1) comprises a crimping nut (17) having a threaded bore (18) intended to receive the fixing element (14) capable of passing through the first part (10) of the retaining frame (2), the fixing element (14) corresponding to a set screw having a head (19), the head (19) of the set screw being configured to exert said force (F) against the first part (10) of the retaining frame (2) when the set screw is screwed into the threaded bore (18).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the crimping nut (17) has a barrel comprising the threaded bore (18) and a chamber (24) in the longitudinal extension of the threaded bore (18).

4. Device according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the second part (13) of the fixing device (1) comprises a folded sheet metal (20) comprising a first flat portion (21) intended to be parallel to the first part (10) of the retaining frame (2) and a second flat portion (22) intended to be parallel to the edge (9) of the porthole frame (3), the first flat portion (21) being intended to be covered at least in part by the first part (10) of the retaining frame (2) when the first part (10) of the retaining frame (2) is placed on the porthole frame (3), the first flat portion (21) comprising a first opening (23) through which the crimping nut (17) is intended to be crimped, the chamber (24) of the crimping nut (17) being configured to be deformed to crimp the crimping nut (17) through the first opening (23),the second flat portion (22) comprising the at least two second openings (15) each intended to receive a fixing screw (16) for fixing the fixing device (1) to the edge (9) of the porthole frame (3).,

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the folded sheet (20) further comprises an intermediate flat portion (25) between the first flat portion (21) and the second flat portion (22), the first flat portion (21) being connected to a first end (El) of the intermediate flat portion (25) by a first folding line (26), the second flat portion (22) being connected to a second end (E2) of the intermediate flat portion (25) by a second folding line (27), the first folding line (26) and the second folding line (27) being parallel, the first folding line (26) having a folding direction opposite to the folding direction of the second folding line (27).

6. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the folded sheet (20) further comprises a third flat portion (28) and two lateral flat portions (29), the second flat portion (22) comprising two segments (22A, 22B), the first flat portion (21) being connected to a first edge (B1) of the third flat portion (28) by a first fold line (30), the third flat portion (28) having two opposite edges (B2, B3) perpendicular to the first edge (B1), each of the two opposite edges (B2, B3) being connected to a first end (E3) of a respective lateral flat portion (29) by a second fold line (31), the second fold line (31) of each of the two opposite edges (B2, B3) having a folding direction directed in the same folding direction as that of the first fold line (30), each of the two segments (22A, 22B) of the second flat portion (22) being connected to a second end (E4) of the respective lateral flat portion (29) by a third fold line (30), folding (32),the third folding line (32) having a folding direction opposite to the folding direction of the second folding line (31) of each of the two opposite edges (B2, B3).,

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least two second openings (15) are aligned parallel to the first part (12) of the fixing device (1).

8. Method for fixing to a porthole frame (3) an assembly (4) comprising at least one pane (5) and a seal (6) surrounding the pane(s) (5), the porthole frame (3) having a rebate (7) formed, on the one hand, by a bottom corresponding to a shoulder (8) and, on the other hand, by an edge (9) perpendicular to the shoulder (8), the porthole frame (3) having a T-shaped cross-section, the rebate (7) being intended to receive the assembly (4), a retaining frame (2) comprising a first part (10) intended to be placed on the porthole frame (3) perpendicular to the edge (9) of the porthole frame (3) and a second part (11) intended to press the seal (6) of the assembly (4) against the shoulder (8) when a force (F) is exerted against the first part (10) of the retaining frame (2) to the porthole frame (3), the method comprising the following steps: - a step (S2) of placing the assembly (4) in the rebate (7) of the porthole frame (3), - a step (S3) of fixing at least one fixing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 to the edge (9) of the porthole frame (3) using at least two fixing screws (16) each passing through the edge (9) of the porthole frame (3) and the at least two openings (15) of the second part (13) of the at least one fixing device (1) and at least two nuts (33) screwed to each of the at least two fixing screws (16), - a step (S4) of placing the retaining frame (2) on the porthole frame (3), - a step (S5) of receiving at least one fixing element (14) by the first part (12) of the at least one fixing device (1) respective, the at least one fixing element (14) exerting a force (F) against the first part (10) of the retaining frame (2) so that the second part (11) of the retaining frame (2) presses the seal (6) of the assembly (4) against the shoulder (8).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the fixing step (S3) is preceded by a crimping step (SI), the crimping step (SI) comprising the crimping of the crimping nut (17) in the first opening (23) of the first flat portion (21) of the fixing device(s) (1).

10. Method according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the fixing step (S3) comprises: - a sub-step (S31) of positioning the second flat portion (22) of the fixing device(s) (1) against the edge (9) of the window frame (3) so that the at least two second openings (15) are opposite openings made through the edge (9) of the window frame (3), - a sub-step (S32) of introducing fixing screws (16) through each of the at least two second openings (15) of the fixing device(s) (1) and through the openings made through the edge (9) of the window frame (3), - a sub-step (S33) of screwing nuts (33) to each of the fixing screw (16) until the fixing device(s) (1) are held securely to the edge (9) of the porthole frame (3).

11. Method according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the step (S4) of placing the retaining frame (2) on the porthole frame (3) comprises at least partially covering the first flat portion (21) of the fixing device(s) (1) by the first part (10) of the retaining frame (2).

12. Method according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the receiving step (S5) comprises: - a sub-step (S51) of screwing the pressure screw into the threaded bore (18) of the crimping nut (17) of the fixing device(s) (1), - a sub-step (S52) of tightening the pressure screw for the fixing device(s) (1) so that the head (19) of the pressure screw exerts the force (F) against the first part (10) of the retaining frame (2) so that the second part (11) of the retaining frame (2) presses the seal (6) of the assembly (4) against the shoulder (8).

13. Aircraft, characterized in that it comprises at least one porthole (W) comprising at least one fixing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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