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

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

[0002] Generally, an aircraft window comprises a window frame, a retaining frame, and an assembly including at least one pane of glass and a gasket surrounding the glass. The retaining frame is designed to retain the assembly in a rebate of the window frame by pressing the gasket against the window frame. To enable the retaining frame to press the gasket, eyebolts are used. These eyebolts both secure the retaining frame to the window frame and allow the retaining frame to press the gasket against the window frame. Typically, six eyebolts are required for a window.

[0003] A lag screw has a ring-shaped head. The lag screws are thus fixed to the window frame via the ring of the lag screw using a bolt. The retaining frame is then mounted on the window frame after the assembly has been placed in the window frame's rebate. The retaining frame includes several openings for the lag screw threads. A nut is then screwed onto each lag screw until the nut applies force against the retaining frame, causing the retaining frame to press the sealing gasket against the window frame.

[0004] During the lifespan of the porthole, the retaining frame may be removed from the porthole frame, for example, for maintenance purposes. During removal, the lag bolts may remain attached to the porthole frame. However, the lag bolts are free to rotate about an axis passing through the center of their ring due to a loss of preload in the fastener. Because the lag bolts are free to rotate, reassembling the retaining frame can be difficult and time-consuming.

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

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of existing porthole lag bolts.

[0007] For this purpose, 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 of glass and a sealing gasket surrounding the pane or panes of glass, the porthole frame having a rebate formed, on the one hand, of a bottom corresponding to a shoulder and, on the other hand, of 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 having 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 sealing gasket 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 fastening device comprises: - a first part intended to receive a fastening element, the fastening element being configured to exert said force against the first part of the retaining frame when said fastening element is received by the first part of the fastening device so that the second part of the retaining frame presses the sealing gasket of the assembly against the shoulder, - a second part comprising at least two second openings intended to receive each a fixing screw to fix the fixing device to the edge of the porthole frame when a nut is screwed to the fixing screw of each of the at least two second openings.

[0009] Thus, thanks to the at least two secondary openings, it is possible to use at least two fastening elements, thereby forming two attachment points for the fastening device. When the fastening device is fixed to the edge of the porthole frame using at least two fastening elements, the fastening device has a fixed orientation when the retaining frame is removed, which facilitates reassembly of the retaining frame onto the porthole frame. Indeed, providing two attachment points prevents any rotation of the fastening device.

[0010] Advantageously, the first part of the fastening device includes a rivet nut having a threaded bore for receiving the fastening element capable of passing through the first part of the retaining frame, the fastening 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] Furthermore, the rivet nut has a body having the threaded bore and a chamber in the longitudinal extension of the threaded bore, the chamber being configured to be deformed to rivet the rivet nut through the first opening.

[0012] Furthermore, the second part of the fixing device comprises a folded sheet metal having 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 having a first opening through which the rivet nut is intended to be riveted, the second flat portion having at least two second openings intended to receive each a fixing screw to fix the fixing device to the edge of the porthole frame.

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

[0014] According to a second embodiment, the bent sheet further comprises a third flat portion and two lateral flat portions, the second flat portion having two segments, the first flat portion being connected 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 fold direction directed in the same direction as that of the first fold line, each of the two segments of the second flat portion being connected to a second end of the respective lateral flat portion by a third fold line,the third fold line having a fold direction opposite to the fold direction of the second fold line on 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 of glass and a sealing gasket 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, a 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 assembly's sealing gasket against the shoulder when a force is exerted against the first part of the retaining frame towards the porthole frame, The process includes the following steps: - a step involving placing the assembly in the rebate of the porthole frame, - a step of fixing at least one fixing device as specified 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 into each of the at least two fixing screws, - a step involving the placement of the retaining frame onto the porthole frame, - a stage of receiving at least one fastening element by the first part of the respective fastening device(s), the fastening element(s) exerting a force against the first part of the retaining frame so that the second part of the retaining frame presses the assembly's sealing gasket against the shoulder.

[0017] According to one particular feature, the fixing step is preceded by a crimping step, the crimping step comprising the crimping of the nut to be crimped into 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 porthole frame so that the at least two second openings are opposite openings made through the edge of the porthole frame, - a sub-step of inserting 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 includes at least a partial covering of the first flat portion of the fixing device(s) by the first part of the retaining frame.

[0020] Furthermore, the receiving step includes: - a sub-step of screwing the pressure screw into the threaded bore of the rivet nut of the fastening device(s), - a sub-step of tightening the pressure screw for the fastening device(s) so that the head of the pressure screw exerts force against the first part of the retaining frame so that the second part of the retaining frame presses the assembly seal against the shoulder.

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

[0022] The accompanying figures will clearly illustrate how the invention can be implemented. In these figures, identical reference numerals designate similar elements.

[0023] Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the fastening device.

[0024] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a detail of a porthole on which is mounted the fastening device according to the first embodiment.

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

[0026] Figure 4 shows a top view of a sheet of metal intended to be bent for correspond to the folded sheet metal of the fastening device according to the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the second embodiment of the fastening device.

[0028] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a detail of a porthole on which is mounted the fastening device according to the second embodiment.

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

[0030] Figure 8 shows a top view of a sheet metal intended to be bent for correspond to the folded sheet metal of the fastening device according to the second embodiment.

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

[0032] Figure 10 shows a side view of an aircraft with at least one window including at least one fastening device.

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

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

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

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

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

[0038] The porthole frame 3 is intended to receive an assembly 4 comprising at least one pane of glass 5 and a sealing gasket 6 surrounding the pane(s) 5. The porthole frame 3 therefore has a rebate 7 formed, on the one hand, of a bottom corresponding to a shoulder 8 and, on the other hand, of 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 include an external shoulder 34 on the edge 9. This external shoulder 34 serves to attach 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 has 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 has a second part 11 intended to press the sealing gasket 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 arm of the V, corresponding to the cross-section of the first part 10, is perpendicular to the edge 9 of the window frame 3. A second arm of the V, corresponding to the cross-section of the second part 11, forms an angle greater than 45° with the first arm of the V. The free end of the second arm of the V rests against the sealing gasket 6 so that the second part 11 presses the sealing gasket 6 against the shoulder 8.

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

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

[0044] Advantageously, the first part 12 of the fastening device 1 comprises a rivet nut 17 having a threaded bore 18 for receiving the fastening element 14 capable of passing through the first part 10 of the retaining frame 2. The fastening element 14 may be a set screw having a head 19. The head 19 of the set screw is then 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 of the rivet nut 17.

[0045] The rivet nut 17 may have a body having 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 rivet the rivet nut 17 through the first opening 23. In [Fig.1], [Fig.3], [Fig.5] and [Fig.7], the rivet nut 17 is shown with the chamber 24 already deformed.

[0046] The second part 13 of the fixing device 1 has at least two second openings 15 intended to receive each 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 prevent any rotation.

[0048] In one 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 located 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 part 12.

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

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

[0052] This folded sheet metal 20 has 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 is intended to be at least partially covered 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. In [Fig. 2] and [Fig. 6], the part of the fastening device 1 covered by the retaining frame 2 is shown in dashed lines. The first flat portion 21 has a first opening 23 through which the rivet nut 17 is intended to be riveted. The second flat portion 22 has at least two second openings 15, each intended to receive a fastening screw 16 for fixing the fastening 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. 1], [Fig. 2], [Fig. 3], and [Fig. 7], the bent sheet metal 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 bend line 26. The second flat portion 22 is connected to a second end E2 (opposite to the first end E1) of the intermediate flat portion 25 by a second bend line 27. The first bend line 26 and the second bend line 27 are parallel. The first bend line 26 has a bend direction opposite to the bend direction of the second bend line 27 so that the bent sheet metal 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 bent sheet metal 20 further comprises a third flat portion 28 and two lateral flat portions 29. The second flat portion 22 has two segments 22A and 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 linked to a first end E3 of a respective lateral planar portion 29 by a second fold line 31. The second fold line 31 of each of the two opposite edges B2, B3 has a fold direction directed in the same fold direction as that of the first fold line 30.Each of the two segments 22A, 22B of the second planar portion 22 is linked to a second end E3 of the respective lateral planar portion 29 by a third fold line 32. The third fold line. 32 exhibits a folding direction opposite to the folding direction of the second folding line 31 of each of the two opposite edges B2, B3. The two segments 22A, 22B of the second flat portion 22, the third flat portion 28, and the two lateral flat portions 29 have a general shape of a capital omega when the fastening device 1 is viewed in the direction represented by 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 flat portion 28 and by the two lateral flat 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 or panes 5 ([Fig. 11]).

[0056] The process comprises 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 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 into each of the at least two fixing screws 16, - a step S4 involving the placement of the retaining frame 2 onto the porthole frame 3, - a step S5 of receiving at least one fastener 14 by the first part 12 of the respective fastener(s) 1, the fastener(s) 14 of the fastener(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 sealing gasket 6 of the assembly 4 against the shoulder 8.

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

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

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

[0060] The S3 fastening step may include: - a sub-step S31 of positioning the second flat portion 22 of the fixing device(s) 1 against the edge 9 of the porthole frame 3 so that the at least two second openings 15 are opposite openings made through the edge 9 of the porthole 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 porthole frame 3.

[0061] Advantageously, step S4 of placing the retaining frame 2 on the porthole frame 3 includes at least part of the first flat portion 21 of the fastening device(s) 1 being covered by the first part 10 of the retaining frame 2.

[0062] Furthermore, the S5 reception step may include: - a sub-step S51 of screwing the pressure screw into the threaded bore 18 of the rivet nut 17 of the fastening device(s) 1, - a substep 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 sealing gasket 6 of the assembly 4 against the shoulder 8.

Claims

1. Demands A 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 of glass (5) and a sealing gasket (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) having 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 sealing gasket (6) of the assembly (4) against the shoulder (8) when a force (F) is exercised against the first part (10) of the retaining frame (2) towards the porthole frame (3),characterized in that the fastening device (1) comprises: - a first part (12) intended to receive a fastening element (14), the fastening element (14) being configured to exert said force (F) against the first part (10) of the retaining frame (2) when said fastening element (14) is received by the first part (12) of the fastening device (1) so that the second part (11) of the retaining frame (2) presses the sealing gasket (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 into the fixing screw (16) of each of the at least two second openings (15), the first part (12) of the fastening device (1) comprising a rivet nut (17) having a threaded bore (18) for receiving the fastening element (14) capable of passing through the first part (10) of the retaining frame (2), the fastening element (14) corresponding to a pressure screw having a head (19), the head (19) of the pressure screw being 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), the second part (13) of the fastening device (1) comprising a bent sheet metal (20) having 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 at least partially covered 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) having a first opening (23) through which the rivet nut (17) is intended to be riveted,a chamber (24) of the rivet nut (17) being configured to be deformed to rivet the rivet nut (17) through the first opening (23), the second flat portion (22) having 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), the folded sheet metal (20) further having 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 (E1) of the intermediate flat portion (25) by a first fold line (26), the second flat portion (22) being connected to a second end (E2) of the intermediate flat portion (25) by a second fold line (27), the first fold line (26) and the second fold line (27) being parallel,the first fold line (26) having a fold direction opposite to the fold direction of the second fold line (27).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rivet nut (17) has a barrel comprising the threaded bore (18) and the chamber (24) in the longitudinal extension of the threaded bore (18).

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the bent sheet metal (20) further comprises a third flat portion (28) and two lateral flat portions (29), the second flat portion (22) having 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 fold direction oriented in the same 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 folding line (32),the third fold line (32) having a fold direction opposite to the fold direction of the second fold line (31) on each of the two opposite edges (B2, B3).

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least two second openings (15) are aligned parallel to the first part (12) of the fastening device (1).

5. A method for attaching to a porthole frame (3) an assembly (4) comprising at least one pane of glass (5) and a sealing gasket (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 portion (10) intended to be placed on the porthole frame (3) perpendicular to the edge (9) of the porthole frame (3) and a second portion (11) intended to press the sealing gasket (6) of the assembly (4) against the shoulder (8) when a force (F) is exerted against the first portion (10) of the retaining frame (2) towards the porthole frame (3), the process 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 any one of claims 1 to 4 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 at least two nuts (33) screwed into 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 fastener(s) (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 sealing gasket (6) of the assembly (4) against the shoulder (8).

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the fixing step (S3) is preceded by a crimping step (SI), the crimping step (SI) comprising the crimping of the rivet nut (17) into the first opening (23) of the first flat portion (21) of the fixing device(s) (1).

7. A method according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the fixing step (S3) comprises: - a substep (S31) of positioning the second flat portion (22) of the fixing device(s) (1) against the edge (9) of the porthole frame (3) so that the at least two second openings (15) are opposite openings made through the edge (9) of the porthole frame (3), - a substep (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 substep (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 porthole frame (3).

8. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the step (S4) of placing the retaining frame (2) on the porthole frame (3) includes at least a partial overlap of the first flat portion (21) of the fastening device(s) (1) by the first part (10) of the retaining frame (2).

9. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the receiving step (S5) comprises: - a substep (S51) of screwing the pressure screw into the threaded bore (18) of the rivet nut (17) of the fastening device(s) (1), - a substep (S52) of tightening the pressure screw for the fastening 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 sealing gasket (6) of the assembly (4) against the shoulder (8).

10. Aircraft, characterized in that it comprises at least one porthole (W) having at least one fastening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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