System for removable attachment of a screen to an aircraft dashboard, and display system comprising such an attachment system.

Abstract

- System for removable attachment of a screen on a dashboard of an aircraft, and display system comprising such an attachment system. - The attachment system (1) comprises a rail (11), a attachment device (12) intended to attach the rail (11) to the dashboard (2) of the cockpit of the aircraft without modification of said dashboard (2) and at least one mobile carriage (13) provided with a support device (14), capable of being translated along the rail (11) and being brought in particular into an operating position (P1), said support device (14) being provided with a support shelf intended to carry the screen (4), capable of being raised into the operating position (P1) and lowered onto the mobile carriage (13) during a translation of the mobile carriage (13) on the rail (11), the attachment system (1) and the screen (4) thus being able to be installed easily and quickly and this without modification of the dashboard (2). Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: System for removable attachment of a screen to an aircraft dashboard, and display system comprising such an attachment system. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for removable attachment of a screen to a dashboard of a cockpit of an aircraft, and a display system comprising a screen and such an attachment system. State of the art

[0002] It is known that it may be useful or necessary to install an additional screen on the dashboard of an aircraft, in particular a transport aircraft.

[0003] More particularly, although not exclusively, it may be a screen intended to help carry out tests during test flights of the aircraft. Such a test screen may, for example, be used in an on-board simulation system, as described in patent application FR2005575. This test screen is arranged in front of a usual screen of the aircraft during a given phase of the test flight and may be retracted to release the usual screen when it is no longer in use.

[0004] Since the use of an additional screen is in principle temporary, there is a need to find a solution allowing the installation of an additional screen on the dashboard of a cockpit of an aircraft, with simple and rapid installation and also uninstallation, and this without having to modify the equipment of the dashboard. Statement of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to propose a solution to meet the aforementioned need. It relates to a system for removable attachment of at least one screen on a dashboard of a cockpit of an aircraft.

[0006] According to the invention, said fixing system comprises: - a straight rail with a longitudinal axis; - a fixing device intended to fix the rail on the dashboard without modification of said dashboard; and - at least one mobile carriage provided with a support device, said mobile carriage being configured to be able to be translated along said rail and be brought at least into a so-called operating position, said support device being provided with a support shelf intended to carry the screen, the support shelf being able to pivot about an axis parallel to said longitudinal axis and being configured to, by its pivoting, be able to be raised into a so-called raised configuration, at least in said operating position, and being able to be lowered onto the mobile carriage in a so-called lowered configuration, at least during a translation of said mobile carriage on the rail.

[0007] Thus, thanks to the invention, the fixing system and also an additional screen carried by this fixing system, can be installed easily and quickly on the dashboard of a cockpit of an aircraft (and also be uninstalled easily and quickly), and this without modification of the dashboard and the cockpit equipment.

[0008] Said fixing system also has other advantages specified below.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the mobile carriage is configured to be able to be brought, by translation on the rail, into an end position on said rail, and the support device is able to pivot relative to a panel of the mobile carriage, around an axis which is transverse to said longitudinal axis and it is configured so that, by its pivoting, it can, at least in said end position of the mobile carriage, be raised into a so-called rest configuration.

[0010] Advantageously, said support device further comprises an auxiliary shelf, and the support shelf is capable of pivoting relative to said auxiliary shelf by means of a hinge arranged on a first side, and it is configured to be able to be brought, by pivoting, into one or other of the following two configurations: - the lowered configuration, in which the support shelf is folded down onto the auxiliary shelf so as to provide between them a housing intended to receive the screen and the support shelf and the auxiliary shelf are secured to a second side opposite said first side; and - a raised configuration, in which the support shelf is raised relative to the auxiliary shelf such that the support shelf and the auxiliary shelf are positioned substantially orthogonally to each other.

[0011] Furthermore, advantageously, a first face of the auxiliary shelf and a first face of a tray connected to a panel of the mobile carriage are in contact with each other and are connected to each other by means of, on the one hand, a plurality of pins integral with at least one of said first faces, which penetrate into complementary and cooperating holes made in the other of said first faces, and on the other hand, at least one double-sided adhesive, each face of which is stuck to one of said first faces of the auxiliary shelf and the tray.

[0012] Furthermore, in a particular embodiment, the fixing system comprises a locking element configured to be able to lock the mobile carriage in position on the rail.

[0013] Furthermore, advantageously, the fixing device comprises two fixing pieces arranged under the rail, each of said fixing pieces comprises a lower face intended to be fixed on one of the two footrests intended for a pilot of the aircraft and an upper face to which the rail is fixed, and is configured so that, when the fixing system is mounted on the dashboard, the rail is positioned substantially horizontally.

[0014] Furthermore, in a particular embodiment, the fixing system comprises at least one support piece arranged under the rail.

[0015] Advantageously, the fixing system also comprises at least one pivoting arm capable of pivoting around an axis transverse to said axis so as to be able to be brought into one or other of the following two positions: - a retracted position, in which it is retracted into a panel of the mobile carriage; and - an inclined position, in which a free end of the pivoting arm enters an opening of a tray of the support device to maintain the support device in a rest configuration.

[0016] Furthermore, in a particular embodiment, the fastening system also comprises self-gripping fasteners for fastening together different elements of the fastening system.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a removable display system for a dashboard of a cockpit of an aircraft, said display system comprising at least one screen.

[0018] According to the invention, said display system further comprises a removable fixing system as described above, on which the screen is fixed and which is intended to be fixed on the dashboard of the cockpit of the aircraft. Brief description of the figures

[0019] The attached figures will make it clear how the invention can be implemented. In these figures, identical references designate similar elements.

[0020] [Fig.l] is a partial perspective view of an internal part of a cockpit of an aircraft, provided with a display system according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising a support device in a raised configuration, in an operating position.

[0021] [Fig.2] is a view similar to that of [Fig.l], with the support device in a lowered configuration.

[0022] [Fig. 3] is a side view of the display system with the support device in the raised configuration as in [Fig. 1].

[0023] [Fig.4] is a side view of the display system with the support device in the lowered configuration as in [Fig.2].

[0024] [Fig. 5] is a partial perspective view of an internal part of the aircraft cockpit, provided with the display system, with the support device, in a rest configuration, in an end position.

[0025] [Fig. 6] is an exploded perspective view, seen from below, of a portion of a rail, provided with a support device carrying a screen.

[0026] [Fig.7] is a view similar to that of [Fig.6], seen slightly from above.

[0027] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of a rail provided with a movable carriage and a plateau.

[0028] [Fig.9] is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a rail, provided with a panel and a locking element.

[0029] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of a portion of a rail, attached to a footrest.

[0030] [Fig. 11] is a slightly perspective view of a hinge of the device of support, connecting a support shelf to an auxiliary shelf. Detailed description

[0031] The system 1 making it possible to illustrate the invention and represented schematically, in a particular embodiment, in FIGS. 2 to 5, is intended to be mounted on a dashboard 2 of a cockpit 3 of an aircraft, in particular of a transport aircraft.

[0032] More precisely, the system 1 is intended to fix at least one screen 4 on the instrument panel 2. The system 1 and the screen 4 are part of a display system 5. The screen 4 can be any type of additional screen that a pilot of the aircraft might need, and in particular a screen intended to be used when carrying out tests.

[0033] In Figures 1 and 2, a part of the cockpit 3 is shown, at the level of a pilot's seat. The shown part of the cockpit 3 comprises, in particular, the instrument panel 2, two usual screens 6 and 7 (of which only screen 7 is visible in [Fig. 1]) and two footrest systems 10A and 10B. Each footrest system 10A, 10B comprises a footrest 9A, 9B, and a support 8A, 8B for supporting the footrest 9A, 9B, which is fixed in the cockpit 3.

[0034] The system 1 which can be arranged at the seat of one or other of the two pilots of the aircraft, comprises, as shown in [Fig.l]: - a straight rail 11 having a longitudinal axis AA (figures 1 and 8); - a fixing device 12 intended to fix (removably) the rail 11 on the dashboard 2, without modification of said dashboard 2, as specified below; and - at least one mobile carriage 13 provided with a support device 14 intended to receive the screen 4.

[0035] The following description relates to a system 1 provided with a single mobile carriage 13 (comprising a support device 14 carrying a screen 4). However, it is also conceivable, within the scope of the present invention, that the system 1 comprises a plurality of mobile carriages (and in particular two mobile carriages) mounted on a single rail, each of the mobile carriages comprising a support device carrying a screen.

[0036] In the context of the present invention: - the adjectives “upper” and “lower” are defined relative to a vertical direction in the cockpit 3 when the system 1 is mounted on the aircraft, illustrated by an arrow Z in [Fig.2], the adjective “upper” being defined in the direction of the arrow Z and the adjective “lower” being defined in the direction opposite that of the arrow Z; and - the adjective “horizontal” corresponds to a surface which is positioned substantially horizontally when the aircraft is on the ground, namely which is orthogonal to the direction illustrated by the arrow Z.

[0037] The mobile carriage 13 comprises a panel 15 corresponding to a longitudinal rectangular plate, which is capable of sliding on the rail 11, and to which the support device 14 is linked, as shown in particular in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6.

[0038] The mobile carriage 13 is configured to be able to be translated along the rail 11 (in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis AA), as illustrated by a double arrow F in FIGS. 1 and 8, and it can be brought along said rail 11, in particular: - in a so-called operating position PI, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and - in an end position P2, as shown in [Fig. 5].

[0039] The support device 14 comprises a support shelf 16 (figures 3, 4 and 7) corresponding to a flat plate, which is intended to carry the screen 4. To do this, the screen 4 is fixed in the usual way on a face 16A (figures 3 and 4) of the support shelf 16. Preferably, the screen 4 is fixed by screws 17, the heads of which are shown schematically in [Fig.7].

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the support shelf 16 (for example the position of holes for the passage of screws 17) is adapted to the fixings provided on the screen 4 which is used. This makes it possible to easily adapt the system 1 to screens having different positions for the fixing points.

[0041] The support device 14 further comprises an auxiliary shelf 18 corresponding to a flat plate, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0042] The support shelf 16 is able to pivot relative to the auxiliary shelf 18 by means of a conventional hinge 19, arranged on one side 20A ([Fig.4]). The support shelf 16 is able to pivot, around an axis BB, as illustrated by a double arrow EB in FIGS. 1 and 7. This axis BB is parallel to said longitudinal axis AA.

[0043] The support shelf 16 is configured to be able to be brought, by pivoting, into one or other of the following two configurations: a lowered configuration and a raised (or presentation) configuration.

[0044] In the lowered configuration C1, shown in [Fig.4] in particular, the support shelf 16 is folded down onto the auxiliary shelf 18 so as to provide between them a housing 21 intended to receive the screen 4.

[0045] In the lowered configuration C1, the support shelf 16 is connected to the auxiliary shelf at a side 20B opposite said side 20A so that they form a support shell 22 (partially open).

[0046] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the support shelf 16 is provided on the side 20B with a flat plate 23 connected by an elbow to the support shelf 16. A clamp 24 is fixed to the free end 23A of this plate 23.

[0047] The auxiliary shelf 18 is provided on the side 20B (opposite the side 20A) with a projecting plate 25 provided with an opening 26. The clamp 24 is configured to be able to be hooked into the opening 26, as shown in [Fig.7]. To do this, the clamp 24 comprises two flexible arms 27A and 27B each provided at its free end with a hook 28A and 28B. In the lowered configuration C1, the clamp 24 enters the opening 26 and is hooked by its hooks 28A and 28B to the edges of this opening 26.

[0048] A bracket 29A, 29B (L-shaped) is connected to each flexible arm 27A, 27B. Pressure on the brackets 29A and 29B, in the direction illustrated by arrows I in Figures 6 and 7, allows the arms 27A and 27B to approach each other and release the hooks 28A and 28B which can then be extracted from the opening 26. This allows the support shelf 16 (which pivots around the hinge 19) to be lifted and the two shelves 16 and 18 to be separated from the side 20B.

[0049] In the raised configuration C2, shown in [Fig. 3], the support shelf 16 is raised relative to the auxiliary shelf 18 so that the support shelf 16 and the auxiliary shelf 18 are positioned substantially orthogonally to each other.

[0050] As the auxiliary tablet 18 remains on the rail 11 arranged in a horizontal position (as specified below), the support tablet 16 is thus brought into a vertical position. In this vertical position, a face 4A of the screen 4 (fixed on the face 16A of the support tablet 16) is visible, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The face 4A is the display or information presentation face of the screen 4. In this raised configuration C2, the screen 4 can therefore be used by the pilot.

[0051] To move from the lowered configuration C1 to the raised configuration C2, the support shelf 16 is therefore pivoted relative to the auxiliary shelf 18 by means of the pivot hinge 19, provided with two articulations 58A and 58B. As shown in [Fig. 11], the hinge 19 comprises plates 59A and 59B connected to the support shelf 16 which cooperate, respectively, with plates 60A and 60B connected to the auxiliary shelf 18. At the articulation 58A, a washer 61 is arranged between the plates 59A and 60A, and at the articulation 58B, a washer 62 is arranged between the plates 59B and 60B. A connecting piece 63 which passes through the holes of the plates 59B and 60B and the washer 62 connects these pieces together. At the articulation 58A, the plates 59A and 60A and the washer 61 are connected together by means of a knurled wheel 64 provided with a nut 65.

[0052] The wheel 64, by being screwed, makes it possible to generate a constraint on the articulation 58A to lock its movement and thus prevent the pivoting of the support shelf 16 relative to the auxiliary shelf 18. The wheel 64 is configured to prevent the auxiliary shelf 18 from pivoting relative to the support shelf 16 in the raised configuration C2 and remaining in its vertical position.

[0053] In a particular embodiment, the washers 61 and 62 comprise pusher balls making it possible to generate a holding force in position in a predefined relative position between the two shelves 16 and 18, in this case when they are positioned substantially orthogonally to each other in the raised configuration C2.

[0054] Furthermore, the support device 14 further comprises a plate 30, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in particular.

[0055] The plate 30 is connected by a lower face 30A ([Fig.6]) to an upper face 15B ([Fig.7]) of the panel 15, as specified below.

[0056] In addition, the auxiliary shelf 18 of the support shell 22 is connected to said plate 30. More precisely, the lower face 18A ([Fig.6]) of the auxiliary shelf 18 and an upper face 30B ([Fig.7]) of the plate 30 are in contact with each other. These faces 18A and 30B are connected to each other by means of a plurality of pins 31 ([Fig.7]) and at least one double-sided adhesive tape 32 ([Fig.6]), that is to say a tape whose two faces are adhesive.

[0057] One of the adhesive faces of the double-sided adhesive tape 32 is thus glued to the lower face 18A of the auxiliary shelf 18 and the other adhesive face of the double-sided adhesive tape 32 is glued to the upper face 30B of the tray 30. In the example of [Fig.6], two adhesive tapes 32, of rectangular shape, are provided on the face 18A of the auxiliary shelf 18.

[0058] Furthermore, as shown in [Fig.7], the pins 31 are fixed on the upper face 30B of the plate 30 and, in the assembled position of the auxiliary shelf 18 and the plate 30, the pins 31 penetrate into complementary and cooperating holes 33 ([Fig.6]), made in the lower face 18A of the auxiliary shelf 18. Of course, it is also possible to provide the pins on the face 30B and holes cooperating on face 18A, or to provide pins on both faces 18A and 30B, associated with holes made each time on the opposite face.

[0059] The means for attaching the support shell 22 (provided with the screen 4) to the plate 30 connected to the rail 11, which comprise the pins 31 and the adhesive tapes 32, make it possible: - on the one hand, to provide sufficient attachment for the various operations to be carried out; and - on the other hand, to detach or tear off the support shell 22 (and the screen 4) from the system 1, by manually pulling the support shell 22 in the direction of the arrow Z in the lowered configuration ([Fig.2]).

[0060] This allows, particularly in an emergency, the pilot to very quickly remove the screen 4 (surrounded by the support shell 22) from the dashboard 2.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, in particular the auxiliary shelf 18 and the tray 30 are produced by an additive manufacturing process, which makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of these parts and thus of the system 1. In addition, these parts can, in this case, be produced easily.

[0062] As indicated above, the mobile carriage 13 is configured to be able to be translated along the rail 11, as illustrated by a double arrow F in FIGS. 1 and 8, and it can be brought along said rail 11, in particular: - in the operating position PI shown in Figures 1 and 2; and - in the end position P2 shown in [Fig.5].

[0063] The mobile carriage 13 can thus be brought into the position desired by the pilot, so that the screen 4 is arranged exactly where the pilot wants it in the raised configuration, namely preferably within his field of vision when he is sitting on his seat to avoid him having to turn his head when he wants to look at the screen 4.

[0064] To do this, in a particular embodiment, the rail 11 which is for example made of metal and in particular of aluminum, comprises, as shown in [Fig.8], three rectilinear guides 34A, 34B and 34C, parallel to the longitudinal axis AA, namely a central guide 34C and two guides 34A and 34B arranged on either side of this central guide 34C.

[0065] The three guides 34A, 34B and 34C ([Fig.9]) have a similar shape in cross section, comprising on the upper face 11B of the rail 11 a longitudinal groove 35, opening into a longitudinal groove 36 of generally substantially rectangular shape.

[0066] The panel 15, for its part, is provided on its lower face 15A with two longitudinal ribs 37A and 37B. These longitudinal ribs 37A and 37B have, in cross-section, a generally rectangular shape, complementary to that of the grooves 36, and they are inserted into the grooves 36 of the two guides 34A and 34B.

[0067] This cooperation of shape between the ribs 37A and 37B and the grooves 36 allows the panel 15 to be held on the rail 11 and to be able to be moved longitudinally on the rail 11.

[0068] Furthermore, in a particular embodiment, the system 1 also comprises a locking element 38 ([Fig.9]) for locking the panel 15 and therefore the mobile carriage 13, in position, on the rail 11, that is to say to prevent the movement of the mobile carriage 13 when it is locked.

[0069] The locking element 38 comprises a screw 39 provided with a head 39A (comprising a gripping plate 39B) and a threaded rod 39C, as shown in [Fig.9].

[0070] The head 39A of the locking element 38 rests on the upper face 15B of the panel 15 and the threaded rod 39C passes through the groove 35 of the guide 34C and ends in the groove 36 of the guide 34C. A nut 40 is housed in this groove 36 and is screwed onto the threaded rod 39C.

[0071] Thus: - to lock the movable carriage 13 in position on the rail 11, it is sufficient to screw the locking element 38 (by manually turning the gripping plate 39B), until a tightening between the nut 40 and the head 39A is obtained which is sufficient to hold the panel 15 against the rail 11; and - to unlock the mobile carriage 13 so as to allow its translation along the rail 11, it is sufficient to loosen the locking element 38 sufficiently to allow the panel 15 to be moved relative to the rail 11.

[0072] Furthermore, the rail 11 also comprises, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, two rectilinear guides 34D and 34E, parallel to the longitudinal axis AA, which are intended for fixing the rail 11 as specified below.

[0073] In the embodiment shown, the guides 34D and 34E have a shape similar in cross-section to that of the guides 34A, 34B and 34C, comprising on the lower face 11A of the rail 11 a longitudinal groove 35, opening into a groove 36 of substantially rectangular general shape.

[0074] Furthermore, the fixing device 12 comprises two fixing pieces 41, arranged under the rail 11, at the level of the supports 8A and 8B of the footrests 9A and 9B respectively.

[0075] These fixing pieces 41 have the function of allowing the system 1 (carrier of the screen 4) to be fixed on the aircraft. One of the fixing pieces 41 is intended to be fixed on the support 8A of the footrest 9A and the other fixing piece 41 is intended to be fixed on the support 8B of the footrest 9B.

[0076] As shown in [Fig. 10], each fixing part 41 comprises a central plate 42 and two side plates 43 and 44 arranged on either side of the central plate 42 and connected to the latter, respectively, by plates 45 and 46.

[0077] Each of the side plates 43 and 44 is provided with a hole 43A, 44A and is capable of being fixed by means of a bolt 47 on the support 8A, 8B of a footrest 9A, 9B.

[0078] Usually, each support 8A, 8B of a footrest 9A, 9B comprises two pre-existing holes, which are intended to receive a cover which is removed before fixing the fixing part 41. The holes 43A and 44A of the side plates 43 and 44 of the fixing part 41 are formed and positioned so that they can be superimposed on the pre-existing holes of the supports 8A and 8B.

[0079] Thus, the rail 11 and therefore the system 1 can be fixed to the aircraft without having to modify the instrument panel 2 or the cockpit equipment of the aircraft, by using holes already existing in the supports 8A and 8B of the footrests 9A and 9B.

[0080] In addition, two holes 42A and 42B are made in the central plate 42 to allow it to be fixed under the rail 11 using two fixing elements 48, preferably bolts, passing through these holes 42A and 42B and comprising nuts 66 arranged respectively in the grooves 36 of the guides 34D and 34E, as shown in [Fig.9].

[0081] The upper face 56A, 56B of each support 8A, 8B of footrest 9A, 9B does not have a horizontal surface. Also, the fixing pieces 41 arranged on these upper faces 56A and 56B are formed so as to position the rail 11 horizontally.

[0082] To do this, for each of the fixing parts 41, the upper face 41B (of the central plate 42) and the lower faces 41A (of the side plates 43 and 44), illustrated in [Fig.4] respectively by dashed straight line segments DI and D2, form between them a non-zero angle a. This angle a is such that, when the system 1 is installed on the dashboard 2, the rail 11 is in a horizontal position.

[0083] Therefore, the fixing parts 41 are configured in such a way that: - to be able to be fixed on the supports 8A and 8B of the footrests 9A and 9B; and - to be able to be fixed under the rail 11, to position it horizontally.

[0084] Furthermore, the system 1 also comprises a support piece 49 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This support piece 49 is arranged between the lower face of the rail 11 and the upper face of a usual shelf 50 of the dashboard 2, which is in a folded position, to provide additional support for the rail 11.

[0085] Furthermore, the plate 30 is connected by means of a usual hinge 51 to the panel 15, as shown in [Fig.5].

[0086] As indicated above, the mobile carriage 13 is configured to be able to be brought, by translation on the rail 11, into an end position P2 on said rail 11, such as that shown in [Fig.5].

[0087] In the end position P2, the plate 30 of the support device 14 is able to pivot relative to the panel 15 of the mobile carriage 13, around an axis CC (which is transverse, and preferably orthogonal, to said longitudinal axis AA), as illustrated by a double arrow EC in [Fig.5].

[0088] In this end position P2, the support device 14 is thus configured to be able to be brought, by the pivoting of the plate 30 around the axis CC, into one or other of the following two configurations: - the lowered configuration C1, in which the plate 30 is in contact with the panel 15 and the support device 14 is therefore lowered onto the mobile carriage 13; and - a rest configuration C3, in which the plate 30 and therefore the support device 14 are raised, as shown in [Fig.5].

[0089] In this rest configuration C3, the support device 14 and the screen 4 are positioned so as not to hinder the pilot or to hinder him as little as possible.

[0090] The support device 14 is held in the lowered configuration C1, using self-gripping fasteners 52 ([Fig.5]). The self-gripping fasteners 52 of the “Scratch” type are provided between the plate 30 and the panel 15 and have the function of attaching the plate 30 to the panel 15.

[0091] Furthermore, in the rest configuration C3, the support device 14 is held in position using a pivoting arm 53 (Figures 5 and 8) and self-gripping fasteners 54 ([Fig.6]).

[0092] The self-gripping fasteners 54 of the “scratch” type are provided between the auxiliary shelf 18 and a lateral edge of the rail 11.

[0093] The pivoting arm 53, preferably made in the form of a rectangular flat plate, is capable of pivoting around an axis DD (which is transverse, and preferably orthogonal, to said longitudinal axis AA), as illustrated by a double arrow ED in [Fig.8].

[0094] The pivoting arm 53 which is connected at one end 53A by means of a usual hinge to the panel 15, can be brought into one or other of the following two positions: - a retracted position, in which it is retracted into a housing 55 (figures 5 and 8) corresponding to a cutout made in the panel 15; and - an inclined (supporting) position as shown in Figures 5 and 8, in which a free end 53B of the pivoting arm 53 enters an opening 57 ([Fig.7]) of the plate 30 of the support device 14 to maintain the support device 14 in said rest configuration C3.

[0095] Methods for installing and uninstalling the system 1 are now described.

[0096] The method for installing the system 1 on the instrument panel 2 of an aircraft, to be usable by a pilot, comprises in particular the following (manual) operations: - arranging the rail 11 in the appropriate position on the instrument panel 2; - install the support piece 49 between the rail 11 and the shelf 50; - fix the two fixing pieces 41 of the fixing system 12 on the supports 8A and 8B of the two footrests 9A and 9B intended for the pilot, by screwing the bolts 47 into the pre-existing holes of the supports 8A and 8B. For this last operation, preferably, the fixing pieces 41 (which are previously screwed to the rail 11) are simply screwed to the supports 8A and 8B. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the fixing pieces 41 (which are previously screwed to the supports 8A and 8B) are screwed to the rail 11 during this last operation.

[0097] Furthermore, the method for uninstalling the system 1 (previously installed on the dashboard 2), comprises in particular the following (manual) operations: - unscrew the bolts 47 to separate the two fixing parts 41 of the system 1 from the supports 8A and 8B of the footrests 9A and 9B on which they were fixed; - remove rail 11 (and all the parts it carries); - remove the support piece 49.

[0098] Consequently, the installation and uninstallation of the system 1 can be carried out easily and quickly, with a reduced number of operations, and moreover without having to modify the instrument panel 2 or equipment of the cockpit 3 of the aircraft.

[0099] Furthermore, to move the mobile carriage 13 (provided with the support device 14 and the screen 4) from a first position to a second position, for example from the operating position PI to the end position P2 or vice versa, it is sufficient to carry out the following (manual) operations: - in the first position, loosen the locking element 38 to release the panel 15 from the rail 11; - move the movable carriage 13 by sliding it on the rail 11 to bring it into the second position; and - in this second, screw the locking element 38 to prevent any movement of the mobile carriage 13.

[0100] Thanks to the rail 11 which is arranged on the dashboard 2, the movable carriage 13 can be brought to any desired position along said rail 11, and in particular to the end position P2 and to the operating position PI (in which the screen 4 is positioned in front of the usual screen 6 of the cockpit 3 in the example of figures 1 and 2).

[0101] The system 1 thus provides great flexibility in the lateral positioning of the screen 4 in the cockpit 3.

[0102] Methods for bringing the support device 14 of the system 1 into different possible configurations are now described.

[0103] The method for, in particular in the operating position PI on the rail 11, moving the support device 14 from the raised configuration C2 of [Fig.l] to the lowered configuration C1 of [Fig.2], comprises in particular the following (manual) operations: - act on the wheel 64 to allow the support shelf 16 to pivot via the hinge 19; - moving the support shelf 16 carrying the screen 4, by pivoting it around the axis BB, to bring it from the vertical position (relative to the raised configuration C2) to a horizontal position (where it is in contact with the auxiliary shelf 18), the auxiliary shelf 18 resting on the plate 30 which, itself, rests on the shelf 15 linked to the rail 11; and - insert the clamp 24 into the opening 26 to secure the support shelf 16 to the auxiliary shelf 18.

[0104] Furthermore, the method for, in particular in the operating position PI on the rail 11, moving the support device 14 from the lowered configuration C1 of [Fig.2] to the raised configuration C2 of [Fig.l], comprises in particular the following (manual) operations: - remove the clamp 24 from the opening 26 to separate the support shelf 16 from the auxiliary shelf 18; - moving the support shelf 16 carrying the screen 4, by pivoting it around the axis BB, to bring it from the horizontal position (where it is in contact with the auxiliary shelf 16) to the vertical position (relative to the raised configuration C2); and - acting on the wheel 64 to prevent the support shelf 16 from pivoting.

[0105] Therefore, the change of configuration of the support device 14, in particular at the operating position PI, can be carried out easily and quickly, with a reduced number of operations.

[0106] Furthermore, the method for, in the end position P2 on the rail 11, making the support device 14 pass from a lowered configuration C1 such as that of [Fig.2] to the rest configuration C3 of [Fig.5], comprises in particular the following (manual) operations: - moving the support device 14 carrying the screen 4, by pivoting it around the axis CC, to bring it from the horizontal position (where it rests on the rail 11) to the vertical position (relative to the rest configuration C3); and - pivot the pivoting arm 53 around the axis DD, to bring it from the retracted position to the inclined position in which its free end 53B enters the opening 57 of the tray 30. In this inclined position, the pivoting arm 53 maintains the support device 14 in the rest (vertical) configuration.

[0107] Furthermore, the method for, in the end position P2 on the rail 11, making the support device 14 pass from the rest configuration C3 of [Fig.5] to a lowered configuration C1 such as that of [Fig.2], comprises in particular the following (manual) operations: - pivoting the pivoting arm 53 from the inclined position to the retracted position so as to allow the pivoting of the support device 14; and - moving the support device 14 carrying the screen 4, by pivoting it around the axis CC, to bring it into the horizontal position (relative to the lowered configuration Cl).

[0108] Therefore, the change of configuration of the support device 14, at the end position P2, can be carried out easily and quickly, with a reduced number of operations.

[0109] System 1, as described above, has many advantages. In particular: - it can be installed on the instrument panel, without modification of the instrument panel and the aircraft cockpit equipment; - installation and uninstallation of system 1 can be done easily and quickly; - the operations for installation and uninstallation are simple and few in number; - system 1 has a reduced cost; - the support device and the screen can be brought into the desired position along the rail, and in particular into a position adapted to the pilot's field of vision; - when the pilot no longer needs the screen, the support shell and the screen it carries can either be brought into the rest configuration or be quickly removed in an emergency, so that they do not hinder the pilot; - system 1 can be used for a screen intended for the pilot or for a screen intended for the co-pilot; and - system 1 can be used for any type of additional screen, and in particular for a test screen.

Claims

Claims

1. System for removable attachment of at least one screen on a dashboard of a cockpit of an aircraft, characterized in that it comprises: - a rectilinear rail (11) having a longitudinal axis (AA); - a fixing device (12) intended to fix the rail (11) on the dashboard (2) without modification of said dashboard (2);and - at least one mobile carriage (13) provided with a support device (14), said mobile carriage (13) being configured to be able to be translated along said rail (11) and to be brought at least into a so-called operating position (PI), said support device (14) being provided with a support shelf (16) intended to carry the screen (4), the support shelf (16) being able to pivot about an axis (BB) parallel to said longitudinal axis (AA) and being configured to, by its pivoting, be able to be raised into a so-called raised configuration (C2), at least in said operating position (PI), and be able to be lowered onto the mobile carriage (13) into a so-called lowered configuration (Cl), at least during a translation of said mobile carriage (13) on the rail (11).;

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile carriage (13) is configured to be able to be brought, by translation on the rail (11), into an end position (P2) on said rail (11), and in that the support device (14) is able to pivot relative to a panel (15) of the mobile carriage (13), around an axis (CC) which is transverse to said longitudinal axis (AA), and it is configured to, by its pivoting, be able, at least in said end position (P2), to be raised into a so-called rest configuration (C3).

3. System according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the support device (14) further comprises an auxiliary shelf (18), and in that the support shelf (16) is able to pivot relative to said auxiliary shelf (18) by means of a hinge (19) arranged on a first side (20A), and it is configured to be able to be brought, by pivoting, into one or other of the following two configurations: - the lowered configuration (Cl), in which the support shelf (16) is folded down onto the auxiliary shelf (18) so as to provide between them a housing (21) intended to receive the screen (4) and the support shelf (16) and the auxiliary shelf (18) are secured to a second side (20B) opposite said first side (20A); and - a raised configuration (C2), in which the support shelf (16) is raised relative to the auxiliary shelf (18) so that the support shelf (16) and the auxiliary shelf (18) are positioned substantially orthogonally to each other.

4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that a first face (18A) of the auxiliary shelf (18) and a first face (30B) of a tray (30) connected to a panel (15) of the mobile carriage (13) are in contact with each other and are connected to each other by means of, on the one hand, a plurality of pins (31) integral with at least one of said first faces (18A, 30B) which penetrate into complementary and cooperating holes (33) made in the other of said first faces (18A, 30B), and on the other hand, at least one double-sided adhesive tape (32), each face of which is stuck to one of said first faces (18A, 30B) of the auxiliary shelf (18) and of the tray (30).

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a locking element (38) configured to be able to lock the mobile carriage (13) in position on the rail (11).

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing device (12) comprises two fixing pieces (41) arranged under the rail (11), in that each of said fixing pieces (41) comprises a lower face intended to be fixed on one of the two footrests (9A, 9B) intended for a pilot of the aircraft and an upper face to which the rail (11) is fixed, and in that said fixing pieces (41) are configured so that, when the fixing system (1) is mounted on the dashboard (2), the rail (11) is positioned substantially horizontally.

7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one support piece (49) arranged under the rail (11).

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one pivoting arm (53) capable of pivoting around an axis (DD) transverse to said longitudinal axis (A-

9.

10. A) so as to be able to be brought into one or other of the following two positions: - a retracted position, in which it is retracted into a panel (15) of the mobile carriage (13); and - an inclined position, in which a free end (53B) of the pivoting arm (53) enters an opening (57) of a plate (30) of the support device (14) to maintain the support device (14) in a rest configuration (C3). System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises self-gripping fasteners (32, 54) for attaching together different elements of the system (1). Removable display system for a dashboard of a cockpit of an aircraft, said display system (5) comprising at least one screen (4), characterized in that it further comprises a removable fixing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, on which the screen (4) is fixed and which is intended to be fixed on the dashboard (2) of the cockpit (3) of the aircraft.

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