SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING AN OBJECT TO A SUPPORT AND AIRCRAFT FEATURING AT LEAST ONE SUCH SYSTEM

Abstract

SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING AN OBJECT TO A SUPPORT AND AIRCRAFT COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SUCH SYSTEM. The invention relates to a system (1) for attaching an object to a support (90) comprising a first attachment element (11a) and a second attachment element (11b) intended to be placed on either side of said support (90), and attachment means (91) for said object, said attachment means (91) being fixed to one of the attachment elements. According to the invention, the attachment system comprises bringing means (14) integral with the attachment elements and / or locking means (13) integral with the attachment elements. In this way, the system of the invention can, by means of the bringing means, be automatically adjusted to the width of the support and / or be easily locked in position by means of the locking means.The system of the invention can therefore be used with one hand, which facilitates the attachment of objects to supports, particularly in confined spaces. Fig. 3.

Description

Title of the invention: SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING AN OBJECT TO A SUPPORT AND AIRCRAFT COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SUCH SYSTEM technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastening system for attaching an object to a support. The invention relates in particular to the fastening of an object in the form of one or more cables or pipes in an aircraft. PREVIOUS STATE OF THE ART

[0002] In an aircraft, it is often necessary to attach cables or pipes to supports which may take the form of a bar or a post, for example. These cables or pipes may also be fastened to each other to hold them together before being attached to the support.

[0003] Currently, to ensure the attachment of cables to a support, it is known in particular to use fastening systems comprising a first and a second fastening element clamping the support, one of the elements being provided with means for attaching the cable to the fastening element.

[0004] To fix the fasteners to the support, it is known to screw or rivet each fastener to the support. Another solution involves passing a hose clamp through both fasteners and tightening it to hold the fasteners in position on the support.

[0005] One drawback of this solution is that the use of screws, rivets, or hose clamps creates a risk of improper attachment of the system to the support. Indeed, there is a risk that one of the two fasteners may not be attached, or may be improperly attached, to the support during the fastening operation.

[0006] Furthermore, these solutions present a risk of finding debris from foreign objects in the aircraft after assembly is complete. Indeed, screws, rivets, or hose clamps can easily fall out and thus be forgotten or lost by the operator during the fastening process, which can subsequently lead to damage during aircraft operation.

[0007] Finally, as the workspace within the aircraft is sometimes cramped, attaching the system to the support with these solutions can prove relatively difficult because it requires high dexterity from the operator, while both of the operator's hands are generally required to carry out this attachment operation.

[0008] It is therefore necessary to find a simple and quick solution to implement which ensures a reliable fixing of an object on a support. Description of the invention

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a fastening system which allows an object to be fixed to a support in a simple and quick manner.

[0010] To this end, a system for fixing an object is proposed, in which the system comprises a first fixing element and a second fixing element intended to be placed on either side of said support and to clamp said support. The system further comprises means for fixing the object, said fixing means being attached to one of said first or second fixing elements. More specifically, each fixing element comprises:

[0011] - a base;

[0012] - a retaining tab extending from said base, said retaining tab defining with said base a receiving space in which said medium is intended to be received;

[0013] - a guide channel passing through said base in an introduction direction;

[0014] - a guide bar extending parallel to said direction of introduction to starting from said base, said guide bar having a first end fixed to said base and a second free end received in said guide channel of the other fixing element when said first and second fixing elements are assembled.

[0015] According to the invention, said fastening system further comprises means for bringing together at least one of the first and second fastening elements and arranged to tighten said first and second fastening elements towards each other by tightening said support and / or locking means for securing at least one of the first and second fastening elements and arranged to lock the position of said first and second fastening elements relative to each other.

[0016] The system of the invention allows for the simple and quick attachment of an object to a support. Thanks to the adjustment means, the system can be automatically adjusted to the width of the support and / or easily locked in position, thanks to the locking means already integrated / attached to the system. The system can therefore be operated with one hand, which facilitates the attachment of objects to supports in confined spaces. Furthermore, because the system already includes adjustment and / or locking means attached to the first and / or second fastening elements, the risk of improper attachment is eliminated, as is the risk of losing a screw, rivet, or hose clamp, for example.

[0017] Advantageously, said means of rapprochement comprise an elastic element connecting said first and second fixing elements.

[0018] According to one embodiment, said elastic element is a tension spring where a first end of said spring is fixed to said base of said first fixing element, and where a second end of said spring is fixed to said base of said second fixing element.

[0019] According to a second embodiment, each of said bases has two generally parallel openings running parallel to the direction of insertion of said base, said openings being separated by a wall, where said elastic element is an elastic band passing through said openings of said first and second fixing elements and enclosing said walls of each fixing element so as to attract the fixing elements towards each other.

[0020] According to a particular aspect, said locking means comprise a first locking assembly having a first flexible link fixed at a proximal end of said first link to said base of said first fastening element and a first cage fixed to said base of said second fastening element, wherein said first cage has a first tunnel for receiving a distal end of the first link, and wherein said first cage is equipped with a locking system allowing movement of said first link in the first tunnel in a single tightening direction.

[0021] According to another particular aspect, said locking means comprise a second locking assembly having a second flexible link fixed at a proximal end of the second link to said base of said second fastening element and a second cage fixed to said base of said first fastening element, wherein said second cage has a second tunnel for receiving a distal end of the second link, and wherein said second cage is equipped with a locking system allowing movement of the second link in the second tunnel in a single tightening direction.

[0022] According to yet another particular aspect, said locking systems each include a release lever allowing movement of the link in the tunnel in a loosening direction, opposite to said tightening direction.

[0023] The invention further relates to an aircraft comprising an object to be fixed to a support and a fixing system as described above, arranged to fix said object to said support. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] The features of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will become clearer upon reading the following description of several exemplary embodiments, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0025] [Fig.1] illustrates a perspective view of a fastening system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the fastening system comprising locking means;

[0026] [Fig.2] illustrates a perspective view of a fastening system according to another example of an embodiment according to the invention, the fastening system comprising a first example of means for bringing together;

[0027] [Fig.3] illustrates a perspective view of a fastening system according to yet another example of an embodiment according to the invention;

[0028] [Fig.4] illustrates a perspective view of a variant of the fastening system of the [Fig. 3]; and

[0029] [Fig. 5] illustrates an aircraft comprising a plurality of fastening systems according to the invention.

[0030] DETAILED STATEMENT OF IMPROVEMENTS

[0031] Figures 1 to 4 show examples of a fastening system 1 according to the invention, which are hereinafter referred to as the "system." The system 1 allows an object to be fixed to a support 90. For readability, the support 90 is partially illustrated and is represented by dashed lines in Figures 1 and 2. The support 90 is not shown in the following figures. The object can take several forms and can, for example, consist of one or more cables or pipes, or any other object to be fixed. The support 90 can also take several forms and can, for example, be in the form of a bar or a post forming a rail on which the fastening system 1 of the invention is fixed.

[0032] The system 1 allows the object to be fixed to the support 90 and it comprises a first fixing element 1la and a second fixing element 11b. The first lia and second 11b fixing elements are placed on either side of the support 90 and enclose the latter.

[0033] The system 1 further comprises fastening means 91 which secure the object to the system 1 and thus to the support 90. The fastening means 91 are attached to one of the first 1a or second 11b fastening elements. In this example, the fastening means 91 are shown schematically and are attached to the first fastening element 1a. The fastening means 91 can take several forms and can be arranged differently, on the first fastening element 1a and / or on the second fastening element 11b.

[0034] Each fastening element 11b comprises a base 111 which, in this example, is generally parallelepiped-shaped, and a retaining lug 113 which extends from the base 111. The retaining lug 113 defines with the base 111 a receiving space 114 in which the support 90 is intended to be received, and optionally allows the guidance of the first 11a and second 11b fastening elements in the case where the first 1 la and second 11b fixing elements are moved by sliding along the support 90 before locking. The retaining bracket 113 has a shape that is essentially a horizontal L and extends generally along the entire length of the base 111. More precisely, the base 113a of the L extends generally perpendicularly to an upper surface 11la of the base 111, while the upright 113b of the L extends generally parallel to, and therefore generally opposite, the upper surface 11la of the base 111 to form together with the base 111 the receiving space 114 for the support 90. In this example, the receiving space has a generally U-shaped form. A curved portion 113c can, as illustrated here, extend from the free end of the upright 113b towards the upper surface 11la of the base 111 in order to optimize the retention of the support 90 in the receiving space 114.

[0035] Each fastening element lia, 11b further comprises, on a front face 11 Id of the base 111, a guide channel 116 passing through the base 111 in an introduction direction T. The introduction direction T extends globally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the base 111 and parallel to the upper surface 11 la of the base 111.

[0036] Each fastening element lia, 11b also includes a guide bar 115 which extends parallel to the insertion direction T from the base 111. The guide bar 115 therefore protrudes from the base 111 (and more particularly from a front face 11 Id) and has a first end fixed to the base 111 and a second free end received in the guide channel 116 of the other fastening element 11b, lia when the first and second fastening elements lia, 11b are assembled.

[0037] In other words, each fastening element lia, 11b has a guide bar 115 and a guide channel 116. The guide bar 115 of each fastening element lia, 11b enters the guide channel 116 of the other fastening element lia, 11b.

[0038] According to the invention, the fastening system 1 further comprises approaching means 14 attached to at least one of the first 1a and second 11b fastening elements and arranged to clamp the first 1a and second 11b fastening elements towards each other parallel to the direction of introduction T by clamping the support 90 and / or locking means 13 attached to at least one of the first 1a and second 11b fastening elements and arranged to lock the position of the first 1a and second 11b fastening elements relative to each other, in particular when the first 1a and second 11b fastening elements clamp the support 90 together.

[0039] When the term "fixed" is used to specify that the locking means 13 and / or the joining means 14 are fixed to at least one of the first 1a and second 11b fastening elements, this means that these means are fixed to at least one of the first 1a and second 11b fastening elements. In other words, the means 13, 14 cannot be separated from the fastening elements 1a, 11b. For example, they are monobloc with respect to the locking means 13.

[0040] In this way, it is possible to fix an object to a support simply and quickly. The system 1 of the invention can, thanks to the approximation means 14, be automatically adjusted to the width of the support 90 and / or be easily locked in position, thanks to the locking means 13 already integrated / fixed to the system 1. The system 1 of the invention can therefore be used with one hand, which facilitates the fixing of objects to supports in confined spaces.

[0041] Also, because the system 1 already includes means for bringing together 14 and / or locking 13 which are here fixed to the first 1a and second 11b fixing elements, the risk of poor fixing is eliminated, as is the risk of losing a screw, a rivet or a clamp, for example.

[0042] In addition, the first 1la and second 11b fastening elements are substantially identical, which facilitates their manufacture and use.

[0043] Figure 1 shows a system 1 comprising only locking means 13 for locking the position of the first 1a and second 11b fastening elements relative to each other. Figure 2 shows a system 1 comprising only bringing means 14 together (according to a first embodiment) arranged to clamp the first 1a and second 11b fastening elements together by clamping the support 90.

[0044] Figs. 3 and 4 show a system 1 comprising locking means 13 and bringing means 14 together (respectively according to the first embodiment and according to a second embodiment).

[0045] Preferably, the clamping means 14 comprise an elastic element connecting the first 1a and second 11b fastening elements together. The elastic element is tensioned in the clamped position so as to attract the first 1a and second 11b fastening elements towards each other and allow the first 1a and second 11b fastening elements to be clamped around the support 90 without any action by the operator.

[0046] According to a first embodiment, illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the elastic element is a tension spring 141 where one end of the spring 141 is fixed to the base 111 of the first fixing element 11a and where a second end of the spring 141 is fixed to the base 111 of the second fixing element 11b. More precisely, the tension spring 141 is adapted to exert tension between the fixing elements 11a, 11b to tighten the support 90. The spring 141 therefore has a length adapted to the width of the support 90. In addition, the pulling force exerted by the spring 141 is adapted so that the operator can easily, and without tools, put in place the fixing elements 1 la and 11b on either side of the support 90.

[0047] In this way, no adjustment of the spacing of the fastening elements 1a and 11b is necessary by the operator since the bringing means 14 allow this operation to be carried out automatically. The installation and use of the system 1 are therefore simple.

[0048] According to a second embodiment, illustrated in [Fig. 4], each of the bases 111 has two generally parallel openings 117. The openings 117 pass through the base 111 parallel to the insertion direction T and are separated by a wall 119. More precisely, the openings 117 extend between the front face 111d and the rear face 11le of the base 111.

[0049] Here, the elastic element is an elastic band 142, for example made of rubber, which passes through said openings 117 of the first 1 la and second 11b fixing elements and clamps the walls 119 of each fixing element 1 la, 11b so as to attract the fixing elements 1a, 11b towards each other.

[0050] In this example, a single closed elastic band, forming a loop, passes through the openings 117 of the fasteners 11a and 11b and encircles the walls 119 of the two fasteners 11a and 11b to attract them towards each other. The elastic band 142 is adapted to exert tension between the fasteners 11a and 11b to clamp the support 90. The elastic band 142 therefore has a length adapted to the width of the support 90. Furthermore, the tensile force exerted by the elastic band 142 is adapted so that the operator can easily, and without tools, position the fasteners 11a and 11b on either side of the support 90.

[0051] In this way, no adjustment of the spacing between the fastening elements 1a and 11b is necessary by the operator since the bringing means 14 allow this operation to be performed automatically. The installation and use of the system 1 are therefore simple.

[0052] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], 3 and 4, the locking means 13 comprise a first locking assembly 130a having a first flexible link 133a which extends generally parallel to the insertion direction T and which is fixed at a proximal end of the first link 133a to the base 111 of the first fixing element 11a, and more precisely here at a first lateral face 111b of the base 111. The first locking assembly 130a also comprises a first cage fixed to the base 111 of the second fixing element 11b, and more precisely here at a second lateral face 111e of the base 111. The first cage 131a has a first tunnel 132a which extends generally parallel to the insertion direction T and which is configured to receive a distal end of the first link 133a. The first cage 133a is equipped with a locking system allowing the movement of the first link 131a in the first tunnel 132a in a single tightening direction '+' and preventing the movement of the first link 133a in the first tunnel 132a in a loosening direction opposite to the tightening direction.

[0053] In this way, system 1 allows for an automatic, and therefore simple, locking of the position of the fasteners 1la and 11b relative to each other. It is therefore no longer necessary to use screws, rivets, or hose clamps to lock the position of the fasteners 1la and 11b. Thus, the risk of foreign debris entering the aircraft after assembly is eliminated.

[0054] Preferably, the locking means 13 comprise a second locking assembly 130b which has an identical structure and function. This second locking assembly 130b is disposed on the lateral faces opposite the lateral faces of the bases 111 carrying the first locking assembly 130a. More specifically, the second locking assembly 130b comprises a second flexible link 133b which extends generally parallel to the insertion direction T and which is fixed at a proximal end of the second link 133b to the base 111 of the second fixing element 11b, and more specifically here at a second lateral face of the base 111. The second locking assembly 130b further comprises a second cage fixed to the base 111 of the first fixing element 11a, here at a first lateral face of the base 111.The second cage has a second tunnel extending parallel to the insertion direction T to receive a distal end of the second link 133b. As before, the second cage 133b is equipped with a locking system allowing movement of the second link 133b in the second tunnel only in the tightening direction '+' and preventing movement of the second link 133b in the second tunnel in the loosening direction.

[0055] In this way, system 1 allows for an automatic, and therefore simple, locking of the position of the fasteners 1la and 11b relative to each other. It is therefore no longer necessary to use screws, rivets, or hose clamps to lock the position of the fasteners 1la and 11b. Thus, the risk of foreign object debris entering the aircraft after assembly is eliminated.

[0056] The implementation of two locking assemblies 130a and 130b, on either side of the bases 111 of the fastening elements 1la and 11b, ensures reliable and optimal locking of the position of the fastening elements 1la and 11b relative to each other. Furthermore, the two locking assemblies 130a and 130b ensure that the fixing elements 1la and 11b extend parallel to each other on each side of the support 90 so as to optimize the locking of system 1.

[0057] Furthermore, the implementation of two independent locking sets 130a and 130b ensures optimal security of the object's attachment to the support 90 because even if one of the two locking sets 130a and 130b has an anomaly, the attachment of the fastening system 1 to the support 90 is ensured.

[0058] For example, the locking systems each comprise a ratchet system housed in the tunnel and teeth 134 formed on one face of the flexible links 133a, 133b. The teeth 134 interact with the ratchet system to allow movement of the flexible links 133a, 133b in their respective tunnels in the tightening direction '+' and to prevent movement of the flexible links 133a, 133b in the loosening direction.

[0059] Preferably, each locking system includes a release lever for releasing the flexible links 131a and 131b to allow their movement in the tunnels 132a in the direction of loosening. Thus, the release lever allows the teeth of the ratchet system to be released.

[0060] In this way, it is possible to unlock the locking assemblies 130a and 130b so as to release the flexible links 133a and 133b and allow them to move in the opposite direction to the tightening direction when it is necessary to loosen, i.e., separate, the fastening elements 11a and 11b from each other. Thus, system 1 is removable and therefore reusable.

[0061] Fig. 5 represents an aircraft A comprising at least one system 1 for attaching an object to a support 90. The use of such attachment systems 1 in an aircraft advantageously facilitates the assembly operations of electrical, electronic or fluidic systems, particularly in confined spaces, and thus increases productivity.

Claims

Demands

1. A fastening system (1) for fastening an object to a support (90), said system (1) comprising a first fastening element (1a) and a second fastening element (11b) intended to be placed on either side of said support (90) and to clamp said support (90), said system (1) further comprising fastening means (91) for said object, said fastening means (91) being fixed to at least one of said first (1a) and second (11b) fastening elements; characterized in that each fastening element (1a, 11b) comprises: - a base (111) - a retaining tab (113) extending from said base (111), said retaining tab (113) defining with said base (111) a receiving space (114) in which said support (90) is intended to be received; - a guide channel (116) passing through said base (111) in an introduction direction (T);- a guide bar (115) extending parallel to said insertion direction (T) from said base (111), said guide bar (115) having a first end fixed to said base (111) and a second free end received in said guide channel (116) of the other fixing element (11b, lia) when said first and second fixing elements (lia, 11b) are assembled; and in that said fastening system (1) further comprises approaching means (14) integral with at least one of the first (1la) and second (11b) fastening elements and arranged to tighten said first (1la) and second (11b) fastening elements towards each other by tightening said support (90) and / or locking means (13) integral with at least one of the first (1la) and second (11b) fastening elements and arranged to lock the position of said first (1la) and second (11b) fastening elements relative to each other.;

2. Fixing system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said approaching means (14) comprise an elastic element connecting said first (11a) and second (11b) fixing elements.

3. Fastening system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said elastic element is a tension spring (141), where a first end of said spring (141) is fixed to said base (111) of said first fastening element (11a) and where a second end of said spring (141) is fixed to said base (111) of said second fastening element (11b) so as to attract the fastening elements (11a, 11b) towards each other.

4. A fastening system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said bases (111) has two generally parallel openings (117) passing parallel to the insertion direction (T) through said base (111), said openings (117) being separated by a wall (119), where said elastic element is an elastic band (142) passing through said openings (117) of said first (11a) and second (11b) fastening elements and enclosing said walls (119) of each fastening element (11a, 11b) so as to attract the fastening elements (11a, 11b) towards each other.

5. A fastening system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said locking means (13) comprise a first locking assembly (130a) having a first flexible link (133a) fixed at a proximal end of said first link (133a) to said base (111) of said first fastening element (11a) and a first cage (131a) fixed to said base (111) of said second fastening element (11b), wherein said first cage (131a) has a first tunnel (132a) for receiving a distal end of the first link (133a), and wherein said first cage (131a) is equipped with a locking system allowing the movement of said first link (133a) in the first tunnel (132a) in a single tightening direction.

6. A fastening system (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said locking means (13) comprise a second locking assembly (130b) having a second flexible link (133b) fixed at a proximal end of the second link (133b) to said base (111) of said second fastening element (11b) and a second cage fixed to said base (111) of said first fastening element (11a), wherein said second cage has a second tunnel for receiving a distal end of the second link (133b) and wherein said second cage is equipped with a locking system allowing the second link (133b) to move in the second tunnel in a single tightening direction.

7. A fastening system (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said locking systems each comprise a release lever allowing movement of the link (133a, 133b) in the tunnel (132a) in a loosening direction, opposite to said tightening direction.

8. Aircraft (A) comprising an object to be fixed to a support (90) and a fixing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, arranged to fix said object to said support (90).