Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft structure – Details
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-07
2001-03-13
Swiatek, Robert P. (Department: 3643)
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft structure
Details
C244S119000, C052S220200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199798
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for releasably fastening covering panels or the like, in particular ceiling panels in aircraft, on a load-bearing structure, having at least two fastening elements.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
The term covering panels covers all elements which serve for forming walls, for example in the aircraft interior, and are intended to cover equipment located behind them. The covering panels may be in a wide range of sizes and shapes. It is necessary for the equipment and systems which are located behind the covering panels to be rendered easily accessible, in order for it to be possible for these to be serviced, or, in the case of the defect, repaired and/or exchanged. Conventional covering panels can usually only be removed with relatively high outlay, with the use of tools. This renders, in particular, the task of trouble-shooting a high-outlay and time-consuming undertaking. The visible side of the covering panel often has holes via which the fastening elements can be released, for example by means of a screwdriver. For esthetic reasons, the holes, of course, are kept as small as possible, which, in turn, means that, on the one hand, the task of positioning the screwdriver precisely requires a greater amount of skill and more time and, on the other hand, incorrect positioning of the tool results in damage to the covering panel in the region of the opening. Furthermore, it is not possible to prevent unauthorized individuals from opening the fastening elements, and thus removing the covering panels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide measures which make it possible for the covering panels to be removed and fastened quickly and easily without the aid of tools, the abovementioned disadvantages being avoided in the process. Loose constituent parts, which could get lost during installation and removal, are intended to be avoided.
This object is achieved according to the invention in that all the constituent parts of the fastening elements are connected either to the covering panel and/or to the load-bearing structure, and in that all those constituent parts of the fastening elements which are connected to the covering panel are arranged exclusively on that side of the covering panel which is directed toward the load-bearing structure, and in that at least one fastening element is designed as a movable bearing for absorbing the forces which act essentially perpendicularly with respect to the covering panel, and at least one fastening element is designed as a fixed bearing for additionally absorbing the forces which act essentially in the direction of the covering panel, and in that the, or each, fastening element which is designed as a fixed bearing has means for tool-free locking and unlocking. Since all the constituent parts of the fastening elements are connected either to the covering panel and/or to the load-bearing structure, this means that loose parts are avoided during installation or removal. Loose parts can cause aggravating noise or else may constitute a source of danger, in particular in the aircraft. Since all those constituent parts of the fastening elements which are connected to the covering panel are arranged, according to the invention, exclusively on that side of the covering panel which is directed toward the load-bearing structure, that side which is visible when the covering panel is in the fastened state does not have any holes or slots for access to the fastening elements. In addition to advantages from an esthetic point of view, the advantages of better cleaning, the avoidance of damage caused by the tool to be inserted into the holes or slots and the avoidance of unauthorized opening of the fastening means should also be mentioned. The covering panel is suspended on the load-bearing structure via the, or each, movable bearing and is fixed via the, or each, fixed bearing, it being possible for the fixing arrangement to be locked and then unlocked in a tool-free manner. This permits quicker and more straightforward servicing, for example of the aircraft, and it is possible to prevent delays in take-off which are caused by lengthy servicing operations.
Advantageously, all the fastening elements are arranged on the borders of the covering panel. On the one hand, this achieves optimum distribution of the forces and, on the other hand, this permits better access to the means for locking and unlocking the fastening elements which are designed as fixed bearings.
If each fastening element which is designed as a movable bearing is arranged on one border side of the covering panel and each fastening element which is designed as a fixed bearing is arranged on the opposite border side of the covering panel, this permits straightforward installation and removal and, furthermore, optimum servicing of the equipment located behind the covering panel. Thus, in the case of trouble-shooting or inspection, all that is required is for the fastening elements which are designed as fixed bearings to be opened by tool-free actuation of the means for locking and unlocking, while the fastening elements which are designed as movable bearings do not have to be actuated. For example, once the fixed bearings have been opened, the covering panel is swung open by an admissible amount, the equipment located behind the panel is inspected and, if appropriate, serviced, and the panel is then swung closed again. Since the covering panel does not have to be removed during the servicing operations, quicker servicing is possible. Furthermore, there is no disruption caused by the covering panels which have been removed lying around, which would cause problems, in particular, in the constricted area within an aircraft.
According to a further feature of the invention, each fastening element which is designed as a movable bearing is formed by a bolt or the like, which is fixedly connected to the covering panel and can be suspended in a bearing block or the like which is fixedly connected to the load-bearing structure, and each fastening element which is designed as a fixed bearing is designed as a snap-action closure, which can be opened in a tool-free manner. This constitutes a preferred method of implementing the present invention.
Advantageously, the fixed bearing, which is designed as a snap-action closure, can be opened in a tool-free manner by a turning lever which is accessible from the side of the covering panel. For example, straightforward turning of the turning lever using the fingers can unlock the fastening of the covering panel. For this purpose, all that is required is for the member of servicing staff to slide his/her hand along the border side of the covering panel and move the turning lever into the corresponding unlocking position. This allows servicing to be carried out very quickly and easily. In order that it can better be seen, the turning lever may be marked with a conspicuous color, for example red.
A further feature of the invention provides a restoring spring or the like which acts on the turning lever and by means of which, in the open state of the snap-action closure, the turning lever can be moved into an unlocking position. This measure allows the servicing staff to recognize, by the position of the turning lever, whether the snap-action closure of the fixed bearing is opened or locked. It is only when the snap-action closure is properly closed, that is to say when the covering panel is properly fastened on the load-bearing structure, that the turning lever is located in the locked position. Otherwise, the turning lever is forced into the unlocked position by the restoring spring or the like.
According to a variant of this, in order to protect against undesired actuation in the position in which the snap-action closure is locked, the turning lever may have retaining means, it being possible, by overcoming these retaining means, for the turning lever to be moved into a position in which the snap-action closure is unlocked. On the one hand, this makes it easier to find the locked position by v
Filsegger Hermann
Stephan Walter A.
Fischer Advanced Composite Components Gesellschaft m.b.H.
Jacobson Price Holman & Stern PLLC
Swiatek Robert P.
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