LOCKING ASSEMBLY FOR LOCKING AN AIRCRAFT INTERIOR STRUCTURE TO AN INTERNAL MOUNTING FRAME IN AN AIRCRAFT CABIN

The invention relates to a locking assembly for locking an aircraft interior structure (13) to an internal mounting frame (2) comprising: a sliding element (1) which is suitable for insertion in the internal mounting frame (2), a height adjustment assembly, comprising a lower and an upper height adjustment part (4, 5). The assembly further comprises a fitting (6) attachable to the aircraft interior structure, having a recess wherein a projection (19) of the upper height adjustment part (5) is received, wherein the fitting (6) can be moved with respect to the projection (19) in a plane defined by Xr- and Yr-directions. Further provided is a locking bolt (11) received in the upper height adjustment part (5) for locking the fixation element (9), the fitting (6), and the height adjustment parts (4, 5) to the sliding element (1).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1schematically shows an aircraft cabin14provided with an aircraft interior structure in the form of a stowage13arranged on an internal mounting frame embodied by a pair of seat tracks2of the cabin14. The locking assemblies for locking the stowage13to the seat tracks2are indicated with the reference numeral12. In this case four individual locking assemblies12are provided near the lower corners of the stowage13. Depending on the type of interior structure to be locked to the internal mounting frame a different number and/or configurations of locking assemblies is/are conceivable.

FIG. 2shows an exploded view of a locking assembly12according to an embodiment.FIG. 2will be discussed from bottom to top, corresponding to the sequence of assembly. The seat track2as shown has an elongated groove15, defining an Xs-direction, in which a sliding element in the form of a seat track block1can be moved in a sliding fashion. The groove15is widened at predetermined intervals (widening17) along the groove15in order to allow the vertical insertion of the seat track block1into the seat track2. The seat track block1is provided with two pairs of relatively small support feet16on which the seat track block1is allowed to slide in the Xs-direction. The distance between the pairs of support feet16is so chosen as to allow the feet16to be vertically inserted in the groove15via the groove widenings17. After the seat track block1has been slid to the desired position, it can be locked in that position by appropriate locking means (this will be discussed later). The seat track block1has two inclined ends to facilitate easy sliding in the groove15.

On top of the seat track block1a cylindrical portion18, projecting in a Z-direction away from the floor, is shown, whereon a height adjustment assembly4,5comprising two height adjustment parts4,5(embodied by crown wheels) is to be positioned. The inside of the cylindrical portion18is hollow and is provided with a screw thread. The lower height adjustment part4, hereafter to be denoted as “lower adjustment bushing”4, is provided with a saw-toothed main tooth pattern, consisting of four main teeth in this example, and a saw-toothed sub-tooth pattern superimposed on the main tooth pattern. The sub-tooth pattern is superimposed on one side of the main teeth. The teeth of the sub-tooth pattern are smaller than the teeth of the main tooth pattern. An upper adjustment part5, hereafter: “upper adjustment bushing”5, is placed on top of the lower adjustment bushing4.

The upper adjustment bushing5is provided with a similar main tooth pattern as the lower adjustment bushing4, matching the tooth pattern of the lower adjustment bushing4. As shown, the upper adjustment bushing5also comprises a saw-toothed sub-toothed pattern.

Both tooth patterns engage each other, the tooth pattern of the upper adjustment bushing5being supported by the tooth pattern of the lower adjustment bushing4. The tooth patterns allow the bushing parts4,5to be rotated with over each other, causing the upper bushing5to be height-adjustable in Z-direction with respect to the lower adjustment bushing4and the seat track block1. Preferably, the height difference between adjacent teeth of the sub-tooth pattern is approximately 1 mm, allowing the height of the upper adjustment bushing5to be adapted in steps of 1 mm

It is conceivable that only one of the lower and upper adjustment bushings4,5has a sub-toothed pattern.

The upper adjustment bushing5is provided with a projection in the form of a cylindrical part19, projecting away from the floor in Z-direction, on top of it. The upper adjustment bushing5comprises a carrier surface19.1surrounding the projection to carry a fitting as will be explained in more detail below.

A bottom panel insert3, attached to the to-be-fitted stowage, is subsequently arranged on top of the upper adjustment bushing5. In a space provided on the top side of that panel insert3a fitting in the form of a serrated plate6is received which is provided with a longitudinal recess20that receives the cylindrical part19of the upper bushing5and allows that recess20to slide around the part19, much like a spline-and-groove configuration, the fitting resting on the carrier surface19.1. The longitudinal direction of the recess20defines an Xr-direction, whereas an Yr-direction is defined being perpendicular to both the Xrand Z-directions. The serrated plate6is provided with filler blocks7arranged on two of its sides. The filler blocks7are provided with holes wherein screws8are to be arranged for securely mounting the serrated plate6to the bottom panel insert3, such that the serrated plate6and the bottom insert3can be adjusted simultaneously. The dimensions of the recess20are so chosen as to allow sliding of the projecting part19in the longitudinal direction of the recess20(i.e. in Xrdirection), but also, to a lesser extent, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the recess20, i.e. in Yr-direction. Preferably, the adjustment range in Xrdirection is 10-20 mm, more preferably 12-16 mm, most preferably around 14 mm The adjustment range in the Xr-direction is preferably at least equal to the distance between the widenings17in the seat track2. In Yr-direction, the adjustment range is preferably 1-2 mm, more preferably 1.5 mm

After adjustment in the Xr-direction, the position of the serrated plate6in that direction can be fixated by means of a serrated washer9arranged on top of the serrated plate6. The serrations of the serrated washer9thereto engage the serrations of the serrated plate6. The serrations of both the serrated plate6and the serrated washer9preferably run parallel to the Yr-direction. The serrated washer9has an elongated central opening, the function of which is explained below.

Another washer10is then arranged on top of the serrated washer9. Subsequently, a locking bolt11is inserted into the hole of the washer10, the hole of the serrated washer9, the recess20and the bushings4,5to finally engage the screw thread of the cylindrical portion18of the seat track block1, after which the bolt is tightened. Consequently, the stowage is firmly locked to the seat track2.

FIG. 3ashows a perspective view of the adjustment bushings4,5as used in the locking assembly12in a first state. The lower adjustment bushing4and the upper adjustment bushing5are shown both comprising a main tooth pattern M, indicated by dashed lines, and sub-tooth patterns S superimposed on the main tooth patterns M.FIG. 3ashows a first state in which the upper adjustment bushing5is maximally elevated (in Z-direction) with respect to the lower adjustment bushing4. The position shown is the highest position possible.

FIG. 3bshows the height adjustment assembly4,5ofFIG. 3ain a second state, wherein the upper adjustment bushing5is minimally elevated with respect to the lower adjustment bushing4.

FIG. 4shows the adjustment of the fitting in the form of the serrated plate6in Xr-direction, wherein the recess20is slid around the upper cylindrical portion19to bring about the adjustment in Xr-direction.

FIG. 5shows the adjustment of the fitting in Yr-direction. Thereto, the serrated washer9is arranged on the serrated plate6in order to fixate the Xr-position. Subsequently, the cylindrical portion19is allowed to move around along the longitudinal axis of the elongated opening of the serrated washer9to bring about adjustment in Yr-direction. The elongated opening of the serrated washer9has a width (smallest dimension) which matches the outer dimension of projecting part19in the Xr-direction and a length which is larger than the outer dimension of projection part19to allow movement in the Yr-direction.

FIG. 6ashows a detailed view of the mounting of the lower adjustment bushing4on the seat track block1. In this view, the construction of the underside of the lower adjustment bushing4can be more easily seen. The underside of the lower adjustment bushing4is provided with two fixation arches22which prevent the lower adjustment bushing4from rotating with respect to the seat track block1when these arches22are aligned with the seat track block1. Furthermore, the underside is provided with an additional cut-away groove23to bring about that the arches22can be positioned so low as to allow positioning of the arches near the sides of the seat track block1to prevent rotation of the lower adjustment bushing4. When the fixation arches22are rotated essentially in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the seat track block1, ending up to be supported on the seat track block1, they can be used to lock the lower adjustment bushing4and the seat track block1in the seat track.

FIG. 6bshows the lower adjustment bushing4being mounted on the seat track block1shown inFIG. 6a. The fixation arches22are aligned with the seat track block1to prevent rotation of the lower adjustment bushing4with respect to the seat track block1.

Alternative embodiments can be conceived. The embodiment described above may for instance also be embodied with an upper adjustment bushing5without the projection in the form of a cylindrical part19, projecting away from the floor in Z-direction, on top of it. According to such an embodiment, the locking bolt11is directly received in the recess of fitting6. A different embodiment without part19will be described below with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7shows an alternative embodiment of the locking assembly12according to the invention. With respect to the embodiment as shown inFIGS. 1-6, the upper adjustment bushing5now has a flat top surface and the serrated washer9has a substantially square or rectangular shape when seen in top view. This embodiment further comprises additional, optional, differences. It comprises two opposing side flanges, wherein the flanges are directed in upward direction, such that a U-shaped cross-section is achieved. Preferably, a covering ring25is arranged around the upper and lower adjustment bushings4,5.

FIG. 8shows the assembled locking assembly12ofFIG. 7. It can be seen that the side flanges of the serrated washer9conveniently form an enclosure together with the filler blocks7for containing the head of the locking bolt11.

FIG. 9shows a cut-away view of a stowage13arranged on the seat track1via the locking assembly12according to the invention.FIG. 9shows the stowage13being fixed to the seat track block1and the seat track before a cover plate24is placed over the assembly12.

Based on the above there is thus provided a locking assembly for locking an aircraft interior structure13, such as a stowage, to an internal mounting frame2, such as a seat track, in an aircraft cabin, comprising:

a sliding element1which is suitable for insertion in the internal mounting frame2, the sliding element1being slidable in the internal mounting frame in an Xs-direction, and being lockable to the internal mounting frame,

a height adjustment assembly, comprising a lower and an upper height adjustment part4,5, the lower height adjustment part4being arranged on the sliding element1and being provided with a saw-toothed main tooth pattern M, the upper height adjustment part5being provided with a similar main tooth pattern M, wherein at least one of the height adjustment parts4,5is provided with a sub-tooth pattern S superimposed on the main tooth pattern M, the tooth patterns of both height adjustment parts engaging each other to allow adjustment of height in a Z-direction by moving the tooth patterns with respect to each other, wherein the upper height adjustment part5has a projection19projecting away from the sliding element1in Z-direction,

a fitting6attachable to the aircraft interior structure, having a recess wherein the projection19of the upper height adjustment part5is received, wherein the fitting6can be moved with respect to the projection19in a plane defined by Xr- and Yr-directions, the plane being perpendicular to the Z-direction,

a fixation element9arranged around the projection19for fixing the position of the fitting6in the Xr-direction with respect to the upper height adjustment part5,

a locking bolt11received in the upper height adjustment part5for locking the fixation element9, the fitting6, and the height adjustment parts4,5to the sliding element1.

Thus, the invention has been described by reference to the embodiments discussed above. It will be recognized that these embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms well known to those of skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, although specific embodiments have been described, this were examples only and is not limiting upon the scope of the invention.

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