DOUBLE-LOCKING HOOKING SYSTEM INTENDED FOR TRANSPORTING A LOAD OUTSIDE AN AIRCRAFT

Abstract

A double-locking hooking system comprising a structure, a hook that is able to move in relation to the structure between a closed position and an open position, and an immobilization system for immobilizing the hook in the closed position (18). The immobilization system comprises two immobilization devices each provided with at least one movable stop. The stops are in contact with the hook when the hook is in the closed position in order to immobilize the hook in the closed position. The two immobilization devices therefore each allow the hook to be immobilized in the closed position, by means of the stops, independently of each other. In order to position the hook in the open position, the two immobilization devices need to be activated in order for the stops to be moved to release the hook.

Claims

1. A double-locking hooking system comprising a structure, a hook that is able to move in relation to the structure between a closed position and an open position, and an immobilization system for immobilizing the hook in the closed position, the immobilization system comprising at least two immobilization devices, each immobilization device comprising at least one movable stop, the stops being in contact with the hook when the hook is in the closed position, each immobilization device immobilizing the hook in the closed position, by means of its at least one stop, independently of the other immobilization device, wherein each immobilization device comprises an actuator controlling the movement of its at least one stop.

2. The hooking system according to claim 1, wherein the stops are in contact with the hook separately for each immobilization device when the hook is in the closed position.

3. The hooking system according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises an electric motor and/or a jack.

4. The hooking system according to claim 1, wherein at least an immobilization device comprises at least one connecting rod that is able to rotate and is provided with the stop of the immobilization device, the actuator controlling the movement of the connecting rod.

5. The hooking system according to claim 4, wherein one of the immobilization devices comprises an immobilization connecting rod that is able to rotate and comprises the stop, the actuator acting on the immobilization connecting rod.

6. The hooking system according to claim 4, wherein one of the immobilization devices comprises a single stop and two connecting rods that are able to rotate, the two connecting rods comprising a swiveling connecting rod and a locking connecting rod, the swiveling connecting rod comprising a first arm and a second arm and the locking connecting rod comprising a third arm, the first arm comprising the stop, the third arm bearing against the second arm in order to prevent the swiveling connecting rod from moving when the hook is in the closed position, the actuator acting on the third arm in order to release the second arm and allow the swiveling connecting rod to move.

7. The hooking system according to claim 5, wherein one of the immobilization devices comprises a single stop and two connecting rods that are able to rotate, the two connecting rods comprising a swiveling connecting rod and a locking connecting rod, the swiveling connecting rod comprising a first arm and a second arm and the locking connecting rod comprising a third arm, the first arm comprising the stop, the third arm bearing against the second arm in order to prevent the swiveling connecting rod from moving when the hook is in the closed position, the actuator acting on the third arm in order to release the second arm and allow the swiveling connecting rod to move, and wherein the immobilization connecting rod and the swiveling connecting rod are able to move about the same pivot axis.

8. The hooking system according to claim 4, wherein one of the immobilization devices comprises two stops and two connecting rods that are able to rotate and are provided respectively with the two stops, the two connecting rods comprising a swiveling connecting rod and a locking connecting rod, the swiveling connecting rod comprising a fourth arm and a fifth arm and the locking connecting rod comprising a sixth arm and a seventh arm, the fourth arm comprising one of the two stops, the sixth arm bearing against the fifth arm in order to prevent the swiveling connecting rod from moving when the hook is in the closed position, the seventh arm comprising the other of the two stops, the actuator acting on the locking connecting rod in order to release the fifth arm and allow the swiveling connecting rod to move.

9. The hooking system according to claim 1, wherein the hook comprises a lower beam, a lateral part, a top part and an open space arranged between the lower beam and the top part, the hook being able to rotate in relation to the structure in the lateral part or the top part, at least one of the immobilization devices comprises a single stop bearing against a first part chosen from the lateral and top parts and the lower beam when the hook is in the closed position and another of the immobilization devices comprises a single stop bearing against a second part chosen from the lateral and top parts and the lower beam when the hook is in the closed position.

10. The hooking system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the immobilization devices comprises two stops.

11. The hooking system according to claim 10, wherein the hook comprises a lower beam, a lateral part, a top part and an open space arranged between the lower beam and the top part, the hook being able to rotate in relation to the structure in the lateral part or the top part, one of the immobilization devices comprises a single stop bearing against a first part chosen from the lateral and top parts and the lower beam when the hook is in the closed position and the other immobilization device comprises two stops respectively bearing against a second part and a third part chosen from the lateral and top parts and the lower beam when the hook is in the closed position.

12. The hooking system according to claim 1, wherein the hooking system comprises an emergency release device provided with two wires and an emergency actuator connected to the two wires, each of the two wires being connected to an immobilization device and each of the two immobilization devices being connected to a wire.

13. The hooking system according to claim 12, wherein the emergency actuator comprises at least a manual control, an electric motor, a jack or a pyrotechnic device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] The disclosure and its advantages appear in greater detail in the context of the following description of embodiments given by way of illustration and with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0057] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hooking system according to the disclosure in the closed position;

[0058] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a hooking system according to the disclosure in the closed position;

[0059] FIG. 3 is another cross-sectional view of a hooking system according to the disclosure in the closed position;

[0060] FIG. 4, is another cross-sectional view of the hooking system of FIG. 2 in the open position;

[0061] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another hooking system according to the disclosure in the closed position;

[0062] FIG. 6, is another cross-sectional view of the hooking system of FIG. 5 in the open position;

[0063] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a hooking system according to the disclosure provided with an emergency actuator; and

[0064] FIG. 8 is a side view of an aircraft equipped with a hooking system according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] Elements that are present in more than one of the figures are given the same references in each of them.

[0066] The notions of right, left, upper, lower, bottom and top referred to in the description are to be understood in a relative manner and as seen by an observer viewing the figures.

[0067] FIG. 1 shows a double-locking hooking system 10 comprising a structure 11 and a hook 12. The hook 12 is able to move in relation to the structure 11 and may be moved, for example rotated about a rotation shaft 17, between a closed position and an open position. The hook 12 is shown in the closed position in FIG. 1. The hooking system 10 also comprises an immobilization system 20 for keeping the hook 12 in the closed position. The structure 11 may optionally comprise a through-hole 5. This hole is intended to attach the hooking system 10, for example to a vehicle, in particular to an aircraft.

[0068] FIGS. 2 to 6 show cross-sectional views according to the plane P1 of this double-locking hooking system 10, the hook 12 being in the closed position 18 in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, and in the open position 19 in FIGS. 4 and 6.

[0069] As shown in the figures, the hook 12 may comprise a lower beam 13, a lateral part 14, a top part 15 and an open space 16 arranged between the lower beam 13 and the top part 15. The hook 12 may for example be substantially U-shaped or C-shaped.

[0070] A sling 50 is also shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 2 to 6, this sling 50 being positioned on the lower beam 13 of the hook 12. More specifically, a loop 51 forming one end of the sling 50 is hooked to the lower beam 13.

[0071] The hook 12 is able to move in relation to the structure 11. For example, the hook 12 is able to rotate in relation to the structure 11 about a rotation shaft 17 in order to shift from the closed position 18 to the open position 19, and vice versa. The hook 12 may be able to move about the rotation shaft 17 in the top part 15, as shown in the figures. The rotation shaft 17 is, for example, secured to the structure 11, and passes through the lateral part 14 of the hook 12. A bearing or a rolling bearing may optionally be positioned between the lateral part 14 and the rotation shaft 17 in order to facilitate the rotation of the hook 12 about this rotation shaft 17.

[0072] Alternatively, the hook 12 may be able to move about the rotation shaft 17 in the top part 15.

[0073] In the closed position 18, the open space 16 is completely closed by the structure 11 of the hooking system 10. The loop 51 of the sling 50 therefore cannot exit the hook 12. The loop 51 is therefore held on the lower beam 13 of the hook 12 and cannot escape from the hooking system 10.

[0074] In the open position 19, there is clearance between one end of the hook 12, i.e., the end 121 of the lower beam 13, and the structure 11. The loop 51 of the sling 50 may therefore be inserted through the open space 16 at this clearance and positioned on the lower beam 13 of the hook 12 in order to hook the sling 50 to the hooking system 10 or, conversely, the loop 51 may be withdrawn via the open space 16 at this clearance in order to remove the sling 50 from the hooking system 10.

[0075] The immobilization system 20 is provided with at least two immobilization devices 21, 22, 23, 24. Each immobilization device 21, 22, 23, 24 comprises at least one movable stop 211, 221, 231, 241, 242 and one actuator 215, 225, 235, 245 for moving said at least one stop 211, 221, 231, 241, 242 in relation to the structure 11. In the examples shown, the immobilization system 20 comprises two immobilization devices 21, 22, 23, 24. However, an immobilization system 20 may comprise more than two immobilization devices 21, 22, 23, 24, for example three immobilization devices.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the immobilization system 20 may comprise, for example, a right-hand immobilization device 21 and a left-hand immobilization device 22 respectively provided with a single right-hand stop 211 and a single left-hand stop 221. The two right-hand 211 and left-hand 221 stops bear respectively against a first part and a second part chosen from the lower beam 13, the lateral part 14 and the top part 15. For example, the right-hand stop 211 of the right-hand immobilization device 21 bears against the lateral part 16, in particular a protuberance 123 of the lateral part 16, whereas the left-hand stop 221 of the left-hand immobilization device 22 bears against the top part 15 of the hook 12, in particular its end 122, when the hook 12 is in the closed position 18. The first part and the second part are therefore advantageously separate from each other.

[0077] Alternatively, at least one of the immobilization devices 21, 22, 23, 24 may comprise two stops 241, 242. According to the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the immobilization system 20 may comprise a lower immobilization device 23 provided with a single lower stop 231 and an upper immobilization device 24 provided with a right-hand upper stop 241 and a left-hand upper stop 242. The right-hand lower stop 231 of the lower immobilization device 23 bears, for example, against the end 121 of the lower beam 13 and the two right-hand 241 and left-hand 242 upper stops of the left-hand immobilization device 24 respectively bear against the end 122 of the top part 15 and against the protuberance 123 of the lateral part 16 of the hook 12 when the hook 12 is in the closed position 18.

[0078] The actuator 215, 225, 235, 245 of each immobilization device 21, 22, 23, 24 may directly control the movement of the stop or stops 211, 221, 231, 241, 242 of an immobilization device 21, 22, 23, 24, without acting on the movement of the stop or stops 211, 221, 231, 241, 242 of another immobilization device 21, 22, 23, 24.

[0079] Alternatively, the actuator 215, 225, 235, 245 of each immobilization device 21, 22, 23, 24 may control the movement of the stop or stops 211, 221, 231, 241, 242 of this immobilization device 21, 22, 23, 24 via a connecting rod, without acting on the movement of the stop or stops 211, 221, 231, 241, 242 of another immobilization device 21, 22, 23, 24.

[0080] An immobilization device 21, 22, 23, 24 may thus comprise at least one connecting rod 213, 223, 233, 243, 244 that is able to rotate in relation to the structure 11 and is provided with a stop 211, 221, 231, 241, 242, the actuator 215, 225, 235, 245 controlling the movement of the connecting rod 213, 223, 233, 243, 244, and therefore of the stop 211, 221, 231, 241, 241 of this connecting rod 213, 223, 233, 243, 244.

[0081] For example, the right-hand immobilization device 21 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 may be provided with an immobilization connecting rod 213 carrying the right-hand stop 211 and a right-hand actuator 215 connected to this immobilization connecting rod 213. The immobilization connecting rod 213 is able to rotate about a pivot axis 217. According to this example, the left-hand immobilization device 22 may comprise two connecting rods 223, 228, one being a swiveling connecting rod 223 and one being a locking connecting rod 228, as well as a left-hand actuator 225. The swiveling connecting rod 223 comprises a first arm 25 and a second arm 26 that are attached to each other, the first arm 25 carrying the stop 221.

[0082] The locking connecting rod 228 comprises a third arm 27 that bears against the second arm 26 when the hook 12 is in the closed position. The third arm 27 thus prevents the swiveling connecting rod 223 and, therefore, the left-hand stop 221, from moving, as shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the left-hand stop 221 also bears against the end 122. The hook 12 is then immobilized in the closed position 18.

[0083] The left-hand actuator 225 is connected to the third arm 27 and may control the movement of the third arm 27 about the pivot axis 217, causing the swiveling connecting rod 223 and, therefore, the left-hand stop 221, to move, as shown in FIG. 3. The left-hand stop 221 then no longer bears against the end 122 and therefore no longer prevents the hook 12 from moving. However, the right-hand stop 211 still bears against the protuberance 123 by virtue of the right-hand actuator 215. The hook 12 is thus still immobilized in the closed position 18.

[0084] Then, by virtue of the right-hand actuator 215, the immobilization connecting rod 213 and the right-hand stop 211 can be moved, as shown in FIG. 4, so that the right-hand stop 211 no longer bears against the protuberance 123. The hook 12 is then no longer immobilized in the closed position 18, since neither the right-hand stop 211 nor the left-hand stop 221 prevents it from moving to the open position 19.

[0085] According to the example shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the immobilization connecting rod 213 and the swiveling connecting rod 223 may be able to move in relation to each other about the same pivot axis 217. Alternatively, the immobilization connecting rod 213 and the swiveling connecting rod 223 may be able to rotate about separate axes.

[0086] According to another example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper immobilization device 24 may be provided with an upper actuator 245 and two connecting rods 243, 244 that are able to rotate about separate axes and respectively comprise the right-hand upper stop 241 and the left-hand upper stop 242. The upper immobilization device 24 may thus comprise a locking connecting rod 243 and a swiveling connecting rod 244. The swiveling connecting rod 244 comprises a fourth arm 251 and a fifth arm 261 that are attached to each other, and the locking connecting rod 243 comprises a sixth arm 271 and a seventh arm 281 that are attached to each other. The fourth arm 251 comprises the left-hand upper stop 242 that bears against the end 122 of the top part 15 when the hook 12 is in the closed position 18. The sixth arm 271 bears against the fifth arm 261 in order to prevent the swiveling connecting rod 244 from moving. The seventh arm 281 comprises the right-hand upper stop 241 that bears against the protuberance 123 arranged on the lateral part 14 when the hook 12 is in the closed position 18.

[0087] The upper actuator 245 is connected to the locking connecting rod 243 and controls its movement in order to simultaneously allow the right-hand upper stop 241 and the swiveling connecting rod 244, and therefore the left-hand upper stop 242, to move. The two right-hand 241 and left-hand 242 upper stops then no longer prevent the hook 12 from moving.

[0088] The lower immobilization device 23 comprises a lower connecting rod 235 that is able to rotate and carries the lower stop 231 and a lower actuator 235. The lower actuator 235 is connected to the lower connecting rod 235 and controls its movement so as to allow the lower stop 231 to move in order to release the hook 12.

[0089] Thus, if a single immobilization device 21, 22, 23, 24 is activated or fails, causing its stop or stops 211, 221, 231, 241, 242 to move or causing a stop 211, 221, 231, 241, 242 or a connecting rod 2113, 223, 233, 243, 244, as the case may be, to break, the hook 12 is advantageously still kept in the closed position 18 by virtue of the other immobilization device 21, 22, 23, 24.

[0090] In order to allow the hook 12 to move from the closed position 18 to the open position 19 and thus release the sling 50, all the immobilization devices 21, 22, 23, 24 of the hooking system must be activated in order to move their respective stops 211, 221, 231, 241, 242, thus releasing the hook 12. The immobilization devices 21, 22, 23, 24 may be activated simultaneously or in sequence. For example, an operator may control the actuator 215, 225, 235, 245 of each immobilization device 21, 22, 23, 24 by means of a human-machine interface, such as a switch or a button or indeed a screen provided with a touch panel.

[0091] Each actuator 215, 225, 235, 245 may, for example, comprise an electric motor controlling the rotation of a stop 211, 221, 231, 241, 242 or a connecting rod 213, 223, 233, 243, 244, as the case may be, directly or via a reduction device.

[0092] Alternatively, each actuator 215, 225, 235, 245 may comprise an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic jack, controlling a movement of the stop 211, 221, 231, 241, 242 or a connecting rod 213, 223, 233, 243, 244, as the case may be.

[0093] Therefore, regardless of the embodiment of the hooking system 10, the hook 12 may remain in the closed position 18, including after a failure of one of the immobilization devices 21, 22, 23, 24, for example a stop 211, 221, 231, 241, 242 breaking or indeed the top part 15 of the hook 12 breaking. For example, if this top part 15 has broken, the protuberance 123 of the lateral part 14 and/or the end 121 of the lower beam 13 still allow the hook 12 to bear against a stop 211, 231, 241 and, therefore, to be immobilized in the closed position 18.

[0094] Therefore, each immobilization device 21, 22, 23, 24 itself immobilizes the hook 12 in the closed position 18 by means of at least one stop 211, 221, 231, 241, 242, independently of the other immobilization device 21, 22, 23, 24, including when the other immobilization device 21, 22, 23, 24 has failed.

[0095] The double-locking hooking system 10 may also comprise an emergency release device 35 provided with two wires 31, 32 and an emergency actuator 30, as shown in FIG. 7. The emergency actuator 30 is connected to the two wires 31, 32 in order to simultaneously cause the two wires 31, 32 to move identical distances. Each of the two wires 31, 32 is connected to a single immobilization device 21, 22, 23, 24 and each of the two immobilization devices 21, 22, 23, 24 is connected to a wire 31, 32.

[0096] The wires 31, 32 allow the movement of the stops 231, 241, 242 of the two immobilization devices 23, 24 to be controlled, possibly via a connecting rod 233, 243, 244.

[0097] Thus, the emergency actuator 30 may simultaneously control the activation of the two immobilization devices 21, 22, 23, 24 in order to release the hook 12 and allow it to move to the open position 19 so as to release the sling 50 attached to the hooking system 10, for example in the event of an emergency.

[0098] The emergency actuator 30 may comprise a manual control to be actuated by an operator, for example a member of the crew of the aircraft equipped with the hooking system 10. The emergency actuator 30 may also comprise an electric motor, a jack, and/or a pyrotechnic device.

[0099] FIG. 8 shows an aircraft 100 provided with an airframe 101 and, for example, a lift rotor 102 arranged above the airframe 101 and/or an auxiliary rotor 103 possibly arranged at the end of a tail boom 104 of the airframe 101. The aircraft 100 also comprises a hooking system 10 attached beneath the airframe 101, for example via the hole 5. One end of a sling 50 is hooked to the hook 12 of the double-locking hooking system 10, via a loop 51 or a ring secured to the sling 50. A payload 55 is attached to the other end of this sling 50 in order to be able to be transported by the aircraft 100.

[0100] Naturally, the present disclosure is subject to numerous variations as regards its implementation. Although several embodiments are described above, it should readily be understood that it is not conceivable to identify exhaustively all the possible embodiments. It is naturally possible to envisage replacing any of the means described by equivalent means without going beyond the ambit of the present disclosure.