CLICK-IN PIVOT HINGE ANCHOR INSTALLATION

Abstract

Clamp assembly for securing wire bundles to a structure includes a body having a first portion having a first side and a second portion having a second side which extends in a curvilinear direction between a first end and a second end. The assembly further includes one of a hinge pin or hinge flange is associated with the first end of the second portion and a latch member connected to the body. The latch member extends in a direction away from the second end of the second portion with a termination edge positioned spaced apart from the second end of the second portion and the termination edge extends in a direction in angular relationship to the curvilinear direction of the second side. A strap member is included having the other of the one of the hinge pin or the hinge flange and an end portion which engages the latch member.

Claims

1. A clamp assembly for securing wire bundles to a structure, comprising: a body which comprises: a first portion having a first side for positioning the body onto the structure; a second portion having a second side which extends in a curvilinear direction wherein the second portion extends between a first end and a second end; one of a hinge pin or hinge flange is associated with the first end of the second portion; a latch member connected to the body, wherein: a bracket member extends from the body having a spaced apart configuration across a width of the second portion of the body with a cross member secured to and which extends across the spaced apart configuration of the bracket member wherein the cross member is spaced apart from the body with the latch member connected to the cross member; the latch member extends in a direction away from the second end of the second portion of the body with a termination edge positioned spaced apart from the second end of the second portion; and the termination edge extends in a direction in angular relationship to the curvilinear direction of the second side of the second portion; and a strap member comprises the other of the one of the hinge pin or the hinge flange associated with the first end of the second portion of the body for rotatably coupling the strap member to the body and an end portion which engages the latch member wherein with the end portion of the strap member engaged to the latch member, the latch member is accessible through the spaced apart configuration of the bracket member.

2. The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein: the first portion further includes a tab member which includes a third side aligned with the first side; the tab member defines an aperture which extends through the tab member; and a center axis of the aperture extends spaced apart from the second portion of the body.

3. The clamp assembly of claim 2, wherein the second portion of the body defines a recess positioned spaced apart from the center axis of the aperture.

4. The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the body is constructed of a nonconductive thermoplastic.

5. The clamp assembly of claim 1, further includes a cushion collar section positioned overlying and extending along the second side of the second portion.

6. The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the curvilinear direction has a radius of curvature.

7. (canceled)

8. The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the hinge flange extends from the first end of the second portion.

9. The clamp assembly of claim 8, wherein the hinge flange is spaced apart from the plane defined by the first side of the first portion.

10. The clamp assembly of claim 9, wherein the hinge flange defines an opening which faces in the direction of a plane defined by the first side of the first portion of the body.

11. The clamp assembly of claim 10, wherein the strap member comprises a hinge pin positioned at a first end of the strap member and configured to be positioned to enter into the hinge flange through the opening such that strap member is permitted rotational movement relative to the body with the hinge pin engaged with the hinge flange.

12. The clamp assembly of claim 11, wherein the strap member is constructed of nonconductive thermoplastic.

13. The clamp assembly of claim 11, wherein the strap member has a first side which extends in a curvilinear direction.

14. The clamp assembly of claim 13, wherein the curvilinear direction of the first side of the strap member has a radius.

15. The clamp assembly of claim 14, wherein the radius of the curvilinear direction of the first side of the strap member is a same dimension as a radius for the curvilinear direction of the second side of the second portion of the body.

16. The clamp assembly of claim 11, further includes a cushion collar section positioned overlying and extending along the first side of the strap member.

17. The clamp assembly of claim 11, wherein: the strap member includes a wall member positioned across the end portion of the strap member in a direction in angular relationship to the curvilinear direction of the second side of the second portion of the body; the end portion is positioned spaced apart from the first end of the strap member and the end portion extends along the strap member and terminates at a second end of the strap member.

18. The clamp assembly of claim 17, wherein: the strap member has a reduction in thickness dimension along at least a portion of the end portion of the strap member; and the second portion of the body has an end portion which terminates at the second end of the second portion of the body has a reduction in thickness dimension along at least a portion of the end portion of the second portion of the body.

19. The clamp assembly of claim 18, wherein: with the termination edge of the latch member positioned between the wall member and the second end of the second portion of the body and abutting the wall member, strap member is secured to the body preventing rotational movement of the strap member relative to the body and a gap is defined between the second side of the second portion of the body and a first side of the strap member with a gap defined between the second side of the second portion and the first side of the strap member; and the gap is further defined between a second end of a second portion of the body and an end wall portion of the strap member.

20. The clamp assembly of claim 19, wherein with the termination edge of latch member moved out of abutting relationship with the wall member, the first end moves toward the end wall portion of the strap member.

Description

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 a perspective view of an aircraft;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of use of the clamp assemblies securing bundled wires to structural assemblies within the aircraft of FIG. 1 and routing the bundled wires as needed within the aircraft;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective view of a clamp assembly encircled and designated 3 in FIG. 2 securing a bundle of wires to the structure within the aircraft;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clamp assembly in a closed locked position;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the clamp assembly of FIG. 4 in an open unlocked position;

[0016] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the clamp assembly of FIG. 5

[0017] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the clamp assembly of FIG. 4;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the clamp assembly of FIG. 5;

[0019] FIG. 9 is a cross section view along line 9-9 of FIG. 2; and

[0020] FIG. 10 is the cross section view of FIG. 9 with a tool unlocking a latch member unlocking the strap member with respect to the body of the clamp assembly.

DESCRIPTION

[0021] As discussed earlier, there is a need for an ergonomically friendly clamp assembly for securing bundled wires to a structure. The clamp assembly needs to provide for a quick, easy and reliable installation of the bundled wires into the clamp assembly that has been secured to the structure. The clamp assembly needs to provide the installer with the ability, if needed, to hand install to quickly, easily and reliably hand install a bundle of wires into the clamp assembly secured at any location within, for example, an aircraft. The clamp assembly needs to provide the installer the ability to not be positioned at the installation location for any extended period of time. This is particularly important with respect to wire bundle installations in more confined areas and/or areas within an aircraft, for example, that otherwise can present ergonomic demands on the installer should the installer be positioned in that installation position for an extended period of time.

[0022] With respect to reliable securement of a wire bundle to a structure there is a need to provide a clamping assembly for securing a bundle of wires which will sustain a centerline position of the wire carrying portion of the clamping assembly upon securing the clamp portion or strap portion of the clamp assembly to the body portion of the clamp assembly at the time of capturing and enclosing the wire bundle. This ability to sustain a centerline and an opening shape through which the wire bundle extends through the clamp assembly provides for an installation of wires that are more likely to comply with the wiring standards and regulations set forth for spacing of the wires secured to the structure.

[0023] The clamp assembly of the present disclosure provides an ergonomic benefit wherein the installer can quickly and easily install a wire bundle into the clamp assembly without a need for a tool to insert and confine the wires within the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly provides significant cost savings with respect to time and labor associated with the installation. In addition, the present clamp assembly maintains the centerline of the wire carrying portion of the clamp assembly when a clamp portion or strap portion of the clamp assembly is secured to the body of the clamp assembly enclosing the bundle of wires. This maintenance of the centerline position provides optimization in meeting wiring requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration, for example, thereby reducing occurrences of a rework of wire bundle installations.

[0024] In referring to FIG. 1, aircraft 10 is shown as an example of a fabricated assembly which utilizes the installation of wire bundles. Wiring is positioned within and extends throughout many portions of aircraft 10 such as, for example, within fuselage 12 and wings 14. Clamp assemblies 16 can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 secured to structure 18 positioned within aircraft 10. Clamp assemblies 16 secure wire bundles 20 which may vary in number of wires 22 positioned within wire bundle 20 depending on the need for wiring for a particular location within aircraft 10. As a result a scaled down version of clamp assembly 16 is employed with a smaller wire bundle 20 of wires 22 and scaled up version of clamp assembly 16 is employed with a larger wire bundle 20.

[0025] It is desired to make a firm securement of wire bundles 20 so as to maintain wires 22 in a desired position within aircraft 10 and yet not have an overly tight securement of wire bundle 20 such that unnecessary wear or damage can be imparted to wires 22 within wire bundles 20. Making this proper accommodation of wire bundle 20 is achieved with properly scaling the size of clamp assembly 16 for a particular wire bundle 20 dimension and in some instances providing a cushion such as cushion collar assembly 24 as seen in FIG. 3 which will surround wires 22 within clamp assembly 16. Cushion collar assembly 24 can provide a more snug fit for wire bundles 20 which may have a slightly smaller size dimension when positioned within clamp assembly 16 maintaining wires 22 in a desired position. Cushion collar assembly 24 can also provide a protective cushioned fit to wire bundles 20 that may have a slightly larger size dimension when positioned within clamp assembly 16. Cushion collar assembly 24 will be discussed in further detail below.

[0026] In referring to FIGS. 4-6, clamp assembly 16 for securing wire bundles 20 to structure 18 within aircraft 10 is shown. Clamp assembly 16 is constructed from one of a wide range of materials nonconductive thermoplastic polymer for example such as polyetheretherketone, polyaryletherketone, polyphenylene, amorphous thermoplastic polyetherimide, heat stabilized Nylon or other suitable materials. Clamp assembly 16 includes body 26 which includes first portion 28 having first side 30 for positioning body 26 onto structure 18, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Clamp assembly 16 further includes second portion 32 having second side 34 which extends in a curvilinear direction 36, wherein second portion 32 extends between first end 38 and second end 40.

[0027] Clamp assembly 16 further includes one of a hinge pin or hinge flange 42, as seen in FIG. 6, associated with first end 38 of second portion 32 of body 26. Clamp assembly 16 as shown, utilizes hinge flange 42 secured at first end 38 of second portion 32, as seen in FIG. 6, however, in a second example, a hinge pin (not shown) is instead positioned at first end 38 of second portion 32. Hinge pin (not shown) is similar in construction to hinge pin 44 secured to strap member 46 as seen in FIG. 6, which will be described in more detail below. Strap member 46 is also constructed of nonconductive material such as thermoplastic or other suitable materials as mentioned for construction of body 26. The arrangement of connecting strap member 46 to body 26 can be readily accomplished with body 26 carrying one of hinge flange 42 or a hinge pin and strap member 46 carrying the other one of hinge flange or hinge pin 44. The hinge flange 42 and hinge pin 44 provide for rotational engagement of strap member 46 to body 26 and will also be discussed in more detail below.

[0028] Latch member 48, as seen in FIGS. 4, 5, 9 and 10 is connected to body 26, as will be discussed further below. Latch member 48 extends in direction 50 away from second end 40 of second portion 32 with termination edge 52 of latch member 48 positioned spaced apart from second end 40 of second portion 32. Termination edge 52 extends along in direction 54 in angular relationship to curvilinear direction 36 of second side 34 across a width W of second portion 32 of body 26. In this example, termination edge 52 of latch member 48 extends transverse to curvilinear direction 36. Termination edge 52 is a single position whereat strap member 46 will be secured which will also be further discussed in more detail below.

[0029] As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, first portion 28 of body 26 further includes tab member 56 which includes third side 58 which is aligned with first side 30. Tab member 56 defines aperture 60 which extends through tab member 56 wherein center axis 62 of aperture 60 extends spaced apart from second portion 32 of body 26. Aperture 60 is for receiving fastener 64, such as a bolt, as seen in FIG. 3, for easily securing clamp assembly 16 to structure 18 of aircraft 10. Aperture 60 is offset from the remainder of body 26 and second portion 32 of body 26 defines recess 63 positioned spaced apart from center axis 62 such that the body 26 does not present any obstruction to the installer in inserting and fastening fastener 64 into and through aperture 60 when fastening clamp assembly 16 to structure 18.

[0030] This configuration of aperture 60, wherein aperture 60, as will be understood herein, is not utilized for enclosing wire bundles 20 within clamp assembly 16. Thus, clamp assembly 16 provides the installer an opportunity to easily secure clamp assembly 16 to structure 18 with use of aperture 60 at the time of laying out the routing for the later to be installed wire bundles 20. This reduces the time the installer needs spend at the location of clamp assembly 16 at the time of inserting and confining wire bundle 20 within clamp assembly 16. The installer does not need to undo a temporary installation of a clamp assembly when securement of a clamp assembly and enclosing the wire bundle within the clamp assembly are part of the same step of installation and refasten the clamp assembly to the structure. Clamp assembly 16 provides an easy, quick and unobstructed ability to make a first and final installation of clamp assembly 16 and not taking the extra steps mentioned above at the time of installing the wire bundles 20 into clamp assembly 16.

[0031] As will be discussed below, at the time of securing wire bundle 20 into clamp assembly 16, this can be accomplished by an installer by simply placing wire bundle 20 into clamp assembly 16 by hand and closing and locking clamp assembly 16 about wire bundle 20 also by hand thereby providing the installer a quick and easy installation of wire bundle into clamp assembly 16 without spending any extended time at each location of clamp assembly 16 and without the need for tools.

[0032] Clamp assembly 16, as mentioned earlier, includes cushion collar assembly 24, as seen in FIG. 3. Cushion collar assembly 24 can be seen in FIG. 5 to include first cushion collar section 66 (in phantom), which in this example, is constructed of silicone rubber material and is positioned overlying and extending along second side 34 of second portion 32. Second cushion collar section 68 (in phantom) is included in cushion collar assembly 24, can also be seen in FIG. 5 extending along strap member 46. Thus, with clamp assembly in a closed position, as seen in FIG. 3, first and second cushion collar sections 66, 68 form cushion collar assembly 24 and provides for cushion collar assembly 24 to extend about wire bundle 20.

[0033] Second side 34 of second portion 32 extends along curvilinear direction 36 and has radius 70, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. Strap member 46 has first side 72 which extends in curvilinear direction 74. First side 72 of strap member 46 has radius 76. In this example, radius 76 of first side 72 of strap member 46 is of a same dimension as radius 70 of second side 34 of second portion 32 of body 26. In this example, with strap member 46 in an open position as shown in FIG. 8, radius 70 of curvilinear direction 36 which extends along second side 34, second side 34 forms a portion of a circular configuration having center 78.

[0034] In closing strap member 46, strap member 46 is rotated about the engagement of hinge flange 42 and hinge pin 44. Strap member 46 is secured to body 26 at a single location, whereat strap member 46 will be secured at termination edge 52 of latch member 48, which will be further discussed below. With securement of strap member 46 at the single location at termination edge 52 of latch member 48, strap member 46 maintains its shape with radius 76. As a result, first side 72 of strap member 46 and second side 34 of second portion 32 of body 26 form a circular configuration having a coincidental center 78. Position of center 78, being center of radius of radius 70, with strap member 46 in an open position as seen in FIG. 8 remains in the same position with closure and securement of strap member 46 to body 26 at the singular position at termination edge 52 such that center of radius 76 is coincidental with center 78. This maintenance of center 78 in position without moving the position of center 78 with closure and securement of strap member 46, provides for predictable spacing of wires 22 within wire bundles 20 and predictable spacing of wires 22 within wire bundles 20 with respect to structure 18. As a result, the installer can easily achieve reliable installation which will meet the regulations for spacing of wires 22 and reduce the occurrence of a need for reworking installation of wire bundles 20.

[0035] As discussed earlier, scaling of clamp assembly 16 is available to accommodate wire bundles 20 that have dimensional differences that would otherwise cause a strap member 46 to distort and change a position of center 78 when securing strap member 46 to the single position on body 26. In the instance where dimension change of wire bundle 20 is relatively small, where there are a few more or a few less wires 22 in wire bundle 20, cushion collar assembly 24 will provide for accommodating such minor dimension differences in wire bundle 20 as mentioned earlier. Cushion collar assembly 24 can provide for a few less wires 22 with providing confining securement with cushion collar assembly 24 occupying space that would otherwise have been occupied by a few additional more wires thereby maintaining securement of wires 22 from being too loose. In instances where there may be a few more wires 22 within wire bundle 20, cushion collar assembly 24 compresses and reduces the amount of space cushion collar assembly 24 occupies and prevents strap member 46 from distortion and at the same time protects wires 22 from excessive wear between clamp assembly 16 and wires 22. Without center 78 moving as a result of closure of clamp assembly 16, wires 22 will remain secure in position and spacing relative to one another and relative to their position with respect to structure 18.

[0036] In the example of clamp assembly 16 as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, hinge flange 42 extends from first end 38 of second portion 32 of body 26. Hinge flange 42 is spaced apart from plane 80 defined by first side 30 of first portion 28. Hinge flange 42 defines an opening 82 which faces in a direction of plane 80, defined by first side 30 of first portion 28 of body 26, as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. Strap member 46 includes hinge pin 44, which for this example will be described in more detail below, positioned at first end 84, as seen in FIG. 6. In this example hinge pin 44 is configured to include two pin portions 86 and 88 that are positioned spaced apart from one another as seen in FIG. 6 and will facilitate engagement with hinge flange 42. Support rib 90 for hinge flange 42 forms slot 92 such that pin portion 86 easily slides along within slot 92 and engages hinge flange 42. A slot not shown is also formed on an opposing side of support rib 90 providing a formation of a slot that pin portion 88 can also easily slide along within the slot and engage hinge flange 42. The above spacing between hinge flange 42 and plane 80, as mentioned above, permits the installer ease in positioning pin portions 86 and 88 in alignment with slots 92 and the other (not shown) without obstruction of structure 18. With pin portions 86 and 88 aligned with slot 92 and slot (not shown) the installer can slide pin portions 86 and 88 through opening 82 and opening (not shown positioned on opposing side of hinge flange 42) respectively such that hinge pin 44 and hinge flange 42 are placed into engagement with one another permitting strap member 46 rotational movement relative to body 26.

[0037] As mentioned earlier, there is a singular location associated with body 26, aside from the rotational engagement set forth above, at which strap member 46 is secured to body 26 when strap member 46 is rotated closed enclosing wiring bundle 20. This single location of securing strap member 46 is at the location of termination edge 52 of latch member 48 as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. Latch member 48 is secured, in this example, to body 26 with bracket member 94, as seen in FIG. 6, extending from body 26 with cross member 96 of bracket member 94 positioned spaced apart from body 26 wherein latch member 48 is connected to cross member 96. Strap member 46 includes wall member 98 positioned extending across an end portion 100 of strap member 46, as seen in FIG. 6. Wall member 98 extends in direction 102 in angular relationship to curvilinear direction 36 of second side 34 of second portion 32 of body 26. End portion 100 of strap member 46 is positioned spaced apart from first end 84 of strap member 46 and end portion 100 extends along strap member 46 and terminates at second end 104 of strap member 46.

[0038] In this example as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, strap member 46 has a reduction in thickness dimension D along at least a portion of end portion 100 of strap member 46. Second portion 32 of body 26 has end portion 106 which terminates at second end 40 of second portion 32 of body 26 and in this example also has a reduction in thickness dimension D along at least a portion of end portion 106 of second portion 32 of body 26. This arrangement of reduced dimension thicknesses of D and D provide continuity in the thickness of engagement of body 26 and strap member 46 where a portion of strap member 46 overlies a portion of second portion 32 of body 26.

[0039] In closing strap member 46 to a locked position with body 26, as seen in FIG. 9, termination edge 52 of latch member 48 is positioned between wall member 98 and second end 40 of second portion 32 of body 26 abutting wall member 98 at this single location. Strap member 46 is thereby secured to body 26 preventing rotational movement of strap member 46 relative to body 26 and with second side 34 of second portion 32 of body 26. Gap 108 is defined between second side 34 of second portion 32 of body 26 and first side 72 of strap member 46. Gap 108 is further defined between second end 40 of second portion 32 of body 26 and end wall portion 101 of strap member 46. Gap 108 between second end 40 and end wall portion 101 closes and eventually will abut one another which will prevent the installer from over extending strap member 46 and altering the position of wires 22 within clamp assembly 16 at the time of closing strap member 46 to body 26 and engaging wall member 98 to termination edge 52 of latch member 48. Thus at the time of closing strap member 46 about wires 22, gap 108 provides the installer a tolerance of moving strap member 46 beyond termination edge 52 without an undesired alteration of the spacing of wires 22 within wire bundle 20. This configuration of second end 40 and end wall portion 101 thereby limits movement of strap member 46 beyond termination edge 52 and prevents unwanted movement of center 78 and the changing of shape of opening 110 of clamp assembly 16.

[0040] In referring to FIG. 10, with a need to unsecure strap member 46 from body 26, a tool member 112, such as a screw driver, for example, is inserted between latch member 48 and strap member 46. With moving latch member 48 out of abutting relationship with wall member 98 of strap member 46, first end 40 moves toward end wall portion 101 of strap member 46. Reducing spacing of gap 108 permits removal of strap member 46 from engagement with body 26 permitting strap member to rotate relative to body 26. As a result, access is provided to wire bundle 20 positioned in clamp assembly 16.

[0041] While various embodiments have been described above, this disclosure is not intended to be limited thereto. Variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments that are still within the scope of the appended claims.