Device for locking in position a mobile part relative to a fixed part

• US 6,811,348 B1
• Filed: 03/25/2002
• Issued: 11/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thales Avionics SA (Thales SA)
• Original Assignee: Thales Avionics SA (Thales SA)
• Inventors: Meyer, Guy, Darrieux, Jean-Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MACARTHUR, VICTOR L
• Application Number:
  US10/088,905
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 403/33, 403/83, 403/109--10, 403/109.7, 403/109.8, 403/321, 403/322.1, 403/322.3, 403/322.4, 403/324, 403/325, 403/326, 403/328, 403/DIG.4, 403/381, 248/223.41, 248/224.51, 248/224.61, 248/222.11, 248/222.12, 248/222.13, 348/8, 246/07, 246/12, 246/13
• US Class Current: 403/325
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/04 Parts, details or accessories of helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/042 Optical devices night vision goggles G02B23/12
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/30 Dovetail-like connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/04 for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains , e.g. rifle butt or pistol grip supports, supports attached to the chest or head apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/028 by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 403/04 Quick release
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45487 including camming or wedging element on projection member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45518 and distinct spring biasing component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32483 Spring biased
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32516 Remotely actuated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32524 Self-locking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/59 Manually releaseable latch type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/591 having operating mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/598 Transversely sliding pin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/599 Spring biased manipulator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/604 Radially sliding catch

Abstract

A device for locking a position of a moving part with respect to a fixed part. The moving part is positioned with respect to the fixed part isostatically. The device generates a force opposing the loss of contact of all the points of isostatic contact between the moving part and the fixed part so as to lock the position.

Claims

1. A device for locking a position of a moving part with respect to a fixed part, the moving part being positioned with respect to the fixed part isostatically, the device comprising:

a female dovetail belonging to the fixed part;

a male-dovetail belonging to the moving part, wherein bases of the female and male dovetails are in contact and define three first isostatic points, and wherein two inclined faces in contact, each belonging to one of the female and male dovetails, respectively, define fourth and fifth isostatic points; and

means for generating a force opposing a loss of contact of a plurality of points of isostatic contact between the moving part and the fixed part so as to lock the position.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a sixth isostatic point stops translation of the female and male dovetails, with respect to each other, and the sixth isostatic point is formed between a face belonging to the fixed part, which face is inclined with respect to the base of the female dovetail and distinct from the inclined faces of the female dovetail, and a point on the moving part coming into abutment with this face.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a direction of force is parallel to the bases of the female and male dovetails.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the moving part has a finger configured to move in translation with respect to the moving part and configured to bear against a surface of the fixed part, and wherein a position and orientation of the surface of the fixed part are defined so that the force is directed between the fourth and fifth isostatic points on a side of the direction of the force and the sixth isostatic point on an opposite side thereof.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein near a contact between the finger and the surface of the fixed part, the finger is substantially convex and the surface of the fixed part is substantially planar.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein an orientation of the surface of the fixed part and a coefficient of friction of the finger with respect to the surface are defined such that only a force tending to compress the elastic element can move the moving part with respect to the fixed part.

7. The device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising an elastic element tending to press the finger against the surface of the fixed part in such a way that the force maintains contact of the first to sixth isostatic points.

8. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fixed part comprises means for compressing the elastic element when the moving part nears its isostatic position with respect to the fixed part without any external action other than action necessary for the bringing-together being needed to compress the elastic element.

9. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein translational movement of the finger with respect to the moving part is limited in both directions of the translational movement.

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising additional means opposing loss of contact of the fourth and fifth isostatic points.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the additional means comprises a facet belonging to the moving part and pressing against an inclined face of the female dovetail opposite to the inclined face of the female dovetail that defines the fourth and fifth isostatic points.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the facet belongs to an element configured to move in translation with respect to the moving part along an axis of translation of the finger roughly perpendicular to an axis of travel of the female and male dovetails with respect to each other, and wherein the moving element is connected to the moving part by a second elastic element.

13. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the axis of translation of the finger is coincident with an axis of translation of the moving element, and wherein the second elastic element tends to separate the moving element from the finger.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the moving part is unlocked with respect to the fixed part by exerting a force on the moving element in a direction substantially perpendicular to a line containing the fourth and fifth isostatic points.

15. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein a stiffness of the elastic element is greater than a stiffness of the second elastic element.

16. A device for locking a position of a moving part with respect to a fixed part, the moving part being positioned with respect to the fixed part isostatically, the device comprising:

means for generating a force opposing a loss of contact of a plurality of points of isostatic contact between the moving part and the fixed part so as to lock the position;

a female dovetail belonging to the fixed part and a male dovetail belonging to the moving part, wherein bases of the female and male dovetails are in contact and define three first isostatic points, and wherein two inclined faces in contact, each belonging to one of the female and male dovetails, respectively, define fourth and fifth isostatic points, and a sixth isostatic point stops translation of the female and male dovetails, with respect to each other, and the sixth isostatic point is formed between a face belonging to the fixed part, which face is inclined with respect to the base of the female dovetail and distinct from the inclined faces of the female dovetail, and a point on the moving part coming into abutment with this face; and

means opposing loss of contact of the fourth and fifth isostatic points comprising a facet belonging to the moving part and pressing against an inclined face of the female dovetail opposite to the inclined face of the female dovetail that defines the fourth and fifth isostatic points,

wherein the facet belongs to an element configured to move in translation with respect to the moving part along an axis of translation of the finger roughly perpendicular to an axis of travel of the female and male dovetails with respect to each other, the moving element is connected to the moving part by a second elastic element, the axis of translation of the finger is coincident with an axis of translation of the moving element, the second elastic element tends to separate the moving element from the finger, and the translational movement of the finger of the moving element is guided by a second female dovetail belonging to the moving part in which there slides a second male dovetail secured to the finger and a third male dovetail belonging to the moving element.

17. A device for precisely and repeatedly locking two parts, the device comprising:

a fixed part having a substantially planar base and a female dovetail;

a moving part having a substantially planar base and a male dovetail, such that, when a portion of said moving part is inserted inside a portion of said fixed part, said male dovetail fits substantially inside said female dovetail and a surface of said substantially planar base of said fixed part contacts a surface of said substantially planar base of said moving part; and

force generating means for generating a force opposing a loss of contact of a plurality of contact points between said portion of said moving part and said portion of said fixed part so as to lock the parts together.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein a direction of said force is parallel to the bases of the female and male dovetails and off-axis to a direction of translation of said moving part with respect to said fixed part.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the moving part has a finger configured to translate with respect to the moving part in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of translation of said moving part with respect to said fixed part, wherein, near a contact between the finger and a surface of the fixed part, the finger is substantially convex and the surface of the fixed part is substantially planar.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein an orientation of the surface of the fixed part and a coefficient of friction of the finger with respect to the surface are defined such that only a force tending to compress the elastic element can move the moving part with respect to the fixed part.