The t e c h n i c a l f i e l d o f t h e invention is t h a t of
quick-release f a s t e n i n g mechanisms f o r on-board equipments,
5 p a r t i c u l a r l y f o r v e h i c l e s .
One can f i n d i n v e h i c l e s ( p a r t i c u l a r l y m i l i t a r y
v e h i c l e s ) many e l e c t r o n i c equipments such as global
p o s i t i o n i n g systems ( b e t t e r known a s GPS) or on-board
computers. These have t o be e a s i l y a c c e s s i b l e t o users,
10 both f o r reading and f o r performing handlings such a s data
i n p u t s o r s e t t i n g s .
The context of a p p l i c a t i o n of these equipments is
o f t e n t h a t of emergency, and t h u s one must be able t o mount
or t a k e o f f these equipments very quickly i n few seconds.
15 Thus, t h e p a t e n t US8091850 teaches a means f o r
f a s t e n i n g a n on-board screen by means of two g u t t e r s
corresponding t o t h e top and bottom p a r t s o f the screen.
These g u t t e r s hold t i g h t l y the screen under t h e a c t i o n of a
t e n s i o n s p r i n g . The g u t t e r s a r e held t i g h t l y by a d e t e n t
20 r o t a t i n g a q u a r t e r - t u r n and engaging i n a housing of the
screen.
Such a mechanism has major disadvantages f o r
m i l i t a r y use. In f a c t , i n m i l i t a r y environment, impacts and
v i b r a t i o n s o f t e n occur, enhancing unexpected r o t a t i o n of
25 the d e t e n t and spacing of the jaws which w i l l l i k e l y l e t
t h e s c r e e n s l i p p i n g out.
Moreover, i n s t a l l a t i o n and withdrawal of the
screen are not convenient because they r e q u i r e maintaining
the g u t t e r s spaced a p a r t t o allow the withdrawal o r
30 i n s t a l l a t i o n of t h e screen. Thus, the operation o f s p a c i n g
the g u t t e r s must be performed with one hand while t h e other
must i n s t a l l the screen.
This operation is a l l the more d e l i c a t e and long
so as the spring b i a s i n g the g u t t e r s c l o s e r t o each o t h e r
w i l l be s t i f f .
Thus, the invention aims t o solve a problem of
5 easy, f a s t and safe i n s t a l l a t i o n o r withdrawal of an onboard
equipment i n a v e h i c l e , p a r t i c u l a r l y a m i l i t a r y
v e h i c l e .
The invention r e l a t e s t o a quick-release
f a s t e n i n g mechanism f o r rendering i n t e g r a l or detaching an
10 equipment on board of a v e h i c l e , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t it
comprises:
- a frame i n t e g r a l with t h e v e h i c l e , wherein t h e frame
comprises a t l e a s t one detent a t one of the ends of t h e
frame and a t l e a s t one jaw i n t e g r a l with a rod moveable
15 i n t r a n s l a t i o n a g a i n s t t h e a c t i o n of a spring a t t h e
second end of the frame,
- a support p l a t e intended t o be i n t e g r a l with t h e
equipment and t o be held t i g h t l y between the d e t e n t and
the jaw,
20 - a b i s t a b l e blocking means i n t e g r a l with the jaw and
comprising a connecting rod and a l i n k ensuring a
connection o f t h e r o d end t o t h e frame by t h r e e j o i n t
hinges having axes p a r a l l e l t o each o t h e r , a f i r s t j o i n t
hinge l i n k i n g the connecting rod and t h e rod, a second
25 j o i n t hinge l i n k i n g the connecting rod and t h e l i n k and
f i n a l l y a t h i r d j o i n t hinge l i n k i n g t h e l i n k and t h e
frame, the j o i n t hinges being provided such t h a t , upon
pivoting of the l i n k with respect t o the frame, t h e
second j o i n t hinge can be displaced with respect t o an
30 alignment plane including the axes o f the f i r s t and
t h i r d j o i n t hinges, the second j o i n t hinge being i n a
s t a b l e p o s i t i o n on both s i d e s of said plane, t h e a c t i o n
of t h e spring rendering unstable t h e p o s i t i o n of the
a x i s of the second j o i n t hinge i n the alignment plane.
Advantageously, the p l a t e may comprise a t l e a s t
one bearing s u r f a c e f o r matching with t h e d e t e n t , as well
5 a s a wedging block f o r matching w i t h t h e jaw.
According t o an embodiment, t h e mechanism is
t i l t e d so as t o p o s i t i o n t h e jaw rearward of a v e r t i c a l
p l a n e p a s s i n g through the a x i s of t h e d e t e n t s .
Advantageously, t h e blocking means comprises a
10 l e v e r i n t e g r a l with t h e l i n k and which is brought c l o s e r t o
t h e lower end of the frame when the jaw is closed.
The invention w i l l be b e t t e r understood upon
reading of the following d e s c r i p t i o n , w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o the
appended drawings, i n which:
15 Figure 1 shows a t h r e e - q u a r t e r view o f a
mechanism according t o the i n v e n t i o n .
Figure 2 shows a t h r e e - q u a r t e r view o f a
mechanism according t o the invention without the p l a t e .
Figure 3 shows a t h r e e - q u a r t e r view of a p l a t e
20 only.
Figure 4 shows a v e r t i c a l p a r t i a l s e c t i o n a l view
of a mechanism according t o the invention during the f i r s t
f a s t e n i n g s t e p of the p l a t e .
Figure 5 shows a v e r t i c a l p a r t i a l s e c t i o n a l view
25 of a mechanism according t o t h e invention during the second
f a s t e n i n g s t e p of the p l a t e .
Figure 6 shows a v e r t i c a l p a r t i a l s e c t i o n a l view
of a mechanism according t o t h e invention during the t h i r d
f a s t e n i n g s t e p of the p l a t e .
30 Figure 7 is a view s i m i l a r t o Figure 5, but i n
which t h e mechanism is i n a t i l t e d p o s i t i o n .
Figure 8 is a l a t e r a l p a r t i a l s e c t i o n a l view of a
device according t o another embodiment of t h e invention,
& comprising a t e n s l o n s p r i n g .
5 According t o Figure 1 and an embodiment of the
invention, the quick-release f a s t e n i n g mechanism 1
comprises an arm 101 f o r rendering i n t e g r a l t h e mechanism 1
with a m i l i t a r y v e h i c l e ( v e h i c l e not r e p r e s e n t e d ) , f o r
example with a wall of t h e cab i n t e r i o r .
10 The mechanism 1 is provided with a p l a t e 2 f o r
receiving a t its f r o n t f a c e AV f o r example a monitor-type
e l e c t r o n i c equipment (equipment not represented) . The
equipment is permanently fastened t o t h e p l a t e 2. Rendering
the equipment i n t e g r a l with t h e p l a t e 2 could be obtained
15 via screws ( n o t r e p r e s e n t e d ) p a s s i n g trough holes 2a.
The p l a t e 2 is detachably made i n t e g r a l with a
frame 3 provided rearward of the p l a t e 2.
To t h i s end, t h e frame 3 comprises a t the lower
end thereof a overcenter and b i s t a b l e blocking means 4 .
20 This blocking means a c t s on a jaw 5 c a r r i e d by the upper
end of the frame 3. This jaw 5 cooperates with an upper
edge o f t h e p l a t e 2 when t h e device is locked.
According t o Figure 2, the blocking means 4 is
25 i n t e g r a l with the frame 3 a t the lower end 3a t h e r e o f . The
s i d e s of the frame 3 each comprise a d e t e n t 6. The jaw 5 is
arranged i n an oblong hole 3b of the frame 3 and protrudes
from the f r o n t face of t h e frame 3. This hole 3b is f o r
guiding the v e r t i c a l t r a n s l a t i o n of the jaw 5. The jaw 5 is
30 i n t e g r a l with the blocking means 4 by means of a rod 7. The
blocking means 4 comprises a connecting rod 8 i n t e g r a l with
t h e r o d 7 by a f i r s t j o i n t hinge 10. The connecting rod 8
is i n t e g r a l with a l i n k 9 by a second j o i n t hinge 11 of the
pivot type. The l i n k 9 is i n t e g r a l with t h e frame 3 by a
t h i r d pivot j o i n t hinge 12 c a r r i e d by a hanger. The axes of
the t h r e e j o i n t hinges 1 0 , 11 and 12 a r e p a r a l l e l t o each
o t h e r . The l i n k 9 has a U-shape and is extended by a
5 manipulation l e v e r 15 f o r c o n t r o l l i n g t h e locking o r
unlocking of the blocking means 4 .
According t o Figure 3, the p l a t e 2 comprises, i n
v i c i n i t y of the upper edge t h e r e o f , a wedging block 13 f o r
cooperating with t h e jaw 5 p r e v i o u s l y d e s c r i b e d . As it can
10 be seen on Figure 4, t o t h a t end the jaw 5 is provided with
a l i p having a t i l t e d plane 5a which cooperates with an
complementary plane 13a c a r r i e d by the wedging block 13.
The lower p a r t of t h e p l a t e 2 is provided with
two wings 2b, each comprising a housing 1 4 . Each housing 1 4
15 is f o r receiving a d e t e n t 6 of the frame. Each housing 1 4
thus comprises a bearing s u r f a c e 14a f o r each d e t e n t . The
housings 14 are opened downwards of t h e p l a t e 2 t o enable
passage of t h e d e t e n t s 6.
20 Figure 4 shows the f i r s t i n s t a l l i n g s t e p of an
equipment. The equipment is not represented here. I t is
fastened t o an i n t e r f a c e p l a t e 18 which is i t s e l f fastened
to t h e p l a t e 2. I n t h i s unlocked p o s i t i o n , t h e second j o i n t
hinge 11 of the blocking means 4 is l o c a t e d forward AV of
25 an alignment plane 16 which contains t h e axes of t h e f i r s t
and t h i r d j o i n t hinges 10 and 12.
The rod 7 which is mounted i n the frame 3 so as
t o be s l i d e a b l e is pushed upward under t h e a c t i o n of a
30 compression spring 17 a b u t t i n g , with one of t h e ends
t h e r e o f , a g a i n s t a shoulder 19 of the frame 3 and, with t h e
other end t h e r e o f , a g a i n s t the jaw 5.
Therefore, t h e jaw 5 is a l s o pushed upward under
the action of t h e spring.
The u s e r p o s i t i o n s the p l a t e 2 carrying t h e
equipment such t h a t t h e bearing surfaces 14a of t h e wings
5 14 of the p l a t e 2 abut a g a i n s t the d e t e n t s 6 of t h e frame
3. The p l a t e 2 is then pushed by the user (arrow P) t o abut
against t h e frame 3, i n the p o s i t i o n shown on Figure 5.
In t h i s p o s i t i o n , t h e plane 13a of t h e wedging
block 13 p o s i t i o n s i t s e l f below the jaw 5.
10 Pivoting P is performed around d e t e n t s 6. I t can
be noted t h a t , during t h i s pivoting, the bearing surfaces
14a of t h e wings 2b secure t h e positioning of t h e p l a t e 2
carrying t h e equipment.
The operator then r o t a t e s (arrow R - Figure 5)
15 the lever 15 i n order t o lock the p l a t e 2 (Figure 6 ) . The
l e v e r 15 is then brought c l o s e r t o and a b u t s a g a i n s t t h e
lower end 3a of t h e frame.
Figure 6 shows the mechanism 1 i n its locked
p o s i t i o n . The l e v e r 15 has been pushed and abutted a g a i n s t
20 the lower end 3a of the frame 3.
During t h e p i v o t a l movement of t h e lever 15, t h e
second j o i n t hinge 11 has been displaced rearward of t h e
alignment plane 16. I t thereby reaches a s t a b l e p o s i t i o n .
This movement causes downward s l i d i n g of t h e jaw 5 driven
25 by t h e rod 7 and the connecting rod 8 . The jaw 5 compresses
the spring 1 4 , a c t i o n o f which opposes t o the opening of
t h e blocking means 4, providing t h e r e t o a second s t a b l e
p o s i t i o n . The t i l t e d plane 5e of t h e l i p of the jaw 5 is
brought i n t o c o n t a c t w i t h t h e plane 13a of the wedging
30 block 13, withdrawal of the p l a t e 2 and thus of t h e
equipment is then impossible.
Thus, a s a r e s u l t o f t h e p a r t i c u l a r arrangements
of the j o i n t hinges, when t h e a x i s of t h e second j o i n t
hinge 11 is i n the alignment plane 16, t h i s p o s i t i o n is
u n s t a b l e . The a c t i o n of the spring 17 h a s t h e e f f e c t of
e i t h e r bringing forward the a x i s of the second j o i n t hinge
11 (unlocked p o s i t i o n on Figure 5 ) , or pushing it towards
5 t h e frame (locked p o s i t i o n on Figure 6 ) .
The second j o i n t hinge 11 has a s t a b l e p o s i t i o n
on both s i d e s of the alignment plane 16.
With t h i s mechanism, f a s t e n i n g of the equipment
is made very easy and t h e locking is made f a s t and
10 e f f i c i e n t , even i n case of v i o l e n t impacts.
In t h e most common a p p l i c a t i o n c o n f i g u r a t i o n
shown on Figure 7 , t h e equipment 20 and t h e mechanism 1 a r e
s l i g h t l y t i l t e d , the jaw 5 being rearward AR of a v e r t i c a l
plane 21 passing through t h e a x i s of the d e t e n t s 6. During
15 its p o s i t i o n i n g , the equipment 20 can thus r e s t on the
d e t e n t s 6 by means o f t h e bearing s u r f a c e s 14a under the
s o l e a c t i o n of the weight P t h e r e o f , t h e p l a t e 2 b e a r i n g
i t s e l f on the frame 3 b e f o r e locking is performed by the
o p e r a t o r . The o p e r a t o r thus needs only one hand.
20 F i r s t l y , t h e operator can place the equipment on
t h e mechanism 1 with one hand, then with t h i s same hand the
operator can lower t h e lever 15 t o lock t h e mechanism 1.
As an a l t e r n a t i v e , it is p o s s i b l e t o f a s t e n t h e
e l e c t r o n i c equipment d i r e c t l y on t h e p l a t e 2 without using
25 an i n t e r f a c e p l a t e 16.
According t o Figure 8 which shows a n a n o t h e r
embodiment, t h e s k i l l e d person c o u l d u s e a t t h e b i s t a b l e
blocking means a s p r i n g 17 which is subjected t o t e n s i l e
loading and has its upper end 17a i n t e g r a l with the frame
30 3 , while the lower end 17b thereof is i n t e g r a l with the rod
7. Such an arrangement of t h e s p r i n g enables t o have a
e f f e c t equivalent t o the compression spring 17 as
previously described.
Thus, as shown on Figure 8, in opened position,
the jaw 5 is, by default, maintained upward in the abovedescribed
first stable position, under the upward tension
action of the spring on the rod 7.
5

We Claim:
1 - Quick-release f a s t e n i n g mechanism (1) f o r
rendering i n t e g r a l o r detaching an equipment on board of a
5 v e h i c l e , t h e mechanism being c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t it
comprises:
- a frame (3) i n t e g r a l with the v e h i c l e , wherein t h e frame
(3) comprises a t l e a s t one d e t e n t ( 6 ) a t one of t h e ends
of the frame (3) and a t l e a s t one jaw (5) i n t e g r a l with
10 a rod (7) moveable i n t r a n s l a t i o n against t h e a c t i o n of
a spring (17) a t the second end of t h e frame ( 3 ) ,
- a support p l a t e (2) intended t o be i n t e g r a l with the
equipment and t o be held t i g h t l y between t h e detent (6)
and the jaw ( 5 ) ,
15 - a b i s t a b l e blocking means ( 4 ) i n t e g r a l with the jaw (5)
and comprising a connecting rod (8) and a l i n k (9)
ensuring a connection of the rod end (7) t o the frame
(3) by t h r e e j o i n t hinges (10, 11, 12) having axes
p a r a l l e l t o each other, a f i r s t j o i n t hinge (10) linking
20 the connecting rod (8 ) and t h e rod (7) , a second j o i n t
hinge (11) l i n k i n g the connecting r o d ( 8 ) and t h e l i n k
(9) and f i n a l l y a t h i r d j o i n t hinge (12) l i n k i n g the
l i n k (9) and t h e frame ( 3 ) , t h e j o i n t hinges (10, 11,
12) being provided such t h a t , upon pivoting of t h e l i n k
25 (9) with respect t o t h e frame ( 3 ) , the second j o i n t
hinge (11) can be d i s p l a c e d w i t h r e s p e c t t o an alignment
plane ( 1 6 ) i n c l u d i n g t h e axes of the f i r s t (10) and
t h i r d (12) j o i n t hinges, t h e second j o i n t hinge (11)
being i n a s t a b l e p o s i t i o n on both sides o f t h e plane,
30 the action of t h e spring (17) rendering unstable the
p o s i t i o n of t h e a x i s of the second j o i n t hinge (11) i n
the alignment plane (16) .
2 - Quick-release fastening mechanism (1)
according t o Claim 1, characterized i n t h a t the p l a t e (2)
comprises a t l e a s t one bearing surface (14a) for matching
with t h e d e t e n t ( 6 ) , as well as a wedging block (13) for
5 matching with the jaw (5) .
3 - Quick-release fastening mechanism (1)
according t o Claim 1, characterized i n t h a t t h e mechanism
(1) is t i l t e d so as to position the jaw (5) rearward of a
v e r t i c a l plane passing through the axis of t h e d e t e n t s ( 6 ) .
10 4 - Quick-release fastening mechanism (1)
according t o Claim 1, characterized i n t h a t the blocking
means ( 4 ) comprises a lever (15) i n t e g r a l with the l i n k ( 9 )
and which is brought closer t o the lower end (3a) of the
frame (3) when the jaw (5) is closed.