GB2435443A - Ejector seat runner tube removal apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus 10 to provide means for removing and/or fitting slidably movable parts comprises a bracket member mounted to a linear actuator and also to the item to be removed/fitted, where the actuator is used to move the item, thus avoiding the use of an impact provider. The bracket member may include an elongate strip 14 attached to a mounting plate 32 by a bolt 42. In use, the bracket member may be sequentially fitted to different points on the item to be removed/fitted by adjusting the distance between the mounting locations using holes (20, fig 2). The actuator (60, fig 4) may be an existing component of an aircraft ejector seat, such as a seat raising actuator, and the apparatus may be used to remove a runner tube assembly (50, fig 4) from a main beam assembly (52, fig 4).

Description

<p>1 2435443 Dismantling ApDaratus This invention concerns improvements in

or relating to dismantling apparatus, and particularly but not exclusively dismantling apparatus for products with slidably movable parts; and also a method of removing a slidably mounted item from a product.</p>

<p>Difficulties can be encountered when dismantling slidably movable products for example for repair, modification and/or maintenance of the products. This can be a problem with articles such as ejector seats in aircraft.</p>

<p>To date it has sometimes be necessary for hammers, mallets or other impact force providers to be used to dicmant!e such products. This can cause damage to what can be expensive items, and can for instance cause parts of the items to work loose or become dislodged.</p>

<p>According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for dismantling products with slidably movable parts, the apparatus including a bracket member with first mounting means for selectively mounting to a linear actuator, and seOond mounting means for selectively mounting to an item to be slidably removed from the product, such that operation of the linear actuator can be used to slidabty move the item off the product.</p>

<p>A plurality of spaced second mounting means may be provided on the bracket member, whereby the distance between the linear actuator and the second mounting means may be varied.</p>

<p>The bracket member may include adjustment means which permits adjustment of the distance between the first and second mounting means.</p>

<p>The bracket member may be arranged such that the first mounting means is mountable to a linear actuator of the product.</p>

<p>The first and/or second mounting means may include holes, and pin members selectively locatable in the holes.</p>

<p>The bracket member may be profiled to provide clearance around one or more parts of the object.</p>

<p>The invention also provides a method of removing a slidably mounted item from a product, the method including temporarily mounting a bracket member to the item and to a linear actuator, and operating the linear actuator to slidably move the item relative to the product towards a release position.</p>

<p>The item may be sequentially mounted to different points on the bracket, such that the linear actuator is operated each time to move the item towards the release position, and then the item is mounted to a further point on the bracket towards the release position and the actuator is further operated.</p>

<p>The linear actuator used may be an existing component of the product.</p>

<p>An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of part of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end view of a further part of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Figs. 4 to 6 are diagrammatic perspective views of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in use, respectively in first, second and third positions.</p>

<p>The drawings show apparatus 10 usable for dismantling products with slidably movable parts. The apparatus 10 comprises a first part 12 with an elongate strip 14 which has a flange 16 on one end. A further shorter strip 18 is provided extending from the other end of the strip 14 and on the same side thereof as the flange 14. A spacer 19 is providing between the stnps 14, 18.</p>

<p>Four spaced substantially central holes 20 are provided, one in the further.</p>

<p>strip 18 and the others in the strip 14. A hole 22 is provided through the flange 16 and nut 24 is mounted on the side of the flange 16 towards the strip 14 around the hole 22.</p>

<p>The apparatus 10 also includes a second part 30 with a mounting plate 02 with a throuah hole 34 alignable with the hole 22. The mounting plate 32 is mounted to a short length of channel section 36 such that the mounting plate extends above the base of the downwardly facing channel section 36. A central recess 38 is provided in the side of the channel section 36 away from the mounting plate 32. Two pairs of alignable holes 40 are provided in each side of the channel section 36 towards the free ends of the side limbs thereof.</p>

<p>A bolt 42 is provided extending through the hole 34 with the head 44 of the bolt 42 on the channel section side of the plate 32. Washers 46 are provided on either side of the mounting plate 30, and a locking nut 48 is provided on the bolt engaging against the opposite side of the mounting plate 32 to the bolt head 44. The bolt 42 extends through the hole 22 and threadingly engages with the nut 24. This arrangement permits adjustable mounting between the first and second parts 12, 30. Adjustment is possible when the locking nut 48 is not tight against the mounting plate 32, and when any adjustment has been made, the locking nut 48 can be tightened onto the mounting plate 32 to retain the required adjustment.</p>

<p>Figs. 4 to 6 show use of the apparatus 10 in this instance removing a runner tube assembly 50 from a main beam assembly 52 of an ejector seat for an aeroplane. The runner tube assembly 50 is slidably mounted on the assembly 52 to permit height adjustment of the pilot's seat. Periodically it is required to remove the assembly 50 from the main beam assembly 52 for maintenance. To date this has proved problematic, and damage has sometimes occurred to either of the assemblies 50, 52 during the removal operation.</p>

<p>The runner tube assembly 50 includes two runner tubes 54 which are connected by an upper runner (hot visible) and at one end by a lower cross beam 58, and slidingly extend through a lower runner 56. The main beam assembly includes a seat raising actuator 60 extending from a top bracket 62 to the lower runner 56.</p>

<p>The apparatus 10 is mounted to the lower cross beam 58, with the beam 58 located in the channel section 36. The recess 38 receives an enlarged part 64 of the end part 66 of the runner tube assembly 50. The lower cross beam 58 is retained in the channel section 36 by pins (not shown) extending between the respective alignable holes 40. Initially the hole 20 nearest the second part 30 is mounted by a pin 68 to the lower runner 56 as shown in Fig. 4. The actuator 60 is then operated to push the lower runner 56 and hence runner tube assembly 50 outwardly, to the right as shown in the drawings, to the position shown in Fig. 5.</p>

<p>The lower runner 56 is then disconnected from the apparatus 10 by removal of the pin, and the actuator is then retracted. The lower runner 56 is then mounted by a pin to the second hole 20 away from the second apparatus as shown in Fig. 6. This procedure is then repeated using all four holes 20 to sequentially remove the runner tube assembly 50 from the main beam assembly 52. If required a similar method can be used to replace the runner tube assembly 50 on the main beam assembly 52.</p>

<p>There is thus provided an apparatus and method for removing the runner tube assembly using the existing seat raising actuator, and without the danger of excessive force being applied and thus damage potentially occurring. The provision of a number of holes 20 allows the relatively short stroke actuator 60 to provide the greater length of movement required to remove the assembly 50. The mounting between the first and second parts 12, 30 permits fine adjustment of the relative positions of the holes 20. As indicated the recess 38 in the second part 30 permits mounting on the end part 66. The slight raising provided by the further strip 18 ensures that the apparatus 10 does not interfere with operation of the actuator 60.</p>

<p>Whilst the apparatus and method has been described in relation to a specific example, it is to be realised that the invention could be used in a wide range of applications, with the apparatus being designed accordingly to locate in a required position for any particular application, with the apparatus being appropriately profiled to locate around adjacent components. The apparatus could be used with a wide range of different linear actuators. The apparatus is of relatively straightforward construction and can thus be inexpensively and robustly manufactured for long term maintenance free operation.</p>

<p>Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.</p>

Claims (5)

1. <p>Claims 1. Apparatus to provide means of removing and fitting slidably

   movable parts compromising a bracket member mounted to a linear actuator and the item to be removed, using the actuator to move the item, thus avoiding the use of an impact provider.</p>

   <p>
2. 2. A bracket member according to claim 1, in which the bracket member has a first mounting to attach to a linear actuator.</p>

   <p>
3. 3. A bracket member according to claim 1, in which the bracket member has a second mounting to attach to the item to be removedlfitted.</p>

   <p>
4. 4. A bracket member according to claim 1, in which the bracket member may include adjustment which permits adjustment of distance between the first and second mounting. . .
5. 5. A bracket member according to claim 1, in which the bracket member ** may be sequentially fitted to different points on the item to be removed/fitted, such that the linear actuator is operated each time to move the item and then the item is mounted to a further point on the:. . bracket towards the release or fitting position. S...</p>

   <p>S C *5**</p>

   <p>6. The linear actuator used accordmg to claim 1 may be an existmg *..</p>

   <p>component of the product.</p>

   <p>7. The linear actuator used according to claim 1 may be operated electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically or manually.</p>