Pinned lug joint

Abstract

A pinned lug joint including: a first part with two first lugs projecting from a bridge which extends between them; a second part pivotally coupled to the first part, the second part including a second lug positioned between the first lugs; and a sealing member, the sealing member being mounted to the first lugs and extending between them to seal an air gap between the second lug and the bridge at least when the second part is in a first position. The pinned lug joint may be used to attach a panel assembly to part of an aircraft.

1 . A pinned lug joint comprising:
 a first part comprising two first lugs projecting from a bridge which extends between them;   a second part pivotally coupled to the first part, the second part comprising a second lug positioned between the first lugs; and   a sealing member, the sealing member being mounted to the first lugs and extending from the bridge and between the first lugs to contact the second lug so as to seal an air gap between the second lug and the bridge at least when the second part is in a first position.   
     
     
         2 . The pinned lug joint of  claim 1  wherein the sealing member comprises:
 a first flange which extends between one of the first lugs and the second lug to seal an air gap between them; and 
 a second flange which extends between the other first lug and the second lug to seal an air gap between them. 
 
     
     
         3 . The pinned lug joint of  claim 2  wherein the sealing member is mounted to one of the first lugs with a first mounting portion and to the other first lug with a second mounting portion, wherein the first and second flanges form part of the first and second mounting portions respectively. 
     
     
         4 . The pinned lug joint of  claim 1  wherein one of the two first lugs is pivotally coupled to the second lug by a pin having a pin axis; and the seal comprises a web shaped to conform to an outer contour of said one first lug on which the seal is mounted, and having a flange which projects inwardly from an end of the web towards the pin axis and extends between the one first lug and the second lug to seal an air gap between them. 
     
     
         5 . The pinned lug joint of  claim 4  wherein the flange is a first flange projecting from a first end of the web and the seal further comprises a second flange projecting from a second end of the web opposite the first end. 
     
     
         6 . The pinned lug joint of  claims 4  wherein the flange is a substantially flat projection. 
     
     
         7 . A panel assembly connected to part of an aircraft by the joint of  claim 1  the panel assembly comprising: a panel with a cut-out section; and a resilient sealing member attached to the panel and positioned in the cut-out section. 
     
     
         8 . The panel assembly of  claim 7  wherein the second lug extends from the cut-out section of the panel, the cut-out section providing a clearance between the first part and the second part at least when the second part is pivoted to a second position. 
     
     
         9 . The panel assembly of  claim 7  wherein the resilient sealing member is elastomeric. 
     
     
         10 . A panel assembly connected to part of an aircraft by the joint of  claim 4  the panel assembly comprising: a panel with a cut-out section; and a resilient sealing member attached to the panel and positioned in the cut-out section. 
     
     
         11 . The panel assembly of  claim 10  wherein the second lug extends from the cut-out out section of the panel, the cut-out section providing a clearance between the first part and the second part at least when the second part is pivoted to a second position. 
     
     
         12 . The panel assembly of  claim 10  wherein the resilient sealing member is elastomeric. 
     
     
         13 . The panel assembly of  claim 7  wherein the panel is an aerodynamic surface, and the cut-out section in the panel is arranged to avoid clashing with the pinned lug joint when the aerodynamic surface is pivoted to a first position; and the resilient second sealing member is arranged to at least partially fill the cut-out section at least when the aerodynamic surface is pivoted to a second position. 
     
     
         14 . The panel assembly of  claim 10  wherein the panel is an aerodynamic surface, and the cut-out section in the panel is arranged to avoid clashing with the pinned lug joint when the aerodynamic surface is pivoted to a first position; and the resilient second sealing member is arranged to at least partially fill the cut-out section at least when the aerodynamic surface is pivoted to a second position.