# US 10,371,313 B2 · Load relief tie rod > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,371,313 B2 - Document ID: US10371313B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/045,521 - Filed: 2016-02-17 - Published: 2017-08-17 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-17 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Darren Carl McIntosh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371313B2 ## CPC - F16M 13/02: for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle - B64D 11/003: {Stowage devices for passengers' personal luggage} - F16F 1/128: {with motion-limiting means, e.g. with a full-length guide element or ball joint connections; with protective outer cover (F16F1/121 takes precedence)} - F16F 3/04: composed only of wound springs - F16F 3/0876: {and of the same shape} - F16F 9/303: {the damper being of the telescopic type} - F16F 15/067: using only wound springs - F16F 15/08: with rubber springs {(grommet- or bushing-type resilient mountings F16F1/3732, F16F1/38); with springs made of rubber and metal (arrangement of internal-combustion or jet-propulsion units B60K5/12; mounting of propulsion plants on vessels B63H21/30; mounting of vehicle drivers' cabs B62D33/0604)} - F16F 2230/007: with, or used as an end stop or buffer; Limiting excessive axial separation - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## Abstract A method and apparatus are provided. A load relief tie rod comprises a body, a rod, and at least one pin extending from and perpendicular to the rod. The body has a cavity extending longitudinally through a cylindrical section of the body and two obround slots in the cylindrical section. The rod is configured to extend longitudinally within the cavity. The at least one pin extends through the two obround slots. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A load relief tie rod comprising: a body having a cavity extending longitudinally through a cylindrical section of the body and two obround slots in the cylindrical section; a rod configured to extend longitudinally within the cavity; at least one pin extending from and perpendicular to the rod, wherein the at least one pin extends through the two obround slots; and at least one energy absorbing component positioned within the cavity, wherein the at least one energy absorbing component provides tension relief. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The load relief tie rod of claim 1, wherein the at least one energy absorbing component comprises at least one portion of energy absorbing gel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The load relief tie rod of claim 1, wherein the at least one energy absorbing component comprises at least one spring. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The load relief tie rod of claim 1, wherein the at least one energy absorbing component comprises a first energy absorbing component and a second energy absorbing component where the first energy absorbing component provides compression relief and the second energy absorbing component provides the tension relief. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The load relief tie rod of claim 1, wherein the load relief tie rod is connected to a platform, and wherein the two obround slots fully engage with the at least one pin during an ultimate load of the platform. ### Claim 6 A load relief tie rod comprising: a body having a first end, a second end, a cylindrical section, a cavity extending longitudinally through the cylindrical section from the first end towards the second end, and two obround slots in the cylindrical section; an end cap associated with the first end of the body; a rod extending through the end cap and configured to extend longitudinally within the cavity; at least one pin extending from and perpendicular to the rod, wherein the at least one pin extends through the two obround slots; an energy absorbing component positioned within the cavity between the at least one pin and the second end of the body; and a second energy absorbing component positioned within the cavity between the at least one pin and the end cap, wherein the second energy absorbing component provides tension relief. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The load relief tie rod of claim 6 further comprising: a mount connected to the rod; and a second mount connected to the second end of the cylindrical section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The load relief tie rod of claim 6, wherein the end cap is connected to the body using a threaded connection. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The load relief tie rod of claim 6, wherein the energy absorbing component provides compression relief. ### Claim 10 A method of providing load relief, the method comprising: removing a conventional tie rod from a first position of an assembly; and connecting a load relief tie rod into the first position of the assembly, wherein the load relief tie rod comprises a body having a cavity extending longitudinally through a cylindrical section of the body and two obround slots in the cylindrical section; a rod configured to extend longitudinally within the cavity; at least one pin extending from and perpendicular to the rod, wherein the at least one pin extends through the two obround slots; and at least one energy absorbing component positioned within the cavity, wherein the at least one energy absorbing component provides tension relief. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the assembly is an aircraft and further comprising: operating the aircraft. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one energy absorbing component comprises a first energy absorbing component and a second energy absorbing component where the first energy absorbing component provides compression relief and the second energy absorbing component provides the tension relief.