Apparatus and methods for assembling structures
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsBrent A. Beach, Chester James Hill, IV, Jesse Daniel Tihen, Gregg Joseph Zeisler, Jr.
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Abstract
Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods to assemble structures are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a plate with a datum feature and a bracket coupled to the plate. The bracket includes an indexing feature, the indexing feature positioned and oriented relative to the datum feature, the indexing feature to receive and orient a coupling member of an assembly, and a first coupling feature disposed on the indexing feature, the first coupling feature to align with a second coupling feature disposed on the coupling member of the assembly when the indexing feature receives the coupling member.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a plate including a datum feature, the datum feature separate from openings in the plate that decrease a weight of the plate, an orientation of the datum feature indicative of an orientation of the plate;
- and
- a bracket coupled to a portion of the plate different than a portion of the plate that includes the datum feature, the bracket including:
- an indexing feature, the indexing feature positioned and oriented relative to the datum feature, the indexing feature to receive a coupling member of an assembly;
- and
- a first coupling feature disposed on the indexing feature, the first coupling feature to align with a second coupling feature disposed on the coupling member of the assembly when the indexing feature receives the coupling member.
An apparatus comprising:
- a plate including a datum feature, the datum feature separate from openings in the plate, the openings to decrease a weight of the plate;
- a bracket coupled to a portion of the plate different than a portion of the plate that includes the datum feature, the bracket including:
- a flange to receive a coupling member of an assembly;
- and
- a first joining feature on the flange, the first joining feature to align with a second joining feature of the coupling member of the assembly when the flange receives the coupling member.
A method comprising:
- locating a datum feature on a plate, the datum feature separate from openings in the plate, the openings to decrease a weight of the plate, an orientation of the datum feature indicative of an orientation of the plate;
- coupling a bracket to a portion of the plate different than a portion of the plate that includes the datum feature, the bracket including a flange and a first coupling feature on the flange;
- receiving, at the flange, a coupling member of an assembly;
- and
- aligning the first coupling feature on the flange with a second coupling feature of the coupling member when the flange receives the coupling member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.