Contoured composite structure locking system
OwnerLeslie Lynchinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A contoured composite locking system incorporates an installation cup (10) mountable within a foam core structure of a foam composite surface and having means for engaging the foam core. A plug (12) is installed within the receiver cup, the plug incorporating an eyelet (18) for the shank of a restraint and a contoured cap (16) to preclude interference with or injury to a user.
Claims33
A contoured composite locking system comprising:
- an installation cup mountable within a core of a composite structure and having means for engaging the core;
- and a contoured plug incorporating a cylindrical body recessed diametrically inward from a circumference of a cap which incorporates a contoured upper surface for the plug received within a cylindrical walled cavity in the installation cup with adhesive boding between a cylindrical surface of the body and the cylindrical wall of the cavity, the plug incorporating an eyelet for a shank of a restraint.
A contoured composite locking system comprising:
- a contoured plug incorporating
- a flat bottom adapted for direct adhesive engagement to a composite surface;
- an eyelet through a structural arch embedded in the plug.
A method for installation of a contoured composite locking system in a composite surface with a core comprising the steps of:
- molding an installation cup with a central cylindrically walled cavity and external engaging means and having a height less than 30% of a depth of the core;
- molding a plug with a contoured cap having an eyelet and a cylindrical body received within and having a vertical dimension less than the central cylindrical cavity of the cup;
- shaping the core;
- drilling a bore in a selected portion of the core having a substantially cylindrical contour and diameter substantially equal to a base of the cup and a depth sufficient to position a flat rim of the cup at the composite surface upon surface finishing;
- inserting the cup into the bore;
- installing a temporary covering on the cup to avoid undesired ingress of resin into the cup;
- resin coating or other structural composite skinning of the core with resin matrix including the cylindrical contour or the bore and the engaging means;
- conducting surface finishing operations with a flat rim of the cup flush with the surface;
- inserting the plug into the cup using a structural adhesive to secure the plug to the cup;
A method for installation of a contoured composite locking system on a composite surface having a preexisting leash attachment comprising the steps of:
- providing a contoured cap having a flat bottom with at least one guide post depending therefrom
- applying adhesive to the flat bottom;
- and
- inserting the guide post into the leash cup to bring the flat bottom into engagement with the composite surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.