Apparatus and methods of attaching panels to support structures
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsPeter S. Guard, Karen L. Hills
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for attaching wall panels to support structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first member and a second member. The first member is coupled to the support structure and has a first elongated coupling member. The second member has a head portion and a base portion. The head portion has at least one slot disposed therein that is adapted to receive an edge portion of the panel. The base portion includes a second elongated coupling member that is adapted to be coupled to the first elongated coupling member.
Claims29
An apparatus for attaching a panel to an adjoining structure, the apparatus comprising:
- a first member having a first elongated coupling member, the first member being adapted to be coupled to the adjoining structure;
- and
- a second member having a head portion and a base portion, the head portion having at least one slot disposed therein, the slot having a slot opening that is adapted to receive an edge portion of the panel, the base portion having a second elongated coupling member adapted to be coupled to the first elongated coupling member, wherein the first elongated coupling member comprises an elongated channel having an elongated channel opening along the longitudinal axis of the first elongated coupling member, and the second elongated coupling member includes an elongated projection adapted to be engaged into the channel opening, the channel opening being non-parallel with the slot opening,
- wherein the elongated channel is defined by a pair of side surfaces, and a bottom surface extending between the side surfaces and positioned opposite from the channel opening, the side surfaces and bottom surface defining a cross-sectional shape having a narrowed portion that is spaced apart from the bottom surface.
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-12. (canceled)
An assembly for attaching a panel to a structure, the assembly comprising:
- a panel having a first edge portion;
- a support member having an elongated channel disposed therein, the elongated channel having a channel opening along the longitudinal axis of the first elongated coupling member;
- and
- a mounting member having a head portion and a base portion, the head portion having at least one slot disposed therein, the slot having a slot opening, the first edge portion of the panel being disposed through the slot opening and into the slot, the base portion being engaged through the channel opening and into the elongated channel, the channel opening being non-parallel with the slot opening,
- wherein the elongated channel is defined by a pair of side surfaces, and a bottom surface extending between the side surfaces and positioned opposite from the channel opening, the side surfaces and bottom surface defining a cross-sectional shape having a narrowed portion that is spaced apart from the bottom surface.
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An aircraft comprising:
- a support structure;
- and
- a wall assembly operatively coupled to the support structure, the wall assembly including:
- a panel having a first edge portion;
- a first member having a first elongated coupling member, the first member being coupled to the support structure;
- and
- a second member having a head portion and a base portion, the head portion having at least one slot disposed therein, the slot having a slot opening, the first edge portion of the panel being disposed through the slot opening and into the slot, the base portion having a second elongated coupling member adapted to be coupled to the first elongated coupling member, wherein at least one of the first and second elongated coupling members comprises an elongated channel having an elongated channel opening, and the other of the first and second elongated coupling members includes an elongated projection adapted to be engaged into the channel opening, the channel opening being non-parallel with the slot opening.
30-37. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.