US 2021/0261231 A1 · ASSEMBLY TOOL FOR FUSELAGE STRUCTURE SPLICE

Abstract

An apparatus for mounting a splice component for joining two or more workpieces includes a base plate and one or more bias assemblies. The base plate includes one or more passageways extending through the base plate and one or more barrier elements mounted proximate to the passageway(s). Each barrier element and associated passageway are configured to freely receive a protrusion of a splice component. The bias assembly includes a bias element that extends proximate to the passageway and is configured to move resiliently to urge the protrusion against the barrier element. The passageway, the barrier element, and the bias assembly are configured to allow movement of the splice component relative to the base plate transverse to a direction of force applied by the bias element on the protrusion.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for mounting at least a first splice component for joining two workpieces comprising:

a base plate having opposite first and second major faces, a first passageway extending through the base plate, and a first barrier element mounted proximate to the first passageway, wherein the first passageway and the first barrier element are configured to freely receive a first protrusion of the first splice component;
and
a first bias assembly mounted relative to the base plate, wherein the first bias assembly includes a first bias element that extends proximate to the first passageway and is configured to move resiliently in a first direction extending along the first major face to urge the first protrusion against the first barrier element;
wherein the first passageway, the first barrier element, and the first bias assembly are configured to allow movement of the first splice component relative to the base plate transverse to the first direction.

1 more element

An apparatus for mounting at least a first fitting of a splice of a fuselage structure, where the fuselage structure comprises:

a first panel;
a strap mounted on the first panel and extending along a first edge of the first panel;
a first stringer mounted on the first panel and extending away from the first edge of the first panel;
and
a first fitting having a first protrusion, the apparatus comprising:
a base plate having opposite first and second base-plate major faces, a first passageway extending through the base plate, and a first barrier element mounted proximate to the first passageway, wherein the first passageway and first barrier element are configured to freely receive a first protrusion of the first fitting;
and
a first bias assembly mounted relative to the base plate, wherein the first bias assembly includes a first bias element that extends proximate to the first passageway, configured to move resiliently in a first direction extending along the base-plate first major face to urge the first protrusion against the first barrier element;
wherein the first passageway, the first barrier element, and the first bias assembly are configured to allow movement of the first fitting relative to the base plate transverse to the first direction.

6 more elements

A method for installing at least a first splice component for splicing at least first and second workpieces together, comprising:

supporting the first splice component on an installation tool having a base plate with opposite first and second major faces by:
positioning a first protrusion of the first splice component in a first passageway extending through the base plate and between a first bias element of a first biasing assembly mounted relative to the base plate and a first barrier element mounted to the base plate proximate to the first passageway, and
urging the first protrusion against the first barrier element by resiliently urging the first bias element against the first protrusion in a first direction extending along the first major face;
positioning the installation tool while supporting the first splice component with the first splice component proximate to the first and second workpieces;
and
attaching the first splice component to the first and second workpieces.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Assembly tool for fuselage structure splice

Life of this patent

Assembly tool for fuselage structure splice

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20