Cargo tie-down system
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorJames A. Fenner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A receptacle (10) is incorporated into the floor (2) of an aircraft cargo compartment. Receptacle (10) has a socket (12) that receives a head (30) of a stud (24). Shaft (26) of stud (24) extends through panel (6). Nut (70) is threadedly tightened onto shaft (26) to secure panel (6) thereto. Nut (70) has a socket (80) isolated from threaded hole (72) that engages shaft (26). Socket (80) is substantially identical to socket (12). A second stud (48) is engaged in socket (80) and in turn engages cargo restraining means.
Claims10
Apparatus for releasably securing two or more devices to a structure at a single location, said apparatus comprising the combination of:
- a receptacle mounted on the structure and having a first socket;
- a stud having a threaded shaft portion for engaging a first device, and a head portion dimensioned to be received into the socket with said shaft portion projecting from the socket;
- retaining means for releasably securing said head portion in the socket;
- a nut having a hole with threads for threadedly engaging said shaft portion to secure said first device thereto, and a second socket that is substantially the same as the first socket to enable it to receive substantially any stud that is receivable by the first socket;
- and
- a second stud having a head portion dimensioned to be received into the second socket, and means for engaging a second device.
In a system in which a receptacle having a first socket is mounted on a structure, a method of releasably securing two or more devices to the structure at the location of the socket, comprising:
- positioning a stud with a head portion thereof received into the socket and a threaded shaft portion thereof projecting out from the socket;
- releasably securing said head portion in the socket;
- placing a first device onto said shaft portion;
- providing a nut having a threaded hole and a second socket substantially the same as the first socket;
- threading said shaft portion into said hole to attach the nut to said shaft portion and to secure said first device in an attached position;
- securing a head portion of a second stud in the second socket;
- and
- securing a second device to said second stud.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.