US 7,059,565 B2 · Aircraft frame hole patterns and brackets, and associated methods

Abstract

Aircraft frames having multiple bracket mounting holes, corresponding brackets, and associated methods are disclosed. An aircraft frame member in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes multiple sets of mounting holes, each set having one or more mounting holes. Brackets in accordance with an embodiment of the invention can be attached to either of at least two of the sets of mounting holes, for example, using snap fit attachment devices or other attachment devices. Each bracket can support one or more components (e.g., insulation, wiring, ECS ducting) relative to the aircraft frame member. The bracket can also span between two or more aircraft frame members. Each bracket can be installed in any of a variety of positions without the use of tools and can support any of a variety of devices. Accordingly, the time and cost associated with manufacturing, inventorying, installing and repositioning the brackets and the devices they support can be reduced.

Claims57

Dependent claims

An aircraft structural arrangement, comprising:

at least one aircraft frame member having a plurality of mounting holes arranged in a plurality of mounting hole sets, each mounting hole set having at least one mounting hole;
and
a bracket having at least one attachment element configured to be received in the at least one mounting hole of either of at least two of the mounting hole sets to secure the bracket to the at least one frame member without the use of tools, the bracket being secured to the at least one frame member with the at least one attachment element received in the at least one mounting hole while at least some of the mounting hole sets are unoccupied by another bracket.

A bracket for supporting structures, comprising:

a first bracket member having a first surface and a second surface facing in a direction opposite the first surface, the first bracket member further having an aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface, and at least one first attachment member extending away from the first surface proximate to the aperture, the at least one first attachment member having an engagement portion;
a second bracket member generally identical to the first bracket member, the second bracket member having a first surface and a second surface facing in a direction opposite the first surface, the second bracket member further having an aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface, and at least one second attachment member extending away from the first surface proximate to the aperture, the at least one second attachment member having an engagement portion;
wherein the aperture of the first bracket member is sized to removably receive the at least one second attachment member with the engagement portion of the at least one second attachment member engaged with the second surface of the first bracket member;
and
wherein the aperture of the second bracket member is sized to removably receive the at least one first attachment member with the engagement portion of the at least one first attachment member engaged with the second surface of the second bracket member.

2 more elements

A method for manufacturing an aircraft, comprising:

coupling a plurality of aircraft frame members to each other, with at least one aircraft frame member having a plurality of mounting holes arranged in a plurality of mounting hole sets, and with each mounting hole set having at least one mounting hole;
inserting at least one attachment element of a bracket into the at least one mounting hole of at least one of the mounting hole sets to secure the bracket to the at least one frame member without the use of tools, the at least one attachment element being configured to be received by at least one mounting hole of any of multiple mounting hole sets, wherein at least another of the mounting hole sets is unoccupied by another bracket;
and
attaching an aircraft component to the bracket.

1 more element

A method for supporting aircraft structures, comprising:

positioning a first bracket member proximate to a first face of a frame member, the first bracket member having a first surface and a second surface facing opposite the first surface, the first bracket member further having an aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface, and at least one first attachment member extending away from the first surface proximate to the aperture, the at least one first attachment member having an engagement portion;
positioning a second bracket member proximate to a second face of the frame member facing generally opposite the first face of the frame member, the second bracket member being generally identical to the first bracket member, the second bracket member having a first surface and a second surface facing opposite the first surface, the second bracket member further having an aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface, and at least one second attachment member extending away from the first surface proximate to the aperture, the at least one second attachment member having an engagement portion;
inserting the at least one first attachment member of the first bracket member through a hole in the frame member and through the aperture of the second bracket member;
engaging the engagement portion of the at least one first attachment member with the second surface of the second bracket member;
inserting the at least one second attachment member of the second bracket member through the hole in the frame member and through the aperture of the first bracket member;
and
engaging the engagement portion of the at least one second attachment member with the second surface of the first bracket member.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Aircraft frame hole patterns and brackets, and associated methods

Life of this patent

Aircraft frame hole patterns and brackets, and associated methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims57