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US 9,067,545 B2Granted
Spring clip for use in a bracket assembly
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJamshid Pouresfandiary Cham, Nguyen T. Du, Donald G. Ingram, Ashley LaGwyn House, Paul D. Schneider, Sean Richard Hesslewood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods provide a spring clip for use in a bracket assembly, such as a bracket assembly used to secure a ceiling panel to an aircraft or other vehicle or structure. According to embodiments described herein, a spring clip may include a spring portion according to a configuration of a space formed between a gonzo and a hinge.
Claims14
A spring clip, comprising:
- a v-shaped spring portion configured according to a configuration of a space formed between a curved lip of a gonzo and a clevis of a hinge;
- a first extension outwardly extending from a first end of the v-shaped portion and configured according to a portion of a flange of the gonzo, the first extension comprising a first extension hole corresponding to a first flange hole on the flange, the first extension hole and the first flange hole adapted to receive a first bolt for fastening the first extension to the flange and an object;
- and
- a second extension outwardly extending from a second end of the v-shaped portion and configured according to another portion of the flange of the gonzo, the second extension comprising a second extension hole corresponding to a second flange hole on the flange, the second extension hole and the second flange hole adapted to receive a second bolt for fastening the second extension to the flange and the object.
1 more element
A ceiling panel bracket assembly, comprising:
- a first bracket portion adapted to be fastened to a ceiling panel, the first bracket portion comprising a first flange and a second flange, an upper protrusion arranged between the first flange and the second flange, a lower protrusion arranged between the first flange and the second flange, and a curved lip arranged on the first flange or the second flange, wherein a first end of the upper protrusion and the lower protrusion form a closed end;
- and wherein a second end of the upper protrusion and the lower protrusion form an opening;
- a spring clip fastened to the first flange of the first bracket portion;
- and
- a second bracket portion latched to the first bracket portion, wherein the spring clip is positioned to prevent direct contact between the first flange of the first bracket portion and the second bracket portion.
2 more elements
A method for forming a ceiling panel bracket assembly, comprising:
- configuring a spring clip according to a configuration of a space formed between a gonzo and a hinge of the ceiling panel bracket assembly, the gonzo comprising a first flange and a second flange, an upper protrusion arranged between the first flange and the second flange, a lower protrusion arranged between the first flange and the second flange, and a curved lip arranged on the first flange or the second flange, wherein a first end of the upper protrusion and the lower protrusion form a closed end, and wherein a second end of the upper protrusion and the lower protrusion form an opening;
- receiving the gonzo adapted to be fastened to a ceiling panel via one or more bolts;
- fastening the spring clip to the gonzo via the one or more bolts;
- and
- latching the hinge to the gonzo to form the ceiling panel bracket assembly.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.