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US 9,284,972 B1Granted
Panel-insert assembly and method
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsBrad J. Reeves, James S. Bradley, Michael S. Lewis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A panel-insert assembly including a panel and an insert, wherein the panel includes a core and a face sheet positioned over the core, wherein the face sheet defines an opening therein, and wherein the insert is positioned below the face sheet and includes a thread member engaged with the panel, the thread member extending in a first circumferential direction about the vertical axis.
Claims14
A method for connecting an insert to a panel, said panel comprising a core and a face sheet, said method comprising:
- forming an opening in said face sheet, wherein said opening comprises a maximum dimension;
- positioning said insert over said opening, wherein said insert comprises a substantially disk-shaped body comprising an outer periphery and an engagement surface, said engagement surface having a major dimension at least partially bound by said outer periphery, and wherein said major dimension of said engagement surface is greater than said maximum dimension of said opening;
- rotating said insert relative to said opening to urge said insert through said opening and below said face sheet;
- and
- flushly abutting said engagement surface to an inner surface of said face sheet.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.