The Boeing Company

Douglas W Hackett

Martin R Grether

Raymond R Reed

Walter Forrest Frantz

Gina C Pischke

Paul R Fortado

W Forrest Frantz

Todd Evan Jones

Kelly L Morgan

Apparatus for coupling a payload to a support track are disclosed. In one embodiment, a seat track configured for use with an interface assembly includes at least one elongated support. The seat track also includes an engagement member coupled to the elongated support and having a plurality of coupling apertures disposed therethrough. Each coupling aperture may be configured to receive at least one of a clamp arm and a fastener of the interface assembly and further configured to be engaged with the at least one of the clamp arm and the fastener in an unsecured position. The clamp arm may be extractable from the coupling aperture in a first position and may not be extractable from the coupling aperture in a second position.

Payload support track interface and fitting

Apparatus and methods for coupling a payload to a support track are disclosed. In one embodiment, an interface assembly includes a base, a support arm, and a lug member. The base has a pair of clamp arms projecting outwardly therefrom. Each clamp arm is adapted to be disposed through an associated coupling aperture disposed in the engagement member. The clamp arms are moveable relative to the engagement member between an unsecured position in which the clamp arms are extractable from the coupling apertures, and a secured position wherein the clamp arms are not extractable from the coupling apertures. The support arm is coupled to the base and to a component (e.g. a payload). The lug member that locks the assembly in the secured position is moveable between a first position wherein the clamp arms are positioned in the unsecured position, and a second position wherein the clamp arms are positioned in the secured position.

Payload to support track interface and fitting apparatus and methods

Apparatus and methods for coupling a payload to a support track are disclosed. In one embodiment, an interface assembly includes a base, a support arm, and a lug member. The base has a pair of clamp arms projecting outwardly therefrom. Each clamp arm is adapted to be disposed through an associated coupling aperture disposed in the engagement member. The clamp arms are moveable relative to the engagement member between an unsecured position in which the clamp arms are extractable from the coupling apertures, and a secured position wherein the clamp arms are not extractable from the coupling apertures. The support arm is coupled to the base and to a component (e.g. a payload). The lug member that locks the assembly in the secured position, is moveable between a first position wherein the clamp arms are positioned in the unsecured position, and a second position wherein the clamp arms are positioned in the secured position.

Apparatus and methods for situating and securing payloads to support structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, an assembly includes a support structure, a floor assembly, and a payload assembly. The floor assembly includes a plurality of elongated engagement members coupled to the support structure, the engagement members being spaced apart and mostly parallel, each engagement member including an engagement surface. The payload assembly includes a payload component positioned proximate the floor assembly, and at least one payload support coupled to the payload component and engaged with at least some of the engagement members, the payload support being adapted to beam loads from the payload component to the floor assembly and being moveable with the payload component relative to the floor assembly.

Adaptable payload enabling architecture

Processes for positioning, securing, and repositioning payload assemblies onto floor assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a support structure having a plurality of elongated engagement members, each engagement member including an engagement surface adapted to support a load; forming an adaptable payload assembly that includes a payload member and at least one payload support coupled to the payload member, the payload support being adapted to transmit loads from the payload member to at least one engagement member, the payload support being moveable with the payload member relative to the support structure; and removeably coupling the payload support to at least one of the engagement surfaces of the engagement members. In an alternate embodiment, the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of a panel supported by the support structure.

Growing community of inventors

Woodinville, WA, United States of America

Douglas W Hackett