The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 09, 1997
Filed:
Aug. 21, 1995
Nicholas T Castellucci, Lomita, CA (US);
Thomas J Ambrose, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Northrop Grumman Corporation, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
A gap filler device applicable to a gap formed between side walls of adjacent panels comprises an elongated horizontal portion extending across the gap and a vertical portion extending into the gap. The vertical portion includes a pair of opposed, spaced apart, planar bearing surface members biased into frictional engagement with the side walls of the gap to resist removal of the gap filler device. The vertical portion has descending legs extending from opposed sides of the horizontal portion to a bight. Ascending legs extend from the bight to terminal ends. Slots are formed in the vertical portion and extend upwardly from the bight at spaced locations along the length of the legs. In one embodiment, a plurality of outwardly projecting spike members are formed on the bearing surface members for engagement with the side walls of the gap. In another embodiment, the adjacent panels define a gap with opposed overhangs and the terminal ends of the ascending legs are engageable with the overhangs when the vertical portion is inserted into the gap thereby preventing removal of the gap filler device from the gap. In another embodiment, the head member is of ceramic material and has a longitudinally extending slot therein and an elongated retainer member is engageably receivable in the longitudinal slot and the retainer member is fixed to the horizontal portion to thereby prevent its removal. In another embodiment relating to aircraft usage, the head member has opposed longitudinally extending edges contoured to minimize detection by radar.