Panel-insert assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9803668-B2
Application number	US-201615065964-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 10, 2016
Priority date	Nov 17, 2014
Publication date	Oct 31, 2017
Grant date	Oct 31, 2017

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A panel-insert assembly comprising:
a panel comprising:
a core; and
a face sheet positioned over said core,
wherein said face sheet defines an opening therein; and

an insert positioned below said face sheet, said insert defining a vertical axis and comprising a partial helix configured to engage with said panel by a rotation in a first circumferential direction that urges the partial helix along the vertical axis and into the panel.

2. The panel-insert assembly of claim 1 wherein said insert defines a bore.

3. The panel-insert assembly of claim 2 wherein said bore is aligned with said opening.

4. The panel-insert assembly of claim 2 wherein said bore is threaded.

5. The panel-insert assembly of claim 1 wherein said insert is substantially disc-shaped.

6. The panel-insert assembly of claim 1 wherein said insert comprises an outer periphery, and wherein said thread member is defined by a channel that extends inward from said outer periphery.

7. The panel-insert assembly of claim 1 wherein said insert comprises an engagement surface, and wherein said partial helix protrudes downward below said engagement surface.

8. The panel-insert assembly of claim 1 wherein said panel is a sandwich panel and further comprises a second face sheet, wherein said core is positioned between said face sheet and said second face sheet.

9. The panel-insert assembly of claim 1 wherein said opening is elongated.

10. An insert comprising:
a body defining a vertical axis and having an engagement surface, an underside surface axially opposed from said engagement surface, and an outer periphery, said body defining:
a bore aligned with said vertical axis;
a partial helix extending in a first circumferential direction about said vertical axis, wherein said partial helix protrudes downward below said engagement surface and is configured to engage a panel by a rotation that urges the partial helix into the panel;

wherein the panel has a core and a face sheet positioned over the core and the insert is positioned below the face sheet.

11. The insert of claim 10 wherein said bore is threaded.

12. The insert of claim 10 wherein said body is substantially disc-shaped.

13. The insert of claim 10 wherein said partial helix is defined by a channel that extends inwardly from said outer periphery.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Reeves Brad J
• Bradley James S
• Lewis Michael S

Classifications

• F16B5/02 Primary

  by means of fastening members using screw-thread ({F16B5/0004 takes precedence}; construction of screw-threaded connections F16B25/00 - F16B39/00) · CPC title

• F16B37/122

  Threaded inserts, e.g. "rampa bolts" · CPC title

• F16B5/01 Primary

  by means of fastening elements specially adapted for honeycomb panels · CPC title

• F16B5/0208

  using panel fasteners, i.e. permanent attachments allowing for quick assembly · CPC title

• F16B37/042

  locking by rotation · CPC title