Modular replaceable slip joint intercostal

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9815544-B2
Application number	US-201414289466-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 28, 2014
Priority date	May 28, 2014
Publication date	Nov 14, 2017
Grant date	Nov 14, 2017

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus for a modular replaceable slip joint intercostal are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, an intercostal apparatus for a vehicle comprises a body, where the body is greater in length than in width. In at least one embodiment, the intercostal apparatus further comprises at least one slip joint opening located proximate an end of the body to slidably receive a bushing and a fastener, where the bushing rigidly attaches to a top surface of a seat track by the fastener.

First claim

We claim:

1. An aircraft intercostal apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
a body, wherein the body is greater in length than in width; and
at least one slip joint opening located proximate a first end of the body to slidably receive a bushing and a first fastener, wherein the bushing rigidly attaches to a top surface of a first seat track by the first fastener.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is installed in an over-wing area of the aircraft.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the bushing is coated with a material to reduce friction.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of an interior surface of the at least one slip joint is coated with a material to reduce friction.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the aircraft intercostal apparatus further comprises at least one static opening located proximate a second end of the body, which is opposite the first end of the body, to receive a second fastener to rigidly attach the apparatus to a top surface of a second seat track, which is substantially parallel to the first seat track.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the body comprises at least one flange having a top surface and a bottom surface, the at least one flange extending substantially horizontally from a longitudinal side of the body such that a top surface of the at least one flange is substantially coplanar with the top surface of the first seat track and the top surface of the second seat track, and the at least one flange comprises at least one opening to receive a floor panel connector.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one monument interface on a top surface of the body of the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the at least one monument interface is used to mount at least one of furniture, a class divider wall, a galley, and equipment.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the at least one monument interface is a crown-type seat track mounting.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the body is multi-planar, such that a top surface of a center section of the body, located between the first end of the body and a second end of the body, is lower than a top surface of the first end of the body and a top surface of the second end of the body, which are substantially co-planar, and
wherein the second end of the body is opposite the first end of the body.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the center section of the body is a single part, the first end of the body is a single part, and the second end of the body is a single part; and
wherein the center section, the first end, and the second end are mechanically fastened together to form the apparatus.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the bushing is substantially cylindrical in shape.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein a top edge of the bushing comprises a flange.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein an underside of the flange of the bushing is in contact with an inner ledge of the at least one slip joint, when the at least one slip joint receives the bushing.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the underside of the flange of the bushing is coated with a material to reduce friction.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the inner ledge of the at least one slip joint is coated with a material to reduce friction.

17. A method for installing an aircraft intercostal, the method comprising:
providing, for at least one slip joint opening located proximate a first end of a body of the intercostal, a bushing and a first fastener,
wherein an underside of a flange of the bushing is in contact with an inner ledge of the at least one slip joint opening; and
rigidly attaching, by the first fastener, the bushing to a top surface of a first seat track.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the method further comprises:
providing, for at least one static opening located proximate a second end of the body, a second fastener,
wherein the first end of the body is opposite the second end of the body; and rigidly attaching, by the second fastener, the intercostal to a top surface of a second seat track, which is substantially parallel to the first seat track.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the method further comprises:
providing, for at least one opening of at least one flange extending substantially horizontally from a longitudinal side of the body such that a top surface of the at least one flange is substantially coplanar with the top surface of the first seat track and the top surface of the second seat track, a floor panel connector; and
rigidly attaching, with the floor panel connector, the intercostal to a bottom surface of a floor panel.

20. An aircraft system for an intercostal, the system comprising:
at least one first fastener;
at least one bushing; and
the intercostal comprising:
a body, wherein the body is greater in length than in width, and
at least one slip joint opening located proximate an end of the body to slidably receive the at least one bushing and the at least one first fastener, wherein the at least one bushing rigidly attaches to a top surface of a seat track by the at least one first fastener.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Liu Chunlei
• Siegmeth Jeff S
• Baker Joshua P
• Borjeson William N
• Constantinescu Marius

Classifications

• B64C1/18 Primary

  Floors · CPC title