Abstract:
A system for quickly attaching and detaching a coat rod or cargo restraint system to the interior surfaces of an aircraft to optimize the limited space aboard an aircraft.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/977,912 filed Apr. 10, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosed technology is directed to a system for expeditiously, yet securely, attaching and detaching a coat rod to the interior wall surfaces of an aircraft. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Space on aircraft is limited and must be utilized optimally in order to increase the cost effectiveness of the use of the aircraft. Cargo restraint nets and barrier nets are commonly used in the transport industry to form screens which restrict the movement of cargo in the cargo hold of an aircraft or even in the passenger cabin while in transit. 
         [0004]    The ability to quickly convert space in the cabin of an aircraft greatly facilitates the capacity and utilization of the aircraft. Because of the speeds at which aircraft operate it is critical that a system be utilized to restrain objects so that they do not become projectiles in the event of sudden elevation or speed changes that may come about due to any number of reasons. 
         [0005]    Previously coat rods and cargo nets utilized special hardware which protruded in to the interior space of the aircraft closet or cabin area. The bezels and mounting plates to install and interchange the coat rod and cargo net mounting hardware required time and effort to interchange. 
         [0006]    For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a system to quickly install and interchange a coat rod and cargo system based upon the specific needs of the passengers and flight crew of the aircraft. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    A first embodiment of the disclosed technology employs a bracket with a cross member imbedded in a wall panel in the aircraft cabin. The bracket face extends only nominally beyond the face of the panel and allows for a hook to be attached to the bracket cross member which will allow a rod with an integral hook to be hung on the bracket. This design importantly allows for easy attachment of a rod without any exposed bracket hardware which would be a danger to cabin occupants should they inadvertently impact the cabin wall. 
         [0008]    Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of an apparatus for fastening a rod suspended between two walls; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of an apparatus for fastening a mesh suspended between two walls; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a wall bracket with a transversely oriented member positioned within a wall; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  depicts an embodiment of a rod apparatus engaged with a wall bracket; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  depicts an embodiment of a webbed mesh engaged with a wall bracket; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  depicts an embodiment of the telescoping support rods with engagement members at each end; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  depicts an embodiment of the telescoping support rods with an end in engagement with a wall bracket; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  depicts an embodiment of an engagement element for supporting the rod member in position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a cutaway along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8  of the engagement member; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 9A  is an embodiment of the engagement member shown in  FIG. 9  for supporting the rod member in position as shown inserted into an end segment of the tube member with a hex wrench inserted through the tube member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 1  a first embodiment of the disclosed technology details a system  10  for detachably securing a spanning member  12  to a first and second structural wall  14 ,  16 . The spanning member  12  may be a rigid rod  12 ′ or the reinforced fabric edge  12 ″ of a cargo net  13  as seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , the system  10  includes wall brackets  18 ,  20  for mounting to the first and second structural walls  14 ,  16 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the wall brackets further comprise a transversely oriented member  22 . As seen in  FIG. 6 , the member  12 ′ for spanning the distance between the first and second structural walls  14 ,  16  includes a first and second end  24 ,  26 . 
         [0020]    Focusing now on the rigid rod  12 ′ of the disclosed technology the preferred embodiment can be seen in  FIG. 6 . The rod  12 ′ is preferably circular in cross section to accommodate standard configuration clothes hangers  30  as seen in  FIG. 1 . Alternative cross sectional configurations such as square, or rectangular, may also be accommodated with this design. The rigid rod  12 ′ is also preferably comprised of two separate tubular telescoping components  32 ,  34  which facilitates engagement with wall brackets  18 ,  20  that may be located at varying distances depending upon the aircraft or vehicle into which the spanning member  12  is utilized. As seen in  FIG. 6 , tube  32  has a nominally smaller diameter than tube  34  such that there is no interference between the two tubes when the smaller tube  32  is inserted into the larger tube  34 .  FIG. 6  further reveals the telescoping insertion type engagement between the two tubes  32 ,  34  at the ring of entry  36  of the smaller tube  32 . Importantly, the difference in the diameters between the two tubes  32 ,  34  must be nominal so that the tubes readily telescope and the full force of the load applied by the items hung on the rigid rod does not rest on leading edges of the tubes  32 ,  34 . In other words, if the tubes  32 ,  34  are properly sized, the weight resting atop the telescoping rod  12 ′ will be evenly distributed along the length of the tube and not concentrated at the leading edges of the tubes. Because light weight and durability are preferred characteristics of the tube design, the tubes are preferably fabricated from aluminum and are fabricated as thin walled tubes with a wall thickness of less than 0.050 inches. 
         [0021]    Extending outwardly from the first and second ends  24 ,  26  are engagement elements  40 ,  42 . In  FIG. 8 , the engagement elements include a center span  44  that extends between the insertion ring  46  and the locking element  48  and is of a lesser diameter than the insertion ring  46 . The engagement elements  40 ,  42  also include a longitudinal axis that runs along the center of rotation of the center span  44 . The diameter of the insertion ring  46  is nominally less than the diameter of the tube  32 ,  34  into which it is to be inserted. The outer diameter of the insertion ring  46  must not interfere with the interior wall diameter of the tube  32 ,  34  into which it is to be inserted but is preferably a slip fit. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 8 and 9  further detail that the insertion ring  46  includes a bore  50  extending through the center of rotation of the ring  46 . The first bore  50  on the circumference of the insertion ring  46  is unthreaded. 180 degrees opposite the first bore  50  is the threaded segment  52 . The smooth bore  50  is preferably of a diameter in the range of 0.15 to 0.20 inches for purposes of accommodating the insertion of a hex wrench, as shown in  FIG. 9A , through an opening  54  in each end of the tubes  32 ,  34  to facilitate rotation of a set screw  56  threaded into the threaded bore  52 . The set screw  56  may be a hex cap screw, for example a #10-32 cap screw according to the unified thread standard. As seen in  FIG. 9A , rotation of the set screw  56  by a hex wrench  57  allows the head  60  of the set screw  56  to enter into a bore  61  opposite the first opening  54  on the tube circumference, rigidly locking the engagement elements  40 ,  42  into position so that the engagement elements do not inadvertently dislodge from the ends  24 ,  26  of the tubes  32 ,  34 . 
         [0023]    As seen in  FIGS. 8-9 , opposite the insertion ring  46  is the locking element  48 . The locking element  48  includes a flange  64  that abuts the ends  24 ,  26  of the tubes  32 ,  34  when the insertion ring  46  portion of the locking element  48  is inserted into the tubes  32 ,  34 . The flange  64  facilitates a consistent and even engagement of the locking element  48  against the ends  24 ,  26  of the tubes. 
         [0024]      FIG. 9  also reveals the positioning of a spring plunger  68  with a ball nose  70 . The ball nose  70  of the spring plunger  68  is capable of being retracted, a nominal distance, when sufficient pressure is applied to the ball nose. During assembly, the spring plunger  68  is inserted into the oversized second smooth bore  74  located along the center of rotation of the center span  44 . The second smooth bore  74  leads into a threaded segment  78  configured for mating with the threads on the spring plunger  68 . An exemplary spring plunger  68  is manufactured by McMaster-Carr® and utilizes a ¼-28 UNF thread for insertion into the threaded segment  78 . The distal face  80  of the spring plunger  68  typically includes a screw driver slot (not shown) for rotationally advancing the spring plunger  68  to the desired position within the threaded segment  78 . The spring plunger  68  is advanced to create the distance “G”, which is preferably, slightly less than the diameter of the transversely oriented member  22 . 
         [0025]    As again seen in  FIG. 9 , the locking element  48  extends outwardly into a curved hook  88  configuration. In addition, a distance “D” exists that extends between the tip  89  of the ball nose  70  and the horizontally oriented interior surface  94  of the locking element  48 . When the transversely oriented member  22  of the wall bracket  18  is inserted into the area of the hook  88 , the ball nose  70  on the spring plunger  68  will retract allowing passage of the transversely oriented member  22  past the ball nose  70  and into the unobstructed space above the ball nose  70 . Once the full diameter of the transversely oriented member  22  passes the tip  89  of the ball nose, the ball nose  70  will seek to return to its fully extended position. Once the ball nose  70  returns to its fully extended position the locking element is secured to the transversely oriented member  22  and the prospect of inadvertent release from the wall bracket  18  is greatly reduced. To further enhance the capability of the engagement element  40 ,  42  in securing the attachment to the wall bracket  18 , a lower protruding jaw  98  extends outwardly from the locking element  48  and beneath the ball nose  70 . The protruding jaw  98  serves to prevent the locking element  48  from inadvertently disengaging causing the end of the rod  12 ′ to drop. 
         [0026]    In operation, the brackets  18  are installed into the wall such that the transversely mounted member  22  is horizontally disposed. Next, the user manually extends or shortens the tubes  32 ,  34  to the desired span by telescoping the two tubes to achieve the desired length. In order to secure the locking members  48  to the wall brackets  18 , the user will place the hook  88  on the backside of the member  22  and slide the member past the tip  89  of the ball nose  70  of the spring plunger  68 . As the member  22  slips past the tip  89  of the ball nose  70  the ball nose begins to rebound to its original position thereby securing the locking members  48  in position and preventing their inadvertent release. 
         [0027]    Once the first locking member is in position, the process outlined above is repeated to secure the second locking member  48  into position. Once in position, the telescoping rod is capable of supporting clothing on hangers and can be readily detached from the wall bracket  18  by reversing the procedure outlined immediately above. 
         [0028]    While the preferred form of the present invention has been shown and described above, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject invention is not limited by the figures and that the scope of the invention includes modifications, variations and equivalents which fall within the scope of the attached claims. Moreover, it should be understood that the individual components of the invention include equivalent embodiments without departing from the spirit of this invention. 
         [0029]    It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.