Abstract:
Fittings configured primarily, although not necessarily exclusively, for connection to aircraft seat tracks are detailed. The fittings may engage multiple openings of a seat track concurrently. No rotation of a fitting need occur when connecting it to a track. Instead, if desired the fitting need move only linearly.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/028,645 filed on Feb. 14, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to components of vehicles such as aircraft and more particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to fittings connecting seats or other furniture with floor-mounted tracks. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Seat tracks of various sorts exist in many commercial passenger aircraft. Such tracks typically are mounted to (or in) floors of the cabins of the aircraft and contain multiple spaced holes in their upper surfaces. Passenger seats and additional cabin, cockpit, or cargo components may be attached to the tracks using fasteners or other fittings. 
         [0004]    U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0001050 of Morel, et al., illustrates an exemplary seat track intended, principally, for use on-board a commercial aircraft. Included as part of the seat track are a base plate and a crown. Spaced openings within the crown are configured to receive fittings via which objects may be connected to the track, with the fittings usually being removable to permit reconfiguration of the objects as desired. 
         [0005]    U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0215769 of Nebeker, et al., details both another exemplary seat track and a fitting adapted for connection thereto. Designated a “retaining component” (or a “retaining member”) in the Nebeker publication, the fitting contains a base portion from which flanges extend. Located on the base portion as well are a flexible portion including a locking tab and multiple “hook-shaped engaging tabs” alignable with holes in the seat track. As described in the Nebeker publication:
       [W]hen the retaining member is to be secured to a seat track, the retaining member is aligned such that the hook-shaped engaging tabs are positioned over holes in a flange of the seat track. The retaining member is then lowered onto the flange such that the engaging tabs pass through the holes. A small amount of pressure . . . is required at this point to force the retaining member down against the flange such that the engaging tabs are fully extended through the holes. As pressure is applied . . . , the locking tab, which is slightly laterally displaced from its associated hole . . . , forces the flexible portion to flex upward slightly into [a] channel of the [retaining member] as the retaining member is held against the flange.       
 
       See Nebeker, p. 2, col. 2, ¶0023.  
       [0007]    Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,829 to Bentley is a fitting designed to attach a leg member of a seat to a seat track. The fitting connects the seat to the track in a satisfactory manner while allowing some movement of the leg member. In particular, a “bolting member and bolt-receiving channel interact to allow the bolting member to rock, pivot and/or rotate in the channel.” See Bentley, col. 1, 1. 67 through col. 2, 1. 1. The contents of the Morel and Nebeker publications and of the Bentley patent are incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention details alternate fittings to those illustrated in the Nebeker publication and Bentley patent. The fittings are intended principally for use with seat tracks of the Boeing 787 aircraft, for which only the upper surfaces of the tracks will be accessible. They nevertheless may be used as appropriate with other seat tracks or similar apparatus on-board vehicles or elsewhere. 
         [0009]    In some versions of the invention, a fitting includes a first (nominally vertical) member with a (nominally downwardly) protruding hook-shaped end. These embodiments also comprise a flange adjacent the first member and also protruding nominally downwardly from a main body. In use, the first member, together with the adjacent flange, may be used to lock the fitting to a seat track. An optional, nominally downwardly protruding second member also may be provided when desired to ensure correct orientation of the fitting relative to the track. 
         [0010]    To connect these fittings to a seat track, the first member may be aligned with a first opening of the track and then inserted into the first opening so that (1) the hook-shaped end is below the upper surface of the track and (2) the flange abuts (or is adjacent) the upper surface of the track. The fitting may then be translated linearly so that the flange is completely aligned with the first opening, after which the flange too may be inserted into the first opening. Thereafter, the first member may be translated nominally upward, so that the hook-shaped end contacts the underside of the upper surface of the seat track. Locking the first member in place at this time effectively clamps the fitting about the upper surface of the seat track, attaching the two together. Anything connected to the fitting, therefore, may be connected to the seat track via the attached fitting. 
         [0011]    It thus is an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide components for connecting objects to tracks. 
         [0012]    It is another optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide fittings designed for use with seat tracks in aircraft or other vehicles. 
         [0013]    It is a further optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide fittings with two members projecting from a main body, at least one of the members having a hook-shaped end. 
         [0014]    It is also an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide fittings engaging multiple openings of a seat track concurrently. 
         [0015]    It is, moreover, an optional, non-exclusive object of the present invention to provide fittings adapted to be translated linearly (and not rotated) in position in order to engage a seat track. 
         [0016]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the appropriate field with reference to the remaining text and the drawings of this application. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an exemplary fitting of the present invention together with a seat track designed for use, at least initially, in a Boeing 787 aircraft. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 2-7  are cross-sectional views of the fitting and part of the track depicted in  FIG. 1 , with many of the views illustrating events occurring to attach the fitting to the track. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]    Shown in  FIGS. 1-6  is fitting  10  of the present invention. Also disclosed in the figures is seat track T designed, at least initially, for use on-board the Boeing 787 aircraft. Track T is constructed somewhat as an I-beam, with vertical, spaced sides  14  and  18  from which lower flanges  22  and  26  protrude, respectively. Integrally formed with or otherwise connected to sides  14  and  18  is upper surface  30  having underside  34 . Formed (preferably) along the longitudinal centerline CL of upper surface  30  are multiple spaced openings  38 . In use, openings  38  receive portions of fitting  10  so that fitting  10  may be both firmly attached to track T but also removable therefrom. Fitting  10 , in turn, may be firmly connected to a passenger or crew seat (or other object) and, if appropriate or desired, likewise removable therefrom. 
         [0020]    Fitting  10  may comprise at least body  42 , first member  46 , and (optional) second member  50 . First member  46  extends (nominally) vertically through body  42  and defines respective upper and lower ends  54  and  58 . In use, upper end  54  advantageously extends above upper portion  60  of body  42  to facilitate engagement with locking nut  61  (and, if desired, washer  61 A) as shown in  FIG. 7 . Lower end  58 , by contrast, extends below lower portion  66  of body  42 . Lower end  58 , further, advantageously has a hook shape and is of a size so that it may pass through an opening  38 . Body  42  also may comprise flange  90  adjacent first member  46 . Size of the combination of flange  90  and central section  74  of first member  46  is similar to the size of an opening  38 . 
         [0021]    Although first member  46  is adapted for movement relative to body  42 , second member  50  preferably is not. Instead, second member  50  beneficially is integrally formed with or connected to lower portion  66  so as to extend downward from body  42 . Like first member  46 , second member  50  is sized to that it may enter and be received by an opening  38 . Preferably, however, second member  50  has circular cross-section of diameter approximately the same as that of an opening  38 , so that second member  50  essentially fills the diameter of an opening  38  when inserted therein. As noted above, second member  50  need not necessarily be present, however. 
         [0022]    Leading edge  70  of central section  74  of first member  46  is spaced from trailing edge  78  of second member  50  a distance D. Distance D likewise defines the approximate spacing between two adjacent openings  38  (designated  38 A and  38 B) in  FIGS. 2-6 . Fitting  10  thus is configured so that it may engage two openings  38  concurrently. Although openings  38 A and  38 B are depicted as adjacent, those skilled in the art will understand that fitting  10  may be redesigned to engage two (or more) non-adjacent openings  38  instead. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 2-6  illustrate movement of fitting  10  as it is attached to seat track T. Initially, first member  46  may be aligned with opening  38 A (see  FIG. 2 ). Fitting  10  may then be lowered (i.e. moved linearly in the direction indicated by arrow A) so that lower end  58  of first member  46  passes through opening  38 A. Such lowering may occur until lower edges  82  and  86  of, respectively, second member  50  (if present) and flange  90  contact upper surface  30  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , fitting  10  may then be moved (translated) linearly in the direction indicated by arrow B until leading edge  70  contacts (or is adjacent) boundary  94  (denoted in  FIG. 2 ) defining opening  38 A. At this point flange  90  is aligned with opening  38 A and its lower edge  86 , as well as lower edge  82 , no longer contact upper surface  30 . Fitting  10  thus may be lowered (i.e. moved in the direction of arrow A) further so that opening  38 A receives flange  90  and opening  38 B receives second member  50  (see  FIG. 5 ). Because flange  90  preferably is semi-circular, its width is such that, when added to the diameter of central section  74  of first member  46 , the total is essentially equal to the diameter of opening  38 A. Thus further lowering of fitting  10  may occur until lower edge  98  of body  42  contacts upper surface  30 . 
         [0025]    Final assembly of fitting  10  and track T is depicted in  FIG. 6 . After first member  46  and second member  50  (if present) are received by openings  38 A and  38 B, first member  46  may be moved upward (in the direction of arrow C) until hook  102  contacts underside  34  of upper surface  30 . Such movement of first member  46  relative to body  42  may be instituted in any appropriate way. Preferably, though, locking nut  61  and washer  61 A are placed about upper end  54  and mounted atop upper portion  60  of body  42 . First member  42  may, for example, be threaded such that rotation of nut  61  (as through use of a box wrench) causes the upward movement. Those skilled in the art will, of course, recognize that pin and slot mechanisms or other devices may be used instead. 
         [0026]    As a consequence of the final assembly shown in  FIG. 6 , upper surface  30  is clamped between hook  102  and lower edge  98 , thus precluding relative vertical movement between fitting  10  and seat track T. The combination of first member  46  and flange  90  fills opening  38 A, and second member  50  (if present) fills opening  38 B, further, precluding relative horizontal movement between fitting  10  and track T. Hence, any object fixedly connected to fitting  10  may, via the fitting  10 , be fixed to track T. 
         [0027]    In at least some versions of the invention, an ottoman will connect to upper end  54  of first member  46  of fitting  10  for fixing to track T.  FIGS. 1-7  illustrate spacer  62 , which may be placed (i) over nut  61 , (ii) about upper end  54 , and (iii) atop upper portion  60  of body  42 . Spacer  62  itself provides a mounting surface  106  located above nut  61 . In use, a leg, monument, or other portion of the ottoman (or other to-be-attached object) may be positioned on mounting surface  106  and clamped between the surface  106  and second nut assembly  110  (comprising, e.g., nut  114  and washer  118  as shown in  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0028]    The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Directional terms (such as “upper,” “lower,” “upward,” “downward,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” etc.) referenced herein are used in a relative, rather than absolute, sense. Thus, as an example, if track T is reoriented opposite the manner depicted in  FIG. 1 , “lower” flanges  22  and  26  may be above “upper” surface  30 . 
         [0029]    Additionally, optional second member  50 , for example, when present need not necessarily be configured as shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . Instead, it could comprise another hooked rod or member designed further to clamp upper surface  30  between the hook and lower edge  98 . Reconfiguring second member  50  in this manner might increase total loading sustainable by fitting  10  if necessary or desirable to do so.