Patent Description:
Wiring runs are needed for particularly servicing passengers seated within a passenger cabin of an aircraft or to service different locations within a cabin of a cargo aircraft. The wires within the wiring runs, in some examples, need to be routed along the length of the cabin to individual seats or to various locations with respect to a cargo cabin so as to deliver various amenities to those locations. Such amenities can include, for example, power, data, in-flight entertainment, seat actuation, lighting and the like. Other amenities that can be similarly delivered to various locations with the cabin can be by way of a tube which can carry such items as pneumatic power or consumable fluids.

Currently wiring runs, as referred to herein, can include wires, cables and/or tubes as mentioned above, which are placed within a conduit. The conduit is installed to the floor of the aircraft within the cabin with use of an adhesive. The conduit is covered with aircraft floor material such as a carpet or a mat, which results in bumps and discontinuities positioned in the floor covering. In addition, the carpet or the mat requires additional seams to provide in the floor covering for wire breakout locations, where cables, wires and/or tubes exit the conduit, for servicing the particular location in the cabin. These wire runs, for various aircraft, result in numerous configurations that are difficult to manage from an engineering perspective and difficult to install.

Current installation of a wiring run on the floor involves installation of secondary shielding layers, with respect to a particular aircraft design, for protecting wiring runs from damage from contact sources such as passengers or freight. The secondary shielding adds weight to the aircraft and increases operational cost as well as installation cost. Installation on the floor is further prone to error and is not ergonomic for installers based on excessive time spent in awkward and kneeling positions.

Other current installations of wire runs utilize raceways which position the wire runs beneath the cabin floor of the aircraft and which introduce other installation problems such as being restricted to wing forward installation in some aircraft as a result of various space integration interferences. Moreover, in other current installations of wire runs positioned beneath the cabin floor of the aircraft, the wire runs are positioned in a raceway. The installation of the raceway requires use of a first clip member on one side of the raceway engaging a portion of a seat rail member and a second clip member positioned on an opposing side of the raceway which engages a floor panel, wherein the floor panel is not positioned in an overlying relationship to the raceway. This arrangement creates challenges in removing and reinstalling the floor panel with respect to the second clip which is experienced in maintenance operations. In addition, this assembly positions a large track cover panel in overlying relationship to the raceway, which is heavier than a floor panel and adds to cost of operation. This assembly also employs a strength rod which extends across the raceway and is positioned below the track cover panel providing complications in installation and removal of the strength rods as needed when accessing contents of the raceway.

There is a need to integrate underfloor raceway with an airplane structure to eliminate other system dependencies required for installation and provide for a design solution that can have wires, cables and/or tubes routed the full length of the cabin. At the same time, there is a need to reduce the cost of the installation and weight added to the aircraft with respect to above floor secondary shielding and with respect to positioning a track cover panel in overlying relationship to the raceway. In addition, there is a need to utilize unused space in the aircraft for the wire runs and improve the visual appearance within a cabin and avoid protrusions created in the floor covering with floor wire run installations positioned above the floor. Moreover, there is a need to position and secure a raceway below floor level, which supports and directs wire run components, and provide ease in efforts for securing a floor panel into position which at the same time provides securement to the raceway.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states a seat-to-seat wiring system for an aircraft includes a floor panel and a wiring trough attached to the floor panel. The wiring trough includes a housing defining a raceway for receiving a wire and a first support member coupled to the housing. The first support member is attached to the floor panel is for securing the housing to the floor panel. The housing and the wire are disposed below the floor panel.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states an arrangement for installing electric cables in the floor region of an aircraft includes longitudinal guide elements that form cable channels and essentially extend in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft parallel to seat rails that are arranged in the aircraft floor and serve for the mechanical attachment of seat legs. The longitudinal guide elements, which accommodate the data and supply cables to be installed, are not visible to aircraft passengers, but are still readily and easily accessible to the maintenance personnel. The floor plate features an elongate groove-shaped recess extending parallel to the seat rail in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft in the immediate vicinity of one of the two seat rails, wherein an elongate extruded profile is arranged in said recess. The extruded profile features an elongate drawer for transmitting shearing forces and an elongate cable shaft arranged above the drawer and serves for accommodating electric cables.

There is described herein an apparatus comprising: a raceway assembly; a seat rail; a clip assembly associated with the raceway assembly, which secures the raceway assembly to the seat rail; and a floor panel positioned in overlying relationship to the raceway assembly and the clip assembly. The clip assembly includes a clip member comprising a first arm and a second arm, which oppose each other, and the first and second arms are connected together at one end of the clip member. The clip member is positioned extending through a clip opening defined by and extends through a wall of the raceway assembly. With the clip member positioned extending through the clip opening, the first arm and the second arm extend in a direction away from the raceway assembly.

There is also described herein a method for installing a raceway assembly within an aircraft, comprising: engaging a clip assembly, associated with the raceway assembly, with a seat rail securing the raceway assembly to the seat rail; and positioning a floor panel in overlying relationship to the raceway assembly and the clip assembly. The clip assembly includes a clip member comprising a first arm and a second arm which oppose each other and which are connected together at one end of the clip member. The clip member is associated with the raceway assembly with positioning the clip member to extend through a clip opening, which is defined by and extends through a wall of the raceway assembly. With the clip member positioned extending through the clip opening, the first arm and the second arm extend away from the raceway assembly.

The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various examples or may be combined in yet other examples further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings, within the scope of the appended claims.

Routing wires, cables, and/or tubes or the like within a passenger or cargo cabin of an aircraft is needed for servicing passengers within a passenger cabin or for servicing various locations within a cargo cabin. Servicing in both instances is needed along an entire length of the cabin. With respect to a passenger or cargo cabin, routing of wires, cables and/or tubes and the like provides amenities, as discussed earlier, to seating locations for passengers or for various locations within a cargo cabin.

In providing the routing of cables, wires, and/or tubes and the like, whether for passenger or cargo cabins, there is a need to provide improved visual appearance of the interior of the cabin and to provide a level floor without protrusions, to reduce aircraft operation costs, to enhance ergonomic installation efforts, and to reduce installation costs. In addition, there is a need to utilize available space within the aircraft for routing wiring runs along the entire length of the cabin of the aircraft. Two examples of raceway assemblies and clip assemblies associated with the raceway assemblies, will be discussed herein for installing raceway assemblies along a seat rail positioned below floor level of the cabin and along the length of a cabin. The examples described herein provide ease in installation of the raceway assemblies by way of securing a floor panel in overlying position with respect to the raceway assembly with the raceway assembly having been secured to the seat rail prior to final installation of the floor panel, which will provide final securement of the raceway assembly to the seat rail.

Raceway assemblies <NUM> can be constructed of a wide variety of materials, including plastic, metal or other materials suitable for carrying the weight of cables, wires, tubes or the like. Also, raceway assemblies <NUM> can be constructed of various sizes and shapes as needed to accommodate routing of the cables <NUM>, wires and/or tubes or the like.

<FIG> shows a first example of an apparatus including a raceway assembly <NUM> that is claimed in <CIT>, the parent application to this divisional application. In referring to <FIG>, the first example of apparatus <NUM>, herein referred to as apparatus <NUM>, for securing a first example of raceway assembly <NUM>, hereinafter referred to as raceway assembly <NUM>, within an aircraft (not shown), includes first example of clip assembly <NUM>, hereinafter referred to as clip assembly <NUM>, associated with raceway assembly <NUM>, which secures raceway assembly <NUM> to seat rail <NUM>. As seen in <FIG>, cables <NUM>, for example, are shown being routed within raceway assembly <NUM>. As mentioned earlier, the content of raceway assembly <NUM> can include a wide variety of items such as cables <NUM>, wires, and/or tubes, which can carry pressurized air or consumable liquids or other items that can serve passengers at seat locations or serve various locations within a cabin which carries cargo. As can be seen, raceway assembly <NUM>, is positioned below floor panel <NUM> and out of the way of passenger traffic or cargo which moves about on floor panel <NUM> within interior <NUM> of a passenger or a cargo cabin.

Seat rails <NUM> generally extend along an entire length of a cabin of an aircraft beneath the floor of the cabin and have available space adjacent to and along the length of seat rail <NUM>. As will be discussed herein, raceway assembly <NUM> will be secured to seat rail <NUM> with clip assembly <NUM>, with floor panel <NUM> being subsequently installed within the aircraft. Floor panel <NUM> is installed overlying raceway assembly <NUM>, clip assembly <NUM>, and seat rail <NUM>, as seen for example in <FIG>, further securing raceway assembly <NUM> to seat rail <NUM> and securing floor panel <NUM> to seat rail <NUM> and raceway assembly <NUM>. Overlying can include either an item is positioned on or over another item. In this example, floor panel <NUM> overlies on raceway assembly <NUM> and on clip assembly <NUM>, and overlies over seat rail <NUM>.

The securing of seat rail <NUM> to raceway assembly <NUM>, with clip assembly <NUM>, allows clip assembly <NUM> to secure or grasp seat rail <NUM> to raceway assembly <NUM>, prior to installation of floor panel <NUM>. This assembling, as will be discussed herein, provides ease in installation of floor panel <NUM> to seat rail <NUM> and at the same time further securing raceway assembly <NUM> to seat rail <NUM>. Raceway assembly <NUM> can be pre-filled with content such as cables <NUM>, for example, prior to securing raceway assembly <NUM> with clip assembly <NUM> to seat rail <NUM>. Alternatively, with raceway assembly <NUM> in a secured position with respect to seat rail <NUM>, the installer can conveniently fill content of, for example, cables <NUM> into raceway assembly <NUM> prior to installation of floor panel <NUM>. The securement of raceway assembly <NUM> to seat rail <NUM> with clip assembly <NUM> provides time savings and efficiencies with respect to installation of cables <NUM>, for example, and provides ergonomic benefits to the installer with not having to experience extended time in awkward and/or kneeling positions during installation of raceway assembly <NUM> and floor panels <NUM>.

Seat rail <NUM>, as earlier mentioned, extends along the length of a cabin (not shown) of the aircraft. In a first example, as seen in <FIG>, apparatus <NUM> for securing first example of raceway assembly <NUM> within an aircraft (not shown) includes clip assembly <NUM> having first wall member <NUM> and second wall member <NUM> which are each connected to and extend away from wall <NUM> of raceway assembly <NUM>. First wall member <NUM> and second wall member <NUM> are spaced apart from one another. In this and other examples, first and second wall members <NUM>, <NUM> are integrally connected to wall <NUM>.

First wall member <NUM> and second wall member <NUM> are spaced apart from one another distance D, as seen in <FIG>, which permits seat rail <NUM> to be positioned between first wall member <NUM> and second wall member <NUM> with a first side <NUM> of seat rail <NUM> in contact with and which extends along first wall member <NUM> and with second side <NUM> of seat rail <NUM> in contact with and which extends along second wall member <NUM>. Distance D is selected to provide a snug fit with seat rail <NUM> positioned between first wall member <NUM> and second wall member <NUM>. The snug fit provides the installer ease in positioning seat rail <NUM> into position between first and second wall members <NUM>, <NUM> and at the same time allows first and second wall members <NUM>, <NUM> to grasp seat rail <NUM> and hold seat rail <NUM> in a desired position relative to raceway assembly <NUM>.

First wall member <NUM> extends from wall <NUM> of raceway assembly <NUM> and is positioned at a greater first distance D1 from base B of raceway assembly than second distance D2 of second wall member <NUM> as seen in <FIG>. In this and other examples, second wall member <NUM> extends further away from wall <NUM> than first wall member <NUM>.

Second wall member <NUM> defines first opening <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>, which extends through second wall member <NUM>. Seat rail <NUM> defines second opening <NUM> which extends through seat rail <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>. With seat rail <NUM> positioned in a desired position between first and second wall members <NUM>, <NUM>, first opening <NUM> and second opening <NUM> are positioned in alignment with one another, as seen in <FIG>.

Floor panel <NUM>, defines third opening <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>. First opening <NUM>, second opening <NUM> and third opening <NUM> as seen in <FIG>, are positioned in alignment with one another with floor panel positioned in overlying relationship to raceway assembly <NUM>. Second wall member <NUM> has nut <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>, secured to second wall member <NUM> of raceway assembly <NUM>. Nut <NUM> defines nut opening <NUM> which extends through nut <NUM> with threads (not shown) defined along an inner wall <NUM> of nut opening <NUM>. Nut opening <NUM>, first opening <NUM>, second opening <NUM>, and third opening <NUM> are positioned in alignment with one another as seen in <FIG>. Bolt <NUM> having at least of portion of a shaft <NUM> of bolt <NUM>, which defines threads <NUM> compatible with the threads (not shown) defined along the inner wall <NUM> of nut opening <NUM>.

In referring to <FIG>, the installer positions seat rail <NUM> between first and second wall members <NUM>, <NUM> with first and second wall members <NUM>, <NUM> grasping or otherwise holding seat rail <NUM>. At the same time, installer positions into alignment first opening <NUM> of second wall member <NUM>, second opening <NUM> of seat rail <NUM>, and nut opening <NUM> of nut <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>. With cables <NUM> or other content of raceway assembly <NUM> in place within raceway assembly <NUM>, floor panel <NUM> is positioned overlying raceway assembly <NUM>, with third opening <NUM> of floor panel <NUM> positioned in alignment with first opening <NUM>, second opening <NUM>, third opening <NUM> and nut opening <NUM>. With the alignment of openings, bolt <NUM> can be extended through third opening <NUM>, second opening <NUM> and into first opening <NUM> with threads <NUM> of bolt <NUM> engaging threads (not shown) of nut <NUM>. With securement of bolt <NUM> with nut <NUM>, head <NUM> of bolt <NUM> and nut <NUM> exert a compressive securement force between floor panel <NUM> and first wall member <NUM>, and a compressive force between first wall member <NUM> and second wall member <NUM> with seat rail <NUM> being positioned there between. As a result, floor panel <NUM> is secured to seat rail <NUM> and raceway assembly <NUM> is secured to seat rail <NUM>. With bolt <NUM> secured, head <NUM> is positioned so as not to protrude from floor panel <NUM>.

Raceway assembly <NUM>, in this and other example, defines at least one drain opening <NUM> defined through wall <NUM> of raceway assembly <NUM> for draining fluid out of raceway assembly <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>. Raceway assembly, in this and other examples, also defines passageway <NUM> through wall <NUM> of raceway assembly <NUM> for passage of contents, such as cables <NUM> or the like as described earlier, which are contained within raceway assembly <NUM>. Passageway <NUM> provides for cables <NUM> within raceway assembly <NUM>, for example, to extend out of raceway assembly <NUM> as seen, for example, in <FIG>. Passageways <NUM> permit routing cables <NUM>, wires and/or tubes to be directed out of and away from raceway assembly <NUM> to locations within the cabin of the aircraft as needed.

<FIG> shows a second example of an apparatus, including a raceway assembly <NUM>, which is claimed in this application. In referring to <FIG>, the second example of apparatus <NUM>', hereinafter referred to as apparatus <NUM>', for securing a second example of raceway assembly <NUM>', hereinafter referred to as raceway assembly <NUM>', within an aircraft (not shown) includes second example of clip assembly <NUM>', hereinafter referred to as clip assembly <NUM>', associated with raceway assembly <NUM>', which secures raceway assembly <NUM>' to seat rail <NUM>. As mentioned earlier, content of raceway assembly <NUM>' can include a wide variety of items such as cables <NUM>, wires and/or tubes, which can provide amenities that can serve passengers at seat locations or serve various locations within a cabin which carries cargo. As can be seen, raceway assembly <NUM>', is positioned below floor panel <NUM> and out of the way of passenger traffic or freight which moves around on floor panel <NUM> within interior <NUM> of a passenger or a cargo cabin.

As previously discussed, seat rails <NUM> generally extend along an entire length of a cabin of an aircraft beneath the floor of the cabin and have available space adjacent to and along the length of seat rail <NUM>. As will be discussed herein, raceway assembly <NUM>' will be secured to seat rail <NUM> with clip assembly <NUM>' with floor panel <NUM> being subsequently installed within the aircraft. Floor panel <NUM> is installed overlying raceway assembly <NUM>', clip assembly <NUM>', and seat rail <NUM>, further securing raceway assembly <NUM>' to seat rail <NUM> and securing floor panel <NUM> to seat rail <NUM> and raceway assembly <NUM>', as seen for example in <FIG>. Overlying, as mentioned earlier, can include either an item is positioned on or over another item. In this and other examples, floor panel <NUM> overlies on raceway assembly <NUM>' and on clip assembly <NUM>', and overlies over seat rail <NUM>.

The securing of seat rail <NUM> to raceway assembly <NUM>' with clip assembly <NUM>' allows clip assembly <NUM>' to secure or grasp seat rail <NUM> to raceway assembly <NUM>', prior to installation of floor panel <NUM>. This assembling provides ease in installation of floor panel <NUM> to seat rail <NUM> and at the same time further securing raceway assembly <NUM>' to seat rail <NUM>. Raceway assembly <NUM>' can, in some examples, be pre-filled with content of cables <NUM>, for example, prior to securing raceway assembly <NUM>' with clip assembly <NUM>' to seat rail <NUM>. In other examples, with raceway assembly <NUM>' in a secured position with respect to seat rail <NUM>, the installer can conveniently fill content of cables <NUM>, for example, into raceway assembly <NUM>' prior to installation of floor panel <NUM>. The securement of raceway assembly <NUM>' to seat rail <NUM> with clip assembly <NUM>' provides time savings and efficiencies with respect to installation of cables <NUM>, for example, and provides ergonomic benefits to the installer with not having to experience extended time in awkward and/or kneeling positions during installation of raceway assembly <NUM>' and floor panels <NUM>.

Seat rail <NUM>, as earlier mentioned, extends along the length of a cabin (not shown) of the aircraft. In second example of apparatus <NUM>', as seen in <FIG>, for securing raceway assembly <NUM>' within an aircraft (not shown) includes clip member <NUM> which includes first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>, which oppose each other. First and second arms <NUM>, <NUM> are connected together at one end <NUM> of the clip member <NUM>. Clip member <NUM> is positioned extending through clip opening <NUM>, as seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, defined by and extends through wall <NUM> of the raceway assembly <NUM>'. With the clip member <NUM> positioned extending through clip opening <NUM>, first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> extend in direction <NUM> away from raceway assembly <NUM>' as seen in <FIG>, and are spaced apart from one another.

First arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> are spaced apart from one another distance D3, which permits seat rail <NUM> to be positioned between first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> with first arm <NUM> in contact with first side <NUM> of seat rail <NUM> and second arm <NUM> in contact with lip member <NUM> of raceway assembly <NUM>' and lip member <NUM> in contact with second side <NUM> of seat rail <NUM>. Distance D3 is selected to provide a snug fit with seat rail <NUM> and lip member <NUM> positioned between first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM>. Clip member <NUM> can be constructed such that as first and second arms <NUM>, <NUM> are moved away from each other, first and second arms <NUM>, <NUM> are resilient and exert a restorative force such that first and second arms <NUM>, <NUM> apply a compressive force to items positioned between first and second arms <NUM>, <NUM>. The snug fit provides the installer ease in positioning seat rail <NUM> and lip member <NUM> between first and second arms <NUM>, <NUM> such that raceway assembly <NUM>' by way of clip assembly <NUM>' and lip member <NUM> grasps or secures seat rail <NUM> to be positioned and held between first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> in a desired position relative to raceway assembly <NUM>'.

First arm <NUM> extends from wall <NUM> of raceway assembly <NUM>' positioned a fourth distance D4 from base B' of raceway assembly <NUM>', a greater distance than fifth distance D5 of second arm <NUM> being positioned from base B'. First arm <NUM> defines first opening <NUM> which extends through first arm <NUM>. Seat rail <NUM> defines second opening <NUM> which extends through seat rail <NUM>. Lip member <NUM>, which extends from wall <NUM> of the raceway assembly <NUM>', defines third opening <NUM> which extends through lip member <NUM>. Second arm <NUM> defines fourth opening <NUM> which extends through second arm <NUM>. With seat rail <NUM> positioned between first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> in the desired position, first opening <NUM>, second opening <NUM>, third opening <NUM> and fourth opening <NUM> are positioned in alignment with one another, as seen in <FIG>.

Floor panel <NUM> defines fifth opening <NUM>. With floor panel <NUM> positioned in overlying relationship for securement to raceway assembly <NUM>' and seat rail <NUM>, fifth opening <NUM> defined in and through floor panel <NUM> is in alignment with first opening <NUM>, second opening <NUM>, third opening <NUM> and fourth opening <NUM>. Second arm member <NUM> has nut <NUM> secured to second arm <NUM> with nut <NUM> defining nut opening <NUM> which extends through nut <NUM> with threads (not shown) defined along inner wall <NUM> of nut opening <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>. With floor panel <NUM> in position to be secured to seat rail <NUM>, and raceway assembly <NUM>', first opening <NUM>, second opening <NUM>, third opening <NUM>, fourth opening <NUM>, nut opening <NUM> and fifth opening <NUM> are in alignment with one another. Bolt <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>, having at least a portion of shaft <NUM> of bolt <NUM> which defines threads <NUM> compatible with the threads (not shown) defined along inner wall <NUM> of nut opening <NUM>.

In referring to <FIG>, the installer positions clip member <NUM> through clip opening <NUM> in wall <NUM>, shown in <FIG>. Clip member <NUM> is moved through clip opening <NUM> such that first and second arms <NUM>, <NUM> extend in direction <NUM> as seen in <FIG>. The installer moves clip member <NUM> with raceway assembly <NUM>' toward seat rail <NUM> with seat rail <NUM> securing or grasping seat rail <NUM> as seen in <FIG>. With seat rail <NUM> secured between first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> openings, the installer places clip member <NUM> in a desired position which aligns first opening <NUM> of first arm <NUM>, second opening <NUM> of seat rail <NUM>, third opening <NUM> of lip member <NUM>, and fourth opening <NUM> of second arm <NUM>, along with nut opening <NUM> of nut <NUM> as discussed above. With the alignment of these above described openings, floor panel <NUM> is positioned in overlying position relative to raceway assembly <NUM>', clip member <NUM> and seat rail <NUM>. Bolt <NUM> with shaft <NUM> defining threads <NUM> is positioned through the aligned openings with threads <NUM> securing to threads (not shown) defined by inner wall <NUM> of nut opening <NUM>, as seen <FIG>. With tightening of bolt <NUM>, floor panel <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>, is secured to seat rail <NUM> and raceway assembly <NUM>' with head <NUM> of bolt <NUM> and nut <NUM> applying a compressive force to floor panel <NUM>, clip member <NUM>, seat rail <NUM> and lip member <NUM> of raceway assembly <NUM>'. With bolt <NUM> secured, head <NUM> is positioned so as not to protrude from floor panel <NUM>.

As earlier discussed, raceway assembly <NUM>', in this and other examples, defines at least one drain opening <NUM> defined through wall <NUM> of raceway assembly <NUM> for draining fluid out of raceway assembly <NUM>', as seen in <FIG>. Raceway assembly <NUM>', in this and other examples, also defines passageway <NUM> through wall <NUM> of raceway assembly <NUM>' for passage of contents, such as for example, cables <NUM> or the like as described earlier, contained within raceway assembly <NUM>', to extend through passageway <NUM> and out of raceway assembly <NUM>' as seen, for example, in <FIG>. Passageways <NUM> permit routing cables <NUM>, wires and/or tubes and the like positioned within raceway assembly <NUM>' to be directed out of and away from raceway assembly <NUM>' to locations within the cabin of the aircraft as needed.

In referring to <FIG>, method <NUM> for installing raceway assembly <NUM>, <NUM>' within an aircraft, engaging <NUM> a clip assembly <NUM>, <NUM>', associated with raceway assembly <NUM>, <NUM>', with seat rail <NUM> securing raceway assembly <NUM>, <NUM>' to seat rail <NUM>. Method <NUM> further includes positioning <NUM> floor panel <NUM> in overlying relationship to raceway assembly <NUM>, <NUM>' and clip assembly <NUM>, <NUM>'. In some examples, clip assembly <NUM>, includes first wall member <NUM> and second wall member <NUM> each connected to and extending from wall <NUM> of raceway assembly <NUM>. First wall member <NUM> and second wall member <NUM> are spaced apart from one another. First wall member <NUM> and second wall member <NUM> are spaced apart from one another distance D, which permits seat rail <NUM> to be positioned between first wall member <NUM> and second wall member <NUM> with first side <NUM> of seat rail <NUM> in contact with and extending along first wall member <NUM> and second side <NUM> of seat rail <NUM> in contact with and extending along second wall member <NUM>.

In a second example, clip assembly <NUM>' includes clip member <NUM> comprising first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> which oppose each other and which are connected together at one end <NUM> of clip member <NUM>. Clip member <NUM> is associated with raceway assembly <NUM>' with positioning clip member <NUM> to extend through clip opening <NUM>, which is defined by and extends through wall <NUM> of raceway assembly <NUM>'. With clip member <NUM> positioned extending through clip opening <NUM>, first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> extend away from raceway assembly <NUM>'.

First and the second arms <NUM>, <NUM> are spaced apart from one another. First arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> are spaced apart from one another a distance D, which permits seat rail <NUM> to be positioned between first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> with first arm <NUM> in contact with first side <NUM> of the seat rail <NUM> and second arm <NUM> in contact with lip member <NUM> of raceway assembly <NUM>' and lip member <NUM> in contact with second side <NUM> of seat rail <NUM>. Seat rail <NUM> is grasped by clip assembly <NUM>' positioned between first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>') comprising:
a raceway assembly (<NUM>');
a seat rail (<NUM>);
a clip assembly (<NUM>') associated with the raceway assembly (<NUM>'), which secures the raceway assembly (<NUM>') to the seat rail (<NUM>); and
a floor panel (<NUM>) positioned in overlying relationship to the raceway assembly (<NUM>') and the clip assembly (<NUM>'); and wherein:
the clip assembly (<NUM>') includes a clip member (<NUM>) comprising a first arm (<NUM>) and a second arm (<NUM>), which oppose each other, and the first and second arms (<NUM>, <NUM>) are connected together at one end (<NUM>) of the clip member (<NUM>),
characterised in that
the clip member (<NUM>) is positioned extending through a clip opening (<NUM>) defined by and extends through a wall (<NUM>) of the raceway assembly (<NUM>'); and
with the clip member (<NUM>) positioned extending through the clip opening (<NUM>), the first arm (<NUM>) and the second arm (<NUM>) extend in a direction (<NUM>) away from the raceway assembly (<NUM>').