GB2186018A

GB2186018A - Improvements in or relating to a stud fitting for use with a track

Info

Publication number: GB2186018A
Application number: GB08602119A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nissim Alfassa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-01-29
Filing date: 1986-01-29
Publication date: 1987-08-05
Also published as: GB8602119D0; GB2186018B

Abstract

Utilised in a cargo restraint system in aircraft or adjustable vehicle seat mounting the track 1 defines a channel 3 for receiving base member 9 of the fitting 8 and is provided at intervals along its length with circular apertures 7 extending into the channel. The fitting 8 is slidingly introduced into the channel of the track via an open end thereof and is selectively located along the track at positions of the circular apertures. The base member 9 is introduced into wide base portion 4 of channel 3 and 12 has an upstanding body portion 10 with a collar 15 therearound biased by spring 20 towards base member 9. As shown a loop member 21 is passed through bore 14 in body portion 10 - loop member 21 may have a strap 22 of cargo restraining system attached thereto or may form integral part of seat frame. Collar 15 is raised against bias of spring 20 so that a flange portion 16 is clear of upper surface of projection 6 of track 1 so that fitting may be slid along track to desired location whereat collar 15 is released. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to a stud fitting The present invention relates to a stud fitting and more particularly to a single stud fitting in combination with a track.

Single stud fittings which may be located in position on a track, at various positions along the length ofthetrack, are known prior art and are often used in cargo restraint systems. A common application of such a fitting and track arrangement is for the restraint of goods in aircraft during transportation. In this application a strap is usually attached to the stud fitting, which is then attached to the track at a desired location so that the strap passes over the goods to be retained, the strap then serving to retain the goods in position during transportation.

The strap may be tightened around or over the goods in question.

Afurther application of such a stud fitting and track arrangementis as an adjustable seat mounting,for example, in aircraft, coaches orsimilarvehicles. In this case the seat to be mounted would be attached to the fitting which may then be located on the track in the desired position.

Prior art fittings are designed to be releasably secured within a channel defined bythetrack, at various points along the length of the track. The track is provided with circular apertures extending into the channel, by way of which a circular base portion of the fitting may be introduced into the channel. Once the base portion of the fitting has been introduced into the channel of the track the fitting may be moved along the trackto a position between two adjacent apertures in order to secure the fitting in position on the track. Priorartfittings are provided with a locating member which engages with the edges of two adjacent circular apertures in the track in order to retain the fitting in a position in which the base portion of the fitting is not aligned with one of said apertures.Thus the fitting is retained in position on the track.

Prior art fittings are designed for use with a track provided with circular apertures at predetermined regular intervals along the length of the track. Many apertures are normally provided along the length of the track, with only a small space being provided between the apertures.

It is the object ofthe present invention to provide an improved single stud fitting for use with a track.

According to the present invention there is provided a stud fitting for use with a track said stud fitting comprising a substantially planar base member having a predetermined width and a predetermined length,the length being substantially greater than the width, there being an upstanding body portion extending from said base member, and means mounted on the body portion adapted to engage a track in which the base member slides, the said engagement means being movable axially relative to said body portion between an engagement position and a disengagement position.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a combination of a track and a stud fitting, said track comprising an elongate element defining a channel, the channel having a relatively wide base portion and a relatively narrow open top portion, the open top portion defining, at positions spaced along the length thereof, widened regions or apertures, said fitting comprising a substantially planar base member having a predetermined width and a predetermined length, the base member being siidingly introducible into said wide base portion of said channel, the length of said base member being determined such that said base memberwill not pass through any one of said apertures, there being an upstanding body portion extending from said base member through the said open top portion of the channel and means mounted on the body portion adapted to engagethe track in which the base member slides, the said engagement means being movable axially relative to said body member between an engagement position and a disengagement position.

Preferably, according to the second aspect of the invention, said predetermined length of said base member is substantially greaterthan said predetermined width.

Conveniently, said track according to the second aspect of the invention is additionally provided with means for mounting said track on a surface, said mounting means being in the form of two flange portions formed integrally with said track, said flange portions being provided with bore holes.

Preferably, said engagement means are biased into the engaging position.

Conveniently, the engagement means are biased into the engaging position by means of a spring.

Advantageously, the engagement means comprise a cylindrical collar adapted to surround part of the body portion.

Preferably, the collar member is provided with an inwardly directed flange, one end of said spring engaging said inwardly directed flange, the other end of the spring engaging a member passing through a transverse bore provided in the body portion.

Conveniently, the member passing through the bore serves not only to retain the spring, but also to connect the stud fitting to another component Advantageouslysaid collar is provided with an outer surface which is at least partly knurled.

Preferably, the member passing through said transverse bore provided in said body portion is in the form of a loop member.

Conveniently, said body portion is of circular cross-section.

Advantageously, said base member is a substantially planar component having two opposed parallel edges and two opposed, outwardly curving, arcuate edges.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood and so thatfurtherfeatures thereof may be appreciated the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa perspective view of a single stud fitting in accordance with the present invention and the end portion of atrackwith whichthefitting is intended to be used; and Figure 2 is a partly sectioned side view ofthe single stud fitting shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows the end portion of a track 1 ,with which the single stud fitting is intended to be used. Tracks, such as the track 1 are commonly used in cargo restraint systems. The track 1 defines a substantially flat base 2, by way of which the track may be mounted on any suitable fiat surface. The track 1 may also be provided with flange portions, projecting from either side of the track, incorporating bore holes, by way of which the track may be mounted in position. In cross-section the track 1 defines a substantially inverted T-shaped channel 3, with a wide base portion 4 ofthe channel corresponding to the head of the Tand a narrower upper portion, which is open at the top, corresponding to the stem ofthe T.The narrower upper portion 5 ofthe channel 3, is defined between opposed projections 6 located above the edges ofthe widened base portion 4 ofthe channel.

At intervals along the length of the track 1, the upper portion 5 of the channel 3 is provided with circular apertures 7, which provide access to the widened base portion 4 ofthe channel 3. Each aperture 7 has a diameter substantially equal to the width of the transversewidth ofthe wide base portion 4ofthe channel 3. Although Figure 1 shows the circular apertures 7 to be positioned close together at short, regular intervals a long the length of the track, the track may be provided with circular apertures at any desired intervals along the length ofthe track. The circular apertures 7 constitute points at which a stud fitting 8 in accordance with this invention may be located along the track.

The single stud fitting 8 comprises a base member 9 and an upstanding body portion 10 formed integrally with the base member 9. The base member 9 comprises a planar member which has two opposed arcuate sides 11 and two opposed parallel sides 12. The overall length of the base member9which is measured in a direction parallel to said parallel sides is greater than the overall width thereof. The base member 9 is designed to be introduced into the wide base portion 4 of the channel 3 in the track 1 in the direction ofthe arrow 13. Thus, it will be appreciated that the overall width of the base member 9 is slightly less than the width ofthewide base portion 4ofthe channel 3. Itwill be understood thatthe dimensions ofthe base member 9 are such that the base member9 cannot pass through any one of the apertures 7.

The body portion 10 of the fitting 8 is of circular section and projects upwardly from the central point of the base member 2.The body portion 3is provided adjacent its free end with a diametrical bore 14. The body portion 10 is dimensioned to pass through the upper narrow portion 5 ofthe channel 3 in the track 1.

Acylindrical collar 15 is provided around the body portion 10. As can be seen from Figure 2, the collar 15 is provided at its lower end with an inwardly directed flange portion 16. The outer surface of the collar is knurled to enable the collarto be gripped. The internal diameter of the flange portion 16 is designed to allowthe collar 15to be passed,flange endfirst, overthe body portion 10, with a small clearance an alsoallowsthecollarto moveupwardlyand downwardly whilst being retained on the body portion 10. When the collar 15 is mounted on the body portion 10, the diametrical bore 14 in the bods portion 10 is located at a position above the upper surface 17 of the collar 15. When mounted on the body portion 10, the collar 15 defines a space 18 between the body portion 10 and the inner surface ofthe collar 15.The space 18 serves to accommoda a compression spring 20.

The compression spring 20 is designed to be passed over the body portion 10 ofthe fitting 8 and be partly housed within the collar 15so that one enc of the spring 20 rests on the flange portion 16 ofthe collar 15. When in the relaxed condition,the overall length of the compression spring 20 is approximately equal to the height ofthe upstanding body portion 10. A loop member 21 is provided which may be passed through the diametrical bore 14 in the body portion 10 once the compression spring 20 has been compressed so thatthe upper end thereof lies below the diametrical bore 14. Whe the loop member 21 has been inserted through the diametrical bore 14, partofthe loop member 21 wil engage with the upper end ofthe spring 20,thus retaining the spring 20 in a compressed state.Wher in the compressed state, the spring 20 will act to bia the collar 15 towards the base member 9 of thefittir 8.

When used as part of a cargo restraint system,tht ioop member 21 may have a strap 22 or some other suitable cargo restraining means attached thereto.

When being used for locating purposes, the loop member 21 mayform a integral partofthe componentto be located. For example, if the fitting being used in connection with a vehicle seat, to allo the seat to be located at various positions, then the loop member 21 may form an integral part of a seat frame.

In use the single stud fitting 8 is introduced into ar open end of the track 1, as indicated by the arrow 13 in Figure 1. The collar 15 may be raised manually againstthe bias ofthe spring 20, so that the flange portion 16 ofthe collar 15 is clear ofthe uppersurfac ofthe projections 6. The base member9 ofthesingl stud fitting 8will then slide into the base portion 4o the channel 3 in the track 1. With the collar 15 manually held clear ofthe surface of the projection 6the single stud fitting 8 may be slid along the lengt of the track 1 to any desired location. When the desired location is reached the collar 15 may be released and, underthe action ofthespring 20, the collarwill be biased towards the base member9 which is retained within the base portion 4 ofthe channel 3. If the collar 15 is located above a circular aperture 7 when released then it will pass th rough the aperture 7 and into the channel 3. The collar 15 designed to pass through the circular aperture 7 wi a small clearance.When the collarextendsthrough an aperture 7 the fitting cannotslidealongthetrack Thus, the collar 15 will locate the fitting in position, with movementofthefitting along the length ofthe track being prevented by the engagement ofthe outer surface ofthe collar 1 5 with the internal surface ofthe circular aperture 7. When the collar 15 is located within a circular aperture 7 an adequate portion ofthe collar 1 5 will project above the surface ofthe projections 6 to allow the collarto be gripped and manually raised against the spring bias in order to enablethefitting to be moved alongthetracktoa new location.

It will be appreciated from the above description and the drawings that the design of the base member 9 of the stud fitting 8 renders the stud fitting captive within the track 1, once inserted into an open end of the track. In some circumstances it may be desirable to render the fitting fully captive within the track and in this case all that is required is forthe ends ofthe track 1 to be blocked off by any suitable means. The design ofthefitting 8 ensures that when a load is placed on the fitting, through the loop member21, the base member 9 engages with four underside surfaces of the projections 6. This provides for a higher possibie loading than ifthe base member9 were to engage with fewer surfaces ofthe projection 6, since the load will be more evenly distributed through the bodyofthetrackl.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the specific design ofthe single stud fitting and track without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the design ofthe track may be varied, so long as an appropriately dimensioned channel and apertures are provided.

The loop member 10 provided with the fitting may be ofany desired form or may even constitute part of an item which is to be located by the fitting.

Claims

1. A stud fitting for use with a track said stud fitting comprising a substantially planar base member having a predetermined width and a predetermined length, the length being substantially greaterthan the width, there being an upstanding body portion extending from said base member, and means mounted on the body portion adapted to engage a track in which the base member slides, the said engagement means being movable axially relative to said body portion between an engagement position and a disengagement position.

2. A stud fitting according to claim 1 wherein said engagement means are biased into the engaging position.

3. A stud fitting according to claim 2 wherein the engagement means are biased into the engaging position by means of a spring.

4. A stud fitting according to claim 3 wherein the engagement means comprise a collar adapted to surround partofthe body portion.

5. A stud fitting according to claim 4wherein the collar member is provided with an inwardly directed flange, one end of said spring engaging said inwardlydirectedflange,theotherendofthespring engaging a member passing through a transverse bore provided in the body portion.

6. Afitting according to claim 5 wherein the member passing through the transverse bore serves not only to retain the spring, but also to connect the stud fitting to another component.

7. A stud fitting according to any one of ciaims 4 to 6 wherein said collar is a cylindrical collar.

8. Astudfitting according to any one of claims4 to 7 wherein said collar is provided with an outer surface which is at least partly knurled.

9. A stud fitting according to anyone of claims 5 to 8 wherein said member passing through said transverse bore provided in said body portion is in the form of a loop member.

10. A stud fitting according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein said body portion is of circular cross-section.

11. A stud fitting according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein said base member is a substantially planar component having two opposed parallel edges and two opposed, outwardly curving, arcuate edges.

12. A combination of a track and a stud fitting, said track comprising an elongate element defining a channel, the channel having a relatively wide base portion and a relatively narrow open top portion,the open top portion defining, at positions spaced along the length thereof, widened regions or apertures, said fitting comprising a substantially planar base member having a predetermined width and a predetermined length, the base member being slidingly introducible into said wide base portion of said channel, the length of said base member being determined such that said base memberwill not pass through any one of said apertures, there being an upstanding body portion extending from said base member through the said open top portion of the channel and means mounted on the body portion adapted to engage the track in which the base member slides, the said engagement means being movable axially relative to said body member between an engagement position and a disengagement position.

13. A combination of a trackand a stud fitting according to claim 12 wherein said predetermined length of said base member is substantially greater than said predetermined width.

14. A combination of a track and a stud fitting according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein said track is additionally provided with means for mounting said track on a surface.

15. A combination of a track and a stud fitting according to claim 14wherein said mounting means are in the form of two flange portions formed integrally with said track, said flange portions being provided with bore holes.

16. A combination of a track and a stud fitting according to anyone of claims 12to 15 wherein said engagement means are biased into the engaging position.

17. A combination of a track and a stud fitting according to claim 16 wherein the engagement means are biased into the engaging position by means of a spring.

18. A combination of a track and a stud fitting according to claim 17 wherein the engagement means comprise a collar adapted to surround part of the body portion.

19. A combination of a track and a stud fitting according to claim 18 wherein the collar member is provided with an inwardly directed flange, one end of said spring engaging said inwardly directed flange, the other end of the spring engaging a member passing through a transverse bore provided in the body portion.

20. A combination of a track and a stud fitting according to claim 19 wherein the member passing through the bore serves not only to retain the spring, but also to connect the stud fitting to another component.

21. Acombination ofatrackand astudfitting according to any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein said collar is a cylindrical collar.

22. A combination of a track and a stud fitting according to any one of claims 18 to 21 wherein said collar is provided with an outer surface which is at least partly knurled.

23. Acombination ofatrackand a stud fitting according to any one of claims 19 to 22 wherein the member passing through said transverse bore provided in said body portion is in the form of a loop member.

24. A combination of a track and a stud fitting according to any one of claims 12 to 23 wherein said body portion is of circular cross-section.

25. A combination of a track and a stud fitting according to anyone of claims 12to 24wherein said base member is a substantially planar component having two opposed parallel edges and two opposed, outwardly curving, arcuate edges.

26. A stud fitting substantially as described herein, with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

27. A combination of a track and a stud fitting substantially as described herein, with referenceto, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

28. Any novel feature or combination offeatures disclosed herein.