Foundation adapter module and deck tile system

Abstract

A foundation adapter module includes a plate assembly having a fitting attachable to a piece of equipment to attach the equipment to a track system. An upper plate is adjustably fastenable to a lower plate for locating the fitting in any location between tracks of the track system and between tie-down points along the tracks. A deck tile system includes arch deck tiles fastenable to the track system. A further deck tile system includes flat deck tiles fastenable to a raised frame attached to the track system.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 810,337, filed on Jun. 2, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]The work leading to the invention received support from the United States federal government under SBIR Grant, Contract No. N00167-03-C-0015. The federal government may have certain rights in this invention.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electronic equipment, workstations, consoles, and other furniture or accommodations aboard ships has been increasing. Equipment on a ship may be subjected to a variety of loading conditions, including shock, and the installation of such equipment must account for this loading, generally by fixing the equipment to the ship's deck. Much of the equipment being installed aboard ships during upgrades or reconf...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]In another embodiment, a deck tile system is usable with a raised frame attachable to a track system having regularly spaced attachment points along regularly spaced parallel tracks. The raised frame includes vertical legs and horizontal members forming a grid pattern. The horizontal members include inwardly facing lips. A generally flat deck tile has a generally rectangular planar upper surface and parallel longitudinal edges and parallel transverse edges. An attachment system for attaching the deck tile to the raised frame includes clip members attachable along the longitudinal edges of the deck tile and along the inwardly facing lips of the horizontal members of the raised frame.

[0010]The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Problems solved by technology

Much of the equipment being installed aboard ships during upgrades or reconfigurations is, however, no longer designed specifically for shipboard applications.

Thus, the appropriate mechanical, electrical, and human interfaces must be reconciled, which can require a large effort.

The necessity for adapters of various kinds has, however, several adverse effects upon the equipment installation.

The increased installed equipment height associated with the multiple adapters changes seating, keyboarding, and viewing parameters from the original equipment design, which can cause ergonomic problems for those using the equipment.

In addition, the adapters are complex, and considerable labor can be required to make the several levels of bolted attachments required from some arbitrary equipment base down to the foundation beams.

Where equipment and furniture are closely packed in a compartment, it may be necessary to remove several pieces in order to access the adapter attachment bolts for the piece being added, removed, or modified, which can increase the costs of outfitting or retrofitting compartments with equipment.

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