Adjustable Saddle Bracket Mounting for Shimless Gap Bridging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of aircraft monuments is hindered by small gaps between brackets and structural mounting points, leading to uneven force distribution and the need for laborious shim installation, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable saddle bracket assembly with a rotatable fitting that bridges the gap between the bracket and mounting point, eliminating the need for shims by allowing easy adjustment through a recessed pocket and threaded channel, facilitating secure coupling with a bolt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shim is used to fill the gap between bracket and mounting point, then the force transfer is improved, but the installation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the shim component entirely from the system. Instead of using a separate shim to fill gaps, the mounting bracket itself incorporates an adjustable mechanism that directly bridges the gap between the bracket and mounting point, eliminating the need for shims and their associated installation time
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket includes an adjustable fitting with a threaded channel that allows the bracket to be dynamically adjusted to different positions. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the bracket to adapt to varying gap sizes without requiring custom shims, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining proper force transfer
2Manufacturing precision
If a custom shim is manually measured and installed, then the gap filling is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed as a universal component with an adjustable mechanism that can accommodate various gap sizes. The threaded channel allows the same bracket design to be used across different installation scenarios, eliminating the need for custom-made shims for each specific gap measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable fitting is pre-configured with a threaded channel that enables easy adjustment during installation. This preliminary design feature allows installers to quickly adjust the bracket position without requiring manual measurement and customization of separate shim components
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable monument mounting assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a saddle bracket that includes a recessed pocket section with a hole. A threaded adjustable fitting is configured at a first end to fit within the hole in the pocket and is accessible through the pocket. The opposite end of the adjustable fitting is configured to contact a structural mounting point. The adjustable fitting can be rotated within the hole and adjusted to bridge a gap between the saddle bracket and structural mounting point, eliminating the need for a shim. A bolt fits through a center through-hole in the adjustable fitting, allowing the adjustable fitting and bolt couple the saddled bracket to the structural mounting point.