COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT INTERIOR MONUMENT PROTECTION SYSTEM

• US 20170291725A1
• Filed: 04/06/2016
• Published: 10/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Abelon, Ryan Nelson Marcelo, Hitchcock, Cory M., Tran, Toai Dac, Smith, JR., Thomas Ralph, Shaw, Jon Burton
• Granted Patent: US 10,486,832 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2011/0046 Modular or preassembled units for creating cabin interior structures
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/10 Manufacturing or assembling aircraft, e.g. jigs therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/50 Handling or transporting aircraft components
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

A method of protecting a monument during manufacturing of a vehicle. The method includes attaching a plurality of brackets to the monument prior to installation in the vehicle, each of the plurality of brackets having corresponding fasteners facing outwardly relative to the monument. The method also includes connecting a blanket to the corresponding fasteners. The method also includes installing the monument in the vehicle, disconnecting the blanket, and removing the plurality of brackets from the monument.

Claims

1. A method of protecting a monument during manufacturing of a vehicle, the method comprising:

attaching a plurality of brackets to the monument prior to installation in the vehicle, each of the plurality of brackets having corresponding fasteners facing outwardly relative to the monument;

connecting a blanket to the corresponding fasteners;

installing the monument in the vehicle;

disconnecting the blanket; and

removing the plurality of brackets from the monument.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the corresponding fasteners are corresponding first sides of a hook and loop fastener system, and wherein a second side of the hook and loop fastener system is attached to the blanket.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

after removing the plurality of brackets, installing a decorative object in place of the plurality of brackets.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

installing a modular link to at least one of the plurality of brackets.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the modular link is connected to at least two of the plurality of brackets, wherein at least one of the corresponding first sides of the hook and loop system is connected to the modular link, and wherein connecting the blanket includes connecting the corresponding second side to the modular link.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

after removing the plurality of brackets, attaching the plurality of brackets to a second monument prior to installation in the vehicle, each of the plurality of brackets having corresponding fasteners facing outwardly relative to the second monument;

connecting the blanket to the corresponding fasteners;

installing the second monument in the vehicle;

disconnecting the blanket; and

removing the plurality of brackets from the second monument.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the monument comprises a per-fabricated modular structure to be installed in the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft, and wherein the monument is selected from the group consisting of:

a galley, a closet, a lavatory, and a bin.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of brackets include a first bracket installable on a corner of the monument, the first bracket comprising two straight sections joined by a curved section, an indexing feature disposed on an inside of the curved section, and two corresponding hanging features disposed at a first edge of the first bracket, and wherein attaching the plurality of brackets comprises attaching the indexing feature to a connection mount disposed on a corner of the monument.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the monument is a first monument and wherein the method further comprises:

connecting a second bracket to a second monument, the second bracket comprising two additional straight sections joined by an additional curved section, an additional indexing feature disposed on an inside of the additional curved section, and two corresponding additional hanging features disposed at an additional first edge of the second bracket, and wherein attaching the plurality of brackets comprises attaching the additional indexing feature to an additional connection mount disposed on an additional corner of the second monument; and

hanging a second blanket on the second bracket.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first monument and the second monument are adjacent, and wherein the method further comprises:

connecting a third bracket in the plurality of brackets between the monument and the second monument, the third bracket comprising a panel, wherein an indexing feature extends from a side of the panel;

placing the third bracket between the monument and the second monument;

connecting a first link between the first bracket and the third bracket; and

connecting a second link between the second bracket and the third bracket.

12. A monument protection system installable on a monument that includes connection mounts, the monument installable as a structure in an aircraft, the monument protection system comprising:

a first plurality of brackets installable on corresponding ones of the connection mounts, the first plurality of brackets including corresponding indexing features installable into corresponding ones of the connection mounts, and further including corresponding hanging projections configured to hang blankets, the corresponding hanging projections disposed opposite the indexing feature relative to each other; and

a plurality of blankets including corresponding hanging features on corresponding edges of the plurality of blankets, the hanging features connectable to the corresponding hanging projections.

13. The monument protection system of claim 12, wherein the connection mounts are rails disposed on corners of the monument, and wherein the corresponding indexing features comprise corresponding bosses that fit into the rails.

14. The monument protection system of claim 13, wherein the corresponding bosses further comprise a corresponding projection extending from the corresponding bosses, the corresponding projection connectable into holes disposed in the rails in the monument.

15. The monument protection system of claim 12, wherein the first plurality of brackets includes a first bracket, the first bracket comprising two straight sections joined by a curved section, an indexing feature disposed on an inside of the curved section, and two corresponding hanging features disposed at a first edge of the first bracket.

16. The monument protection system of claim 12 further comprising:

a second plurality of brackets installable between the monument and an adjacent second monument.

17. The monument protection system of claim 16 further comprising:

a plurality of links removably attachable to both the first plurality of brackets and the second plurality of brackets.

18. The monument protection system of claim 17 further comprising:

a third plurality of brackets attachable to the second monument and to the plurality of links.

19. The monument protection system of claim 12, wherein the hanging projections comprise rails, and wherein the hanging features comprise rods insertable into the rails.

20. The monument protection system of claim 12, wherein the hanging projections comprise first sides of a hook and loop fastening system, and wherein the hanging features comprise second sides of the hook and loop fastening system.