US 11,731,766 B1
Wedged clamping device and method for aircraft seat frame
Neil M. Ralph, Winston-Salem, NC (US); Ryan J. Suhre, Winston-Salem, NC (US); Stephen A. Puglisi, Greensboro, NC (US); and Eric M. McKee, Oak Ridge, NC (US)
Assigned to B/E Aerospace, Inc., Winston-Salem, NC (US)
Filed by B/E Aerospace, Inc., Winston-Salem, NC (US)
Filed on Mar. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/707,453.
Int. Cl. B64D 11/06 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 11/0648 (2014.12) [B64D 11/0696 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for securing a crossbeam to a seat frame structure, comprising:
at least one wedged clamping device insertable into a pocket extending through a seat frame structure in a lateral direction, the seat frame structure configured for supporting at least one vehicle seat and securing the vehicle seat to a floor of the vehicle;
the pocket directly adjacent to an elliptical passage also extending through the seat frame structure in the lateral direction, the elliptical passage configured to accommodate a crossbeam having an elliptical cross section;
the at least one wedged clamping device comprising:
an interference face configured to be disposed adjacent to the elliptical crossbeam;
at least one lateral face comprising a threaded bolt hole extending through the wedged clamping device in the lateral direction, the bolt hole configured to accommodate a threaded bolt;
and
an upper face opposite the interference face and corresponding to a locking taper angle, the upper face tapering from an outer height relative to the interference face to an inner height less than the outer height, the outer height associated with the lateral face;
the at least one wedged clamping device configured to exert an interference force in a radial direction upon the elliptical crossbeam when the at least one wedged clamping device is inserted into the pocket.