Single Tough Locking Seat Fittings and Methods

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for removably securing payloads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling the payload to a body of a locking assembly, engaging an insertion portion of the body into the channel, translating the insertion portion of the body along the channel from a first position to a second position, the body being substantially constrained from movement away from the channel in the second position, and actuating at least one engagement member from an unsecured position to a secured position, a portion of the channel being engaged by the at least one engagement member and the insertion portion of the body when the at least one engagement member is positioned in the secured position such that the body is substantially constrained from movement along the channel by the at least one engagement member.

1 . A method for securing a payload to a channel, comprising:
 coupling the payload to a body of a locking assembly;   engaging an insertion portion of the body into the channel;   translating the insertion portion of the body within the channel from a first position to a second position, the body being substantially constrained from movement away from the channel in the second position; and   actuating at least one engagement member from an unsecured position to a secured position, in which actuating the at least one engagement member from an unsecured position to a secured position includes actuating an actuation member rotatably coupled to the body in which the at least one engagement member is coupled to the actuation member and actuating a plate member engaged with the actuation member in a cam interaction, the plate member being spaced apart from the portion of the channel in the unsecured position, the plate member being clampably engaged with the portion of the channel in the secured position, and a portion of the channel being engaged by the at least one engagement member and the insertion portion of the body when the at least one engagement member is positioned in the secured position such that the body is substantially constrained from movement along the channel by the at least one engagement member.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein actuating an actuation member rotatably coupled to the body includes depressing a pedal pivotably coupled to the body. 
     
     
         3 . A method for securing a payload to a channel, comprising:
 coupling the payload to a body of a locking assembly;   engaging an insertion portion of the body into the channel;   translating the insertion portion of the body within the channel from a first position to a second position, the body being substantially constrained from movement away from the channel in the second position; and   actuating at least one engagement member from an unsecured position to a secured position in which the at least one engagement member is a stud extending through the body and threadably coupled to the payload, a portion of the channel being engaged by the at least one engagement member and the insertion portion of the body when the at least one engagement member is positioned in the secured position such that the body is substantially constrained from movement along the channel by the at least one engagement member.   
     
     
         4 . A locking assembly for securing a payload to a track having a channel, comprising:
 a body including an attachment portion configured to be coupled to the payload, wherein the body is coupled to an insertion portion configured to be inserted into the channel, and wherein the portion of the track is clampably engaged by the engagement member and the insertion portion when the engagement member is positioned in the secured position; and   an engagement portion moveably coupled to the body, the engagement portion being configured to move from an unsecured position to a secured position, a portion of the track being clampably engaged by the engagement member when the engagement member is positioned in the secured position such that the body is substantially constrained from movement along the track and away from the track.   
     
     
         5 . The locking assembly of claim  17 , wherein the engagement member is biased into the unsecured position by a biasing member. 
     
     
         6 . The locking assembly of claim  17 , further comprising a locking device configured to automatically engage to lock the engagement member into the secured position when the engagement member is moved to the secured position. 
     
     
         7 . The locking assembly of claim  17 , wherein the payload is a leg of a passenger seat assembly situated within an airplane.