Truss end pad fitting

Abstract

A mechanical fitting for connecting structures may include a base structure and a plate member. The mechanical fitting may also include a support structure for supporting the plate member at a predetermined spacing from the base structure. The support structure may include a truss structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mechanical fitting for connecting structures, comprising:
 a base structure;   a plate member; and   a support structure for supporting the plate member at a predetermined spacing from the base structure.   
     
     
         2 . The mechanical fitting of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fastener; and   a hole formed in the plate member for receiving the fastener, wherein the fastener is adapted to attach the mechanical fitting to another mechanical fitting.   
     
     
         3 . The mechanical fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a truss structure. 
     
     
         4 . The mechanical fitting of  claim 3 , wherein the truss structure comprises:
 a first sloping plate extending between the plate member and the base structure, wherein the first sloping plate extends from the base structure at a first predetermined angle relative to a plane of the base structure; and   a second sloping plate extending between the plate member and the base structure, wherein the second sloping plate extends from the base structure at a second predetermined angle relative to the plane of the base structure.   
     
     
         5 . The mechanical fitting of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one side wall extending from the base structure, wherein the first sloping plate extends between the plate member and a vertex formed by the base structure and the at least one side wall. 
     
     
         6 . The mechanical fitting of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one other side wall extending from the base structure, wherein the second sloping plate extends between the plate member and a vertex formed by the base structure and the at least one other side wall. 
     
     
         7 . The mechanical fitting of  claim 4 , wherein the first predetermined angle and the second predetermined angle are equal. 
     
     
         8 . The mechanical fitting of  claim 4 , wherein the first predetermined angle and the second predetermined angle are different angles. 
     
     
         9 . The mechanical fitting of  claim 4 , wherein the base, the plate member, the first sloping plate and the second sloping plate are integrally formed from a same material. 
     
     
         10 . The mechanical fitting of  claim 4 , wherein the first sloping plate and the second sloping plate are integrally formed with the plate member. 
     
     
         11 . The mechanical fitting of  claim 4 , wherein the first sloping plate and the second sloping plate are formed from a material comprising mechanical properties more resistant to compression between the base structure and the plate member compared to a material forming the base structure. 
     
     
         12 . The mechanical fitting of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first side wall extending from one side of the base structure;   a second side wall extending from an opposite side of the base structure from the first side wall;   a band attached to the plate member;   a first sloping plate comprising a first end abutting a vertex formed by the band and the plate member and an opposite end abutting a vertex formed by the first side wall and the base structure, wherein the first sloping plate extends from the base structure at a first predetermined angle relative to a plane of the base structure; and   a second sloping plate comprising a first end abutting a vertex formed by the band and the plate member and an opposite end abutting a vertex formed by the base structure and the second side wall, wherein the second sloping plate extends from the base structure at a second predetermined angle relative to the plane of the base structure.   
     
     
         13 . The mechanical fitting of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first side wall extending from one side of the base structure;   a second side wall extending from an opposite side of the base structure from the first side wall;   a noodle;   a bifurcated band extending around the noodle to define the plate member and comprising a first band segment and a second band segment extending from the noodle;   a first sloping plate comprising a first end abutting the band around the noodle and an opposite end abutting a vertex formed by the first side wall and the base structure, wherein the first sloping plate extends from the base structure at a first predetermined angle relative to a plane of the base structure;   a second sloping plate comprising a first end abutting the band around the noodle and an opposite end abutting a vertex formed by the base structure and the second side wall, wherein the second sloping plate extends from the base structure at a second predetermined angle relative to the plane of the base structure; and   a cam disposed between the first band segment and the second band segment to hold the band in place.   
     
     
         14 . A mechanical fitting for connecting structures, comprising:
 a base structure;   a plate member;   at least one side wall extending from the base structure for attachment to a structure;   a first sloping plate extending between the plate member and a vertex formed by the at least one side wall and the base structure, wherein the first sloping plate extends from the base structure at a first predetermined angle relative to a plane of the base structure; and   a second sloping plate extending between the plate member and the base structure, wherein the second sloping plate extends from the base structure at a second predetermined angle relative to the plane of the base structure.   
     
     
         15 . The mechanical fitting of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a fastener, wherein the plate member is adapted to hold the fastener; and   an opening in the base structure for extending the fastener through the base structure for connecting the mechanical fitting to a mating mechanical fitting for connecting the structure to another structure, wherein a compression load is applied to the first sloping plate and the second sloping plate in response to connecting the mechanical fitting to the mating fitting.   
     
     
         16 . The mechanical fitting of  claim 15 , wherein the structure and the other structure comprise structures of an aircraft. 
     
     
         16 . The mechanical fitting of  claim 14 , wherein the first sloping plate and the second sloping plate are integrally formed with the plate. 
     
     
         18 . The mechanical fitting of  claim 14 , wherein the first sloping plate and the second sloping plate are formed from a material comprising mechanical properties that is more resistant to compression between the base structure and the plate member compared to a material forming the base structure. 
     
     
         19 . A method for connecting structures, comprising:
 receiving one end of a fastener through an opening in a base structure of a mechanical fitting to fasten the fastener to a mating mechanical fitting;   retaining an opposite end of the fastener by a plate member of the mechanical fitting, wherein the opposite end of the fastener is adapted to be held by the plate member;   extending a first sloping plate between the plate member and the base structure, wherein the first sloping plate extends from the base structure at a first predetermined angle relative to a plane of the base structure; and   extending a second sloping plate between the plate member and the base structure, wherein the second sloping plate extends from the base structure at a second predetermined angle relative to the plane of the base structure.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the mechanical fitting comprises a side wall extending from the base structure and wherein the method further comprises attaching a structure of an aircraft to the side wall.