초록 ▼

Processes for positioning, securing, and repositioning payload assemblies onto floor assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a support structure having a plurality of elongated engagement members, each engagement member including an engagement surface adapted to suppor

Processes for positioning, securing, and repositioning payload assemblies onto floor assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a support structure having a plurality of elongated engagement members, each engagement member including an engagement surface adapted to support a load; forming an adaptable payload assembly that includes a payload member and at least one payload support coupled to the payload member, the payload support being adapted to transmit loads from the payload member to at least one engagement member, the payload support being moveable with the payload member relative to the support structure; and removeably coupling the payload support to at least one of the engagement surfaces of the engagement members. In an alternate embodiment, the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of a panel supported by the support structure.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of forming an assembly for carrying a payload, comprising: forming a support structure having a plurality of elongated engagement members, each engagement member including an engagement surface adapted to support a load; forming an adaptable payload assembly that inc

What is claimed is: 1. A method of forming an assembly for carrying a payload, comprising: forming a support structure having a plurality of elongated engagement members, each engagement member including an engagement surface adapted to support a load; forming an adaptable payload assembly that includes a payload member and at least one payload support coupled to the payload member, the payload member including at least one of a galley, a lavatory, a passenger seat, a cargo container, a section partition, a fireplace, and an article of furniture, the payload support including a substantially flat portion having a pair of lateral edges, the substantially flat portion being adapted to span between at least two engagement members such that each of the lateral edges is adjacent to the engagement surface of a corresponding one of the engagement members, the payload support being adapted to transmit loads from the payload member to the engagement surfaces of the two engagement members, the payload support being moveable with the payload member relative to the support structure; removeably coupling the payload support to at least one of the engagement surfaces of the engagement members; and coupling at least one related system to the adaptable payload assembly, wherein coupling the at least one related system includes coupling at least one of an electrical system, an electronic system, a water system, an air vent system, an air conditioning system, a floor panel heat system, and a waste system to the adaptable payload assembly. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein forming a support structure includes forming a support structure wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of a panel supported by the support structure. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the adaptable payload member includes a payload panel, and wherein forming a support structure includes forming a support structure wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of the payload panel. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming a support structure includes forming a support structure adapted to support a floor panel, and wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of the floor panel. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising defining the requirements of at least one of the support structure, the adaptable payload assembly, and a related system. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising designing at least one of the support structure, the adaptable payload assembly, and a related system. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein forming a support structure includes forming a support structure wherein the elongated engagement members are approximately parallel. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein forming a support system includes forming at least one of a floor assembly, an airframe, a structural member of a building, a structural member of a truck, a structural member of a vehicle, a structural member of a ship, and a structural member of a cargo carrier. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of installing a trim member around the adaptable payload assembly and sealing the adaptable payload assembly. 10. A method of forming an aircraft, comprising: forming an airframe; forming a fuselage operatively coupled to the airframe; operatively coupling a propulsion system to at least one of the airframe and the fuselage; and forming a support structure coupled to at least one of the airframe and the fuselage and having a plurality of elongated engagement members, each engagement member including an engagement surface adapted to support a load; forming an adaptable payload assembly that includes a payload member and at least one payload support coupled to the payload member, the payload member including at least one of a galley, a lavatory, a passenger seat, a cargo container, a section partition, a fireplace, and an article of furniture, the payload support including a substantially flat portion having a pair of lateral edges, the substantially flat portion being adapted to span between at least two engagement members such that each of the lateral edges is adjacent to the engagement surface of a corresponding one of the engagement members, the payload support being adapted to transmit loads from the payload member to the engagement surfaces of the two engagement members, the payload support being moveable with the payload member relative to the support structure; removeably coupling the payload support to at least one of the engagement surfaces of the engagement members; and coupling at least one related system to the adaptable payload assembly, wherein coupling the at least one related system includes coupling at least one of an electrical system, an electronic system, a water system, an air vent system, an air conditioning system, a floor panel heat system, and a waste system to the adaptable payload assembly. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein forming a support structure includes forming a support structure wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of a panel supported by the support structure. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the adaptable payload member includes a payload panel, and wherein forming a support structure includes forming a support structure wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of the payload panel. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the forming a support structure includes forming a support structure adapted to support a floor panel, and wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of the floor panel. 14. The method of claim 10, forming a support structure includes forming a support structure wherein the elongated engagement members are mostly parallel. 15. A method of adaptably positioning a payload, comprising: providing a support structure having a plurality of elongated engagement members, each engagement member including an engagement surface adapted to support a load; providing an adaptable payload assembly removeably coupled to the support structure at a first desired location, the adaptable payload assembly having a payload member and at least one payload support coupled to the payload member, the payload member including at least one of a galley, a lavatory, a passenger seat, a cargo container, a section partition, a fireplace, and an article of furniture, the payload support including a substantially flat portion having a pair of lateral edges, the substantially flat portion being adapted to span between at least two engagement members such that each of the lateral edges is adjacent to the engagement surface of a corresponding one of the engagement members, the payload support being adapted to transmit loads from the payload member to the engagement surfaces of the two engagement members of the support structure, the payload support being moveable with the payload member relative to the support structure; and selecting a second desired location on the support structure; decoupling the at least one payload support of the adaptable payload assembly from the at least one of the engagement surfaces; repositioning the adaptable payload assembly including the payload support from the first desired location to the second desired location; with the adaptable payload assembly positioned at the second desired location, coupling the at least one payload support of the adaptable payload assembly to at least one of the engagement surfaces of the engagement members; and coupling at least one related system to the adaptable payload assembly, wherein coupling the at least one related system includes coupling at least one of an electrical system, an electronic system, a water system, an air vent system, an air conditioning system, a floor panel heat system, and a waste system to the adaptable payload assembly. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein providing a support structure includes providing a support structure wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of a panel supported by the support structure. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein providing an adaptable payload assembly includes providing an adaptable payload assembly having a payload panel, and wherein providing a support structure includes providing a support structure wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of the payload panel. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the providing a support structure includes providing a support structure adapted to support a floor panel, and wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of the floor panel. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein providing a support structure includes providing a support structure wherein the elongated engagement members are approximately parallel. 20. The method of claim 15, wherein providing a support system includes providing at least one of a floor assembly, an airframe, a structural member of a building, a structural member of a truck, a structural member of a vehicle, a structural member of a ship, and a structural member of a cargo carrier. 21. A method of adaptably positioning a payload, comprising: providing a support structure having a plurality of elongated engagement members, each engagement member including an engagement surface adapted to support a load; providing an adaptable payload assembly removeably coupled to the support structure at a first desired location, the adaptable payload assembly having a payload member and at least one payload support coupled to the payload member, the payload member including at least one of a galley, a lavatory, a passenger seat, a cargo container, a section partition, a fireplace, and an article of furniture, the payload support including a substantially flat portion having a pair of lateral edges, the substantially flat portion being adapted to span between at least two engagement members such that each of the lateral edges is adjacent to the engagement surface of a corresponding one of the engagement members, the payload support being adapted to transmit loads from the payload member to the engagement surfaces of the two engagement members of the support structure, the payload support being moveable with the payload member relative to the support structure; and selecting a second desired location on the support structure; decoupling the at least one payload support of the adaptable payload assembly from the at least one of the engagement surfaces; repositioning the adaptable payload assembly including the payload support from the first desired location to the second desired location; with the adaptable payload assembly positioned at the second desired location, coupling the at least one payload support of the adaptable payload assembly to at least one of the engagement surfaces of the engagement members; and coupling at least one related system to the adaptable payload assembly, wherein coupling the at least one related system includes coupling at least one of an electrical system, an electronic system, a water system, an air vent system, an air conditioning system, a floor panel heat system, and a waste system to the adaptable payload assembly. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein providing a floor assembly includes providing a floor assembly wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of a panel supported by the floor assembly. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein providing an adaptable payload assembly includes providing an adaptable payload assembly having a payload panel, and wherein providing a floor assembly includes providing a floor assembly wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of the payload panel. 24. The method of claim 21, wherein the providing a floor assembly includes providing a floor assembly adapted to support a floor panel, and wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of the floor panel. 25. A method of transporting a payload, comprising: providing a vehicle having a support structure including a plurality of elongated engagement members, each engagement member including an engagement surface adapted to support a load; providing an adaptable payload assembly removeably coupled to the support structure at a first desired location, the adaptable payload assembly having a payload member and at least one payload support coupled to the payload member, the payload member including at least one of a galley, a lavatory, a passenger seat, a cargo container, a section partition, a fireplace, and an article of furniture, the payload support including a substantially flat portion having a pair of lateral edges, the substantially flat portion being adapted to span between at least two engagement members such that each of the lateral edges is adjacent to the engagement surface of a corresponding one of the engagement members, the payload support being adapted to transmit loads from the payload member to the engagement surfaces of the two engagement members of the support structure, the payload support being moveable with the payload member relative to the support structure; coupling at least one related system to the adaptable payload assembly, wherein coupling the at least one related system includes coupling at least one of an electrical system, an electronic system, a water system, an air vent system, an air conditioning system, a floor panel heat system, and a waste system to the adaptable payload assembly; and transporting the adaptable payload assembly to a first destination using the vehicle. 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: selecting a second desired location on the support structure; decoupling the at least one payload support of the adaptable payload assembly from the at least one of the engagement surfaces; repositioning the adaptable payload assembly including the payload support from the first desired location to the second desired location; with the adaptable payload assembly positioned at the second desired location, coupling the at least one payload support of the adaptable payload assembly to at least one of the engagement surfaces of the engagement members; and transporting the adaptable payload assembly to a second destination using the vehicle. 27. The method of claim 25, wherein providing a support structure includes providing a support structure wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of a panel supported by the support structure. 28. The method of claim 25, wherein providing an adaptable payload assembly includes providing an adaptable payload assembly having a payload panel, and wherein providing a support structure includes providing a support structure wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of the payload panel. 29. The method of claim 25, wherein the providing a support structure includes providing a support structure adapted to support a floor panel, and wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of the floor panel. 30. The method of claim 25, wherein providing a support structure includes providing a support structure wherein the elongated engagement members are approximately parallel. 31. The method of claim 25, wherein providing a support system includes providing at least one of a floor assembly, an airframe, a structural member of a truck, a structural member of a trailer, a structural member of a ship, and a structural member of a cargo carrier. 32. A method of transporting a payload using an aircraft, comprising: providing a support structure with the aircraft having a plurality of elongated engagement members, each engagement member including an engagement surface adapted to support a load; providing an adaptable payload assembly removeably coupled to the support structure at a first desired location within the aircraft, the adaptable payload assembly having a payload member and at least one payload support coupled to the payload member, the payload member including at least one of a galley, a lavatory, a passenger seat, a cargo container, a section partition, a fireplace, and an article of furniture, the payload support including a substantially flat portion having a pair of lateral edges, the substantially flat portion being adapted to span between at least two engagement members such that each of the lateral edges is adjacent to the engagement surface of a corresponding one of the engagement members, the payload support being adapted to transmit loads from the payload member to the engagement surfaces of the two engagement members of the support structure, the payload support being moveable with the payload member relative to the support structure; coupling at least one related system to the adaptable payload assembly, wherein coupling the at least one related system includes coupling at least one of an electrical system, an electronic system, a water system, an air vent system, an air conditioning system, a floor panel heat system and a waste system to the adaptable payload assembly; and transporting the adaptable payload assembly to a first destination using the aircraft. 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising: selecting a second desired location on the support structure; decoupling the at least one payload support of the adaptable payload assembly from the at least one of the engagement surfaces; repositioning the adaptable payload assembly including the payload support from the first desired location to the second desired location within the aircraft; with the adaptable payload assembly positioned at the second desired location, coupling the at least one payload support of the adaptable payload assembly to at least one of the engagement surfaces of the engagement members; and transporting the adaptable payload assembly to a second destination using the aircraft. 34. The method of claim 32, wherein providing a support structure within the aircraft includes providing a support structure wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of a panel supported by the support structure. 35. The method of claim 32, wherein providing an adaptable payload assembly includes providing an adaptable payload assembly having a payload panel, and wherein providing a support structure includes providing a support structure wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of the payload panel. 36. The method of claim 32, wherein the providing a support structure within the aircraft includes providing a support structure adapted to support a floor panel, and wherein the engagement surfaces are at least one of approximately flush with and recessed below a lower surface of the floor panel. 37. The method of claim 32, wherein providing a support structure includes providing a support structure wherein the elongated engagement members are approximately parallel.