Swivel bracket system
View Patent ↗A bracket comprises a support base configured to be attached to a frame or other structural member of an aircraft; a component base configured to be attached to an ECS duct or other component to be supported on the structural member; and intermediate structure for joining the support base to the component base. The intermediate structure permits relative motion between the component base and the frame base in nearly all directions so that the component may be positioned in nearly any desired orientation relative to the structural member.
1. A bracket for supporting a component from a structural member of an aircraft, the bracket comprising:
a support base configured to be attached to the structural member of the aircraft, the support base including a socket;
a component base configured to be attached to the component, the component base including a mounting plate, a socket extending from the mounting plate, and external threads; and
intermediate structure for joining the support base to the component base, the intermediate structure comprising:
a ball connector for receipt within the socket of the component base, forming a ball-and-socket joint between the component base and the intermediate structure, wherein the ball connector includes a snap-fit connector for receipt within the socket of the support base,
a stem placed between the ball connector and the support base for increasing a distance between the support base and the component base, and
a collar configured for locking the ball connector in the socket of the component base, wherein the collar comprises internal threads operate to engage with the external threads of the component base,
wherein the support base comprises a mounting plate that extends generally perpendicularly relative to the mounting plate of the component base.
2. The bracket as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the support base, the component base, and the intermediate structure are all formed of injection molded thermoplastic material.
3. A bracket system comprising:
a parallel support base comprising a mounting plate and a post with a longitudinal axis that extends generally parallel to a plane occupied by the mounting plate of the parallel support base;
a perpendicular support base comprising a mounting plate and a post with a longitudinal axis that extends generally perpendicular to a plane occupied by the mounting plate of the perpendicular support base;
a component base comprising a mounting plate and a socket with a longitudinal axis that extends generally perpendicular to a plane occupied by the component base mounting plate;
at least one intermediate structure having a first end and a second end, wherein at least one of the first end and the second end are configured to detachably connect with at least one of the parallel support base and the perpendicular support base;
a ball connector comprising a spherical portion and a connector portion extending radially outward from the spherical portion,
wherein the spherical portion is shaped and sized to rotatably and pivotally couple with the component base socket and the connector portion is configured to detachably connect with each and every one of the parallel support base, the perpendicular support base, and the at least one intermediate structure.
4. The bracket system of claim 3 , wherein the at least one intermediate structure comprises a long stem and a short stem.