TRUSS END PAD FITTING

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.