Quick-connect fittings for convertible cargo handling assemblies

1. A convertible cargo handling assembly, comprising:

a mat having a mat topmost surface, the mat surface comprising a liner for a cargo compartment;

a quick-connect fitting comprising:

a fixed portion located within an opening in the mat, the fixed portion having a fixed portion surface that is flush with the mat surface and forms a planar surface of the cargo compartment liner, and

a coupling component configured to rotate relative to the fixed portion; and

a removable cargo handling component removably coupled to the fixed portion of the quick-connect fitting.

2. The convertible cargo handling assembly of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the mat is located over a flange of the fixed portion of the quick-connect fitting.

3. The convertible cargo handling assembly of claim 2 , wherein the coupling component comprises:

a head portion located at a first surface of the removable cargo handling component; and

a threaded portion located at a second surface of the removable cargo handling component opposite the first surface.

4. The convertible cargo handling assembly of claim 3 , wherein the fixed portion comprises a threaded post configured to engage the threaded portion of the coupling component.

5. The quick-connect fitting of claim 4 , wherein the fixed portion further comprises:

a base portion defining a threaded orifice; and

a threaded cup located within the threaded orifice.

6. The convertible cargo handling assembly of claim 5 , wherein the removable cargo handling component comprises at least one of a ball mat, a roller tray, or a side guide.

7. The convertible cargo handling assembly of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the coupling component is configured to be flush with a surface of the fixed portion, when the quick-connect fitting is in an unsecured position.

8. The convertible cargo handling assembly of claim 7 , wherein the removable cargo handling component defines a channel configured to receive the coupling component, and wherein the removable cargo handling component includes a protrusion located in the channel.

9. The convertible cargo handling assembly claim 8 , wherein when the quick-connect fitting is in a secured position, the protrusion is located between the coupling component and the surface of the fixed portion.

10. A convertible cargo handling assembly, comprising:

a mat having a mat topmost surface, the mat surface comprising a liner for a cargo compartment;

a quick-connect fitting located in an opening in the mat, the quick-connect fitting comprising a fixed portion including a fixed portion surface that is flush with the mat surface, a coupling component configured to rotate relative to the fixed portion, and a biasing member coupled between the fixed portion and the coupling component.

11. The convertible cargo handling assembly of claim 10 , wherein a surface of the coupling component is configured to be flush with the surface of the fixed portion and the surface of the mat, when the quick-connect fitting is in an unsecured position.

12. The convertible cargo handling assembly of claim 11 , further including a removable cargo handling component removably coupled to the fixed portion of the quick-connect fitting, wherein the removable cargo handling component includes a protrusion located in a channel defined by the removable cargo handling component, and wherein when the quick-connect fitting is in a secured position, the protrusion is located between the coupling component and the surface of the fixed portion.

13. The convertible cargo handling assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cargo compartment liner comprises at least one of a floor and a wall of the cargo compartment.

14. The convertible cargo handling assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of mats each having a mat surface, the plurality of mat surfaces of the plurality of mats forming a cargo deck.

15. The convertible cargo handling assembly of claim 1 , wherein the convertible cargo handling assembly is disposed within an aircraft having an aircraft frame structure, the fixed portion of the quick-connect fitting being secured to the aircraft frame structure.

16. The convertible cargo handling assembly of claim 6 , the removable cargo handling component comprising at least one of a ball mat and a roller tray, the convertible cargo handling assembly further comprising:

at least one power drive unit disposed within at least one of the at least one ball mat and roller tray, the power drive unit being configured to propel cargo in a desired direction.

17. The convertible cargo handling assembly of claim 10 , wherein the cargo compartment liner comprises at least one of a floor and a wall of the cargo compartment.

18. The convertible cargo handling assembly of claim 10 , further comprising:

a plurality of mats each having a mat surface, the plurality of mat surfaces of the plurality of mats forming a cargo deck.

19. The convertible cargo handling assembly of claim 10 , wherein the convertible cargo handling assembly is disposed within an aircraft having an aircraft frame structure, the fixed portion of the quick-connect fitting being secured to the aircraft frame structure.