IP Library Granted Patent US 12,054,294
Granted Patent B2
US 12,054,294 · App. 17/717,989 · Granted Aug 6, 2024

Bracket fixture for space habitat

Inventors: Grant Robert Woods (Littleton, CO); Jeffrey S. Hickerson (Erie, CO); Charles Ralph Sandy (Camden, DE)
Assignee: Sierra Space Corporation
B64G1/60B64G1/2227
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,054,294
App. No.
17/717,989
Granted
Aug 6, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods, devices, and systems are described for a bracket fixture for securing a load to a soft goods layer in a space habitat. The bracket fixture includes a base having a plurality of sides, the plurality of sides having a pin parallel to its respective side, and an aperture between the pin and the respective side. The bracket fixture further includes a protrusion extending from the base, the protrusion including a fixture element.

Claims (43)

1. A bracket fixture for securing a load the bracket fixture comprising:

a base having a top surface, a first set of opposing sides, and a second set of opposing sides, the first set of opposing sides being situated at opposite ends of the top surface along a first direction, and the second set of opposing sides being situated at opposite ends of the top surface along a second direction, each opposing side of the first set of opposing sides and each opposing side of the second set of opposing sides having at least two members extending laterally from the base for sustaining a pin;

a protrusion extending from the top surface of the base for sustaining the load; and

a bladder flange having a flange opening forming a circular wall configured to receive the protrusion, and the bladder flange having a flange base extending laterally from the flange opening at a bottom portion of the circular wall,

wherein the first direction and the second direction are approximately perpendicular to each other.

2. The bracket fixture of claim 1 , wherein the at least two members are configured to extend parallel to one another, wherein the at least two members are separated by the pin, and wherein the pin is configured to connect to the at least two members at distal ends of the at least two members.

3. The bracket fixture of claim 1 , wherein the pin is detachable, wherein the protrusion is centered on the base, and wherein the protrusion includes at least one of a hook, a slot, an opening, and a female threading.

4. The bracket fixture of claim 2 , wherein the distal ends of the at least two members have openings for receiving the pin.

5. The bracket fixture of claim 2 , wherein the protrusion extends at an angle approximately perpendicular from the base, and wherein the pin is configured to connect at the distal ends of the two members to form an aperture between the pin and the base.

6. The bracket fixture of claim 1 , further comprising:

a webbing loop wrapped around the pin to secure the base to a soft goods layer, the webbing loop configured to pass through an aperture between the pin and the base.

7. The bracket fixture of claim 6 , further comprising:

a cord loop aperture formed at a corner of the base, the cord loop aperture being distinct from the aperture between the pin and the base, the cord loop aperture configured to receive a cord loop connected directly beneath the base of the bracket fixture to prevent separation between the base and the soft goods layer.

8. The bracket fixture of claim 1 , further comprising:

a thermoformed cone bonded to an underside of the flange base,

wherein the bladder flange configured to cover the top surface, the first set of opposing sides, and the second set of opposing sides, and

wherein the bladder flange is configured to be placed over the protrusion and the thermoformed cone provides a protective layer for a bladder.

9. The bracket fixture of claim 8 , further comprising:

an O-ring around a circumference of the protrusion,

wherein the placing the bladder flange over the O-ring creates a seal around the O-ring.

10. A method for securing a bracket fixture to a space habitat with a bladder, the method comprising:

securing the bracket fixture to a soft goods layer covering the bladder, the bracket fixture including a base having a top surface, a first set of opposing sides, and a second set of opposing sides, the first set of opposing sides being situated at opposite ends of the top surface along a first direction, and the second set of opposing sides being situated at opposite ends of the top surface along a second direction, each opposing side of the first set of opposing sides and each opposing side of the second set of opposing sides having at least two members extending laterally from the base for sustaining a pin, the bracket fixture further including a protrusion extending from the top surface of the base, the first direction and the second direction being approximately perpendicular to each other; and

placing a bladder flange over the bracket fixture, the bladder flange having a flange opening forming a circular wall configured to receive the protrusion, and the bladder flange having a flange base extending laterally from the flange opening at a bottom portion of the circular wall.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

securing a felt washer over the protrusion of the bracket fixture to cushion the bladder from the bracket fixture, the felt washer configured to cover a portion of the bladder proximate to the bladder flange.

12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

placing a retaining ring over the bladder flange to prevent movement of the bladder flange with respect to the bracket fixture.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the protrusion includes an O-ring around its circumference and wherein placing the bladder flange over the O-ring creates a seal around the O-ring.

14. A bracket fixture system for securing a load to a soft goods layer in a space habitat, the bracket fixture system comprising:

a bracket fixture including a base having a top surface, a first set of opposing sides, and a second set of opposing sides, the first set of opposing sides being situated at opposite ends of the top surface along a first direction, and the second set of opposing sides being situated at opposite ends of the top surface along a second direction, the base having a protrusion extending from the base, each opposing side of the first set of opposing sides and each opposing side of the second set of opposing sides having at least two members extending laterally from the base for sustaining a pin;

a bladder flange having a flange opening forming a circular wall configured to receive the protrusion, and the bladder flange having a flange base extending laterally from the flange opening at a bottom portion of the circular wall; and

a webbing loop wrapped around the pin to secure the base to the soft goods layer, the webbing loop configured to pass through an aperture between the pin and the base,

wherein the webbing loop is configured to attach to the soft goods layer at the space habitat, wherein the first direction and the second direction are approximately perpendicular to each other.

15. The bracket fixture system of claim 14 , wherein the protrusion is centered on the base, and the protrusion includes at least one of a hook, a slot, an opening, and a female threading.

16. The bracket fixture system of claim 14 , further comprising:

a thermoformed cone bonded to an underside of the flange base,

wherein the bladder flange configured to cover the top surface, the first set of opposing sides, and the second set of opposing sides, and

wherein the bladder flange is configured to be placed over the protrusion and the thermoformed cone provides a protective layer for a bladder.

17. The bracket fixture system of claim 14 , wherein the at least two members are configured to extend parallel to one another, wherein the at least two members are separated by the pin, and wherein the pin is configured to connect to the at least two members at distal ends of the at least two members.

18. The bracket fixture system of claim 17 , wherein the protrusion extends at an angle approximately perpendicular from the base, and wherein the pin is configured to connect at the distal ends of the two members to form the aperture between the pin and the base.

19. The bracket fixture system of claim 14 , wherein the pin is detachable.

20. The bracket fixture system of claim 19 , further comprising:

a cord loop aperture formed at a corner of the base, the cord loop aperture being distinct from the aperture between the pin and the base, the cord loop aperture configured to receive a cord loop connected directly beneath the base of the bracket fixture to prevent separation between the base and the soft goods layer.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 24, 2026
From: ILC DOVER LP
To: ILC ASTROSPACE, LLC
Reel/Frame 075756/0749 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 20, 2026
From: WOODS, GRANT ROBERT; HICKERSON, JEFFREY S.
To: SIERRA SPACE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 073522/0280 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2024
From: SANDY, CHARLES RALPH
To: ILC DOVER LP
Reel/Frame 068136/0980 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63209353 · Jun 10, 2021
Related Publication 20220396379A1 · Dec 15, 2022