Abstract: A removable aircraft floor structure-reinforcing strongback is removably attachable to seat tracks in a conventional civilian cargo aircraft to increase the floor structure load rating thereof. The strongback does not require any permanent modifications to the aircraft fuselage and preferably engages seat tracks in the aircraft floor structure.The strongback comprises a removable beam extending longitudinally over a significant distance of the aircraft center line. The strongback re-distributes local loads from one section of the aircraft floor structure to a plurality of transverse floor beams underneath the strongback. In this manner, the axle load rating of the aircraft floor is increased for supporting military vehicles.

Abstract: A novel dual load path connector for pivotally joining a movable member to a structural member, is described which comprises a pair of spaced apart lugs attached to a first of the members, each of the lugs including an outwardly projecting boss, a clevis disposed between the lugs and attached to the first member, a pivot pin, received by the lugs and clevis, which may support a self-aligning bearing between the ends of the clevis, and a connecting link assembly including a first connecting link pivotally supported at a first end on the pin and connected at the other end to the second member, and a pair of second connecting links pivotally supported at respective first ends on the bosses and at the second ends to the second member, the first connecting link, pin and clevis providing a first load bearing path between the structural and movable members, and the second connecting links, bosses and lugs providing a second load bearing path.

Abstract: A novel dual load path connector for pivotally joining a movable member to a structural member, is described which comprises a pair of spaced apart lugs attached to a first of the members, each of the lugs including an outwardly projecting boss, a clevis disposed between the lugs and attached to the first member, a pivot pin, received by the lugs and clevis, which may support a self-aligning bearing between the ends of the clevis, and a connecting link assembly including a first connecting link pivotally supported at a first end on the pin and connected at the other end to the second member, and a pair of second connecting links pivotally supported at respective first ends on the bosses and at the second ends to the second member, the first connecting link, pin and clevis providing a first load bearing path between the structural and movable members, and the second connecting links, bosses and lugs providing a second load bearing path.

Abstract: A rotary rack launcher for use in an aircraft for carrying missiles or other droppable or ejectable stores, the launcher being formed of a rimless wheel having a hub and spokes. The spokes are supported by shoes on their outer ends in a circular or near circular, including elliptical, track or tracks that are mounted in the aircraft. The track or tracks have cutaway portions through which the stored material is dropped or ejected. The missiles or other material are supported from the hub between adjacent spokes by a conventional bomb rack or ejection device, attached to the missile, for example, near its center of gravity. The launcher structure provides for the load path for support to be directly from the ejector device, through the hub, to the spokes, to the track or tracks, and to the airframe.