Abstract: A system and a method for securing a first composite panel to a second composite panel include a latch assembly having one or more latches. The latch assembly is configured to be secured to one of the first composite panel or the second composite panel. One or more strikes are configured to retain at least a portion of the one or more latches. The one or more strikes are configured to be secured to the other of the first composite panel or the second composite panel.

Abstract: A system and a method for securing a first composite panel to a second composite panel include a latch assembly having one or more latches. The latch assembly is configured to be secured to one of the first composite panel or the second composite panel. One or more strikes are configured to retain at least a portion of the one or more latches. The one or more strikes are configured to be secured to the other of the first composite panel or the second composite panel.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a panel assembly is disclosed. The method includes receiving the panel assembly. The panel assembly includes at least one panel having a finished surface and a covering that is removably adhered to the finished surface of the panel, where the covering includes a plurality of patch sections defined by lines of demarcation. The method also includes removing at least one patch section from the finished surface of the panel to create an opening by tearing the at least one patch section along the lines of demarcation. Each of the plurality of patch sections are frangible with respect to an adjacent patch section at the lines of demarcation.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods that include a variable length linkage for connecting together tie rods. The linkage includes first, second, and third apertures. There is a first distance between the first aperture and the second aperture and a second distance between the first aperture and the third aperture. The apparatus may include a fourth aperture having a third distance between the first aperture and the fourth aperture. The second, third, and fourth apertures may each have a non-circular cross-section. The linkage may include a base, a first finger, a second finger, and a third finger that each extend from the base. The first aperture may be in the base, the second aperture may be in the first finger, the third aperture may be in the second finger, and the fourth aperture may be in the third finger. The first aperture may be oriented vertically with the other apertures oriented horizontally.

Abstract: A method of joining panels is disclosed, including adhesively bonding a case in a slot of a first panel, the case having a channel on an inner side, and adhesively bonding a plate to a tab portion of a second panel, the plate having an external pin member. The method further includes inserting the tab portion of the second panel into the case in the slot of the first panel and sliding the external pin member of the plate along the channel on the inner side of the case, to a locking position.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods that include a variable length linkage for connecting together tie rods. The linkage includes first, second, and third apertures. There is a first distance between the first aperture and the second aperture and a second distance between the first aperture and the third aperture. The apparatus may include a fourth aperture having a third distance between the first aperture and the fourth aperture. The second, third, and fourth apertures may each have a non-circular cross-section. The linkage may include a base, a first finger, a second finger, and a third finger that each extend from the base. The first aperture may be in the base, the second aperture may be in the first finger, the third aperture may be in the second finger, and the fourth aperture may be in the third finger. The first aperture may be oriented vertically with the other apertures oriented horizontally.

Abstract: In an example, a structural frame is described. The structural frame includes a hub and a plurality of truss members. The hub includes a plurality of hub slots around a perimeter of the hub. The plurality of truss members are configured to couple with the hub and each other. Each truss member is a monolithic structure including: (i) a body extending from a first end of the truss member to a second end of the truss member, (ii) a truss fastener at the first end and configured to couple with a respective one of the plurality of the hub slots of the hub, (iii) a truss slot at the second end and configured to couple to the truss fastener of another one of the plurality of truss members, and (iv) one or more retainers extending along the body between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A method of joining panels is disclosed, including adhesively bonding a case in a slot of a first panel, the case having a channel on an inner side, and adhesively bonding a plate to a tab portion of a second panel, the plate having an external pin member. The method further includes inserting the tab portion of the second panel into the case in the slot of the first panel and sliding the external pin member of the plate along the channel on the inner side of the case, to a locking position.

Abstract: In an example, a structural frame is described. The structural frame includes a hub and a plurality of truss members. The hub includes a plurality of hub slots around a perimeter of the hub. The plurality of truss members are configured to couple with the hub and each other. Each truss member is a monolithic structure including: (i) a body extending from a first end of the truss member to a second end of the truss member, (ii) a truss fastener at the first end and configured to couple with a respective one of the plurality of the hub slots of the hub, (iii) a truss slot at the second end and configured to couple to the truss fastener of another one of the plurality of truss members, and (iv) one or more retainers extending along the body between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a panel assembly is disclosed. The method includes receiving the panel assembly. The panel assembly includes at least one panel having a finished surface and a covering that is removably adhered to the finished surface of the panel, where the covering includes a plurality of patch sections defined by lines of demarcation. The method also includes removing at least one patch section from the finished surface of the panel to create an opening by tearing the at least one patch section along the lines of demarcation. Each of the plurality of patch sections are frangible with respect to an adjacent patch section at the lines of demarcation.

Abstract: A panel assembly is disclosed, and includes at least one panel that defines a finished surface and a covering that is removeably adhered to the finished surface of the panel. The covering includes a plurality of patch sections that are defined by lines of demarcation, and each of the plurality of patch sections are frangible with respect to adjacent patch sections at the lines of demarcation.

Abstract: A panel laminator includes a first frame defining an outer boundary, the first frame operable to support a panel to be laminated and a first flexible diaphragm supported by the first frame to cover the outer boundary. The laminator includes a second frame sized and shaped to conform to the first frame along the outer boundary and a second flexible diaphragm supported by the second frame to match the outer boundary. The laminator includes a passage fluidly connected to the space between the first and second flexible diaphragms, with the passage configured to be coupled to a vacuum system in order to remove air from the space between the first and second flexible diaphragms during a lamination process. The first frame and the second frame are configured to rotate as a unit between a first, generally horizontal, orientation and a second, generally vertical, orientation.

Abstract: A panel assembly is disclosed, and includes at least one panel that defines a finished surface and a covering that is removeably adhered to the finished surface of the panel. The covering includes a plurality of patch sections that are defined by lines of demarcation, and each of the plurality of patch sections are frangible with respect to adjacent patch sections at the lines of demarcation.

Abstract: A panel laminator includes a first frame defining an outer boundary, the first frame operable to support a panel to be laminated and a first flexible diaphragm supported by the first frame to cover the outer boundary. The laminator includes a second frame sized and shaped to conform to the first frame along the outer boundary and a second flexible diaphragm supported by the second frame to match the outer boundary. The laminator includes a passage fluidly connected to the space between the first and second flexible diaphragms, with the passage configured to be coupled to a vacuum system in order to remove air from the space between the first and second flexible diaphragms during a lamination process. The first frame and the second frame are configured to rotate as a unit between a first, generally horizontal, orientation and a second, generally vertical, orientation.