Fitting with improved boss structure

Abstract

A fitting includes a first mounting portion connectable with a first member and having opposing planar surfaces and inner and outer ends. A second mounting portion is angled with respect to the first mounting portion, is connectable with a second member and has opposing planar surfaces, an outer end and an inner end integrally formed with the first mounting portion inner end. A boss projects outwardly from the second mounting portion first surface and is disposeable within a recess of the second member or a stiffener coupled with the second member. The boss has an inner end adjacent to the second mounting portion inner end, an outer end spaced from the inner end, a centerline between the boss inner and outer ends, and an outermost surface spaced from the second mounting portion first surface by a spacing distance having a value greater than zero at all points along the centerline.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A fitting for connecting first and second members, the fitting comprising:
 a first mounting portion connectable with the first member and having opposing first and second generally planar surfaces and opposing inner and outer ends;   a second mounting portion generally angled with respect to the first mounting portion and connectable with the second member, the second mounting portion having opposing first and second planar surfaces and opposing inner and outer ends, the second mounting portion inner end being integrally formed with the first mounting portion inner end; and   at least one generally elongated boss projecting outwardly from a remainder of the second mounting portion and configured to be disposed within a recess formed in the second member or a stiffener coupled with the second member, the boss having an inner end at least generally adjacent to the inner end of the second mounting portion, an opposing outer end spaced from the second mounting portion inner end, a centerline extending between the boss inner and outer ends, and an outermost surface section spaced from the second mounting portion first surface by a spacing distance, the spacing distance having a value greater than zero at all points along the centerline.   
     
     
         2 . The fitting as recited in  claim 1  wherein one of:
 the spacing distance has a generally constant value along a substantial portion of the centerline; and 
 the spacing distance varies between a greatest value at the boss inner end and a least value at the boss second end. 
 
     
     
         3 . The fitting as recited in  claim 1  wherein the boss has a cross-sectional profile within any plane extending through the second mounting portion generally perpendicular to the first and second planar surfaces, the cross-sectional profile being one of generally circular, generally rectangular and generally complex-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The fitting as recited in  claim 3  wherein one of:
 the cross-sectional profile has a generally constant area at points along a substantial portion of the centerline; and 
 the cross-sectional profile has a cross-sectional are that varies between a greatest value at the boss first end and a least value at the boss second end. 
 
     
     
         5 . The fitting as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first mounting portion includes at least one boss projecting outwardly from the first mounting portion first surface and having an inner end connected with the inner end of the second mounting portion boss and an outer end spaced from the inner end. 
     
     
         6 . The fitting as recited in  claim 1  wherein the at least one boss is a first boss and the second mounting portion further includes a second generally elongated boss spaced from the first boss, projecting outwardly from a remainder of the second mounting portion, and configured to be disposed within a recess formed in the second member or a stiffener coupled with the second member, the second boss having an inner end at least generally adjacent to the inner end of the second mounting portion, an opposing outer end spaced from the second mounting portion inner end, a centerline extending between the boss inner and outer ends, and an outermost surface section spaced from the second mounting portion first surface by a spacing distance, the spacing distance having a value greater than zero at all points along the centerline. 
     
     
         7 . The fitting as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first mounting portion has at least one opening for receiving a fastener to connect the fitting with the first member and the second mounting portion has at least one opening for receiving a fastener to connect the fitting with the second member or a stiffener coupled with the second member. 
     
     
         8 . The fitting as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first and second mounting portions are formed of a composite material including generally long strand fibers and resin. 
     
     
         9 . The fitting as recited in  claim 1  wherein the at least one boss has a generally concave surface extending inwardly from the second mounting portion second planar surface and defining a recess, wherein the recess is generally hollow or the recess contains a filler material. 
     
     
         10 . A mechanical assembly comprising:
 a first member;   a second member spaced from the first member, wherein the second member has a recess or is coupled with a stiffener having a recess, the recess being defined by an inner surface extending generally along a centerline;   a fitting formed of a composite material including fibers and resin, the fitting including:
 a first mounting portion connectable with the first member and having opposing first and second generally planar surfaces and opposing inner and outer ends; 
 a second mounting portion generally angled with respect to the first mounting portion and connectable with the second member, the second mounting portion having opposing first and second planar surfaces and opposing inner and outer ends, the second mounting portion inner end being integrally formed with the first mounting portion inner end and the second mounting portion first surface facing generally toward the first mounting portion first surface; and 
 at least one generally elongated boss projecting outwardly from a remainder of the second mounting portion, the boss having a first end located at least generally adjacent to second mounting portion inner end, an opposing second end spaced from the second mounting portion inner end, and an outer surface extending generally between the first and second ends, the boss being disposed within the recess of the second member or the stiffener such that the boss outer surface is juxtaposed against at least a substantial portion of the recess inner surface. 
   
     
     
         11 . The mechanical assembly as recited in  claim 10  wherein an outermost section of the boss outer surface is spaced from the second mounting portion first planar surface by a spacing distance, the spacing distance having a value greater than zero at all points along the centerline. 
     
     
         12 . The mechanical assembly as recited in  claim 11  wherein one of:
 the spacing distance has a generally constant value along a substantial portion of the centerline; and 
 the spacing distance varies between a greatest value at the boss inner end and a least value at the boss second end. 
 
     
     
         13 . The mechanical assembly as recited in  claim 10  wherein the boss has a cross-sectional profile within any plane extending through the second mounting portion generally perpendicular to the first and second planar surfaces, the cross-sectional profile being one of generally circular, generally rectangular and generally complex-shaped. 
     
     
         14 . The mechanical assembly as recited in  claim 13  wherein one of:
 the cross-sectional profile has a generally constant area at points along a substantial portion of the centerline; and 
 the cross-sectional profile has a cross-sectional are that varies between a greatest value at the boss first end and a least value at the boss second end. 
 
     
     
         15 . The mechanical assembly as recited in  claim 10  wherein the first mounting portion includes at least one boss projecting outwardly from the first mounting portion first surface and having an inner end connected with the inner end of the second mounting portion boss and an outer end spaced from the inner end. 
     
     
         16 . The mechanical assembly as recited in  claim 10  wherein the at least one boss is a first boss and the second mounting portion further includes a second generally elongated boss projecting outwardly from a remainder of the second mounting portion and configured to be disposed within another recess formed in the second member or a stiffener coupled with the second member, the second boss having an inner end at least generally adjacent to the inner end of the second mounting portion, an opposing outer end spaced from the second mounting portion inner end, a centerline extending between the boss inner and outer ends, and an outermost surface section spaced from the second mounting portion first surface by a spacing distance, the spacing distance having a value greater than zero at all points along the centerline. 
     
     
         17 . The mechanical assembly as recited in  claim 10  wherein the first mounting portion has at least one opening for receiving a fastener to connect the fitting with the first member and the second mounting portion has at least one opening for receiving a fastener to connect the fitting with the second member or a stiffener coupled with the second member. 
     
     
         18 . The mechanical assembly as recited in  claim 10  wherein the first and second mounting portions are formed of a composite material including generally long strand fibers and resin. 
     
     
         19 . The mechanical assembly as recited in  claim 10  wherein the at least one boss has a generally concave surface extending inwardly from the second mounting portion second planar surface and defining a recess, wherein the recess is generally hollow or the recess contains a filler material.