Claims
- 1. An apparatus comprising:
a device for attaching a canopy to a rail, the device includes a first section and a second section; and one or more fasteners for attaching the first section to the second section with a portion of the canopy being secured between the attached first and second sections.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the canopy is molded to conform with the first and second sections.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the canopy is molded to include one or more fastener receiving holes for receiving the fasteners.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the canopy includes bushings within the fastener receiving holes.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first or second sections include one or more channels for receiving an inflatable bladder.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first or second sections are configured to be received by the vehicle.
- 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft.
- 8. A canopy system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
an injection-molded canopy; a first frame section; and a second frame section; and one or more fasteners for attaching the first section to the second section with a portion of the canopy being secured between the attached first and second sections.
- 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the canopy is molded to conform with the first and second sections.
- 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the canopy is molded to include one or more fastener receiving holes.
- 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the canopy includes bushings within the fastener receiving holes.
- 12. A method for attaching an injection-molded canopy to a vehicle, the method comprising:
molding a portion of the canopy to be received by first and second canopy frame components; attaching the first frame component to the second frame component, wherein at least a portion of the molded portion of the canopy is secured between the attached first and second canopy frame components.
- 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the molded portion includes one or more fastener receiving holes.
- 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising inserting bushings into the one or more fastener receiving holes.
- 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising molding bushings into the one or more fastener receiving holes.
- 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the one of the first or second frame components include one or more channels for receiving a pressure seal.
- 17. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first or second frame components are configured to be received by the vehicle.
- 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft.
- 19. An apparatus comprising:
a device for attaching a canopy to a rail, the device includes a first section, a second section, and a third section; and one or more fasteners for attaching the first, second, and third sections, wherein a portion of the canopy is secured between the first and second sections.
- 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the canopy is molded to conform with the first and second sections.
- 21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the third section includes one or more channels for receiving an inflatable bladder.
- 22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the third section is configured to be received by the vehicle.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This invention relates to copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. _____, Attorney docket no. BOEI-1-1132, filed Feb. 13, 2003, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, Attorney docket no. BOEI-1-1136, filed Feb. 13, 2003, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, Attorney docket no. BOEI-1-1138, filed Feb. 13, 2003, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, Attorney docket no. BOEI-1-1139, filed Feb. 13, 2003, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, Attorney docket no. BOEI-1-1142, filed Feb. 13, 2003, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS
[0002] This invention was made with Government support under U.S. Government contract F33615-97-2-3407 awarded by U.S. Air Force. The Government has certain rights in this invention.