TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application generally relates to toolless sizing of track fillers. More particularly, it relates to track fillers and methods for installing the track filler.

BACKGROUND

Certain aircraft furniture, for example, passenger seats on airplanes may be installed in tracks or rails (sometimes referred to as “seat tracks”) because they provide airplane manufacturers flexibility with configuration and installation of the seats. For example, different customers may desire different spacing between the seats, and the seats can come in various sizes and shapes. Thus, by providing tracks on the floor of the aircraft cabin, the seats may be installed anywhere along the track without having to drill holes at specific locations within the floor. This is also convenient should the customer desire to change the configuration or arrangement of the seats at a later time, the existing seats can be removed, and new seats may be installed in any new desired arrangement along the track without having to drills new holes in the floor.

SUMMARY

According to a first example, a track filler, is described. The track filler may include: an elongated body including: a first sidewall having a first top end and a first bottom end, and formed along a first side of the body; a second sidewall having a second top end and a second bottom end, and formed along a second side of the body, opposite the first sidewall; and a topwall joining the first top end and the second top end, wherein the body forms at least a partially hollow interior portion. The elongated body may include a plurality of periodic notches along the first bottom end of the first sidewall and the second bottom end of the second sidewall and extending toward the first top end and the second top end, respectively; and a plurality of periodic grooves extending partially through the topwall, wherein each of the grooves extend from a notch at the first top end to a corresponding notch at the second top end.

According to a second example, a method for installing the track filler in the seat track is described. The method may include: determining a desired length of the track filler based on the length of the seat track; selecting, from among the plurality of the periodic grooves, a groove closest to the desired length of the track filler; bending, by a user, the elongated body in a first direction along the selected groove; breaking the elongated body at the notches of the first and second sidewalls and along the selected groove; and inserting the shortened track filler in the seat track.

The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, which are incorporated into this section by reference. A more complete understanding of examples of the invention will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of one or more examples. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings that will first be described briefly.

