Abstract:
An aircraft storage bin that includes an upper housing, and a bucket pivotally connected to the upper housing that cooperates with the upper housing to define a bin interior. The bucket includes a bottom, a front edge and first and second opposing side walls extending upwardly from the bottom and pivots about a pivot axis with respect to the upper housing between an open position and a closed position. When the storage bin is installed in an aircraft, a first horizontal distance is defined between a first vertical line that extends through the pivot axis and the front edge of the bucket when the bucket is in the closed position, and a second horizontal distance is defined between the first vertical line and the front edge of the bucket when the bucket is in the open position. The first horizontal distance is greater than the second horizontal distance.
Abstract:
A panel assembly (10) that includes at least a first upper base layer (16) made of a thermoplastic material that includes fibers therein, at least a first lower base layer (18) made of a thermoplastic material that includes fibers therein, and at least a first reinforcement layer (12) sandwiched or positioned between the first upper base layer and first lower base layer. The upper and lower surfaces of the first reinforcement layer have a smaller surface area than the upper and lower surfaces of the first upper and first lower base layers. The lower surface of the first upper base layer is welded to the upper surface of the first reinforcement layer, and the lower surface of the first reinforcement layer is welded to the upper surface of the first lower base layer.
Abstract:
A method of repairing a thermoplastic panel (10) having a damaged portion (12) therein that includes the steps of obtaining a patch member (14) made of a thermoplastic material, positioning the patch member (14) over the damaged portion (12), positioning the panel (10) and patch member (14) on a heat sink tool (16), using a hot forming tool (18) to soften the panel (10) and the patch member (14) such that the material of the panel (10) and the material of the patch member (14) are welded together, and cooling the panel (10) and patch member (14) to integrally bond the patch member (14) to the panel (10), thereby forming a panel (10) and patch assembly.
Abstract:
A lounge assembly configured to be positioned in the interior of an aircraft. The lounge assembly includes a first seat shell configured to at least partially surround a passenger seat, and an overhead storage bin assembly. The overhead storage bin assembly includes first and second posts configured to be secured to a floor of the aircraft, and an overhead bin housing supported by the first and second posts. The overhead bin housing includes at least a first overhead storage bin that is positioned generally above the first seat shell.
Abstract:
A passenger seating arrangement for an aircraft cabin that includes first and. second adjacent columns of at least two seats that define a first longitudinally extending center axis that extends approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft cabin. The seats in the first column face away from and form an angle with the first axis of between about 1 ° and about 44°, and the seats in the second column face away from and form an angle with the first axis of between about 1 ° and about 44°. Each seat in the first column is staggered fore of a seat in the second column.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a beverage maker having an in-line heating assembly (12) for heating water to make hot beverages such as coffee and tea. The heating assembly defines a flow path (14) that runs past a plurality of heaters (16) for heating water to a desired temperature. In this manner, the beverage maker heats water as it travels, alleviating the need for a water tank or vessel, resulting in increased savings in weight and size, as well as reducing brew time. Additionally, an optical sensor assembly (80) is provided to detect when a serving container of the beverage maker has a prescribed capacity of liquid within it. The sensor assembly includes at least one light source (82) aligned to shine into the container and at least one detector (86) aligned to detect light reflected off the liquid surface within the container. A drainage assembly (70) is also provided that can drain liquid through either a connector port into an airplane's wastewater system or through a drainage port into a drainage sump.
Abstract:
A lavatory monument configured to be positioned in an aircraft interior that includes an enclosure that includes first, second, third and fourth walls, and defines a lavatory interior, a first lavatory compartment that includes a first urinal unit positioned therein, and a second lavatory compartment that includes a second urinal unit positioned therein. The first lavatory compartment includes a first door and the second lavatory compartment includes a second door. A divider wall separates at least a portion of the first lavatory compartment from at least a portion of the second lavatory compartment. The first door is positioned on one of the first or second walls and the second door is positioned on one of the first or third walls.
Abstract:
An aircraft overhead storage bin assembly that includes a housing, a door pivotably attached to the housing and a bucket pivotably connected to the housing that cooperates with the housing to define a bin interior. The housing includes a front, a back, and an upper storage section defined therein. The upper storage section includes an upper storage section opening that communicates the upper storage section with an exterior of the housing. The door pivotably attached to the housing and is movable between an open and a closed position. In the closed position the door closes the upper storage section opening. The bucket is positioned below the upper storage section and is pivotable with respect to the housing between an open position and a closed position.