Hexcel Corporation

Heath Tecna Aerospace Company

Health Tecna Aerospace Company a Unit of Ciba-geigy

Heath-tecna Precision Structures

Jack E Hart

Ralph M Burrows

Siulun Tam

Michael E Marquardt

Gerald E Davis

Peter E Fiala

Michael J Leenhouts

Alan J Tuma

Scott G Jackson

Gary B Harwood

Kurt L Treichler

An extended luggage bin (,) for a vehicle (,) is provided. The extended luggage bin includes an overhead bin structure (,) located within the vehicle. The overhead bin structure includes a door (,), a shelf (,), first and second bulkheads (,and,), and a bin upper panel (,) having a length and a width. The first and second bulkheads extend between the shelf and the bin upper panel to define a storage space having a volume therebetween. The storage space is accessible through an opening on a frontal side of the extended luggage bin for placing luggage in the storage space. The extended luggage bin also includes a bin extension coupled to the opening of the overhead bin structure. The bin extension includes a bin upper panel extension assembly (,) coupled to the bin upper panel and first and second bulkhead extensions (,and,) extending at least partially between the first and second bulkheads and the door.

Bin extension for a vehicle

The invention provides centerline luggage bin assemblies, for retrofitting existing aircraft with replacement, preferably larger, overhead storage bins, that are compatible with the existing aircraft bin support structure for original equipment bins. The assemblies include both a bin structure and supporting brackets that engage the existing aircraft bin supports with little or no modification to the existing supports. This facilitates rapid retrofit of the aircraft, thereby reducing aircraft out-of-service time and also costs of manpower used to retrofit the aircraft.

Retrofit centerline luggage bin assemblies compatible with existing

Articulating overhead luggage bin assemblies including a luggage bin that it is adapted for mounting to a support structure in a mass transit vehicle, such as an aircraft. The bins have an upper shroud portion, and a lower bucket portion, with cooperating means for interconnecting these two bin portions so that the bucket portion is guided downward and forward relative to the shroud, when the bin is opened. The cooperating means are 'rigid' so that each end of the bucket moves in concert with the other, without need for a torque tube or other motion control device linking the bucket ends. The assembly also includes a downlock mechanism for holding the bin in a fully opened position. To close the bin, the downlock mechanism is disengaged by application of backward force to the bucket portion. In a preferred embodiment, the cooperating interconnecting means between the bucket and shroud portions of the bin are 'drawer-type guides' that are linear, and consist of nested sheet metal lengths with interposed ball bearings that allow the lengths to move smoothly relative to each other.

Luggage bins with articulating mechanism

The invention provides luggage bin assemblies, for retrofitting existing aircraft with larger overhead storage bins, that are compatible with existing aircraft bin support structure for original equipment bins. The assemblies include both a bin structure and supporting brackets that engage the existing aircraft bin supports with little or no modification to the existing supports. This facilitates rapid retrofit of the aircraft, thereby reducing aircraft out-of-service time and also costs of manpower used to retrofit the aircraft.

Retrofit luggage bin assemblies compatible with existing aircraft bin

Extensions for carry-on luggage storage bins in cabins of aircraft, trains, ships, and the like, that increase bin storage capacity. The extensions are adapted to be mounted on a frontal opening of an existing luggage bin. The extensions include a substantially planar rectangular base having vertical bulkheads at opposite farthest-apart ends thereof, and a substantially planar top portion extending between upper ends of the bulkhead to form a rectangular box shape with open from and rear. The rear of the extension is adapted to be mounted onto the frontal opening of the bin, thereby extending the lateral dimensions of the bin, while the front of the extension may be supplied with a door.

Extensions for storage bins

The invention provides luggage bin assemblies, for retrofitting existing aircraft with larger overhead storage bins, that is compatible with existing aircraft bin support structure for original equipment bins. The assemblies include both a bin structure and supporting brackets that engage the existing aircraft bin supports with little or no modification to the existing supports. This facilitates rapid retrofit of the aircraft thereby reducing aircraft out of service time and also costs of manpower used to retrofit the aircraft.

Retrofit luggage bin assembly compatible with existing aircraft bin

A retrofit bezel assembly to be installed within an interior of an aircraft, the aircraft having overhead stowage bins with shelves. The bezel assembly is constructed as a unit for installation in place of an existing bezel assembly. Each bezel assembly unit includes a ceiling panel, four bulkhead extensions, and two shelf extensions. The ceiling panel substantially spans and covers the upper surface of the interior of the aircraft from a right-side stowage bin to a left-side stowage bin. The bulkhead extensions are attached to the corners of the ceiling panel. They extend downwardly adjacent the interior ends of the sides of the stowage bins. The bulkhead extensions are configured to attach to inside ends of the bin shelves with fasteners through existing holes. Bin doors are attached to the bulkhead extensions. The door contour cross section matches the shape of the interior sides of the bulkhead extensions. Each of the shelf extensions is attached between two bulkhead extensions to be fastened to an interior end of a bin shelf. The shelf extensions extend the width of the bin shelves.

Retrofit bezel assembly

In an aircraft having a pressure window mounted in the hull, an interior window assembly is removably mounted in an interior wall spaced from the hull. The interior window assembly is in register with the pressure window to enable occupants of the aircraft to view the outside. The interior wall has an opening formed therein to accept the interior window assembly and the portions of the wall surrounding the opening are biased toward the interior of the aircraft. The interior window assembly includes a windowpane mounted in a frame. The frame includes a flange that overlies the inboard surface of the portions of the wall surrounding the opening, and the bias of the wall portions is exerted on the flange. A constraint means is affixed to the hull of the aircraft and releasably engages the frame to constrain the frame from inboard movement. The bias force of the wall portions and the constraint means cooperate to hold the window in place. Preferably, the interior wall is comprised of stiffly flexible panel members that are flexed upon placement of the window assembly into the opening and tend to return to their unflexed state, thereby exerting the bias force on the flange.

Growing community of inventors

Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Jack E Hart