Hexcel Corporation

Heath Tecna Aerospace Company

Ralph M Burrows

Jack E Hart

Siulun Tam

Michael E Marquardt

Scott G Jackson

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

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.

Growing community of inventors

Bellingham, WA, United States of America

Ralph M Burrows