# US 11,299,250 B2 · Aircraft privacy door and door frame assembly

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- Number: US 11,299,250 B2
- Document ID: US11299250B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/704,845
- Filed: 2019-12-05
- Published: 2020-04-16
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2018-02-08
- Assignees: The Boeing Company
- Applicants: The Boeing Company
- Inventors: Sami Movsesian; Jeffrey M. Dunn; Min I. Koo; Steven H. Sauer
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299250B2

## CPC

- B64C 1/1469: {Doors between cockpit and cabin}
- B64C 1/1461: {Structures of doors or surrounding frames}
- B64D 11/02: Toilet fittings
- B64D 45/0026: {by creating a secure space between the flight deck and cabin}
- B64D 45/0028: {doors or door arrangements specially adapted to restrict unauthorized access}
- E05B 53/003: {flexible}
- E05B 63/0008: {Mounted on the hinged side of the wing}
- E05B 65/0035: {for privacy rooms, e.g. bathrooms}
- E05C 1/004: {parallel to the surface on which the fastener is mounted}
- E05C 7/00: Fastening devices specially adapted for two wings
- E05F 1/10: for swinging wings {, e.g. counterbalance}
- B64D 2011/0046: {Modular or preassembled units for creating cabin interior structures}
- E05B 83/36: Locks for passenger or like doors
- E05C 1/06: with operating handle or equivalent member moving otherwise than rigidly with the bolt
- E05Y 2201/22: Locks
- E05Y 2900/502: for aircraft or spacecraft
- B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05C: BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS (latching means for sideboard or tailgate structures for vehicles B62D, {B62D33/02}; fastening devices for constructional or engineering elements E04, F16B; locks, fastening devices structurally or operatively combined or having significant cooperation with locks E05B; means for operating or controlling wing fasteners in conjunction with mechanisms for moving the wing E05F)
- E05F: DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
- E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF

## Abstract

A privacy door assembly for installation in an aircraft relative to a flight deck door of the aircraft includes a door frame having a first post and a second post, where the second post comprises a latch recess. The privacy door comprises a latch positioned on an edge of the privacy door and arranged to engage the latch recess when the privacy door is in a closed position within the door frame. An access door is positioned in the privacy door, where the access door is rotatable from a closed position to an open position in a forward direction. A first mechanical door handle system including a mechanical combination lock is positioned on an aft side of the privacy door and coupled to the latch, and a second mechanical door handle system is positioned on a forward side of the privacy door and coupled to the latch.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A privacy door assembly for installation in an aircraft relative to a flight deck door of the aircraft, the privacy door assembly comprising:
a door frame comprising a first post and a second post, wherein the second post comprises a latch recess;
a privacy door configured to be rotatably coupled to the first post via a set of hinges, wherein the privacy door comprises a latch positioned on an edge of the privacy door and arranged to engage the latch recess when the privacy door is in a closed position within the door frame;
a second latch recess positioned on a wall within an intermediate cabin area of the aircraft, wherein the second latch recess is arranged to engage the latch of the privacy door when the privacy door is in the open position;
an access door positioned in the privacy door, wherein the access door is rotatable from a closed position to an open position in a forward direction;
a first mechanical door handle system positioned on an aft side of the privacy door and coupled to the latch, wherein the first mechanical door handle system includes a mechanical combination lock, and wherein the latch is configured to disengage from the latch recess in response to entering a correct combination into the mechanical combination lock; and
a second mechanical door handle system positioned on a forward side of the privacy door and coupled to the latch.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The privacy door assembly of claim 1, wherein the first mechanical door handle system further includes a handle, and wherein the latch is configured to disengage from the latch recess in response to entering the correct combination into the mechanical combination lock and turning the handle.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The privacy door assembly of claim 1, wherein the second mechanical door handle system requires two hands to operate.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The privacy door assembly of claim 3, wherein the second mechanical door handle system comprises:
a handle; and
a button, wherein pressing the button releases a pin that enables the handle to turn to thereby disengage the latch from the latch recess.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The privacy door assembly of claim 1, wherein the first mechanical door handle system and the second mechanical door handle system are offset with respect to each other such that the second mechanical door handle system is disposed farther away from the edge of the privacy door than the first mechanical door handle system.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The privacy door assembly of claim 5, wherein the access door has a width and a length configured to project and extend past the second mechanical door handle system when the access door is in the open position to thereby prevent reach of the second mechanical door handle system from the aft side of the privacy door when the access door is in the open position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The privacy door assembly of claim 1, wherein the second mechanical door handle system comprises:
a handle; and
a plunger extending vertically from the handle and positioned beneath the access door, wherein the plunger contacts the access door and is depressed when the access door is in the open position, and wherein the handle is locked and unable to turn to thereby disengage the latch from the latch recess when the plunger is depressed.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The privacy door assembly of claim 1, wherein the set of hinges includes a hinge spring positioned to bias the privacy door from the closed position to the open position when the latch and the latch recess are disengaged.

### Claim 9

A method for establishing a privacy door relative to a flight deck door of an aircraft, wherein the flight deck door, when in a closed position, separates a flight deck area of the aircraft from a cabin area of the aircraft, the method comprising:
positioning a door frame in the cabin area, aft of the flight deck door, wherein the door frame comprises a first post and a second post, and wherein the second post comprises a latch recess, wherein the door frame comprises a connector for coupling the door frame to an adjacent structure of the aircraft;
coupling the door frame to the aircraft by coupling the connector to the adjacent structure such that the door frame maintains at least one degree of freedom of movement with respect to the adjacent structure; and
coupling the privacy door to the first post via a set of hinges such that the privacy door, when in a closed position, separates the cabin area into an intermediate cabin area between the privacy door and the flight deck door and a main cabin area aft of the privacy door, wherein the privacy door is rotatable via the set of hinges into the intermediate cabin area to an open position, wherein the privacy door comprises a latch positioned on an edge of the privacy door arranged to engage the latch recess when the privacy door is in the closed position, and wherein the privacy door includes an access door that is rotatable from a closed position to an open position in a forward direction;
positioning a first mechanical door handle system on an aft side of the privacy door, wherein the first mechanical door handle system is coupled to the latch and includes a mechanical combination lock, and wherein the latch is configured to disengage from the latch recess in response to entering a correct combination into the mechanical combination lock; and
positioning a second mechanical door handle system on a forward side of the privacy door, wherein the second mechanical door handle system is coupled to the latch.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the first mechanical door handle system further includes a handle, the method further comprising:
entering a correct combination into the mechanical combination lock; and
turning the handle to thereby disengage the latch from the latch recess to open the privacy door.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the second mechanical door handle system comprises a handle and a button, the method further comprising:
pressing the button to release a pin in the second mechanical door handle system; and
while the button is depressed, turning the handle to thereby disengage the latch from the latch recess to open the privacy door.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the privacy door further comprises a slam latch positioned to engage a slot in the first post of the door frame when the privacy door is in the open position and the slam latch is in a first position, the method further comprising:
after coupling the privacy door to the first post via the set of hinges, rotating the privacy door to the open position; and
engaging the slam latch within the slot.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the slam latch is coupled to a lever positioned on a forward side of the privacy door, the method further comprising:
operating the lever to move the slam latch away from the first post to a second position, wherein moving the slam latch to the second position disengages the slam latch from the slot.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the connector comprises a slip pin positioned at an upper end of the first post and wherein the adjacent structure comprises a ceiling bracket, and wherein coupling the connector to the adjacent structure comprises coupling the slip pin to the ceiling bracket such that the door frame maintains at least two degrees of freedom of movement with respect to the ceiling bracket.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the second mechanical door handle system comprises a handle and a plunger extending vertically from the handle and positioned beneath the access door, the method further comprising:
rotating the access door to the closed position; and
turning the handle to thereby disengage the latch from the latch recess to open the privacy door.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising:
rotating the privacy door to the open position; and
engaging the latch within a second latch recess positioned on a wall within the intermediate cabin area of the aircraft.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, further comprising:
entering a correct combination into the mechanical combination lock; and
turning a handle of the first mechanical door handle system to thereby disengage the latch from the second latch recess to close the privacy door.

### Claim 18

A privacy door assembly for installation in an aircraft relative to a flight deck door of the aircraft, the privacy door assembly comprising:
a door frame comprising a first post and a second post, wherein the second post comprises a latch recess;
a privacy door configured to be rotatably coupled to the first post via a set of hinges, wherein the privacy door comprises a latch positioned on an edge of the privacy door and arranged to engage the latch recess when the privacy door is in a closed position within the door frame;
an access door positioned in the privacy door, wherein the access door is rotatable from a closed position to an open position in a forward direction;
a first mechanical door handle system positioned on an aft side of the privacy door and coupled to the latch, wherein the first mechanical door handle system includes a mechanical combination lock, and wherein the latch is configured to disengage from the latch recess in response to entering a correct combination into the mechanical combination lock; and
a second mechanical door handle system positioned on a forward side of the privacy door and coupled to the latch,
wherein the first mechanical door handle system and the second mechanical door handle system are offset with respect to each other such that the second mechanical door handle system is disposed farther away from the edge of the privacy door than the first mechanical door handle system.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The privacy door assembly of claim 18, wherein the first mechanical door handle system further includes a handle, and wherein the latch is configured to disengage from the latch recess in response to entering the correct combination into the mechanical combination lock and turning the handle.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The privacy door assembly of claim 18, wherein the second mechanical door handle system comprises:
a handle; and
a plunger extending vertically from the handle and positioned beneath the access door, wherein the plunger contacts the access door and is depressed when the access door is in the open position, and wherein the handle is locked and unable to turn to thereby disengage the latch from the latch recess when the plunger is depressed.