Cell door system for aircraft security
OwnerDavid Simmons, Franklin Bellinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A generally cylindrical security door module is designed for retrofit into the passageway of an aircraft leading to the cockpit. Two doors, forward and aft, are provided which are mounted for opening and closing upon commands emanating from the cockpit. Both doors are normally closed and only one normally opens at a time. A candidate for entrance to the cockpit is permitted to enter the module when the cockpit personnel open the aft door, which is then closed. Sensing apparatus may be employed to establish the identity and clearance of the candidate. Upon approval, the cockpit personnel open the forward door to admit the candidate. Emergency release apparatus is also described.
Claims6
Security door system for installation in a passageway connecting a passenger compartment and a cockpit of an aircraft, comprising:
- Substantially cylindrical exterior wall means defining within said exterior wall means a first aperture and a second aperture,
- Said first aperture communicating between said passenger compartment and an interior cavity of said security door system, and
- Said second aperture communicating between said interior of said security door system and said cockpit of said aircraft,
- First and second door means coextensive respectively with said first and second apertures in said exterior wall means,
- Powered traction means disposed within said security door system and having connection with said door means for selectively and independently withdrawing said first and second door means away from said first and second apertures into pockets defined between said exterior wall means and interior wall means, and said powered traction means further having connection with said door means for selectively drawing said first and second door means across said first and second apertures,
- Control means operable from within said cockpit for independently opening said first door means for entry of a candidate into said interior cavity of said security door system, said control means additionally having means for closing said first door means for enclosing said candidate within said security door system,
- Said security door means further comprising means for evaluating said candidate with respect to whether said candidate is safe to permit into said cockpit, and
- Said control means additionally having means for independently opening said second door means for permitting said candidate to enter the said cockpit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.