Pivot mechanism for quick installation of stowage bins or rotating items

An aircraft bin assembly comprising:

• an airplane interior overhead structure;
• an overhead bin element removably mounted to said airplane interior overhead structure, said overhead bin element rotatable between a bin closed position and a bin open position;
• a pivot assembly mounted in communication with both said airplane interior overhead structure and said overhead bin element such that said overhead bin element can be rotated relative to said airplane interior overhead structure between said bin closed position and said bin open position, said pivot assembly comprising:
• a first pivot boss including an engagement extension;
• a first race element including a central race socket;
• and
• a central engagement bushing rotatably secured within said central race socket, said central engagement bushing including an engagement chamber adapted to removably engage said engagement extension, said central engagement bushing allowing said first race element to rotate relative to said first pivot boss while remaining longitudinally engaged to said first fixed pivot boss.

A method of assembling an aircraft bin assembly comprising:

• mounting a first pivot boss to an airplane interior overhead structure, said first pivot boss including a fixed boss mounting base and an engagement extension extending outwards from said fixed boss mounting base;
• placing a central engagement bushing within a central race socket of a first race element, said central engagement bushing rotatable within said central race socket;
• mounting said first race element to an overhead bin element, placing said overhead bin element into a bin pre-install position;
• moving said overhead bin element such that said engagement extension moves into an engagement chamber formed in said central engagement bushing, said engagement chamber open to said engagement extension only in an installation position;
• rotating said overhead bin element into a range of operating positions such that said engagement extension is rotatably moved out of said installation position and secured within said engagement chamber, said first pivot boss thereby rotatable relative to said first race element such that said overhead bin element is rotatable between a bin open position and a bin closed position.