Pivoting storage bin and method of making

An overhead pull-down storage bin assembly, comprising;

• a storage bin assembly adapted to be coupled to a bin support structure and comprising an upper shroud assembly and a lower bucket assembly cooperating with the upper shroud assembly to contain a storage chamber;
• the lower bucket assembly pivotably mounted in the upper shroud assembly for movement between an upper closed position and a lowered open position whereby items may be inserted and removed from the storage chamber;
• the lower bucket assembly comprising a curved front with a curved inner surface and a curved outer surface;
• an operating handle centrally mounted on the curved outer surface and operatively connected to a latch operating mechanism secured to the curved inner surface and connected to latching elements on opposed planar ends of the bucket;
• and
• a substantially flat bottom plate secured over the curved inner surface and the latch operating mechanism to form a substantially flat surface for supporting items in the storage chamber.

A method of forming a more open passenger cabin for an aircraft, comprising the steps of:

• providing an aircraft with a passenger cabin having a single aisle and a plurality of rows of seats on each side of the aisle;
• providing a plurality of overhead storage bins over the plurality of rows of seats on each side of the single aisle;
• providing each of the overhead storage bins with fixed upper shrouds and movable lower buckets having curved fronts facing toward the single aisle;
• and
• providing each of the curved fronts with centrally mounted operating handles.