Translating stowage bin and method of assembly

#The field of the disclosure relates generally to stowage bins, and, more particularly, to aircraft stowage bins and methods of assembling the same.

#Vehicles, such as commercial aircraft, generally include stowage bins for storing the luggage of passengers and crew members. As demand for stowage space increases, increasingly larger stowage bins have been designed. Although larger stowage bins are capable of storing more luggage, at least some known larger stowage bins require an increased force to open or close the bins due to their increased size and thus may be difficult for passengers to use.

#Further, in a closed position, to facilitate maximizing cabin space, it is desirable that a stowage bin be positioned as high within the cabin as possible. In contrast, in an open position, it is desirable that the stowage bin be positioned as low as possible to enable individuals to insert luggage into the bin and remove luggage from the bin.

#FIG. 1 is an exemplary stowage bin in a closed position.

#FIG. 2 is the stowage bin shown in FIG. 1 in an open position.

#FIGS. 3-22 are exemplary translating mechanisms that may be used with the stowage bin shown in FIG. 1.

#The systems and methods described herein provide improvements over at least some known stowage bins. More specifically, the systems and methods described herein provide a stowage bin that includes a bucket and a support assembly. When the bucket is rotated about a pivot point between an open position and a closed position, the pivot point translates with respect to the support assembly. The translation of the pivot point facilitates increasing the accessibility of the bucket in the open position, while decreasing the force needed to close the stowage bin. Further, the stowage bin maintains a constant interference gap between the bucket and support assembly to prevent pinching objects between the bucket and support assembly during rotation.

#FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary stowage bin 100 in a closed position 102. FIG. 2 is a side view of stowage bin 100 in an open position 104. In the exemplary embodiment, stowage bin 100 includes a bucket 106 and a support assembly 108. Bucket 106 includes a pair of side panels 110 and a door 112 that extends between side panels 110. Door 112 includes a handle 114 that enables a user to selectively open and close stowage bin 100.

#To move stowage bin 100 between closed and open positions 102 and 104, respectively, bucket 106 is rotatably coupled to support assembly 108. More specifically, each side panel 110 of bucket 106 is rotatably coupled to support assembly 108 at a pivot point 116. In open position 104, a passenger can load luggage into and/or remove luggage from stowage bin 100. When the passenger is finished loading and/or removing luggage, bucket 106 is rotated to closed position 102, such that any luggage stored therein in stowage bin 100.