Hinge for enlarging the volume of an aircraft storage bin
AssigneeB/E Aerospace, Inc.
InventorsRobert Papke, Shawn Claflin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a preferred embodiment, a retrofit storage bin door hinge includes an extension member than increases the storage volume of the bin by at least 5 percent or 10 percent, thereby permitting the storage of larger carry-on bags. Required access to the ceiling panels during maintenance operations is preserved by the hinges pivotable attachment to a pivot mount attached to the ceiling of a storage bin. In this manner, the hinge assembly and door may be readily translated downwardly to provide full access to the ceiling panels during a maintenance operation.
Claims20
An aircraft storage bin comprising:
- a storage bin including an upper surface;
- a door hingeably coupled to the storage bin, wherein the door and storage bin at least partially define an enclosed storage bin space when the door is in a closed position;
- a pivot mount attached to the upper surface of the storage bin;
- a hinge body member extending from the pivot mount toward the door of the storage bin, the hinge body member having a first portion rotatably coupled to the piston mount and having a second portion releaseably attached to the upper surface of the storage bin such that the second portion can pivot downwardly when the second portion is released from the upper surface;
- a piston member carried by the hinge body member, the piston member having a first end coupled to the hinge body member and a second end coupled to the door such that the piston member is carried downwardly when the hinge body member pivots downwardly, wherein the piston member actuates as the door is moved from the closed position to an open position;
- and
- an extension member that bridges a gap between the door and the upper surface of the storage bin, the extension member having an end hingedly coupled to the door;
- wherein said gap corresponds to a distance that an upper edge of the door is positioned laterally relative to a position of the edge prior to installation of said extension member, such that the enclosed storage bin space is larger relative to the storage bin space prior to installation of said extension member.
A method of retrofitting an aircraft storage bin comprising an upper surface and a door hingeably coupled to the storage bin, wherein the door and storage bin at least partially define an enclosed storage bin space when the door is in a closed position, the method comprising:
- installing a pivot mount attached to the upper surface of the storage bin;
- installing a hinge body member extending from the pivot mount toward the door of the storage bin, the hinge body member having a first portion rotatably coupled to the piston mount and having a second portion releasably attached to the upper surface of the storage bin such that the second portion can pivot downwardly when the second portion is released from the upper surface;
- installing a piston member carried by the hinge body member, the piston member having a first end coupled to the hinge body member and a second end coupled to the door such that the piston member is carried downwardly when the hinge body member pivots downwardly, wherein the piston member actuates as the door is moved from the closed position to an open position;
- and
- installing an extension member that bridges a gap between the door and the upper surface of the storage bin, the extension member having an end hingedly coupled to the door;
- wherein said gap corresponds to a distance that an upper edge of the door is positioned laterally relative to a position of the edge prior to installation of said extension member, such that the enclosed storage bin space is larger relative to the storage bin space prior to installation of said extension member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.