Frangible aircraft floor

Abstract

The upper floor of a multi-deck pressurized aircraft having frangible floor panels sealing the floor during normal flight conditions yet rupturable under a predetermined environmental condition such as when a relatively high pressure differential exists between the upper cabin and lower cargo compartments. This may occur, for example, when the cargo compartment is depressurized by inflight explosion or collision. Differential pressure activates the panel destruction apparatus which strikes the frangible floor panels in such manner as to cause them to disintegrate or crumble into small pieces. Typical panels may be chemically strengthened glass, ceramics, etc.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.