Stowable module airplane lavatory
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsBrian D. Coughren, James D. Callahan, Michael I. Ruby, Bryan R. Dressler, Peter J. Arnold, Craig A. Auestad
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A stowable module, i.e., a storage container, that provides storage space in the airplane without occupying revenue floorspace. The stowable module comprises an integrated feature of a sidewall lavatory. The stowable module stows inside a sidewall lavatory during ground, takeoff, and landing operations. During flight, the stowable module is deployed by a flight attendant into an adjacent doorway area so that the lavatory can be used by passengers and crew.
Claims27
A stowable module lavatory assembly for use in vehicles comprising:
- (a) a lavatory affixed proximate a doorway disposed in said vehicle, said lavatory having a side wall capable of receiving a module which is translatable from a stowed position within said lavatory to a deployed position substantially outside of said lavatory;
- (b) first locking means for securing an upper portion of said module when said module is in said stowed position and when said module is in said deployed position;
- (c) second locking means for securing a lower portion of said module when said module is in said stowed position and when said module is in said deployed position;
- (d) means for allowing translation of said module out of and into said lavatory;
- (e) means for limiting the motion of said module during translation of said module, and
- (f) third locking means for securing a lower portion of said module when it is in said stowed position and when it is in said deployed position.
A process for using unused doorway space proximate a doorway disposed in a vehicle, said process comprising:
- (a) affixing a lavatory proximate a doorway disposed in said vehicle, said lavatory having a side wall capable of receiving a translatable module, said module being capable of being nestled within said lavatory when said module is in a stowed position;
- (b) securing said module within said lavatory in said stowed position;
- (c) releasing said module;
- (d) translating said module out of and into said unused doorway space;
- (e) limiting the motion of said module while it is being translated, and
- (f) securing said module in a deployed position outside of said lavatory and within said unused doorway space.
A method for increasing the revenue generating capacity of an airplane by using unused passenger doorway space proximate a doorway disposed in said airplane, said airplane having a plurality of passenger seats, said method comprising:
- (a) installing a lavatory proximate said doorway;
- (b) providing said lavatory with a translatable stowage module segregated from said lavatory;
- (c) storing materials in said module either when said module is within or outside of said lavatory;
- (d) translating said module from within said lavatory to a position within said unused space when said airplane is in flight;
- (e) permitting passengers to occupy and use said lavatory without interference from said materials, and
- (f) stowing said module within said lavatory when said airplane is about to land.
A method for increasing the revenue generating capacity of an airplane, comprising:
- (a) installing a lavatory proximate a passenger doorway of said airplane;
- (b) providing said lavatory with a translatable stowage module that may be fixedly positioned within said lavatory;
- (c) translating said module from within said lavatory to a position within inboard space proximate said doorway when said airplane is in flight,
- (d) stowing said module within said lavatory when said airplane is about to land, and
- (e) increasing the number of passenger seats in said airplane.
A process for using unused doorway space proximate a doorway disposed in a vehicle transporting passengers, said process comprising:
- (a) affixing a lavatory proximate a doorway disposed in said vehicle, said lavatory having a partial side wall for receiving a translatable module segregated from said lavatory having stowage capacity, said module being capable of being nestled within said lavatory when said module is in a stowed position;
- (b) securing said module within said lavatory in said stowed position;
- (c) releasing said module;
- (d) translating said module out of and into said lavatory when said vehicle is in motion;
- (e) storing materials within said module either when said module is within or outside of said lavatory;
- (f) permitting passengers to occupy and use said lavatory without interference from said materials, and
- (g) securing said module in a position outside of said lavatory.
A method for increasing the revenue generating capacity of an airplane transporting passengers, comprising:
- (a) installing a lavatory proximate a passenger doorway of said airplane;
- (b) providing said lavatory with a translatable stowage module segregated from said lavatory that may be fixedly received proximate said lavatory;
- (c) translating said module to a position away from said lavatory within inboard space proximate said doorway when said airplane is in flight;
- (d) storing materials within said module when said module is either within or outside of said lavatory;
- (e) permitting passengers to occupy and use said lavatory while said aiplane is in flight without interference from said materials, and
- (f) stowing said module within said lavatory when said airplane is about to land.
A method for increasing the revenue generating capacity of an airplane, comprising:
- (a) installing a lavatory proximate a passenger doorway of said airplane;
- (b) providing said lavatory with a translatable stowage module that may be fixedly received proximate said lavatory;
- (c) translating said module to a position within inboard space proximate said doorway when said airplane is in flight;
- (d) stowing said module within said lavatory when said airplane is about to land, and
- (e) increasing the number of passenger seats within said airplane.
An assembly for using unused space proximate a doorway disposed in a vehicle transporting passengers, said assembly comprising:
- (a) a lavatory subassembly, said subassembly comprising a substantially solid wall having an opening;
- (b) a stowable module subassembly capable of freely translating through said opening from a stowed position within said lavatory subassembly to a deployed position in said unused space, said module subassembly having a forward and an aft section;
- (c) a plurality of module rollers affixed to the forward and aft sections of said module subassembly for permitting translation of said module subassembly, and
- (d) a latch for securing said module subassembly in said stowed position and in said deployed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.