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US 9,387,912 B2Granted
Panel inserts for aircraft and other vessels
AssigneeDriessen Aircraft Interior Systems, Inc.
InventorThomas M. Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system that provides a cohesive, harmonized look to aircraft galleys and other aircraft areas. The system allows airlines to easily change the decorative front fascia of galley (and other) airline components, even while the components are installed on the aircraft. The replacement is accomplished without the use of tools or extensive manual effort by providing replaceable and interchangeable panels for use on aircraft or other passenger transport vehicles or vessels.
Claims14
A panel insert system comprising:
- an aircraft galley component door, the aircraft galley component door comprising:
- a receiving surface and a raised edge bordering the receiving surface, and a plurality of panel inserts, each of the panel inserts displaying a portion of a visual scene, each of the panel inserts configured to be removeably secured to the receiving surface the aircraft galley component door such that a single panel insert is removeably secured to the aircraft galley component door via a plurality of discrete magnets or magnetically responsive surfaces, each of panel inserts having a thickness rendering the panel insert generally flush with the raised edge of the receiving surface when secured, wherein the portions of a visual scene of each of the plurality of panel inserts collectively form a visual effect across a plurality of aircraft galley components.
A method for re-surfacing an aircraft component, comprising:
- (a) identifying an aircraft galley component door to be re-surfaced, the door comprising a receiving surface and a raised edge along at least one edge of the receiving surface;
- (b) selecting from a plurality of panel inserts, a single panel insert to use to re-surface to aircraft galley component door, each panel insert comprising a plurality of discrete magnets or magnetically responsive surfaces positioned thereon;
- wherein each of the plurality of panel inserts displaying a portion of a visual scene;
- wherein the receiving surface of the aircraft galley component door comprises a plurality of discrete corresponding magnets or magnetically responsive surfaces;
- (c) installing the selected panel insert on the aircraft receiving surface by allowing the plurality of magnets or the magnetically responsive surfaces of the panel insert to contact the corresponding magnets or the magnetically responsive surfaces of the receiving surface such that the single selected panel insert is removeably secured to a single aircraft galley component door, wherein when installed, the selected panel insert is generally flush with the raised edge of the receiving surface;
- wherein the portions of a visual scene of each of the plurality of panel inserts collectively form a visual effect across a plurality of aircraft galley components.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.