Deployable clearance panel system, method, and assembly for a monument within an internal cabin of an aircraft

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10112719-B2
Application number	US-201615073704-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 18, 2016
Priority date	Mar 18, 2016
Publication date	Oct 30, 2018
Grant date	Oct 30, 2018

Abstract

A monument is configured to be positioned within an internal cabin of a vehicle. The monument includes a deployable portion. The deployable portion is configured to move from a non-deployed state into a deployed state when a force that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument wall assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A monument configured to be positioned within an internal cabin of a vehicle, the monument comprising:
a deployable portion, wherein the deployable portion is configured to move from a non-deployed state into a deployed state when a force that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument, the deployable portion comprising a deployable clearance panel within a monument wall assembly, the clearance panel being configured to move from the non-deployed state into the deployed state when the force that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument wall assembly, the clearance panel comprising one or more bracing members that prevent the clearance panel from moving from the deployed state back to the non-deployed state, the one or more bracing members pivotally or slidably coupling the clearance panel to a fixed wall, and the one or more bracing members being configured to slide or pivot into an outwardly deployed position that prevents the clearance panel from moving from the deployed state back to the non-deployed state.

2. The monument of claim 1 , wherein the clearance panel further comprises a first portion pivotally secured to the fixed wall, and a second portion coupled to the fixed wall by at least one release device, and wherein the at least one release device is configured to release upon exertion of the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold.

3. The monument of claim 2 , wherein the first portion comprises a lower end, and the second portion comprises an upper end.

4. The monument of claim 2 , wherein the first portion comprises an upper end, and the second portion comprises a lower end.

5. The monument of claim 1 , wherein the clearance panel comprises an upper segment pivotally connected to a lower segment.

6. The monument of claim 1 , wherein the clearance panel is a pantographic clearance panel that is configured to move from the non-deployed state to the deployed state through pantographic motion.

7. The monument of claim 1 , wherein the clearance panel comprises a first portion that is configured to pivotally secure to a floor of the internal cabin, and a second portion that is configured to couple to one of the fixed wall or a ceiling of the internal cabin by at least one shear pin, and wherein the at least one shear pin is configured to break upon exertion of the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold.

8. The monument of claim 1 , wherein the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold is an ultimate load that is at least nine times the force of gravity.

9. The monument of claim 1 , further comprising a covering over the clearance panel that conceals at least a portion of the clearance panel in the non-deployed state, wherein the covering is configured to tear proximate to an interface between the clearance panel and the fixed wall as the clearance panel moves from the non-deployed state into the deployed state.

10. The monument of claim 1 , further comprising a fixture secured thereto, wherein the fixture provides a useful mass that facilitates movement into the deployed state when the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument.

11. The monument of claim 10 , wherein the fixture is secured to a fore surface or an aft surface of a clearance panel.

12. The monument of claim 1 , wherein the deployable portion comprises a main body of the monument, and wherein the main body is configured to move from the non-deployed state into the deployed state when the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument.

13. The monument of claim 12 , wherein the main body is configured to be secured to a portion of the internal cabin through at least one fitting including an anchored portion that connects to the main body through a frangible portion.

14. The monument of claim 12 , wherein the main body is configured to be secured to a portion of the internal cabin through at least one fitting including one or more pivot hinges.

15. The monument of claim 12 , wherein the main body is configured to pivot forward when the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument.

16. The monument of claim 12 , further comprising one or more frangible elements located proximate to one or both of floor fittings or ceiling fittings.

17. The monument of claim 1 , wherein the one or more bracing members are secured to outer lateral edges of the clearance panel.

18. A vehicle, comprising:
an internal cabin;
a plurality of seats within the internal cabin; and
a monument proximate to at least one of the plurality of seats, wherein the monument includes a deployable portion, wherein the deployable portion is configured to move from a non-deployed state into a deployed state when a force that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument, the deployable portion comprising a deployable clearance panel within a monument wall assembly, the clearance panel being configured to move from the non-deployed state into the deployed state when the force that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument wall assembly, the clearance panel comprising one or more bracing members that prevent the clearance panel from moving from the deployed state back to the non-deployed state, the one or more bracing members pivotally or slidably coupling the clearance panel to a fixed wall, and the one or more bracing members being configured to slide or pivot into an outwardly deployed position that prevents the clearance panel from moving from the deployed state back to the non-deployed state.

19. The vehicle of claim 18 , wherein the clearance panel further comprises a first portion pivotally secured to the fixed wall, and a second portion coupled to the fixed wall by at least one shear pin, and wherein the at least one shear pin is configured to break upon exertion of the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold.

20. The vehicle of claim 18 , wherein the clearance panel comprises a first portion that is configured to pivotally secure to a floor of the internal cabin, and a second portion that is configured to couple to one of the fixed wall or a ceiling of the internal cabin by at least one shear pin, and wherein the at least one shear pin is configured to break upon exertion of the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold.

21. The vehicle of claim 18 , wherein the monument wall assembly further comprises a covering over the clearance panel that conceals the clearance panel in the non-deployed state, wherein the covering is configured to tear proximate to an interface between the clearance panel and the fixed wall as the clearance panel moves from the non-deployed state into the deployed state.

22. The vehicle of claim 18 , further comprising a fixture secured thereto, wherein the fixture provides a useful mass that facilitates movement into the deployed state when the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument.

23. The vehicle of claim 18 , wherein the deployable portion comprises a main body of the monument, and wherein the main body is configured to move from the non-deployed state into the deployed state when the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument.

24. The vehicle of claim 23 , wherein the main bod

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Mcintosh Darren Carl
• Siegmeth Jeff S

Classifications

• B64D25/02

  Supports or holding means for living bodies · CPC title

• B64D11/0023 Primary

  Movable or removable cabin dividers, e.g. for class separation · CPC title

• B64D11/04

  Galleys · CPC title

• B64D11/0606 Primary

  with privacy shells, screens, separators or the like (class dividers B64D11/0023) · CPC title

• B64D11/02

  Toilet fittings · CPC title