Systems and methods for adaptively positioning a cross-aisle curtain header assembly within a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10737788-B2
Application number	US-201715788892-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 20, 2017
Priority date	Oct 20, 2017
Publication date	Aug 11, 2020
Grant date	Aug 11, 2020

Abstract

A curtain header assembly is configured to be selectively positioned within an internal cabin of a vehicle. The curtain header assembly includes a main spanning bracket having a first end and a second end that is opposite from the first end. The main spanning bracket connects to a curtain track that retains one or more curtain couplings that are configured to moveably secure a curtain to the main spanning bracket. A first connection arm extends from the first end of the main spanning bracket, and is configured to be removably secured to a first fitting secured to a first fixed structure within the internal cabin. A second connection arm extends from the second end of the main spanning bracket, and is configured to be removably secured to a second fitting secured to a second fixed structure within the internal cabin.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An adaptable curtain-positioning securing system, comprising:
a first fitting securable to a first structure;
a second fitting securable to a second structure, wherein one or both of the first fitting and the second fitting comprises:
a main housing defining an internal chamber;
a door coupled to the main housing, wherein the door is configured to be opened to expose the internal chamber; and
a button within the internal chamber, wherein the button is operably coupled to a header engager; and

a curtain header assembly, comprising:
a main spanning bracket having a first end and a second end that is opposite from the first end;
a curtain track connected to the main spanning bracket, wherein the curtain track retains one or more curtain couplings that are configured to moveably secure a curtain to the curtain track;
a first connection arm extending from the first end of the main spanning bracket, wherein the first connection arm is removably securable to the first fitting; and
a second connection arm extending from the second end of the main spanning bracket, wherein the second connection arm removably securable to the second fitting,
wherein the header engager removably couples to the first or second connection arm, wherein the button is configured to be engaged to decouple the header engager from the first or second connection arm.

2. The adaptable curtain-positioning securing system of claim 1 , wherein one or both of the first connection arm and the second connection arm are configured to be linearly moved in relation to the main spanning bracket to adjust a length of the curtain header assembly.

3. The adaptable curtain-positioning securing system of claim 1 , wherein the header engager comprises a spherical member that is configured to be retained within a reciprocal socket of the first or second connection arm.

4. The adaptable curtain-positioning securing system of claim 1 , wherein one or both of the first fitting and the second fitting further comprise first indicia and second indicia that are configured to be compared to determine a proper connection with the first or second connection arm.

5. The adaptable curtain-positioning securing system of claim 1 , wherein the curtain track is removably secured to the main spanning bracket, wherein the curtain track conceals the curtain couplings.

6. The adaptable curtain-positioning securing system of claim 1 , wherein the curtain header assembly is configured to be selectively mounted and removed from a plurality of locations within an internal cabin.

7. The adaptable curtain-positioning securing system of claim 1 , wherein the first fitting and the second fitting are concealed when the curtain header assembly is connected to and removed from the first fitting and the second fitting.

8. The adaptable curtain-positioning securing system of claim 1 , wherein the first fixed structure comprises a first strongback, and wherein the second fixed structure comprises a second strongback.

9. The adaptable curtain-positioning securing system of claim 8 , wherein the first connection arm is configured to extend through a first gap formed between the first strongback and a first pivot bin pivotally coupled relative to the first strongback when the first pivot bin is in open and closed positions, and wherein the second connection arm is configured to extend through a second gap formed between the second strongback and a second pivot bin pivotally coupled to the second strongback when the second pivot bin in open and closed positions.

10. The adaptable curtain-positioning securing system of claim 1 , wherein the first connection arm comprises a first fitting coupler that is configured to removably couple to the first fitting, and wherein the second arm comprises a second fitting coupler that is configured to removably couple to the second fitting.

11. The adaptable curtain-positioning securing system of claim 10 , wherein the first fitting coupler and the second fitting coupler comprise connection sockets that are configured to retain reciprocal portions of the first fitting and the second fitting, respectively.

12. The adaptable, curtain-positioning securing system of claim 10 , wherein the first fitting coupler is configured to rotate relative to the first fitting to pivotally adapt the curtain header assembly to the first fitting.

13. The adaptable curtain-positioning securing system of claim 12 , wherein the second fitting coupler is configured to rotate relative to the second fitting to pivotally adapt the curtain header assembly to the second fitting.

14. A method for selectively positioning a curtain header assembly within an internal cabin of a vehicle, the method comprising:
retaining one or more curtain couplings within a curtain track connected to a main spanning bracket having a first end and a second end that is opposite from the first end;
removably securing a first connection arm extending from the first end of the main spanning bracket to a first fitting secured to a first fixed structure within the internal cabin;
removably securing a second connection arm extending from the second end of the main spanning bracket to a second fitting secure to a second fixed structure within the internal cabin; and
pressing a button of the first fitting and the second fitting to disconnect the first connection arm and the second arm from the first fitting and the second fitting.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising linearly moving one or both of the first connection arm and the second connection arm in relation to the main spanning bracket to adjust a length of the curtain header assembly.

16. The method of claim 14 , pivotally adapting the curtain header assembly to one or both of the first fitting or the second fitting through one or both of a rotatable first fitting coupler of the first connection arm or a rotatable second fitting coupler of the second connection arm.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising concealing the curtain couplings with the curtain track that is removably coupled to the main spanning bracket.

18. A vehicle comprising:
an internal cabin;
an aisle extending through the internal cabin;
a first fixed structure within the internal cabin on a first side of the aisle;
a second fixed structure within the internal cabin on a second side of the aisle opposite from the first fixed structure; and
an adaptable curtain-positioning securing system that includes (a) a first fitting secured to the first fixed structure, (b) a second fitting secured to the second fixed structure, wherein one or both of the first fitting and the second fitting comprises: (i) a main housing defining an internal chamber; (ii) a door coupled to the main housing, wherein the door is configured to be opened to expose the internal chamber; and (iii) a button within the internal chamber, wherein the button is operably coupled to a header engager, and (c) a curtain header assembly that removably secures to the first fitting and the second fitting, wherein the curtain header assembly comprises:
a main spanning bracket having a first end and a second end that is opposite from the first end;
a curtain track connected to the main spanning bracket, wherein the curtain track retains one or more curtain couplings that are configured to moveably secure a curtain to the curtain track;
a first connection arm extending from the first end of the main spanning bracket, wherein the first connection arm removably secures to the first fitting; and
a second connection arm extending from the s

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Slyter Kenneth Michael
• Nguyen Linh Hong

Classifications

• B64D11/0023 Primary

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

• A47H1/18

  Other curtain suspension devices, e.g. wire, cord {, springs} · CPC title

• A47H1/10

  Means for mounting curtain rods or rails · CPC title