Self-deploying counter for multimode transformable monuments

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11919643-B2
Application number	US-201916421207-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 23, 2019
Priority date	Apr 10, 2018
Publication date	Mar 5, 2024
Grant date	Mar 5, 2024

Abstract

A self-deploying counter for an aircraft monument is disclosed. In embodiments, the monument is installable adjacent to a cabin space within an aircraft passenger cabin (e.g., on either side of an exit door) and the self-deploying counter includes a partition door capable of being pivoted between a default closed position and an open position extending into the cabin space. The self-deploying counter has a horizontal top surface and an undersurface. When the partition door is deployed, the counter pivots in concert with the door's deployment, the fully deployed position corresponding to the open position of the partition door.

First claim

We claim:

1. A self-deploying counter assembly for an aircraft monument, comprising:
a partition door pivotably and hingedly couplable to a monument by at least one pivoting linkage and at least one continuous hinge, the monument installable in an aircraft cabin, the partition door pivotably deployable by a user between a closed position and an open position within the aircraft cabin;
at least one tracking member attached to the partition door, each tracking member configured to translate along a monument rail set into the monument as the partition door deploys; and
a counter slidably coupled to the partition door and to the monument, the counter having a substantially horizontal top surface and an undersurface opposite the top surface, the counter configured to pivot with the deployment of the partition door between a stowed position and a deployed position corresponding to the open position of the partition door.

2. The self-deploying counter assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one tracking cam attached to the counter, each tracking cam configured to translate along a cam track set into the monument in accordance with the pivoting of the counter.

3. The self-deploying counter assembly of claim 2 , wherein the cam track defines a curved path.

4. The self-deploying counter assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the monument is disposed proximate to an exit door of the aircraft; and
the partition door is configured to obstruct the exit door when in the open position.

5. The self-deploying counter assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one cabin attendant seat mounted to the partition door opposite the counter, the at least one cabin attendant seat deployable for use by a crewmember when the partition door is in the closed position.

6. The self-deploying counter assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one counter rail extending lengthwise along the undersurface of the counter; and
at least one slider mounted to the partition door, the slider configured to translate along the counter rail as the partition door deploys.

7. A multimode transformable monument, comprising:
an upper portion adjacent to the ceiling, a lower portion adjacent to the floor, and a middle portion between the upper and lower portions, the monument installable in an aircraft cabin;
one or more of the middle portion and the lower portion comprising a partition door pivotably and hingedly coupled to the monument by at least one pivoting linkage and at least one continuous hinge, the partition door deployable by a user between a closed position and an open position within the cabin space;
at least one tracking member attached to the partition door, each tracking member configured to translate along a monument rail set into the monument as the partition door deploys; and
a counter slidably coupled to the partition door and to the monument, the counter having a substantially horizontal top surface and an undersurface opposite the top surface, the counter configured to pivot with the deployment of the partition door between a stowed position and a deployed position corresponding to the open position of the partition door.

8. The multimode transformable monument of claim 7 , further comprising:
at least one tracking cam attached to the counter, each tracking cam configured to translate along a cam track set into the monument in accordance with the pivoting of the counter.

9. The multimode transformable monument of claim 8 , wherein the cam track defines a curved path.

10. The multimode transformable monument of claim 7 , wherein:
the monument is disposed proximate to an exit door of the aircraft; and
the partition door is configured to obstruct the exit door when in the open position.

11. The multimode transformable monument of claim 7 , further comprising:
at least one cabin attendant seat mounted to the partition door opposite the counter, the at least one cabin attendant seat deployable for use when the partition door is in the closed position.

12. The multimode transformable monument of claim 7 , further comprising:
at least one counter rail extending lengthwise along the undersurface of the counter; and
at least one slider mounted to the partition door, the slider configured to translate along the counter rail as the partition door deploys.

13. The multimode transformable monument of claim 7 , further comprising:
a self-service compartment disposed within the monument and adjacent to the counter, the self-service compartment comprising:
a first compartment door accessible by the user from a first side;
a second compartment door accessible by the user from a second side adjacent to the first side;
at least one shelf disposed within the self-service compartment; and
at least one interior light disposed within the self-service compartment and configured to illuminate one or more contents of the self-service compartment;
at least one of the first compartment door and the second compartment door having a substantially transparent surface.

14. The multimode transformable monument of claim 9 , further comprising:
at least one lighting element disposed on an exterior surface of the monument, the at least one edge lighting element configured to illuminate the aircraft cabin.

15. A multimode transformable monument of claim 10 , wherein the monument is a first monument, the partition door is a first partition door, and the counter is a first counter, further comprising:
a second monument disposed in the aircraft cabin on an opposite side of the exit door to the first monument, the second monument comprising:
a second partition door pivotably and hingedly couplable to the second monument, the second partition door pivotably deployable by the user between a closed position and an open position adjacent to the first partition door; and
a second counter slidably coupled to the second partition door and to the second monument, the second counter configured to pivot with the deployment of the second partition door between a stowed position and a deployed position adjacent to the deployed position of the first counter.

16. The multimode transformable monument of claim 15 , further comprising:
at least one self-service compartment disposed within at least one of the first monument and the second monument and adjacent to at least one of the first counter and the second counter, the self-service compartment comprising:
a first compartment door accessible by the user from a first side;
a second compartment door accessible by the user from a second side adjacent to the first side, at least one of the first compartment door and the second compartment door having a substantially transparent surface;
at least one shelf disposed within the self-service compartment; and
at least one interior light disposed within the self-service compartment and configured to illuminate one or more contents of the self-service compartment.

Assignees

• Rockwell Collins Inc

Inventors

• Vaninetti Travis J
• Christenson Justin C
• Mckee Jefferey M

Classifications

• B64D11/0007 Primary

  Devices specially adapted for food or beverage distribution services · CPC title

• A47B31/04

  foldable · CPC title

• A47B31/06

  adapted to the use in vehicles {(with a set of feet and a part resting on someone's lap A47B23/041; arrangements or adaptations of tables in vehicles B60N3/001)} · CPC title

• B64D11/0023

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

• B64D2011/0038

  Illumination systems for cabins as a whole · CPC title