Modular refreshment center

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12304634-B2
Application number	US-202217668215-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 9, 2022
Priority date	Oct 27, 2016
Publication date	May 20, 2025
Grant date	May 20, 2025

Abstract

A substructure in an aircraft cabin includes a drawer-insert accepting portion that defines multiple racks. Each rack may receive an exchangeable drawer insert. A module-accepting portion of the substructure defines an opening that includes a supporting surface, a back wall which extends upward and outward, and a lateral side wall. A module is provided for optionally installing in the module-accepting portion. The module has concealed areas upon installing that include: (i) a base adapted to rest on the supporting surface, (ii) a side wall adapted to abut the lateral side wall, and (iii) a rear wall adapted to abut the back wall. The module has exposed surfaces upon installing that are adapted to match an existing profile of the drawer-insert accepting portion. The module-accepting portion is configured for stowing cargo in a first mode and for receiving the module in a second mode. The module may include a locking assembly.

First claim

We claim:

1. A locking assembly for a modular storage unit, comprising:
a lever arm having a secured end and a free end, the secured end being mounted inside a base of the modular storage unit;
an opening in a side wall of the modular storage unit, wherein the free end is configured to extend through the opening;
a protruding member that extends downward beneath a bottom side of the lever arm;
a hole in the base configured to receive the protruding member; and
a plate mounted to a supporting surface,
wherein the protruding member is configured to be seated adjacent the plate and touching the supporting surface when the modular storage unit is installed on the supporting surface thereby securing the modular storage unit, and
wherein the lever arm is configured to deflect upwards when the free end is lifted, thereby raising the protruding member above the plate for releasing the modular storage unit.

2. The locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the opening has a height configured for the lever arm to clear the plate when the lever arm is lifted via the free end for releasing the modular storage unit.

3. The locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the free end of the lever arm is bent downwardly such that the free end of the lever arm extends outwardly and downwardly from the opening.

4. The locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the free end of the lever arm is configured as a handle for lifting the modular storage unit when the locking assembly is released.

5. A locking assembly for a modular storage unit, comprising:
a lever arm having a secured end and a free end, the secured end being mounted inside a base of the modular storage unit;
an opening in a side wall of the modular storage unit, wherein the free end is configured to extend through the opening;
a protruding member that extends downward beneath a bottom side of the lever arm;
a hole in the base configured to receive the protruding member; and
a plate mounted to a supporting surface,
wherein the protruding member is configured to be seated adjacent the plate and touching the supporting surface when the modular storage unit is installed on the supporting surface thereby securing the modular storage unit, and
wherein the lever arm is configured to press against a top side of the opening when the free end is lifted, thereby making a user aware that the locking assembly is released.

6. A locking assembly for a modular storage unit, comprising:
a slotted protrusion that extends beneath a base of the modular storage unit, wherein the slotted protrusion comprises a slot facing a first direction;
a recessed receptacle housed within a supporting surface, wherein the recessed receptacle comprises a crossbar configured to insert into the slot when the modular storage unit is installed;
a lever arm having a secured end and a free end, the secured end being mounted inside the base of the modular storage unit and the free end extending through an opening in a side wall of the modular storage unit, wherein the free end is configured to be raised for releasing the modular storage unit;
a protruding member that extends downward beneath a bottom side of the lever arm and through a hole in the base; and
a plate mounted to the supporting surface,
wherein the protruding member is configured to be seated against the supporting surface adjacent the plate when the modular storage unit is installed thereby securing the modular storage unit from moving in a second direction opposite the first direction.

7. The locking assembly of claim 6 , wherein the lever arm is configured to deflect upwards when lifted, thereby raising the protruding member above the plate for releasing the modular storage unit.

8. The locking assembly of claim 6 , wherein the opening has a height configured for the protruding member to clear the plate when the free end of the lever arm is lifted for releasing the modular storage unit.

9. The locking assembly of claim 6 , wherein the free end of the lever arm is bent downwardly such that the free end of the lever arm extends outwardly and downwardly from the opening.

10. The locking assembly of claim 6 , wherein the lever arm comprises a U-shaped region that is bent downwardly compared to adjacent portions of the lever arm for avoiding contact with a drawer rail mounted on the base of the modular storage unit.

Assignees

• Textron Aviation Inc
• Textron Innovations Inc

Inventors

• Rowe Frank Joseph
• Robinson Michael Scott
• Davis David Wayne
• Kimbell Joann
• Fagan Stephen

Classifications

• A47B47/00

  Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features related to dismountability or building-up from elements (A47B43/00, A47B45/00 take precedence; features for adjusting shelves or partitions A47B57/00) · CPC title

• B64D11/04 Primary

  Galleys · CPC title