Folding galley unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016264246-A1
Application number	US-201514657727-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 13, 2015
Priority date	Mar 13, 2015
Publication date	Sep 15, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Method and apparatus for providing a modular unit through a confined entryway. The modular unit includes portions that are foldable between a transit configuration and a deployed configuration. In the transit configuration, the modular unit can fit through the confined entryway. In the deployed configuration, the modular unit may not fit through the door, but can have larger dimensions. Once past the confined entryway, the foldable portions can be quickly moved to the deployed configuration and fixed in place with a small number of pins or other fasteners. In some instances, multiple modular units may be attached together to form a larger unit. The modular units can include foldable portions, and the modular units can be connected together with a relatively small number of fasteners.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for installing a modular unit, wherein the modular unit includes a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the second portion can rotate about a first hinge relative to the first portion between a first transit configuration and a first deployed configuration, the method comprising:
inserting the modular unit through an entryway with the second portion in the first transit configuration, wherein the entryway defines a first dimension; rotating the second portion about the first hinge to the first deployed configuration, wherein a dimension of the modular unit exceeds the first dimension when the second portion is in the first deployed configuration; fixing the second portion in the first deployed configuration; and fixing the modular unit in an installed location.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a sealant to a gap between the first portion of the modular unit and the second portion of the modular unit.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the modular unit includes a third portion, wherein the third portion can rotate between a second transit configuration and a second deployed configuration about a second hinge relative to the first portion, wherein, in the first transit configuration, the second portion interferes with the third portion rotating from the second transit configuration to the second deployed configuration, the method further comprising:
rotating the third portion about the second hinge to the second deployed configuration; and fixing the third portion in the second deployed configuration.

4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
applying a sealant to a gap between the first portion of the modular unit and the second portion of the modular unit; and applying a sealant to a gap between the first portion of the modular unit and the third portion of the modular unit.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein fixing the second portion in the first deployed configuration comprises affixing fasteners to the first portion, the second portion, and a bracket between the first portion and the second portion.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
unfixing the modular unit from the installed location; unfixing the second portion; rotating the second portion about the first hinge to the first transit configuration; and removing the modular unit through the entryway.

7 . A modular unit, comprising:
at least one storage volume in the modular unit, wherein the at least one storage volume includes:
a first portion that defines a first wall of the storage volume;
a second portion; and
a first hinge connecting the first portion and the second portion, wherein the second portion is rotatable about the first hinge relative to the first portion between a first transit configuration and a first deployed configuration, wherein the second portion extends the first wall of the storage volume when in the first deployed configuration.

8 . The modular unit of claim 7 , further comprising a fastener configured to engage the first portion and the second portion when the second portion is in the first deployed configuration, wherein the second portion cannot move relative to the first portion when the fastener is engaged.

9 . The modular unit of claim 7 , further comprising a sealant arranged in a gap between the first portion and the second portion when the second portion is in the deployed configuration.

10 . The modular unit of claim 7 , wherein the at least one storage volume further includes:
a third portion that defines a second wall of the at least one storage volume; a fourth portion; and a second hinge connecting the third portion and the fourth portion, wherein the fourth portion is rotatable about the second hinge relative to the third portion between a second transit location and a second deployed configuration, wherein the fourth portion extends the second wall of the at least one storage volume when in the second deployed configuration, and wherein the second portion interferes with movement of the fourth portion to the second deployed configuration when the second portion is in the first transit configuration.

11 . The modular unit of claim 7 , wherein the modular unit is a first modular unit, and further comprising:
a second modular unit configured to be arranged relative to the first modular unit; and a plurality of fasteners affixing the first modular unit to the second modular unit.

12 . The modular unit of claim 11 , where each of the plurality of fasteners includes:
a first bracket that includes a slot, wherein a first portion of the slot defines a first slot width, and wherein a second portion of the slot defines a second slot width; and a second bracket that includes a tang, wherein the tang defines a width that is narrower than the first slot width and wider than the second slot width; wherein the second modular unit is affixed to the first modular unit by:
inserting the tangs through respective ones of the first portions of the slots;
sliding the second modular unit relative to the first modular unit such that the tangs translate to respective ones of the second portions of the slots.

13 . The modular unit of claim 7 , further comprising:
a second storage volume; and a bi-fold door that is movable from between an open position and a closed position, wherein the bi-fold door covers the second storage volume when in the closed position, wherein the bi-fold door includes first door panel and a second door panel, and wherein the bi-fold door includes a seal on the first door panel that interacts with the second door panel to form a seal when the bi-fold door is in the closed position.

14 . A galley modular unit for an aircraft, comprising:
a first galley modular unit that includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion can rotate about a first hinge relative to the first portion between a first transit configuration and a first deployed configuration, wherein the first portion defines a first storage volume, and wherein the second portion extends the first storage volume when the second portion is in the first deployed configuration; a second galley modular unit that includes a third portion and a fourth portion, wherein the fourth portion can rotate about a second hinge relative to the third portion between a second transit configuration and a second deployed configuration, wherein the third portion defines a second storage volume, wherein the fourth portion extends the second storage volume when the fourth portion is in the second deployed configuration, and wherein the second galley modular unit is stackable on top of the first galley modular unit; and at least one fastener that couples the first galley modular unit and the second galley modular unit when the second galley modular unit is stacked on top of the first galley modular unit.

15 . The galley modular unit of claim 14 , wherein the first portion forms a first portion of a first wall of the first storage volume, and wherein the second portion forms a second portion of the first wall of the first storage volume when in the first deployed configuration.

16 . The galley modular unit of claim 15 , wherein the first galley modular unit further comprises a fifth portion and a sixth portion, wherein the sixth portion can rotate about a third hinge relative to the fifth portion between a third transit configuration and a third deployed configuration, wherein the fifth portion forms a first portion of a ceiling of the first storage volume, and wherein the sixth portion

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Young Stephen M
• Davison Carl Aaron

Classifications

• B64D11/04 Primary

  Galleys · CPC title

• B64D2011/0046

  Modular or preassembled units for creating cabin interior structures · CPC title