Integrated door handle with hinged access cover

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021363791-A1
Application number	US-202016915429-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 29, 2020
Priority date	May 21, 2020
Publication date	Nov 25, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A handle assembly for an access panel is described and includes a handle connected to a support structure integrated into and covered by a skin of the access panel, the handle comprising a grip portion and upper and lower flanges extending perpendicularly from the grip portion and having first ends connected to the grip portion and second ends connected to the support structure; and a cover disposed over an opening in the access panel skin and selectively transitionable between a closed position and an open position, the opening situated relative to the handle such that the handle is concealed when the cover is in a closed position and accessible via the opening when the cover is in an open position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A handle assembly for an access panel comprising:
a handle connected to a support structure integrated into and covered by a skin of the access panel, the handle comprising:
a grip portion; and
upper and lower flanges extending perpendicularly from the grip portion and having first ends connected to the grip portion and second ends connected to the support structure; and
a cover disposed over an opening in the access panel skin and selectively transitionable between a closed position and an open position, the opening situated relative to the handle such that the handle is concealed when the cover is in a closed position and accessible via the opening when the cover is in an open position.

2 . The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cover is connected to the access panel skin along an edge of the opening,

3 . The handle assembly of claim 2 , wherein the cover is connected to the access panel skin by at least one hinge.

4 . The handle assembly of claim 3 wherein the cover is selectively rotatable between the closed position and the open position.

5 . The handle assembly of claim 3 , wherein the at least one hinge biases the cover to the closed position.

6 . The handle assembly of claim 3 , wherein the at least one hinge is disposed on the edge of the opening closest to an outer edge of the access panel.

7 . The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cover is transitionable from the closed position to the open position by applying pressure to a front surface of the cover and wherein the cover is transitionable from the open position to the closed position by releasing pressure from the front surface of the door.

8 . An access panel comprising:
a support structure disposed proximate a side edge thereof; a skin covering a front surface of the access panel; a handle connected to the support structure integrated and covered by the access panel skin, the handle comprising:
a grip portion; and
upper and lower flanges extending perpendicularly from the grip portion and having first ends connected to the grip portion and second ends connected to the support structure; and
a cover disposed over an opening in the access panel skin and selectively transitionable between a closed position and an open position, the opening situated relative to the handle such that the handle is concealed when the cover is in a closed position and accessible via the opening when the cover is in an open position.

9 . The access panel of claim 8 , wherein the support structure comprises a c-channel.

10 . The access panel of claim 8 , wherein the cover is rotatably connected to the access panel skin via at least one hinge disposed along an edge of the opening,

11 . The access panel of claim 10 , wherein the at least one hinge biases the cover to the closed position.

12 . The access panel of claim 10 , wherein the at least one hinge is disposed on the edge of the opening closest to an outer edge of the access panel.

13 . The access panel of claim 8 , wherein the cover is transitionable from the closed position to the open position by applying pressure to a front surface of the cover and wherein the cover is transitionable from the open position to the closed position by releasing pressure from the front surface of the door.

14 . An aircraft comprising:
an access panel comprising:
a support structure disposed proximate a side edge thereof; and
a skin covering a front surface of the access panel;
a handle connected to the support structure and covered by the skin of the access panel, the handle comprising:
a grip portion; and
upper and lower flanges extending perpendicularly from the grip portion and having first ends connected to the grip portion and second ends connected to the support structure; and
a cover disposed over an opening in the access panel skin and selectively transitionable between a closed position and an open position, the opening situated relative to the handle such that the handle is concealed when the cover is in a closed position and accessible via the opening when the cover is in an open position.

15 . The aircraft of claim 14 , wherein the support structure comprises a c-channel.

16 . The aircraft of claim 15 , wherein the cover is rotatably connected to the access panel skin along an edge of the opening by at least one hinge.

17 . The aircraft of claim 16 , wherein the cover is selectively rotatable between the closed position and the open position.

18 . The aircraft of claim 16 , wherein the at least one hinge biases the cover to the closed position.

19 . The aircraft of claim 16 , wherein the at least one hinge is disposed on the edge of the opening closest to an outer edge of the access panel.

20 . The aircraft of claim 15 , wherein the cover is transitionable from the closed position to the open position by applying pressure to a front surface of the cover and wherein the cover is transitionable from the open position to the closed position by releasing pressure from the front surface of the door.

Assignees

• Bell Textron Inc

Inventors

• Amante William Anthony
• Koppa Siddalingappa Arunkumar
• Bansal Darpan
• Carr Timothy Brian

Classifications

• B64C1/1461

  Structures of doors or surrounding frames · CPC title

• E05B5/006

  essentially defining a completely closed surface together with the wing · CPC title

• E05B1/0015

  Knobs or handles which do not operate the bolt or lock, e.g. non-movable; Mounting thereof · CPC title

• E05B85/103 Primary

  creating a completely closed wing surface · CPC title

• B64C1/1446

  Inspection hatches (for engine cowls B64D29/08) · CPC title