Overhead equipment stowage pod for an aircraft interior

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9499269-B2
Application number	US-201414245874-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 4, 2014
Priority date	Apr 5, 2013
Publication date	Nov 22, 2016
Grant date	Nov 22, 2016

Abstract

An overhead equipment stowage pod comprises a base having a structural material surrounding a central opening. The central opening is open on top and bottom, and the base is fastened to a support structure proximate a ceiling. A replaceable stowage bin is at least partially inserted through the base into the ceiling, and a closeable door is suspended below the stowage bin.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An overhead equipment stowage pod apparatus comprising:
a base having a structural material surrounding a central opening, the central opening being open on top and bottom, the base fastened to a support structure proximate a ceiling;
a replaceable stowage bin at least partially inserted through the base into the ceiling;
a ceiling panel that includes a cutout into which the base is inserted, and a recessed pod well surrounding the base and extending below a level of the ceiling panel, the recessed pod well being contoured upward; and
a closeable door suspended below the stowage bin.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a bezel that surrounds the base proximate the ceiling, the bezel including a lighting element that shines light.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a bezel that surrounds the base below the level of the ceiling, leaving a gap between the ceiling and the bezel, the bezel including a lighting element that shines light onto the ceiling surrounding the bezel from within the gap between the ceiling and the bezel.

4. The apparatus of claim further 1 , comprising a bezel that surrounds the base below a level of the recessed pod well, leaving a gap between the recessed pod well and the bezel, the bezel including a lighting element that shines light onto the recessed pod well surrounding the bezel from within the gap between the recessed pod well and the bezel, the recessed pod well being configured as a light wash to disperse the light shined by the lighting element.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a lift assist unit attached to the base and the closeable door that assists in raising and lowering the closeable door.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the replaceable stowage bin includes a molded feature formed to accommodate an obstacle in the ceiling.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of tie rods that attach the base to the support structure.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a replaceable equipment palette fastened to an interior side of the closeable door.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the replaceable equipment palette includes at least one of emergency equipment and entertainment equipment.

10. An overhead equipment stowage pod apparatus comprising:
a base having generally vertical walls and an open top fastened to a support structure proximate a ceiling;
a ceiling panel that includes a cutout into which the base is inserted, and a recessed pod well surrounding the base and extending below a level of the ceiling panel;
a bezel that surrounds the base below a level of the recessed pod well, leaving a gap between the recessed pod well and the base, the bezel including a lighting element that shines light onto the recessed pod well surrounding the bezel from within the gap between the recessed pod well and the base, the recessed pod well being contoured upward above the bezel and configured as a light wash to disperse the light shined by the lighting element;
a replaceable stowage bin at least partially inserted through a central opening in the base into the ceiling;
a closeable door suspended below the stowage bin; and
a replaceable equipment palette fastened to an interior side of the closeable door.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a lift assist unit attached to the base and the closeable door that assists in raising and lowering the closeable door.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the replaceable stowage bin includes a molded feature formed to accommodate an obstacle in the ceiling.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of tie rods that attach the base to the support structure.

14. A method of installing an overhead equipment stowage pod, the method comprising:
installing a base having structural material surrounding a central opening, the central opening being open on top and bottom, in a ceiling by fastening the base to a support structure above a level of a ceiling panel, the ceiling panel including a recessed pod well extending below the level of the ceiling panel and being contoured upward;
forming a replaceable stowage bin to compensate for obstacles above the central opening of the base and above the level of the ceiling panel;
fastening the replaceable stowage bin to the base when at least partially inserted through the central opening of the base into the ceiling; and
attaching a closeable door to the base.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising fastening a replaceable equipment palette to an interior side of the closeable door to be accessible when the closeable door is opened.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
opening the closeable door to reveal the stowage bin in the central opening of the base;
removing the replaceable stowage bin from within the central opening of the base;
accessing equipment behind the ceiling panel through the central opening of the base;
replacing the replaceable stowage bin within the central opening of the base; and
closing the closeable door.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
surrounding the base with a bezel proximate the ceiling; and
shining light from the bezel.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the light shines onto the ceiling surrounding the bezel from within a gap between the ceiling and the bezel.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the light shines onto the recessed pod well surrounding the bezel from within a gap between the recessed pod well and the bezel, the recessed pod well dispersing the light.

Assignees

• Be Aerospace Inc

Inventors

• Ivester Clarence
• Papke Robert

Classifications

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• Y10T29/49817

  with other than ancillary treating or assembling · CPC title

• B64D11/00 Primary

  Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• B64C1/066

  Interior liners · CPC title

• B60Q3/43

  General lighting · CPC title