Systems and methods for positioning a section divider assembly within a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9499271-B2
Application number	US-201514682197-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 9, 2015
Priority date	Apr 9, 2015
Publication date	Nov 22, 2016
Grant date	Nov 22, 2016

Abstract

A section divider system is configured to separate sections within an internal cabin of a vehicle. The section divider system may include a first rail secured to a fixed panel within the internal cabin. A closeout panel may be secured to the fixed panel. The closeout panel extends between the fixed panel and a passenger service unit (PSU) within the internal cabin. A clearance space is formed between a portion of the closeout panel and the PSU. The closeout panel is configured to prevent access to an interior of the PSU. A bracket is secured to the first rail. One or more connecting beams extend from the bracket through the clearance space. A section divider assembly is connected to the connecting beam(s).

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A section divider system configured to separate sections within an internal cabin of a vehicle, the section divider system comprising:
a first rail secured to a fixed panel within the internal cabin;
a closeout panel secured to the fixed panel, wherein the closeout panel extends between the fixed panel and a passenger service unit (PSU) within the internal cabin, wherein a clearance space is formed between a portion of the closeout panel and the PSU, wherein the closeout panel is configured to prevent access to an interior of the PSU, wherein the closeout panel extends into a gap between a first lateral portion of the fixed panel and a second lateral portion of a stowage bin within the internal cabin, and wherein the closeout panel is further configured to prevent movement of fingers of an individual past a defined position within the gap;
a bracket secured to the first rail, wherein one or more connecting beams extend from the bracket through the clearance space; and
a section divider assembly connected to the one or more connecting beams.

2. The section divider system of claim 1 , wherein the section divider assembly is configured to be moveably adjusted by the bracket being longitudinally moved in relation to the first rail.

3. The section divider system of claim 1 , further comprising a second rail secured to one or both of the fixed panel or another fixed portion of the internal cabin, wherein the section divider assembly comprises a fitting that is secured to the second rail.

4. The section divider system of claim 3 , wherein the fitting is moveably secured to the second rail.

5. The section divider system of claim 1 , wherein the section divider assembly includes a header coupled to a barrier including a rigid panel extending downwardly from the header, wherein the section divider assembly is configured to be positioned over one or more seats within a row of the internal cabin.

6. The section divider system of claim 5 , wherein the header is sized and shaped to be outside of a range of motion a pivotal bucket of the stowage bin.

7. The section divider system of claim 5 , wherein the header comprises an intermediate peak that connects to the one or more connecting beams of the bracket.

8. The section divider system of claim 1 , wherein the first rail comprises a plurality of regularly-spaced retaining holes, wherein each of the regularly-spaced retaining holes is configured to receive and retain a position securing member coupled to the bracket in order to secure the section divider assembly in position.

9. The section divider system of claim 1 , wherein the closeout panel is cantilevered with respect to the fixed panel, and wherein the closeout panel comprises:
a panel securing portion including a flat beam that overlies a portion of the fixed panel;
a stop protuberance that extends downwardly and away from the flat beam, wherein the stop protuberance is configured to prevent an individual from reaching further into a gap between the fixed panel and the stowage bin, wherein the stop protuberance is configured to be spaced apart from the stowage bin; and
a covering flap that extends downwardly from the stop protuberance, wherein the covering flap is configured to prevent access to the interior of the PSU, wherein the clearance space is formed between a terminal edge of the covering flap and the PSU.

10. The section divider system of claim 9 , wherein the covering flap extends away from the flat beam at an angle.

11. The section divider system of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is configured to be slidably moved through or on at least a portion of the first rail.

12. The section divider system of claim 1 , wherein the bracket comprises one or more rollers configured to rotatably move on or through at least a portion of the first rail.

13. The section divider system of claim 1 , wherein the bracket further comprises a spring-biased position securing member operatively connected to a pull cord.

14. The section divider system of claim 1 , wherein the first rail is an inboard rail.

15. The section divider system of claim 1 , wherein the first rail is integrally formed with a PSU rail that securely connects the PSU to the fixed panel.

16. A shielding assembly configured to be secured to a strongback within an internal cabin of a vehicle, wherein the shielding assembly is configured to extend into a gap between the strongback and a stowage bin having a bucket, the shielding assembly comprising:
a panel securing portion including a flat beam that overlies a lateral portion of the strongback;
a stop protuberance that extends downwardly and away from the flat beam, wherein the stop protuberance is configured to prevent an individual from reaching further into the gap between a fixed panel and the stowage bin, wherein the stop protuberance is configured to be spaced apart from the stowage bin; and
a covering flap that extends downwardly from the stop protuberance, wherein the covering flap extends away from the flat beam at an angle, wherein the covering flap is configured to prevent access to an interior of a passenger service unit (PSU), and wherein a clearance space is formed between a terminal edge of the covering flap and the PSU, wherein the covering flap is substantially parallel to an inboard outer surface of the bucket.

17. A section divider system configured to separate sections within an internal cabin of a vehicle, the section divider system comprising:
an inboard rail secured to a fixed strongback within the internal cabin;
an outboard rail secured to one or both of the fixed strongback or another fixed portion of the internal cabin;
a closeout panel secured to the strongback, wherein the closeout panel extends between the strongback and a passenger service unit (PSU) within the internal cabin, wherein the closeout panel extends into a gap between the strongback and a portion of a stowage bin within the internal cabin, wherein the closeout panel is further configured to prevent movement of fingers of an individual past a defined position within the gap, wherein a clearance space is formed between a portion of the closeout panel and the PSU, wherein the closeout panel is configured to prevent access to an interior of the PSU;
a bracket secured to the inboard rail, wherein one or more connecting beams extend from the bracket through the clearance space; and
a section divider assembly connected to the one or more connecting beams, wherein the section divider assembly is connected to the outboard rail through at least one fitting, wherein the section divider assembly is configured to be moveably adjusted in relation to the inboard rail and the outboard rail, wherein the section divider assembly includes a header coupled to a barrier extending downwardly from the header, wherein the section divider assembly is configured to be positioned over one or more seats within a row of the internal cabin, wherein the header comprises an intermediate peak that connects to the one or more connecting beams of the bracket.

18. The section divider system of claim 17 , wherein one or both of the inboard rail and the outboard rail comprises a plurality of regularly-spaced retaining holes, wherein each of the regularly-spaced retaining holes is configured to receive and retain a position securing member coupled to the header in order to secure the section divider assembly in position.

19. The section divider system of claim 17 , wherein the closeout panel is cantilevered with respect to the strongback, and wherein the closeout

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Walton Brent Clarence
• Herold William F
• Nguyen Hung Quang
• Bass Kevin Duane
• Schwitters Christopher L

Classifications

• B64D11/0023 Primary

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