Patent ID: 11927042
Assignee: AIRBUS AMERICAS, INC.
Field: Civil engineering (Other fields)
Classification: CPC E  B | IPC B  E

Claim 9:
10. A method of controlling access to a restricted access area of an aircraft, the method comprising:
providing at least one hinge, each hinge comprising:
a first attachment plate;
a second attachment plate;
a pin comprising a notch in an outer surface of the pin; and
a key;

attaching the second attachment plate to a supporting structure;
attaching the first attachment plate to a supported structure that is movable between a closed position, in which access to the restricted access area of the aircraft is blocked by the supported structure, and an open position, in which access to the restricted access area of the aircraft is not blocked by the supported structure;
pivotably connecting, using the pin, the first attachment plate and the second attachment plate;
inserting the key such that a distal end of the key is inserted within the notch of the pin to prevent the first and second attachment plates from being separated in an axial direction of the pin while the distal end of the key is inserted within the notch of the pin;
moving the supported structure between and into the open position and the closed position to control access to the restricted access area of the aircraft; and
selectively disassembling the at least one hinge toollessly by:
moving the key of each of the plurality of hinges, when the supported structure is in the closed position, such that the distal end of the key is removed from engagement with the notch of the pin; and
separating the first and second attachment plates in the axial direction of the pin.