Abstract:
An assembly for providing an indicator includes a light source, a stationary member, a first optical fiber coupled to the light source and to the stationary member, a movable panel, and a first latch assembly coupling the stationary member and the movable panel. The latch assembly has an unlatched position and a latched position. The assembly further includes a second optical fiber coupled to the movable panel, an indicator coupled to the movable panel, and a second optical fiber whereby in the last position, light from the first optical fiber is coupled to the second optical fiber differently than in the latched position.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to latches for moving panels and, more particularly, to an indicator to easily ascertain if a latch is properly closed.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Storage bins, and more particularly, overhead storage bins are used in airplanes to store carry-on luggage. Oftentimes the storage bins are used to capacity. Storage bins are placed in the open position so that passengers may place their carry-on luggage therein. Flight attendants or passengers close the storage bins when they are full.  
         [0003]     A latch handle is typically used to actuate latches inside the storage bin and are used to release the storage bin so that it may be positioned in an open position. Oftentimes, one latch is provided for each of the sides of the storage bin.  
         [0004]     During various maneuvers, storage bins may open allowing contents to potentially fall therefrom. Oftentimes this is due to one of the two latches not being fully latched. When the bins are closed one latch may not be latched but the other side may be latched. In a standing still position, the single latch may hold but during various maneuvers, the single latch may become unlatched.  
         [0005]     It would therefore be desirable to provide a latch assembly that may be easily visually inspected to provide an indication as to whether the latch is properly closed. Also, it is desirable to provide a latch handle that is easily actuated by people with various vertical attributes.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     In one aspect of the invention an assembly for providing an indicator includes a light source, a stationary member, a first optical fiber coupled to the light source and to the stationary member, a movable panel, and a first latch assembly coupling the stationary member and the movable panel. The latch assembly has an unlatched position and a latched position. The assembly further includes a second optical fiber coupled to the movable panel, an indicator coupled to the movable panel, and a second optical fiber whereby in the last position, light from the first optical fiber is coupled to the second optical fiber differently than in the latched position.  
         [0007]     In a further aspect of the invention, a method includes providing an overhead storage bin rotatably mounted to a stationary member, coupling light from the first optical fiber to a second optical fiber when a latch on the bin is latched and decoupling light from the first optical fiber to the second optical fiber when the latch on the bin is unlatched.  
         [0008]     One advantage of the invention is that a visual indication of the unlatched latch is easily ascertainable. That is, when the latch is in an unlatched position, flight attendants may easily see that the latch is not properly latched.  
         [0009]     Another advantage of the invention is that the system is passive in that no power source is required within the overhead bin.  
         [0010]     Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a movable panel illustrated as an overhead storage bin and door.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of a handle and latch assembly formed according to the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an overhead bin formed according to the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a bin formed according to the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 5A and 5  B are side views of a latch in a respective latched an unlatched position.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a latch according to the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a front view of an embodiment of a latch, indicator and a lock.  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a latch having in a latched position blocking light in an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a latch having in a unlatched position passing light in an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a front view of a latching mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0021]     In the following figures the same reference numerals will be used to illustrate the same components. The present invention is described with respect to an overhead storage bin for an aircraft. However, the present invention is suitable for various locations within an aircraft. Also, the invention is suitable for use in various other types of applications beyond aircraft applications which include automotive and non-automotive uses.  
         [0022]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , a movable panel  10  for an overhead storage bin  12  for an airplane  14  (a portion of which is shown) is illustrated. The movable panel  10  includes a latch assembly  16  formed therein. The latch handle assembly  16  is used to actuate a latch to hold the overhead bin  12  in a closed position.  
         [0023]     The latch assembly  16  includes a bezel  18  and a handle  20 . The bezel  18  is generally flush with the surface of the panel  10  and is recessed therein.  
         [0024]     The overhead storage bin  12  includes the movable panel  10  and end panels  22 . End panels  22  move with the movable panels  10 . In the art, the movable panel  10  may be called a face panel. The airplane  14  may include a stationary member  24 . The stationary member  24  may be included on each of the overhead storage bin  12 . End panel  24  may be coupled directly to the airplane or to another stationary structure of the airplane. A hinge  26  may be used to couple the stationary members  24  to the end panel  22 . The end panel  22  may include a pair of latches  28 . The stationary members  24  may include a strike  30 . A transmission mechanism  32  is used to couple the latch assembly  16  to the latch  28 . Transmission mechanism  32  allows the latch  28  to engage and disengage the strike  30  to hold the overhead bin in a closed position. As will be described below, it is desirable for both latches to be used to engage the strikes  30  so that the overhead bin is not inadvertently opened during the operation of the aircraft or other vehicle into which the latch assembly is mounted. An indication at the latch assembly may be provided to indicate that one of the latches is not properly latched. This is transmitted to the latch assembly through the transmission mechanism  32  in a mechanical fashion. The transmission mechanism  32  may be one of a variety of types of transmission mechanisms such as a torque tube, cables, arm linkages, cams, gears, or the like. The latch  28  may be various types of latches that are used to engage a strike  30 . Various types of latches and strikes may be used.  
         [0025]     An LED lighting array  40  may be coupled to a stationary member  24 . The stationary member  24  may be a top surface of an overhead bin enclosure. Of course, the lighting array  40  may be located in various locations. The lighting array includes a first optical fiber  42  that is coupled to the stationary member  24 . As is illustrated, the first optical fiber is disposed through the stationary member  24 . However, in various embodiments the optical fiber may be located within or on the stationary member  24 . A second optical fiber  44  is coupled to the end panel  22 . The second optical fiber  44  is also coupled to an indicator  46 . As is shown, when the bin is in a properly closed and latched position, optical fiber  42  couples light to optical fiber  44  which is then used to illuminate the indicator  46 .  
         [0026]     The lighting array  40  may also be coupled to a third optical fiber  50  which is also coupled to a stationary member  24 . A fourth optical fiber  52  is coupled to an end panel  22  and to a second indicator  54 . Thus, when the latch near the optical fibers  50 ,  52  is properly latched, light is coupled from the third optical fiber to the second optical fiber  52  which in turn illuminates the indicator  54 . As will be described below, indicators  46 ,  54  may be located in a flange of the light handle assembly  16  or located adjacent to the light handle assembly  16 . Should only one latch be present, only one indicator may be required. The overhead storage bin  12  may include a restrictor panel  58 . The restrictor panel  58  is used to prevent articles from the overhead bin from easily rolling out. The restrictor panel  58  may have a hollow underside and may be used to conceal the second optical fiber  44  and the fourth optical fiber  52 .  
         [0027]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a side view of overhead bin  12  is illustrated. It should be noted that both sides may be configured in a similar manner. In this view, the third fiber optic  50  and the LED lighting array  40  is illustrated.  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , first optical fiber  42  is illustrated. The transmission means  32  and a latch  28  are also illustrated. In  FIG. 5A  the latch is properly latched and the light from optical fiber  42  is transmitted to the second optical fiber  44 . In  FIG. 5B , when the latch  28  is not properly latched, the latch  28  blocks the light from the first optical fiber  42  from entering the second optical fiber  44 .  
         [0029]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the first optical fiber  42  may be coupled to a strike  30  and the second optical fiber  44  may be coupled to a latch  28 . Thus, when the latch  28  is properly engaged with the strike  30 , the light from the first optical fiber  42  is coupled to the light from the second optical fiber  44 .  
         [0030]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a latch handle assembly  16  is illustrated. In this embodiment, indicators  46  and  54  are illustrated in elongated half circles. The bezel  18  has a flange  60 . The indicators  46 ,  54  are embedded within the flange  60  to provide a clean look. Thus, when one latch or the other latch or both latches are not properly coupled, the first indicator  46 , the second indicator  54 , or both indicators  46 ,  54  are not illuminated. The means to illuminate the indicators  46 ,  54  may be any one of the above set forth embodiments.  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the illumination may also work in the opposite direction than that described above. In this embodiment the latch  28  is properly engaged with the strike. However, a flag  64  is used to block the illumination from the first optical fiber  42  from being coupled into the second optical fiber  44 . When the latch is not properly latched, as is illustrated in  FIG. 9 , light is coupled between the first optical fiber  42  and the second optical fiber  44 .  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the indicators  46  and  54  may be formed as an illumination source above the latch handle assembly  16 . Further, the illuminators  46 ,  54  may be combined into one illuminator such that an indication of a latch is provided with one indicator. It should be noted that various lenses or the like may be used together with the fiber optics to help the light pass from one fiber to another.  
         [0033]     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternate embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.