Galley trolley bay door with incorporated turnbutton position indicators

A latch indicator system for a trolley bay is disclosed. The system includes a door that includes a latch indicator window. The system further includes an indicator assembly coupled to the door configured to contact a turnbutton then the door is closed and indicate a latched state or an unlatched state of the turnbutton. The indicator assembly includes a latch signal configured to be visible through the latch indicator window when the turnbutton is in the latched state. The indicator assembly further includes an unlatch signal configured to be visible through the latch indicator window when the turnbutton is in the unlatched state. The system further includes a wedge coupled to the flag assembly configured to contact the turnbutton when the turnbutton is in the unlatched state, where upon contact, the flag assembly is translated so that the unlatch signal is visible through the latch indicator window.

BACKGROUND

In aircraft galleys, it is important for carts, trolleys, and other mobile equipment to be secured when not use, as sudden movement by aircraft, whether by acceleration, deceleration or turbulence, could potentially cause uncontrolled movement of the equipment, resulting in physical injury or damage to the aircraft. Galley trolleys are often stored within a trolley stowage system that may include a closet-like space that secures the trolley.

Some trolley stowage systems are capable of storing and securing more than one trolley within one section of a trolley stowage system. For example, two trolleys may be parked two-deep within a section with the trolleys sequentially rolled into position. Extraction mechanisms within the trolley stowage system assist the attendant in removing the trolley furthest in the trolley stowage system, as it would be difficult for an attendant to reach into the trolley stowage system to pullout the parked furthest into the trolley stowage system.

Trolleys stored within the trolley stowage system must be further secured by retainers that are manually rotated into place. For retainers that are deep within the trolley stowage system, the retainers may be rotated through a shaft that links the retainer to a turnbutton that is within the reach of the attendant. Safety rules require that the latching or unlatching of these retainers be sufficiently indicated so that an attendant may easily ascertain that the retainers are secured. However, a simple and economical approach for providing an indicator for trolley stowage system retainers has not been found. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a system that avoids the shortcomings of conventional approaches.

SUMMARY

A system is disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the system includes a door. In some embodiments, the door includes a latch indicator window. In one or more embodiments, the system further includes an indicator assembly coupled to the door configured to contact a turnbutton when the door is closed and indicate a latched state or an unlatched state of the turnbutton. In one or more embodiments, the indicator assembly includes a flag assembly. In one or more embodiments, the indicator assembly further includes a latch signal, configured to be visible through the latch indicator window when the turnbutton is in the latched state. In one or more embodiments, the indicator assembly further includes an unlatch signal, configured to be visible through the latch indicator window when the turnbutton is in the unlatched state. In one or more embodiments, the system further includes a wedge coupled to the flag assembly configured to contact the turnbutton when the turnbutton is in the unlatched state. In one or more embodiments, upon contact the flag assembly is translated so that the unlatch signal is visible through the latch indicator window;

In some embodiments of the system, the system further comprised a spring configured to bias the indicator assembly toward the turnbutton.

In some embodiments of the system, the unlatch signal is further configured to be visible through the latch indicator window upon a malfunction of the indicator assembly.

In some embodiments of the system, the system further comprises a plurality of trolley bays, including at least one extended bay, the extended bay having a front side, a rear side, and at least one side wall, the extended bay configured to removably stow a rear trolley adjacent to the rear side and a front trolley adjacent to the front side.

In some embodiments of the system, the turnbutton in the latched state is coupled to at least one of the plurality the trolley bays, the turnbutton in the latched state being configured to at least one of securing a trolley or engaging a retainer element to secure the trolley.

In some embodiments of the system, the extended bay is configured to stow three or more trolleys.

In some embodiments of the system, the plurality of trolley bays is configured to be implemented in an aircraft.

In some embodiments of the system, the turnbutton is configured as a retaining element.

In some embodiments of the system, the door is configured to couple to more than one indicator assembly.

Another system is disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the system includes a plurality of trolley bays including at least one extended bay. In one or more embodiments, the extended bay includes a front side, a rear side, and at least one side wall. In one or more embodiments, the extended bay is configured to removably stow a rear trolley adjacent to the rear side and a front trolley adjacent to the front side. In one or more embodiments, the system further includes a turnbutton having a latched state and an unlatched state coupled to at least one of the plurality the trolley bays, the turnbutton in the latched state being configured to at least one of securing a trolley or engaging a retainer element to secure the trolley. In one or more embodiments, the system further includes a bay door comprising a latch indicator window. In one or more embodiments, the system further includes an indicator assembly coupled to the bay door configured to contact the turnbutton when the bay door is closed and indicate whether the turnbutton is in the latched stated or unlatched state. In one or more embodiments, the indicator assembly includes a flag assembly comprising. In one or more embodiments, the indicator assembly further includes a latch signal, configured to be visible through the latch indicator window when the turnbutton is in the latched state. In one or more embodiments, the indicator assembly further includes an unlatch signal, configured to be visible through the latch indicator window when the turnbutton is in the unlatched state. In one or more embodiments, the indicator assembly further includes a wedge coupled to the flag assembly configured to contact the turnbutton when the turnbutton is in the unlatched state, wherein upon contact the flag assembly is translated so that the unlatch signal is visible through the latch indicator window.

In some embodiments of the system, the system further comprises a spring configured to bias the indicator assembly toward the turnbutton.

In some embodiments of the system, the embodiments unlatch signal is further configured to be visible through the latch indicator window upon a malfunction of the indicator assembly.

In some embodiments of the system, the plurality of trolley bays is configured to be implemented in an aircraft.

In some embodiments of the system, the extended bay is configured to stow three or more trolleys.

In some embodiments of the system. the bay door is configured to couple to more than one indicator assembly

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system for indicating the latch state of a retainer is disclosed. In some implementations, the latch state of the retainer is determined by the position of a turnbutton. In some implementations, a flagging mechanism, fixed to a door, contacts the turnbutton when the door is closed, actuating the flagging mechanism, the flagging mechanism displaying the latch state of the retainer on the door. In some implementations, the system includes a trolley stowage system with trolleys secured by the retainers.

FIG.1Ais a diagram illustrating a side view of a trolley stowage system10, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the trolley stowage system10includes one or more bays20. Each bay has a forward side, a rear side and at least one side wall. The bays20are configured to hold one or more trolleys30(e.g., an aircraft trolley). For example, the bay may be an extended bay configured to hold two trolleys30. For instance, the extended bay20may be configured to removably stow a rear trolley30adjacent to the rear side of the bay20. In another instance, the extended bay20may be configured to removably stow a front trolley30adjacent to the front side of the bay20. The trolley stowage system10may be any system that stores trolleys or carts. For example, the trolley stowage system10may be a trolley stowage system10for an aircraft. In another example, the trolley stowage system10may be cart storage system for a cruise ship.

FIG.1Bis a diagram illustrating a front view of a bay20of the trolley stowage system10, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The bay door is removed for clarity. In some embodiments, the trolley stowage system10further includes a front retainer40(e.g., a retaining element). The front retainer40is a lever coupled to the bay entrance via a pin45, allowing the front retainer40to rotate, blocking the front trolley30from rolling out of the bay (e.g., securing the front trolley30).

The trolley stowage system10further includes a rear retainer turnbutton50. The rear retainer turnbutton is mechanically coupled to a rear retainer (not shown) that is responsible for retaining the rear trolley. For example, rotation of the rear retainer turnbutton50will rotate the rear retainer into a latched or unlatched state, based on the direction and amount of rotation of the rear retainer turnbutton50.

FIG.1Cis a diagram illustrating a perspective view of an example environment100of a closed bay door110to the trolley stowage system10, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The bay door110may be any type of bay door110used in a trolley stowage system10to store a trolley. In some embodiments, the bay door110is configured to be attached to a frame section120via a hinge, allowing the bay door110to be opened into the galley. The bay door may also include a bay door handle130, allowing an attendant to open the bay door110.

In some embodiments, the bay door110includes one or more latch indicator windows140. The latch indicator windows140are configured to display the latch state of the trolley stowage system10. The size of the latch indicator window140may be any size necessary to alert the attendant of the latch setting of the trolley stowage system10. The bay door110may be configured to include any number of latch indicator window140For example, the bay door may have a left latch indicator window140aand a right latch indicator window140b. In some embodiments, the bay door110is disposed adjacent to the front retainer40and/or the rear retainer turnbutton50when the bay door is closed.

For the sake of clarity, the trolley stowage system10will be described as having a front and a rear section for storing two trolleys. For example, the trolley stowage system10will have one trolley30in the front section (e.g., the front trolley) and one trolley in the rear section (e.g., the rear trolley). The trolley stowage system10may have any number of sections for storing multiple trolleys30, each with a set of retainers. For example, a trolley stowage system10may be configured to store five trolleys30, each with their own respective set of retainers. Therefore, the description herein should not be interpreted as a limitation of the present disclosure, but merely an illustration.

In some embodiments, the rear retainer turnbutton50is connected via a shaft to a rear retainer that retains the rear trolley (shaft and rear retainer not shown). The bay door110also includes a cut-out area170that creates space for the front retainer40, the rear retainer turnbutton50, and other componentry of the trolley stowage system10.

FIG.2Ais a diagram illustrating a perspective view of an interior side of the bay door110to a trolley stowage system10with a rear retainer turnbutton50in a latched state, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In some embodiments, an indicator assembly housing200is attached to the interior side of the bay door. The indicator assembly housing200houses the indicator componentry of the trolley stowage system10. In some embodiments, a wedge210is disposed within an opening215in the indicator assembly housing200and can translate back and forth within the opening215in the indicator assembly housing200. The wedge is configured to make contact with an arm220of the rear retainer turnbutton50when the rear retainer turnbutton50is in an unlatched state (e.g., as inFIG.2B). When the rear retainer turnbutton50is in the latched state, the arm220of the rear retainer turnbutton50and the wedge210are not in contact (e.g., as inFIG.2A)

FIG.2Bis a diagram illustrating a perspective view of an interior side of the bay door110to a trolley stowage system10with a rear retainer turnbutton50in an unlatched state, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. When the rear retainer turnbutton50has been rotated so as to unlatch the rear retainer of the rear trolley, and the bay door110is closed, the wedge210makes contact with the arm220of the rear retainer turnbutton50, pushing the wedge downward through the opening215in the indicator assembly housing200.

FIG.3Ais a diagram illustrating a perspective view of an indicator assembly300that is not engaged with the rear retainer turnbutton50, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The indicator assembly300is configured to indicate a latched signal when the rear retainer turnbutton is rotated into a latched state (e.g., not engaging the wedge210, with a signal visible through one or more latch indicator windows140. In some embodiments, the indicator assembly300includes the wedge210and a push blade305attached to the wedge210via a wedge screw310. In some embodiments, the push blade305is fixed to a push guide315.

In some embodiments, the indicator assembly300includes a flag assembly320. In some embodiments, the flag assembly320includes a front layer325that displays an indication signal of the indicator assembly300. For example, the front layer325may include a latch signal330(e.g., a green stripe, as indicated by the word “green” in FIGS.3A-4C). In another example, the front layer325may include an unlatch signal335(e.g., a red stripe as indicated by the word “red” inFIGS.3A to4C). Other types of latch signals330and unlatch signals335are possible as well as many configurations of the front layer325. For example, the latch signal330and/or unlatch signal335may be of any combination of colors. In another example, the latch signal330and/or unlatch signal335) may include words that indicate the latch condition (e.g., “locked and “unlocked”, respectively). Therefore, the description herein should not be interpreted as a limitation of the present disclosure, but merely an illustration.

In some embodiments, the flag assembly320includes a base layer350that increases the target area for the flag assembly320to interact with the push blade305and/or increases the stability of the flag assembly320. In some embodiments, the flag assembly320includes one or more intermediate layers351. In some embodiments, the front layer, the intermediate layer351, and the base layer350are coupled together via flag assembly screws353. In some embodiments, the flag assembly screws353may be loosened and/or tightened to adjust the flag assembly320. For example, the assembly screws353along with the front layer325and intermediate layer351may be adjusted against the stop layer340to ensure proper alignment of the latch signal330and the unlatch signal335against the latch indicator window140.

In some embodiments, the indicator assembly300includes a spring355. The spring355provides resistance to any downward force applied to the wedge210(i.e., the spring is configured to bias the indicator assembly toward the turnbutton). The spring provides a compression force between the flag assembly320and a base360(e.g., a static structure within the indicator assembly300). In some embodiments, the spring355is held onto a position upon the base via a protrusion365. In some embodiments, the indicator assembly300further includes a bolt sleeve370configured to accept an attachment bolt for attaching the indicator assembly300to either the indicator assembly housing200or the bay door110.

FIG.3Bis a diagram illustrating a perspective view of an indicator assembly300that is engaged with the rear retainer turnbutton50, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Turning of the rear retainer turnbutton50into the unlatched position positions the arm220of the rear retainer turnbutton50into contact with the wedge210once the bay door110is closed. The contact of the arm220of the rear retainer turnbutton50with the wedge drives the indicator assembly300downward (e.g., translating the indicator assembly300). The movement of the indicator assembly changes the portion of the flag assembly320that is visible within the latch indicator window140(e.g., alternating between the latch signal330and the unlatch signal335). The spring355keeps the indicator assembly300elevated when the arm220of the rear retainer turnbutton50is not in contact with the wedge210and provides resistance to the force of the arm210of the rear retainer turnbutton50when in contact with the wedge210.

It should be understood that the indicator assemblies300shown in the disclosure are configured to mechanically couple with rear retainer turnbutton50, which are coupled to rear retainers. However, the front retainers40or a turnbutton coupled to the front retainer40may also be coupled to the indicator assembly300. Therefore, the description herein should not be interpreted as a limitation of the present disclosure, but merely an illustration.

It should also be known that each trolley30may stabilized by one, two, or more retainers or retainer turnbuttons with each retainer or retainer turnbutton coupled to an indicator assembly300. Also, one or more retainers or retainer turnbutton may not be coupled to an indicator assembly300. Therefore, the description herein should not be interpreted as a limitation of the present disclosure, but merely an illustration.

FIG.4A-Care diagrams illustrating a front view of an exterior side of the bay door110to the trolley stowage system10, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The bay door110includes two latch indicator windows140(e.g., the right latch indicator window140aand the left latch indicator window140b) that indicate the latch state from separate indicator assemblies300. In some embodiments, two latch indicator windows140a,140bindicate the latch state from two separate retainers of the same trolley30(e.g., the rear trolley). In some embodiments the two latch indicator windows140a,140bindicate the latch state from two separate retainers from different trolleys30(e.g., one from the front trolley, and one from the rear trolley).

InFIG.4A, both latch indicator windows140a,140bindicate that both retainers are in the latched state (e.g., displaying the color green). The latch indicator window140displaying the latched state indicates that upon closing the bay door, the arm220of the rear retainer turnbutton50has not engaged the flag assembly320(i.e., compression from the spring355keeps the green latch signal330displayed in the latch indicator windows140a,140b) It should be noted that when the bay door is not closed, the spring355pushes up the flag assembly320so that the latched signal (e.g., the color green) is displayed in the latch indicator windows140a,140b. If the spring were to break, or the indicator assembly otherwise malfunction, the flag assembly320would not be raised, thereby giving a constant unlatched signal (e.g., the color red). Therefore, a constant unlatch signal335regardless of the position of the rear retainer turnbutton50would then indicate that the indicator assembly300is broken.

InFIG.4B, the right latch indicator window140bindicates that the retainer associated with the right latch indicator window140bis latched. However, the left latch indicator window140aindicates that the retainer associated with the left latch indicator window140bis unlatched (e.g., the arm220of the rear retainer turnbutton50pushing down on the wedge210of the indicator assembly300so that the unlatch signal335(e.g., the color red) is displayed in the left latch indicator window140a). InFIG.4C, both latch indicator windows140a,140bindicate that both retainers are in the unlatched state (e.g., displaying the color red).

It should be understood that a retainer (e.g., a front retainer40or a rear retainer) may be coupled to the indicator assembly300(i.e., the retainer taking on the role of a rear retainer turnbutton50). It should also be known that a rear retainer turnbutton50may be coupled act as a front retainer40(i.e., the rear retainer turnbutton50also securing a front trolley in the bay. Therefore, the description above should not be interpreted as a limitation of the present disclosure, but merely an illustration.