Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7198228?dq=5,241,671
Timestamp: 2014-10-30 12:59:00
Document Index: 413007682

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 30', 'arts 44', 'arts 48', 'arts 44', 'arts 132', 'arts 132', 'arts 132']

Patent US7198228 - Aircraft cabin crew complex - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA cabin crew area (10) of an aircraft (14) includes an aft area (16) with multiple galley carts (30). The aft area (16) has a fore/aft depth that is approximately equal to the depth of two or more of the galley carts (30). A galley storage unit (32) resides in the aft area (16) and stores the galley...http://www.google.com/patents/US7198228?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7198228 - Aircraft cabin crew complexAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7198228 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/711,386Publication dateApr 3, 2007Filing dateSep 15, 2004Priority dateSep 15, 2004Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS20060054741Publication number10711386, 711386, US 7198228 B2, US 7198228B2, US-B2-7198228, US7198228 B2, US7198228B2InventorsChristopher J. Mills, James R. ParkOriginal AssigneeThe Boeing CompanyExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (45), Referenced by (5), Classifications (5), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetAircraft cabin crew complexUS 7198228 B2Abstract A cabin crew area (10) of an aircraft (14) includes an aft area (16) with multiple galley carts (30). The aft area (16) has a fore/aft depth that is approximately equal to the depth of two or more of the galley carts (30). A galley storage unit (32) resides in the aft area (16) and stores the galley carts (30). The galley storage unit (32) is configured for placement of a portion of the galley carts (30) in a lateral row in a forward section (42) of the aft area (16). A main counter (34) resides over the galley storage unit (32) and extends laterally across a galley-servicing area (12) of the aircraft (14).
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention is related generally to crew galley, service, and rest areas of an aircraft, and more particularly to the efficient utilization of the stated areas, as well as other areas of an aircraft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Modern aircraft typically include passenger compartments, galley service, doorways, auxiliary areas, and crew rest areas. The galley areas often include service carts that have beverage and food items, galley service counters, waste carts, storage containers, and various other service related items, such as ovens, coffee pots, and beverage racks. The crew rest areas often include, berths, seated areas, lavatories, and stowage areas. The stated items and areas occupy significant portions of an aircraft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention provides a cabin crew area of an aircraft that includes an aft area with multiple galley carts. The aft area has a fore/aft depth that is approximately equal to the depth of two or more of the galley carts. A galley storage unit resides in the aft area and stores the galley carts. The galley storage unit is configured for placement of a portion of the galley carts in a lateral row in a forward section of the aft area. A main counter resides over the galley storage unit and extends laterally across a galley-servicing area of the aircraft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a top view of a cabin crew area of an aircraft in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following Figures the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. While the present invention is described primarily with respect to cabin crew areas and the arrangements thereof, the present invention may be adapted and applied in various applications. The present invention may be applied in aeronautical applications, nautical applications, railway applications, automotive vehicle applications, and commercial and residential applications. The present invention may also be applied to various areas of an aircraft including crewmember and non-crewmember areas.
Referring now to FIGS. 1A�C, top and side views of a cabin crew system or area 10 and a front view of a galley-servicing area 12 of an aircraft 14 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention are shown. The cabin crew area 10, in the example embodiment as shown, includes an aft area 16, a pair of doorway areas 18, and a stairway/storage area 20. The aft area 16 is defined as an area aft of one or more rear exterior doors 22 of the aircraft 14 and forward of an aft wall 24 of the aircraft 14. The doorway areas 18 are defined as areas in front of interior sides 26 of the doors 22 and include the doors 22. The doors 22 allow for the ingress and egress of passengers and crewmembers into and out of the aircraft 14. The stairway/storage area 20 is defined as an area that includes a stairway 28 and provides storage for passenger and/or crewmember items, such as baggages, galley carts, and other items known in the art. The cabin crew area 10 also includes multiple galley carts 30 that may be stored in a galley cart storage structure 32 within the aft area 16 or in the stairway/storage area 20.
The storage structure 32 extends laterally across the aft area 16 between the exterior walls 36 of the aircraft 14, namely a starboard sidewall 38 and a port sidewall 40. The storage structure 32 may also extend in the fore and aft directions between a front section 42 of the aft area 16 and the aft wall 24. Although the storage structure 32, as shown, has a depth D1 that is approximately equal to twice the depth of a galley cart, referred to elsewhere as �double deep�, the structure 32 may be of any depth. The depth of a galley cart is designated as D2. In the two-galley cart deep sample embodiment shown the front section 42 refers to the portion of the aft area 16 that contains the first lateral row of galley carts 44. The aft area 16 also includes a rearward section 46 that has a second lateral row of galley carts 48.
Referring now to FIGS. 2A�B and 3A�B, top and side views of a cabin crew area 10′ incorporating a crew rest area 92 and top and side views of a cabin crew area 10″ also incorporating a crew rest area 92′ are shown in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The cabin crew areas 10′ and 10″ are similar to the cabin crew area 10 in that they include a main counter 34′, that extends laterally between the exterior walls 36, and a forward lateral row of galley carts 44′. However, the cabin crew areas 10′ and 10″ also include the crew rest areas 92 and 92′, which are located between the galley cart storage structures 94 and the aft wall 24. A separation or opening 96 exists within the main counter 34′ to allow for the passage of crewmembers therethrough to access the rest areas 92 and 92′.
Referring now to FIG. 5, a side view of a cabin crew area 10″″ incorporating a LRU 130 within one of the galley-servicing carts 132 is shown. In general, LRUs may be located in various areas of a cabin crew area. In the example embodiment shown, the LRU 130 is located within the internal volumes of the galley carts 132 to provide portability of and to conserve on space occupation by the LRUs exterior to the galley carts 132 and within the cabin crew area 10″″. The above LRU configurations in FIGS. 1A�2B and 4�5 are provided as a few examples; other LRU configurations may be utilized.
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