A pivot bin assembly configured to receive luggage and be positioned in the interior of an aircraft, the pivot bin assembly comprising: an upper housing that includes a strongback and first and second side panels (18a, 18b) which include a bottom edge (19a, 19b); a bucket that cooperates with the upper housing to define a bin interior, wherein the bucket includes a bottom and first and second opposing sides (24a, 24b) which include a top edge, and wherein, when the pivot bin assembly receives luggage in the bin interior, the luggage is positioned on the bottom of the bucket, which bears the load of the luggage; a first pivot mechanism operatively associated with the first side panel and the bucket; a second pivot mechanism operatively associated with the second side panel and the bucket, such that the bucket pivots with respect to the upper housing between an open position and a closed position, wherein, in the closed position, at least a portion of the top edge of the first side of the bucket abuts the bottom edge of the first side panel, and at least a portion of the top edge of the second side of the bucket abuts the bottom edge of the second side panel; a first connecting unit having a first end pivotally connected to the first side of the bucket and a second end pivotally connected to the first side panel; and a second connecting unit having a first end pivotally connected to the second side of the bucket and a second end pivotally connected to the second side panel, wherein the first and second connecting units provide one or both of damping when the bucket pivots to the open position and/or assistance when the bucket pivots to the closed position. an upper housing that includes a strongback and first and second side panels (18a, 18b) which include a bottom edge (19a, 19b); a bucket that cooperates with the upper housing to define a bin interior, wherein the bucket includes a bottom and first and second opposing sides (24a, 24b) which include a top edge, and wherein, when the pivot bin assembly receives luggage in the bin interior, the luggage is positioned on the bottom of the bucket, which bears the load of the luggage; a first pivot mechanism operatively associated with the first side panel and the bucket; a second pivot mechanism operatively associated with the second side panel and the bucket, such that the bucket pivots with respect to the upper housing between an open position and a closed position, wherein, in the closed position, at least a portion of the top edge of the first side of the bucket abuts the bottom edge of the first side panel, and at least a portion of the top edge of the second side of the bucket abuts the bottom edge of the second side panel; a first connecting unit having a first end pivotally connected to the first side of the bucket and a second end pivotally connected to the first side panel; and a second connecting unit having a first end pivotally connected to the second side of the bucket and a second end pivotally connected to the second side panel, wherein the first and second connecting units provide one or both of damping when the bucket pivots to the open position and/or assistance when the bucket pivots to the closed position.