Patent ID: 7762737

Claim:
An overhead stowage bin pivot system for assisting in controlling opening and closing movement of an overhead stowage compartment on a mobile platform, the pivot system having a first and a second pivot member, the first pivot member comprising: a first structure including a first fitting coupled to a compartment; a second structure including a second fitting coupled to a housing; the first fitting comprising: an engagement feature formed by a pair of parallel planar walls extending from a pair of opposing curved walls and a generally U-shaped raceway, the curved walls forming a bearing surface, the pair of parallel planar walls separated by a first dimension, the raceway extending into the first fitting from one of the curved walls with opposing walls and a circumferential stop, the opposing walls including a draft angle to facilitate insertion of the first fitting into the second fitting, the second fitting comprising: a housing having a substantially flat bearing surface and a circumferential wall extending therefrom over an arc of between about 260 degrees to about 280 degrees about the bearing surface defining an opening having a second dimension being a linear distance across the opening that is substantially similar to, but larger than the first dimension, a lip extending transversely from the circumferential wall of the second fitting over an arc of about 260 degrees to about 280 degrees for axially retaining the first fitting within the second fitting; a central, inflexible hub having an upright circumferential post extending from the bearing surface that engages the circumferential stop portion of the raceway when the first fitting is fully inserted into the second fitting; and wherein the first fitting is rotatable within the circumferential wall of the second fitting only after being fully inserted through the opening and is prevented from being removed from the second fitting unless the opening and the engagement feature are in proper alignment.