Repair and Replacement Mechanism for Personal Control Units on Aircraft

• US 20180148173A1
• Filed: 06/07/2017
• Published: 05/31/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Astronics Connectivity Systems & Certification Corp. (Astronics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: David Carhart
• Inventors: Schwartz, Mark, Carhart, David
• Granted Patent: US 11,242,148 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0015 Back-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00152 Seat back fixtures for removable monitors, e.g. tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00155 Individual entertainment or communication system remote controls therefor, located in or connected to seat components, e.g. to seat back or arm rest
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/12 Resilient or clamping means for holding component to structure

Abstract

An assembly for opening or accessing an electronic communication and entertainment device holder for repair or replacement of its contents, including a latch which can be released by the contraction of an attached muscle wire actuator in response to a low current pulse sent by an attached wireless receiver.

Claims

1. A mechanism for removing electronic communication and entertainment devices attached to the interior of an aircraft comprising;

a) A wireless receiver for receiving an actuation signal from a remote unit, and generating a low current pulse therefrom;

b) A muscle wire actuator for receiving the low current signal and contracting in response thereto;

c) A latch connected to the muscle wire actuator, the latch releasing in response to the muscle wire actuator contracting; and

d) An electronic communication and entertainment device holder which decouples from the interior of the aircraft upon release of the latch.

2. The mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a passenger actuated button for generated a actuation signal to transmit to the wireless receiver.