Drive assembly, power off retract
First Claim
1. A display unit attached to a structure comprising:
- a frame attached to the structure, said frame defining a storage cavity;
a monitor operatively connected to said frame such that said monitor can rotate between a first position and a second position relative to said frame, wherein said monitor is stowed within said storage cavity in said first position and said monitor is positioned substantially outside said storage cavity exposed to a viewer in said second position such that the viewer can view said monitor;
actuation means operatively connected to said monitor for rotating said monitor between said first and second positions; and
,clutch means operatively connected to said monitor and said actuation means for allowing said monitor to rotate from said second position to said first position in response to a predetermined level of external force applied to said monitor.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A display unit that rotates a video monitor between a stowing cavity and an exposed position so that viewers can see the monitor. The monitor is attached to a frame which is typically mounted into the ceiling of the passenger cabin of an airplane. Also attached to the frame is an electric motor that rotates the monitor into the stowed and exposed positions. Attached to the output shaft of the electric motor is a slip clutch that allows the monitor to rotate up from the exposed position when a predetermined force is applied to the viewing device. A spring is operatively connected to the monitor and electric motor, that pulls the monitor up into the stowed position if the electric motor becomes disabled. An electric brake is also attached to the output shaft of the electric motor to hold the monitor in the exposed position.
179 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A display unit attached to a structure comprising:
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a frame attached to the structure, said frame defining a storage cavity; a monitor operatively connected to said frame such that said monitor can rotate between a first position and a second position relative to said frame, wherein said monitor is stowed within said storage cavity in said first position and said monitor is positioned substantially outside said storage cavity exposed to a viewer in said second position such that the viewer can view said monitor; actuation means operatively connected to said monitor for rotating said monitor between said first and second positions; and
,clutch means operatively connected to said monitor and said actuation means for allowing said monitor to rotate from said second position to said first position in response to a predetermined level of external force applied to said monitor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A display unit attached to a structure comprising:
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a frame attached to the structure, said frame defining a storage cavity; a monitor pivotally connected to said frame such that said monitor can rotate between a first position and a second position relative to said frame, wherein said monitor is stowed within said storage cavity in said first position and said monitor is positioned substantially outside said storage cavity exposed to a viewer in said second position such that the viewer can view said monitor; actuation means operatively connected to said monitor for rotating said monitor between said first and said second positions; a spring operatively connected to said monitor and said actuation means, such that said spring is turned a predetermined number of turns when said actuation means rotates said monitor from said first position to said second position, said spring being constructed such that said spring can rotate said monitor from said second position to said first position; and
,clutch means operatively connected to said monitor and said actuation means for allowing said monitor to rotate from said second position to said first position in response to a predetermined level of external force applied to said monitor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A display unit attached to a passenger cabin of an airplane comprising:
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a frame attached to the passenger cabin, said frame defining a storage cavity; a monitor pivotally connected to said frame such that said monitor can rotate between a first position and a second position relative to said frame, wherein said monitor is stowed within said storage cavity in said first position and said monitor is positioned substantially outside said storage cavity exposed to a viewer in said second position such that the viewer can view said monitor; an electric motor attached to said frame, said electric motor having an output shaft capable of rotating in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction; sensing means operatively connected to said monitor for sensing when said monitor is in said first position and said second position; an electric brake operatively connected to said electric motor and said sensing means that prevents said output shaft from rotating when said monitor is in said second position; coupling means operatively connected to said output shaft and said monitor for rotating said monitor between said first and second positions when said output shaft is rotated by said electric motor; a spring operatively connected to said coupling means such that said spring is turned a predetermined number of turns when said electric motor rotates said monitor from said first position to said second position, said spring being constructed to rotate said monitor from said second position to said first position if said electric motor becomes inoperative; and
,clutch means operatively connected to said monitor and said output shaft of said electric motor for allowing said monitor to rotate from said second position to said first position in response to a predetermined level of external force applied to said monitor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification