Aircraft video monitor deployment and retraction apparatus
First Claim
1. In a video screen deployment and retraction apparatus for use in an overhead storage compartment of an aircraft the combination comprising:
- a) a frame adapted to be mounted in the compartment;
b) a video screen mounted in the frame for pivotal movement about a pivotal axis between a stored portion and a deployed operational position for viewing by passengers;
c) bias means for biasing the screen toward its stored position;
d) latching means for holding the screen in its deployed position; and
e) latching release means including a solenoid responsive to a predetermined movement of the screen in either direction about its pivotal axis in the deployed position for disabling the latching means whereby the biasing means retracts the screen to its stored position, the latching means including means for energizing the solenoid and the latching release means including means for deenergizing the solenoid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A video monitor deployment/retraction apparatus includes a frame located in an aircraft overhead compartment and a monitor pivotally mounted on the frame for rotation between a stored and a deployed position. A spring biases the monitor to its stored position where is releasably retained by a locking mechanism. A solenoid and actuating arms selectively disable the locking mechanism to allow the monitor to be lowered to its deployed position and enable a latching mechanism when the monitor has reached its deployed position to retain the monitor in that position. The latching means is disabled when the monitor is bumped by a passenger while in the deployed position to allow the spring to return the monitor to the stored position.
114 Citations
27 Claims
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1. In a video screen deployment and retraction apparatus for use in an overhead storage compartment of an aircraft the combination comprising:
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a) a frame adapted to be mounted in the compartment; b) a video screen mounted in the frame for pivotal movement about a pivotal axis between a stored portion and a deployed operational position for viewing by passengers; c) bias means for biasing the screen toward its stored position; d) latching means for holding the screen in its deployed position; and e) latching release means including a solenoid responsive to a predetermined movement of the screen in either direction about its pivotal axis in the deployed position for disabling the latching means whereby the biasing means retracts the screen to its stored position, the latching means including means for energizing the solenoid and the latching release means including means for deenergizing the solenoid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A video monitor deployment and retraction apparatus for use in an aircraft overhead storage compartment having a generally horizontally oriented bottom wall with an opening therein to accommodate the monitor in its stored position comprising:
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a) a frame mounted in the storage compartment; b) a video monitor positioned within the opening and mounted on a shaft rotatably carried by the frame, the monitor being arranged to rotate with the shaft between a stored position in which the monitor is located within the compartment facing the opening therein and a deployed position in which the monitor is located in a downwardly extending position for viewing by an aircraft passenger; c) a spring coupled between the shaft and the frame for biasing the monitor to the stored position; d) a source of current; e) a solenoid; f) a locking arm and a latching pin coupled to the solenoid, the locking pin being arranged to retain the monitor in the stored position when the solenoid is not connected to the current source and to release the monitor from the stored position when the solenoid is connected to the current source, the latching arm being arranged to retain the monitor in the deployed position when the solenoid is connected to the current source and to release the monitor from the deployed position when the solenoid is not connected to the current source; g) first and second switches connected between the current source and the solenoid; h) means for operating the first and second switches in response to the position of the monitor so that the solenoid is connected to the current source when the monitor is in the stored position and in the deployed position to allow the monitor to be lowered to the deployed position and retained in that position; and i) means responsive to the movement of the monitor through a pre-set angle within the range of about 2°
-10°
on either side of the deployed position for operating one of the switches to disconnect the solenoid from the current source to allow the spring to return the monitor to the stored position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A video monitor deployment and retraction apparatus for use in an aircraft overhead storage compartment having a generally horizontally oriented bottom wall with an opening therein to accommodate the monitor in its stored position comprising:
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a) a frame mounted in the storage compartment; b) a video monitor positioned within the opening and pivotally mounted to the frame, the monitor being arranged to rotate between a stored position in which the monitor is located substantially within the compartment facing the opening therein and a deployed position in which the monitor is located in a downwardly extending position for viewing by an aircraft passenger; c) bias means for biasing the monitor to its stored position; d) a locking pin for selectively retaining the monitor in the stored position; e) a latching arm for selectively retaining the monitor in the deployed position when enabled; f) a solenoid coupled to the locking pin and the latching arm, the locking pin retaining the monitor in the stored position when the solenoid is deenergized and the latching arm retaining the monitor in the deployed position when the solenoid is energized; g) means for energizing the solenoid when the monitor has reached the deployed position; h) means for selectively deenergizing the solenoid when the monitor is in the deployed position to allow the bias means to return the monitor to the stored position; and i) the means for deenergizing the solenoid including means responsive to a predetermined minimum rotational movement of the monitor in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction from its deployed position. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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- 26. The invention of claim 31 wherein the means for de-energizing the solenoid includes a latching switch responsive to movement of the monitor from its deployed position in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about the pivot axis.
Specification