Stowage bin with shear fittings

Abstract

An aircraft stowage bin assembly includes shear fittings configured to route a content load from the bucket of the bin assembly to the airframe in the event of a forward load condition, such as a crash or severe turbulence. When the forward inertial load factor on the stowage bin is greater than about 1 g, the shear fittings create an efficient load path from the bucket to the airframe which bypasses the large metallic or composite endframes required by the designs of many conventional overhead stowage bins. As a result, significant reductions in overall bulk and weight, as well as lower manufacturing costs, can be realized.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to stowage bins and, more particularly, to overhead stowage bins in vehicle passenger cabins.

[0002] Modern passenger airplanes often include overhead stowage bins in the passenger cabin for storage of carry-on luggage and other items. Such bins are often mounted with numerous mountings located along the ceiling and sidewalls of the passenger cabin. These mountings are typically designed to support a predetermined amount of weight within the bins during normal flight conditions. In addition, the mountings are designed to keep the bins securely fastened to the airframe in the event of a crash or severe turbulence.

[0003] For example, current FAA regulations require that each baggage compartment have a means to protect occupants from injury by the contents of the compartment when the ultimate forward inertial load factor exceeds 9 g. To satisfy this requirement, conventional overhead stowage bins are often designed to bear their cont...

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