Device for securing cockpit door

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for securing the cockpit door (92) of an aircraft (90), in particular a commercial aircraft, and to an aircraft (90) provided with securing of this kind. The device (1) is used for securing the cockpit door (92) in the open state against the unauthorised entry of persons into the cockpit (93) of an aircraft (90) and comprises: a curtain (10), which is fixedly attached to a wall at one edge (11), hangs slidably on a curtain rail (95) and has a closure element (20) at the free edge (12) thereof opposite the attached edge (11); and a securing element (30) attached to a wall, wherein the closure element (20) and the securing element (30) are designed for interacting in the closed state of the curtain (10) such that opening the curtain (10) requires a specified motion sequence and, if there is a deviation from the at least one specified motion sequence, the closure element (20) and the securing element (30) remain interconnected. The aircraft (90) with a cockpit door (92) separating the cockpit (93) from the rest of the aircraft cabin (91) comprises a device (1) according to the invention, which is arranged such that, in the closed state, the curtain (10) of the device (1) completely covers access to the cockpit door (92) on the side remote from the cockpit (93) at a specified spacing from the cockpit door (92).

Description

[0001] Device for securing the cockpit door

[0002] The invention relates to a device for securing the cockpit door of an aircraft, in particular a commercial aircraft, and to an aircraft equipped with a corresponding security device.

[0003] One of the many security precautions provided on board a commercial aircraft concerns the prevention of unauthorized persons from entering the cockpit. For this purpose, the cockpit door is sufficiently reinforced so that it cannot be forced open by human force alone. Furthermore, at least when the aircraft is in use, the cockpit door can generally only be opened from the inside. A code-protected time lock is provided for opening it from the outside, whereby the final opening of the cockpit door can still be prevented from inside the cockpit while the time lock is waiting.

[0004] Even if appropriately designed cockpit doors can reliably prevent the entry of unauthorized persons when closed, there is a risk that if the cockpit door is temporarily opened - for example when the pilot, co-pilot or flight attendant is leaving or entering the cockpit - an unauthorized third party can gain access by rushing towards the open door at the appropriate time and taking the person operating the door by surprise.

[0005] To avoid this risk, the introduction of double cockpit doors is being considered, so that the cockpit can only be entered through a type of personnel airlock. The disadvantage of this is that such a personnel airlock requires sufficient space, which generally cannot serve any other function. Furthermore, the provision of a second cockpit door means a not inconsiderable increase in weight. The object of the present invention is to create a device for securing the cockpit door of an aircraft and an aircraft equipped therewith, in which the disadvantages of the prior art no longer occur or only occur to a reduced extent.

[0006] This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1 and an aircraft according to claim 11. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] Accordingly, the invention relates to a device for securing the cockpit door in the open state against unauthorized entry of persons into the cockpit of an aircraft, comprising a curtain which is firmly fastened to a wall at one edge and slidably suspended on a curtain rail, with a closure element on its free edge opposite the fastened edge, and a securing element fastened to a wall, wherein the closure element and securing element are designed to interact in the closed state of the curtain in such a way that the opening of the curtain requires a predetermined sequence of movements; in the event of a deviation from the at least one predetermined sequence of movements, the closure element and securing element remain connected to one another.

[0008] Furthermore, the invention relates to an aircraft with a cockpit door separating the cockpit from the remaining area of ​​the aircraft cabin and a device according to the invention, wherein the curtain of the device, in the closed state, completely covers access to the cockpit door on the side facing away from the cockpit at a predetermined distance from the cockpit door.

[0009] The invention recognizes that those scenarios for intrusion into the cockpit of an aircraft, which are also addressed, for example, by a personnel lock, can in principle be prevented by a suitably designed curtain: if an unauthorized person attempts to exploit the brief opening of the cockpit door, for example, by the pilot or co-pilot, it is sufficient to briefly stop the unauthorized person on their way to the cockpit door so that the cockpit door can be closed quickly and in a timely manner. This is precisely what can be achieved with the device according to the invention.

[0010] The device according to the invention is characterized in that a curtain which is slidably suspended on a curtain rail is firmly fastened along one of its edges to a wall adjacent to the curtain rail; "slipping through" between the curtain and this wall is thus prevented. A locking element is fastened to the edge opposite the fastened edge of the curtain which, when the curtain is closed, can interact with a securing element arranged on the wall against which the free edge then comes to rest.

[0011] The securing element and locking element are designed to interact with one another in such a way that, once brought together, they can only be separated again by a predetermined sequence of movements, thus enabling the opening of the process. A deviation from the predetermined sequence of movements means that the connection between the locking element and securing element remains intact. A quick pushing aside of the curtain or simply "walking through" the curtain can be prevented by the interaction of the securing element and locking element, provided that the predetermined sequence of movements is designed in such a way that it is not adhered to or can practically not be adhered to with a corresponding procedure.As a result, the device according to the invention will at least somewhat delay an unauthorized third party attempting to enter a cockpit through a briefly opened door—at least sufficiently to allow the cockpit door to be closed in time. More than one predetermined movement sequence can also be provided for releasing the locking element and the securing element; what is essential is that, in the event of a deviation from one of the predetermined movement sequences, the locking element and the securing element cannot be released from each other.

[0012] It is preferred if the closure element and securing elements are designed in such a way that the closure element can only be released from the securing element by a predetermined movement sequence, preferably by a movement substantially perpendicular to the wall to which the securing element is fastened. Such a movement is generally not achieved when attempting to quickly push the curtain aside by inserting a hand between the curtain and the wall above the securing element, since such a movement is also expected to cause a movement of the closure element in the vertical direction, even if it is small. When attempting to "walk through" the curtain, the closure element is also moved horizontally along the wall.The predetermined movement sequence can - in addition to a movement essentially perpendicular to the wall - include further partial movements, such as tilting the locking element relative to the securing element or similar.

[0013] The closure element and securing element can preferably be designed in such a way that they hook together in the event of a deviation from the predetermined sequence of movements, thus preventing them from being detached from one another and thus preventing the curtain from opening. For this purpose, the closure element and / or securing element can preferably have suitable undercuts into which the other element can engage in the event of a deviation from the predetermined sequence of movements. If, for example, the movement sequence requires that the closure element must be led out of the wall to which the securing element is attached in a direction perpendicular to the wall, suitable undercuts on the securing element can cause the closure element to hook into the securing element if the closure element is (also) moved in a direction parallel to the wall.

[0014] To ensure that the closure element interacts with the securing element in a generally releasable manner, the closure element can be magnetically held in the securing element. Such a magnetic holder, for which the securing element and / or closure element are provided with suitable magnets, can ensure that the closure element can generally be released from the securing element following the specified movement sequence. Sufficient force is simply required to overcome the magnetic force of the holder.

[0015] Alternatively or in addition to the above, the securing element and / or the closure element can have a locking element for securing the closure element interacting with the securing element. The locking element can basically be designed in any way. For example, it can be a pivotably attached bolt arranged on the securing element, which can lie over the closure element introduced into the securing element. Alternatively, the locking element can be arranged in the closure element and designed to engage in suitable openings in the securing element. To open such a locking element, a push button can be provided on the closure element, for example.

[0016] It is preferred if the locking element and / or the securing element comprises a gripping element which is to be gripped during the predetermined movement sequence for opening the curtain. If such a gripping element is provided and the movement sequence is coordinated with this gripping element, this generally directly ensures that the necessary movement sequence for opening the curtain by pulling and tugging on it cannot be followed, so that the locking element and the securing element cannot be separated from one another.

[0017] It is further preferred if the handle element and / or closure element are arranged on a predetermined side of the curtain when the curtain is closed. In particular, the handle element and / or closure element can be arranged on the side facing the cockpit door when the curtain is closed. The risk of unnoticed actuation of the handle element and / or closure element, and generally also of the securing element, is thus reduced. In order to nevertheless enable actuation of the handle element, closure element and / or securing element from the other side as well, the curtain preferably has a suitable through-hole.

[0018] Magnets are arranged on the edge of the curtain where the locking element is located for a detachable connection to the wall on which the security element is located. These additional magnets ensure that, when closed, the curtain always rests against the wall on which the security element is located, thus providing good privacy. The magnets can be easily released again with the appropriate amount of force.

[0019] The securing element and / or the closing element can have a signal output via which a signal is emitted when the closing element interacts with the securing element and / or a locking element, if present, is in the locking position. In other words, a signal is emitted when the curtain of the device according to the invention is properly and completely closed. The signal can, for example, be suitably displayed in the cockpit to indicate that the curtain prevents the cockpit door from being opened. The device according to the invention can thus also be integrated into a (partially) automated lock device.

[0020] The curtain itself is preferably made of such a strong and / or reinforced material that it won't tear even if an unauthorized person attempts to break through it. In particular, the material should not tear even if a full-grown person throws themselves against the curtain.

[0021] Even if a pair of locking element and securing element is usually sufficient to achieve the desired protection of a cockpit door, the curtain can also comprise two or more locking elements, for which a corresponding number of securing elements must then be provided so that each locking element can interact selectively with a securing element as described above.

[0022] To explain the aircraft according to the invention, reference is first made to the above explanations. The device according to the invention serves to completely cover access to the cockpit door on the side facing away from the cockpit—that is, from wall to wall—so that an unauthorized person attempting to exploit a brief opening of the cockpit door to gain entry is held back by the curtain long enough for the cockpit door to be securely closed again. The invention will now be described by way of example based on the advantageous embodiment with reference to the attached figures. They show:

[0023] Figures 1a, b: a schematic representation of a device according to the invention in the open or closed state of the curtain; and

[0024] Figure 2a, b : schematic representations of the securing element and closure element of the device from Figure 1 .

[0025] Figure 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention mounted on board an aircraft 90. Only parts of the aircraft cabin 91 of the aircraft 90 are shown, namely the cockpit door 92 and some surrounding walls. The cockpit of the aircraft 90 is located beyond the cockpit door 92 in the illustration according to Figure 1.

[0026] A curtain rail 95 is provided in the upper area of ​​the cabin 91 at some distance from the cockpit door 92, extending between two opposite walls. This curtain rail 95 may be a curtain rail 95 originally installed in the aircraft 90. If such a curtain rail 95 is not present, it can be retrofitted—for example, as part of the device 1.

[0027] The device 1 comprises a curtain 10, which is essentially slidably attached to the curtain rail 95. At a lateral edge 11—shown only in dashed lines in Figure 1—the curtain 10 is firmly attached over its entire height to the wall, which also abuts the curtain rail 95. In the present exemplary embodiment, the curtain is firmly screwed to the wall, for example, by screws arranged at regular intervals (not shown). At the opposite edge 12 of the curtain 10, a closure element 20 is firmly incorporated into the curtain 10. In addition, magnets 13 are sewn into the curtain 10 along the edge 12, which, when the curtain 10 is closed, releasably adhere to the wall against which the edge 12 then rests, whereby the curtain 10 completely covers the cockpit door 92 (cf. Figure 1b).

[0028] The securing element 30 of the device 1 is also fixedly arranged on the said wall. If the curtain 10 is transferred from the open state, as shown in Figure 1a, to the closed state according to Figure 1b, the locking element 20 and the securing element 30 interact in such a way that releasing these two elements 20, 30 requires a predetermined sequence of movements. The curtain 10 can only be opened again after following this predetermined sequence of movements. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking element 20 can only be released from the securing element 30 if it is moved almost exclusively in a direction perpendicular to the wall to which the securing element 30 is fastened.In the event of any movement deviating from this beyond a certain tolerance, such as would be caused in particular by any pulling or tugging on the curtain 10 or by an attempt to "walk through" the curtain 10, the locking element 20 cannot be released from the securing element 30.

[0029] Figure 2 shows a more detailed schematic illustration of the closure element 20 and securing element 30 of the device 1 from Figure 1. Figure 2a shows the closure element 20 and securing element 30 individually, while Figure 2b outlines the interaction of the closure element 20 and securing element 30.

[0030] The securing element 30 has a recess 31 with a central projection 32. Both on the edge of the recess 31 and on the central projection 32, protruding profiles

[0031] 33 are provided, each of which forms an undercut 34 with respect to the recess 31.

[0032] Magnets 35 are provided at the bottom of the recess 31, with which the closure element 20 inserted into the recess 31 can be magnetically held.

[0033] Furthermore, the securing element 30 also comprises a pivotable locking element 36. By appropriately pivoting the locking element 36, the closure element 20 inserted into the securing element 30 can generally be secured against detachment from the securing element 30 (cf. Figure 2b, position of the locking element 36 shown in dashed lines).

[0034] The outer dimensions of the closure element 20 correspond to the opening of the recess 31 left free by the profiles 33 of the securing element 30. Furthermore, a through-opening 21 is provided, which is shaped to match the profiles 33 on the central projection 32 of the securing element 30 and is only slightly larger than them.

[0035] Due to this design of the closure element 20 adapted to the securing element 30, the closure element 20 can be fully inserted into the recess 31 of the securing element 30 in the direction of movement indicated by the double arrow 40 in Figure 2 and can basically also be pulled out again from this recess in a correspondingly opposite movement sequence. However, even minor deviations from the direction of movement outlined by the double arrow 40 result in the closure element 20 getting into one of the undercuts 34 created by the profiles 33 and then no longer being able to be removed from the securing element 30. The latter basically also happens if an attempt is made to pull the closure element 20 through and remove it from the securing element 30 by tugging on the curtain.

[0036] In order to enable or simplify the deliberate release of the closure element 20 from the securing element 30, the closure element 20 has a gripping element 22 which extends centrally over the closure element 20. By pulling vertically on the gripping element 22, the closure element 20 can be pulled out of the securing element 30, whereby only the magnetic force of the magnets 35 must be overcome. Due to the central arrangement of the gripping element 22 relative to the closure element 20, the risk of the closure element 20 becoming jammed is reduced.

[0037] The handle element 22 and thus also the closure element 20 are arranged on that side of the curtain 10 which, when the curtain 10 is closed, faces the cockpit door 92 (see Figure 1b). In order to be able to open the curtain 10 from the other side as well, the curtain 10 has a passage 14.

[0038] The curtain 10 itself is made of such a textile material that it will not tear even under the influence of an unauthorized person trying to get through the closed curtain 10.

[0039] The securing element 30 has a signal output 37 via which a signal is output when the closure element 20 is located in the recess 31 of the securing element 30.

[0040] Even if in the illustrated embodiment the movement sequence requires an exclusively vertical movement of the closure element 20 relative to the wall to which the securing element 30 is fastened, any other movement sequences are possible. For example, to release a closure element 20 from a securing element 30 it may be necessary to tilt the closure element 20 relative to the securing element 30 in a predetermined direction in order to release the closure element 20 and to be able to open the curtain 10. If the curtain 10 is fastened to the closure element 20 in such a way that the required tilting movement cannot be achieved by pulling and tugging on the curtain 10 alone, a secure closure of the curtain 10 is guaranteed.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for securing the cockpit door (92) in the open state against unauthorized entry of persons into the cockpit (93) of an aircraft (90), comprising a curtain (10) which is firmly fastened to a wall at one edge (11) and slidably suspended on a curtain rail (95), with a closure element (20) on its free edge (12) opposite the fastened edge (11), and a securing element (30) fastened to a wall, wherein the closure element (20) and the securing element (30) are designed to interact when the curtain (10) is closed in such a way that the opening of the curtain (10) requires a predetermined sequence of movements and, in the event of a deviation from the at least one predetermined sequence of movements, the closure element (20) and the securing element (30) remain connected to one another.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that Closure element (20) and securing elements (30) are designed such that the closure element (20) can only be released from the securing element (30) by a predetermined movement sequence, preferably substantially perpendicular to the wall to which the securing element (30) is fastened.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The closure element (20) and the securing element (30) are designed in such a way that they hook together in the event of a deviation from the predetermined movement sequence, for which purpose the closure element (20) and / or the securing element (30) preferably have suitable undercuts (34) into which the another element (20) intervenes in the event of a deviation from the specified movement sequence.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that magnets (35) are provided on the closure element (20) and / or securing element (30) for magnetically holding the closure element (20) in the securing element (30).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (20) and / or the securing element (30) has a locking element (36) for securing the closure element (20) cooperating with the securing element (30).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (20) and / or securing element (30) comprise a handle element (22) which is to be engaged in the course of the predetermined movement sequence for opening the curtain (10).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle element (22) and / or the closure element (20) are arranged on a predetermined side of the curtain (10) in the closed state of the curtain (10), wherein the curtain (10) preferably has a passage (14) for actuating the handle element (22) and / or the closure element (20).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at that edge (12) of the curtain (10) at which the Closure element (20) is arranged, magnets (13) are provided for releasable connection to the wall on which the securing element (30) is arranged.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (20) and / or the securing element (30) have a signal output (37) via which a signal is output when the closure element (20) interacts with the securing element (30) and / or a locking element (36) is in the locking position.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the curtain (10) is made of such strong and / or reinforced material that it does not tear even under the influence of an unauthorized person attempting to pass through the curtain (10).

11. Aircraft (90) with a cockpit door (92) separating the cockpit (93) from the remaining area of the aircraft cabin (91), characterized in that a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims is provided and arranged such that the curtain (10) of the device (1) in the closed state completely covers the access to the cockpit door (92) on the side facing away from the cockpit (93) at a predetermined distance from the cockpit door (92).

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