Barrier door for air craft
The barrier door system with lockable elongate members and a rotatable sleeve mechanism addresses the vulnerability of flight deck access by controlling cabin area movement, ensuring the flight deck door can be swiftly secured.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024097153
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-06-16
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-07
AI Technical Summary
Flight deck doors in aircraft are vulnerable to unauthorized access when opened during flight, posing a security risk as cabin area occupants may rush towards the flight deck, and existing mechanisms are inadequate to swiftly react and secure the door.
A barrier door system with lockable elongate members that extend outwardly to engage the aircraft structure, controlled by a rotatable sleeve mechanism, which can be quickly locked and unlocked to control access through openings in the cabin area.
The barrier door effectively delays and controls the movement of individuals towards the flight deck, allowing the flight deck door to be securely closed and locked, enhancing aircraft security by preventing unauthorized access.
Smart Images
Figure 2025000582000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001]
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of barriers, and more specifically to barrier doors configured for use within aircraft. [Background technology]
[0002]
[0002] An aircraft has a flight deck that contains flight instruments, instrument panels, and various controls that enable the flight crew to operate the aircraft. The flight deck is located at the front of the aircraft and is usually a separate compartment from the cabin area where passengers are seated during flight. A flight deck door further separates the flight deck from the cabin area.
[0003]
[0003] Flight deck doors are closed and locked during flight. This allows flight crew to concentrate on operating the aircraft and prevents unnecessary personnel from entering the flight deck. However, flight deck doors may be opened for various reasons during flight. One occurrence is when flight crew use the lavatories located in the cabin area of the aircraft. Other occurrences are when food and / or beverages prepared in the galleys in the cabin area are delivered to flight crew on the flight deck, and when flight crew leave the flight deck during breaks.
[0004]
[0004] Opening the flight deck doors could provide an opportunity for unwanted persons to gain access to the flight deck. The unwanted persons could suddenly rush to the front of the aircraft and force their way onto the flight deck as the flight deck doors are opened. It would be difficult for flight crew working in the cabin area to react to this movement in a quick enough manner to close and lock the flight deck doors.
[0005]
[0005] A device is needed that will restrain persons in the cabin area from rushing toward the flight deck, either to prevent them from reaching the front of the aircraft or to slow their movement so that the flight deck doors can be closed and locked before they reach the flight deck. Summary of the Invention
[0006]
[0006] One aspect is directed to a barrier door for controlling movement of persons through an opening in a cabin area of an aircraft. The barrier door comprises a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface. A lock is connected to the body, the lock comprising a cylinder having an elongated shape with inner and outer ends and a hollow interior space, a pin positioned within the interior space of the cylinder and movable between a disengaged position where a distal end is retracted within the interior space and an engaged position where the distal end extends outwardly beyond the outer end of the cylinder, a biasing member that biases the pin toward the engaged position, and a release mechanism mounted on the inner end of the cylinder, the release mechanism being rotatable relative to the cylinder to adjust the position of the cylinder and the pin relative to the body.
[0007] In another aspect, the outer end of the cylinder is aligned with the upper surface of the body so that the pin extends outwardly beyond the body in the engaged position.
[0008]
[0008] In another aspect, a handle extends outwardly from the pin and an opening in the cylinder communicates with the interior space, the opening having a first section and a second section, and when the pin is in the disengaged position, the handle is in the first section of the opening and when the pin is in the engaged position, the handle is in the second section of the opening.
[0009] In another aspect, the body includes a first side and a second side, and the handle extends outwardly beyond the first side of the body and is positioned away from the second side of the body.
[0010]
[0010] In another aspect, a release mechanism comprising an opening in the body and a sleeve, the sleeve positioned in the opening, the sleeve being accessible from both a first side of the body and a second side of the body.
[0011] In another aspect, the release mechanism includes a sleeve extending around an inner end of the cylinder, the sleeve including internal threads and the cylinder including external threads.
[0012]
[0012] In another aspect, a receptacle is configured to be mounted adjacent to the body, and when the pin is in the engaged position, the receptacle includes a biased plug sized to contact the distal end of the pin.
[0013]
[0013] In another aspect, the body includes a plurality of vertical slats hinged to one another, and the barrier door is movable between an open position in which the vertical slats are in a folded configuration and a closed position in which the vertical slats are in an unfolded configuration.
[0014] In another aspect, the pin is fixedly positioned relative to the cylinder during rotation of the release mechanism.
[0015]
[0015] One aspect is directed to a barrier door for controlling movement of persons through an opening in a cabin area of an aircraft. The barrier door includes a body having an outer periphery. A sleeve is connected to the body. A first elongated member is connected to the sleeve and extends outwardly from the sleeve in a first direction. A second elongated member is connected to the sleeve and extends outwardly from the sleeve in a second direction. A first pin is connected to the first elongated member and a second pin is connected to the second elongated member. The first pin and the second pin are movable between a stowed position inwardly within the outer periphery of the body and a deployed position outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the body. The sleeve is rotatable relative to the first elongated member and the second elongated member to move both the first pin and the second pin inwardly within the outer periphery of the body in the deployed position.
[0016]
[0016] In another aspect, each of the first elongated member and the second elongated member is a cylinder having a hollow interior space, and the first pin is positioned within the first elongated member and the second pin is positioned within the second elongated member.
[0017]
[0017] In another aspect, the sleeve is positioned along a central region of the body and the first elongated member extends outwardly toward the upper surface of the body with the first pin extending outwardly beyond the upper surface of the body in the deployed position.
[0018] In another aspect, the second elongated member extends outwardly toward the underside of the body, with the second pin extending outwardly beyond the underside of the body in the deployed position.
[0019] In another aspect, the first pin is fixedly positioned relative to the first elongated member during rotation of the sleeve, and the second pin is fixedly positioned relative to the second elongated member during rotation of the sleeve.
[0020] In another aspect, the sleeve, the first elongate member, and the second elongate member are aligned with one another and extend along a side of the body.
[0021] In another aspect, the sleeve is connected to each of the first and second elongated members using threads.
[0022]
[0022] In another aspect, each of the first pin and second pin includes a main body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a handle extending outwardly from the main body between the proximal ends of the distal ends, the handles extending outwardly from the respective first elongated member and second elongated member in the stored position.
[0023] One aspect is directed to a method of controlling passenger movement through an opening in a cabin area of an aircraft, the method including positioning a barrier door extending across the opening in a closed position, locking the barrier door while in the closed position by moving a first pin and a second pin, respectively, connected to the barrier door to an engaged position, where the first pin extends outwardly beyond an upper surface of a body of the barrier door and engages the first pin with a ceiling of the aircraft and the second pin extends outwardly beyond a lower surface of the body and engages the second pin with a floor of the aircraft, rotating a sleeve connected to the body while the first and second pins are in the engaged position to retract the first pin and disengage the first pin from the ceiling and simultaneously retract the second pin and disengage the second pin from the floor, and positioning the barrier door in an open position providing passage through the opening while the first and second pins are disengaged.
[0024]
[0024] In another aspect, the method further includes moving a first pin into the first cylinder, causing a distal end of the first pin to extend outwardly beyond an upper surface of the body and engage the ceiling, and moving a second pin into the second cylinder, causing a distal end of the second pin to extend outwardly beyond a lower surface of the body and engage the floor.
[0025]
[0025] In another aspect, the method further includes maintaining a relative position between the first pin and first cylinder and the second pin and second cylinder while rotating the sleeve and storing the first pin and second pin.
[0026]
[0026] The above-described features, functions, and advantages can be realized alone in various aspects or can be combined in yet other aspects, and further details thereof can be ascertained by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0027] [Figure 1]
[0027] FIG. [Diagram 2]
[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the interior of the aircraft of FIG. 1, including the flight deck and cabin area. [Diagram 3]
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the flight deck door in a closed position. [Figure 4]
[0030] FIG. 2 is a front view of the barrier door in a closed position. [Diagram 5]
[0031] FIG. 5 is a front view of the barrier door of FIG. 4 in an open position. [Figure 6]
[0032] FIG. 2 is a front view of the barrier door. [Figure 7]
[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lock. [Figure 8]
[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lock. [Figure 9A]
[0035] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of the lock in a disengaged position. [Figure 9B]
[0036] FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a portion of the lock of FIG. 9A in an engaged position. [Figure 10]
[0037] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the lock release mechanism. [Figure 11A]
[0038] FIG. [Figure 11B]
[0039] FIG. 11B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the receptacle of FIG. [Figure 12]
[0040] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for controlling passenger movement through an opening in a cabin area of an aircraft. [Figure 13]
[0041] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for controlling passenger movement through an opening in a cabin area of an aircraft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028]
[0042] 1 and 2 show an aircraft 100 including a fuselage 101. A flight deck 110 is positioned forward of the fuselage 101 and a cabin area 103 is positioned aft. The cabin area 103 is equipped to accommodate passengers. The sizes of the flight deck 110 and the cabin area 103 may vary depending on the aircraft 100. One or more exterior doors 104 provide for passengers and flight crew to enter and exit the fuselage 101.
[0029]
[0043] The flight deck 110 includes one or more seats 111 for the aircraft crew, including, but not limited to, the pilot, co-pilot, and other authorized personnel. Various controls and instrument panels (not shown) are located for use by the pilot and co-pilot to control the aircraft 100.
[0030]
[0044] The cabin area 103 is positioned along the fuselage 101 aft of the flight deck 110. The cabin area 103 includes a passenger section 121 having seats 105 arranged in rows along one or more aisles 106. In some embodiments, such as a commercial airline, the seats 105 extend throughout the cabin area 103. In other embodiments, such as when the aircraft 100 is used to transport cargo, a limited number of seats 105 are positioned in the cabin area 103.
[0031]
[0045] The cabin area 103 also includes an entrance 120 positioned between the flight deck 110 and the passenger area 121. The entrance 120 includes one or more monuments 112 attached to structural members of the aircraft 100 within the fuselage 101. The monuments 112 are functional units, examples of which include, but are not limited to, galleys, lavatories, and cargo units. In some embodiments, the monuments 112 are shaped and sized to extend from the floor 107 to the ceiling 108 of the cabin area 103. In some embodiments, the monuments 112 extend from a wall 114 of the fuselage 101 to the aisle 106. FIG. 2 includes the entrance 120 including a pair of galley monuments 112a, 112b, a lavatory monument 112c, and a cargo monument 112d.
[0032]
[0046] The flight deck door 90 separates the flight deck 110 from the cabin area 103, and in some embodiments, specifically, separates the flight deck 110 from the entrance 120. The flight deck door 90 prevents unintended persons from entering the flight deck 110 from the cabin area 103. As shown in FIG. 3, the flight deck door 90 includes a lock 91 configured to secure the door 90 in a closed position. The lock 91 provides an observation hole 92, which may include various configurations for unlocking, such as a magnetic card reader and an input button, for flight crew on the flight deck 110 to view the cabin area 103 without opening the door 90. In some embodiments, the door 90 is attached to a frame 109 that mounts on one or more of the monument 112, the floor 107, and the ceiling 108.
[0033]
[0047] 2, the cabin area 103 further includes an opening 113 adjacent to the flight deck 110. In this embodiment, the opening 113 is formed between two monuments, the galley monument 112b and the lavatory monument 112c. Other embodiments include an opening 113 formed between monuments 112b and 112d, and an opening 113 formed between monuments 112a and 112c. Other embodiments include openings 113 formed between various components, such as the monuments 112, the walls 114 of the fuselage 101, and the seats 105.
[0034]
[0048] A barrier door 20 is positioned in the opening 113 and includes a front side 21 facing forward of the aircraft 100, and an opposite rear side 22. The barrier door 20 is movable (as shown in FIG. 2) between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the barrier door 20 is retracted or otherwise configured to allow people (e.g., passengers using the restroom 112c or aircraft crew traveling between the flight deck 110 and the passenger area 121) to pass through the opening 113. In the closed position, the barrier door 20 extends across and is locked within the opening 113. In the closed position, the barrier door 20 functions to delay or otherwise slow the movement of people traveling from the passenger area 121 towards the flight deck 110, resulting in the flight deck door 90 being closed and locked.
[0035]
[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates the barrier door 20 in a schematic view in a closed position. The barrier door 20 includes a body 30 sized to extend across an opening 113. A lock 40 including one or more elongated members 41 is secured to the body 30 and is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the one or more elongated members 41 extend outwardly and engage with a structure of the aircraft 100 to maintain the barrier door 20 in a closed position. The structure of the aircraft 100 may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the floor 107, the ceiling 108, the monument 112, the seats 105, the frame 109, and the exterior wall 114. The lock 40 further includes a release mechanism 50 that effects the movement of the one or more elongated members 41 to a disengaged position. In the disengaged position as shown in FIG. 5, the one or more elongated members 41 are retracted away from the structure of the aircraft 100 to allow the barrier door 20 to move between an open position and a closed position.
[0036]
[0050] The body 30 may include a variety of shapes and sizes. In one embodiment, the body 30 in the closed position is rectangular, includes a top surface 31, a bottom surface 32, and sides 33, 34, and is sized to extend across the opening 113. In some embodiments, the body 30 is sized to completely fill the opening 113. In other embodiments, the body 30 is smaller than the opening 113 with one or more gaps positioned between the body 30 and the edges of the opening 113. In the open position, the barrier door 20 is positioned to allow a person to move through the opening 113. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 5, the body 30 may be folded or otherwise retracted to fill a limited portion of the opening 113 and allow a person to pass through. In another embodiment, the body 30 is connected to the aircraft structure (e.g., along one of the sides) and pivots on a hinge away from the opening 113.
[0037]
[0051] The body 30 can have a wide variety of different constructions. In some embodiments, the body 30 is constructed as a single piece, such as a large solid panel. In other embodiments, the body 30 is constructed from several different sections attached to each other. The different sections can be rigidly positioned relative to each other or can be movable relative to each other. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment with a body 30 formed by vertical slats 35 hinged to each other. The sides of the slats 35 are connected to each other to provide pivoting movement. The connections between the slats 35 can include rods that extend along the height, or the sides of the slats 35 can include fingers that engage with each other to provide relative movement.
[0038]
[0052] 6, the mount 36 is configured to mount the body 30 in the opening 113. The mount 36 includes pins 37, 38 positioned on the side 33 and extending outwardly beyond the upper and lower surfaces 31, 32 to engage the ceiling 108 and floor 107, respectively. In some embodiments, the mount 36 provides for the body 30 to be pivotally mounted in the opening 113.
[0039]
[0053] Lock 40 secures door 20 in a closed position. Lock 40 is affixed to body 30 and can be positioned in a variety of locations. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, lock 40 is positioned along side 34 and configured to extend outwardly from one or both of top and bottom surfaces 31, 32 in the engaged position. In another embodiment, lock 40 is oriented horizontally across body 30 and configured to extend outwardly from one or both of sides 33, 34 in the engaged position.
[0040]
[0054] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a lock 40 including an elongated member 41. A pin 43 is connected to the elongated member 41. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, the elongated member 41 is a cylinder having a hollow interior space that houses the pin 43. In other embodiments, the elongated member 41 is a rod and the pin 43 is attached to the exterior of the rod. The pin includes an elongated shape having a distal end 49. The pin 43 is biased outwardly by a biasing member 44. The pin 43 includes a handle 48 that extends outwardly through an opening 42 in the elongated member 41. In the disengaged position, the handle 48 is positioned in a first section 46 of the opening 42. The handle 48 abuts an edge of the first section 46 which positions the end 49 of the pin 43 in the retracted position. In some embodiments, the retracted position includes the distal end 49 within the end 45 of the elongated member 41. In other embodiments, the distal end 49 extends outwardly beyond the body 30. 7, the pin 43 rotates relative to the elongated member 41 to position the handle 48 in the second section 47 of the opening 42. The second section 47 extends closer to the end 45 of the elongated member 41. The force of the biasing member 44 urges the pin 43 outward until the handle 48 contacts an upper edge of the second section 47. This positioning causes the pin 43 to extend outward beyond the end 45 of the elongated member 41 and into engagement with the aircraft structure.
[0041]
[0055] The lock 40 further includes a release mechanism 50. The release mechanism 50 includes a sleeve 51 attached to the elongated member 41. The sleeve 51 is attached to the body 30 and attached to the elongated member 41. The sleeve 51 can rotate but not move along the axial length of the elongated member 41. Thus, rotation of the sleeve 51 in a first direction causes the elongated member 41 (and the attached pin 43) to move in the first direction (e.g., retract inwardly relative to the body 30). Rotation in a second direction causes the elongated member 41 to move in the second direction (e.g., extend outwardly relative to the body 30). The sleeve 51 can rotate in a direction that moves the lock 40 between an engaged position and a disengaged position.
[0042]
[0056] 8 shows a lock 40 configured to engage two opposing areas of an aircraft structure, such as a floor 107 and a ceiling 108. The lock 40 includes a pair of elongated members 41a, 41b that are connected to a sleeve 51 by a thread. Pins 43a, 43b are positioned within the interior spaces of the elongated members 41a, 41b. The pins 43a, 43b include elongated bodies having outer ends 49a, 49b. The pins 43a, 43b are biased outwardly along the elongated members 41a, 41b by biasing members 44a, 44b.
[0043]
[0057] Figures 9A and 9B show the lock 40 moving between a disengaged position (Figure 9A) and an engaged position (Figure 9B) to secure the barrier door 20. Figures 9A and 9B show the movement of the first pin 43a, with the understanding that the second pin 43b operates in a similar manner.
[0044]
[0058] The pin 43a includes a handle 48a extending outwardly from a main section positioned in the hollow interior space of the elongated member 41a. Additionally, the elongated member 41a includes an opening 42a communicating with the interior space. The opening includes a first section 46a and a second section 47a. In use, the pin 43a rotates relative to the elongated member 41a with the handle 48a positioned in the first section 46a of the opening 42a. A biasing member 44a (not shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B) applies a force to the pin 43a to position the handle 48a outwardly of the first section 46a. This contact between the handle 48a and the first section 46a positions the pin 43a along the axial direction of the elongated member 41a with the end 49a retracted inwardly from the end 45a of the elongated member 41a. The lock 40 is positioned on the body 30 such that the elongated member 41a does not engage the aircraft structure and thus allows the barrier door 20 to move between the open and closed positions.
[0045]
[0059] In the engaged position of FIG. 9B, a person, such as an aircraft crew member, grasps the handle 48a and rotates the pin 43a to move the handle 48a into the second section 47a of the opening 42a. The outside of the second section 47a is closer to the end 45a of the elongated member 41a. A force applied by the biasing member moves the pin 43a axially outward from the elongated member 41a. The degree of axial movement is controlled by contact of the handle 48a with the outer edge of the second section 47a. Extending the pin 43a outward beyond the elongated member 41a and beyond the body 30 causes the pin 43a to engage the aircraft structure and lock the barrier door 20 in the closed position.
[0046]
[0060] To return lock 40 to the unlocked position, a person grasps handle 48a and applies a force downward, away from end 45a of barrel 41a. The force overcomes the force of the biasing member, moving pin 43a along second section 47a of opening 42a. When handle 48a is aligned with first section 46a, the person applies a sideways force to move handle 48a into first section 46a. The person then releases handle 48a when the force of the biasing member brings handle 48a into contact with the outer edge of first section 46a and maintains its position.
[0047]
[0061] In some embodiments, the one or more handles 48 are accessible from only one side of the barrier door 20. Using the example of Figure 2, the handles 48 are positioned on the forward side 21 of the barrier door 20 so as to be accessible to flight crew at the entrance 120 and / or flight deck 110. This positioning also prevents access for persons from the passenger area 121, as the handles 48 are not accessible from the aft side 22.
[0048]
[0062] The release mechanism 50 provides for moving the pins 43a, 43b (and elongated members 41a, 41b) inwardly to a disengaged position without the use of the handle 48. As shown in Figures 8 and 10, the release mechanism 50 includes a sleeve 51 attached to the barrels 41a, 41b. Rotation of the sleeve 51 relative to the elongated members 41a, 41b causes the elongated members 41a, 41b to retract inwardly within the sleeve 51. This movement also causes the pins 43a, 43b to retract inwardly towards and / or into the body 30 and disengage from the aircraft structure. The sleeve 51 includes a knob 52 with a raised edge to facilitate a user's grip and application of force.
[0049]
[0063] In some embodiments, the threads on the outer end of sleeve 51 are opposite each other, such that rotating sleeve 51 in one direction causes both elongate members 41 a, 41 b to retract. Similarly, rotating in the other direction causes both elongate members 41 a, 41 b to extend.
[0050]
[0064] In some embodiments, the sleeve 51 is accessible from both the front side 21 and the rear side 22 of the barrier door 20. As shown in FIG. 10, the body 30 includes an opening 39 sized for the knob 52. This positioning allows the knob 52 to be used from both sides of the barrier door 20. This allows flight crew at the entrance 120 and / or flight deck 110 to unlock the barrier door 20, such as when one or both pins 43a, 43b are stuck in the deployed position. This also allows passengers at the passenger area 121 to unlock the barrier door 20 in case of an emergency that requires them to pass through the opening 113. In other embodiments, the sleeve 51 of the release mechanism 50 is accessible from only one side of the barrier door 20.
[0051]
[0065] In some embodiments, the barrier door 20 functions to slow the movement of personnel through the opening 113. The sleeve 51 is fitted such that it takes an extended period of time (e.g., 10-20 seconds) to rotate the sleeve 51 and disengage one or more pins 43. This time allows the flight crew to close and lock the flight deck door 90, preventing personnel from entering the flight deck 110.
[0052]
[0066] In some embodiments, the pin(s) 43 contact the aircraft structure in the engaged position. This may include extending into corresponding holes in the aircraft structure, such as the floor 107 and ceiling 108. In other embodiments, the pin(s) 43 simply contact the structure without extending into holes. In other embodiments, the receptacle 60 is attached to the aircraft structure to receive the pin 43. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the receptacle 60 includes a body 61 and a flange 62. When attached to the aircraft structure, the body 61 sits in the structure and the flange 62 extends along the surface. An opening 63 passes through the flange 62 and into the body 61 to receive the pin 43. A plug 64 is attached to the opening 63 and is biased outwardly by a biasing member 65. In the engaged position, the pin 43 extends into the opening 63 and contacts the plug 64. The force of the pin 43 moves the plug 64 against the biasing member 65 and further into the body 61.
[0053]
[0067] 12 illustrates a method of controlling passenger movement through an opening 113 in a cabin area 103 of an aircraft 100. The barrier door 20 is positioned in a closed position extending across the opening 113 (block 190). In some embodiments, this occurs prior to opening the flight deck door 90. While in the closed position, the barrier door 20 is locked by moving a first pin 43a and a second pin 43b, each connected to the barrier door 20, to an engaged position (block 192). In some embodiments, locking the barrier door 20 includes a person (e.g., an aircraft crew member) grasping the first handle 48a and rotating the first handle 48a from the first section 46a to the second section 47a of the opening 42a and extending the first pin 43a outward beyond the top surface 31 of the body 30 of the barrier door 20 to engage the first pin 43a with the ceiling 108. The person also grasps and rotates the second handle 48b, similarly rotating the pins to cause the second pins 43b to extend outward beyond the underside 32 of the body 30 and engage the floor 107 of the aircraft. In some embodiments, locking the barrier door 20 includes positioning only one pin 43 into engagement with the aircraft structure. The barrier door 20 remains in the closed position, allowing the flight deck door 90 to be opened. After the flight deck door 90 is closed, the barrier door 20 is unlocked and moved to the open position (block 194). In some embodiments, unlocking the barrier door 20 includes the flight crew grasping the handles 48 on each pin 43 and sliding the pins 43 inward to disengage the pins 43 from the aircraft structure.
[0054]
[0068] FIG. 13 illustrates a method for controlling passenger movement through an opening 113 in a cabin area 103 of an aircraft 100. In some embodiments, the method occurs when one or more of the pins 43 are retracted or stuck and the barrier door 20 cannot be opened in a straight manner (such as the method disclosed in FIG. 12). The method may also occur when a person in the passenger area 121 needs to access the other side of the barrier door 20, such as to access the entrance 120 or the flight deck 110. This may occur in the case of a medical emergency or when an unauthorized person is in front of the barrier door 20. In this method, the barrier door 20 is positioned in a closed position extending across the opening 113 (block 200). While in the closed position, the barrier door 20 is locked by moving a first pin 43a and a second pin 43b, each connected to the barrier door 20, to an engaged position (block 202). In some embodiments, the engaged position includes the first pin 43a extending outward beyond the upper surface 31 of the body 30 of the barrier door 20, engaging the first pin 43a with the aircraft ceiling 108, and the second pin 43b extending outward beyond the lower surface 32 of the body 30, engaging the second pin 43b with the aircraft floor 107. In some embodiments, locking the barrier door 20 includes engaging only one pin 43. While locking the barrier door 20 with the pins 43a, 43b in the engaged position, the sleeve 51 connected to the body 30 rotates, which retracts the first pin 43a and disengages the first pin 43a from the ceiling 108, and simultaneously retracts the second pin 43b and disengages the second pin 43b from the floor 107 (block 204). While the first pin 43a and the second pin 43b are disengaged, the barrier door 20 is positioned in an open position to open the opening 113 (block 206).
[0055]
[0069] In some embodiments, the biasing members 44, 65 are springs. In other embodiments, the biasing members are foam blocks or other flexible material that apply an outward force.
[0056]
[0070] The present invention may be practiced in other ways than those specifically set forth herein without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.
Claims
1. 1. A barrier door for controlling the movement of persons through an opening in a cabin area of an aircraft, the barrier door comprising: a body (30) having an upper surface (31), a lower surface (32), and side surfaces (33), (34); A lock (40) connected to the body (30), the lock (40) comprising: A cylinder (41) having an elongated shape with an inner end and an outer end, said cylinder (41) further comprising an interior space that is hollow; a pin (43) positioned within the interior space of the cylinder and movable between a disengaged position in which a distal end is retracted within the interior space and an engaged position in which the distal end extends outwardly beyond the outer end of the cylinder (41); a biasing member (44) for biasing said pin (43) towards said engaged position; and a release mechanism (50) mounted on the inner end of the cylinder (41), the release mechanism (50) being rotatable relative to the cylinder (41) to adjust the position of the cylinder (41) and pin (43) relative to the body (30); A lock (40) comprising: A barrier door.
2. 2. The barrier door of claim 1, wherein the outer end of the cylinder (41) is aligned with the top surface (31) of the body (30) such that the pin (43) extends outwardly beyond the body (30) in the engaged position.
3. a handle (48) extending outwardly from said pin (43); an opening in the cylinder (41) communicating with the interior space, the opening comprising a first area (46) and a second area (47); Further comprising:
2. The barrier door of claim 1, wherein the handle (48) is in the first area (46) of the opening when the pin (43) is in the disengaged position and in the second area (47) of the opening when the pin (43) is in the engaged position.
4. 4. The barrier door of claim 3, wherein the body (30) has a first side (21) and a second side (22), and the handle (48) extends outwardly beyond the first side (21) of the body (30) and is positioned away from the second side (22) of the body (30).
5. an opening (39) in said body (30); said release mechanism (50) comprising a sleeve (51); 5. The barrier door of claim 4, further comprising: a sleeve (51) positioned in the opening (39) such that the sleeve (51) is accessible from both the first side (21) of the body (30) and the second side (22) of the body (30).
6. 2. The barrier door of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism (50) comprises a sleeve (51) extending around the inner end of the cylinder (41), the sleeve (51) comprising internal threads and the cylinder (41) comprising external threads.
7. 2. The barrier door of claim 1, further comprising a receptacle (60) configured to be mounted proximate to the body (30), the receptacle (60) comprising a biased plug sized to contact the distal end of the pin (43) when the pin (43) is in the engaged position.
8. 2. The barrier door of claim 1, wherein the body (30) comprises a plurality of vertical slats (35) hinged to one another, and the barrier door (20) is movable between an open position in which the vertical slats (35) are in a folded configuration and a closed position in which the vertical slats (35) are in an unfolded configuration.
9. 2. The barrier door of claim 1, wherein the pin (43) is fixedly positioned against the cylinder (41) during rotation of the release mechanism (50).
10. 1. A barrier door for controlling the movement of persons through an opening in a cabin area of an aircraft, the barrier door comprising: a body (30) having an outer periphery; A sleeve (51) connected to the body (30); a first elongated member (41 a) connected to the sleeve (51) and extending outwardly from the sleeve (51) in a first direction; a second elongate member (41b) connected to the sleeve (51) and extending outwardly from the sleeve (51) in a second direction; a first pin (43a) connected to the first elongated member (41a) and a second pin (43b) connected to the second elongated member (41b), the first pin (43a) and the second pin (43b) being movable between a stored position inside the outer periphery of the body (30) and a deployed position outside the outer periphery of the body (30); wherein the sleeve (51) is rotatable relative to the first elongated member (41 a) and the second elongated member (41 b) to move both the first pin (43 a) and the second pin (43 b) inwardly within the outer periphery of the body (30) in the deployed position.
11. 11. The barrier door of claim 10, wherein each of the first elongated member (41 a) and the second elongated member (41 b) is a cylinder having a hollow interior space, the first pin (43 a) being positioned within the first elongated member (41 a) and the second pin (43 b) being positioned within the second elongated member (41 b).
12. 11. The barrier door of claim 10, wherein the sleeve (51) is positioned along a central region of the body (30) and the first elongated member (41a) extends outwardly toward the top surface (31) of the body (30) with the first pin (43a) extending outwardly beyond the top surface (31) of the body (30) in the deployed position.
13. 13. The barrier door of claim 12, wherein the second elongated member (41 b) extends outwardly toward the lower surface (32) of the body (30) with the second pin (43 b) extending outwardly beyond the lower surface (32) of the body (30) in the deployed position.
14. 11. The barrier door of claim 10, wherein the first pin (43a) is fixedly positioned relative to the first elongated member (41a) during rotation of the sleeve (51) and the second pin (43b) is fixedly positioned relative to the second elongated member (41b) during rotation of the sleeve (51).
15. 11. The barrier door of claim 10, wherein the sleeve (51), the first elongated member (41a), and the second elongated member (41b) are aligned with one another and extend along a side (34) of the body (30).
16. 11. The barrier door of claim 10, wherein the sleeve (51) is connected to each of the first elongated member (41a) and the second elongated member (41b) by means of screws.
17. 11. The barrier door of claim 10, wherein each of the first pin (43a) and the second pin (43b) comprises a main body having a proximal end and a distal end and a handle (48) extending outwardly from the main body between the proximal ends of the distal ends, the handle (48) extending outwardly from the respective first elongated member (41a) and second elongated member (41b) in the stored position.
18. 1. A method of controlling the movement of a passenger through an opening in a cabin area of an aircraft, the method comprising: positioning a barrier door (20) in a closed position extending across said opening (113); locking the barrier door (20) while in the closed position by moving a first pin (43a) and a second pin (43b) respectively connected to the barrier door (20) to an engaged position, wherein the first pin (43a) extends outwardly beyond an upper surface (31) of a body (30) of the barrier door (20) to engage the first pin (43a) with a ceiling (108) of the aircraft and the second pin (43b) extends outwardly beyond a lower surface (32) of the body (30) to engage the second pin (43b) with a floor (107) of the aircraft; and while the first pin (43a) and the second pin (43b) are in the engaged position, rotating a sleeve (51) connected to the body (30) to retract the first pin (43a) and disengage the first pin (43a) from the ceiling (108) and simultaneously retract the second pin (43b) and disengage the second pin (43b) from the floor (107); positioning the barrier door (20) in an open position providing a passage through the opening (113) while the first pin (43a) and the second pin (43b) are disengaged; A method comprising:
19. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: moving the first pin (43a) into a first cylinder (41a) such that a distal end of the first pin (43a) extends outwardly beyond the upper surface (31) of the body (30) and engages the ceiling (108); and moving the second pin (43b) into a second cylinder (41b) such that a distal end of the second pin (43b) extends outwardly beyond the lower surface (32) of the body (30) and engages the floor (107).
20. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising maintaining a relative position between the first pin (43a) and the first cylinder (41a) and the second pin (43b) and the second cylinder (41b) while rotating the sleeve (51) to retract the first pin (43a) and the second pin (43b).