1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to vehicle galley units, and more particularly, to a container handling mechanism for a galley unit that aids in stowing and retrieving elevated galley containers and other items in a controlled manner, and multi-function container handling mechanisms.
2. Background of the Invention
Manufacturers of vehicle interior fittings are constantly trying to maximize the limited space available for storing items in passenger services areas, such as lavatories and galleys. These areas typically include a number of storage compartments for storing items in a safe and readily accessible manner, and often include compartments arranged from floor to ceiling within a galley unit. Heavy containers, such as food and beverage service carts are typically stored at floor level and include attached wheels to facilitate transport throughout the cabin. Other containers may be stored at a level above the floor, often times overhead, and are typically stored and retrieved by hand. Like beverage carts, overhead stored items can also be heavy and bulky to handle, making their storing and retrieval difficult. Further, while items may not be particularly heavy, items that are repeatedly accessed from overhead may lead to fatigue and accidents. Items that are typically stored above the floor level in a galley unit include food, beverages, dishes and appliances such as ice makers, coffee makers and microwaves, among other items. These items often weigh in excess of 10 lbs and are often stored several feet or more above the floor.
While the repetitive manual handling of heavy, elevated items by flight attendants and loaders is just one problem in conventional galleys, other problems exist. For example, preparing food and beverages for passengers requires a sufficient amount of workspace to comfortably and safely prepare those items. Typically, food and beverage preparation is performed within an appliance's compartment or away from a galley unit, making preparation difficult.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a container and other item handling mechanism for a galley unit that aids a flight attendant or loader in storing and retrieving elevated items within/from a galley unit. Further, it would be desirable to provide a container handling mechanism that not only assists in raising and lowering items, but performs other functions as well, such as providing a workspace at a galley unit and as a structure for maintaining containers and other items within their compartments during flight.
To achieve the foregoing and other objects and advantages, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides a load-assisting, multi-function container handling mechanism for storing and retrieving elevated storage containers of a vehicle galley unit.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a support deck capable of being controllably raised and lowered to store and retrieve containers and other items at a level elevated from the floor of a vehicle, such as an elevated storage compartment of an aircraft galley unit. The deck is preferably supported by a pair of lift arms that each include upper and lower members that are connected together through a lift cylinder. The support deck also preferably functions as a work deck when placed into one of its several configurations. The multi-function container handling mechanism and work deck is preferably selectively and controllably movable between a fully raised and a fully lowered position and any position therebetween. Each lift arm is preferably secured at a first end to a galley unit or other rigid structure, and secured at a second end to the deck. The deck preferably includes more than one member hinged together to permit folding. The deck is foldable to provide a work deck, support shelf, compartment door and foldable to be stowed when not in use. All or a portion of the deck may be stowed within a slot defined by its respective galley unit when not in use. The deck is preferably sturdy, lightweight and made from durable material such as aluminum or polyethylene.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a container handling mechanism including a deck and attached supporting arms capable of being moved between multiple configurations to provide multiple functions. In a first configuration, the deck portion of the container handling mechanism is folded so that a first portion of the deck is stowed within a slot defined by the galley unit and a second portion of the deck is maintained against a front of the galley unit in a manner similar to a compartment door. In the first configuration, the supporting arms are folded to a compact position. In a second configuration, a first portion of the deck is moved to a horizontal position to function as a work deck or support shelf. The supporting arms are maintained in a compact position. In a third configuration, the deck is lowered to provide a work deck and lowered shelf for placing items to be raised to an elevated position with assistance. The supporting arms of the container handling mechanism preferable include lift cylinders such as spring- or pressure-biased gas, hydraulic, or pneumatic cylinders.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a vehicle galley unit including an integrated, multi-function container handling mechanism for assisting in loading/retrieving containers and other items, referred to herein generically as “containers,” to/from the galley unit. In one method of use, containers may be placed onto a deck of the handling mechanism, raised with assistance to a desired level, and slid into a predetermined compartment. Containers may also be moved from their compartment onto the deck and lowered with assistance to a comfortable handling level, such as waist level. The container handling mechanism, and particularly the deck portion of the mechanism, also functions as a generally horizontal work deck when moved to a lowered position that may be used to prepare food and beverages or perform other tasks. The handling mechanism may also function as a galley compartment covering door when not being used to raise/lower containers.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings. Although the container handling mechanism is described with reference to an aircraft galley unit for illustration purposes, it should be understood that the container handling mechanism may be a component of any vehicle galley unit, and the principals as described herein may be applied to environments other than galleys as well.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are better understood when the following detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the invention may be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the representative embodiments set forth herein. The exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make, use and practice the invention. Like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the drawings.
Referring now to
Referring to
The container handling mechanism 22 is selectively movable between a fully “raised,” “retracted,” or “closed” configuration and a fully “lowered,” “extended,” or “open” configuration. In a first, closed configuration shown at “A” in
In use, to load a container into the galley unit, the container handling mechanism is unfolded and extended to its lowered position. Containers to be stored are then placed upon the deck. The deck is then raised with assistance from the supporting arms to a position at least as elevated as the bottom of the compartment where the container will be placed. Once the deck is in position, the container is slid from the deck into its respective compartment. The handling mechanism may then be lowered to raise additional containers or may be folded and stored for later use. To lower a container that is stored, the mechanism is unfolded and the deck slid to provide a supporting shelf. The container is then slid from its compartment onto the shelf, and then lowered with assistance from the mechanism.
Referring to
At least the up and down motion of the work deck 24 is assisted by a lifting system incorporated with the lift arms. In the illustrated examples, the system is passive, and the lift cylinders are gas struts, spring- or pressure-biased gas, hydraulic, or pneumatic cylinders, such as those sold under the trade name HYDROLOK. The lift cylinders are sized to counterbalance the weight of the deck with loaded containers. In this case, the deck effectively has a “neutral buoyancy” and may be moved up and down in a controlled manner using minimal manual force. Alternatively, a full power system employing electrical, hydraulic, or mechanical actuators may be used to move the deck. Means may be provided for latching or locking the deck in any of its positions.
The deck 24 is different from the deck shown in
A galley unit including a container handling mechanism is described above in detail. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation. Any and all such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/871,037 filed Dec. 20, 2006 and entitled “Container Handling Mechanism for Galley.”
Number | Date | Country | |
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60871037 | Dec 2006 | US |