Patent Application
20240400276
Examples of the present disclosure generally relate to systems and methods for indicating tampering of a container, such as a life vest box secured to a seat within an internal cabin of an aircraft.
Commercial aircraft are used to transport passengers between various locations. Typically, each passenger seat within an internal cabin is equipped with a life preserver vest (“life vest”) stored in a box mounted underneath a seat pan, cushion, or the like. Certain regulations, such as promulgated by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), require that life preservers or storage locations for life vests must be designed so that tampering is evident.
In general, life vest boxes are required to be easily visible after installation, and include an indication of tampering. Further, manipulation of an indication of tampering to make it appear as it has not been tampered must be prevented.
Known security devices for life vest boxes include plastic padlocks, and plastic stickers. Both types provide security. However, the padlocks typically require a piece of plastic to be broken (for example, sheared), which increases the difficulty of opening a door of the life vest box. In contrast, the stickers offer little resistance to opening the door of the life vest box, but may not provide clear and readily visible of tampering.
A need exists for an efficient and effective system and method for indicating tampering of a container, such as a life vest box within an internal cabin of a vehicle.
With that need in mind, certain examples of the present disclosure provide a system for indicating tampering of a container. The system includes a base configured to be secured to a door of the container. A retainer is configured to be secured to a portion of a housing of the container. A tamper indicator includes a flag coupled to the base, and a tether extending from the flag. The tether is coupled to the retainer. The tether includes a weakened area that is configured to break to separate the flag from the base in response to the door of the container being opened.
In at least one example, the base is configured to be secured to a front face of the door of the container. In at least one example, the portion of the housing of the container is an outer surface of a top wall of the housing.
In at least one example, the flag coupled to the base provides an undisturbed indication. Conversely, the base without the flag provides a tampered indication.
In at least one example, the container is a life vest box for an internal cabin of a vehicle. The life vest box can be secured to a seat within the internal cabin.
In at least one example, the base includes a panel, and retaining cuffs outwardly extending from the panel. Each of the retaining cuffs includes an extension beam outwardly extending from the panel, and a retainer beam downwardly extending from the extension beam. A slot is defined between the panel, the extension beam, and the retainer beam. A passage separates the retaining cuffs. The flag is secured by the panel and the retaining cuffs, and a portion of the tether extends upwardly through the passage. In at least one example, a front face of the panel includes an indication message denoting tampering.
In at least one example, the retainer includes a tether housing having an inlet channel and an outlet channel opposite from the inlet channel. A portion of the tether is secured within the tether housing.
In at least one example, the tether includes a ratchet segment. The ratchet segment is configured to be moveably secured to the retainer. The ratchet segment includes teeth that cooperate with reciprocal teeth of the retainer.
Certain examples of the present disclosure provide a container including a housing defining an internal compartment for storing one or more items. A door is moveably coupled to the container. The door is configured to be moved from a closed position, in which the internal compartment is closed, and an open position, in which the internal compartment is accessible. The container also includes a system for indicating tampering of the container, as described herein.
Certain examples of the present disclosure provide a vehicle including an internal cabin, a seat within the internal cabin, and a life vest box secured to the seat. The life vest box includes a housing defining an internal compartment for storing a life vest. A door is moveably coupled to the life vest box. The door is configured to be moved from a closed position, in which the internal compartment is closed, and an open position, in which the internal compartment is accessible. The vehicle also includes a system for indicating tampering of the life vest box, as described herein.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain examples will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not necessarily excluding the plural of the elements or steps. Further, references to “one example” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional examples that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, examples “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular condition can include additional elements not having that condition.
In at least one example, the system 102 is separately formed from the container 100, and is mounted onto the container 100, such as by one or more fasteners, adhesives, and/or the like. In at least one other example, the system 102 is integrally formed with the portions of the container 100.
The system 102 includes a base 110 secured on a front face 112 of the door 108, and a retainer 114 secured on an outer surface 116 of a top wall 118 of the housing 104. Optionally, the retainer 114 can be secured on a lateral wall 120 or a bottom wall 122 of the housing 104. The system 102 also includes a tamper indicator 124 coupled to the base 110 and the retainer 114.
The tamper indicator 124 includes a flag 126 and a tether 128 extending from the flag 126. The tether 128 includes a weakened area 130, such as one or more perforations, a cut, a recessed area, a thinned location, and/or the like. The flag 126 is disposed within the base 110, and the tether 128 extends upwardly through a passage 132 of the base 110. The tether 128 extends upwardly over the front face 112 of the door 108 and is secured by the retainer 114. In at least one example, the tether 128 can abut into (and/or extend parallel to) the front face 112 such that there is no slack in the tether 128 between the base 110 and the retainer 114.
In operation, when the door 108 is closed and the tamper indicator 124 is initially secured to the base 110 and the retainer 114, the tether 128 securely holds the flag 126 within the base 110. The flag 126 being visible within the base 110 provides an indication that the container 100 has not been opened, and therefore the contents therein have not been disturbed. Thus, the flag 126 visible within the base 110 provides an undisturbed indication.
In contrast, when the door 108 is opened, the tether 128 outwardly bends and breaks at the weakened area 130. As the tether 128 breaks at the weakened area 130, the flag 126 falls downwardly out of the base 110 in the direction of arrow A. As such, the flag 126 is no longer within the base 110. The flag 126 out of the base 110 (that is, the base 110 having no flag 126) indicates that the container 100 has been opened, and that the contents therein may have been disturbed. In this manner, the base 110 without the flag 126 provides a tampered indication.
In at least one example, the container 100 is a life vest box for an internal cabin of a vehicle. In this example, the item stored within the compartment 106 is a life vest. As another example, the container 100 is a stowage bin assembly within an internal cabin of a vehicle. In such an example, the container 100 can store an item such as a fire extinguisher, self-defense devices, and/or the like. As another example, the container 100 is a closet. As another example, the container 100 is a safe box, which can be used to store items such as valuables, guns, and/or the like. The aforementioned examples are non-limiting. The container 100 can be used in various environments and settings, in which there is a need to evince potential tampering.
As described herein, the system 102 for indicating tampering of the container 100 includes the base 110 base configured to be secured to the front face 112 of the door 108 of the container 100. The retainer 114 is configured to be secured to a portion of the housing 104 (such as on the outer surface 116 of the top wall 118) of the container 100. The tamper indicator 124 includes the flag 126 coupled to the base 110, and the tether 128 extending from the flag 126. The tether 128 is coupled to the retainer 114. The tether 128 includes the weakened area 130 that is configured to break to separate the flag 126 from the base 110 in response to the door 108 of the container 100 being opened.
The fuselage 218 of the aircraft 200 defines an internal cabin 230, which includes a flight deck or cockpit, one or more work sections (for example, galleys, personnel carry-on baggage areas, and the like), one or more passenger sections (for example, first class, business class, and coach sections), one or more lavatories, and/or the like.
Referring to
Optionally, instead of an aircraft, examples of the present disclosure may be used with various other vehicles, such as automobiles, buses, locomotives and train cars, watercraft, and the like. Also, optionally, instead of a vehicle, examples of the present disclosure can be used with fixed structures, such as commercial and residential buildings.
Referring to
The seats 240 include a base 260, which may include legs 262 that may be secured to seat tracks within an internal cabin. In at least one example, securing studs (such as shear studs) downwardly extend from lower surfaces of the base 260. The securing studs are securely retained within the seat tracks of the floor 238. The seat tracks are configured to securely couple to the securing studs to secure the seat 240 in place. The base 260 supports a seat pan 270 and a backrest 272, which includes a headrest 274. Armrests may be pivotally secured to the backrest 272.
The seats 240 may be sized and shaped differently than shown in
In at least one example, the container 100 is secured to the seat 240. For example, the container 100 is mounted to an underside of the seat pan 270. In this example, the container 100 is a life vest box configured to store a life vest.
Referring to
Referring to
The tether 128 extends upwardly from the top edge 166. The tether 128 includes an extension segment 168 and a ratchet segment 170 extending from the extension segment 166 opposite from the tab 171. The extension segment 168 includes the weakened area 130. In at least one example, the weakened area 130 is a hole 172 formed through a portion of the extension segment 168. As another example, the weakened area 130 can be or otherwise include a partial perforation. As another example, the weakened area 130 can be one or otherwise include or more partial cuts. As another example, the weakened area 130 can be or otherwise include one or more recesses. As another example, the weakened area 130 can be or otherwise include portions that are thinner (that is, less thick) than other portions of the extension segment 168.
The ratchet segment 170 includes teeth 174 that are configured to cooperate with reciprocal teeth within the tether housing 162 of the retainer 114 (shown in
In at least one example, the flag 126 can be a different color than the base 110, to provide a readily visible contrast therebetween. For example, the flag 126 can be red, and the base 110 can be grey or black. Optionally, the flag 126 and the base 110 can be the same color. As another example, the front face of the panel 144 can include an indication message such as via text, a graphic or the like denoting tampering. For example, the message can be text stating “tampered.” Thus, when the flag 126 overlays the panel 144, the message, but when the flag 126 drops out of the base 110, the message is visible.
Further, the disclosure comprises examples according to the following clauses:
Clause 1. A system for indicating tampering of a container, the system comprising:
Clause 2. The system of Clause 1, wherein the base is configured to be secured to a front face of the door of the container.
Clause 3. The system of Clauses 1 or 2, wherein the portion of the housing of the container is an outer surface of a top wall of the housing.
Clause 4. The system of any of Clauses 1-3, wherein the flag coupled to the base provides an undisturbed indication, and wherein the base without the flag provides a tampered indication.
Clause 5. The system of any of Clauses 1-4, wherein the container is a life vest box for an internal cabin of a vehicle, and wherein the life vest box is secured to a seat within the internal cabin.
Clause 6. The system of any of Clauses 1-5, wherein the base comprises:
Clause 7. The system of Clause 6, wherein a front face of the panel includes an indication message denoting tampering.
Clause 8. The system of any of Clauses 1-7, wherein the retainer comprises a tether housing having an inlet channel and an outlet channel opposite from the inlet channel, and wherein a portion of the tether is secured within the tether housing.
Clause 9. The system of any of Clauses 1-8, wherein the tether comprises a ratchet segment, wherein the ratchet segment is configured to be moveably secured to the retainer, wherein the ratchet segment comprises teeth that cooperate with reciprocal teeth of the retainer.
Clause 10. A container comprising:
Clause 11. The container of Clause 10, wherein the base is secured to a front face of the door of the container.
Clause 12. The container of Clauses 10 or 11, wherein the portion of the housing of the container is an outer surface of a top wall of the housing.
Clause 13. The container of any of Clauses 10-12, wherein the flag coupled to the base provides an undisturbed indication, and wherein the base without the flag provides a tampered indication.
Clause 14. The container of any of Clauses 10-13, wherein the container is a life vest box for an internal cabin of a vehicle, and wherein the life vest box is secured to a seat within the internal cabin.
Clause 15. The container of any of Clauses 10-14, wherein the base comprises:
Clause 16. The container of Clause 15, wherein a front face of the panel includes an indication message denoting tampering.
Clause 17. The container of any of Clauses 10-16, wherein the retainer comprises a tether housing having an inlet channel and an outlet channel opposite from the inlet channel, and wherein a portion of the tether is secured within the tether housing.
Clause 18. The container of any of Clauses 10-17, wherein the tether comprises a ratchet segment, wherein the ratchet segment is configured to be moveably secured to the retainer, wherein the ratchet segment comprises teeth that cooperate with reciprocal teeth of the retainer.
Clause 19. A vehicle comprising:
Clause 20. The vehicle of Clause 19, wherein the base is secured to a front face of the door of the life vest box, wherein the portion of the housing of the life vest box is an outer surface of a top wall of the housing, wherein the flag coupled to the base provides an undisturbed indication, and wherein the base without the flag provides a tampered indication.
As described herein, examples of the present disclosure provide efficient and effective systems and methods for indicating tampering of a container, such as a life vest box within an internal cabin of a vehicle.
While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front and the like can be used to describe examples of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations can be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.
As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is “configured to” perform a task or operation is particularly structurally formed, constructed, or adapted in a manner corresponding to the task or operation. For purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, an object that is merely capable of being modified to perform the task or operation is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as used herein.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (and/or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various examples of the disclosure without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various examples of the disclosure, the examples are by no means limiting and are exemplary examples. Many other examples will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various examples of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims and the detailed description herein, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first.” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
This written description uses examples to disclose the various examples of the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various examples of the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various examples of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
