U.S. patent application number 09/764209 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-13 for galley unit for aircraft.
This patent application is currently assigned to Jamco Corporation. Invention is credited to Kasuya, Toshihisa.
Application Number | 20010050519 09/764209 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18539712 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010050519 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kasuya, Toshihisa |
December 13, 2001 |
Galley unit for aircraft
Abstract
A galley unit 10 for an aircraft is equipped with a utility
mechanism (a counter equipment 20 and 200, a decorating wall 131B,
and a cabinet 60) provided to at least one wall surface of a box
body (closet) 13B, and a cover body (door member 30, cover member
70) with at least its outer wall surfaces made of a special
fireproof material. The cover bodies 30 and 70 are construed so as
to be movable between a first position for covering the wall
surface provided with said utility mechanism, and a second position
for opening the wall surface. When the cover bodies are in the
first position, outer wall surfaces of the galley unit are all
construed from special fireproof material, and the counters 20 and
200 are folded and stored to the side wall surface, and decorators
are stored inside the storage space inside the box body. The cover
bodies 30 and 70 could be folded, and when the cover bodies are in
the second position of being folded and stored to the side wall
surface of the box body, the counters 20, 200 or cabinet 60 are
moved and placed on the side wall surface.
Inventors: |
Kasuya, Toshihisa; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARMSTRONG, WESTERMAN, HATTORI
McLELAND & NAUGHTON
Suite 1000
1725 K Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20006
US
|
Assignee: |
Jamco Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
18539712 |
Appl. No.: |
09/764209 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/315 ;
312/310 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64D 11/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/315 ;
312/310 |
International
Class: |
A47B 077/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 20, 2000 |
JP |
2000-011917 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A galley unit for an aircraft configuring a storage space for
kitchenware inside a box body formed from ceiling surface and a
plurality of wall surfaces with the outer wall surfaces of the both
made of a special fireproof material, including: a utility
mechanism provided to at least one wall surface of the box body;
and a covering body for covering the wall surface provided with
said utility mechanism: wherein said cover body is made of a
special fireproof material at least at outer walls thereof, and is
composed so as to be movable between a first position for covering
the wall surface provided with said utility mechanism, and a second
position for opening said wall surface, so that all of the outer
wall surfaces of said galley unit are composed of special fireproof
material when said cover body is located in said first
position.
2. A galley unit for an aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said
utility mechanism is a counter equipment, a decorative wall, and/or
a decorative member.
3. A galley unit for an aircraft according to claims 1 or 2,
wherein said utility mechanism has the composition of being in a
position to be stored inside the storage space of said box body
when said cover is located in said first position, and moved and
arranged on a wall surface when said cover is located in said
second position.
4. A galley unit for an aircraft according to claim 2, wherein said
counter equipment is composed so as to be foldable.
5. A galley unit for an aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said
cover body is composed so as to be folded and stored to a side wall
surface on said box body side, when said cover body is located in
said second position.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention concerns a galley (kitchen) facility
provided inside an aircraft.
[0002] 1. Description of the Related Art
[0003] For materials used for interior decorations in an aircraft,
there are defined requirements on flame-retardant ability, fuming
ability and the like, that is, a fireproof regulation. Moreover,
for aircrafts carrying passengers of 20 or more, it is defined in a
flightworty examination procedure that materials satisfying a
special fireproof requisite must be used for linings for ceilings
and side walls, and outer shell of lavatories and the like that are
exposed to inner side of a cabin at least during takeoff and
landing.
[0004] As one of the requirements in this special requirement
regulation, there is provided a combustion characteristic in order
to prevent occurrence of fire in case of an aircrash and the
like.
[0005] This is a regulation concerning limits on peak heat value
and total heat value when heat energy is applied to a material.
Under this regulation, the peak heat value must be 65 KW/m.sup.2 or
less, and total heat value must be 65 Kw.about.min/m.sup.2 or
less.
[0006] This condition is applied to outer walls of a galley unit
provided inside an aircraft, for example.
[0007] In a conventional galley unit, fireproof materials
satisfying the fireproof requirements for general interior
decorations are used for interior decorations, but materials
satisfying the above-mentioned special fireproof regulation are
used for wall surfaces facing the cabin. The fireproof requirements
for general interior decorations are mild so that wide variety of
materials could be used, therefore decorating effect and the like
could be achieved. However, there are not so many materials
satisfying the special fireproof requirement.
[0008] On the other hand, there are provided passenger seats,
lavatory units, galley units and the like arranged in the small
closed space inside an aircraft without any elbowroom left.
Recently, with developments of engines or the like, aircrafts could
fly for a longer period of time, so that demand for a utility space
is increasing among users.
[0009] However, arranging an independent utility equipment inside
such limited space inside an aircraft leads to disadvantages such
as decrease in passenger seat space, increase in total weight and
the like, so that passengers were unable to receive a satisfactory
service.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention aims to provide a utility space
without reducing the space for passenger seats in an aircraft, by
providing utility function to a galley unit.
[0011] The galley unit for an aircraft according to the present
invention is equipped with a utility mechanism provided at least to
one wall surface of a box body, and a cover body made of material
satisfying the special fireproof requirement (hereinafter referred
to as special fireproof material) at least at outer wall surfaces
thereof, wherein the cover body is composed so as to be movable
between a first position for covering the wall provided with the
utility mechanism and a second position opening the wall surface,
so that all of the outer wall surfaces of the galley unit are
composed of special fireproof material when the cover body is
located in the first position.
[0012] Also, the utility mechanism is a counter equipment, a
decorative wall, and a decorative member or the like consisting of
a general fireproof material, and when the cover body is in the
first position, the counter equipment is folded and stored to the
side wall surface, and the decorating member is stored inside the
storage space inside the box body.
[0013] The cover body is composed so as to be foldable, and when
the cover body is in the second position of being folded and stored
to a side wall surface on said box body side, the counter equipment
or the decorating member is moved and arranged in a ready
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the galley unit
according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the galley unit
according to the present invention provided with a utility
function;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the side surface of
the galley unit;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of formation into the first
utility space;
[0018] FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of formation into the first
utility space;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first utility space;
[0020] FIG. 7 is an upper view of the first utility space;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line M-M in
FIG. 3;
[0022] FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the front side of the
galley unit;
[0023] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of formation into the second
utility space;
[0024] FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of formation into the second
utility space; and
[0025] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the second utility
space.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The mode for carrying out the present invention will be
explained referring to the drawings.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a galley unit according to
the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a galley
unit provided with a utility function.
[0028] A galley unit 10 is comprised of a box body formed of a
ceiling member 15 and side walls, and is equipped with a first
closet (box body) 11 for storing etceteras, and a second closet
(box body) 13 provided back to back with the first closet 11.
[0029] The outer walls of the first closet 11 are all comprised of
a special fireproof material satisfying the fireproof requirement
during takeoff and landing of an aircraft. For example, the special
fireproof material used herein is a composite material using phenol
resin (honeycomb panel) or the like.
[0030] The second closet 13 has a lower closet 13A for storing a
service cart, food and the like to the lower portion thereof, and
an upper closet 13B having a compartmented space for storing dishes
and the like through a counter 13C.
[0031] The ceiling 15 is made of special fireproof material at
least at the outer wall surfaces thereof. Also, an eaves portion
151 is projected toward the second closet 13.
[0032] One side surface of the upper closet 13B is covered with a
door member 30, and the front surface thereof is covered with a
cover member 70. The outer wall surface of the door member 30, and
the outer wall surface of the cover member 70 are made of special
fireproof material.
[0033] By opening the door member 30 and the cover member 70, the
galley unit 10 having a first utility space equipped with a bar
counter board 20, and a second utility space equipped with a bar
counter board 200, a cabinet 60 or the like could be formed, as is
shown in FIG. 2.
[0034] Next, an example of forming the first utility space will be
explained.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one side surface of the
galley unit 10, and FIGS. 4 through 7 are explanatory view of the
structure.
[0036] A side wall 131 of the second closet 13 is formed so that an
lower side wall 131A of the lower closet 13A forms a projecting
portion 131C projecting towards a side wall 131B of the upper
closet 13B in approximately the same size as the eaves portion 151
(size w).
[0037] A lighting device 15 is mounted to the wall surface of the
upper side wall 131B, and a lighting equipment 157 is mounted to
the eaves portion 151 of the ceiling projecting from the side wall
in order to illuminate downwardly.
[0038] The outer wall surfaces of the second closet 13 are made of
special fireproof material, excluding one side wall surface 131B of
the upper closet 13B.
[0039] Also, a counter board 20 is provided to the side wall 131 of
the second closet 13.
[0040] The counter board 20 has a length size H equal to the width
size of the side wall 131 of the second closet 13, and is equipped
with a first counter board 20A having width size W slightly larger
than the size w of the projecting portion 131C of the lower closet,
a second counter board 20B connected so as to be foldable to one
end of the first counter board 20A, and a third counter board 20C
connected so as to be foldable to the other end of the first
counter board 20A. One end edge of the first counter board 20A in
length direction is mounted to the side wall 131B of the upper
closet 13B so as to be rotatable with a fixture 21.
[0041] The counter board 20 thus construed could be stored
rotatably along the side wall 131B as having approximately width
size H of the side wall, by folding the second counter board 20B
centering on the first counter board 20A on top of the first
counter board 20A, and then folding and superimposing the third
counter board 20C on top of the first counter board 20A. An
ordinary fireproof material could be used on the side wall 131B and
the counter board 20, so that decorating effect could be
achieved.
[0042] Also, the second closet 13 is equipped with a door 30 for
covering the side wall surface. The door 30 has the length to cover
the whole surface of the side wall 131B of the upper closet of the
second closet 13, such as the space between the eaves portion 151
of the ceiling 15 to the side wall 131A of the lower closet 13B,
and has a first door 30A for covering the edge of the projecting
portion 131C of the side wall 131A of the lower closet 13B, a
second through fourth door 30B, 30C and 30D for covering the width
direction of the side wall 131B, and a fifth door 30E for covering
the other end surface of the projecting portion 131C of the lower
closet 13B. The first door 30A through fifth door 30E has the
composition of being connected so as to be foldable, and are folded
and stored in parallel to the side wall of the first closet 11 when
not in need (this position will be called the second position). The
door 30 is made of a special fireproof material at least at outer
walls thereof.
[0043] The use of the galley unit 10 thus construed will be
explained below.
[0044] When the galley unit 10 is used as a utility space
[0045] The door 30 is folded and stored in the second position, and
the sidewall 131B of the second closet 13 is exposed. Next, the
second counter board 20B of the counter board 20 is opened in the
arrow X direction, and the third counter board 30C is opened in the
arrow Y direction so as to form one continuous counter board 20.
Then, the counter board 20 is rotated in the arrow Z direction and
rested on top of the projecting portion 131C of the lower closet
13B. By forming an concave portion 25 to the third counter board
20C as is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, interference of the counter board
20 and the folded door 30 could be avoided.
[0046] By lighting the illumination 17 and the lighting equipment
157, a bright counter could be formed. Also, the time when the
utility space becomes needed is during level flight when the
fireproof requisite of an aircraft is not required, so that
ordinary fireproof material having decorative effect could be used
on side wall surface 131B and the counter board 20. Therefore, a
mood as a utility space could be created.
[0047] During takeoff and landing
[0048] The counter board 20 is folded, rotated centering on the
fixture 21, and stored to the side wall 131B of the upper closet.
Then, the door 30 is closed so as to cover the space between the
ceiling 15 and the side wall 131A of the lower closet (this
condition of the door will be called the first position).
[0049] The outer surface of the door 30 is made of special
fireproof material, so that when the door 30 is in the first
position, all of the wall surfaces of the side surfaces of the
galley unit 10 facing the cabin is covered by special fireproof
material indicated by hatching, as is shown in FIG. 8.
[0050] As is seen from the example, the galley unit 10 forming the
first utility space is covered at all the outer walls of the unit
10 with special fireproof material, when the special fireproof
regulation is required for aircraft during takeoff and landing. In
a condition where the special requirement during takeoff and
landing is cleared, a utility space formed with a bar counter by
opening and storing the door 30 in the second position, and opening
the counter board 20 folded and stored could be obtained.
[0051] In the present embodiment, a counter board of three-fold
shape is shown. However, the folding shape of the counter could be
changed freely according to its length and its desired shape. Also,
a folded style door is shown, but it could be an accordion type if
the outer wall surface thereof is made of a special fireproof
material.
[0052] Next, the example of forming the second utility space will
be explained.
[0053] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the front surface of the
galley unit 10, and FIGS. 10 through 12 are explanatory view of the
structure.
[0054] The upper closet 13B of the galley unit 10 is equipped with
a plurality of storage compartments. In one of a block 50 of the
upper close 13B, there is stored a cabinet 60 as a decorating
member horizontally to the depth direction of the upper closet 13B.
The decorating members, compartment surfaces and the like are
construed from fireproof material required for a general interior
decoration.
[0055] The cabinet 60 is comprised of a base plate 61, a plurality
of shelves 63 projecting to the base plate 61, and a cover portion
65 for covering these, and is pulled out from the storage in the
direction vertical to the wall surface, in the arrow S direction.
Next, by rotating to the direction in parallel to the wall surface,
in the arrow T direction, the cabinet 60 could be arranged along
the wall surface of the upper closet 13B. The cabinet 60 is
connected to the inner wall of the closet when storing the same.
Also, by having the composition of connecting the upper end of the
base plate 61 of the cabinet 60 to the end portion of the upper
closet 13B, the cabinet 60 could be fixed to the upper closet 13B
surface, so that dropping of the cabinet from tilting or vibrating
of the aircraft body could be prevented.
[0056] Moreover, by composing the cover portion 65 of the cabinet
60 with a transparent body, the decorating effect is improved when
glasses, bottles or the like are placed on top of inner shelves 63,
so that presentation as a utility space could be achieved.
[0057] Also, the counter 13C projecting vertically from the wall
surface is provided between the lower closet 13A and the upper
closet 13B. Furthermore, a space is formed between the counter 13C
and the lower closet 13A, and a counter board 200 is inserted
thereto. The counter board 200 is made of outer walls having
decorating effect. When providing utility function to the galley
unit 10, the counter board 200 is pulled out in arrow V direction
along the counter 13C. By resting the counter 200 on top of the
counter 13C, the counter 13C corrupted from use could be covered
with the counter 200 so that decorating effect could be improved.
Also, by providing lighting equipments to the eaves portion 151 of
the ceiling 15, effect as a utility space could be improved.
Obviously, the counter board 200 is fixed to the closet or the
counter by a suitable fixing method when stored or rested on the
counter.
[0058] A cover board 70 is stored in another side wall 132B of the
upper closet 13B.
[0059] The cover board 70 is construed from a board with its outer
surface made from special fireproof material. A plurality of cover
boards 70 is connected with a plurality of connectors 71 such as a
hinge or the like, so as to be foldable. One cover board 70 pulled
out and connected has the composition of having the length covering
the front surface of the upper closet 13B.
[0060] When the function as the second utility space is finished,
the cabinet 60 is stored inside the compartment 50 of the upper
closet 13B, and the counter board 200 is stored in the space
between the lower closet 13A and the counter 13C. Then, cover
boards 70 are pulled out in the arrow W direction, so as to cover
between the ceiling 15 and the counter 13C (the cover board is in
the first position).
[0061] The galley unit 10 shown in the present example covers the
front surface of the galley unit 10 by arranging the cover boards
70 with its outer walls made of special fireproof material in the
first position, under fireproof regulation during takeoff and
landing. When using the galley unit as a kitchen facility, it could
be used normally by opening and storing the cover boards 70 to the
side surface (the cover boards are in the second position). Also,
when providing a utility function, the counter board 200 is pulled
out and rested on the counter 13C, and the cabinet 60 is pulled out
and provided to the upper closet 13B surface.
[0062] As is mentioned above, the galley unit 10 shown in the
present example uses half of the peripheral edge of the galley unit
as a counter portion, and also to provide decorating member or as a
decorating wall surface. Also, all of the wall surfaces are covered
with covering members such as the door and the cover board and the
like made of special fireproof material at outer surfaces thereof
during takeoff and landing, so that regulations for aircrafts could
be satisfied.
[0063] The galley unit 10 could provide new service without
decreasing passenger seats or other spaces.
[0064] The galley unit of the present invention could form a
utility space while satisfying the regulations of the flightworthy
examination procedure of an aircraft, as well as without decreasing
the space of the passenger seats or increasing the overall
weight.
* * * * *