GB2169256A - Aircraft cabin - Google Patents

Abstract

An aircraft cabin comprising a main floor (2) and a suspended mezzanine floor (3) overlying the main floor (2) and connected with the fuselage (1) with the aid of a support structure. The support structure of the mezzanine floor (3) is made up of blocks braced with respect to the fuselage (1), each block including a horizontally extending beam (7) having one end detachably connected with the fuselage (1) and its other end connected with the mezzanine floor (3), and a suspension member (8) of an adjustable length, having one end pivotally connected with the beam (7) and its other end detachably connected with the fuselage (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Aircraft cabin The present invention relates to the design of aircraft, and more particularly it relates to aircraft cabins.

The invention can be used most effectively in aircraft, e.g. airplanes intended for carrying both cargo and passengers.

The essence of the present invention resides in an aircraft cabin comprising a main floor and a mezzanine floor overlying the main floor and connected with the fuselage by means of a support structure, in which cabin, in accordance with the invention, the support structure of the mezzanine floor is made up of blocks braced with respect to the fuselage, each block including a horizontally extending beam having one its end detachably secured to the fuselage and the other end connected with the mezzanine floor, and. a suspension member of an adjustable length, having one its end pivotally connected with the beam and the other end detachably connected with the fuselage.

It is expedient that the bracing of the blocks should be effected with the aid of rods, each rod having one its end pivotally connected with the respective beam and its other end detachably secured to the fuselage, the rods having adjustable lengths.

This bracing enhances the rigidity of the structure and facilitates connection of the beams with the fuselage, with the beams extending parallel to one another, perpendicularly to the fuselage.

It is not less expedient that each pair of the blocks should be braced with the aid of two rods of adjustable lengths, the rods having one pair of their respective ends pivotally interconnected at one beam, and their opposite ends detachably connected, respectively, with the other beam and with the fuselage, the beams of the blocks being uniformly spaced.

This bracing permits to reduce the amount of joints of the rods with the fuselage, and thus to cut the time required for assembly and disassembly of the blocks of the support structure.

It may be practical to have the connection of the suspension member with the fuselage in the form of a rail attached to the fuselage and a carriage with rollers, supported by the upper end of the suspension member, the rollers bearing upon the rail.

This construction likewise cuts the time required for assembly and disassembly of the blocks of the support structure.

The rail is preferably made up lengthwise of individual sections detachably connected to one another, each section being also detachably connected with the fuselage, with a rod of an adjustable length being mounted between the fuselage and the carriage.

This construction allows for increasing the internal height of the cabin, which is essential when the latter accommodates bulky pieces of cargo.

It is expedient that the mezzanine floor should be connected with the beams of the blocks with the aid of vertical panels braced with respect to the beams by rods of adjustable lengths.

This allows, while having a substantially lower mid-section of the fuselage, to provide headroom of sufficient height both on the main floor and on the mezzanine one.

It is essential to have horizontal panels placed on the beams and on the vertical panels, having lugs with openings at their sides opposite to the sides bearing upon the vertical panels, each beam carrying a part having slots adapted to receive the lugs of the adjoining horizontal panels and openings for connection of the lugs with the part with a fastener, the part also having an ear for pivotal connection of the beam with the suspension member and the rods.

This allows for increasing the useful area of the mezzanine floor for either supporting cargo or carrying passengers, while the attachment of the horizontal panels to the part on the beam and their arrangement on the vertical panels facilitate the assembly and disassembly procedure and cuts the preflight preparation time of the aircraft.

It is practical that each horizontal panel should have shoulders at the ends thereof, the beams having attached thereto elements cooperating with the shoulders to limit the displacement of the horizontal panel.

This allows for speeding up the assembly of the horizontal panels when the latter are made of a relatively small width.

It is expedient to have elements serving as a support for the backs of passengers mounted on the pairs of adjacent suspension members and with each suspension member and with the support for the backs of passengers are pivotally connected struds, each suspension member having also mounted thereon a strut of an adjstable length, the other ends of the struts being detachably connected with the respective beam.

This provides for using the horizontal panels as seats when the aircraft is used for carrying passengers.

It is essential that the horizontal panels should have attached thereto a means for fastening seat belts, with guards provided at the ends of the horizontal panels, secured at one side to the beam jointly with the vertical panels and at the opposite side - to the part jointly with the lug of the horizontal panel, the front guard in the flight direction being an elongated one.

This enhances substantially the safety of passengers seated on the horizontal panels.

An aircraft cabin constructed in accordance with the invention allows for conducting within relatively short time the assembly of the mezzanine floor of the blocks forming the sections in any modification of the floor. Furthermore, with the mezzanine floor being of the suspension type, the performance capabilities of the aircraft are broadened and its operational efficiency is enhanced, while storage of components of the mezzanine floor in depots or warehoses is facilitated.

Given hereinbelow is a description of an embodi mentofthe invention with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a side schematic view of an aircraft cabin embodying the invention, with the suspension mezzanine floor extending the entire length of the cabin; Figure 2 shows the same as Figure 1 in a plan view, with the mezzanine floor occupying only the front part of the cabin; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line Ill-Ill of Figure 1; Figure 4 illustrates attachment of the beam to the fuselage; Figure 5illustrates attachment of the rods to the beam and to the fuselage; Figure 6 is a side view illustrating the arrangement of the suspension mezzanine floor in the front and rear parts of the cabin; Figure 7 shows one version of the bracing of each block;; Figures illustrates attachment of the suspension member to the fuselage; Figure 9 shows on a larger scale a view taken along arrow line A in Figure 8; Figure 10 shows a beam with members for limiting the travel of the horizontal panels, the latter having the shoulders; Figure 11 illustrates attachment of the beam and of the vertical panels; Figure 12 is a plan view of the beam with the part for securing the suspension member and the rods; Figure 13 is a side view of Figure 12; Figure 14 shows on a smaller scale the sectional view taken on line XIV-XIV of Figure 10; Figure 15 shows guard panels mounted on the beam and on the horizontal panel; Figure 16 illustrates the joint of the beam with the strut of the suspension member; Figure 17 illustrates attachment of seat belts to the horizontal panel;; Figure 18 illustrates in a cross-sectional view the arrangement of passenger seats; Figure 19 shows the beam with the suspension member and rods in the folded up storage position.

The aircraft cabin is defined by the aircraft body or fuselage 1 (Figure 1) accommodating a main floor 2 and a mezzanine floor 3 extending longitudinally of the fuselage 1. Passenger stops 4 adjoin the face ends of the mezzanine floor 3. The mezzanine floor 3 overlies the main floor 2 and is connected with the fuselage 1 with the aid of the support structure 5.

The support structure 5 of the mezzanine floor 3 is made of blocks 6 braced with respect to the fuselage 1.

Each block 6 includes a horizontally extending beam 7 (Figures 2 and 3) and a suspension member 8 (Figure 1) connecting the beam 7 with the ceiling of the fuselage 1.The beam 7 has one its end detachably connected with the fuselage 1, the connection including a bracket 9 (Figure 4) with an ear, fast with the fuselage 1. The beam 7 ends in a bifurcated member 10 (Figure 5) with an opening made through its prongs. The ear of the bracket 9 is received in the bifurcated member 10 so that their respective openings are axially aligned and connectable with a dowel 11 affording easy and quick detachment of the beam 7 from the fuselage 1. The other end of the beam 7 is detachably connected with the mezzanine floor 3. This joint will be described in more detail below.

In the embodiment being described a pair of blocks 6 (Figure 2) forms one set either the r.h. or the l.h. one with respect to the centre line - braced with the aid of two braces or rods 12 (Figure 5) and 13. The rods 12 and 13 have one pair of their respective ends connected through pivots 14 and 15 with the beam 7. The other end of the rod 12 is connected with the other beam 7 (Figure 2) of the same set, while the other end of the rod 13 is connected with the fuselage 1 (Figures 2 and 5). The joints between these other ends of the rods 12 (Figure 5) and 13, respectively, with the beam 7 and with the fuselage 1 are similar to the joint between the beam 7 and the fuselage 1, which has been described above.The rods 12 and 13 are of a design permitting adjustment of their lengths, having at their ends the tips 16 connected with the rods 12 and 13 proper through threaded joints, which permits to set the beams 7 perpendicularly to the fuselage 1 and parallel to one another.

In another modification shown in Figure 7, the bracing of each block 6a is done with the aid of a rod 12a. One end of the rod 12a is pivotally connected with the beam 7, while the other end is connected with the fuselage 1 in a joint similar to the abovedescribed connection of the beam 7 with the fuselage 1.

The rods 1 2a are also of adjustable lengths, either of the design described above or of any other known per se suitable design.

The brackets 9 are uniformly spaced longitudinally of the fuselage 1 (Figures 2 and 5) throughout the length of the cabin, to accommodate the blocks 6 of the support structure 5 (Figure 1). This arrangement of the brackets 9 allows for setting the blocks 6 in various patterns, e.g. over the entire length of the cabin as shown in Figure 1, or only in the front part of the cabin, as illustrated in Figure 2, or in both the front and rear parts of the cabin, as shown in Figure 6.

Other arrangements of the blocks 6 and of the mezzanine floor 3 are also possible.

The connection of each suspension member 8 with the fuselage 1 includes a rail 17 (Figure 1) attached to the fuselage 1 and a carriage 18 (Figures 8 and 9) mounted on the upper end of the suspension member 8 and cooperating with the rail 17. The latter in the embodiment being described is an I-beam, with the carriage 18 having its rollers 19 bearing upon the bottom flange of this I-beam. The rollers 19 have a diameter substantially smaller than the spacing of the top and bottom flanges of the rail 17, the carriage 18 having a flange 18a adapted to engage the bottom side of the bottom flange of the rail 17, for transmitting upwardly directed loads to this rail 17.

The rail 17 is made up longitudinally of successive sections 17a (Figure 9) detachably connected with one another and with the fuselage 1. For attaching a section 17a of the rail 17 to the fuselage 1, the former has a hook fastened thereto; while the fuselage 1 has a bracket 21 with an ear adapted to be engaged by the hook 20.

For connecting the successive sections 17a of the rail 17 to one another, one end of each section 17a carries an ear 22, and the opposite end carries a bifurcated member 23 with through-going openings.

To interconnect the successive sections 17a, the ear 22 of one of them is engaged in the bifurcated member 23 of the adjoining section and connected therewith with a dowel 24 affording quick detachment. The sections 17a of the rail 17 are connected with the fuselage 1 in a manner similar to the abovedescribed connection of the beams 7 with the fuselage 1.

The suspension member 8 in the area of the arrangement of the carriage 18 is connected with the fuselage 1 with the aid of a rod 25 of an adjustable length attached to the fuselage 1 and to the suspension member 8 with the aid of joints similar to the joint between the rods 12 and 13 for bracing the beams 7. In another modification, the suspension member 8a (Figure 3) is attached to the fuselage 1 in a manner similar to the abovedescribed attachment of the beam 7 to the fuselage 1.

The suspension member may be detachably connected to the fuselage in any other suitable known per se manner.

The mezzanine floor 3 (Figures 2,3) is made of successive adjoining panels 3a (Figure 7) connected to the beams 7 of the blocks 6 through vertical panels 26 (Figure 10). The vertical panels 26 are pivotally joined with the panels 3a of the mezzanine floor 3 and braced with respect to the beam 7 with a rod 27 (Figure 3) of an adjustable length. The joints of the rod 27 with the beam 7 and with the vertical panel 26 are similar to the joints between the rods 12, 13, on the one hand, and the beams 7 and the fuselage 1, on the other.

The end of the beam 7 (Figures 10, 11) opposite to that connected with the fuselage 1 carries a comblike element 28 with uniformly arranged slots 28a and axially aligned openings. The vertical panel 26 is provided with an ear 29 receivable in one of the slots 28a in this comb-like element 28. Another slot 28a of the comb-like element 28 receives the ear 29 of the adjacent vertical panel 26. A fastening member, e.g.

a dowel 30 is inserted into the aligned openings in the comb-like element 28 and in the respective ears 29, which allows for relatively quick detachment of the joint.

Horizontal panels 31 (Figures 11,12) are laid onto the beams 7 and the vertical panels 26, having lugs 32 Figure 12) with openings at their sides opposite to those bearing onto the vertical panels 26, whereas each beam 7 is fast with a part 33. The latter has slots 34 adapted to receive the respective lugs 32 of the adjoining horizontal panels 31, an ear 35 (Figures 12, 13) for pivotal connection of the suspension member 8 with the beam 7, and an ear 36 for joining the rod 12 to the beam 7.

The slots 34 in the part 33 are defined by partitions 37 through which axially aligned openings are made to receive a fastening member, e.g. a dowel 38 joining the part 33 to the lug 32 of the horizontal panel 31, in which way the beam 7 is joined with the horizontal panel 31.

The ear 35 of the part 33 is secured to the suspension member 8 with a threaded fastening couple - a screw 39 and a nut 40, while the ear 36 is joined with the rod 12 with a quick-release dowel 41.

The beam 7 and the part 33 are joined with fasteners 42 (Figure 13), with a rigidity element 43 provided in the joint area.

In embodiments where the horizontal panels 31 are of a relatively small width, each panel 31 has shoulders 44 (Figures 10 and 14) on its lengthwise ends for cooperation with displacement-limiting elements 45 on the respective beams 7, to restrict the motion of the horizontal panel 31.

Each adjacent pair of the suspension members 8 (Figure 15) and 8a (Figure 3) carries elements 46 (Figures 3, 15) serving as the supports for the backs of passengers carried on the horizontal panels 31, these suspension members 8 and 8a and the elements 46 being reinforced with struts 47 and 48 (Figure 15), respectively, the struts 46 being of adjustable lengths.

One end of the strut 47 (Figure 16) is detachably joined to the beam 7 with the aid of a member 49 fast with the beam 7, while the other end of the strut 47 is pivotally connected to the suspension member 8 in a joint similar to that between the rod 12 and the beam 7. The strut 48 has one its end pitovally joined to the element 46 and its other end detachably connected with the ear 50 (Figure 12) of the part 33. This connection is similar to that between the rod 12 and the part 33.

The horizontal panels 31 have suitable means 51 (Figure 17) secured thereon for fastening seat belts 52 for passengers. Guards 53 (Figure 15) and 54 mounted at their ends, secured to the beam 7, at one side, jointly with the vertical panels 26, and at the other side, jointly with the respective lug 32 (Figure 12) ofthe horizontal panel 31. For this purpose the guards 53 (Figure 15) and 54 are provided with feet 55 of a shape complementary to that of the slots 34 in the part 33, with an opening for being secured jointly with the lug 32 with the aid of the dowel 38.

Other feet 56 are shaped to fit the slots 28a (Figure 11) ofthecombe-like element 28, with an opening for being secured with the dowel 30, jointly with the vertical panel 26.

The guards 53 (Figure 15) are elongated to protect passengers' legs at relatively high g-loads in flight.

To enhance passengers' comfort, panels 57 (Figure 18) are laid on the main floor 2, provided with means (not shown) for securing these panels 57 to the main floor 2 and for supporting passengers seats 58, which may be of any suitable known per se structure. The horizontal panels 31a of the mezzanine (suspension) floor 3, having the width corresponding to the length of the respective beams 7, also have secured thereto means (not shown) for mounting passengers' seats 58.

In embodiments where the vertical panel 26 is of a relatively great height, a step 59 can be provided to make it easier for the passengers to ascend onto the horizontal panel 31a.

To facilitate storage, each block 6 (Figure 19) incorporating its beam 7, rod 12 (or rods 12 and 13), suspension member 8 with the carriage 18 and the rod 25 thereon, as well as the strut 47, is arranged into a complete storable unit tied with belts 60,61.

The support structure of the mezzanine floor is erected in the cabin of an aircraft in the following sequence.

When the aircraft is to be used for purely passenger service, the mezzanine floor 3 is assembled over the cabin's entire length, with the rails 17 mounted in the cabin parallel to the centre line. The hooks 20 of each section 17a are inserted into the openings of the brackets 21, whereafter the sections 1 7a are joined to one another and to the fuselage 1 with the aid of the dowels 24 inserted into the openings of the bifurcated member 23 on one end of each section 17a and of the ear 22 on the adjoning end of the successive section 17a, and into the ear of the respective bracket (not shown) of the fuselage 1.

The blocks 6 are then mounted on the rails 17 installed in the cabin, by guiding the rollers 19 of the carriage 18 on the suspension member 8 between the flanges of the respective I-shaped rail 17. The blocks 6 are arranged at the points of their attachment to the fuselage 1. Then the bifurcated end 10 of each beam 7 is set onto the ear of the respective bracket 10, and connected therewith with the dowel 11. The rod 13 is joined to the fuselage 1, and the rod 12 is joined with the beam 7 of the adjacent block 6.

The ears 29 of the vertical panels 26 are inserted into the slots of the comb-like elements 28 on the opposite ends of the respective adjacent beams 7, and secured with the dowels 30, each panel 3a of the mezzanine floor 3 having been joined in advance with the vertical panels 26 (the r.h. and l.h. ones).

Whenever necessary, the lengths of the rods 12 and 13, and of the suspension members 8 are adjusted to ensure that each beam 7 is perpendicular to the fuselage 1, and that the beams 7 run parallel to one another The rod 27 of each vertical panel 26 is joined to the beam 7, and the rod 25 of each carriage 18 is joined to the fuselage 1, whereafter the rods 25 and 27 are interconnected in a manner described hereinabove for the rods 12 and 13.

The steps or stairways 4 are mounted at the ends of the suspension mezzanine floor 3 and secured to the latter in any suitable known per se manner.

The horizontal panels 31 are laid onto the beams 7 and onto the vertical panels 26, the means 51 for fastening the seat belts 52 having been secured on them in advance. The lugs 32 of the horizontal panels 31 are put into the slots 34 of the respective parts 33 and connected with the partitions 37 of these parts 33 with the aid of the dowels 38. The shoulders 44 of each horizontal panel 31 are put under the limiting elements 45.

The elements 46 are mounted on the suspension members 8 and the ends of the respective struts 47 and 48 are joined each beam 7.

Guards 53 and 54 are set at the lateral ends of the mezzanine floor 3 thus assembled, their respective feet 56 being inserted in the slots 28a of the comb-like elements 28 and feet 55 and in the slots 34 of the respective parts 33, and secured with a single dowel 30 with the respective vertical panel 26, and with a dowel 38 with the lug 32 of the respective horizontal panel 31.

Thus assembled, the mezzanine floor 3 in the cabin of an aircraft can accommodate either passengers or cargo.

The support structure 5 and the mezzanine floor 3 is dismantled in the reversed sequence.

A prototype of the cabin of an aircraft, constructed in accordance with the present invention, has been installed in an aircraft and subjected to lengthy and thorough testing that has proved its high reliabiiity and complete safety for passenger service, whereas the aircraft has gained additional operational capabilities and enhanced service efficiency.

With the support structure having the herein disclosed block-modular construction, the mezzanine floor offers easier assembly and disassembly and facilitated storability, e.g. in fitting compact containers.

Claims (11)

1. An aircraft cabin comprising a main floor and a mezzanine floor overlying the main floor and connected with the fuselage by means of a support structure; the support structure of the mezzanine floor being made up of blocks braced with respect to the fuselage, each block including a horizontally extending beam having one its end detachably secured to the fuselage and the other end connected with the mezzanine floor, and a suspension member of an adjustable length, having one its end pivotally connected with the beam and the other end detachably connected with the fuselage.

2. An aircraft cabin as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the bracing of the blocks is effected with the aid of rods, each rod having one its end pivotally connected with the respective beam and its other end detachably connected with the fuselage, the rods having adjustable lengths.

3. An aircraft cabin as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each pair of the blocks is braced with the aid of two rods of adjustable lengths, the rods having one pair of their respective ends pivotally interconnected at one beam and their opposite ends detachably connected, respectively, with the other beam and with the fuselage, the beams of the blocks being uniformly spaced.

4. An aircraft cabin as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the connection of the suspension member with the fuselage includes a rail attached to the fuselage and a carriage with rollers supported by the upper end of the suspension member, the rollers bearing upon the rail.

5. An aircraft cabin as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the rail is made up lengthwise of individual sections detachably connected to each other, each section being also detachably connected with the fuselage, with a rod of an adjustable length being mounted between the fuselage and the carriage.

6. An aircraft cabin as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the mezzanine floor is connected with the beams of the blocks with the aid of vertical panels braced with respect to the beams by rods of adjustable lengths.

7. An aircraft cabin as claimed in Claim 6, wherein horizontal panels are placed on the beams and on the vertical panels, having lugs with open ings at their sides opposite to the sides bearing upon the vertical panels, each beam carrying a part having slots adapted to receive the lugs of the adjoining horizontalpanels and openings for connection of the lugs with the part with a fastener, the part also having an ear for pivotal connection of the beam with the suspension member and with the rods.

8. An aircraft cabin as claimed in Claim 7, wherein each horizontal panel has shoulders at the ends thereof, the beams having attached thereto elements cooperating with the respective shoulders to limit the displacement of the horizontal panel.

9. An aircraft cabin as claimed in Claim 7, wherein elements serving as supports for the backs of passengers are mounted on the adjacent pairs of the suspension members and with each suspension member and with support for the backs of passengers are pivotally connected struts each suspension member having also mounted thereon a strut of an adjustable length, the other ends of the struts being detachably connected with the respective beam.

10. An aircraft cabin as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the horizontal panels have attached thereto means for fastening seat belts, with guards provided at the ends of the horizontal panels, secured at one side to the beam jointly with the vertical panels and at the opposite side to the respective part on the beam, jointly with the lug of the respective horizontal panel, the front guard in the flight direction being an elongated one.

11. An aircraft cabin as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, substantially as hereintofore described with reference to the appended drawings.