GB2369099A

GB2369099A - Suspended trolley hostess system

Info

Publication number: GB2369099A
Application number: GB0022650A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Gwyn Harvey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-09-15
Filing date: 2000-09-15
Publication date: 2002-05-22
Also published as: GB0022650D0

Abstract

A hostess system for installation in passenger vehicles whereby goods or services can be delivered to passengers without the need for bending by cabin staff, and also the aisles are not obstructed allowing passengers to move about reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis. A container 1 is suspended from a track 9 which is mounted to a superstructure 20 of the vehicle. The container 1 can be moved within the passenger vehicle along the track 9 and goods or services dispensed from the container 1.

Description

Suspended Trolley Hostess System for Passenger Transport Passengers of mass transport are often supplied with sustenance during their journeys. The procedure on aircraft is for an operative to use a wheeled trolley in aisles to serve the passengers with goods and services.

The resultant congestion causes inconvenience to the passengers, who are unable to use the aisles while this is being done. Also the operatives have to carry out this duty in confined spaces, engaging in a considerable amount of bending or stooping as they access the trolley. On buses, the use of trolleys is unsafe due to the motion caused as buses manoeuvre. This invention overcomes these difficulties by suspending the trolley from overhead tracks attached to the superstructure of the vehicle, so that it can be moved along the passenger compartment in the space above the heads of the passengers. Operatives would then have a stable trolley, from which to access goods and services at a convent height, without blocking access to aisles.

Accordingly, from one aspect, this invention provides a suspended trolley comprising a container which is suspended from a track attached to a superstructure, and running along the length of a passenger compartment, of a transport vehicle. Wheels attached to the container and resting on the track allows an operative to move the container along the track, and thus the passenger compartment, in a space between the passenger seats and the track. Access to goods and services is through openings, with or without closures. in the container. The inside of the container can be partitioned appropriately to accommodate various items.

From a second aspect this invention provides a suspended similar to that of the first aspect except that a container is suspended from a track positioned above an aisle of a passenger compartment so that the container can be moved at a suitable height along the aisle.

The invention may be performed in various ways and preferred embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal side view showing the relationship between the container and track.

Figure 2 is a rear view showing the relationship between the container and track.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal part section if an aircraft showing the placement of the track and container.

Figure 4 is a cross section of an aircraft showing placement of containers and tracks.

Figure 5 is a cross section of an aircraft showing a first alternative placement of containers and tracks.

Figure 6 is a cross section of an aircraft showing a second alternative placement of containers and tracks.

The suspended trolley shown in figures 1,2, 3,4, 5 and 6 comprises a container 1 with access openings 2. The access openings 2 have hinged closures 3 which can be held in the closed position by a catch mechanism 4.

The inside of the container 1 is compartmentalised 5 to store trays 6. Attached to the upper surface of the container 1 are four elements 7 which carry four double rimmed wheels 8. The wheels 8 rest upon two rails 9 that run along the length of passenger compartment 10 and galley 11 of an aircraft 12, forming a track for the wheels 8 to run. The rails 9 are attached to a superstructure 20 by elements 13. There is an opening 14 between the passenger compartment 10 and the galley 11 of sufficient size for the container 1 to pass. A spring loaded brake 15 is positioned so that normally it is forced against the lower surface of one of the rails 9. The brake 15 is mechanically connected to a lever 16 so that when the lever 16 is pulled the brake 15 disengages from the rail 9. The rails 9 are positioned so that the container 1 is either held in the space 17 above the passenger seats 18 as indicated in Figures 4 and 5, or above an aisle 19 between the passenger seats 18 as indicated in Figure 6. The access openings 2 are positioned either on a side of the container I adjacent to the aisle 19 as indicated in figures 4 and 6 or over the aisle 19 as indicated in figure 5. To use the suspended trolley an operative loads the container in the galley 11 with trays 6. The operative then pushes on the lever 16 which disengages the brake 15 allowing the operator to pull or push the container 1 along the rails 9 to a desired position in the passenger compartment 10. When the container 1 is in the desired position the operative releases the lever 16 which re-engages the brake 15. Passengers can then be serviced with trays 6 from the container 1 though the access openings 2.

Whilst the device shown in the drawings and described above illustrate how the suspended trolleys can be used in aircraft to deliver goods to passengers, it is appreciated that similar suspended trolleys can be used in other passenger vehicles such as buses, trains or boats. suspended trolleys can be used to carry materials other than passenger goods, such as maintenance or cleaning equipment. the rails could be used to suspend other devices, such as emergency stretchers, medical devices or vacuum cleaning equipment. suspended trolleys could be supplied with an electricity source to provide power for such equipment as water heaters. suspended trolleys could be self propelled by electric motors. suspended trolleys could be fitted with automatic control devices that would allow passengers to page and use the suspended trolleys without an operative. there are braking or locking mechanisms other than that described that could be used to lock the container in position. single and multiple rail systems are possible. devices other than wheels could be used to move the container along the rails.

Claims

1. A hostess system for a passenger vehicle, the hostess system comprising a container suspended from a track mounted to an internal superstructure of the passenger vehicle whereby the container can move along the track within the passenger vehicle.

2. A hostess system according to Claim I wherein the track forms part of a superstructure of the vehicle.

3. A hostess system according to Claim 1 and 2 wherein the track is single or multiple.

4. A hostess system according to Claims I to 3 wherein the track is routed substantially above an aisle within the passenger vehicle.

5. A hostess system according to Claims 1 to 3 wherein the track is routed substantially above passenger seats within the passenger vehicle.

6. A hostess system according to Claims I to 5 wherein the container is suspended from the track by a device that minimises friction between the track and the container.

7. A hostess system according to Claims I to 6 wherein the container has a braking device that when operated renders the container immobile in relation to the track.

8. A hostess system according to Claims I to 7 wherein the container is compartmentalised.

9. A hostess system according to Claims I to 8 wherein the container has one or more apertures for access to the inside of the container.

10. A hostess system according to Claims I to 9 wherein the aperture or apertures have means of closure.

11. A hostess system according to Claims 1 to 10 whereby the container can be moved along the track manually.

12. A hostess system according to Claims 1 to 10 wherein the container has a selectively operable powered device to move the container along the track.

13. A hostess system according to any one of the claims 1 to 12 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of dispensing goods or services to passengers according to any one of the claims 1 to 13 wherein a suspended container holding the goods or services for distribution can be moved along a track within a passenger vehicle.

15. A method according to Claim 14 and substantially as herein described.