US4660787A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Food supply system for an aircraft
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1986-07-14
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Granted: 1987-04-28
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Expires: 2006-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A food supply system is adapted for installation in an aircraft having an upper and a lower deck. A pantry is located on the upper deck. A food supply carts carrying platform is arranged on the lower deck for cooperation with the pantry on the upper deck. A lifting mechanism is arranged for cooperation with the platform for lifting or lowering selectively any one of a plurality of food supply carts whereby the space requirements on each deck are optimally reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilfried Sprenger
- 👤 Safa Kirma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:18
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D11/00; B64D11/04; B64D11/0007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
325 words
A food supply system for an aircraft having an upper deck and a lower deck, comprising pantry means on said upper deck, said pantry means comprising counter top means (39) at a given work level above said upper deck, and on said lower deck a fully automatic storage area without any personnel, a passage opening in said upper deck directly below said counter top means, said passage opening connecting said pantry means on said upper deck with said storage area on said lower deck, cart carrying platform means operatively installed in said automatic storage area on said lower deck substantially vertically below said pantry means, more than two supply carts carried by said platform means in said automatic storage are, said supply carts having a height less than said given work level for individually fitting under said counter top means when any supply cart is lifted into said passage opening, first automatic power drive means and lifting means automatically operable by said power drive means provided for selectively lifting any supply cart from said storage area into a space below said counter top means in said pantry means, or for automatically and individually lowering any one of said supply carts from said space below said counter top means (39) in said pantry means to said lower deck through said opening, second drive means for providing relative rotation between said cart carrying platform means and said lifting means to bring a cart and said lifting means into a cooperating relationship with each other to perform said lifting said lifting or lowering, and control panel means including operating means for said lifting means, located in said pantry means for individually controlling said lifting means and said platform means in said pantry means whereby the presence of a flight attendant in said automatic storage area is obviated and whereby said counter top means protect a flight attendant in said pantry means from accidental injury by said lifting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
325 words
A food supply system for an aircraft having an upper deck and a lower deck, comprising pantry means on said upper deck, said pantry means comprising counter top means (39) at a given work level above said upper deck, and on said lower deck a fully automatic storage area without any personnel, a passage opening in said upper deck directly below said counter top means, said passage opening connecting said pantry means on said upper deck with said storage area on said lower deck, cart carrying platform means operatively installed in said automatic storage area on said lower deck substantially vertically below said pantry means, more than two supply carts carried by said platform means in said automatic storage are, said supply carts having a height less than said given work level for individually fitting under said counter top means when any supply cart is lifted into said passage opening, first automatic power drive means and lifting means automatically operable by said power drive means provided for selectively lifting any supply cart from said storage area into a space below said counter top means in said pantry means, or for automatically and individually lowering any one of said supply carts from said space below said counter top means (39) in said pantry means to said lower deck through said opening, second drive means for providing relative rotation between said cart carrying platform means and said lifting means to bring a cart and said lifting means into a cooperating relationship with each other to perform said lifting said lifting or lowering, and control panel means including operating means for said lifting means, located in said pantry means for individually controlling said lifting means and said platform means in said pantry means whereby the presence of a flight attendant in said automatic storage area is obviated and whereby said counter top means protect a flight attendant in said pantry means from accidental injury by said lifting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
131 words
The system of claim 1, wherien said cart carrying platform means comprise a rectangular floor with holes therein, wherein said supply carts are arranged in at least one row next to one another on said rectangular floor and wherein said lifting means comprise a horizontally telescoping cantilever arm (13) installed for rotation below said cart carrying platform means said lifting means comprising a vertically telescoping piston cylinder means (14) attached to a free end of said horizontally telescoping cantilever arm (13) for selectively reaching through any one of said holes for lifing or lowering a respective supply cart, said second drive means comprising motor means (11, 11') arranged for rotating said horizontally telescoping catilever arm for bringing said vertically telescoping piston cylinder means (14) under any one of said supply carts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said platform means comprise a turnstile, wherein said second drive means comprise motor means connected to said turnstile for stepping said turnstile successively into a position for presenting different supply carts to said lifting means, and wherein said lifting means are stationary in a position for cooperation with said turnstile for said lifting or lowering of a respective supply cart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 3, wherein said supply carts are arranged on said turnstile in a radial orientation so that the length of each cart extends radially away from the rotational center of the turnstile.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 3, wherein said supply carts are arranged along the periphery of said turnstile so that a radially outer longitudinal edge of each cart forms a chord of the circumference of said turnstile.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said platform means comprises a rectangular floor, wherein said supply carts are arranged in at least one lateral row on said platform means next to each other below said pantry means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said platform means comprise a rectangular floor, wherein said supply carts are arranged in a plurality of rows on said platform means next to each other, said system further comprising transport means for moving said supply carts in two directions on said platform means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 7, wherein said cart moving directions extend orthogonally to each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said lifting means comprise telescoping piston cylinder members (25) for raising or lowering any one of said supply carts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said lifting means comprise a guide rail, a cart lifting and lowering rail movably guided in said guide rail, a threaded nut rigidly secured to said lifting and lowering rail, and threaded spindle means operatively engaging said threaded nut for raising and lowering a cart held by said lifting and lowering rail.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-04-27 | 1990-10-27 | 1991-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-27 | 1994-10-27 | 1995-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-27 | 1998-10-27 | 1999-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |