Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft structure – Passenger or crew accommodation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-04
2001-06-05
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft structure
Passenger or crew accommodation
C296S208000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241186
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a rack unit and in particular a rack unit suitable for use on public transport vehicles such as coaches, trains and aeroplanes that may be used for luggage storage as well as ducting for lighting and air-conditioning.
Within the passenger compartments of public transport vehicles storage space is essential but it is often in conflict with the space required for passengers' comfort within the compartment. Therefore, storage racks are usually provided along the walls of the passenger compartment above passenger height, when seated, where luggage can be stored. The racks are also used to provide ducting for lighting and air-conditioning.
In the case of coaches, traditionally, storage racks have been made by securing plywood boards to the inner walls of the coach. Pillars are then secured to the ceiling of the coach to hold the plywood in position as a shelf. Air-conditioning ducts are separately constructed around the plywood board as are lighting ducts and other accessories such as hand-rails. In order for the air-conditioning to work efficiently it is important that the air-conditioning ducts are air-tight. This has presented a problem in the past as a dividing wall extending between the plywood board and the ceiling of the compartment must be secured to define the wall of the air duct. However, it has been found to be difficult to ensure that the points of contact between the plywood board, the dividing wall and the ceiling are air-tight. Furthermore, the rack is quite heavy and needs to be held when being secured to the walls and ceiling of the compartment. Therefore, during construction it is usual for two people to be needed in the constructing and fitting of each rack unit.
The present invention seeks to address the problems with conventional rack units and seeks to provide an improved rack unit that is easier to fit and ensures a more reliable seal for the air-conditioning ducts.
The present invention provides a rack unit for use in a passenger compartment comprising an outer shell; an inner shell connected to the outer shell and providing a shelf surface; one or more pillars for supporting the inner and outer shells; a duct support defining a longitudinally extending inwardly directed slot; and a longitudinally extending bracket spaced apart from the duct support, whereby the inner and outer shells describe a longitudinally extending air channel that is sealed by means of engagement between an edge of the inner shell and the duct support and engagement between an edge of the outer shell and the bracket.
The rack unit is modular in construction and is preferably made from a plastics material. In use, a plurality of rack units is fitted to the interior of a passenger compartment in a continuous series. Ideally, the engagement of the inner shell with the duct support and the engagement of the outer shell with the bracket define labyrinthine passages for the escape of any air from the longitudinally extending air channel. Moreover, at least one of the engaging surfaces of the inner shell and the duct support and at least one of the engaging surfaces of the outer shell and the bracket may additionally include a sealing material such as a rubberised compound for providing additional sealing against escape of air from the air channel.
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patent: 5388744 (1995-02-01), Glorio et al.
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patent: 5518448 (1996-05-01), Madoglio et al.
patent: 3729050 (1989-03-01), None
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patent: 9518727 (1995-07-01), None
Best Christian M.
Jordan Charles T.
Transmatic Europe Limited
Volpe and Koenig P.C.
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