US-12617531-B2 - Pilot storage systems for aircraft cabins

Abstract

A pilot storage system positionable between forward-facing cockpit seats and aft-facing passenger seats in an aircraft cabin. The pilot storage system includes a central cabinet having first and second open sides and an interior storage compartment. A first side cabinet has a first upper storage compartment, a first lower inboard storage compartment with an open side and a first lower outboard storage compartment. A second side cabinet has a second upper storage compartment, a second lower inboard storage compartment with an open side and a second lower outboard storage compartment. The open sides of the first and second lower inboard storage compartments are respectively aligned with the first and second open sides of the central cabinet such that the first and second lower inboard storage compartments and the interior storage compartment form a unified storage compartment that is accessible from the central cabinet.

Inventors

• Cameron Boudreau
• Andrew James Zahasky
• Chirag Patel
• Craig D. Cillessen

Assignees

• TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20240924

Claims (19)

1. 1 . A pilot storage system positionable between forward-facing cockpit seats and aft-facing passenger seats in an aircraft cabin, the pilot storage system comprising: a central cabinet having first and second open sides and an interior storage compartment; a first side cabinet positioned adjacent to the first open side of the central cabinet, the first side cabinet having a first upper storage compartment, a first lower inboard storage compartment with an open side and a first lower outboard storage compartment separated from the first lower inboard storage compartment by a first divider; and a second side cabinet positioned adjacent to the second open side of the central cabinet, the second side cabinet having a second upper storage compartment, a second lower inboard storage compartment with an open side and a second lower outboard storage compartment separated from the second lower inboard storage compartment by a second divider; wherein the open sides of the first and second lower inboard storage compartments are respectively aligned with the first and second open sides of the central cabinet such that the first and second lower inboard storage compartments and the interior storage compartment form a unified storage compartment that is accessible from the central cabinet; and wherein the central cabinet includes a lid hingably coupled to an upper frame of the central cabinet, the lid being movable between a closed position and an open position to selectively provide access to the unified storage compartment from a top of the central cabinet.
2. 2 . The pilot storage system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the lid includes an upper surface having at least a portion that is nonslip.
3. 3 . The pilot storage system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the central cabinet has a forward wall, a lower base, an aft wall and the upper frame that are coupled together to form a trapezoidal prism having the first and second open sides; and wherein the upper frame has a depth that is less than a depth of the lower base such that the forward wall has an aftward tilt and the aft wall has a forward tilt.
4. 4 . The pilot storage system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first side cabinet has a forward wall, a lower base, an aft wall, an intermediate panel and a top panel that are coupled together such that the forward wall, the lower base, the aft wall and the intermediate panel form a lower trapezoidal prism including the first lower inboard storage compartment with the open side and the first lower outboard storage compartment and such that the forward wall, the intermediate panel, the aft wall and the top panel form an upper trapezoidal prism including the first upper storage compartment.
5. 5 . The pilot storage system as recited in claim 4 , wherein the top panel has a depth that is less than a depth of the intermediate panel and the depth of the intermediate panel is less than a depth of the lower base such that the forward wall has an aftward tilt and the aft wall has a forward tilt.
6. 6 . The pilot storage system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a first drawer slidably coupled to the first upper storage compartment, the first drawer having open and closed positions to selectively provide access to the first upper storage compartment.
7. 7 . The pilot storage system as recited in claim 6 , further comprising a first telescoping slide mechanism that slidably couples the first drawer to the first upper storage compartment.
8. 8 . The pilot storage system as recited in claim 6 , wherein the first drawer translates in the inboard direction from the closed position to the open position such that in the open position, the first drawer is positioned at least partially above the central cabinet.
9. 9 . The pilot storage system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first lower inboard storage compartment is larger than the first lower outboard storage compartment.
10. 10 . The pilot storage system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first lower outboard storage compartment is accessed from an outboard side thereof.
11. 11 . The pilot storage system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second side cabinet has a forward wall, a lower base, an aft wall, an intermediate panel and a top panel that are coupled together such that the forward wall, the lower base, the aft wall and the intermediate panel form a lower trapezoidal prism including the second lower inboard storage compartment with the open side and the second lower outboard storage compartment and such that the forward wall, the intermediate panel, the aft wall and the top panel form an upper trapezoidal prism including the second upper storage compartment.
12. 12 . The pilot storage system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the top panel has a depth that is less than a depth of the intermediate panel and the depth of the intermediate panel is less than a depth of the lower base such that the forward wall has an aftward tilt and the aft wall has a forward tilt.
13. 13 . The pilot storage system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a second drawer slidably coupled to the second upper storage compartment, the second drawer having open and closed positions to selectively provide access to the second upper storage compartment.
14. 14 . The pilot storage system as recited in claim 13 , further comprising a second telescoping slide mechanism that slidably couples the second drawer to the second upper storage compartment.
15. 15 . The pilot storage system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the second drawer translates in the inboard direction from the closed position to the open position such that in the open position, the second drawer is positioned at least partially above the central cabinet.
16. 16 . The pilot storage system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second lower inboard storage compartment is larger than the second outboard storage compartment.
17. 17 . The pilot storage system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second outboard storage compartment is accessed from an outboard side thereof.
18. 18 . An aircraft cabin comprising: a row of forward-facing cockpit seats; a row of aft-facing passenger seats; and a pilot storage system positioned between the row of forward-facing cockpit seats and the row of aft-facing passenger seats, the pilot storage system comprising: a central cabinet having first and second open sides and an interior storage compartment; a first side cabinet positioned adjacent to the first open side of the central cabinet, the first side cabinet having a first upper storage compartment, a first lower inboard storage compartment with an open side and a first lower outboard storage compartment separated from the first lower inboard storage compartment by a first divider; and a second side cabinet positioned adjacent to the second open side of the central cabinet, the second side cabinet having a second upper storage compartment, a second lower inboard storage compartment with an open side and a second lower outboard storage compartment separated from the second lower inboard storage compartment by a second divider; wherein the open sides of the first and second lower inboard storage compartments are respectively aligned with the first and second open sides of the central cabinet such that the first and second lower inboard storage compartments and the interior storage compartment form a unified storage compartment that is accessible from the central cabinet; and wherein the central cabinet includes a lid hingably coupled to an upper frame of the central cabinet, the lid being movable between a closed position and an open position to selectively provide access to the unified storage compartment from a top of the central cabinet.
19. 19 . An aircraft comprising: a fuselage; an aircraft cabin positioned within the fuselage; a row of forward-facing cockpit seats positioned in the aircraft cabin; a row of aft-facing passenger seats positioned in the aircraft cabin; and a pilot storage system positioned between the row of forward-facing cockpit seats and the row of aft-facing passenger seats, the pilot storage system comprising: a central cabinet having first and second open sides and an interior storage compartment; a first side cabinet positioned adjacent to the first open side of the central cabinet, the first side cabinet having a first upper storage compartment, a first lower inboard storage compartment with an open side and a first lower outboard storage compartment separated from the first lower inboard storage compartment by a first divider; and a second side cabinet positioned adjacent to the second open side of the central cabinet, the second side cabinet having a second upper storage compartment, a second lower inboard storage compartment with an open side and a second lower outboard storage compartment separated from the second lower inboard storage compartment by a second divider; wherein the open sides of the first and second lower inboard storage compartments are respectively aligned with the first and second open sides of the central cabinet such that the first and second lower inboard storage compartments and the interior storage compartment form a unified storage compartment that is accessible from the central cabinet; and wherein the central cabinet includes a lid hingably coupled to an upper frame of the central cabinet, the lid being movable between a closed position and an open position to selectively provide access to the unified storage compartment from a top of the central cabinet.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates, in general, to storage systems for use in aircraft cabins and, in particular, to pilot storage systems that are positionable between forward-facing cockpit seats and aft-facing passenger seats in an aircraft cabin and that include a plurality of purposefully-sized storage areas for the most common types of items transported by pilots. BACKGROUND Navigating urban roadways can be a time consuming and frustrating experience due to vehicular traffic, which is rapidly worsening. Air travel provides an alternative transportation option that avoids such ground-level congestion. Rotorcraft, such as helicopters, are particularly well-suited for urban transportation as takeoffs and landings are runway independent. Helicopters can enable travel almost anywhere within a metropolitan area in a matter of minutes, thereby enhancing efficiency and productivity. For example, the reduced travel times provided by helicopters may enable passengers to attend multiple meetings or visits multiple sites in a single day. In addition, helicopters can access remote or hard-to-reach locations and transport passengers directly to their destination, minimizing the need for additional ground transportation. Further, helicopters can provide a private space for conducting business, ensuring that confidential conversations remain secure and uninterrupted. By alleviating the anxiety and frustration associated with navigating congested city streets, helicopters can provide a more relaxed and enjoyable commute. As an added benefit, modern helicopters are equipped with systems that reduce noise pollution and fuel consumption, resulting in a lower environmental impact compared to other modes of transportation. It has been found, however, that helicopter cabins typically lack suitable storage spaces for many of the items that pilots carry on and/or use during flight, such as mobile phones, tablets, laptop computers, jackets, flight bags, logbooks, flight manuals, communications equipment, fire extinguishers, food and beverages. Accordingly, a need has arisen for improved helicopter cabins that provide purposefully-sized storage areas for the most common types of items transported by pilots. SUMMARY In a first aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a pilot storage system that is positionable between forward-facing cockpit seats and aft-facing passenger seats in an aircraft cabin. The pilot storage system includes a central cabinet having first and second open sides and an interior storage compartment. A first side cabinet is positioned adjacent to the first open side of the central cabinet. The first side cabinet has a first upper storage compartment, a first lower inboard storage compartment with an open side and a first lower outboard storage compartment separated from the first lower inboard storage compartment by a first divider. A second side cabinet is positioned adjacent to the second open side of the central cabinet. The second side cabinet has a second upper storage compartment, a second lower inboard storage compartment with an open side and a second lower outboard storage compartment separated from the second lower inboard storage compartment by a second divider. The open sides of the first and second lower inboard storage compartments are respectively aligned with the first and second open sides of the central cabinet such that the first and second lower inboard storage compartments and the interior storage compartment form a unified storage compartment that is accessible from the central cabinet. In certain embodiments, the central cabinet may have a hingable lid with open and closed positions to selectively provide access to the unified storage compartment from the top of the central cabinet. In some embodiments, the hingable lid may include an upper surface having at least a portion that is nonslip. In certain embodiments, the central cabinet may have a forward wall, a lower base, an aft wall and an upper frame that are coupled together to form a trapezoidal prism having the first and second open sides. In such embodiments, the upper frame may have a depth that is less than a depth of the lower base such that the forward wall has an aftward tilt and the aft wall has a forward tilt. In some embodiments, the first side cabinet may have a forward wall, a lower base, an aft wall, an intermediate panel and a top panel that are coupled together such that the forward wall, the lower base, the aft wall and the intermediate panel form a lower trapezoidal prism including the first lower inboard storage compartment with the open side and the first lower outboard storage compartment and such that the forward wall, the intermediate panel, the aft wall and the top panel form an upper trapezoidal prism including the first upper storage compartment. In certain embodiments, the top panel may have a depth that is less than a depth of the intermediate panel and the depth of the i