Abstract: A method for applying a layer of curable material to a surface including the steps of: applying the curable material to the surface; positioning a trowel relative to the surface so that a plurality of first radial teeth of the trowel, extending from a working edge of the trowel, is in contact with the surface; and with the plurality of first radial teeth in contact with the surface, moving the trowel across the surface to spread the curable material across the surface at a constant thickness.

Abstract: Provided are stowage bin systems for use on aircrafts and other like vehicles. A stowage bin system may include two disjoint supporting panels and a stowage bin bucket disposed between and pivotally supported by these panels after installation. The supporting panels may be attached to vertical frame members and, in some embodiments, to other frame members, such as adjacent vertical frame members or to horizontal frame members. In some embodiments, a supporting panel may include a gusset extending substantially normal to the main surfaces of the panel. The gusset may provide additional rigidity to the panel and, in some embodiments, include one or more open channels for attaching to a horizontal frame member. The supporting panels transfer all loads generated during operation of the aircraft from the stowage bin bucket and to the fuselage or, more specifically, to vertical and other frame members.

Abstract: A method for applying a layer of curable material to a surface including the steps of: applying the curable material to the surface; positioning a trowel relative to the surface so that a plurality of first radial teeth of the trowel, extending from a working edge of the trowel, is in contact with the surface; and with the plurality of first radial teeth in contact with the surface, moving the trowel across the surface to spread the curable material across the surface at a constant thickness.

Abstract: A trowel may include a main body including at least one working edge, the working edge including an edge radius, a plurality of radial teeth extending from the working edge, each radial tooth of the plurality of radial teeth including a radial edge and a tooth radius. A distance between the edge radius and the tooth radius at any point along the working edge is the same.

Abstract: A stowage bin is provided. The stowage bin includes a bucket, a support assembly, and at least one translating pivot mechanism rotatably coupling the support assembly to the bucket, the at least one translating pivot mechanism including a first component integrally formed with the bucket and comprising a first pin and a first slot, and a second component integrally formed with the support assembly and including a second pin and a second slot, wherein the first and second components engage one another such that the first pin is received in the second slot and the second pin is received in the first slot. The first pin is static with respect to the bucket, and the second pin is static with respect to the support assembly.

Abstract: A self-contained electronic latching system for a stowage bin is disclosed. The system includes an energy storage device, an electronic latch device, a latch button, and one or more energy harvesting systems. The electronic latch device is for opening a door of a stowage bin and is configured to open the door upon receipt of a signal on an input. The electronic latch device is coupled to the energy storage device and is configured to receive electrical power only from the energy storage device. The latch button is for activating an electronic switch coupled to the input of the electronic latch device. The one or more energy harvesting systems are coupled to the energy storage device. Each of the one or more energy harvesting systems is configured to generate electricity and to provide the generated electricity to the energy storage device.

Abstract: A stowage bin is provided. The stowage bin includes a bucket, a support assembly, and at least one translating pivot mechanism rotatably coupling the support assembly to the bucket, the at least one translating pivot mechanism including a first component integrally formed with the bucket and comprising a first pin and a first slot, and a second component integrally formed with the support assembly and including a second pin and a second slot, wherein the first and second components engage one another such that the first pin is received in the second slot and the second pin is received in the first slot. The first pin is static with respect to the bucket, and the second pin is static with respect to the support assembly.

Abstract: A stowage bin is provided. The stowage bin includes a bucket, a support assembly, and at least one translating pivot mechanism rotatably coupling the support assembly to the bucket, the at least one translating pivot mechanism including a first component fixedly coupled to the bucket and comprising a first pin and a first slot, and a second component fixedly coupled to the support assembly and including a second pin and a second slot, wherein the first and second components engage one another such that the first pin is received in the second slot and the second pin is received in the first slot.

Abstract: A trowel may include a main body including at least one working edge, the working edge including an edge radius, a plurality of radial teeth extending from the working edge, each radial tooth of the plurality of radial teeth including a radial edge and a tooth radius. A distance between the edge radius and the tooth radius at any point along the working edge is the same.

Abstract: Provided are stowage bin systems for use on aircrafts and other like vehicles. A stowage bin system may include two disjoint supporting panels and a stowage bin bucket disposed between and pivotally supported by these panels after installation. The supporting panels may be attached to vertical frame members and, in some embodiments, to other frame members, such as adjacent vertical frame members or to horizontal frame members. In some embodiments, a supporting panel may include a gusset extending substantially normal to the main surfaces of the panel. The gusset may provide additional rigidity to the panel and, in some embodiments, include one or more open channels for attaching to a horizontal frame member. The supporting panels transfer all loads generated during operation of the aircraft from the stowage bin bucket and to the fuselage or, more specifically, to vertical and other frame members.

Abstract: A stowage bin is provided. The stowage bin includes a bucket, a support assembly, and at least one translating pivot mechanism rotatably coupling the support assembly to the bucket, the at least one translating pivot mechanism including a first component fixedly coupled to the bucket and comprising a first pin and a first slot, and a second component fixedly coupled to the support assembly and including a second pin and a second slot, wherein the first and second components engage one another such that the first pin is received in the second slot and the second pin is received in the first slot.

Abstract: A stowage bin is provided. The stowage bin includes a support assembly, a bucket including a pivot point, the bucket rotatable about the pivot point between a closed position and an open position, and a translating mechanism coupling the bucket to the support assembly such that when the bucket is rotated between the closed and open positions, the pivot point translates with respect to the support assembly between a first pivot position and a second pivot position.

Abstract: A stowage bin is provided. The stowage bin includes a support assembly, a bucket including a pivot point, the bucket rotatable about the pivot point between a closed position and an open position, and a translating mechanism coupling the bucket to the support assembly such that when the bucket is rotated between the closed and open positions, the pivot point translates with respect to the support assembly between a first pivot position and a second pivot position.

Abstract: A mobile platform is provided. The mobile platform includes a interior overhead structure and at least one compartment rotatably coupled to the interior overhead structure. The compartment is rotatable into an opened position and a closed position. The mobile platform further includes a pivot system coupled to the interior overhead structure and the compartment to enable the compartment to rotate into the opened position and the closed position. The pivot system comprises a first fitting that defines a raceway and a second fitting that defines a hub and a guide. The hub of the second fitting is for engagement with the raceway and the guide directs the first fitting into the second fitting to couple the first fitting to the second fitting.

Abstract: An aircraft stowage bin assembly includes shear fittings configured to route a content load from the bucket of the bin assembly to the airframe in the event of a forward load condition, such as a crash or severe turbulence. When the forward inertial load factor on the stowage bin is greater than about 1 g, the shear fittings create an efficient load path from the bucket to the airframe which bypasses the large metallic or composite endframes required by the designs of many conventional overhead stowage bins. As a result, significant reductions in overall bulk and weight, as well as lower manufacturing costs, can be realized.

Abstract: To fabricate a joint in a panel, a groove is generated and the panel is bent along the groove. The panel includes a first skin, second skin, and core. The core is sandwiched between the first skin and the second skin. The groove passes through the first skin and at least a portion of the core. The groove includes a set of tabs and a corresponding set of slots. The set of tabs intermesh with the set of slots in response to bending the panel along the groove.

Abstract: An aircraft stowage bin assembly includes shear fittings configured to route a content load from the bucket of the bin assembly to the airframe in the event of a forward load condition, such as a crash or severe turbulence. When the forward inertial load factor on the stowage bin is greater than about 1 g, the shear fittings create an efficient load path from the bucket to the airframe which bypasses the large metallic or composite endframes required by the designs of many conventional overhead stowage bins. As a result, significant reductions in overall bulk and weight, as well as lower manufacturing costs, can be realized.

Abstract: A structural element comprises a groove formed in a sheet of foldable material. The groove substantially defines a fold line along which the sheet of material is foldable. At least one tab and at least one recess may be formed in the groove. The tab may be positioned on a side of the groove opposite the recess. The tab and recess may be oriented such that the tab is receivable within the recess positioned on an opposite side of the groove. The tab and recess may form an internal finger joint when the material is folded along the fold line.

Abstract: An aircraft stowage bin assembly includes shear fittings configured to route a content load from the bucket of the bin assembly to the airframe in the event of a forward load condition, such as a crash or severe turbulence. When the forward inertial load factor on the stowage bin is greater than about 1 g, the shear fittings create an efficient load path from the bucket to the airframe which bypasses the large metallic or composite endframes required by the designs of many conventional overhead stowage bins. As a result, significant reductions in overall bulk and weight, as well as lower manufacturing costs, can be realized.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes at least one latch unit having a latch unit housing, a latch notch provided in the latch unit housing, a lock bracket pivotally mounted in the latch unit housing adjacent to the latch notch and positional between latched and unlatched positions and an actuating arm engaging the lock bracket; a torque shaft coupled to the actuating arm; a handle unit having a handle housing and a handle plate pivotally mounted in the handle housing and coupled to the torque shaft; and at least one position indicator lip provided on the handle plate.