Abstract: A video monitor is deployed from an aircraft overhead storage compartment via a monitor-drive shaft selectively connected to an electric motor and retracted back into the compartment by a spring connected to the shaft. The monitor has limited rotational movement in both directions relative to the shaft. A bump sensor detects when the monitor has moved from its deployed position relative to the shaft as a result of being struck by a passenger and trips a solenoid. The solenoid, in turn, disengages the monitor-drive shaft from the motor and allows the spring to return the monitor to its stores position.

Abstract: A video monitor deployment/retraction apparatus includes a frame located in an aircraft overhead compartment and a monitor pivotally mounted on the frame for rotation between a stored and a deployed position. A spring biases the monitor to its stored position where is releasably retained by a locking mechanism. A solenoid and actuating arms selectively disable the locking mechanism to allow the monitor to be lowered to its deployed position and enable a latching mechanism when the monitor has reached its deployed position to retain the monitor in that position. The latching means is disabled when the monitor is bumped by a passenger while in the deployed position to allow the spring to return the monitor to the stored position.