Abstract: A lightbox is disclosed herein, comprising a lower panel, a back panel connected to the lower panel and extending upward from the lower panel, wherein the back panel is coated in a reflective material, an inner lens connected to the lower panel and extending upward from the lower panel, the inner lens being adjacent the back panel, a first cavity at least partially defined by the back panel and the inner lens, an outer lens connected to the lower panel and extending upward from the lower panel, the outer lens being adjacent the inner lens and opposite the back panel, and a first LED adjacent the lower panel and oriented to emit a light away from the lower panel and into the first cavity.

Abstract: A lightbox is disclosed herein, comprising a lower panel, a back panel connected to the lower panel and extending upward from the lower panel, wherein the back panel is coated in a reflective material, an inner lens connected to the lower panel and extending upward from the lower panel, the inner lens being adjacent the back panel, a first cavity at least partially defined by the back panel and the inner lens, an outer lens connected to the lower panel and extending upward from the lower panel, the outer lens being adjacent the inner lens and opposite the back panel, and a first LED adjacent the lower panel and oriented to emit a light away from the lower panel and into the first cavity.

Abstract: A slim aircraft monument is installable in an aircraft cabin adjacent to an aisle and has an upper portion, a lower portion, and a middle portion between the upper and lower portions. The monument includes a storage compartment accessible from a first side and a door on an adjacent side, the door deployable into the adjacent aisle or cabin space to reveal folding interconnected panels also deployable into the cabin space. The interconnected panels unfold into a horizontal workspace and, beneath the workspace, a series of vertically stacked storage bays capable of accommodating storage drawers and a cart bay configured for temporary accommodation of a half-size galley cart.

Abstract: An aircraft lavatory complex incorporating lavatories accessible to passengers of reduced mobility (PRM) is disclosed. Left-side and right-side full service lavatory units are accessible via left-side and right-side lavatory access doors opening in opposing directions. The left-side and right-side full service lavatory units are separated by a common central partition repositionable by cabin crewmembers (but protected from independent repositioning by occupants of either lavatory unit) to enlarge either of the left-side or right-side lavatory units for enhanced PRM accessibility.

Abstract: A modular aft galley and lavatory complex is disclosed. The galley complex is situated aft of an aircraft passenger cabin and incorporates left-side, right-side, and aft galley structures together partially enclosing an interior workspace, the left-side and right-side galley structures separated by a center aisle. Each galley structure includes trolley bays capable of securing trolleys therewithin. Each trolley can be removed from its trolley bay into the interior workspace or central aisle for use in catering or service operations inflight. Each galley structure includes storage bays accessible from the interior workspace. Between the upper and lower portions are flat workdecks and galley insert bays capable of accepting ovens, chillers, beverage makers, and other galley insert devices. Either the left or right galley structure includes a lavatory complex adjacent to the passenger cabin, incorporating aft lavatory units and a galley extension housing additional storage and cart space.

Abstract: A slim aircraft monument is installable in an aircraft cabin adjacent to an aisle and has an upper portion, a lower portion, and a middle portion between the upper and lower portions. The monument includes a storage compartment accessible from a first side and a door on an adjacent side, the door deployable into the adjacent aisle or cabin space to reveal folding interconnected panels also deployable into the cabin space. The interconnected panels unfold into a horizontal workspace and, beneath the workspace, a series of vertically stacked storage bays capable of accommodating storage drawers and a cart bay configured for temporary accommodation of a half-size galley cart.

Abstract: A slim aircraft monument includes a structure installable in an aircraft passenger cabin adjacent to a cabin space (e.g., in front of an otherwise unused exit door). The slim monument has an overall width of not more than four to six inches. The slim monument includes a side door with an external handle, the door deployable into the cabin space to reveal a group of nested interconnected panels within. The nested panels are similarly deployable into the cabin space to form a substantially horizontal work surface and, underneath the work surface, vertically stacked bays providing temporary storage for storage drawers and a cart space adjacent to the storage drawers, the cart space capable of accommodating a half-size galley cart.

Abstract: A galley cart compartment is disclosed. In embodiments, the galley cart compartment includes an interior compartment or space having left and right sidewalls and a cabin floor. The interior compartment can receive and securely store a galley cart (e.g., trolley) insertable into, and removable from, the interior compartment along an axis of entry (e.g., parallel to the depth of the interior compartment). The galley cart has left and right sides and an underside to which casters are pivotably or rotatably attached, each caster has left and right wheels separated by a wheel gap. Tracks extend along the cabin floor parallel to the axis of entry, a left and right track positioned to engage respectively with the left-side and right-side casters. Each track includes a guide rail that projects into the wheel gap, preventing the caster wheels from rotating when the galley cart is removed from the interior compartment.

Abstract: An aircraft lavatory complex incorporating lavatories accessible to passengers of reduced mobility (PRM) is disclosed. Left-side and right-side full service lavatory units are accessible via left-side and right-side lavatory access doors opening in opposing directions. The left-side and right-side full service lavatory units are separated by a common central partition repositionable by cabin crewmembers (but protected from independent repositioning by occupants of either lavatory unit) to enlarge either of the left-side or right-side lavatory units for enhanced PRM accessibility.

Abstract: A modular aft galley and lavatory complex is disclosed. The galley complex is situated aft of an aircraft passenger cabin and incorporates left-side, right-side, and aft galley structures together partially enclosing an interior workspace, the left-side and right-side galley structures separated by a center aisle. Each galley structure includes trolley bays capable of securing trolleys therewithin. Each trolley can be removed from its trolley bay into the interior workspace or central aisle for use in catering or service operations inflight. Each galley structure includes storage bays accessible from the interior workspace. Between the upper and lower portions are flat workdecks and galley insert bays capable of accepting ovens, chillers, beverage makers, and other galley insert devices. Either the left or right galley structure includes a lavatory complex adjacent to the passenger cabin, incorporating aft lavatory units and a galley extension housing additional storage and cart space.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a vertically stowable aircraft storage unit for providing additional storage in a cabin area of an aircraft can include a storage compartment and a vacuum lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the storage compartment between a stowed position and a deployed position. The vacuum lift mechanism can include at least one vacuum actuator in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The aircraft storage unit can further include an overhead mounting frame for mounting the vacuum lift mechanism to an upper structure of an interior of the aircraft, and a storage compartment frame configured to releasably receive the storage compartment. The vacuum lift mechanism may be releasably attached, at an upper end, to the overhead mounting frame, and at a lower end, to the storage compartment frame. The upper structure of the interior of the aircraft can be above a ceiling of the cabin area.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a vertically stowable aircraft storage unit for providing additional storage in a cabin area of an aircraft includes a storage compartment, a vacuum lift mechanism, and a stowage container housing. The vacuum lift mechanism may include at least one vacuum actuator, and an air manifold in fluid communication with a vacuum source, the air manifold configured to provide vacuum and venting to the at least one vacuum actuator. The stowage container housing may be configured to receive the storage compartment in the stowed position and may be configured for mounting above a ceiling of the cabin area.

Abstract: A method of installing an aircraft overhead stowage system includes installing a plurality of bin support rail fittings onto a plurality of bin support rails disposed above a ceiling of a cross-aisle galley complex; positioning a stowage compartment housing supported by a stowage support structure above the ceiling of the galley complex, the stowage compartment housing including a first stowage compartment and a second stowage compartment each movably engaged with and disposed inside the stowage compartment housing; aligning the stowage compartment housing and the stowage support structure with the bin support rails; and fastening the stowage support structure to the bin support rails using the bin support rail fittings such that the stowage compartment housing is structurally supported above the ceiling of the galley complex.

Abstract: A method of installing an aircraft overhead stowage system includes installing a plurality of bin support rail fittings onto a plurality of bin support rails disposed above a ceiling of a cross-aisle galley complex; positioning a stowage compartment housing supported by a stowage support structure above the ceiling of the galley complex, the stowage compartment housing including a first stowage compartment and a second stowage compartment each movably engaged with and disposed inside the stowage compartment housing; aligning the stowage compartment housing and the stowage support structure with the bin support rails; and fastening the stowage support structure to the bin support rails using the bin support rail fittings such that the stowage compartment housing is structurally supported above the ceiling of the galley complex.

Abstract: An aircraft overhead stowage system for a cross-aisle galley complex. The aircraft overhead stowage system includes a stowage compartment housing disposed above a ceiling of the galley complex that is supported above the ceiling by a stowage support structure. A first stowage compartment and a second stowage compartment are each movably engaged with and disposed inside the stowage compartment housing, and each stowage compartment is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the stowage compartment housing using a vacuum system. A vacuum generator that creates a vacuum force is mounted on the stowage compartment housing, and a plurality of vacuum bellows connected to each stowage compartment are in fluid communication with the vacuum generator. The vacuum system causes the stowage compartments to move between the stowed position and the deployed position. Vacuum-driven and manually-driven latching assemblies and removable extensions for each stowage compartment are also provided.

Abstract: A seating assembly comprising: a frame having an opening; a support surface spanning the opening in the frame; a variable thermal resistance device that opposes the support surface when the variable thermal resistance device is in a closed state in which airflow is obstructed, the variable thermal resistance device being movable from the closed state to an open state in which airflow is not obstructed and from the open state to the closed state; and an actuator coupled to the variable thermal resistance device. The actuator is operable to actuate movement of the variable thermal resistance device between the open and closed states.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a vertically stowable aircraft storage unit for providing additional storage in a cabin area of an aircraft can include a storage compartment and a vacuum lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the storage compartment between a stowed position and a deployed position. The vacuum lift mechanism can include at least one vacuum actuator in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The aircraft storage unit can further include an overhead mounting frame for mounting the vacuum lift mechanism to an upper structure of an interior of the aircraft, and a storage compartment frame configured to releasably receive the storage compartment. The vacuum lift mechanism may be releasably attached, at an upper end, to the overhead mounting frame, and at a lower end, to the storage compartment frame. The upper structure of the interior of the aircraft can be above a ceiling of the cabin area.

Abstract: A vacuum powered system for moving a movable component, such as for raising and lowering a stowage container, includes a vacuum actuator connected between a fixed structure and a movable component. The vacuum actuator includes one or more intake ports that are configured to connect with a source of vacuum for moving the movable component in a first direction to a first position, and one or more bleed valve ports for venting the vacuum actuator to move the movable component in a second direction to a second position. The vacuum actuator may be an air bellows, a single acting linear vacuum actuator, or a dual acting linear vacuum actuator. A guiding system is further provided that includes elongated tracks in a stationary stowage container housing that houses the movable component, and corresponding guide elements on the movable component that slidably engage with the elongated tracks for moving the movable component.

Abstract: An aircraft overhead stowage system for a cross-aisle galley complex. The aircraft overhead stowage system includes a stowage compartment housing disposed above a ceiling of the galley complex that is supported above the ceiling by a stowage support structure. A first stowage compartment and a second stowage compartment are each movably engaged with and disposed inside the stowage compartment housing, and each stowage compartment is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the stowage compartment housing using a vacuum system. A vacuum generator that creates a vacuum force is mounted on the stowage compartment housing, and a plurality of vacuum bellows connected to each stowage compartment are in fluid communication with the vacuum generator. The vacuum system causes the stowage compartments to move between the stowed position and the deployed position. Vacuum-driven and manually-driven latching assemblies and removable extensions for each stowage compartment are also provided.

Abstract: A vacuum powered system for moving a movable component, such as for raising and lowering a stowage container, includes a vacuum actuator connected between a fixed structure and a movable component. The vacuum actuator includes one or more intake ports that are configured to connect with a source of vacuum for moving the movable component in a first direction to a first position, and one or more bleed valve ports for venting the vacuum actuator to move the movable component in a second direction to a second position. The vacuum actuator may be an air bellows, a single acting linear vacuum actuator, or a dual acting linear vacuum actuator. A guiding system is further provided that includes elongated tracks in a stationary stowage container housing that houses the movable component, and corresponding guide elements on the movable component that slidably engage with the elongated tracks for moving the movable component.