IP Library › Granted Patent US 12667190
Granted Patent B2
US 12667190 · App. 18/762,460 · Granted Jun 30, 2026

Galley shelf

Inventors: Germans Kalitvencevs (Milton Keynes, GB); Peter Ashley Griffiths (Kensworth, GB)
Assignee: B/E Aerospace (UK) Limited
A47B96/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12667190
App. No.
18/762,460
Granted
Jun 30, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An insertable galley unit for an aircraft galley, including a shelf, a hinge attached to the shelf, and a side wall. The shelf is rotatable about the hinge between a stowed position and a deployed position. The shelf includes a retractable latch, arranged to engage with the side wall to selectively hold the shelf in the stowed position and the deployed position.

Claims (50)

1 . An insertable galley unit for an aircraft galley, wherein the insertable galley unit comprises:

a shelf;

a hinge attached to the shelf;

a side wall;

wherein the shelf is rotatable about the hinge between a stowed position and a deployed position;

wherein the shelf comprises a retractable latch; and

wherein the retractable latch is arranged to engage with the side wall to selectively hold the shelf in the stowed position and the deployed position; and

a bracket, wherein the shelf is arranged to be in contact with the bracket when in the deployed position.

2 . The insertable galley unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the retractable latch is arranged to project from the shelf so to engage with the side wall.

3 . The insertable galley unit as claimed in claim 2 ,

wherein the retractable latch is arranged to project from an end of the shelf so to engage with the side wall; and

wherein the retractable latch is arranged to at least partially retract into the shelf so to release the retractable latch from being engaged with the side wall.

4 . The insertable galley unit as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a retractable latch mechanism;

wherein the retractable latch mechanism is embedded within the shelf; and

wherein the retractable latch mechanism comprises the retractable latch.

5 . The insertable galley unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the retractable latch is a bistable latch.

6 . The insertable galley unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the retractable latch is spring-loaded.

7 . The insertable galley unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the side wall comprises:

a first aperture arranged to receive the retractable latch when the shelf is in the stowed position; and

a second aperture arranged to receive the retractable latch when the shelf is in the deployed position.

8 . The insertable galley unit as claimed in claim 7 , wherein an inner perimeter of the first aperture and the second aperture is larger than an outer perimeter of the retractable latch.

9 . The insertable galley unit as claimed in claim 7 , wherein an inner perimeter of the first aperture and the second aperture is lined with a flexible material.

10 . The insertable galley unit as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a back wall and a shock absorber;

wherein the shelf is parallel to the back wall when in the stowed position;

wherein the shock absorber is attached to the back wall; and

wherein the shock absorber is arranged to be between the shelf and the back wall when the shelf is in the stowed position.

11 . The insertable galley unit as claimed in claim 1 ,

wherein a surface of the bracket arranged to be in contact with the shelf is coated with a flexible material.

12 . The insertable galley unit as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the bracket is vertically adjustable.

13 . The insertable galley unit as claimed in claim 1 ,

wherein the retractable latch comprises a first retractable latch, and the side wall comprises a first side wall;

wherein the insertable galley unit further comprises:

a second retractable latch; and

a second side wall;

wherein the first retractable latch is at a first end of the shelf;

wherein the second retractable latch is at a second end of the shelf; and

wherein the second retractable latch is arranged to engage with the second side wall to selectively hold the shelf in the stowed position and the deployed position.

14 . The insertable galley unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the shelf comprises a honeycomb structure.

15 . The insertable galley unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the shelf is substantially horizontal when in the deployed position.

16 . An insertable galley unit for an aircraft galley, wherein the insertable galley unit comprises:

a shelf;

a hinge attached to the shelf;

a side wall;

wherein the shelf is rotatable about the hinge between a stowed position and a deployed position;

wherein the shelf comprises a retractable latch; and

wherein the retractable latch is arranged to engage with the side wall to selectively hold the shelf in the stowed position and the deployed position; and

a back wall and a shock absorber;

wherein the shelf is parallel to the back wall when in the stowed position;

wherein the shock absorber is attached to the back wall; and

wherein the shock absorber is arranged to be between the shelf and the back wall when the shelf is in the stowed position.