Telescoping aircraft panel door
In a preferred embodiment, a telescoping panel door for an aircraft compartment includes a first panel configured for hinged connection to a surface of a door frame, a second panel, and a linkage fixing a distance that the second panel can extend from the door frame, where the second panel is configured for connection to the door frame via the linkage. The door operates such that, in a closed position, the second panel is extended from an interior of the first panel, the first and second panels cooperate to completely cover an opening defined by the door frame, and the linkage is generally parallel to the plane defined by the door frame. In an open position, the second panel is retracted into the interior of the first panel by operation of the linkage and the first and second panels are nested to reduce a distanced spanned by the panels.
1. A telescoping panel door system for an aircraft compartment, comprising:
a door frame;
a first panel configured for hinged connection to the door frame;
a second panel adapted to slideably extend from and retract within the first panel;
at least one elongated aperture in an edge of the first panel; and
at least one fixed-length linkage hingedly attached to the door frame and the second panel, the at least one fixed-length linkage being attached to the second panel through the at least one elongated aperture;
wherein the door frame, first and second panels, at least one fixed length linkage, and at least one elongated aperture are configured such that
in a closed operational position, the second panel is extended from an interior of the first panel, the first and second panels cooperate to completely cover an opening defined by the door frame, and the first linkage is generally parallel to the plane defined by the door frame, and
in an open operational position, the second panel is retracted into the interior of the first panel by operation of the first linkage and the first and second panels are nested to reduce a distanced spanned by the first panel and second panel.
2. The telescoping panel door of claim 1 , further comprising an engagement structure for slideably engaging the first panel with the second panel.
3. The telescoping panel door of claim 2 , wherein the engagement structure comprises a slot and a wheel.
4. The telescoping panel door of claim 1 , wherein, in the open operational position, the second panel is completely retracted into the interior of the first panel.
5. The telescoping panel door of claim 1 , wherein, upon installation, a width of the first panel extends one half the width of the door frame.
6. The telescoping panel door of claim 1 , wherein the fixed-length linkage fixes a hinged arc in which the first panel is configured to swing.
7. The telescoping panel door of claim 1 , wherein the first panel is configured for hinged connection on a horizontal side of the first panel such that the first panel is configured to swing in a vertical arc.
8. The telescoping panel door of claim 1 , wherein the first panel is configured for hinged connection on a vertical side of the first panel such that the first panel is configured to swing in a horizontal arc.
9. The telescoping panel door of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the second panel is less than a thickness of the first panel such that the second panel is configured to slide freely within the interior of the first panel.
10. The telescoping panel door of claim 1 , further comprising a latch configured to secure the telescoping panel door in the closed configuration.
11. A telescoping panel door for an aircraft compartment, comprising:
a means for pivoting a first panel in relation to a door frame;
a means for slideably extending a second panel from and retracting the second panel within the first panel; and
a means for fixing the second panel to the door frame;
wherein the door frame, panels, means for slideably extending, and means for fixing are configured such that
in a closed operational position, the second panel is extended from an interior of the first panel, the first and second panels cooperate to completely cover an opening defined by the door frame, and a first linkage hingedly attached to the door frame and the second panel is generally parallel to the plane defined by the door frame, and
in an open operational position, the second panel is retracted into the interior of the first panel by operation of the first linkage and the first and second panels are nested to reduce a distanced spanned by the first panel and second panel.
12. The telescoping panel door of claim 11 , wherein the means for slideably extending and retracting comprises a slot and wheel.
13. The telescoping panel door of claim 11 , wherein the means for slideably extending and retracting comprises a drawer slide.
14. The telescoping panel door of claim 11 , wherein, in a closed operational position, a width of the first panel extends one half the width of the door frame.
15. The telescoping panel door of claim 11 , wherein the means for pivoting comprises a garage hinge.
16. The telescoping panel door of claim 11 , wherein the means for pivoting is disposed on a horizontal side of the first panel such that the first panel is configured to swing in a vertical arc.
17. The telescoping panel door of claim 11 , wherein the means for pivoting is disposed on a vertical side of the first panel such that the first panel is configured to swing in a horizontal arc.
18. The telescoping panel door of claim 11 , wherein a thickness of the second panel is less than a thickness of the first panel such that the second panel is configured to slide freely within the first panel.
19. The telescoping panel door of claim 11 , further comprising a means for securing the telescoping panel door in the closed configuration.
20. The telescoping panel door of claim 11 , wherein the telescoping panel door, upon installation to the door frame, operates such that, in the closed configuration, a vertical edge of the first panel is adjacent to a vertical edge of the second panel.