Pivot bin assembly with two part pivot axle
An aircraft storage bin that includes an upper housing with first and second side panels, a bucket that includes a bottom and first and second sides, a first clevis assembly that includes a first inner plate and a first outer plate that extend between the first side panel and the first side wall, and a second clevis assembly that includes a second inner plate and a second outer plate that extend between the second side panel and the second side wall. The first inner plate includes a first outer protrusion and the first outer plate includes first inner protrusion that cooperate to form a first pivot axle. The second inner plate includes a second outer protrusion and the second outer plate includes second inner protrusion that cooperate to form a second pivot axle.
1. An aircraft storage bin comprising:
an upper housing that includes first and second side panels,
a bucket that includes a bottom and first and second sides, wherein the bucket cooperates with the upper housing to define a bin interior,
a first clevis assembly that includes a first inner plate and a first outer plate, wherein the first inner plate and first outer plate extend between the first side panel and the first side wall, wherein the first inner plate includes a first outer protrusion and the first outer plate includes first inner protrusion, wherein the first inner protrusion and first outer protrusion cooperate to form a first pivot axle, and
a second clevis assembly that includes a second inner plate and a second outer plate, wherein the second inner plate and second outer plate extend between the second side panel and the second side wall, wherein the second inner plate includes a second outer protrusion and the second outer plate includes second inner protrusion, wherein the second inner protrusion and second outer protrusion cooperate to form a second pivot axle,
wherein the first and second pivot axles are axially aligned along a pivot axis, and wherein the bucket pivots about the pivot axis with respect to the upper housing between an open position and a closed position.
2. The aircraft storage bin of claim 1 wherein the first inner protrusion and first outer protrusion are secured together to form the first pivot axle, and wherein the second inner protrusion and second outer protrusion are secured together to form the second pivot axle.
3. The aircraft storage bin of claim 1 wherein the first inner protrusion and first outer protrusion are connected by a threaded fastener to form the first pivot axle, and wherein the second inner protrusion and second outer protrusion are connected by a threaded fastener to form the second pivot axle.
4. The aircraft storage bin of claim 1 wherein the first side wall of the bucket defines a first slot therein and the second side wall of the bucket defines a second slot therein, and wherein the first slot receives the first pivot axle and the second slot receives the second pivot axle.
5. The aircraft storage bin of claim 4 wherein the first and second slots are open to a top edge of the first and second side walls of the bucket.
6. The aircraft storage bin of claim 1 wherein the bucket includes a rear portion with an upper rear edge, wherein the upper housing has a top portion that includes a bulge portion having a curved inner surface, wherein a clearance is defined between the upper rear edge of the bucket and the inner surface of the bulge portion when the bucket is in the open position, and wherein when the bucket is pivoted from the open position to the closed position the clearance between the upper rear edge of the bucket and the curved inner surface of the bulge portion remains substantially the same.
7. The aircraft storage bin of claim 1 further comprising a first connecting unit having a first end operatively associated with the first side wall of the bucket and a second end pivotally operatively associated with first side panel, and a second connecting unit having a first end operatively associated with the second side wall of the bucket and a second end operatively associated with the second side panel.
8. The aircraft storage bin of claim 7 wherein the first connecting unit is positioned between the first inner plate and the first outer plate and the second connecting unit is positioned between the second inner plate and the second outer plate.
9. The aircraft storage bin of claim 7 wherein the first and second connecting units provide one or both of damping when the bucket pivots to the open position and assistance when the bucket pivots to the closed position.
10. The aircraft storage bin of claim 1 wherein, in the closed position, at least a portion of a top edge of the first side wall of the bucket abuts a bottom edge of the first side panel, and at least a portion of a top edge of the second side wall of the bucket abuts a bottom edge of the second side panel.