A method of pivoting an aircraft storage bin that includes a bucket that pivots with respect to an upper housing. The method includes pivoting the bucket from a closed position to an intermediate position and placing weight that exceeds a predetermined weight threshold in the bucket, thereby causing the bucket to move to an open position. Movement of the bucket to the open position causes a lift assist unit to activate. A first end of the lift assist unit is connected to the bucket and a second end of the lift assist unit is connected to the upper housing. The method also includes pivoting the bucket from the open position to the closed position. The lift assist unit provides assistance as the bucket is pivoting from the open position to the closed position.

A method of pivoting an aircraft storage bin that includes a bucket that pivots with respect to an upper housing. The method includes pivoting the bucket from a closed position to an intermediate position and placing weight that exceeds a predetermined weight threshold in the bucket, thereby causing the bucket to move to an open position. Movement of the bucket to the open position causes a lift assist unit to activate. A first end of the lift assist unit is connected to the bucket and a second end of the lift assist unit is connected to the upper housing. The method also includes pivoting the bucket from the open position to the closed position. The lift assist unit provides assistance as the bucket is pivoting from the open position to the closed position.

Methods and apparatuses for bonding polymeric parts are disclosed. Specifically, in one embodiment, the polymeric parts are bonded by plastically deforming them against each other while they are below the glass transition temperatures.

Methods and apparatuses for bonding polymeric parts are disclosed. Specifically, in one embodiment, the polymeric parts are bonded by plastically deforming them against each other while they are below the glass transition temperatures.

Methods and apparatuses for bonding polymeric parts are disclosed. Specifically, in one embodiment, the polymeric parts are bonded by plastically deforming them against each other while they are below the glass transition temperatures.

Methods and apparatuses for bonding polymeric parts are disclosed. Specifically, in one embodiment, the polymeric parts are bonded by plastically deforming them against each other while they are below the glass transition temperatures.

A torsion washer integrally formed as a one-piece structure includes an external ring-shaped portion, a first abutting arm and a second abutting arm both separately extending from an inner edge of the external ring-shaped portion, and a connecting lever connecting the first and second abutting arms. The inner edge includes a first arc segment and an opposite second arc segment, and centers of circle of the first and second arc segments are located in a space surrounded by the inner edge. Free ends of the first and second abutting arms do not contact the inner edge. A distance between a first abutting portion of the first abutting arm and the first center of circle is less than a radius of the first arc segment. The connecting lever is spaced apart from the inner edge, allowing the first and second abutting arms to be interlinked with each other.

A torsion washer integrally formed as a one-piece structure includes an external ring-shaped portion, a first abutting arm and a second abutting arm both separately extending from an inner edge of the external ring-shaped portion, and a connecting lever connecting the first and second abutting arms. The inner edge includes a first arc segment and an opposite second arc segment, and centers of circle of the first and second arc segments are located in a space surrounded by the inner edge. Free ends of the first and second abutting arms do not contact the inner edge. A distance between a first abutting portion of the first abutting arm and the first center of circle is less than a radius of the first arc segment. The connecting lever is spaced apart from the inner edge, allowing the first and second abutting arms to be interlinked with each other.

Methods and apparatuses for bonding polymeric parts are disclosed. Specifically, in one embodiment, the polymeric parts are bonded by plastically deforming them against each other while they are below the glass transition temperatures. A method includes: placing a first polymeric part in contact with a second polymeric part; and plastically deforming the first polymeric part and the second polymeric part against each other to bond the first polymeric part to the second polymeric part. Additionally, during the plastic deformation, a temperature of the first polymeric part is less than a glass transition temperature of the first polymeric part and a temperature of the second polymeric part is less than a glass transition temperature of the second polymeric part.

Methods and apparatuses for bonding polymeric parts are disclosed. Specifically, in one embodiment, the polymeric parts are bonded by plastically deforming them against each other while they are below the glass transition temperatures. A method includes: placing a first polymeric part in contact with a second polymeric part; and plastically deforming the first polymeric part and the second polymeric part against each other to bond the first polymeric part to the second polymeric part. Additionally, during the plastic deformation, a temperature of the first polymeric part is less than a glass transition temperature of the first polymeric part and a temperature of the second polymeric part is less than a glass transition temperature of the second polymeric part.