Apparatus And System For Handling Dangerous Objects In A Closed Vehicle Cabin

Abstract

An apparatus for handling dangerous objects in a closed vehicle cabin includes a retaining plate for fastening of the apparatus, a housing wall which is arranged on the retaining plate, which can be packed down and which is composed of a refractory material, and an opening frame which is connected at least to the housing wall and which has a closable opening, wherein the housing wall which can be packed down can be brought into a packed-down state and into an expanded state, wherein, in the folded-out state, the housing wall, together with the retaining plate and the opening frame, provides a cavity which can be reached from outside of the housing wall through the opening.

Claims

1. An apparatus for handling dangerous objects in a closed vehicle cabin, comprising: a retaining plate for fastening of the apparatus, a housing wall arranged on the retaining plate, and configured to be packed down and composed of a refractory material, and an opening frame connected at least to the housing wall and having a closable opening, wherein the housing wall is configured to be packed down to be brought into a packed-down state and into an expanded state, wherein, in the expanded state, the housing wall, together with the retaining plate and the opening frame, provides a cavity which can be reached from outside of the housing wall through the opening.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the packed-down state, the housing wall and the opening frame rest flatly on the retaining plate.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening frame is pivotably arranged on the retaining plate.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the opening frame is pivotably arranged on the retaining plate, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a base plate connected to the housing wall, and wherein the base plate is pivotably arranged on the retaining plate so as to lie opposite the opening frame.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing wall is configured to be folded and has a plurality of connected-together wall segments.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the opening frame and the base plate have largely the same area.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing wall comprises a Kevlar-reinforced material.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retaining plate has a releasable fastening element for arrangement on an object.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a granular material configured to be introduced into the cavity, for extinguishing a fire in the cavity.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening frame is composed of a refractory material.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a gripper and a holder for holding the gripper on an outer side of the apparatus.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a closable compartment for storing a fire-resistant glove.

13. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a closable compartment for storing a fire-resistant glove, wherein the closable compartment is integrated in the base plate.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the folded-out state is dimensionally stable, and therefore the apparatus stands up on its own in the folded-out state.

15. A system for handling dangerous objects in a closed aircraft cabin, comprising: a cabin trolley; and at least one apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cabin trolley comprises a retaining apparatus in which the retaining plate of the apparatus is configured to be mounted.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Further features, advantages and possible uses of the present invention will emerge from the following description of the exemplary embodiments and from the figures. Here, all of the features described and/or illustrated in the figures form the subject matter of the invention individually and in any desired combination, even independently of the combination of said features in the individual claims or the back-references thereof. Furthermore, in the figures, the same reference signs are used for identical or similar objects.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a cabin trolley with an apparatus for handling dangerous objects in a packed-down state.

[0029] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the cabin trolley with an apparatus for handling dangerous objects in an expanded state.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows the cabin trolley with a retaining plate and an apparatus separate therefrom.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows the apparatus with a gripper and gloves.

[0032] FIG. 6 shows side views of the apparatus in various embodiments.

[0033] FIG. 7 shows a cabin monument with a trolley according to FIG. 1 arranged therein.

[0034] FIG. 8 discloses the handling of an object.

[0035] FIGS. 9 and 10 show the extinguishing of the object in the apparatus.

[0036] FIG. 11 shows an aircraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a cabin trolley 2 with an apparatus 4 for handling dangerous objects arranged thereon in a closed vehicle cabin. A retaining plate, which is not shown in detail here, is connected to the trolley 2 and can bear the apparatus 4, which consequently can always be present in the aircraft cabin and can be used when required. An opening frame 6 having an opening 10 which can be closed by means of a flap 8 is pivotably attached to the apparatus 4 by way of a first bearing 12. On a side of the apparatus 4 that lies opposite the first bearing 12, a base plate 14 is pivotably arranged on a second bearing 16. The opening frame 6 and the base plate 14 can each be pivoted through approximately 90° as a result of movement about the bearings 12 and 16. An intermediate space, in which a housing wall which can be packed down is located, is consequently defined between the opening frame 6 and the base plate 14. This is shown in FIG. 2.

[0038] Here, the opening frame 6 and the base plate 14 have each been pivoted through 90°, and an intermediate space 18 which is produced between these elements is spanned by a foldable housing wall 20. As a result of the opening of the flap 8, it is possible to obtain a cavity in the interior of the housing wall 20. This is illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0039] The housing wall 20 preferably comprises a refractory material, which for example comprises Kevlar fibres. Here, articles which are generating an intense heat can be put inside, and therefore they no longer pose any immediate risk. As a result of the closing of the flap 8, the supply of oxygen is prevented, and therefore the apparatus 4 also functions as a type of fire-extinguishing device.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows the cabin trolley 2 which, at the end side, comprises a retaining apparatus 24 that can be connected to a retaining plate 26. Said retaining plate could either be fixedly or removably connected to a rear side 28 of the apparatus 4. The retaining apparatus 24 and the retaining plate 26 may have devices which are formed so as to be complementary to one another and which for example comprise hooks and cutouts. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the retaining plate 26 has a fastening element 25 in the form of several cutouts, which can be introduced into the retaining apparatus 24.

[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the apparatus 4 is equipped with an alternative retaining plate 30 which is attached thereto and which is equipped, by way of example, with a handle 32 and a contact surface 34. In this way, the apparatus 4 can also be set up outside of a cabin trolley 2 or another device in the aircraft cabin. In addition thereto, a gripper 36 is provided which can be attached to holders 38.

[0042] In these exemplary embodiments, the base plate 14 has a flap 40 which closes a stowage compartment 42. Different devices, for example fire-resistant gloves 44, a fire blanket 46 or the like, could be provided in said stowage compartment.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows various views Ito V of the apparatus 4. In I, the apparatus 4 with the retaining plate 30 is shown in a side view. In illustration II, the apparatus 4 is shown without any attachments and consequently comprises merely the wall 20, the opening frame 6 and the base plate 14. The retaining plate 26 shown above, which can be connected to the trolley 2, is arranged in III. In IV, the opening frame 6 and the base plate 14 have been pivoted open. V, however, shows the variant from illustration I without a contact surface.

[0044] FIG. 7 illustrates a galley 48 in an aircraft cabin, in which a plurality of trolleys 2 are stored. Here, the apparatus 4 according to the invention is fastened to one of the trolleys 2. In the packed-down state shown there, the apparatus does not interfere with the customary operation of the galley 48.

[0045] In the case of need, which is shown in FIG. 8, a user 50 wearing fire-resistant gloves 44 uses the gripper 36 to grip, for example, a mobile electronic device 52 which, on account of a malfunction, is exhibiting an intense generation of heat. The apparatus 4 is located on the trolley 2 and the cover 8 of the opening frame 6 is open. The housing wall 20 is folded out and the user 50 can introduce the electronic device 52 into the cavity 22. Subsequently, the cavity 22 can be filled with a fire-extinguishing granular material 54 in order to extinguish the fire. As is shown in FIG. 10, the cover 8 is subsequently closed and the electronic device 52 no longer poses any risk.

[0046] Lastly, FIG. 11 shows an aircraft 56 with a passenger cabin 58 in which such an apparatus 4 can be used.

[0047] It is additionally pointed out that “having” or “comprising” does not rule out other elements or steps, and “a” or “an” does not rule out a multiplicity. It is also pointed out that features that have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also be used in combination with other features of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be regarded as limiting.

[0048] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms “a” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0049] 2 Cabin trolley [0050] 4 Apparatus [0051] 6 Opening frame [0052] 8 Flap [0053] 10 Opening [0054] 12 First bearing [0055] 14 Base plate [0056] 16 Second bearing [0057] 18 Intermediate space [0058] 20 Housing wall [0059] 22 Cavity [0060] 24 Retaining apparatus [0061] 25 Fastening element [0062] 26 Retaining plate [0063] 28 Rear side [0064] 30 Retaining plate [0065] 32 Handle [0066] 34 Contact surface [0067] 36 Gripper [0068] 38 Holder [0069] 40 Flap [0070] 42 Stowage compartment [0071] 44 Glove [0072] 46 Fire blanket [0073] 48 Galley [0074] 50 User [0075] 52 Electronic device [0076] 54 Fire-extinguishing granular material [0077] 56 Aircraft [0078] 58 Passenger cabin