CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/712,838, filed July 31, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to aircraft monuments, and more

particularly to a modular monument complex.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Aircraft monuments often include multiple separate units, such as galleys and

lavatories within a single monument or complex. A need exists for the ability to change these units with a reduced amount of effort.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0004] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular aircraft monument assembly that includes a ceiling and first and second side walls that cooperate to form an outer shell that defines a shell interior, a first standard unit positioned in the shell interior and a first modular unit positioned in the shell interior. The first standard unit is chosen from the group of galley unit, lavatory unit, vending unit or storage unit. The first modular unit is chosen from the group of galley unit, lavatory unit, vending unit or storage unit. The first modular unit includes a top and first and second side walls.

At least one of the top and first and second side walls of the first modular unit includes a first set of mounting components thereon that are removably mounted to a second set of mounting components on at least one of the ceiling of the outer shell, the first side wall of the outer shell, the second side wall of the outer shell or the first standard unit. In a preferred embodiment, the modular aircraft monument assembly includes a second standard unit positioned in the shell interior that is chosen from the group of galley unit, lavatory unit, vending unit or storage unit. Preferably, the first standard unit and the second standard unit cooperate to define a center space and the first modular unit is positioned in the center space. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second standard units are standard lavatory units and the first modular unit is a modular galley unit.

[0005] In a preferred embodiment, the modular aircraft monument assembly includes a second modular unit positioned in the shell interior that is chosen from the group of galley unit, lavatory unit, vending unit or storage unit. In a preferred embodiment, the modular aircraft monument assembly includes least a first interior wall that divides a portion of the shell interior into a center space and a first outboard space. Preferably, the second set of mounting components are disposed on a first side of the first interior wall and the first set of mounting components are removably mounted to the second set of mounting components. A third set of mounting components are disposed on a second side of the first interior wall and a fourth set of mounting components are located on the second modular unit. The third set of mounting components are removably mounted to the fourth set of mounting components. In a preferred embodiment, the first modular unit is positioned in a center space in the shell interior and the second modular unit is positioned in a first outboard space in the shell interior.

[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming a modular aircraft monument assembly that includes obtaining a first modular unit that is chosen from the group of galley unit, lavatory unit, vending unit or storage unit, and obtaining an outer shell that includes a ceiling and first and second side walls that cooperate to define a shell interior. The first modular unit includes a top and first and second side walls. At least one of the top and first and second side walls of the first modular unit includes a first set of mounting components thereon. The outer shell includes at least a first standard unit positioned in the shell interior that is chosen from the group of galley unit, lavatory unit, vending unit or storage unit. At least one of the ceiling of the outer shell, the first side wall of the outer shell, the second side wall of the outer shell or the first standard unit includes a second set of mounting components thereon. The method also includes inserting the first modular unit into the shell interior, and removably mounting the first set of mounting components to the second set of mounting components. In a preferred embodiment, the step of inserting the first modular unit into the shell interior includes sliding the first modular unit.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the method also includes obtaining a second modular unit that is chosen from the group of galley unit, lavatory unit, vending unit or storage unit. The second modular unit includes a top and first and second side walls. At least one of the top and first and second side walls of the second modular unit includes a third set of mounting components thereon. At least one of the ceiling of the outer shell, the first side wall of the outer shell, the second side wall of the outer shell, the first standard unit or the first modular unit includes a fourth set of mounting components thereon. The method further includes the steps of inserting the second modular unit into the shell interior, and removably mounting the third set of mounting components to the fourth set of mounting components.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the method also includes removing the first modular unit from the shell interior, and obtaining a second modular unit that is chosen from the group of galley unit, lavatory unit, vending unit or storage unit. The second modular unit includes a top and first and second side walls. At least one of the top and first and second side walls of the second modular unit includes a third set of mounting components thereon. The method also includes inserting the second modular unit into the shell interior and removably mounting the third set of mounting components to the second set of mounting components. Preferably, the second modular unit is a different type of modular unit than the first modular unit. For example, if the first modular unit was a modular galley unit, it can be replaced with a modular lavatory unit.

[0009] The modular aircraft monument assembly is preferably positioned in the aft of an aircraft. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that aircraft monuments can include lavatories, galleys, vending capabilities, storage (e.g., closets), etc. The main inventive concept is the ability to remove and replace modular units within a common shell. Embodiments are included where all of the units within the shell are modular and embodiments are included where some of the units (one or more) within the shell are modular (removable and replaceable as a single unit) and one or more units are standard units. The standard units are units that are not removable and replaceable as a unit. This allows, for example, a modular aircraft monument assembly to be provided with two outboard lavatories that are standard units and a center or inboard space where a modular unit can be inserted. This gives the user (e.g., an airline) that ability to choose between, e.g., a modular lavatory unit, a modular galley unit, a modular vending unit, etc. The modular unit already includes all of the necessary components therein. In another words, a modular lavatory unit already includes the sink, toilet, plumbing, etc. therein when it is inserted into the outer shell. It is essentially a "plug and play" scenario. A standard unit requires all of the components (e.g., sink and toilet) to be installed in the outer shell separately.

[0010] It will be appreciated that the modular units include walls with mounting components thereon that mate with common mounting components on either the outer shell (e.g., ceiling, floor, back, side walls) or on the wall of an adjacent standard unit. This allows the modular units to be interchangeable. The mounting components can be any type of mating mounting components, e.g., rails, rollers, sliders, slots, etc., wherein the male portion of the mounting component is positioned on one wall and the female portion of the mounting component is positioned on the adjacent wall. The key is that mounting components give the ability to remove a first modular unit and then slide a second modular unit into place and secure it in place. Accordingly, the present invention provides a modular aft complex with interchangeable lavs, galleys, closets, cart stowage, etc.

[0011] U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2014/0319275, 2013/0206904 and 2014/0196206 are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular aircraft monument assembly with two standard lavatory units and a modular galley unit exploded therefrom in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the modular aircraft monument assembly of FIG. 1 with a plurality of modular units that can be placed in the central modular unit space;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a modular aircraft monument assembly with a single

standard galley unit and a plurality of modular units that can be inserted into two modular unit spaces in the shell;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modular aircraft monument assembly with two standard lavatory units outboard and a modular vending unit; and

[0017] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a modular aircraft monument assembly that extends into the pressure dome area.

[0018] Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0019] The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are references to the same

embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of the embodiments.

[0020] Reference in this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the-disclosure. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other

embodiments.

[0021] The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks: The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted.

[0022] It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way.

Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein. No special significance is to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

[0023] Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples of instruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.

[0024] It will be appreciated that terms such as "front," "back,"“top,”“bottom,” "side," "short," "long," "up," "down," "aft," "forward," "inboard," "outboard" and "below" used herein are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the components described herein is within the scope of the present invention.

[0025] Referring now to the drawings, which are for purposes of illustrating the present invention and not for purposes of limiting the same, the FIGS. 1-5 show different embodiments of a modular aircraft monument assembly 10 that includes a plurality of modular units 12 that can be inserted and removed as desired. The modular units are designated generally as 12 to differentiate from the standard units 14. Individual modular units (e.g., a modular galley unit) may also be designated with other numerals. [0026] As discussed above, the standard units 14 are units that are not removable and replaceable as a unit. This allows, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a modular aircraft monument assembly 10 to be provided with two outboard lavatories that are standard units 14 and a center or inboard space 16 where a modular unit 12 can be inserted. FIG. 1 shows a modular galley unit 18. As shown in FIG. 1, the modular aircraft lavatory monument assembly 10 includes a ceiling 20, a floor 22, first and second side walls 24 and a back wall 26 that cooperate to form an outer shell 28 that defines a shell interior 30. In this embodiment, first and second standard units 14 are positioned in the outboard spaces 32 of the shell interior 30 and a first modular unit 12 is configured to be positioned in the center space 16 of the shell interior 30. The first and second standard units 14 can each be one of a galley unit, lavatory unit, vending unit or storage unit. The first modular unit 12 can be any one of a galley unit, lavatory unit, vending unit or storage unit.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the first modular unit 14 includes a top 34, bottom 36 and first and second side walls 38. At least one of the top 34, bottom 36 and first and second side walls 38 include(s) a first set of mounting components 40 thereon that are removably mounted to a second set of mounting components 42 on at least one of the ceiling 20, the floor 22, the first side wall 24, the second side wall 24 or the adjacent standard unit 14.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a modular aircraft monument assembly 10 that includes two outboard standard lavatory units 14 and a center or inboard space 16 that can accept a modular unit 12. FIG. 2 shows three exemplary modular unit 12 options. The top modular unit 12 in FIG. 2 is a modular compact vending unit 44 that includes a vending machine 46, a cabin attendant seat 48 and a waiting area 50. The cabin attendant seat 48 is shown in both the stowed position and the deployed position. The middle modular unit 12 in FIG. 2 is a modular compact galley unit 52 that includes a working area 54, trolley storage 56 and a cabin attendant seat 48 (shown in the stowed and deployed positions). The bottom modular unit 12 in FIG. 2 is a modular galley unit 58 that includes trolley storage 56 for both large and small size trolleys and a cabin attendant seat 48 (shown in the stowed and deployed positions). It will be appreciated that both the standard units 14 and modular units 12 shown in FIG. 2 are only exemplary and any type of standard or modular unit can be used. Furthermore, more than three types of units can be included within the shell.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a modular aircraft monument assembly 10 that includes one outboard standard galley unit 14 and inboard 16 and outboard 32 spaces that can accept or receive modular units 12. The top modular unit 12 in FIG. 3 that fits in the inboard space 16 is a modular compact galley unit 60 that includes trolley storage 56 for both large and small size trolleys and a cabin attendant seat 48 (shown in the stowed and deployed positions). The middle modular unit 12 in FIG. 3 that fits in the inboard space 16 is a modular galley unit 62 that includes trolley storage 56 for both large and small size trolleys. The bottom modular unit 12 in FIG. 3 that fits in the inboard space 16 is a modular lavatory unit 64 with a sink 66 and toilet 68 therein. The top modular unit 12 in FIG. 3 that fits in the outboard space 32 is another modular lavatory unit 64 with a sink 66 and toilet 68 therein. The bottom modular unit 12 in FIG. 3 that fits in the outboard space 32 is a modular persons with reduced mobility (PRM) lavatory unit 70 with a PRM seat 72, sink 66 and toilet 68 therein.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the modular aircraft monument assembly 10 of FIG. 2 with the modular compact vending unit 44 therein. The modular aircraft monument assembly 10 can be used as a galley, vending unit, self service unit with a waiting area 50 and standard lavatory units 14 on both sides. This assembly 10 allows for symmetric lavatories, a vending machine option, which reduces staff workload and a cabin attendant seat that is foldable and offers an extra work deck that is foldable and allows access to the rear trolleys stowed therein. [0031] FIG. 5 shows a modular aircraft monument assembly 10 with the option of two deep modular galley units 14 that extend into the aircraft aft pressure dome 100. The center space 16 wherein the left or right modular galley units 14 can fit is shown overlay ed with a regular sized aft aircraft monument assembly to show the increased depth.

[0032] It will be appreciated that interior walls 80 can be included in the outer shell 28 that include the second mounting components 42 thereon, as shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the interior walls 80 partially define the center and/or outboard spaces 16 and 32.

[0033] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to." As used herein, the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word "or" in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

[0034] The above-detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of and examples for the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Further, any specific numbers noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing values, measurements or ranges.

[0035] The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Any measurements described or used herein are merely exemplary and not a limitation on the present invention. Other measurements can be used. Further, any specific materials noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing materials.

[0036] Any patents and applications and other references noted above, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Aspects of the disclosure can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the disclosure.

[0037] These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of the above

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments. While the above description describes certain embodiments of the disclosure, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the teachings can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the subject matter disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosures to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure under the claims.

[0038] Accordingly, although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that all the terms used herein are descriptive rather than limiting, and that many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.