초록 ▼

A counterbalance mechanism (10) counters the weight of a door in an airplane. The door hingedly mounts to the fuselage of the airplane, and rotates upward and inward relative to the fuselage along a hinge axis. The counterbalance mechanism includes a housing (12) for affixing the counterbalance mech

A counterbalance mechanism (10) counters the weight of a door in an airplane. The door hingedly mounts to the fuselage of the airplane, and rotates upward and inward relative to the fuselage along a hinge axis. The counterbalance mechanism includes a housing (12) for affixing the counterbalance mechanism to the fuselage of the airplane. A guide tube (14) rotatably mounts to the housing for swinging movement about an axis of rotation generally parallel to the hinge axis of the door. The guide tube includes a rod (40) that extends outwardly from the guide tube. Compression springs (34) within the guide tube oppose outward movement of the rod. A linkage assembly that includes a bell crank (50) and a push rod (56) connects the guide tube to the door via rod (40) to assert counterbalancing force during the door opening and closing sequence of the door.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.] A counterbalance mechanism for countering the weight of a door in an airplane, the door being mounted to the fuselage of the airplane and being opened by upward and inward rotation

[ The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.] A counterbalance mechanism for countering the weight of a door in an airplane, the door being mounted to the fuselage of the airplane and being opened by upward and inward rotation about a hinge axis that extends longitudinally relative to the airplane, the counterbalance mechanism comprising:(a) a housing for connection to the airplane;(b) a guide tube rotatably mounted to the housing and extending toward the door, the axis of rotation of the guide tube being generally parallel to the hinge axis of the door, the axis of rotation of the guide tube being located at a position along the guide tube that allows a portion of each end of the guide tube to rotate about the axis of rotation, the guide tube thereby being capable of engaging in a rocking motion; the guide tube including:(i) a rod being partially contained by the guide tube and having an end extending outwardly from the guide tube in a direction towards the airplane door; and(ii) at least one spring contained in the guide tube and mechanically linked to the rod for urging the rod into a retracted position within the guide tube; and(c) linkage means for connecting the outwardly extending end of the rod to the door.