US20100252680A1 - Vehicle Passenger Seating - Google Patents

Vehicle Passenger Seating Download PDF

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Publication number
US20100252680A1
US20100252680A1 US12/729,335 US72933510A US2010252680A1 US 20100252680 A1 US20100252680 A1 US 20100252680A1 US 72933510 A US72933510 A US 72933510A US 2010252680 A1 US2010252680 A1 US 2010252680A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
seats
seat
seating
aircraft
passenger
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/729,335
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Glen Wilson Porter
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Air New Zealand Ltd
Original Assignee
Air New Zealand Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2009901289A external-priority patent/AU2009901289A0/en
Application filed by Air New Zealand Ltd filed Critical Air New Zealand Ltd
Priority to US12/729,335 priority Critical patent/US20100252680A1/en
Assigned to AIR NEW ZEALAND LIMITED reassignment AIR NEW ZEALAND LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PORTER, GLEN WILSON
Publication of US20100252680A1 publication Critical patent/US20100252680A1/en
Priority to US13/892,617 priority patent/US9126689B2/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
    • B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
    • B64D11/0646—Seats characterised by special features of stationary arms, foot or head rests
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/005—Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles, e.g. dismountable auxiliary seats
    • B60N2/01—Arrangement of seats relative to one another
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/75—Arm-rests
    • B60N2/763—Arm-rests adjustable
    • B60N2/77—Height adjustment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/75—Arm-rests
    • B60N2/79—Adaptations for additional use of the arm-rests
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/75—Arm-rests
    • B60N2/79—Adaptations for additional use of the arm-rests
    • B60N2/793—Adaptations for additional use of the arm-rests for use as storage compartments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N3/00—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
    • B60N3/001—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of tables or trays
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N3/00—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
    • B60N3/001—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of tables or trays
    • B60N3/002—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of tables or trays of trays
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N3/00—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
    • B60N3/001—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of tables or trays
    • B60N3/002—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of tables or trays of trays
    • B60N3/004—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of tables or trays of trays of foldable trays mounted on the back-rest
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R7/00—Stowing or holding appliances inside vehicle primarily intended for personal property smaller than suit-cases, e.g. travelling articles, or maps
    • B60R7/04—Stowing or holding appliances inside vehicle primarily intended for personal property smaller than suit-cases, e.g. travelling articles, or maps in driver or passenger space, e.g. using racks
    • B60R7/043—Stowing or holding appliances inside vehicle primarily intended for personal property smaller than suit-cases, e.g. travelling articles, or maps in driver or passenger space, e.g. using racks mounted on or under a seat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
    • B64D11/0015—Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
    • B64D11/0015—Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
    • B64D11/00151—Permanently mounted seat back monitors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
    • B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
    • B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
    • B64D11/0601—Arrangement of seats for non-standard seating layouts, e.g. seats staggered horizontally or vertically, arranged in an angled or fishbone layout, or facing in other directions than the direction of flight
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
    • B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
    • B64D11/0602—Seat modules, i.e. seat systems including furniture separate from the seat itself
    • B64D11/0604—Seat modules, i.e. seat systems including furniture separate from the seat itself including a bed, e.g. cocoon type passenger seat modules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
    • B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
    • B64D11/0606—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats with privacy shells, screens, separators or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
    • B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
    • B64D11/0627—Seats combined with storage means
    • B64D11/0636—Personal storage means or waste disposal bags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
    • B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
    • B64D11/0638—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats with foldable tables, trays or cup holders
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
    • B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
    • B64D11/0639—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats with features for adjustment or converting of seats
    • B64D11/064—Adjustable inclination or position of seats
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
    • B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
    • B64D11/0639—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats with features for adjustment or converting of seats
    • B64D11/0641—Seats convertible into beds
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
    • B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
    • B64D11/0639—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats with features for adjustment or converting of seats
    • B64D11/0643—Adjustable foot or leg rests
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/90—Details or parts not otherwise provided for
    • B60N2002/905—Details or parts not otherwise provided for the head-rest or seat used as an anchorage point, for an object not covered by groups in B60N, e.g. for a canvas

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a seating arrangement, seats and seating in or for passenger transport vehicles. More particularly but not exclusively it relates to seating in or for an aircraft.
  • seats in an aircraft are arranged so that passengers seated on the seats face in a direction parallel with the fore-aft direction of the aircraft. This has been the situation for seats in first class, business class, premium economy and economy sections in the aircraft for many years. For example seats are arranged in rows all facing forwards.
  • More recently seating arrangements have been arranged to offer the individual more privacy and allow for more convenient and comfortable seating of passengers, while attempting to maximise passenger density.
  • the seats are arranged as single units and occupy a relatively large amount of space. They are also designed with privacy in mind and do not facilitate interaction with passengers in seats adjacent.
  • Such seats are typically intended to be used in first or business class sections of an aircraft.
  • United States patent application US2007/0246981 by Plant shows a different seating arrangement.
  • two seats are located side by side and are angled at an acute angle relative to the fore-aft direction line of the aircraft such that the seats face partly inwardly towards each other.
  • the present invention may be said to be a seating arrangement for location at the longitudinal centre line of a commercial passenger vehicle in a longitudinally extending passenger seating area thereof, said seating arrangement comprising;
  • each seat Preferably the seat pan portions of each seat are separated from each other and an armrest is located between the seat pan portions of the pair of seats.
  • the armrest is configured to be presented for mutual use by passengers sedentary in the pair of seats.
  • the seating arrangement includes a utility surface located between the seat pan portions of the pair of seats.
  • the utility surface is supported by a base structure in a manner to be movable between a raised position and a lowered position.
  • the utility surface when in its raised position is configured for a passenger sedentary in one or each of the respective seats to rest their arm on.
  • the utility surface when in its lowered position and together with the seat pans of each seat, form a surface (preferably flat) for a passenger to recline on.
  • the utility surface when in its lowered position and together with the seat pans of each seat, defines a continuous support surface.
  • the utility surface when in its raised position, allows passengers sitting in the two seats to position their feet under the utility surface in order to sit in an orientation facing towards each other.
  • the utility surface is movable between its raised and lowered positions by said base structure, said base structure configured to not prevent sedentary passengers legs from swinging into and out of a region underneath the utility surface when the utility surface is in the raised position.
  • the utility surface is movable by said base structure that is movably supported by a sliding mechanism.
  • a backrest is disposed between the backrest portions of the two seats, presented for use by a passenger sitting on the utility surface when in its lowered position.
  • a secondary seat pan in provided, positioned intermediate of and spanning between the seat pans of the two seats when in a first position, there being a void below said secondary seat pan, the secondary seat pan moveable between said first and a second, more elevated, position such that in said second position, the secondary seat pan is separated from the seat pans of the two seats to create a gap sufficient to receive at least one thigh of a person sitting in each of the two seats.
  • the seating arrangement further comprises a securing assembly configured to secure the seats to a floor of a said commercial passenger vehicle in a manner so that the seats are aligned at an acute angle towards each other and are each at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and each face towards opposed outboard directions.
  • a securing assembly configured to secure the seats to a floor of a said commercial passenger vehicle in a manner so that the seats are aligned at an acute angle towards each other and are each at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and each face towards opposed outboard directions.
  • the seating arrangement further comprises a shell that extends at least in part around the rear of both seats.
  • the shell is composed of a rigid moulded plastic material.
  • the shell defines a recess for accommodating a visual display unit to be presented for viewing by a passenger seated behind the seating arrangement.
  • the shell defines at least one armrest for each seat.
  • the shell defines at least one foot well to accommodate the feet of a passenger sitting behind the seating arrangement.
  • the foot well is of a shape to allow a passenger sitting behind the seating arrangement to position their feet below the seat pan of a seat in front.
  • the armrest is defined on the outboard side of at least one seat of the central seat arrangement.
  • the central seat arrangement includes at least one tray table extending outwardly from the rear of the shell to provide a convenient utility surface for passengers seated behind the central seat arrangement.
  • said shell extends from floor level and projects above the backrest portion of each seat.
  • said shell extends to present a secondary back rest for sedentary passengers in each seat for use by each passenger when positioned to face more towards the other seat in the seating arrangement.
  • said shell extends to project at least in part to the facing side of each seat to define flanking on each side of seating arrangement.
  • each said seat faces at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction of between 15 to 30 degrees and preferably 23 degrees.
  • said seats face at an angle relative to each other of between 30 to 60 degrees and preferably 46 degrees.
  • a privacy screen is positioned between the two seats.
  • the privacy screen is fixed in position relative to the shell.
  • the privacy screen extends from the shell.
  • the privacy screen is defined by the shell.
  • each seat is moveable between an upright seated and a more reclined position.
  • one or both of the backrest portion and seat pan portion is moveable between an upright seated position and a more reclined position.
  • each said seat pan portion includes a front edge and a rearward edge.
  • the seat pan portion of said seat drops at its rearward edge when moving to its reclined more position.
  • the seat pan portion raises at its front edge when moving into its reclined position.
  • said seats are connected to each other and form a unitary pair of seats.
  • the seating arrangement is installed along the longitudinal centre line of a commercial passenger vehicle that includes a longitudinally extending passenger seating area.
  • the present invention may be said to be a seating unit for a commercial passenger vehicle that has a longitudinally shaped passenger seating zone, the seating unit comprising:
  • the present invention may be said to be a commercial passenger vehicle that has a longitudinally shaped passenger seating zone, said vehicle comprising:
  • each seat includes a seat pan portion and a back rest portion that extends upwardly from said seat pan portion.
  • the seat pan portions are separated from each other and an armrest is located between the seat pan portions.
  • the armrest is a mutual arm rest presented for use by a passenger sedentary in each seat.
  • the seating unit includes a utility surface located between the seat pan portions of the seats.
  • the utility surface is supported by a base structure in a manner to be movable between a raised position and a lowered position.
  • the utility surface when in its raised position is presented for a passenger sedentary in one or each of the respective seats to rest their arm on.
  • the utility surface when in its lowered position and together with the seat pan of at least one of said seats form a surface for a passenger to recline on.
  • the utility surface when in its lowered position and together with the seat pans of each seat, defines a continuous support surface.
  • the utility surface is movably supported between its raised and lowered positions by said base structure, said base structure configured to not prevent a passengers legs from swinging into and out of a region underneath the utility surface when the utility surface is in the raised position.
  • a backrest is disposed between the backrest portions of the two seats, presented for use by a passenger sitting on the utility surface when in its lowered position.
  • the vehicle further comprises a shell that extends at least in part around the rear of both seats.
  • the shell defines at least one foot well to accommodate the feet of a passenger sitting behind the seating unit.
  • the foot well is of a shape to allow a passenger sitting behind the seating unit to position their feet below the seat pan of the seat in front.
  • the shell extends from the floor of the vehicle above which the seating unit is supported and to a location above the back rest portion.
  • the shell is juxtaposed the entire of each back rest portion.
  • each seat of the seating unit face at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction of between 15 to 30 degrees and preferably 23 degrees.
  • said seats face at an angle relative to each other of between 30 to 60 degrees and preferably 46 degrees.
  • the present invention may be said to be a seating arrangement for or in a commercial passenger vehicle that has a longitudinally shaped passenger seating zone, the seating arrangement comprising:
  • the two juxtaposed seats and the shell define a single seating unit.
  • said shell includes a scalloped region to define a footwell into which the feet of a passenger sitting in said identical seating arrangement behind, can position their feet so as to locate at least partially below at least one of the two juxtaposed seats.
  • said shell extends upwards from floor level.
  • the present invention may be said to be a seating arrangement for a commercial passenger vehicle that has a longitudinally shaped passenger seating zone, the seating arrangement comprises a pair of seats disposed alongside and secured to each other, each seat comprising:
  • the present invention may be said to be a seating unit for a commercial passenger vehicle that has a longitudinally shaped passenger seating zone, the seating unit comprises a pair of seats disposed alongside each other, each seat comprising:
  • a first support member associated with a first of said seats and that can be moved between a first condition wherein the support member offers an arm rest to a passenger sedentary in said first seat and a second condition wherein the support member is flush with the seat pan portion of the first seat
  • a second support member associated with a second of said seats and that can be moved between a first condition wherein the support member offers an arm rest to a passenger sedentary in said second seat and a second condition wherein the support member is flush with the seat pan portion of the second seat.
  • the present invention may be said to be a seating unit for a commercial passenger vehicle that has a longitudinally shaped passenger seating zone, the seating unit comprises a pair of seats disposed alongside each other, each seat comprising:
  • a first support member associated with a first of said seats and that can be moved between a first condition wherein the support member offers a table to a passenger sedentary in said first seat and a second condition wherein the support member is flush with the seat pan portion of the first seat
  • a second support member associated with a second of said seats and that can be moved between a first condition wherein the support member offers a table to a passenger sedentary in said second seat and a second condition wherein the support member is flush with the seat pan portion of the second seat.
  • the present invention may be said to be a commercial passenger aircraft carrying a plurality of identical seat units positioned one behind the other at a floor level in said aircraft, each seat unit providing a passenger accommodation zone to accommodate two sedentary passengers each supported by a respective seat of said unit in a side by side orientation, the two seats oriented at an angle to each other such that the seats face in a non parallel direction and non converging direction, and wherein a fixed shell, extending upward from said floor level, is provided separating said zones in a manner such that the zone nests in-part with a zone of a seat unit in front.
  • said seat units are arranged in a column that extends in the fore-aft direction of the aircraft.
  • each said seat unit is fixed relative to a floor of said aircraft.
  • each seat unit can be configured to an upright seating position and a more reclined seating position.
  • each said seat includes a seat pan portion and a backrest portion that extends upwardly relative said seat pan portion, both said seat pan portion and said back rest portion moveable relative to said shell to be positioned in an upright seating position and a more reclined seating position.
  • the present invention may be said to be a seating configuration of a commercial passenger vehicle having a longitudinally shaped passenger seating area, said seating configuration comprising:
  • said seating configuration comprises a column of a plurality of seating arrangements, the column extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction, and wherein the seats of all seating arrangements face in a parallel direction to each other.
  • the column extends parallel to and on an outboard side of the longitudinal centreline of the vehicle.
  • said vehicle is a passenger aircraft and said seating arrangement is disposed adjacent the fuselage wall at a side of the aircraft.
  • said seating arrangement comprises a rigid moulded shell covering at least the rear of the seat.
  • said shell defines a recess at a rear face of the seating arrangement for a visual display unit to be viewed by a passenger sitting behind the seating arrangement.
  • At least one tray table is provided to extend outwardly at the rear of the shell to provide a utility surface for a passenger seated behind the seating arrangement.
  • the shell includes at least one armrest presented for use by a passenger sitting in the seat.
  • the armrest is defined on the outboard side of the seat.
  • the seating arrangement comprises two adjacent seats.
  • the two seats are positioned adjacent each other and aligned each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
  • said seats are angled outward in relation to the longitudinal direction at an angle between 15 to 30 degrees and preferably 23 degrees.
  • the shell defines at least one foot well to accommodate the feet of a passenger sitting behind the seat arrangement.
  • the seating arrangement comprises two adjacent seats and a fixed shell covering the rear of said two adjacent seats, the shell defining at least a first foot well to accommodate the feet of a passenger sitting behind the seat arrangement and extending at least partially underneath both of the seats.
  • the shell defines a second foot well extending at least partially underneath the only one of the seats.
  • said seat(s) is moveable between an upright seated position and a more reclined position.
  • At least one of said seats comprises a backrest portion and a seat pan portion.
  • one or more of the backrest portion, seat pan portion is moveable between an upright seated and a reclined more position.
  • said seat pan portion includes a front edge and a rearward edge.
  • the seat pan portion raises at its front edge when moving into its reclining position.
  • the present invention may be said to be a commercial passenger vehicle that includes a longitudinally extending passenger seating area, said vehicle comprising:
  • the seating arrangement includes a shell extending at least in part around the rear of the seats.
  • the shell is composed of a rigid moulded plastic or resinous material.
  • the shell is configured to accommodate a display unit at the rear of the shell.
  • the shell defines a recess on the rear of the outboard seat arrangement for accommodating a visual display unit.
  • the shell defines recesses on the rear of the outboard seat arrangement, each for accommodating a display unit.
  • the display unit includes a viewing screen.
  • the display unit includes a pivoting arm on which the viewing screen may be moved to pivot away from the shell.
  • the shell defines at least one armrest.
  • the armrest is defined on the outboard side of at least one seat of the outboard seat arrangement.
  • the outboard seat arrangement includes at least one tray table foldable outwardly from an arm rest.
  • the outboard seat arrangement includes at least one tray table extending outwardly from the rear of the shell to provide a convenient utility surface for passengers seated behind the outboard seat arrangement.
  • each said seat is angled in relation to the longitudinal direction at an angle of between 15 to 30 degrees and preferably 23 degrees.
  • the outboard seat arrangement includes a privacy screen extending between the seats in a outboard seat arrangement.
  • the privacy screen is fixed in position relative to the shell.
  • the privacy screen extends from the shell.
  • the privacy screen is defined by the shell.
  • the shell extends upwardly from the floor of the vehicle and defines at least one foot well to accommodate the feet of a passenger sitting behind the seating arrangement.
  • the shell defines a first foot well extending at least partially underneath the most outboard seat and a second foot well at least partially underneath the outboard most seat and another of said seats.
  • said seat is moveable between an upright seated and a more reclined position.
  • At least one of said seats comprises a backrest portion and a seat pan portion.
  • one or more of the backrest portion and seat pan portion is moveable between a seated and a reclined position.
  • said seat pan portion includes a front edge and a rearward edge.
  • the seat pan portion of said seat drops at its rearward edge when moving to its reclining position.
  • the seat pan portion raises at its front edge when moving into its reclining position.
  • the vehicle is an aircraft and the seating arrangement is positioned adjacent the fuselage/cabin wall and the shell is configured to be located adjacent and to be disposed proximate the fuselage/cabin wall.
  • said seats are mounted to each other to form a unitary seating arrangement.
  • the vehicle is an aircraft and the longitudinal direction is that parallel to the fore/aft direction of the aircraft.
  • the present invention may be said to be a seating arrangement for a commercial passenger vehicle having a longitudinally shaped seating area, said seating arrangement comprising;
  • the seats are staggered in alignment with each other in the facing direction.
  • the seats are engaged to a securing assembly configured to secure the seats to a floor of a said commercial passenger vehicle in a manner so that the seats are positioned relative each other in alignment with a perpendicular to the fore/aft direction of the vehicle, and wherein the seats face generally in an outboard direction, and at an acute angle to the fore/aft direction of the vehicle.
  • each of said seats include one seat pan, wherein the front edge of each seat pan is off set from the front edge of the seat pan of the adjacent seat.
  • the shell is composed of a rigid moulded plastic or resinous.
  • the shell is configured to accommodate a visual display unit at the rear of the shell.
  • the shell defines a recess on the rear of the seat arrangement for accommodating a display unit.
  • the shell defines plurality of recesses on the rear of the seat arrangement, each for accommodating a display unit.
  • the display unit includes a viewing screen.
  • the display unit includes a pivoting arm on which the viewing screen may be moved to pivot away from the shell.
  • the shell defines at least one armrest.
  • the armrest is defined on the outboard side of at least one seat of the seating arrangement.
  • the seating arrangement includes at least one tray table extending outwardly from the rear of the shell to provide a convenient utility surface for passengers seated behind the seating arrangement.
  • said seat(s) is/are angled outward in relation to the longitudinal axis at an angle of between 15 to 30 degrees.
  • said seat(s) is/are angled at 25 degrees to the longitudinal axis.
  • the seating arrangement includes a privacy screen extending between the seats in a seating arrangement.
  • the privacy screen extends from and is defined by the shell in a permanent fashion.
  • the privacy screen is removable from the shell.
  • the privacy screen is fixed in position relative to the shell.
  • the privacy screen extends from the shell.
  • the privacy screen is defined by the shell.
  • the shell further includes a foot well extending at least partially underneath the most outboard seat, wherein said foot well is open to the outboard side of the seating arrangement.
  • each said seat is moveable between a seated and a reclined position.
  • each said seats comprises a backrest portion and a seat pan portion.
  • At least one of said seats includes a footrest portion.
  • one or more of the backrest portion and seat pan portion is moveable between a seated and a more reclined position.
  • said seat pan portion includes a front edge and a rearward edge.
  • the seat pan portion of said seat drops at its rearward edge when moving to its reclining position.
  • the seat pan portion raises at its front edge when moving into its reclining position.
  • the shell is configured to be located adjacent and to be disposed proximate the contour of the side wall of the cabin of the vehicle when the seating arrangement is installed in a commercial passenger vehicle.
  • said seats are mounted to each other and form a unitary seating pair.
  • the present invention may be said to be a commercial aircraft passenger seating configuration defined within at least part of a section of the aircraft comprising:
  • each seat can move relative to said shell between an upright seating position and a more reclined seating position.
  • each seat has it facing direction at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the aircraft.
  • the facing direction is in a direction away from the longitudinal centreline of the aircraft.
  • the seating arrangement is located immediately adjacent the outboard shell of the aircraft.
  • each seat in a said arrangement is located no more advanced in the aircraft as the other seat in the arrangement.
  • the shell defines two foot wells, each to accommodate the feet of a passenger in a seat of a seating arrangement behind, the first foot well at least in part located below both seats to receive the feet of a passenger behind that is positioned inboard more, and a second foot well that is located at least in part below the outboard most seat to receive the feet of a passenger behind that is outboard more.
  • the present invention may be said to be a commercial aircraft passenger seating configuration defined within at least part of a section of the aircraft comprising:
  • each seating arrangement is located mid-ships of the aircraft.
  • the plurality of rows are arranged in a column, the column extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the aircraft.
  • the seats of a seating arrangement are closer together at their backrests that at their seat pans.
  • each seat faces in a direction that is at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the aircraft and is between 5 and 30 degrees to the longitudinal direction.
  • said shell also defines at least one arm rest for each of the seats in the seating arrangement.
  • each seat can move relative to said shell between an upright seating position and a more reclined seating position.
  • each seat a said arrangement is located no more advanced in the aircraft as the other seat in the arrangement.
  • each seat includes a seat pan and a utility surface is located intermediate of the seat pans of each seat in a seating arrangement.
  • the utility surface is made up of two sections.
  • the utility surface can be moved to be raised and lowered including being moved to be coplanar the seat pans of each seat and to be moved to be provide an arm rest or table for the passenger(s) in one or both seats.
  • a storage area is provided below the utility surface that can receive and store a passenger's personal belongings.
  • the storage area is enclosable.
  • the utility surface is supported by a support structure that facilitates its movement.
  • the support structure supports the support surface in a manner to allow a gap to be defined between the seat pan and the support structure when the utility surface is in the raised condition.
  • the support structure is generally “L” shaped.
  • the “L” shape facilitates the provision of a clear space between said two adjacent seats, at seat pan level when the support structure is in the up position.
  • Preferably utility surface can at least in part move relative to the support structure to expose and close a storage tray located beneath the support structure.
  • a privacy screen located intermediate of the seats and located to be at head level of an adult passenger sitting a seat.
  • the shell extends at least in part between the two seats to define a privacy screen between the two seats.
  • the shell defines at least part of a foot well to accommodate the feet of a passenger in a respective seat of a seating arrangement behind.
  • the foot well extends at least in part beneath a corresponding seat of said seating arrangement.
  • the foot well is fully enclosed other than at where the feet of a passenger are received into the foot well.
  • the shell is a moulded member.
  • the central seating arrangement includes controls for in flight entertainment and the like.
  • each seating arrangement is located mid-ships of the aircraft.
  • the present invention may be said to be a commercial aircraft with a passenger seating configuration defined within at least part of a section of the aircraft comprising:
  • the present invention may be said to be a commercial passenger aircraft that includes a plurality of zones to accommodate two passengers in a sedentary position each zone defined between and in part by a plurality of rows of a seating unit, each seating unit comprising of two juxtaposed seats on each of which a passenger can sit wherein the two seats each face in opposite outboard directions and wherein each zone nests in-part with an adjacent zone.
  • each seating unit includes a fixed shell that is located between said zones and extends upwards from the floor of the aircraft to above the seats.
  • each seat of said seating unit faces away from each other at an acute angle and face at an acute angle to the longitudinal direction of said aircraft.
  • the present invention may be said to be a seating unit for a commercial passenger vehicle that has a longitudinally shaped passenger seating zone, the seating unit comprises:
  • the present invention may be said to be a seating system for installation in a commercial passenger vehicle having a longitudinally shaped seating area, said system comprising
  • the present invention may be said to be a seating unit for a commercial passenger vehicle that has a longitudinally shaped passenger seating zone, the seating unit comprises:
  • the present invention may be said to be a commercial passenger vehicle that has a longitudinally shaped passenger seating zone, the vehicle including a seating unit that comprises:
  • the present invention may be said to be a section of an aircraft, passenger seats on one side of the centre line of the aircraft that face towards one side of the aircraft and seats on the other side of the centre line of the aircraft that face towards the opposite side of the aircraft.
  • said passenger seats on said one side are arranged is rows of two seats, the row direction being perpendicular to the fore/aft direction of the aircraft and said passenger seats on said other side are arranged is rows of two seats, the row direction being perpendicular to the fore/aft direction of the aircraft.
  • the present invention may be said to be an aircraft that includes in a cabin section, seats on one side of the centre line of the aircraft that face at an acute angle or angles to the centreline of the aircraft and away from the centre line and seats on the other side of the centre line of the aircraft that face at an acute angle or angles to the centre line and also away from the centreline.
  • all seats on one side of the centreline face in away from the centreline and all seats on the other side face away from the centreline.
  • the seats face at an angle of between 10 and 30 degrees to the centreline direction.
  • the seats on one side are arranged in a row and the seats on the other side are arranged in a row.
  • the row direction is perpendicular to the centreline direction of the aircraft.
  • each side of the centreline of said aircraft there are two said seats on the window side of the aisle and there is one other seat positioned on the centreline side of the aisle.
  • centre seat unit through which the centreline passes said centre seat unit includes two seats.
  • centre seat unit is as described above.
  • an outboard seat unit that includes two seats, the outboard seat unit as herein above described.
  • the outboard seats units are located in the section of the aircraft.
  • the aisle is aligned with and located along the centre line of the aircraft and separated the seats on each side of the centreline.
  • the present invention may be said to be a 2-2-2 row seat layout in a cabin of a passenger aircraft where in each row 3 seats face towards one side and 3 seats face towards the opposite side of the aircraft.
  • each set of 3 seats is parallel to each other.
  • the row direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the aircraft.
  • all the seats in a row are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the fore/aft direction of the aircraft.
  • both outboard pair of seats in the row are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the fore/aft direction of the aircraft and the inboard pair are staggered fore or aft of the perpendicular of the outboard pair of seats.
  • an aisle is provided between each pair of adjacent seats.
  • the present invention may be said to be a 2-2 row seat layout in a cabin of a passenger aircraft wherein 2 seats in each row face towards one side and 2 seats in each row face towards the opposite side of the aircraft.
  • each set of 2 adjacent seats is parallel to each other.
  • the row direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the aircraft.
  • an aisle is exists between each pair of adjacent seats.
  • the present invention may be said to be a seating unit for an aircraft, the seating unit comprises a pair of seats disposed alongside each other and each seat comprising a backrest portion and a seat pan portion each seat mounted to a plinth that includes fasteners to fasten the seat unit to seat rails of an aircraft so that said seats faces at an acute angle to the fore/aft direction of the aircraft yet no one of the seats is advance more in the aircraft than the other seat of the seat unit.
  • the present invention may be said to be a commercial passenger aircraft carrying a plurality of identical seat units positioned one behind the other at a floor level in said aircraft, each seat unit providing a passenger accommodation zone to accommodate two sedentary passengers each supported by a respective seat of said unit in a side by side orientation, the two seats oriented at an angle to the fore/aft direction of the aircraft, and wherein a fixed shell, extending upward from said floor level, is provided separating said zones in a manner such that the zone nests in-part with a zone of a seat unit in front.
  • said seat units are arranged in a column that extends in the fore-aft direction of the aircraft.
  • each said seat unit is fixed relative to a floor of said aircraft.
  • each seat unit can be configured to an upright seating position and a more reclined seating position.
  • each said seat includes a seat pan portion and a backrest portion that extends upwardly relative said seat pan portion, both said seat pan portion and said back rest portion moveable relative to said shell to be positioned in an upright seating position and a more reclined seating position.
  • facing when used in relation to the direction that a seat is facing relates to the direction in which a passenger when seated in the seat in a normal manner will be facing when normally supported by a seat and when viewed in plan view, and any reference to “face” or “faces” is to be construed accordingly.
  • the term “outboard” when used in relation to a facing direction of a seat relates to a direction that is towards a side of the vehicle and that is at an angle to the fore/aft direction of the vehicle (but is not restricted to being perpendicular to the fore/aft direction).
  • This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
  • FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of two outboard seat units
  • FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of two outboard seat units
  • FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of two inboard seat units
  • FIG. 3 a is a front perspective view of one inboard seat unit
  • FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of two inboard seat units
  • FIG. 5 a is a plan view of a seating arrangement that shows the aisle size between outboard and inboard seat units
  • FIG. 5 b is a rear view of a seating arrangement that shows the aisle size between outboard and inboard seat units
  • FIG. 6 a is a front view of an inboard seat unit
  • FIG. 6 b is a plan view of an inboard seat unit
  • FIG. 6 c is a rear view of an inboard seat unit
  • FIG. 7 a is a front view of an outboard seat unit
  • FIG. 7 b is a plan view of an outboard seat unit
  • FIG. 7 c is a rear view of an outboard seat unit
  • FIG. 7 d is a front view of an outboard seat unit
  • FIG. 7 e is a plan view of an outboard seat unit
  • FIG. 8 is a side view of an outboard seat unit
  • FIG. 9 is a side view of an outboard seat unit on the opposite side of the aircraft, (eg a mirror image of FIG. 8 ,
  • FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the inboard seat unit
  • FIG. 11 shows a side view of FIG. 10 .
  • FIG. 12 shows a front view of the middle section of the seat unit of FIG. 10 .
  • FIG. 13 is a front top perspective view of an inboard seat unit
  • FIG. 13 a shows the seat of FIG. 13 where passengers are sedentary in each seat
  • FIG. 13 b shows the seat of FIG. 13 where passengers are sedentary in each seat
  • FIG. 14 is a top view of an inboard seat unit
  • FIG. 15 is a rear top perspective view of an inboard seat unit
  • FIG. 16 is a rear view of an inboard seat unit
  • FIG. 17 is a side view of an inboard seat unit
  • FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of an inboard seat unit
  • FIG. 19 is a front view of a wide body aircraft such as a Boeing 777,
  • FIG. 20 is a plan view of FIG. 19 .
  • FIG. 21 is a side view of FIG. 20 .
  • FIG. 22 is a view at section cc of FIGS. 21 and 19 showing how a section of the aircraft may include a seat lay out that comprises of two outboard seat units having two seats and one inboard seat unit having two seats and two aisles at region B,
  • FIG. 23 is a view in direction AA of FIG. 22 .
  • FIG. 24 is a close up plan view of region B of FIG. 22 .
  • FIG. 25 is a front view of a narrow body aircraft such as a Boeing 737,
  • FIG. 26 is a plan view of FIG. 25 .
  • FIG. 27 is a side view of FIG. 25 .
  • FIG. 28 is a view at section cc of FIGS. 25 and 26 showing how a section of the aircraft may include a seat lay out that comprises of two outboard seat units having two seats and one inboard seat unit having two seats and two aisles at region B,
  • FIG. 29 is a close up plan view of region B of FIG. 27 .
  • FIG. 30 is a view in direction AA of FIG. 27 .
  • FIG. 31 show a plan view of the outboard seats arranged in a column and wherein foot wells as shown to extend under the seat pans in front.
  • FIGS. 1-2 , 7 a - 7 e show an example of outboard seat unit 100 in or for a commercial passenger vehicle having a longitudinally shaped seating area.
  • the vehicle may be a train, boat, aircraft, or bus. It is preferably an aircraft and the seating area is a passenger accommodation zone such as in a cabin or cabin section of the aircraft.
  • the unit is herein described as being outboard because it is preferably positioned adjacent an outboard side of the vehicle. Eg a side that extends parallel to the fore/aft direction (such as the normal travel direction) of the vehicle.
  • the outboard sea unit 100 includes two seats 120 .
  • one of the seats When installed on a vehicle, one of the seats may be in an inboard more position such as seat 120 a and the other an outboard more position such as seat 120 b .
  • the seats 120 a and 120 b preferably face in a parallel direction to each other.
  • the seats 120 a and 120 b are not disposed directly side by side each other but are instead staggered in lateral alignment from each other by a distance B so that the two adjacent passengers do not side shoulder to should next to each other.
  • the outboard seat 120 b is positioned further forward more than the inboard seat 120 a seat in the direction in which these seats face, yet are aligned in a direction lateral to the fore-aft direction.
  • the outboard seat unit includes two seats each including a seat pan and back rest.
  • the unit also includes a rigid moulded plastic shell 110 extending from one side of the seats 120 , around the rear side of the seats 120 to an opposed side of the seats.
  • the shell at least partially surrounds the rear of the seats.
  • the shell extends upwardly from the floor and is fixed relative thereto.
  • the shell 100 may define armrests 114 for each of the seats 120 .
  • a privacy screen 150 may be defined between the seats 120 to provide privacy between passengers seated in the seats 120 . It is envisaged that in a preferred embodiment the privacy screen 150 will extend from and be defined by the shell 110 in a permanent fashion, although it could also be removable or movable in another embodiment.
  • the outboard seat unit 100 may include a plurality of display unit 130 which are each accommodated into a recess 112 in the rear side of the shell 110 .
  • the display unit 130 comprises a viewing screen 132 for displaying media such as movies, games, videos, DVD's CD's, other in flight entertainment, flight information and the like.
  • the viewing screen 132 is mounted on a pivoting arm 134 by which the viewing screen 132 may be moved away from the shell 110 to provide for convenient viewing of the viewing screen 132 by passengers seated behind.
  • the outboard seat unit 100 may include controls 180 such as for in flight entertainment and lights.
  • the outboard seat unit 100 further comprises two tray tables 140 .
  • the tray table 140 a can be foldable from a storage compartment (not shown) under the armrest 114 associated with each seat 120 .
  • the tray tables 140 b may be configured to extend from the rear of the outboard seat unit 100 , and in particular from the rear of the shell 110 , to provide a convenient utility surface for passengers seated behind.
  • the outboard seat unit may further comprise a securing assembly 170 configured to secure at least the seats 120 to a floor 1111 of a commercial passenger vehicle.
  • the securing assembly 170 is configured to secure the seats 120 seats to a floor 1111 or seat rails at floor level in a manner so that the seats 120 are aligned in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 1120 of the vehicle. In this way no one of the two seats 120 are preferably advance more in the vehicle than the other.
  • the seats 120 face generally in an outboard direction, and at an acute angle ⁇ to the longitudinal axis 1120 of the vehicle (as shown in FIG. 7 b ). Preferably this acute angle ⁇ is between 15 to 30 degrees, and more preferably at about 23 degrees to the longitudinal axis.
  • each seat 120 in the outboard seat unit 100 will be aligned with each other on a line substantially perpendicularly to said longitudinal axis 1120 .
  • the pitch between seat units can be limited to resemble that of a standard (side-by-side) seating configuration.
  • the outboard seat unit 100 can be disposed to an outboard side of the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle, to be located in a position so that the outboard seat unit 100 is disposed adjacent an inside cabin wall 1140 on the side of the vehicle.
  • the wall is that adjacent the fuselage.
  • the shell 110 will be configured to lie adjacent or proximate to and follow the contour of the side wall 1140 , in order to present an aesthetically pleasing outboard seat arrangement, and to make use of the space between the outboard most seat 120 b and the cabin wall 1140 .
  • the shell defines at a pair of foot wells 160 , notably an inboard foot well 160 a and an outboard foot well 160 b , which extend at least partially underneath one or more of the seats 120 .
  • the inboard foot well 160 a extends at least partially underneath both of the seats 120 - a & b so that a passenger accommodated in an inboard seat 120 a of a similar outboard seat arrangement 100 disposed behind the outboard seat arrangement 100 will be able to extend their legs forward in alignment with the seat 120 (i.e. at the same acute angle ⁇ that the seat 120 is aligned at).
  • outboard foot well 160 b will have an open side on the outboard side of the outboard seat arrangement 100 (as shown in FIG. 31 ), in order to allow for increased leg room.
  • each seat 120 will be moveable between a seated upright and a reclined position.
  • Each seat comprises a backrest portion 122 and a seat pan portion 124 .
  • the seat pan portion of the seat 120 defines a front edge 124 a and a rearward edge 124 b .
  • Each of the backrest portion 122 , seat pan portion 124 and footrest portion 128 is moveable between a seated upright and a reclined more position.
  • the seat pan portion 124 of the seat 120 may drop downwardly at its rearward edge 124 b when moving to its reclining position, while the front edge 124 a of the seat pan portion 124 may raise upwardly.
  • the shell stays stationary whilst the seat pan and or back rest move.
  • the arm rest preferably defined by the shell also stay stationary.
  • the arm rest 114 of the outboard most seat of the seat unit is no more forward in the vehicle than the corresponding arm rest of the board more seat of the seat unit.
  • the outboard seat units 100 described above are configurable into an outboard seating configuration 1000 for a commercial passenger vehicle having a longitudinally shaped seating area parallel to direction LL.
  • the outboard seating configuration 1000 comprises a plurality of outboard seat units 100 as described above, with each outboard seat unit 100 comprising a pair of seats 120 , and wherein one outboard seat arrangement 100 is disposed behind the other.
  • Each outboard seat unit 100 in the seating configuration 1000 is secured to the floor 1111 of the passenger vehicle to be aligned behind one another.
  • Each outboard seat unit 100 is secured at the floor 1111 to so that the seats 120 of the outboard seat arrangement 100 face in a direction generally in an outboard direction, and at an acute angle ⁇ to the longitudinal axis 1120 of the vehicle.
  • Each of the outboard seat units 100 is located to an outboards side of the central longitudinal axis 1120 , preferably to be located immediately adjacent an inside cabin side wall 1140 of the vehicle.
  • the general alignment of the seats 120 a and 120 b in the forward more outboard seat unit of a pair of seat units will be parallel with the general alignment of the seats 120 in the rear more outboard seat unit 100 .
  • an inboard seat unit 200 It may be located at a longitudinal centre line 1120 of a commercial passenger vehicle.
  • the inboard seat unit 200 comprises a pair of seats 220 disposed alongside and secured to each other. Each seat comprises a backrest portion 222 , a seat pan portion 224 which operate similarly to similar features of the seats 120 described for the outboard seat unit 100 .
  • the seats 220 of the inboard seat unit 200 are aligned at an acute angle ⁇ to the longitudinal axis 1120 of the vehicle, and at an acute angle 2 ⁇ to each other.
  • the backrest portions 222 of the respective seats 220 are located nearest the vertex V of the acute angle 2 ⁇ than the seat pan portion 224 . In this way passengers seated in juxtaposed adjacent seats 220 on the inboard seat unit 200 are facing away from each other in opposite outboard directions for increased privacy.
  • the angle ⁇ is in the range of 15 to 30 degrees and more preferably 23 degrees.
  • the inboard seat unit 200 further includes a utility surface 216 extending between the seat pan portions 224 of the respective seats 220 .
  • the utility surface 216 is made up of two sections, and can be moved to be raised and lowered (preferably each section individually and/or jointly) including being moved to be coplanar the seat pan portions 224 of each seat and to be moved to a position to provide an arm rest or table for the passenger(s) in one or both seats 220 . When in the lowered position it can act as a seat for a third person or to create a larger surface together with the adjacent seats pans, for one or both primary passengers to use.
  • a void below the utility surface 216 is a void that may define a storage area 319 that can receive and store a passenger's personal belongings.
  • the storage area may be closed and be openable in a direction facing towards the front of the vehicle or aircraft, and extends from the floor 1111 upwards.
  • the utility surface may function as a seat when in the down position to let a person sit thereon and intermediate of the primary seats and as an armrest or table when in an elevated position.
  • the utility surface may also act a lid to a storage compartment 230 there under.
  • the utility surface may be provided as two sections as shown in FIG. 10 so that each passenger can separately open and close a storage compartment 320 .
  • the utility surface when in the elevated position can also act as a table top for people in the two seats to use/share. This can facilitate shared dining onboard the aircraft.
  • the passengers' legs can locate in the area under the surface.
  • the utility surface is supported by a base structure 331 that can let the surface move between an elevated and lowered position.
  • the base structure 331 is supported by way of a rail mechanism relative to the seat structure to allow it to move up and down.
  • a locking mechanism may be used to lock the base structure at a certain or desired height(s). Preferably this height may be infinitely variable or may be at set positions.
  • the base structure 331 is preferably shaped so that when it is in the elevated position as shown in FIG. 11 and in phantom in FIG. 12 , there is a void or gap 330 provided.
  • This gap 330 may offer a passenger more effective space as at least part of a or both legs can fit into the gap.
  • the base structure 331 When the base structure 331 is configured in its upper position, it is raisable to a height above the adjacent seat pans 224 that allows for a passenger to extend their legs underneath the utility surface and into the gap 330 between the respective seats 220 . In this way, a pair of passengers can use the utility surface as a table surface, and sit facing each other with their legs extending under the utility surface.
  • the shell may flank around from the back of the seats toward the front and in part project beyond the back rests of each seats to present a secondary backrest for each passenger.
  • a secondary back rest can be used when a passenger is positioned rotated more towards the other passenger.
  • the inboard seat unit 200 further includes a central backrest disposed between the backrest portions of the respective seats 220 , so that the utility surface can be used as an additional seat when the base structure is in its lower position, with the passenger leaning back on the central backrest.
  • the inboard seat unit 200 includes controls 280 for an in flight entertainment system and the like. These are mounted to the shell 210 .
  • the inboard seat unit 200 includes a securing assembly 270 configured to secure the seats 220 to a floor 1111 of a commercial passenger vehicle.
  • the inboard seat unit 200 includes a shell 210 extending at least in part around the rear of the seats 220 , and which carries out similar functions to the shell 110 of the outboard seat unit 100 .
  • the inboard seat unit 200 may accommodate a display unit 230 at the rear of the shell 210 in a recess 212 .
  • the display unit is similar to that of the outboard seat unit 100 , and similarly includes a viewing screen 232 and a pivoting arm 234 and is moveable in the same way.
  • the shell 210 is envisaged to be composed of a rigid moulded plastic or resinous material and is moulded to define at least one armrest 214 on the outboards side of the seats 220 .
  • the inboard seat unit 200 may include at least one tray table 240 foldable outwardly from an arm rest. It is also envisaged that the tray table 240 may extend from the rear of the shell 210 to provide a convenient utility surface for passengers seated behind.
  • the shell 210 also defines at least in part a footwell or pair of foot wells 260 to accommodate the feet of a passenger or passengers sitting behind the central seat arrangement 200 .
  • a commercial aircraft passenger inboard seating configuration 2000 can be defined within at least part of a section of the aircraft using the inboard seat unit 200 described above.
  • the commercial aircraft passenger inboard seating configuration 2000 comprises a plurality of rows 2010 of inboard seat units 200 , each unit comprising of two juxtaposed seats 120 behind which a shell 110 extends to separate the two seats 120 from a similar unit 200 located behind.
  • the two seats 120 each face in opposite outboard directions.
  • Each unit 200 is located mid-ships of the aircraft.
  • each seat 220 of the inboard seat unit 200 is located no more forward in the aircraft than the other seat in the inboard seat unit 200 .
  • the invention may also provide a seating system including a central seating configuration 2000 and an outboard seating configuration 1000 as described above.
  • the combination of the two seating configurations 1000 and 2000 can cooperate to provide good line-of-sight privacy for passengers accommodated in their seats, while providing comfort and efficient seat layout.
  • Having a rigid shell also improves passenger comfort because passengers in seats behind can hold the shell when moving in and out of their seats, without shaking the backrest of the seat in front and hence annoying other passengers.
  • the staggered offset of the outboard seat unit seats also avoids shoulder clashes between adjacent passengers.
  • the outboard seat units may be provided in a section B of an aircraft and not in conjunction with the inboard seat units.
  • the seats may be installed in a 2 ⁇ 2 arrangement on a narrow body aircraft such as a Boeing 737. Wherein an aisle separated the pairs of seats.
  • the 2 ⁇ 2 arrangement may have adjacent pair of seats aligned in a row that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction LL or where a row of one pair of seats is slightly more advance of the row of a pair of seats on the opposite side of the aisle.
  • each seat unit in a column is parallel to each others. Likewise the row direction of seat units in one column is parallel to those of another column in the section of the vehicle where a plurality of the seat units described above are provided.
  • the advantages provided by the seating system are especially advantageous for passenger aircraft where extended travel times may be normal, and space and volume usage is critical.
  • seats being provided as a unit, it is envisaged that seats could be mounted to a vehicle in an individual manner. Provision of a seat as a unit has advantages particularly for commercial passenger airlines where the seats, as a unit can be conveniently installed and secured to seat rails of an aircraft. This may be achieved by mounting the seats on a seat plinth that has securing fixtures to let it be secured to the seat rails.

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  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
US12/729,335 2009-03-23 2010-03-23 Vehicle Passenger Seating Abandoned US20100252680A1 (en)

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US12/729,335 US20100252680A1 (en) 2009-03-23 2010-03-23 Vehicle Passenger Seating
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AU2009901289 2009-03-23
AU2009901289A AU2009901289A0 (en) 2009-03-23 Improvements to vehicle passenger seating
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AU2009905968A AU2009905968A0 (en) 2009-12-08 Improvements relating to vehicle passenger seating
AU2009906218A AU2009906218A0 (en) 2009-12-22 Improvements relating to vehicle passenger seating
AU2009906218 2009-12-22
AU2010900087 2010-01-12
AU2010900087A AU2010900087A0 (en) 2010-01-12 Improvements relating to vehicle passenger seating
US29804810P 2010-01-25 2010-01-25
AU2010900284 2010-01-25
AU2010900284A AU2010900284A0 (en) 2010-01-25 Improvements to vehicle passenger seating
US12/729,335 US20100252680A1 (en) 2009-03-23 2010-03-23 Vehicle Passenger Seating

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EP2411279A1 (en) 2012-02-01
US9126689B2 (en) 2015-09-08
CL2011002312A1 (es) 2012-05-11
BR122013006710A2 (pt) 2016-05-10
GB2469180B (en) 2016-04-27
AU2010227146B2 (en) 2015-11-26
ZA201106622B (en) 2012-11-28
GB2469180A (en) 2010-10-06
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AU2010227146A1 (en) 2011-09-29
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JP2012521328A (ja) 2012-09-13
CN102361795B (zh) 2015-07-15
US20140159440A1 (en) 2014-06-12
FR2943286A3 (fr) 2010-09-24
FR2943286B3 (fr) 2011-02-25

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