WO2011077365A1

WO2011077365A1 - Improvements relating to passenger vehicle seating

Info

Publication number: WO2011077365A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/055970
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nigel James Sharplin; James Dominic France; Glen Wilson Porter; Michael Bradley Robertson
Original assignee: Air New Zealand Limited
Priority date: 2009-12-21
Filing date: 2010-12-21
Publication date: 2011-06-30

Abstract

A vehicle seat configuration, comprising or including, at least two columns of least, where all seats are facing in a direction parallel to each other, each seat in a first of the at least two parallel columns is offset in the seat facing direction to sit at least in part behind or in front, but not aligned with a seat in an adjacent column, such that adjacent seats of the two parallel columns overlap each other when vied in plan.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO PASSENGER VEHICLE SEATING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vehicle seating configurations. More particularly but not solely it relates to passenger seating configuration on an aircraft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Seating configurations are utilized to provide increased comfort and/ or convenience for their occupants, and/ or to maximise the packing efficiencies and ensure the maximum number of seats can be located within a vehicle or area.

Problems can occur in that often packing efficiencies come at the expense of seat occupant's comfort. Various solutions have been developed to give passengers choice in comfort and associated cost.

In the prior art, fewer seats have been included in first class areas of aircraft to allow greater amounts of space and hence comfort for passengers who wish to travel in first class. Along with this increased comfort is an increased flight price per seat.

In economy class as many seats have been included as possible whilst only allowing the minimum amount of space for passengers to occupy. During long or short flights having such a minimal amount of space can be uncomfortable for passengers. The cost of such a seat is accordingly lower than a first class, or premium economy seat.

Previously seats in economy type zones have typically been arranged such that all seats are facing in the same direction and are arranged in uniform straight rows and columns. Traditionally to increase the number of seats that can be incorporated in an area the rows have been spaced closer together (reduced pitch), thus reducing the leg room for passengers. Decreasing the leg room decreases the comfort levels for a passenger.

However, in doing so the cost per seat per flight is decreased.

Previous arrangements have also typically located all seats in a row directly beside and inline with each other. In situations where all seats are occupied, elbow room and personal space can be limited and limits passengers comfort.

In this specification, where reference has been made to external sources of information, including patent specifications and other documents, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the present invention. Unless stated otherwise, reference to such sources of information is not to be construed, in any jurisdiction, as an admission that such sources of information are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide improvements to vehicle seating configurations that will increase the comfort for seat occupants in those seats whilst maintaining a high level of packing efficiency, and/ or which overcomes or at least ameliorates some of the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention may be said to be a vehicle seat configuration comprising:

at least two columns of seats, each seat including a seat pan and a seat back and orientated such that all seats are facing in a direction parallel to each other,

each seat in a first of said at least two parallel columns is offset in the seat facing direction to sit at least in part behind or in front, but not aligned with a seat in an adjacent column,

such that adjacent seats of said two parallel columns overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to the column direction and when viewed in plan,

and wherein the seat pan of the seats may be moved between a presented condition where the seat pan is presented for use as a seat by a passenger and a stowed condition.

Preferably there are three or more columns of seats.

Preferably the foot space of a seat in any one or more of the intermediate column(s) of seats is defined by the seat directly in front of the foot space, the seats in the adjacent columns and the seat behind the foot space.

Preferably the seats are configured such that the ingress and egress of a person to the foot space is at least in part restricted by the seats that define it.

Preferably the seat pan pivots relative to the seat back when moving between the presented and stowed conditions.

Preferably the seats have arm rests which can fold away to allow ingress and egress of a person to a neighbouring seat or to the foot space of a seat.

Preferably the seat pan can be reconfigured into the stowed condition to provide further space to facilitate ingress and egress of occupants in neighbouring seats. Preferably said overlap of said seats of said two columns is such that at least said armrests of each of said seats overlap each other when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the column direction.

Preferably the seats are arranged in an aircraft.

Preferably the seats are arranged in an aircraft where the columns are grouped into groups of columns across the fuselage in a first group of three columns on a first side then a second group of 4 columns and then a third group of 3 columns on the opposite side to said first side.

Preferably the groups of columns have an aisle extending between each neighbouring group of columns.

Preferably each of the first, second and third groups of columns can have any number or combination of columns.

In another aspect the present invention may be said to be a configuration of seats for or in a vehicle comprising or including,

at least two parallel columns of seats, wherein the seats face a first direction and all seats in a column are essentially inline with all other seats in that column, a number of seats of the configuration also formed into a plurality of rows wherein for each row, every alternate seat is offset in the first direction relative to an immediately adjacent seat such that the seats in a row are in a staggered formation, wherein the seats include a seat back and a seat pan, the seat pans may be configurable between a stowed condition and presented condition where the seat pan is presented for a passenger to sit on.

Preferably there are at least two seats in every row and every seat overlaps at least in part with the immediately adjacent seat in the row.

Preferably all seats in a row are mounted in a spatial relationship to each other by a base member.

Preferably the base member is a frame to supports all seats in each row.

Preferably the base member is of a shape such that the majority of components are located under the seats and that no substantial portion of the frame is visible when viewed from a plan view of the seating arrangement.

Preferably said rows are spaced at a fixed distance from each other.

Preferably each said row contains three seats such that when viewed from a plan view they will appear to form at least one of, a "V" or inverted "V" arrangement,

a "N" or inverted "N" arrangement, and

a "W" or inverted "W" arrangement.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a vehicle with a configuration of seats comprising:

at least two parallel columns of seats, wherein the seats face a first direction and all seats in a column are essentially inline with all other seats in that column, a number of seats of the configuration also formed into a plurality of rows wherein for each row, every alternate seat is offset in the first direction relative to an immediately adjacent seat such that the seats in a row are in a staggered formation, and wherein each seat includes a seat pan and a seat back, the seat pan being configurable between a presented condition where the seat pan is presented to allow an occupant to sit on the seat pan and a stowed condition that allows a passenger more standing room in front of the seat.

Preferably the base member is a frame to support all seats in each row.

Preferably said rows are spaced at a fixed distance from each other.

In still a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a seating configuration unit for a vehicle, the unit defining a row wherein for each row, every alternate seat is offset in a first direction relative to an immediately adjacent seat such that the seats in a row are in a staggered formation,

wherein the seats include a seat pan and a seat back, wherein the seat pan can be configured between a stowed condition and a presented condition where the seat pan is presented such that a seat occupant can sit on the seat pan.

Preferably said seats of said seating configuration unit are connected to each other to form an assembly of seats. Preferably when installed on a vehicle, said seating configuration unit is repeated down the length of the cabin of said vehicle to form a layout of passenger seating.

In still another aspect the present invention may be said to be a vehicle seat as described herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In yet another aspect the invention may be said to be a vehicle with a seat or seats configured as described herein with reference to any one of more of the

accompanying drawings.

In yet a further aspect the present invention may be said to be an aircraft with a seat or seats configured as described herein with reference to any one of more of the accomp anying drawings .

In an alternative aspect the present invention may be said to be a unit of two or more seats that when repeated in a vehicle forms a seating configuration as described herein with reference to any one of more of the accompanying drawings.

In another alternative aspect the present invention may be said to be an aircraft that includes seats arranged in a configuration defining at least one column of seats, said column including at least two rows of seats, a first row including at least two seats and a second row including at least two seats, there being an aisle adjacent at least one side of said column, wherein for each row the at least two seats are in a staggered formation so that at least one seat is set advanced more than the seat(s) immediately adjacent in that row, wherein the seat pan of at least the seat immediately adjacent the aisle can move between an in use condition allowing a person to sit on it and a stowed condition wherein the seat is retracted more from a path between the aisle and a seat of the row other than the seat adjacent the aisle.

Preferably the aisle seat has arm rests, the arm rests can also move between an in use position and a retracted position.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As used herein the term "and/ or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/ or singular forms of the noun.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification [and claims] means "consisting at least in part of. When interpreting statements in this specification [and claims] which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7).

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited above and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference.

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the vehicle seat configuration,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a 3 seat unit,

Figure 3 is a side view of seat unit, showing the folded and deployed positions of the arm rest and seat base,

Figure 4 is a back view of three seats in a unit, where the frame joining the 3 seats as a unit on subassembly can be seen,

Figure 5 is a plan view of one row with three seats, showing the overlap in the horizontal direction of neighboring seats,

Figure 6 is a back view of a cross section of vehicle cabin showing the seating arrangement and the sets of columns,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a vehicle cabin showing the seating arrangement Figure 8a is a representation of the approximate mounting positions of 3 seats relative to each other in a V shaped configuration when viewed in plan,

Figure 8b is a representation of the approximate mounting positions of 4 seats relative to each other in a N shaped configuration when viewed in plan,, Figure 8c is a representation of the approximate mounting positions of 5 seats relative to each other in a W shaped configuration when viewed in plan,

Figure 9 is a side elevation view of a seat in a reclined position with foot rest extended, and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of an aircraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the above drawings, in which similar features are generally indicated by similar numerals, a configuration of individual seats 100 for a vehicle is shown.

A vehicle can be any vehicle that can accommodate passengers, for example an aircraft, train, car, bus or truck. The configuration of individual seats 100 has a number of relatively parallel columns 10 of seats 101. The seats 101 in the configuration 100 face in a first direction 2. All the seats 101 in a column 10 are essentially inline with all other seats 101 in that column 10.

A plurality of rows 20 of seats 101 are present where every alternate seat 30 in a lateral row 20 is displaced in the first direction 2 such that the seats 101 in a lateral row 20 are in a staggered formation. There are at least two seats 101 in every row 20 and every seat

101 overlaps 40 at least in part with the seat next to it and ahead and behind it as shown in Figures 1 and 5. This places the seat pan of one seat in close proximity to the back rest of an adjacent seat in that row. The columns are also in close proximity to each other. This may result in there being no or minimal gap between the seat pan of one seat and the back rest of the adjacent seat in that row. There may be a gap 560 as shown in figure 2 but not one that is sufficiently large to allow an adult to walk through the gap.

The seats 101 may recline 120 as seen in figure 9. When a seat reclines the foot rest area 110 will occupy the space between the alternating seats 130 of the row 20 in front of the reclining seat 120. The seats 101 have arm rests 102 and seat backs 140. The armrests

102 can pivot on the seat back 140 and fold up so that they are in a position 103 where they are not hindering the seat occupant. This also allows ingress and egress of seating occupants to neighbouring seats 101. The seats 101 have seat bases 104. The seat bases 104 can pivot at or near the seat back 140 to fold into a position 105. This is so that a person can move through the space the seat base 104 originally occupied and ingress and egress of seating occupants to neighbouring seats 101 is therefore facilitated. The seats are arranged in a vehicle and in the preferred embodiment that vehicle is an aircraft 200. The seats are arranged in an aircraft 200 where the columns are grouped in a set of three columns on a first side 201 then a central set of four rows 202 and then another set of three columns 203 on the opposite side to said first side. The sets of columns 201, 202, and 203 have an aisle 210 extending between each neighbouring groups of columns. This is known as 3-4-3, other configurations are also possible such as, but not limited to 2-2-2, 2-3-2, 2-2, 2-5-2, 2-4-3 and so on. The first direction 2 in the preferred embodiment extends in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

There is a base member 50 to support the seats 101 in each row 20. the base member 50 is of a shape such that the majority of components are located under the seats 101 and therefore no portion of the base member 50 is substantially visible when viewed from a plan view of the seating arrangement as seen in Figure 5

The rows 20 are spaced at a fixed distance 60 from each other. In a preferred embodiment the rows 20 contain three seats such that when viewed from a plan view they will appear to form a "V" or inverted "V" arrangement 70 as seen in Figure 8a.

Alternatively in another embodiment the rows 20 contain four seats such that when viewed from a plan view they will appear to form a "N" or inverted "N" arrangement 80 as seen in Figure 8b

Alternatively in another embodiment the rows 20 contain five seats such that when viewed from a plan view they will appear to form a "W" or inverted "W" arrangement 90 as seen in Figure 8c

In a further embodiment the present invention consist in a vehicle with a configuration of seats 100 as described above

A further way of describing the configuration of seats 100 is that of a chess board in plan view. Where the white squares of the board represent the foot space 110 for a passenger and the black squares represent the seats 101 as seen in figure 1. The distance between the rows 10 of seats 101 is minimised to increase the packing efficiency. In some instances they may not lie edge to edge. The foot space area 110, is wide enough for a passenger to place their feet comfortably. Furthermore the distance between seats 60 within a row 10 is increased to allow for more foot space for passengers.

The ability of the seat base 104 to tilt up into position 105 allows for a passenger to create more standing room for them in front of their seat. This allows for that passenger to stand, stretch and do exercises in the space in a manner to not be immediately adjacent a passenger in an adjacent seat. This will hence reduce the annoyance of a passenger who choses to use that space for such purposes. With Deep Vein Thrombosis and other aircraft related injuries being common, and some airlines not allowing passengers to use common areas such as aisles and toilet areas other than for transient purposes, having such space at a seat for a passenger can alleviate these issues.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to elements or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are included as if they were individually set forth.

Although the invention has been described by way of example and with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and/ or improvements may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A vehicle seat configur tion comprising:

2. A vehicle seat configuration as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are three or more columns of seats.

3. A vehicle seat configuration as claimed in claim 2 wherein the foot space of a seat in any one or more of the intermediate column(s) of seats is defined by the seat directly in front of the foot space, the seats in the adjacent columns and the seat behind the foot space.

4. A vehicle seat configuration as claimed in claim 3 wherein the seats are configured such that the ingress and egress of a person to the foot space is at least in part restricted by the seats that define it.

5. A vehicle seat configuration as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the seat pan pivots relative to the seat back when moving between the presented and stowed conditions.

6. A vehicle seat configuration as claimed in any one of claim 1 to 5 wherein the seats have armrests which can fold away to allow ingress and egress of a person to a

neighbouring seat or to the foot space of a seat.

7. A vehicle seat configuration as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said seat pan can be reconfigured into the stowed condition to provide further space to facilitate ingress and egress of occupants in neighbouring seats.

8. A vehicle seat configuration as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said overlap of said seats of said two columns is such that at least said armrests of each of said seats overlap each other when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the column direction.

9. A vehicle seat configuration as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the seats are arranged in an aircraft.

10. A vehicle seat configuration as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the seats are arranged in an aircraft where the columns are grouped into groups of columns across the fuselage in a first group of three columns on a first side then a second group of 4 columns and then a third group of 3 columns on the opposite side to said first side.

11. A vehicle seat configuration as claimed in claim 10 wherein said groups of columns have an aisle extending between each neighbouring group of columns.

12. A vehicle seat configuration as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein each of the first, second and third groups of columns can have any number or combination of columns.

13. A configuration of seats for or in a vehicle comprising or including,

at least two parallel columns of seats, wherein the seats face a first direction and all seats in a column are essentially inline with all other seats in that column,

a number of seats of the configuration also formed into a plurality of rows wherein for each row, every alternate seat is offset in the first direction relative to an immediately adjacent seat such that the seats in a row are in a staggered formation,

wherein the seats include a seat back and a seat pan, the seat pans may be configurable between a stowed condition and presented condition where the seat pan is presented for a passenger to sit on.

14. A configuration of seats as claimed in claim 13 wherein there are at least two seats in every row and every seat overlaps at least in part with the immediately adjacent seat in the row.

15. A configuration of seats as claimed in claim 13 or 14 wherein all seats in a row are mounted in a spatial relationship to each other by a base member.

16. A configuration of seats as claimed in claim 15 wherein the base member is a frame to supports all seats in each row.

17. A configuration of seats as claimed in claim 15 or 16 wherein the base member is of a shape such that the majority of components are located under the seats and that no substantial portion of the frame is visible when viewed from a plan view of the seating arrangement.

18. A configuration of seats as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17 wherein said rows are spaced at a fixed distance from each other.

19. A configuration of seats as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18 wherein each said row contains three seats such that when viewed from a plan view they will appear to form at least one of

i) a "V" or inverted "V" arrangement,

it) a "N" or inverted "N" arrangement, and

iit) a "W" or inverted "W" arrangement.

20. A vehicle with a configuration of seats comprising or including,

and wherein each seat includes a seat pan and a seat back, the seat pan being configurable between a presented condition where the seat pan is presented to allow an occupant to sit on the seat pan and a stowed condition that allows a passenger more standing room in front of the seat.

21. A vehicle with a configuration of seats as claimed in claim 20 wherein there are at least two seats in every row and every seat overlaps at least in part with the immediately adjacent seat in the row.

22. A vehicle with a configuration of seats as claimed in claim 20 or 21 wherein all seats in a row are mounted in a spatial relationship to each other by a base member.

23. A vehicle with a configuration of seats as claimed in claim 22 wherein the base member is a frame to support all seats in each row.

24. A vehicle with a configuration of seats as claimed in claim 22 or 23 wherein the base member is of a shape such that the majority of components are located under the seats and that no substantial portion of the frame is visible when viewed from a plan view of the seating arrangement.

25. A vehicle with a configuration of seats as claimed in any of claims 20 to 24 wherein said rows are spaced at a fixed distance from each other.

26. A seating configuration unit for a vehicle, the unit defining a row wherein for each row, every alternate seat is offset in a first direction relative to an immediately adjacent seat such that the seats in a row are in a staggered formation, wherein the seats include a seat pan and a seat back, wherein the seat pan can be configured between a stowed condition and a presented condition where the seat pan is presented such that a seat occupant can sit on the seat pan.

27. A seating configuration unit as claimed in claim 26 wherein said seats of said seating configuration unit are connected to each other to form an assembly of seats.

28. A seating configuration unit as claimed in claim 26 or 27 wherein when installed on a vehicle, said seating configuration unit is repeated down the length of the cabin of said vehicle to form a layout of passenger seating.

29. A vehicle seat as claimed herein with reference to any one or more of the accomp anying drawings .

30. A vehicle with a seat or seats configured as claimed herein with reference to any one of more of the accompanying drawings.

31. An aircraft with a seat or seats configured as claimed herein with reference to any one of more of the accompanying drawings.

32. A unit of two or more seats that when repeated in a vehicle forms a seating configuration as claimed herein with reference to any one of more of the accompanying drawings.

33. An aircraft that includes seats arranged in a configuration defining at least one column of seats, said column including at least two rows of seats, a first row including at least two seats and a second row including at least two seats, there being an aisle adjacent at least one side of said column, wherein for each row the at least two seats are in a staggered formation so that at least one seat is set advanced more than the seat(s) immediately adjacent in that row, wherein the seat pan of at least the seat immediately adjacent the aisle can move between an in use condition allowing a person to sit on it and a stowed condition wherein the seat is retracted more from a path between the aisle and a seat of the row other than the seat adjacent the aisle.

34. An aircraft as claimed in claim 33 wherein the aisle seat has arm rests, the arm rests can also move between an in use position and a retracted position.