WO2014199303A1

WO2014199303A1 - Arrangement of seat units for aircraft cabin and corresponding seat unit

Info

Publication number: WO2014199303A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/062110
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charles Ehrmann
Original assignee: Zodiac Seats France
Priority date: 2013-06-10
Filing date: 2014-06-10
Publication date: 2014-12-18
Also published as: FR3006667B1; FR3006667A1

Abstract

Described are aircraft cabin arrangements including a plurality of seat units (2), each seat unit (2) including an individual seat (3) configured to convert between a seat position and a bed position, wherein the seat (3) has an axis (X1) forming a non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal lengthwise axis (X2) of an aircraft cabin, and the seat (3) is turned toward an aisle (8) of the aircraft cabin so that a passenger located in each seat unit (2) has direct access to the aisle (8). Each seat unit (2) includes a bed surface (36) formed by the seat (3) in the bed position and at least one fixed cushion (20). The seat units (2) are arranged in rows having a next-front seat unit (2) positioned in front of a next-back seat unit (2), wherein there is a vertical overlap between the adjacent seat units (2).

Description

ARRANGEMENT OF SEAT UNITS FOR AIRCRAFT CABIN AND

CORRESPONDING SEAT UNIT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[1] The invention relates to an arrangement of seat units for aircraft cabins and to the corresponding seat unit.

BACKGROUND

[2] As is well-known, business class aircraft seats offer passengers different comfort positions, from the seat position to a bed position that is substantially horizontal in flight.

[3] Intermediate comfort positions are also offered, such as the reclined position in which the seat back is substantially inclined. These positions are generally obtained by inclining the seat back by causing the seat back to pivot about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the axis of the seat. The passenger can then remain in the seat during transitions between the different positions. The bed generally is formed by the seat back, the seat cushion, a leg- rest cushion and a foot-rest cushion, and the foot-rest cushion may be fixed or connected to the mechanism of the seat. Other seat concepts offer bed positions but may require the passenger to stand up in order to convert the seat.

[4] The invention proposes a new seat configuration for "Business Class" aircraft cabins allowing direct access to the aisle for all passengers who can therefore leave their seat without disturbing their neighbor, in particular when the seats are in the bed position. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[5] The terms "invention," "the invention," "this invention" and "the present invention" used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.

[6] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, an aircraft cabin arrangement comprises a plurality of seat units, each seat unit comprising an individual seat configured to convert between a seat position and a bed position. The seat of each seat unit has an axis forming a non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal lengthwise axis of an aircraft cabin, and the seat of each seat unit is turned toward an aisle of the aircraft cabin so that a passenger located in each seat unit has direct access to the aisle. Each seat unit comprises a bed surface formed by the seat in the bed position and at least one fixed lateral bed- maximizing cushion. The plurality of seat units are arranged in at least one row comprising a next-front seat unit positioned in front of a next-back seat unit, wherein there is a vertical overlap between the next-front seat unit and the next-back seat unit. The at least one fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushion is positioned behind the seat of the next-front seat unit, and the two adjacent bed surfaces of the next-front seat unit and the next-back seat unit are positioned substantially at the same level to a floor of an aircraft so that there is no overlap between the two adjacent bed surfaces.

[7] In accordance with some embodiments, the seat in each seat unit is oriented toward the front of the aircraft cabin.

[8] In accordance with certain embodiments, the seat in each seat unit is oriented toward the rear of the aircraft cabin.

[9] In further embodiments, each seat unit comprises the seat provided with a seat back, a seat cushion, a leg-rest, a housing for a foot-rest for a passenger located in the next- back seat unit, a lateral fixture, and a fixed separator shell.

[10] According to some embodiments, the vertical overlap between the next-front seat unit and the next-back seat unit comprises positioning the housing for the foot-rest of the next-back seat unit underneath the lateral fixture of the next-front seat unit.

[11] In certain embodiments, each seat unit further comprises at least one additional fixed bed-maximizing cushion configured to be positioned in a plane of the seat when the seat is in the bed position. In some embodiments, the at least one additional fixed bed-maximizing cushion comprises a fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushion, and the two fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushions are located adjacent respective opposite sides of the seat. In additional embodiments, the two fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushions are positioned at the same level as a seat cushion of the seat when the seat is in the seat position. In certain embodiments, the at least one additional fixed bed-maximizing cushion comprises a fixed bed-maximizing cushion positioned at a head of the bed surface when the seat is in the bed position.

[12] In some embodiments, the bed surface is formed by the seat in the bed position, the at least one fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushion, the at least one additional fixed bed-maximizing cushion, and a fixed foot-rest cushion.

[13] According to some embodiments, the seat unit further comprises the seat configured to be turned toward the aisle of the aircraft cabin provided with a seat back, a seat cushion, a leg-rest, a housing for a foot-rest configured for use by a passenger located in the next-back seat unit, a lateral fixture, and a fixed separator shell, the housing for the foot-rest of the next-back seat unit being positioned underneath the lateral fixture of the next-front seat unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[14] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description and examining the Figures that accompany it. These Figures are provided by way of illustration only and are in no way limiting on the invention.

[15] Figures la and lb are plan views of two embodiments of an arrangement of seat units in an aircraft cabin, according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

[16] Figures 2a and 2b are perspective views of a seat unit with the seat in a seat position and a bed position, respectively, according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

[17] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the seat unit of Figure 2b in the bed position accommodating a passenger.

[18] Figure 4 is a plan view of two seat units of Figure 2b in the bed position arranged so that a next-front seat unit is positioned in front of a next-back seat unit. [19] Identical, similar or analogous elements retain the same references from one

Figure to another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[20] The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

[21] Figures la and lb show in plan view an aircraft cabin 100 including an arrangement 1 in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention formed by a plurality of seat units 2, each seat unit 2 including an individual seat 3 configured to convert between a seat position (cf. Figure 2a) and a bed position (cf. Figures 2b and 3) substantially horizontal in flight.

[22] In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figures la-lb, the cabin 1 includes two rows 5a, 5b of seat units 2 each positioned along one wall of the fuselage of the aircraft and a central group 6 formed of two rows 5c, 5d of side-by-side seat units. However, a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that this is but one possible arrangement of rows, and that greater or fewer rows may be included in the aircraft cabin as needed or desired to achieve the appropriate cabin density.

[23] For purposes of the application, the terms "next-front" and "next-back" refer locally to the relative location of the seat units 2 within each row 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d, and does not refer to the orientation of the seat units 2 with respect to the overall aircraft cabin. In other words, the term "next-front seat unit" means that the seat unit 2 is located directly in front of another seat unit 2 within one or more of the rows 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d, and the term "next-back seat unit" means that the seat unit 2 is located directly behind another seat unit 2 within one or more of the rows 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d, but neither term is intended to refer to a more global orientation of the seat units 2 within the aircraft cabin. [24] Each seat 3 has an axis XI corresponding to an intersection between a horizontal plane and a plane of symmetry of the seat 3 forming a non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal lengthwise axis X2 of the aircraft cabin. The cabin density may be optimized relative to its width by modifying magnitude of the angle between the axis XI of the seats 3 and the longitudinal lengthwise axis X2 of the aircraft cabin.

[25] Each seat 3 may be turned toward an aisle 8 of said cabin so that each passenger has direct access to the aisle 8 facilitated by the fact that the feet of the passenger are on the same side as the aisle 8. A person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that the arrangement may include any configuration in which the seat 3 in the bed position is oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal lengthwise axis X2 of the aircraft cabin, including but not limited to orientations in which passengers seated in the seats 3 have their feet oriented away from the aisle 8.

[26] In the embodiments illustrated in Figures la and lb, in the central group 6, the rows 5c, 5d are arranged so that the seat units 2 are laterally aligned or contiguous to each other. In these embodiments, as shown in Figure la, the seats 3 are oriented toward the front of the aircraft cabin, i.e. toward the cockpit of the machine. In these embodiments, the entire arrangement therefore exhibits a herringbone pattern (or a "W" when viewed from the front end of the cabin). In other embodiments, as shown in Figure lb, the seats 3 are oriented toward the rear of the aircraft cabin, i.e. in the direction away from the cockpit of the machine. In these embodiments, the entire arrangement therefore exhibits a reverse herringbone pattern (or an upside down "W" when viewed from the front end of the cabin).

[27] In certain embodiments where the central group 6 is arranged to produce a symmetrical mirror image between the rows 5c, 5d, as shown in Figures la and lb, the two laterally contiguous seat units 2 have seats 3 extending in a V-shape, the point of which is located behind the seat backs 31 of this set of two seat units 2.

[28] In other embodiments, the central group 6 may be arranged so that the rows

5c, 5d are staggered from one another so that the laterally adjacent seat units 2 are not laterally aligned and therefore do not produce a symmetrical mirror image. In other words, one of the rows 5c, 5d may be staggered a few inches toward the front or the back of the aircraft cabin relative to the other one of the rows 5c, 5d. As a result, the entire arrangement exhibits a staggered herringbone pattern (as in the case where the seats 3 are oriented toward the front of the aircraft cabin) or a staggered reverse herringbone pattern (as in the case where the seats 3 are oriented toward the rear of the aircraft cabin).

[29] The configuration of the seat units 2 shown in Figures 2a, 2b, 3 and 4 may be identical for all the passengers, according to certain embodiments. However, a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that it is not required that each of the seat units 2 be identical in every aspect, and in some cases, it may be desirable to have the seat units 2 differ from one another in certain locations within the aircraft cabin.

[30] As shown in Figures 2a-4, each seat unit 2 may comprise a seat 3 provided with a seat back 31 that can be inclined, a seat cushion 32 that can be inclined, a leg-rest 33 that can be inclined, and a housing 34 for the foot-rest of the passenger located in the next- back seat unit 2. The foot-rest may comprise a fixed cushion 17 located in the housing 34 for the foot-rest or alternatively may correspond to an element located at the end of the leg-rest 33. Each seat unit 2 may also include a lateral fixture 12 that can serve as a fixed tray and/or to store a meal tray. The seat unit 2 may also include a fixed separator shell 13 to protect the privacy of each passenger.

[31] In the embodiments where the plurality of seat units 2 comprise a next-front seat unit 2 positioned in front of a next-back seat unit 2, a vertical overlap may exist between the next-front seat unit 2 and the next-back seat unit 2. The vertical overlap between the next- front seat unit 2 and the next-back seat unit 2 is formed by positioning the housing 34 for the foot-rest of the next-back seat unit 2 underneath the lateral fixture 12 of the next-front seat unit 2. In certain embodiments, the housing 34 for the foot-rest includes the fixed foot-rest cushion 17.

[32] Furthermore, as can be seen clearly in Figure 2b, each seat unit 2 may further include at least one fixed bed-maximizing cushion 20, 21, and/or 22 designed to be positioned in a plane of the seat 3 when the seat 3 is in the bed position. A bed surface 36 may be formed by the seat 3 in the bed position and one or more of the fixed bed-maximizing cushions 20, 21, 22.

[33] In certain embodiments, the fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushion 20 may be located adjacent a side of the seat 3. At least one additional fixed bed-maximizing cushion 21, 22 may also be included to form the bed surface 36, and may be configured to be positioned in a plane of the seat 3 when the seat 3 is in the bed position. [34] As shown in Figures la-4, the at least one additional fixed bed-maximizing cushion may comprise a fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushion 21, wherein the two fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushions 20, 21 are located adjacent respective opposite sides of the seat 3. In these embodiments, the fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushions 20, 21 may be positioned at the same level as the seat cushion 32 of the seat 3 when the seat 3 is in the seat position. As a result, the bed surface 36 may be formed by the seat 3 in the bed position and the two fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushions 20, 21. The passenger can therefore benefit from comfort positions, by for example resting one leg on one of the fixed lateral bed- maximizing cushions 20, 21. In other embodiments, the additional fixed lateral bed- maximizing cushion 21 may be removed so that it does not form part of the bed surface 36. Any space that is left unoccupied by the removal of the fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushion 21 when the seat 3 is in the bed position may be utilized for stowage or any other suitable need.

[35] Moreover, in additional embodiments, as shown in Figures 2a-4, a fixed bed- maximizing cushion 22 may be positioned at the head of the bed surface 36, i.e. at the same end as the head of a passenger when the seat 3 is in the bed position. In these embodiments, the bed surface 36 may be formed by the seat 3 in the bed position, the fixed lateral bed- maximizing cushion 20, and the fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushion 21 and/or the fixed bed-maximizing cushion 22. In these embodiments, the fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushions 20, 21 and/or the fixed bed-maximizing cushion 22 may be positioned at the same level as the seat cushion 32 of the seat 3 when the seat 3 is in the seat position.

[36] In other embodiments, such as is shown in Figures la- lb where the shape of the fixed separator shell 13 is substantially parallel and proximate to an upper edge of the seat back 31 when the seat 3 is in the bed position, there is no appreciable space between the fixed separator shell 13 and the seat back 31. As a result, in these embodiments, the fixed bed- maximizing cushion 22 may be removed so that it does not form part of the bed surface 36. In these embodiments, the fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushion 20 may be maximized to occupy any space that is not otherwise filled by the seat back 31 when the seat 3 is in the bed position. Alternatively, any space that is not otherwise filled by the seat back 31 when the seat 3 is in the bed position may be utilized for stowage or any other suitable need. [37] In other embodiments, the fixed separator shell 13 may not be substantially parallel and proximate to an upper edge of the seat back 31 when the seat 3 is in the bed position. In these embodiments, the fixed bed-maximizing cushion 22 may still be removed so that it does not form part of the bed surface 36, and the open space created by its removal may be utilized for stowage or any other suitable need.

[38] In some embodiments, the bed surface 36 may be formed by the seat 3 in the bed position, the two fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushions 20, 21, the fixed bed-maximizing cushion 22 located at the head of the bed, and the fixed foot-rest cushion 17 located in the housing 34.

[39] In some embodiments, the two adjacent bed surfaces 36 of the next-front seat unit 2 and the next-back seat unit 2 are at the same level relative to the floor of the aircraft so that there is no overlap between the two adjacent bed surfaces 36. Accordingly, as is clear from Figure 4, substantially all of the space of the seat units 2, with the exception of the portion corresponding to the separator shell 13, is used for the passenger to lie down. Note that the free space delimited by the fixed cushions 17, 20, 21, 22 when the seat 3 is in the seat position is almost completely filled by the seat 3 when the seat 3 is in the bed position.

[40] Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An aircraft cabin arrangement comprising a plurality of seat units (2), each seat unit (2) comprising an individual seat (3) configured to convert between a seat position and a bed position, wherein the seat (3) of each seat unit (2) has an axis (XI) forming a non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal lengthwise axis (X2) of an aircraft cabin, and the seat (3) of each seat unit (2) is turned toward an aisle (8) of the aircraft cabin so that a passenger located in each seat unit (2) has direct access to the aisle (8);

wherein each seat unit (2) comprises a bed surface (36) formed by the seat (3) in the bed position and at least one fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushion (20);

wherein the plurality of seat units (2) are arranged in at least one row comprising a next-front seat unit (2) positioned in front of a next-back seat unit (2), and wherein there is a vertical overlap between the next-front seat unit (2) and the next-back seat unit (2); and

wherein the at least one fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushion (20) is positioned behind the seat (3) of the next-front seat unit (2), and the two adjacent bed surfaces (36) of the next-front seat unit (2) and the next-back seat unit (2) are positioned substantially at the same level to a floor of an aircraft so that there is no overlap between the two adjacent bed surfaces (36).

2. The aircraft cabin arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat (3) in each seat unit (2) is oriented toward the front of the aircraft cabin.

3. The aircraft cabin arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat (3) in each seat unit (2) is oriented toward the rear of the aircraft cabin.

4. The aircraft cabin arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each seat unit (2) comprises the seat (3) provided with a seat back (31), a seat cushion (32), a leg- rest (33), a housing (34) for a foot-rest for a passenger located in the next-back seat unit (2), a lateral fixture (12), and a fixed separator shell (13).

5. The aircraft cabin arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the vertical overlap between the next-front seat unit (2) and the next-back seat unit (2) comprises positioning the housing (34) for the foot-rest of the next-back seat unit (2) underneath the lateral fixture (12) of the next-front seat unit (2).

6. The aircraft cabin arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each seat unit (2) further comprises at least one additional fixed bed-maximizing cushion (21-22) configured to be positioned in a plane of the seat (3) when the seat (3) is in the bed position.

7. The aircraft cabin arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one additional fixed bed-maximizing cushion comprises a fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushion (21), and the two fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushions (20, 21) are located adjacent respective opposite sides of the seat (3).

8. The aircraft cabin arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the two fixed lateral bed-maximizing cushions (20, 21) are positioned at the same level as a seat cushion (32) of the seat (3) when the seat (3) is in the seat position.

9. The aircraft cabin arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the at least one additional fixed bed-maximizing cushion comprises a fixed bed-maximizing cushion (22) positioned at a head of the bed surface (36) when the seat (3) is in the bed position.

10. The aircraft cabin arrangement as claimed in claims 6 to 9, wherein the bed surface (36) is formed by the seat (3) in the bed position, the at least one fixed lateral bed- maximizing cushion (20), the at least one additional fixed bed-maximizing cushion (21-22), and a fixed foot-rest cushion (17).

11. The aircraft cabin arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat unit (2) further comprises the seat (3) configured to be turned toward the aisle (8) of the aircraft cabin provided with a seat back (31), a seat cushion (32), a leg-rest (33), a housing (34) for a foot-rest configured for use by a passenger located in the next-back seat unit (2), a lateral fixture (12), and a fixed separator shell (13), the housing (34) for the foot- rest of the next-back seat unit being positioned underneath the lateral fixture (12) of the next- front seat unit.