WO2019126871A1

WO2019126871A1 - Reconfigurable banquette for an aircraft

Info

Publication number: WO2019126871A1
Application number: PCT/CA2018/051639
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Grant; Helder Cruz
Original assignee: Bombardier Inc.
Priority date: 2017-12-29
Filing date: 2018-12-20
Publication date: 2019-07-04

Abstract

An aircraft banquette includes at least one leg securable to a floor of an aircraft passenger cabin, a seat disposed atop the at least one leg, the seat defining a seat front edge and a seat rear edge, and a backrest defining a first side edge, a second side edge, a backrest bottom edge, and a backrest top edge. The backrest bottom edge is disposed adjacent to the seat rear edge. The backrest is divided into a plurality of sections between the first side edge and the second side edge. The aircraft banquette is reconfigurable between a default seat configuration and a modified seat configuration. In the modified seat configuration, at least one of the plurality of sections folds toward the seat to make available a service tray.

Description

RECONFIGURABLE BANQUETTE

FOR AN AIRCRAFT

Cross-Reference to Related Application(s)

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application

No. 62/611,635, filed December 29, 2017, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention concerns a reconfigurable seat for a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an aircraft banquette that is reconfigurable between an economy class configuration and a business class configuration. The present invention also encompasses an aircraft passenger cabin having a plurality of banquettes that, together, define a flexible seating section for the aircraft.

Description of the Background and Related Art

[0003] As should be apparent to those skilled in the art, the interior of most commercial aircraft typically includes rows of seats that are configured and arranged to accommodate passengers typically in up to three classes of seating accommodations: (1) first class, (2) business class, and (3) economy class.

[0004] As should be apparent to most travelers, the seats for each class differ from one another to reflect the amenities provided in the associated seat class. For example, first class seats are larger than business class seats. Similarly, business class seats are larger than economy class seats.

[0005] As also should be apparent, the different seat classes are static. This means that, for example, the business class cannot be expanded or reduced to accommodate the exact number of business travelers, because additional seats cannot be added to or removed from the aircraft without considerable time, effort, and expense. [0006] As airlines strive to remain competitive, a need has arisen for seating designs that are adaptable to accommodate specific needs for individual flights and to accommodate an ever- changing number of passengers for each class of seats.

[0007] While some solutions have been proposed by the prior art, a need exists for improved solutions.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention addresses one or more of the deficiencies with respect to the prior art.

[0009] In one contemplated embodiment, the present invention provides an aircraft banquette including at least one leg securable to a floor of an aircraft passenger cabin, a seat disposed atop the at least one leg, the seat defining a seat front edge and a seat rear edge, and a backrest defining a first side edge, a second side edge, a backrest bottom edge, and a backrest top edge. The backrest bottom edge is disposed adjacent to the seat rear edge. The backrest is divided into a plurality of sections between the first side edge and the second side edge. The aircraft banquette is reconfigurable between a default seat configuration and a modified seat configuration. In the modified seat configuration, at least one of the plurality of sections folds toward the seat to make available a service tray.

[0010] Separately, it is contemplated that the at least one leg encompasses two legs securable to the floor of the aircraft passenger cabin.

[0011] Still further, the banquette may include a headrest defining a top edge and a bottom edge. If so, the headrest bottom edge may be disposed adjacent to the backrest top edge.

[0012] In another contemplated embodiment, the banquette may include a first pivot connecting the seat rear edge with the backrest bottom edge, thereby permitting the backrest to pivot with respect to the seat.

[0013] Still further, the banquette may have a first pivot connecting the seat rear edge with the backrest bottom edge, thereby permitting the backrest to pivot with respect to the seat and a second pivot connecting the backrest top edge to the headrest bottom edge, thereby permitting the headrest to pivot with respect to the backrest.

[0014] The banquette may be configured so that the plurality of sections encompasses a first section, a second section, and a third section. Here, it is contemplated that the first section defines a first width, the second section defines a second width, and the third section defines a third width.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first width is greater than the second width.

[0016] It is possible that the banquette may be configured so that, together, the first section and the second section define a fourth section, the fourth section defines a fourth width, and the fourth width is equal to the third width.

[0017] For the banquette of the present invention, the backrest of the first section may include a top portion with a bottom edge intermediate to the backrest top edge and the backrest bottom edge, a bottom portion with a top edge intermediate to the backrest top edge and backrest bottom edge, and a third pivot connecting the top portion bottom edge to the bottom portion top edge, thereby permitting the top portion to pivot with respect to the bottom portion.

[0018] The banquette of the present invention may be constructed so that the default seat configuration includes a first passenger seat disposed adjacent to a second passenger seat.

[0019] Additionally, the banquette of the present invention may be constructed so that the modified seat configuration includes a first passenger seat and a service tray positioned adjacent to the first passenger seat, and the service tray is a rear surface of the at least one of the plurality of sections.

[0020] In one embodiment, in the default seat configuration, a first passenger seat has the third width and a second passenger seat has the fourth width.

[0021] In another embodiment, in the modified seat configuration, a passenger seat spans the second width and the third width and the service tray spans the first width.

[0022] For the banquette of the present invention, the banquette may have at least one securing device securing the first section, the second section, and the third section to one another when in the default seat configuration.

[0023] Still further, the at least one securing device may secure the second section to the third section in the modified seat configuration, thereby defining a single passenger seat while permitting the first section to fold over the seat to present the service tray to the single passenger seat.

[0024] Alternatively, the banquette may have at least one service tray pocket on a rear side containing a service tray that slides out of the at least one service tray pocket, thereby being made available to a passenger behind the aircraft banquette. [0025] Here, the at least one service tray pocket may include a first service tray pocket containing a first service tray and a second service tray pocket containing a second service tray.

[0026] The present invention also provides an aircraft having a plurality of banquettes.

Each banquette is contemplated to have at least one leg securable to a floor of an aircraft passenger cabin, a seat disposed atop the at least one leg, the seat defining a seat front edge and a seat rear edge, and a backrest defining a first side edge, a second side edge, a backrest bottom edge, and a backrest top edge. The backrest bottom edge is disposed adjacent to the seat rear edge. The backrest is divided into a plurality of sections between the first side edge and the second side edge. The aircraft banquette is reconfigurable between an economy class configuration and a business class configuration. In the business class configuration, at least one of the plurality of sections folds toward the seat to make available a service tray. The plurality of banquettes defines a flexible seating area in the aircraft passenger cabin that is reconfigurable to accommodate a predetermined number of economy class passengers and a predetermined number of business class passengers.

[0027] Still further, the present invention provides for an aircraft with a central aisle, where the banquettes are disposed on either side of the central aisle with the service tray of each of the banquettes being disposed immediately adjacent to the central aisle.

[0028] Further aspects of the present invention will be made apparent from the paragraphs that follow.

Brief Description of the Drawing(s)

[0029] The present invention will now be described in connection with the drawings appended hereto, in which:

[0030] Fig. 1 is an illustration of a portion of an interior of an aircraft, showing a perspective, front view of a conventional banquette of aircraft seats, with three seats disposed together, as might be found adjacent to an aisle in the aircraft;

[0031] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of an interior of an aircraft, showing a view of second type of conventional banquette of three seats for an aircraft, where the center seat is occupied by a service tray accessible by passengers from the flanking seats; [0032] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of an interior of an aircraft, showing a view of third type of conventional banquette of three seats for an aircraft where the center seat is occupied by a service tray accessible by passengers from the flanking seats;

[0033] Fig. 4 is a graphical, top view of an exemplary aircraft of the type with which the present invention may be employed;

[0034] Fig. 5 is a perspective, front view of a banquette according to the present invention, showing the banquette in an economy class configuration;

[0035] Fig. 6 is a perspective, front view of the banquette illustrated in Fig. 5, showing the banquette in a first step toward a business class configuration;

[0036] Fig. 7 is a perspective, side view of the banquette illustrated in Fig. 6;

[0037] Fig. 8 is a perspective illustration of the banquette illustrated in Fig. 7, showing the banquette in a fully-deployed business class configuration;

[0038] Fig. 9 is a perspective, front view of a portion of a passenger cabin of an aircraft, showing one contemplated configuration of a plurality of the banquettes of the present invention after being adjusted into the business class configuration;

[0039] Fig. 10 is a perspective, rear view of the portion of the passenger cabin of the aircraft shown in Fig. 9, also showing the configuration of a plurality of the banquettes of the present invention after being adjusted into the business class configuration;

[0040] Fig. 11 is a perspective, rear view of the banquette illustrated in Figs. 5-8, showing one contemplated placement for first and second stowable tray pockets thereon;

[0041] Fig. 12 is a perspective, rear view of the banquette illustrated in Fig. 11, showing the first and second stowable trays after being removed from their respective first and second stowable tray pockets; and

[0042] Fig. 13 is a perspective, rear view of the banquette illustrated in Fig. 12, showing the first and second stowable trays after being removed from their respective first and second stowable tray pockets and after being folded downward into substantially horizontal positions.

Detailed Description of Embodiment s) of the Invention

[0043] The present invention will now be described in connection with one or more embodiments thereof. The discussion of the embodiments is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. To the contrary, any discussion of specific embodiments is intended to exemplify the breadth and scope of the present invention. As should be apparent to those skilled in the art, variations and equivalents of the embodiment s) described herein may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Those variations and equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the scope of the present patent application.

[0044] Aspects of the present invention are described in connection with one or more configurations for the interior of an aircraft. In particular, the present invention is contemplated to be employed on an aircraft with a single, central aisle. However, the present invention may be employed on any other type of aircraft. Still further, the present invention may be employed on other vehicles where space is a premium. For example, the present invention may be used on a train car, a boat, a ship, a recreational vehicle, or the like.

[0045] Fig. 1 is an illustration of a portion of an interior of an aircraft, showing a perspective, front view of a first type of a conventional banquette 10 of aircraft seats. The banquette 10 includes three separate seats 12, 14, 16 connected to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the banquette 10 is disposed on the starboard side of the aircraft, adjacent to a central aisle 18. Four armrests 20, 22, 24, 26 are provided on the banquette, at the ends of the banquette 10 and between the seats 12, 14, 16.

[0046] As should be apparent to those skilled in the art, the banquette 10 is constructed to provide room for three passengers in an economy class configuration E. The seats 12, 14, 16 in the banquette 10 are not reconfigurable. The seats 12, 14, 16 are reclinable only, space permitting.

[0047] When it becomes necessary or desirable to increase the passenger space for the business class, some airlines have adopted an approach to convert the center seat 14 to accommodate a service tray 42, 60, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0048] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of an interior of an aircraft, showing a view of second type of a conventional banquette 28 of aircraft seats. Like the banquette 10, the banquette 28 also includes three seats 30, 32, 34. As in the first embodiment, the banquette 28 is disposed on the starboard side of the aircraft, adjacent to a central aisle (not visible in this view). Four armrests are provided on the banquette 28. Three of the armrests 36, 38, 40 are shown in this view. As in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the four armrests are located at the ends of the banquette 28 and between the seats 30, 32, 34. [0049] The banquette 28 illustrated in Fig. 2 illustrates the center seat 32 being occupied by a service tray 42 that is accessible by passengers from the flanking seats 30, 34. Here, the service tray 42 is incorporated into the backrest of the center seat 32. The service tray 42 folds down when deployed in the center seat 32.

[0050] When the banquette 28 is employed to accommodate passengers in the economy class, all three seats 30, 32, 34 are available for occupancy. When the banquette 28 is configured for business class, for example, the service tray 42 is deployed in the center seat 32, creating a beverage and snack tray, leaving the flanking seats 30, 34 available for occupancy by passengers. Accordingly, the banquette 28 is shown in a business class configuration B, at least as much as made possible given the constraints associated with the banquette 28.

[0051] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of an interior of an aircraft, showing a view of third type of conventional banquette 44 for an aircraft. As with the banquettes 10, 28, the banquette 44 includes three seats 46, 48, 50 that are disposed on the starboard side of the aircraft, adjacent to a center aisle 52. The banquette 44 also is provided with four armrests at the lateral ends of the banquette 44 and between the seats 46, 48, 50. Three of the armrests 54, 56, 58 are visible in this view. In this conventional example, the center seat 48 includes a service tray 60. In this example, the service tray 60 is a component separate from the center seat 48. The service tray 60 may be positioned on the center seat 48 when the airline desires to use the banquette 44 for business class rather than economy class. The service tray 60 is accessible by passengers in either of the flanking seats 46, 50. This configuration also is a business class configuration B, again within the constraints of the prior art.

[0052] As highlighted by each of the examples of the conventional banquettes 10, 28, 44, the widths of the seats 30, 32, 34, 46, 48, 50 cannot be changed. This deficiency, among others, underscores at least some of the features provided by the present invention.

[0053] Fig. 4 is a graphical top view of an aircraft 62 of the type in which the present invention may be employed. The passenger cabin 64 of the aircraft 62 is divided into a first section 66, a second section 68, and a third section 70. The first section 66 is configured as a first class cabin, with the seats in a first class configuration F. The second section 68 is shown in a business class cabin, with the seats in a business class configuration B. The third section 70 is configured as an economy cabin, with the seats in an economy configuration E. [0054] As made apparent from the discussion below, one or more of the seats in the second section 68 may be reconfigured between a business class configuration B and an economy configuration E. For this reason, the second section 68 of the aircraft 62 is also referred to as the“flexible section” of the aircraft 62.

[0055] Figs. 5 and 6 are graphical, perspective, front views of a banquette 72 according to a first contemplated embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 illustrates the banquette 72 that has been configured, in a default seat configuration, for the economy class. Fig. 6 illustrates the banquette 72 that has been configured, in a modified seat configuration, for the business class. Details associated with the two configurations are provided in the paragraphs that follow.

[0056] With renewed reference to Fig. 1, the seats 12, 14, 16 each define seat widths 74,

76, 78. The seat widths 74, 76, 78 are spaced apart from one another by two armrest widths 80, 82. As is apparent from Fig. 1, the armrest widths 80, 82 define empty spaces between the seats 12, 14, 16. Although not highlighted, the banquettes 28, 44 also have empty spaces between the seats 30, 32, 34, 46, 48, 50, the empty spaces also defining widths consistent with the widths of the armrests 36, 38, 40, 54, 56, 58. These empty spaces present an opportunity to modify seating capacity, as discussed in connection with the present invention.

[0057] With reference to Fig. 5, the banquette 72 establishes seating for two adult passengers. In the design of the present invention, the banquette 72 does not incorporate any gaps akin to the armrest widths 80, 82 in the prior art. As will be made apparent in the discussion that follows, the gapless construction of the banquette 72 makes possible the reconfigurability of the banquette 72 from the business class configuration B to the economy class configuration E and back again, as required or desired.

[0058] The banquette 72 includes a seat 84, a backrest 86, and a headrest 88. The seat 84 is disposed atop a first leg 90 and a second leg 92. The first leg 90 and the second leg 92 are contemplated to connect with tracks (not shown) in the floor of the passenger cabin 64 of the aircraft 62 in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

[0059] The banquette 72 includes four armrests 94, 96, 98, 100 that are retractable into armrest recesses 102, 104, 106, 108 in the backrest 86. It is contemplated that, when the armrests 94, 96, 98, 100 are retracted into the armrest recesses 102, 104, 106, 108, the armrests 94, 96, 98, 100 will be flush with the backrest 86 so that the backrest 86 forms a continuous, uninterrupted, and smooth surface. It is noted that the second armrest 96 and the third armrest 98 are immediately adjacent to one another. Similarly, the second and third armrest recesses 104, 106 also are immediately adjacent to one another.

[0060] While the seat 84 is contemplated to be a single, continuous component of the banquette 72, the backrest 86 and the headrest 88 include three sections. As illustrated, the backrest 86 is defined by a first section 110, a second section 112, and a third section 114. Moreover, the first section 110 and the second section 112, when combined together, define a fourth section 116.

[0061] As should be apparent from the drawings, the third section 114 defines a first passenger seat 118. The fourth section 116 defines a second passenger seat 120. The first passenger seat 118 has a first seat width 122. The second passenger seat 120 has a second seat width 124. It is contemplated that the first seat width 122 is equal to the second seat width 124. However, the first seat width 122 may differ from the second seat width 124 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0062] While not limiting of the present invention, it is contemplated that the first seat width 122 is 17.5 inches (44.5 cm) as measured between the first armrest 94 and the second armrest 96. Similarly, the second seat width 124 also is contemplated to be 17.5 inches (44.5 cm) as measured between the third armrest 98 and the fourth armrest 100. When the armrests 94, 96, 98, 100 are not taken into account, the first passenger seat 118 has a first maximum width 126 of 20.5 inches (52.1 cm). Similarly, the second passenger seat 120 has a second maximum width 128 of 20.5 inches (52.1 cm). It is noted that the combination of the second section 112 and the third section 114 define a combined width 130 of 27.5 inches (69.9 cm). As such, the width 148 of the second section 112 is 7 inches (17.8 cm). As should be apparent to those skilled in the art, these dimensions may be altered, as required or as desired) without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0063] With continued reference to Fig. 5, the banquette 72 includes a first securing device 132 that is styled as a bar that slides in a first channel 134 in the directions indicated by the first arrow 136. The banquette 82 also includes a second securing device 138 that is styled as a bar that slides in a second channel 140 in the directions indicated by the second arrow 142. It is noted that the banquette 82 may include only one of the first securing device 132 or the second securing device 138. It is also contemplated that three or more securing devices may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. [0064] As noted, the first securing device 132 and the second securing device 138 are styled as bars that slide in the first channel 134 and in the second channel 140, respectively. The first securing device 132 and the second securing device 138 secure the banquette 72 in the economy configuration E by securing the first passenger seat backrest 144 to the second passenger seat backrest 146. When the first passenger seat backrest 144 is secured to the second passenger seat backrest 146, the two passenger seat backrests 144, 146 form a continuous backrest 86 that extends the length of the banquette 72, as shown. As is apparent from this illustration, the second passenger seat backrest 146 combines the backrest sections that are associated with the first section 110 and the second section 112 of the banquette 72.

[0065] As also should be apparent from Fig. 5, the first securing device 132 and the second securing device 138 are contemplated to be interior to the first passenger seat backrest 144 and the second passenger seat backrest 146. However, the first securing device 132 and the second securing device 138 may be externally disposed, as required or desired. And, it is contemplated the first securing device 132 and the second securing device 138 may be disposed in the banquette 72 partially internally and partially externally.

[0066] The operation of the first securing device 132 and the second securing device 138 may be manual, electronic, actuated remotely, actuated automatically, and/or controlled by a system on board the aircraft, etc. The exact manner by which the first securing device 132 and the second securing device 138 operates is not critical to the present invention. Similarly, the first securing device 132 and the second securing device 138 need not be styled as bars. Instead, these devices may take any suitable form without departing from the present invention.

[0067] As also illustrated in Fig. 5, when the first securing device 132 and the second securing device 138 enable the economy configuration E for the banquette 72, the first securing device 132 and the second securing device 138 secure the first section 110, the second section 112, and the third section 114 of the backrest 86 to one another.

[0068] Fig. 6 illustrates the banquette 72 after transitioning partly to the business class configuration B shown in Fig. 8. As should be apparent from Fig. 6, the first securing device 132 and the second securing device 138 have been altered so that the bars are shifted to the right when compared with the configuration illustrated in Fig. 5. In this configuration, the second section 112 and the third section 114 of the backrest 86 are connected to one another, establishing a business class seat width 150 for a business class seat 152 for a passenger. The business class seat width 150 combines the widths of the second section 112 and the third section 114.

[0069] Fig. 7 is a perspective illustration of the banquette 72 that is illustrated in Fig. 6.

Consistent with the discussion attendant to Fig. 6, the banquette 72 is in transition to the business class configuration B. Accordingly, the second section 112 and the third section 114 are connected to one another to create a business class passenger seat 152 with a business class seat width 150.

[0070] As also shown in Fig. 7, the second and third armrests 96, 98 are in a deployed condition. As should be apparent, to complete the transition to a business class passenger seat 152, the armrests 96, 98 are folded into the second and third armrest recesses 104, 106. Accordingly, as noted, the banquette 72 is shown in a configuration between the economy class configuration E and the business class configuration B.

[0071] Fig. 8 is a perspective illustration of the banquette 72, showing the banquette 72 in the completed (or fully deployed) business class configuration B.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 8, the seat 84 is disposed atop two legs 90, 92. The seat 84 defines a front edge 154 and a rear edge 156. The backrest 86 defines a bottom edge 158 and a top edge 160. The headrest 88 also defines a bottom edge 162 and a top edge 164. The rear edge 156 of the seat 84 is positioned adjacent to the bottom edge 158 of the backrest 86. The top edge 160 of the backrest 86 is disposed adjacent to the bottom edge 162 of the headrest 88. The backrest 86 may be pivoted with respect to the seat 84 around a first pivot point 166. Similarly, the headrest 88 may be pivoted with respect to the backrest 86 around a second pivot point 168. In addition, the first section 110 of the backrest 86 includes a third pivot point 170 that permits the first section 110 of the backrest 86 to fold along a fold line 172. The first section 110 of the backrest 86, therefore, defines a bottom portion 174 and a top portion 176.

[0073] In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8, the fold line 172 is located at approximately a mid-point between the bottom edge 158 and the top edge 160 of the first section 110 of the backrest 86. As such, the bottom portion 174 shares its bottom edge with the bottom edge 158 of the backrest 86. As also is apparent, the top portion 176 shares its top edge with the top edge 160 of the backrest 86. Since the first section 110 may be folded around the third pivot point 170, the bottom portion 174 defines a top edge 178 and the top portion defines a bottom edge 180. While Fig. 8 illustrates one contemplated configuration for the first section 110 of the banquette 72, it is contemplated that the fold line 172 may be moved to any position between the bottom edge 158 and the top edge 160 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0074] When the first section 110 of the backrest 86 is transitioned to the business class configuration B shown in Fig. 8, the first section 110 folds into an inverted U-shape where the top edge 164 of the headrest 88 is supported by the seat 84 adjacent to the front edge 154 of the seat 84. In this configuration, the rear surface 182 of the top portion 176 may be configured as a service tray 184 that is accessible by a passenger in the business class seat 152.

[0075] Any number of devices may be employed to secure the first portion 110 in the inverted U-shape so that the service tray 184 is made available to a passenger in the business class seat 152. Accordingly. The mechanical construction is left to the discretion of those skilled in the art.

[0076] It is contemplated that the first section 110 is reconfigurable manually from the economy class configuration E to the business class configuration B. Alternatively, the first section 110 may be constructed to be reconfigurable at the push of a button. Any mechanism may be employed, as should be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0077] Fig. 9 is a perspective, front view illustration of a portion of an aircraft passenger cabin 186 containing a plurality of banquettes 72. In this view, all of the banquettes 72 have been deployed in the business class configuration B. Moreover, the banquettes 72 are positioned in the aircraft passenger cabin 186 so that the service trays 184 are disposed on each side of the central aisle 188. It is noted that the placement and configuration of the banquettes 72 shown in Fig. 9 is merely a non-limiting example of one contemplated arrangement. The design and positioning of the banquettes 72 may be altered from the layout shown without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0078] Fig. 10 is a perspective, rear view illustration of the portion of the aircraft passenger cabin 186 shown in Fig. 9. This perspective highlights one contemplated location for the entertainment display panels 190, 192 on the rear surface 194 of the second section 112 and the third section 114 of the headrest 88.

[0079] Fig. 11 is a perspective, rear view of a single banquette 72 according to the present invention. This illustration highlights the locations of a first stowable tray pocket 196 and a second stowable tray pocket 198. The first towable tray pocket 196 and the second stowable tray pocket 198 contain a first stowable tray 200 and a second stowable tray 202, respectively, as shown in Fig. 12.

[0080] Fig. 12 is a perspective, rear view of the banquette 72 illustrated in Fig. 11. The first stowable tray 200 slides out of the first stowable tray pocket 196 in the direction of the arrows 204. Similarly, second stowable tray 202 slides out of the second stowable tray pocket 198 in the direction of the arrows 206.

[0081] Fig. 13 is a perspective, rear view of the banquette 72 illustrated in Figs. 11-12.

After the first stowable tray 200 slides out of the first stowable tray pocket 196, the first stowable tray 200 folds downwardly, as indicated by the arrows 208. Similarly, after the second stowable tray 202 slides out of the second stowable tray pocket 198, the second stowable tray 202 folds downwardly, as indicated by the arrows 210. In the illustrated configuration, the first stowable tray 200 and the second stowable tray 202 are available to passenger(s) seated on the immediately-adjacent banquette 72 behind the banquette 72 illustrated.

[0082] As noted above, the embodiment s) described herein are intended to be exemplary of the wide breadth of the present invention. Variations and equivalents of the described embodiment s) are intended to be encompassed by the present invention, as if described herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An aircraft banquette, comprising:

at least one leg securable to a floor of an aircraft passenger cabin;

a seat disposed atop the at least one leg, the seat defining a seat front edge and a seat rear edge; and

a backrest defining a first side edge, a second side edge, a backrest bottom edge, and a backrest top edge,

wherein the backrest bottom edge is disposed adjacent to the seat rear edge,

wherein the backrest is divided into a plurality of sections between the first side edge and the second side edge,

wherein the aircraft banquette is reconfigurable between a default seat configuration and a modified seat configuration, and

wherein, in the modified seat configuration, at least one of the plurality of sections folds toward the seat to make available a service tray.

2. The aircraft banquette of claim 1, wherein the at least one leg comprises two legs securable to the floor of the aircraft passenger cabin.

3. The aircraft banquette of claim 1, further comprising:

a headrest defining a top edge and a bottom edge,

wherein the headrest bottom edge is disposed adjacent to the backrest top edge.

4. The aircraft banquette of claim 1, further comprising:

a first pivot connecting the seat rear edge with the backrest bottom edge, thereby permitting the backrest to pivot with respect to the seat.

5. The aircraft banquette of claim 3, further comprising:

a first pivot connecting the seat rear edge with the backrest bottom edge, thereby permitting the backrest to pivot with respect to the seat; and a second pivot connecting the backrest top edge to the headrest bottom edge, thereby permitting the headrest to pivot with respect to the backrest.

6. The aircraft banquette of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sections comprises a first section, a second section, and a third section.

7. The aircraft banquette of claim 3, wherein:

the first section defines a first width, the second section defines a second width, and the third section defines a third width.

8. The aircraft banquette of claim 7, wherein the first width is greater than the second width.

9. The aircraft banquette of claim 8, wherein, together, the first section and the second section define a fourth section, the fourth section defines a fourth width, and the fourth width is equal to the third width.

10. The aircraft banquette of claim 7, wherein the backrest of the first section further comprises:

a top portion with a bottom edge intermediate to the backrest top edge and the backrest bottom edge;

a bottom portion with a top edge intermediate to the backrest top edge and backrest bottom edge; and

a third pivot connecting the top portion bottom edge to the bottom portion top edge, thereby permitting the top portion to pivot with respect to the bottom portion.

11. The aircraft banquette of claim 1, wherein:

the default seat configuration includes a first passenger seat disposed adjacent to a second passenger seat.

12. The aircraft banquette of claim 1, wherein: the modified seat configuration includes a first passenger seat and a service tray positioned adjacent to the first passenger seat, and

the service tray is a rear surface of the at least one of the plurality of sections.

13. The aircraft banquette of claim 8, wherein, in the default seat configuration, a first passenger seat has the third width and a second passenger seat has the fourth width.

14. The aircraft banquette of claim 8, wherein, in the modified seat configuration, a passenger seat spans the second width and the third width and the service tray spans the first width.

15. The aircraft banquette of claim 6, further comprising:

at least one securing device securing the first section, the second section, and the third section to one another when in the default seat configuration.

16. The aircraft banquette of claim 15, wherein the at least one securing device secures the second section to the third section in the modified seat configuration, thereby defining a single passenger seat while permitting the first section to fold over the seat to present the service tray to the single passenger seat.

17. The aircraft banquette of claim 1, further comprising at least one service tray pocket on a rear side containing a service tray that slides out of the at least one service tray pocket, thereby being made available to a passenger behind the aircraft banquette.

18. The aircraft banquette of claim 1, wherein the at least one service tray pocket comprises a first service tray pocket containing a first service tray and a second service tray pocket containing a second service tray.

19. An aircraft, comprising:

a plurality of banquettes, each banquette comprising

at least one leg securable to a floor of an aircraft passenger cabin; a seat disposed atop the at least one leg, the seat defining a seat front edge and a seat rear edge; and

wherein the backrest bottom edge is disposed adjacent to the seat rear edge, wherein the backrest is divided into a plurality of sections between the first side edge and the second side edge,

wherein the aircraft banquette is reconfigurable between an economy class configuration and a business class configuration, and

wherein, in the business class configuration, at least one of the plurality of sections folds toward the seat to make available a service tray,

wherein the plurality of banquettes defines a flexible seating area in the aircraft passenger cabin that is reconfigurable to accommodate a predetermined number of economy class passengers and a predetermined number of business class passengers.

20. The aircraft of claim 19, further comprising:

a central aisle,

wherein the banquettes are disposed on either side of the central aisle with the service tray of each of the banquettes being disposed immediately adjacent to the central aisle.