Transport accommodation

• US 20010015566A1
• Filed: 12/14/2000
• Published: 08/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Singapore Airlines Limited
• Original Assignee: Singapore Airlines Limited
• Inventors: Park, James William, Haith, Philip
• Application Number:
  US09/736,927
• Publication Number:
  US 20010015566A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/115
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/0352 characterised by coupled seat and back-rest slidingly movable in the base frame, e.g. by rollers
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0224 Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0264 characterised by the type of electrical connection, e.g. wiring, plugs or USB
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/34 into a bed
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/79 Adaptations for additional use of the arm-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/91 Panels between front seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/995 Lower-leg-rests, e.g. calf-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0601 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
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0604 including a bed, e.g. cocoon type passenger seat modules
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0606 with privacy shells, screens, separators or the like class dividers B64D11/0023
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0636 Personal storage means or waste disposal bags
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0638 with foldable tables, trays or cup holders
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06395 characterised by the arrangement of electric motors for adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/064 Adjustable inclination or position of seats
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0641 Seats convertible into beds

Abstract

A seat for, for example, an aircraft that has an open outer shell which embraces a seat portion, a seat back, a head rest and a foot rest when the seat is in an upright position. Also embraced by the shell are a pair of arm rests. The seat is reclinable into a bed configuration such that the seat portion is moved forwardly out of the open end of the shell. Simultaneously, the arm rests are movable between the raised position and the position substantially flush with the seat portion. In the bed configuration, the removal of the arm rests from the raised position significantly increases the width of the bed, thus enhancing the comfort of the user.

Claims

1. A seat for an aircraft, composing a seat portion, at least one side arm and a side member adjacent to the at least one arm, the at least one side arm being movable between a deployed position, in which an upper surface of the side arm is arranged as an arm rest in relation to the seat, and a retracted position, in which the side arm is moved from the displayed position to create a greater width of seat.

2. A seat as claimed in

claim 1

in which the upper surface of the side arm is substantially flush with the level of the seat portion in the retracted position.

3. A seat as claimed in

claim 1

in which the upper surface of the side arm is below the level of the seat portion in the retracted position.

4. A seat as claimed in

claim 1

, including a back portion movable between an upright and a reclined position relative to the seat portion, the side arm comprising a member which is operably connected with the seat portion and the back portion to move from the deployed position to the retracted position as the back portion moves from the upright to the reclined position.

5. A seat as claimed in

claim 1

, in which the side arm is jointed and pivotably connected with the seat portion and the back portion, such that the side arm articulates about the joint as the back portion moves relative to the seat portion.

6. A seat as claimed in

claim 1

in which the seat portion is movable forwardly to accommodate the back portion in the reclined position.

7. A seat as claimed in

claim 6

in which the side arm is movable forwardly with the seat portion.

8. A seat as claimed in

claim 1

in which the side arm comprises an inflatable member.

9. A seat for an aircraft cabin comprising a seat portion, a back portion and at least one side arm, the back portion being movable between upright and reclined positions and the seat portion being movable forwardly to accommodate the back portion in the reclined position, wherein the at least one side arm is movable forwardly with the seat portion.

10. A seat as claimed in

claim 9

in which the at least one side arm is also movable between a deployed position in which an upper surface of the side arm is arranged as an arm rest in relation to the seat, and a retracted position, in which the side arm is moved from the deployed position.

11. A seat as claimed in

claim 10

in which the upper surface of the side arm is substantially flush with the level of the seat portion in the retracted position.

12. A seat as claimed in

claim 10

in which the upper surface of the side arm is below the level of the seat portion in the retracted position.

13. A seat as claimed in

claim 9

, in which the side arm is rotatable between the deployed and retracted positions.

14. A seat as claimed in

claim 9

including a shell embracing the seat portion and the back portion in the uptight position, the shell having an open front through which the seat portion extends in the reclined position of the seat back.

15. A seat for an aircraft comprising a seat portion and a back portion, the back portion being movable between a substantially upright and a reclined position in relation to the seat portion, the seat portion being movable forwardly to accommodate the back portion in the reclined position, the seat further comprising a first member arranged toward the front of the seat portion, which member is adjustable as a support to compensate for undulations in the seat when the back portion is in the reclined position.

16. The seat as claimed in

claim 15

, including a second member arranged toward the base of the back portion which second member is adjustable as a support, to compensate for undulations in the seat, when the back portion is in the reclined position.

17. A seat as claimed in

claim 15

, in which the first and/or the second member is inflatable.

18. A stowable table for a vehicle accommodation unit, comprising a bulkhead panel for supporting the table, a table top pivotably mounted to the bulkhead to be pivotable between a deployed position and a stored position about a pivot point which is recessed in relation to the bulk head, and a groove defined in the bulk head, the top being receivable, in the deployed position, along the groove such that the top is maintained in the deployed position when received in the groove.

19. An passenger aircraft including a cabin comprising a plurality of lines of forward facing seats defining aisles, the aircraft having a major axis extending fore and aft generally along which the aisles extend, one of the seats to one side of an aisle being in a staggered relationship with the closest seat on the opposite side of the said aisle such that they are out of lateral alignment with respect to the major axis.

20. An aircraft as claimed in

claim 19

in which the seats face forward parallel with the major axis.

21. An airman as claimed in

claim 19

in which the lines of seats include outboard lines of seats, generally following the adjacent part of the fuselage of the aircraft, and an inboard line of seats in between the outboard lines, following the major axis.

22. An aircraft as claimed in

claim 21

in which the inboard line of seats includes rows of pluralities of seats arranged in a mutually converging relationship.

23. A seat for an aircraft comprising a seat portion, a back portion which is movable between an upright position and a reclined position, and a back shell arranged behind the back portion, at least a lower portion of the shell being movable rearwardly to accommodate the back portion in the reclined position.

24. A seat as claimed in

claim 23

in which at least the lower portion of the back portion is pivotable about an axis extending across the seat, the said axis being arranged intermediate the top and bottom of the back shell.

25. A seat as claimed in

claim 24

in which an upper portion of the back shell, above the said axis, is arranged to tilt forwardly as the lower portion moves rearwardly.

28. An arrangement of seats in an aircraft comprising at least one line of seats as claimed in

claim 23

, and a console for ancillary equipment in front of each seat, the console being spaced from the seat in front by a gap in which the back shell moves.

26. A seat for an aircraft comprising a seat portion, a back portion which is movable between an upright position and a reclined position, and a back shell arranged behind the back portion, the shell being lowerable as the back portion is lowered from the upright position.

27. A seat as claimed in

claim 26

in which the back shell initially moves with the back portion and, thereafter, tilts about an axis intermediate the top and the bottom of the back shell to accommodate the reclining back portion.

29. A seat for an aircraft comprising a seat, a console for ancillary equipment in front of the seat, a side unit extending from one side of the seat to the console and having a guide therein, a table surface mounted to run along the guide between a stowed position in the console and a deployed position outside the console.

30. A seat as claimed in

claim 29

in which the table surface has the same orientation in the stowed and deployed positions.

31. A seat as claimed in

claim 29

in which the guide comprises a channel, the table surface being supported by a carriage mounted in the channel for movement between the stowed and deployed positions.

32. A seat as claimed in

claim 29

in which the seat includes an arm on either side of the seat portion, the guide extending into one of the arms to allow the table to be drawn up over the seat in the deployed position.

33. A seat as claimed in claims 29 in which the table includes brake means for engaging the side unit to hold the table in position.

34. A seat as claimed in

claim 33

in which the brake means are biased to an engaged position and are manually releasable.

35. A passenger seat for an aircraft comprising a seat and a console in front of the seat, the console containing ancillary equipment for use by the seat occupant.

36. A seat as claimed in

claim 35

in which the ancillary equipment includes a television monitor.

37. A seat as claimed in

claim 35

in which the ancillary equipment includes a stowed table which is deployable for use by the seat occupant.

38. A seat as claimed in

claim 35

in which the seat is configurable as a sleeping surface, the console defining a foot well into which a front part of the seat projects when configured as a sleeping surface.

39. A seat as claimed in

claim 38

in which the seat composes a leg rest portion and a foot rest portion which projects into the foot well when configured as a sleeping surface.

40. A display screen console for a vehicle accommodation unit comprising a display screen, a display screen stowage space and a stowage space cover in which the stowage space cover is movable to an open position to allow the display screen to be moved between a display position and a stowed position and the stowage space cover is movable to a closed position to cover the stowage space when the display screen is in either position.

41. A display screen console as claimed in

claim 40

in which the display screen comprises a TV-type monitor.

42. A display screen console as claimed in

claim 40

in which the display screen and the stowage space cover are pivotally mounted.

43. A display screen console as claimed in

claim 42

in which the display screen and the stowage space cover are pivotally mounted at opposite sides of the stowage space.

44. A seat for an aircraft comprising a seat portion, a back portion which is movable between an upright position and a reclined position, and a shell arranged behind the upright back portion, at least a lower portion of the shell being movable away from the seat to accommodate the back portion in the reclined position.

45. A seat as claimed in

claim 44

in which at least the lower portion of the back portion is pivotable about an axis extending across the seat, the said axis being arranged intermediate to the top and bottom of the shell.

46. A seat as claimed in

claim 45

in which an upper portion of the shell is above the said axis, such that the shell is arranged to tilt the upper portion forwardly as the lower portion moves away from the seat.

47. An arrangement of seats in an aircraft composing at least one row of seats as claimed in

claim 44

, and a utilities unit in front of each seat, the utilities unit being spaced from the seat in front in which the shell moves.

48. A seat for a aircraft comprising a seat portion, a front unit before the seat, a side unit extending from one side of the seat to the front unit and having a guide therein, a table surface mounted to run along the guide between a stowed position inside the front unit and a deployed position outside the front unit.

49. A seat as claimed in

claim 48

in which the table surface has the same orientation in the stowed and deployed positions.

50. A seat as claimed in

claim 48

in which the guide comprises a channel, the channel surface having a carriage mounted in the channel for movement between the stowed and deployed positions.

51. A seat as claimed in

claim 48

in which the seat includes an arm on either side of the seat portion, the guide extending into one of the arms to allow the table to be drawn up over the seat in the deployed position.

52. A seat as claimed in any of

claim 48

in which the table includes brake mean for engaging the side unit to hold the table in position.

53. A seat as claimed in

claim 52

in which the brake means are manually engageable and releasable.

54. A seat for an aircraft comprising a movable seat portion and a back portion, the back portion being movable between a substantially upright position and a reclined position, the seat portion being arranged to tilt backwardly as the seat reclines to cradle the hips of a user in the junction between the seat and the back portion.

55. A seat as claimed in

claim 54

in which the seat portion is movable to accommodate movement of the back portion between the upright and reclined positions.

56. A seat as claimed in

claim 54

in which the seat and back portions are configurable as a bed, the seat portion being arranged to tilt forwardly in the bed position substantially parallel with the back portion.

57. A seat for an aircraft comprising a seat and a front unit for the seat defining a recess into which the legs of a user of the seat can project, at least a portion of the front unit being movable forwardly to provide an extended space for the user'"'"'s legs in front of the seat.

58. A seat for an aircraft as claimed in

claim 57

in which the front unit comprises a forward bulkhead portion that is movable forwardly to provide the extended space.

59. A seat for an aircraft comprising a seat portion and a back portion, the back portion being moveable between a substantially upright and a reclined position in relation to the seat portion, the seat portion being moveable forwardly to accommodate the back portion in the reclined position, the seat portion including a supporting doily wheel extending from its underside.