SEAT SYSTEM FOR A CABIN OF A TRANSPORTATION MEANS WITH A COMPACTABLE SEAT ROW

• US 20170341754A1
• Filed: 05/24/2017
• Published: 11/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: GROSS, Claus-Peter
• Granted Patent: US 10,710,727 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/20 specially adapted for freight
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0639 with features for adjustment or converting of seats
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0648 Lower frame constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0696 Means for fastening seats to floors, e.g. to floor rails

Abstract

A seat system for a cabin of a transportation system includes a first seat unit, a second seat unit, and a rail system attachable to a floor of the cabin, having two rails that run parallel to each other, for receiving the seat units on selective positions. A line-up of a plurality of first seat units and at least one second seat unit on the rail system constitutes a seat arrangement. The first seat unit includes a seat frame having a seat cushion and a back cushion. The second seat unit includes a seat frame having a foldable seat cushion and a back cushion. The second seat frame includes two forward seat legs supported on two auxiliary rail segments that are arranged between the rails in a region. The forward seat legs are guidable underneath the seat cushion of a first seat unit arranged in front of it.

Claims

1. A seat system for a cabin of a transportation system, the seat system comprising:

at least one first seat unit;

at least one second seat unit; and

a rail system attachable to a floor of the cabin having two rails that run parallel to each other, to receive the at least one first seat unit and the at least one second seat unit on selective positions;

wherein a line-up of a plurality of first seat units and at least one second seat unit on the rail system constitutes a seat arrangement in the cabin;

wherein each of the at least one first seat unit comprises a first seat frame having a seat cushion and a back cushion;

wherein each of the at least one second seat unit comprises a second seat frame having a foldable seat cushion and a back cushion; and

wherein the second seat frame comprises two distanced forward seat legs supported on two auxiliary rail segments that are arranged between the rails at least in a region, wherein the forward seat legs are, at least in a region, guidable underneath the seat cushion of a first seat unit arranged in front of it.

2. The seat system according to claim 1, wherein:

each second seat unit comprises two rear holding devices, two forward holding devices and the two auxiliary rail segments;

the rear holding devices are fastenable on the rails and are each designed for supporting a rear seat leg of the second seat frame;

in each case, one auxiliary rail segment is supported on a rear holding device so as to be movable parallel to the rails each and carries a forward holding device at an end opposed to the rear holding devices; and

the forward holding devices are each adapted for supporting a forward seat leg of the second seat frame.

3. The seat system according to claim 2, wherein each second seat unit furthermore comprises two forward supporting devices, which are each connected with the rail and are each adapted for supporting an auxiliary rail segment guided parallel to the rails.

4. The seat system according to claim 3, wherein the forward support devices are rigidly connected through a strut that extends transverse to the rails or the auxiliary rail segments, respectively.

5. The seat system according to claim 3, wherein the forward support devices are adapted for supporting the auxiliary rail segments to be displaceable in a permanently unblocked manner.

6. The seat system according to claim 3, wherein each second seat unit is configured to hold a support strut between a rear seat leg and a forward support device or an auxiliary rail segment of the same side each, when the forward support devices are shifted to the rear holding devices.

7. The seat system according to claim 3, wherein each second seat unit comprises two connecting struts, which each extend from a forward support device to a side facing away from the rear holding device of the same second seat unit along an associated rail and are designed to be connected with a rear holding device of a first seat unit arranged in front of it in a defined distance.

8. The seat system according to claim 7, wherein the connecting struts comprise as rail covers.

9. The seat system according to claim 3, wherein the forward support devices of a second seat unit are connected with rear holding devices of a first seat unit arranged in front of it in such a way, that they are movable in direction to the first unit, if the seat cushion of the second seat unit is folded up, only about such a way, that the folded up seat cushion does not touch the backrest of the first seat unit.

10. The seat system according to claim 1, wherein the second seat frame is movable underneath the first seat frame about a distance in a range of 1 inch to 12 inches, and in a range of 2 inches to 6 inches with folded up seat cushion.

11. A cabin of a transportation system comprising a seat arrangement, the seat arrangement created by a seat system comprising:

a plurality of first seat units;

at least one second seat unit; and

a rail system attachable to a floor of the cabin having two rails that run parallel to each other, for an arrestable receiving of the plurality of first seat units and the at least one second seat unit on selective positions;

wherein each first seat unit comprises a first seat frame having a seat cushion as well as a back cushion;

wherein each second seat unit comprises a second seat frame having a seat cushion being foldable up as well as a back cushion; and

wherein the second seat frame comprises two distanced forward seat legs, which are supported on two auxiliary rail segments that are arranged between the rails at least in a region, which forward seat legs are, at least in a region, guidable underneath the seat cushion of a first seat unit arranged in front of it.

12. The cabin according to claim 11, wherein:

the seat arrangement comprises at least one group with a plurality of first seat units as well as an additional second seat unit;

the first seat units are arranged one behind each other on the rails; and

the second seat unit is arranged behind the group of first seat units.

13. The cabin according to claim 12, wherein at least one first seat unit is arranged behind the second seat unit.

14. The cabin according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of groups of first seat units are arranged in the cabin, and wherein behind each group a second seat unit is arranged.

15. An aircraft, comprising a cabin, the cabin including a seat system comprising:

a plurality of first seat units;

at least one second seat unit; and

a rail system attachable to a floor of the cabin having two rails that run parallel to each other, for an arrestable receiving of the plurality of first seat units and the at least one second seat unit on selective positions;

wherein each first seat unit comprises a first seat frame having a seat cushion as well as a back cushion;

wherein each second seat unit comprises a second seat frame having a seat cushion being foldable up as well as a back cushion; and

wherein the second seat frame comprises two distanced forward seat legs, which are supported on two auxiliary rail segments that are arranged between the rails at least in a region, which forward seat legs are, at least in a region, guidable underneath the seat cushion of a first seat unit arranged in front of it.