Demountable comfort modules for passenger aircraft

• US 5,784,836 A
• Filed: 11/03/1994
• Issued: 07/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: B/E Aerospace Incorporated (Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: B/E Aerospace Incorporated (Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ehrick, Stephen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Aubrey, Beth
• Application Number:
  US08/333,967
• Time in Patent Office: 1,363 Days
• Field of Search: 52/28, 52/34, 52/36.4, 52/DIG. 11, 52/DIG. 14, 52/79.7, 52/79.8, 52/79.9, 52/186, 244/118.5, 244/118.6, 5/8, 5/9.1, 5/118, 5/513
• US Class Current: 52/79.8
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00 Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2011/0046 Modular or preassembled units for creating cabin interior structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 52/14 Shelter shaped to article configuration

Abstract

A removable sleeping compartment assembly for the use of a number of passengers is provided based upon the nesting together of a number of different modules, typically having a standard cargo container configuration, that incorporates internal sleeping berths and convenience features in such manner so as to provide a number of individual habitats. The modules are configured with at least partially open abutting sides which may have upper and lower berths, separated by aisles, and isolated by enclosure elements. Appurtenances in the modules protrude through the open sides to nest into the adjoining space when the assembly is joined together. The convenience features include restroom facilities, storage and disposable supply means, and means for providing convenient entry into and exit from the interior of the volume defined by the unitary assembly.

Claims

1. A mountable and demountable system for providing sleeping compartments for passengers in an aircraft, comprising:

a set of container modules having outer configurations that each substantially conform to the volumetric configurations of standardized cargo containers, the modules each having at least two open sides and at least two outer side walls, and being configured to nest together to define a single housing bounded by the outer side walls, the modules being joined at facing open sides to define a substantially larger enclosed volume having a multiple spaced apart sleeping compartments disposed to be accessible from the interior of the housing;

sleeping surfaces disposed in the sleeping compartments of the modules such that each is accessible from the interior wherein at least some of the sleeping surfaces protrude from the open sides of the modules into the interior of an abutting adjacent module when nested together, and

means in at least one wall of the modules for providing access to the interior of the housing from the exterior.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein the sleeping surfaces are spaced apart and disposed within the modules to define a common area including separating aisles affording passageways to any of the sleeping surfaces to and from the means for providing access.

3. A system as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein the system further includes comfort subsystems within the modules, the sleeping surfaces and the comfort subsystems at least partially extending through the openings in the open sides of the modules before nesting of the modules together, and wherein the system further includes power interconnection means within the modules, and means within the modules for intercoupling the power connection means together, and means in the walls of the nested modules for accessing an exterior power source from the interior of the nested modules.

4. A system for providing sleeping accommodations within the cargo compartment of a passenger aircraft, the system comprising:

a set of four housing modules, each having substantially the outer configuration of a standard cargo container, and each including two at least partially open adjoining sides, the open sides on the different modules being positioned such that the modules nest together at the four corners of a common vertical axis, to form an enclosed substantially rectangular volume having an upper wall;

sleeping surface means disposed in the different modules, the sleeping surface means in at least one of the modules protruding from the open side into the space provided by the adjacent module when the modules are nested together, the open spaces between the ends of the modules being configured to provide aisle space along the interior of the enclosed structure;

at least one of the modules including a restroom housing coupled thereto and protruding outwardly therefrom into the space provided through the open wall of the adjacent module;

power distribution means disposed within each of the modules and including power interconnection means for intercoupling the different modules;

terminal connector means connected to the power distribution means and including interiorly accessible port means in a wall of the nested modules for coupling to an external power supply;

environment control means disposed in at least one of the nested modules and coupled to the power distribution system for providing habitable temperature and humidity levels;

means coupled to the upper wall of the nested modules for accessing into the interior volume of the nested modules, and

environment responsive noise cancellation means disposed in the nested modules and coupled to the power distribution means.