Aircraft passenger accommodation unit with deployable bed

• US 7,578,471 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2008
• Issued: 08/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B/E Aerospace Incorporated (Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: B/E Aerospace Incorporated (Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Beroth, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, TIEN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US12/107,345
• Publication Number:
  US 20080203227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 244/118.6, 244/118.5, D6334-336, 105314-317, 105/319, 297/63
• US Class Current: 244/118.6
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06 Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats crew seat constructions for emergency purposes B64D25/04
• 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

Abstract

A passenger accommodation unit with a deployable bed includes a passenger seat and a passenger bed positioned relative to the seat and adapted for movement between a stowed position in which the bed is upright and adjacent to the seat, and a deployed position in which the bed is horizontal for use and overlaps and is supported in part by the seat. The unit can include a credenza positioned adjacent the seat and between the seat and the bed that supports the bed when deployed.

Claims

1. A method of providing an aircraft passenger accommodation unit, comprising the steps of:

providing a passenger seat including at least one armrest;

providing a passenger bed positioned proximate the seat;

moving the armrest between a passenger use position and a relatively lower bed support position wherein the bed is supported at least in part by the armrest;

moving the bed to a stowed position to rest on a deck wherein the bed is upright and adjacent to the seat when the passenger is to be seated in an upright or reclined position;

moving the bed to a deployed position wherein a supporting surface of the bed is horizontal for use and supported at least in part by the armrest; and

deploying the bed onto the armrest when the armrest is moved to the bed support position;

wherein movement of the passenger bed between the stowed and deployed positions includes pivoting the passenger bed about a longitudinal axis, and movement of the passenger bed from the stowed position to the deployed position includes the step of elevating the passenger bed.

2. A method of providing an aircraft passenger accommodation unit in accordance with claim 1, further comprising providing a credenza positioned between a seat bottom and the bed when the bed is in the stowed position.

3. A method of providing an aircraft passenger accommodation unit in accordance with claim 2, wherein the at least one armrest is integrated into the credenza.

4. A method of providing an aircraft passenger accommodation unit in accordance with claim 2, further comprising providing a height adjustment mechanism for moving the credenza between a passenger use position and a relatively lower bed support position, wherein the bed is supported at least in part by the credenza in the bed support position.

5. A method of providing an aircraft passenger accommodation unit in accordance with claim 4, further comprising providing an actuator for deploying the bed onto the credenza when the credenza is moved to the bed support position.

6. A method of providing an aircraft passenger accommodation unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bed in the deployed position extends along a sidewall of the aircraft.

7. A method of providing an aircraft passenger accommodation unit in accordance with claim 1, further comprising providing enclosure walls positioned wound at least part of the periphery of an area occupied by the seat and the bed, and including a door opening and a door movable between an open ingress/egress position and a closed, privacy position.

8. A method of providing an aircraft passenger accommodation unit in accordance with claim 7, wherein the door comprises a pair of door panels mounted adjacent the door opening for unison movement on a rack-and-pinion assembly whereby movement of either door causes cooperative movement of the other door.