U.S. patent application number 09/736927 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-23 for transport accommodation.
This patent application is currently assigned to Singapore Airlines Ltd.. Invention is credited to Haith, Philip, Park, James William.
Application Number | 20010015566 09/736927 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27484845 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010015566 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park, James William ; et
al. |
August 23, 2001 |
Transport accommodation
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.
Inventors: |
Park, James William;
(London, GB) ; Haith, Philip; (London,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark L. Gleason
HOWREY SIMON ARNOLD & WHITE, LLP
750 Bering Drive
Houston
TX
77057-2198
US
|
Assignee: |
Singapore Airlines Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
27484845 |
Appl. No.: |
09/736927 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09736927 |
Dec 14, 2000 |
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09026386 |
Feb 19, 1998 |
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6170786 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/115 ;
297/411.36 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/995 20180201;
B64D 11/0641 20141201; B64D 11/0601 20141201; B64D 11/0604
20141201; B64D 11/0638 20141201; B60N 2002/0264 20130101; B60N 2/79
20180201; B64D 11/06395 20141201; B60N 2/0232 20130101; B60N 2/34
20130101; B60N 2/0224 20130101; B64D 11/0636 20141201; B64D 11/0606
20141201; A47C 1/0352 20130101; B64D 11/064 20141201; B60N 2/91
20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/115 ;
297/411.36 |
International
Class: |
B60N 002/46 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 20, 1997 |
SG |
9700364-4 |
Apr 22, 1997 |
SG |
9701276-9 |
May 2, 1997 |
SG |
9701368-4 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to improvements in vehicle seats. The
invention is particularly applicable to aircraft seats.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In keeping with reclinable seat arrangements in general, a
typical aircraft passenger seat comprises a seat part, a seat back,
a leg rest and a pair of arm rests. The seat back is movable
between an upright position and a reclined position in which the
back is at an attitude that is closer to the horizontal. The leg
rest is likewise movable between a lowered position in which it is
tucked out of the way against the front of the seat, and a raised
position in which the leg rest forms an effective extension of the
seat portion.
[0003] The more elaborate types of aircraft seats are configurable
as an approximation of a bed. These are of particular benefit on
long haul flights. Such an arrangement is usually found in first
class accommodation where the space afforded each passenger's seat
is at its greatest. However, even though a greater amount of space
is provided for each seat in first class accommodation, there are
still severe restrictions on space and weight that must be
considered when designing the seat itself and the arrangement of
the seats in the cabin.
[0004] When the seat back is reclined and the leg rest is raised,
the seat occupant is able to rest in a recumbent posture more
comfortable for sleeping. Although the first class seat is wide in
comparison to economy and business class seats, it is still
restricted as a bed. A considerable amount of the width is taken up
in the side arms which are made as part of the structure within
which the seat components are mounted. In conventional thinking,
the fact that arm rests are necessary is put to advantage by using
them as stowage space for a foldable table, and seat and
entertainment controls, etc. However, if anything, their additional
uses have tended to increase the width of the arms. This requires
that the seat portion be narrower or the seat as a whole be
wider.
[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a more
comfortable sleeping arrangement than the prior art reclined seat
allows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to the first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a seat for an aircraft, comprising a seat portion, at
least one side arm and a side member adjacent the or each 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 deployed position to create a greater
width of seat.
[0007] Also according to the invention, there is provided a seat
for an aircraft cabin composing 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.
[0008] Another aspect of a reclinable aircraft passenger seat is
the movement of the seat back into the "space" of the passenger
behind. A seat, defined from somewhere behind the back of the seat
in front to the seat back, is a form of territory. The passenger is
likely to feel that space invaded by reclining the seat back of the
seat in front into it. Even in the relatively less dense seating in
first class accommodation, this can be irritating. Passengers
paying premium rates for first class travel are least inclined to
put up with this type of encroachment into their territory.
[0009] To address this, it has been proposed to define the
territory the passenger occupies by means of a fixed shell in which
the seat is adjustable. Within the confines of the shell, the
passenger is able to adjust the seat such that the passenger behind
is unaware of any adjustment. The seat has a fixed space defined by
the shell that is not modified by the actions of the occupant at
any time. However, the seat inside a fixed shell is likely to be
elaborate, complicated and costly in correction. It is also likely
to be significantly heavier because of the extra padding required.
The fixed shell is also a compromise on the versatility of the seat
adjustment if the shell is not to be excessively large in the first
place.
[0010] It is also an object of the invention to accommodate
versatile adjustment of the seat without compromising the space
available to other passengers.
[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an aircraft in which the inboard line of seats includes
rows of pluralities of seats arranged in a mutually converging
relationship.
[0012] Furthermore, the provision of ancillary equipment such as a
television monitor, a table surface, stowage space, etc. have been
provided according to largely the same formula up to now. For
example, the television monitor or table surface is stored in the
seat. This is often inconvenient to use, requiring a sequence of
maneuvers to bring the item into usable position. It can also add
to the bulk of the side of the seat when space requirements may
place an emphasis on making the seat as narrow as possible.
[0013] The invention also provides a passenger seat for an aircraft
composing a seat and a console in front of the seat the console
containing ancillary equipment for use by the seat occupant.
[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide ancillary
equipment in a space-efficient and convenient arrangement in a seat
for an aircraft.
[0015] Thus, also according to the invention there is provided 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 an 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.
[0016] The invention also provides 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.
[0017] According to the invention, there is further provided a
display screen console for a vehicle accommodation unit comprising
a display screen, a display screen storage space and a storage
space cover in which the storage space cover is movable to an open
position to allow the display screen to be moved between a display
position and stowed position and the storage space cover is further
movable to a closed position to cover the stowage space when the
display screen is in either position.
[0018] Another problem associated with the reclined aircraft
passenger seat configured as a bed is that it has marked
undulations defined by the different attitudes at which the back,
seat portion and leg rest lie. A normal bed is flat. This allows
the various contours of the human form to be accommodated by the
cushioning effect that a mattress has. It is far less the case with
a reclinable aircraft seat unless the design of the seat is of
sufficient complexity to allow the seat components to lie flat. The
added complexity may have attendant space and weight
disadvantages.
[0019] If the undulating form of the reclined seat can be
considered to have peaks and troughs, the rise to the peak at which
the end of the seat meets the leg rest generally coincides with the
hip bone of the recumbent occupant. This is an unyielding extremity
that should be absorbed by a cushioning part of the seat, but is
not. Similarly, the waist region above the hip is often a recess in
the human form. This is met by a trough at the junction of the seat
back and the seat portion which can be painful on the spine if the
occupant sleeps on one side for an extended period.
[0020] As a further complication, the seat must be able to adopt
configurations intermediate to the fully upright and bed positions.
In so doing, the seat components should be arrangeable in a form
that is sympathetic with the body in a recumbent, but not supine,
posture.
[0021] Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a seat
that can adopt a bed configuration and is able to support the
recumbent human form more comfortably.
[0022] According to the invention, there is also provided 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 fuller 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.
[0023] The facilities associated with an aircraft seat often
include a table that can be folded away when it is not needed.
Conventionally, a foldable table is stowed in the area of the seat.
However, it has now been recognized that the table can be stowed
not as part of the seat itself to allow greater flexibility in seat
design.
[0024] Thus, it is also an object of the invention to provide a
stowable table for a vehicle accommodation unit that is arranged to
have less impact on the design of the seat.
[0025] While the seating in a first class cabin of an aircraft is
considerably less dense than it is in business or economy class,
the arrangement of the seats in rows is not conducive to affording
the seat occupants much privacy. It is possible to install small
screens between seats that can be raised and lowered by one of the
occupants at will. However, the act of raising the screen can be
viewed as an anti-social act in itself which may make some people
reticent about using it at all. It is preferable to arrange the
seats to afford the same requisite level of privacy, such that
erection of further privacy aids by the seat occupant is likely to
be needed.
[0026] It is a further object of the invention to provide a seat
arrangement that affords a sense of a greater degree of privacy
than is commonly used seating arrangements in vehicle
accommodations.
[0027] Further problems with known consoles arise when maintenance,
repair, installation or removal of a seating unit is required. In
order to keep aircraft ground time as low as possible, it is
desirable to be able to carry out those steps as quickly as
possible. To facilitate rapid access to the fastenings holding each
seating unit in place, in particular those provided behind the
unit, it is preferable to provide a gap of 3" (7.5 cm) between the
back of one console and the front console of the unit behind. This
allows the bolts or other fastenings to be easily reached and
provides room for manipulation of the work tools. In known systems
incorporating a fixed shell behind the back portion of the seat,
this gives rise to problems, in particular over a number of seating
units, in that, the amount of cabin space available is reduced.
[0028] It is an object of the invention to provide an aircraft seat
capable of being accessed for removal or maintenance quickly and
easily.
[0029] According to the invention, there is provided 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.
[0030] In the upright position, therefore, working space for
maintenance, etc. is provided behind the back shell. However, when
the seat moves into the reclined position, this space is filled. As
a result, the fastenings behind the seat are easily accessible
without any reduction in the cabin space available for passenger
accommodation.
[0031] The present invention is defined in the accompanying
independent claims. Some preferred features of the invention are
recited in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The invention can be put into practice in various ways, some
of which will now be described by way of example with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a partial lateral cross-section of an aircraft
cabin;
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a seat according to the invention;
[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates the seat of FIG. 2 in a reclined
position;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a fragmented view of the cladding and trim of the
seat of FIG. 2;
[0037] FIG. 5 shows detail of the frame structure of the seat of
FIG. 2;
[0038] FIGS. 6 and 7 show detail of an alternative to part of the
seat mechanism of the frame structure of FIG. 5;
[0039] FIG. 8 is a cut-away view of the seat of FIG. 2;
[0040] FIG. 9 is a partial lateral cross-section of the bulkhead of
the cabin of FIG. 1;
[0041] FIGS. 10 and 11 are plans of alternative seating
arrangements for the cabin of FIG. 1;
[0042] FIGS. 12a) and b) illustrate a side view and plan of a
fuller embodiment of the invention; and
[0043] FIGS. 13a) and b) illustrate the seat of FIGS. 12a) and b)
configured as a bed;
[0044] FIGS. 14a) and b) illustrate a further embodiment of the
invention;
[0045] FIGS. 15a) to e) illustrate the seat configuration of FIG.
14 in a bed configuration;
[0046] FIGS. 16a) and b) illustrate the seat of FIG. 14 in use;
[0047] FIGS. 17a) and b) illustrate the movement of part of the
seat of FIG. 14;
[0048] FIGS. 18a) to e) illustrate a seat mechanism;
[0049] FIG. 19 illustrates a detail of a table carriage;
[0050] FIGS. 20a) to d) illustrate a further embodiment of the
invention in use;
[0051] FIG. 21 illustrates detail of a table and carriage;
[0052] FIG. 22 illustrates the table of FIG. 21 in the seat of FIG.
14;
[0053] FIGS. 23a) and b) illustrate a variant on the seat of FIG.
14;
[0054] FIG. 24 illustrates a modification of the seat of FIG.
14;
[0055] FIGS. 25 to 27 are plans of aircraft cabin spaces stowing
seating arrangements;
[0056] FIG. 28 is a side view showing a display screen mounting
arrangement;
[0057] FIGS. 28a) to 29d) show, schematically, aspects of an
articulation mechanism for a seat in a "S" seating position;
[0058] FIG. 30 shows, schematically, the seat of FIGS. 29a) to 29d)
in a partially reclined position; and
[0059] FIG. 31 shows, schematically, the seat of FIGS. 29a) to 29d)
in a reclined position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0060] Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a cross-section through
the first class cabin space of an aircraft fuselage 10 is shown. It
comprises two outboard lines of seats 12/14 running fore and aft
and a double inboard line of seats 16. The spaces between the lines
of seats are the aisles 18 running generally along the aircraft.
FIG. 1 illustrates two alternative cabin arrangements. To the left
of the central broken line I-I, the outer line of seats comprises
single seats 12. To the right of the central broken line, the outer
row of seats comprises a double row of seats 14. The fuselage
comprises an outer skin 17 and an inner bulkhead 19.
[0061] One of the seats is shown in FIG. 2. In this case, it is a
single line seat 12. It comprises a seat portion 20, a back rest
22, a head rest 24, a pair of side arms 26 and a leg rest 28. The
seat components are contained within a seat shell 30. A privacy
screen 32 is mounted on one or both sides of the shell 30,
depending on the position of the seat relative to the others. An
ancillary side unit 35 is positioned in the space between the seat
and the aircraft bulkhead. The ancillary side unit 35 houses a
storage locker, table and mountings for a combined seat and
entertainment control unit.
[0062] The ancillary units 35 for a pair of central seats 16 extend
between the seats on the sides remote from the respective aisles
18.
[0063] As with any conventional seat for an aircraft on a long haul
route, it is important that it functions well both as a seat and as
a place for sleeping. Turning a seat into a bed, while keeping to
the space, weight and crash load requirements for an aircraft,
involves compromises. Usually, this has resulted in the seat not
transforming into a sleeping surface that is completely acceptably
comfortable.
[0064] As indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the head rest 24 at the top
of the back rest 22 projects out of the top of the rear of the
shell 30 in the seat configuration. The various other components of
the seat emerge outwardly from the open front of the shell to form
a bed. The seat portion 20 slides forward supported on a slide 34.
The leg rest 28 rotates upwardly about its connection with the seat
portion 20. A foot rest 31 emerges telescopically from the
projecting leg rest 28. As the seat portion 20 moves forward, the
back rest 22 and the head rest 24 recline into a substantially
horizontal attitude behind it.
[0065] In previous seats for aircraft, the comfort afforded by the
seat in the bed configuration is compromised by the lack of width.
To address this, the seat according to the invention also has the
side arms 26 arranged to be movable with respect to the shell 30.
The side arms more forward with the seat portion 20 as the seat is
reconfigured into a bed, As a beneficial addition to the effective
width of the bed, the side arms 26 are also collapsible to lie
substantially flush with the upper level of the seat portion. In
the recumbent position, the average person will find that his or
her bottom would normally be adjacent the side arms 26 when they
are advanced with the seat portion. Thus, by being able to retract
the side arms, or otherwise move them out of the way, the effective
width of the bed is optimized in the area where the width is often
most needed.
[0066] In order for each arm to move out of the way, when the seat
is arranged as a bed, it can move down flush with or below the seat
as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Alternatively, it could retract sideways
into the cladding. Furthermore, the arm may be arranged to move
with the seat between seat and bed configurations or it could
retract in the same position and not move with the moving seat. In
these alternative forms, the effective width of the seat is
increased by the retraction of either or both arms.
[0067] FIG. 4 illustrates the components of the seat shell 30 and
the adjacent ancillary side unit 35 for an outer seat. The shell
comprises a main bucket part 36 that extends around the seat
components. Various pieces of trim and cladding 38, 40, 42, 44 are
mounted on the outside of the bucket. The privacy screen 32 is
retractable within the space between one side of the bucket 36 and
the side cladding 42 under the power of a motor 46 mounted to the
bucket. The side of the bucket 36 and the cladding 42 define an
aperture through which the screen 32 projects in the deployed
position. The storage compartment is defined between the inner
bulkhead 19 for the fuselage 10 and a side wall 48 which also forms
cladding for the fuselage side of the bucket 36.
[0068] The utilities units for a pair of central seats 16 extend
between the seats and the sides remote from the respective
aisles.
[0069] One mechanism for driving the seat between the seat and bed
configurations will now be described with reference to FIG. 5. The
various cushions of the seat are mounted on an articulated frame
arrangement. A seat frame 60 is mounted on a seat carriage 62 that
is, in turn, mounted on a pair of wheels 64 (one shown), on one
lateral side, and in a drive unit 66 on the other side. The drive
unit 66 comprises a longitudinally extending retaining channel 68
into which extends a downwardly turned lip 70 of the carriage 62.
The end of the lip runs on a set of ball races (not shown) in the
channel 68. A threaded worm (not shown) attached to the rear end of
the lip 70 is engaged by a worm screw 72 attached to a drive motor
74 mounted on a floor plate 76. The seat portion is driven
backwards or forwards according to the rotation of the screw 72 as
driven by the motor 74,
[0070] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative drive arrangement
for the seat carriage 62. A carriage bracket 78 supports a pair of
spaced ball races 79, the bracket is formed with an internally
threaded hole 75. The hole is engaged with the worm screw 72 that
is driven by the motor 74. As the screw 72 rotates under the power
of the motor, the seat carriage, attached to the bracket 78, is
drawn along the retaining channel 68 on the ball races 79.
[0071] A leg rest frame 80 is pivotably attached to the front of
the seat frame 60 by a laterally extending front pin 82. The leg
rest frame 80 comprises a pair of spaced members 84 on each of
which is a slidable extension frame 86 for the foot rest 31. The
extension frames 86 are driven by a rack and pinion 88/90 powered
by a motor 92. As the leg rest 28 is deployed, the extension frame
86 is caused to project beyond the members 84 until prevented from
further movement. Thereafter, the rack 88 drives the leg rest
upwardly to lie substantially in the plane of the seat frame 60
with the foot rest 31 deployed.
[0072] A back frame 94 is pivotably secured to the rear of the seat
frame 60. A motor 96 drives the back frame 94 to rotate about its
pivot through a drive shaft 98 engaging a quadrant gear 100 through
a gear wheel 102.
[0073] Each of a pair of side arm frames 103 comprises an
articulated member which is pivotably secured at each respective
end to the back frame 94 and to the seat frame 60. As the back is
reclined, the distance between the two pivots of each side arm
frame 103 is increased, causing the components of the side arm
frame to be drawn flat. When the back frame 94 is lying
substantially flush with the seat frame 60, the side arm frames
also lie substantially in the plane of the seat frame 60. When the
back frame is raised, each side arm frame 103 articulates about its
joint to be raised into a deployed position above the level of the
seat frame 60.
[0074] It will be appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in
the art that the side arms can be raised and lowered in other ways,
such as by being moved vertically, independently of the movement of
the seat back frame. Also, the side arms can be moved in other ways
so as to increase the effective width of the seat as a bed. For
example, each side arm could be folded laterally sideways about a
hinge extending fore and aft in relation to the seat, so that it
rolls into the seat shell to present a side surface flush with the
seat surface.
[0075] Instead of a mechanical frame defining the side arm, it is
possible to use an inflatable arm bladder which is deflatable to
collapse the arm rest for sleeping. The arm bladder is inflated by
an air pump and vented using an electrically operated valve
assembly, as will be apparent to the skilled person.
[0076] In FIG. 8, the semi-reclined seat is shown partially cut
away to illustrate the cushioning. While it is possible to
orientate the components of the seat to make a substantially flat
bed of the components themselves, it can be mechanically more
convenient to arrange the seat frame components simply to adopt a
more undulating profile in the fully reclined position. However,
this is not completely satisfactory as a bed because the protruding
parts of the human anatomy can coincide with the higher parts of an
undulating seat surface and, similarly, recesses in the human
anatomy can coincide with troughs in the seat surface. To counter
this, the seat has an inflatable front bladder 104 within a seat
cushion 106 towards the front thereof. There is also an inflatable
lumbar bladder 108 in the base of a back cushion 110. By inflation
of these two bladders, it is possible to compensate for the
undulations in the seat cushions to provide support for those parts
of the body to either side of the hip. Similarly, the head rest
cushion 112 has a head bladder 114 in it which can be inflated to
create the effect of a pillow of a height which is comfortable to
the user.
[0077] The bladders are individually inflated by electrically
driven air pumps and deflated using electrically operated vent
valves. The skilled person will be aware of the suitable air pumps
and vent valves. These will not be described further here except to
point out that the most suitable type of equipment will fit in the
seat or be mounted in the side unit adjacent to the seat.
[0078] Referring to FIGS. 9a)-c), as part of the fuselage side
utilities mat 35, there is a foldable table. The moulding of the
storage locker is formed with a recess 120. A table surface 122 is
hingedly supported toward the top of the recess on a shaft 124. The
shaft 124 extends along a groove 126 in the storage locker (see
FIGS. 2 and 3). By rotating the table surface 122 about its hinge
into a horizontal attitude, the end nearest the shaft comes into
registry win the groove 126 and can be slid along the groove
towards the seat, and the seat occupant, for use. The table surface
122 is received in the groove 126 and is thus maintained in the
horizontal attitude. When the table is finished with, it can be
pushed back to line up with the recess, folded and stored
substantially flat next to the storage locker.
[0079] The arrangement of seats 12, 16 is illustrated in FIG. 10
for a first class cabin of twelve seats in a wide bodied aircraft,
such as a Boeing 747. All the seats in the cabin are arranged
facing parallel with the axis of the fuselage 10. As a primary
concern in the provisions of comfortable surroundings for first
class travel is privacy, the lines of seats are arranged in a
staggered relationship. The single outer seats 12 are
longitudinally out of alignment with the double inner seats 16. The
staggering also affords more room to maneuver in the aisles 18 as
the widest parts of the seats, i.e. across the sides of the seat
shell, are not coincident. The seats are all shown in the seat
configuration. It will be appreciated that each seat according to
the invention is able to assume a bed configuration.
[0080] FIG. 11 shows a sixteen seat arrangement for a first class
cabin in which the lines of seats are again staggered while
remaining facing parallel to the axis of the fuselage. It will be
seen that the rear seats of the three rows in this embodiment are
in alignment because of space requirements. As with the seats in
FIG. 10, the seats in FIG. 11 are able to assume either a seat or a
bed configuration, although they are shown in the bed
configuration.
[0081] FIGS. 12a) and b) and 13a) and b) illustrate a further form
of seat according to the invention. In this embodiment, the seat
comprises a seat portion 200, a seat back (including a headrest)
202, and a leg rest 206 which are all mounted between a pair of
side flanks 208. In the seat configuration, the seat back 202
extends upwardly out of the side flanks 208. An orientable head
rest 204 is mounted on the top of the seat back 202.
[0082] A back shell 210 is pivotably suspended between the side
flanks 208. The back shell comprises a back portion 212 and a pair
of wings 214 which embrace the back rest. 202 afford privacy to the
seat user at head level. A motor (not shown) is arranged to drive
the back shell 210 as the seat is reclined. The back shell 210 tips
forward to accommodate the lowered head rest 204 as shown in FIG.
13a).
[0083] A forward console or shelf arrangement 215 for some
ancillary equipment is positioned in front of the seat. It
comprises a pair of side walls supporting a lower shelf 216 which
defines a lower storage space 218 for small items of luggage, such
as a briefcase or vanity case. The top of the forward console 215
is formed with an inclined top surface 22. This inclined top
surface 220 acts as a discouragement to the seat occupant from
placing drinks on the unit.
[0084] A retractable table 222 is stowed in the region below the
surface 220. The table 222 is mounted on a carriage, on one side,
which is received in a slot 224 in the bulkhead moulding 226 of the
utilities unit. The table 222 can be slid along the slot 224 to a
position above the lap of the seat user without the need to
reorient it from another (e.g., vertical) stowed position.
[0085] Ancillary equipment and controls for use by the seat
occupant, as are typically found in the first class cabin of a
commercial aircraft, are arranged along the bulkhead moulding 226
near the seat. The moulding 226 is bolted both to the adjacent side
shell 208 and to the forward console 215. Typical ancillary
equipment includes a magazine rack 230, a foldable cocktail table
232, a combined telephone and seat controller 234, an ash tray 236
and a television monitor 238.
[0086] The seat is rearranged into a bed similarly to the way
previously described. The seat portion 200 is slid forwards under
motor power. As this happens, the seat back 202 and the headrest
204 follow, reclining above the space vacated by the seat portion
200.
[0087] It will be seen from FIG. 13a) that the end of the head rest
204 protrudes rearwardly beyond the ride flanks 208. A pivot 240
about which the back shelf 210 tilts forwardly is closer to allow
the bottom of the back shell 210 to accommodate this fully reclined
position of the head rest 204. The pivot 240 is located across the
wings 214 (FIG. 12), above the base of the seat back 202 where it
meets the seat portion 200. Thus, as the seat back is reclined, the
path swept by the head rest 204 is accommodated by the tilt of the
back shell 212 which causes the base of the back shell to move
outwardly into a gap 242 in front of the seat behind. Thus, in
contrast to previously known reclinable seats, the back is
perceived to tilt forward away from the space of the passenger
behind as the back rest is reclined.
[0088] The forward console or shelf arrangement 215 of the seat
behind is spaced from the seat in front by the gap 242 into which
the base of the back shell 202 projects. This outward movement of
the back shell 202 is unobserved by the passenger to the rear
because of the forward unit. The only movement observed by the
passenger to the rear is of the back shell pivoting forwardly, as
the seat back is reclined, or backwardly into the upright position,
as the seat is moved into the seat configuration. When the seat is
arranged into the seat configuration, the back shell 202 only moves
towards the gap 242 and does not encroach upon the territory of the
passenger to the rear, as defined to the front by the front end of
the console 215.
[0089] As the seat back 204 is reclined and the seat portion 200
moves forward, the leg rest 206 is raised and a front rest 244
moves out. In the bed configuration, the leg rest and the foot rest
lie substantially parallel with the seat portion, projecting into
the well of the console 215 defused between the shelf 216 and the
stowed table 222. To support the extended leg rest 206 and foot
rest 244, a pin (or pins) on the end of the foot rest locate a
socket in the wall of the forward unit. Alternatively, the leg rest
and/or the foot rest could rest on the shelf 216.
[0090] The seat portion is movable either on a carriage, or by
means of a slide assembly as shown in FIG. 5. Similarly, FIG. 5
illustrates how the articulation of the component parts of the seat
can be achieved. It would also be apparent to the skilled person
that the articulation of the back shell relative to the side shell
can be put into effect using a similar motorized gear
mechanism.
[0091] The motorized movements of the seat described above are
controlled and coordinated by a controller that is software
programmed accordingly. To configure the seat as a bed or a seat,
the occupant has only to press the correct button on the seat
control panel. The coordination of the movement of the seat
components in the embodiments described herein under software
control is not part of this invention and will not be described in
any further detail. Also, while automatic coordination of movement
of the seat components is required when changing the seat into a
bed, and vice versa, the movement of the leg rest, the foot rest,
and any desired intermediate position for the back rest relative to
the seat portion is independently controllable by the seat
occupant.
[0092] FIGS. 14 to 24 show further embodiments of the invention. In
FIGS. 14a) and b), the seat units for opposite outboard single
lines of seats 12 comprise a seat 300, a side unit 302 for storage
and a front console 304 which is connected with the side unit 302.
The seat 300 is accessed from the side opposite the side unit
302.
[0093] Referring to FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17, it will be seen that
the seat comprises seat sides or side flanks 306 and a back shell
308, having side wings 309, which is movable with respect to the
flanks 306. Within the moveable components of the shell, a seat
back 310, a seat portion 312 and leg rest 313 are configurable as a
seat or a bed as before.
[0094] As the seat components are moved between upright and bed
configurations, the back shell 308 first moves backwardly and
downwardly and tilts forwardly about a lower pivot point P to
accommodate the head rest of the moving seat back 310. Then, as the
seat moves further towards the bed configuration, the back shell
308 tilts further, shifting further rearwardly and dropping to
provide a full bed length.
[0095] The seat 300 will be required for use in a position
intermediate to the upright and bed configurations at some times.
While the seat portion 312 can provide the seating surface simply
by moving on, for example, a slide as described above, it is
preferable that the seat portion 312' tilts upwardly at the front
in the intermediate positions such that the user is cradled about
the hip while seated. This is considered to be a more comfortable
intermediate position than if the seat was simply horizontal, in
which arrangement the user tends to slip forward on the seat over
time.
[0096] As with previous embodiments, the user's feet in this
embodiment are received within a foot well 346. However, in this
embodiment the front structure 304 defining the foot well is formed
with a recess in which a television monitor 348 is stored. Also,
the foot well 346 is usefully used to accommodate a stowed table
350. The table is supported on one side in a channel 352 by means
of a carriage arrangement 324 which is shown in more detail in FIG.
19. The carriage has a rubber brake 326 which is actuated to engage
a surface of the channel 352 in order to brake the table in
position by a series of linkages and a hand-operated lever (not
shown). Thus, the table is already in a deployed arrangement even
in the stowed position. The channel for the table extends into the
region of the arm rests of the seat in order that the table can be
pulled up close to the body of the user seated in the upright
position (See FIG. 17b).
[0097] FIGS. 20a) to d) illustrate a further alternative form of
the invention in which the seat is supported by a dolly wheel 342
that extends from beneath the seat portion 312 toward the
front.
[0098] Also in this embodiment, the orientations of the seat back
shell 308 in the upright, intermediate reclined and bed positions
is shown in FIG. 20c). It will be seen that the shell drops
downwardly as the seat is relined and then tips forwardly as the
head rest reaches the bed position in order to accommodate the fill
bed length. In this way, the seat back shell does not extend over
the front console 304 of the seat unit behind.
[0099] FIG. 17 illustrates the movement of the back shell 308 as
the seat is adjusted between the seat and the bed configurations.
Position A is for the upright seat. Progressing to the intermediate
position, the back shell 308 firstly begins to drop downwardly
through position B so that the wings 309 of the shell 308 move
generally with the head rest, maintaining the same degree of
privacy at head level for the seat occupant. Thereafter, as the
head rest is lowered to the bed configuration, the back shelf tilts
forward to position C about a pivot point P which is located about
one-third of the length of the back shelf from the bottom. In this
way, the wider (upper) parts of the wing 309 of the back shell 308
are closer to the seat flanks, maintaining the sense of privacy for
the seat occupant when lying down. It will be apparent from FIG. 17
that the pivot point P is fixed relative to tile back shell
308.
[0100] One mechanism by which the seat components are movable is
shown in the upright, intermediate and bed configurations in FIGS.
18a) to c). The mechanism comprises a pair of side members 320 (one
shown) which support a seat frame part 322 which is movable
forwardly on a slide arrangement (not shown). As the seat frame 322
progresses forwardly, it takes with it a hingedly connected back
frame 324. The path followed by the back frame 324 is dictated by a
slotted member 326 along which rides a bearing 328 attached to the
back frame 324. An independently actuated leg rest frame 330 is
hingedly connected with the forward end of the seat frame 322. A
first hydraulic actuator 332 is connected between one or each of
the side members 320 and the seat frame 322. A second hydraulic
actuator 334 is connected between the frame 322 and the leg rest
330.
[0101] A seat sub-frame 336 is hingedly connected with the forward
part of the seat frame 322. The sub-frame 336 supports the seat
portion 312 of the seat. It will be noted that an upper edge 338 of
the side member 320 is formed with an undulating profile on which
rides a bearing 340 connected with the rear end of the sub-frame
336. An articulated linkage 344 is pivotably connected between a
point towards the lower end of the back frame 324 and the end of
the sub-frame 336. A dolly wheel 342 is attached to the front of
the sub-frame 336. As with previous embodiments, a foot rest (not
shown) is telescopically received in the leg rest 330.
[0102] From the upright position shown in FIG. 18a), it will be
seen that the linkage 344 is filly extended, holding the back of
the sub-frame up above the edge 338. The seat frame 322 moves
forwardly out of the member 320, taking with it the sub-frame 336
and drawing down the back frame 324. The slotted member is free
moving, altering its attitude as the base of the back frame 324 is
drawn forward by the moving seat frame 322. As the back reclines,
it lowers the sub-frame gradually to rest on the edge 338. The
sub-frame 336 follows an initial trough in the profile of the edge
338. This lowers the rear of the seat portion 312 in the
intermediate positions to cradle the hips of the seat occupant.
Thereafter, the rear of the sub-frame 336 is caused to rise on the
profile, such that the seat part is substantially in a plane with
the seat back 310 in the fully reclined bed configuration.
[0103] In the bed configuration, the dolly wheel 342 supports the
otherwise cantilevered seat frame 322. The leg rest and foot rest
are independently acceptable. However, to configure the seat as a
bed, movement of the leg rest 330 and the foot rest are also
automatically coordinated with the progression of the seat frame
322. While hydraulic actuation is shown, it is possible to actuate
the seat components in other ways, such as by direct motor drive as
previously described.
[0104] With reference to FIG. 22, as with previous embodiments, the
leg rest and foot rest in this embodiment are received within a
foot well 346 in the forward console 304 in which a television
monitor 348 is stored. The television monitor 348 is pivotably
mounted on a slide on which it can be rotated flat and slid back
into a storage slot in the top of the console 304 or slid out and
erected to provide a screen facing the seat occupant. Also, the
console 304 is usefully used to stow a table 350. The table is
supported on one side in a channel 352 by means of a carriage
arrangement 354 which is shown in more detail in FIGS. 21a) and b).
The carriage has a friction brake 356 which is biased to engage a
surface of the channel 352 in order to brake the table in position
by a series of linkages 358 and a hand-operated lever 360. Thus,
the table 350 is already in a deployed attitude in the stowed
position. The seat occupant simply has to pull on the lever 360
both to release the table 350 and pull it out for use. The channel
352 for the table extends into the region of the arm rest formed in
the top of the flank 306 in order that the table can be pulled up
close to the body of the user seated in the upright position (See
FIG. 22).
[0105] FIG. 23 illustrates the seat of FIG. 14b) in which the side
unit 302 is formed with a louvered opening 361 adjacent the front
of the seat just above floor level. Similarly, there is a louvered
opening 362 at the rear of the side unit 302 and a similar opening
364 at the front of the side unit 302. These provide decompression
vents for the enclosed space of the side unit 302. For this
purpose, stiffening webs 366 inside the side unit 302 are formed
with openings to allow a free flow of air within the side unit
space.
[0106] FIG. 24 shows a modification of the previously described
seat in a double row arrangement. A privacy screen 370 is hingedly
connected with the side unit 302. The screen is actuated to rise
out of the side unit 302 through its slot by means of a telescopic
gas strut 372. It may alternatively be motor or manually actuated.
It will be appreciated that complementary seats in the lines 16 and
14 can be arranged together with a pair of privacy screens for
individual use by each occupant, as opposed to the single screen
shown in FIG. 24.
[0107] FIG. 25 illustrates a 16-seat arrangement for an extended
first class accommodation area. It will be seen that the
arrangement is similar to that in FIG. 11. The seats in adjacent
lines are staggered so that each has more privacy with respect to
the line on the opposite side of the aisle. However, the outer
lines of seats follow the shape of the adjacent fuselage. Also, the
double seats in the inner line point toward each other. As the
fuselage narrows the converging pairs of seat provide additional
aisle space in the narrower nose part of the cabin.
[0108] FIG. 26 illustrates a 12 seat arrangement similar to that in
FIG. 10 except, again, for the converging pairs of seats in the
inner row and the outer lines of seats following the shape of the
fuselage.
[0109] To reduce the extent of the extended first class
accommodation in FIG. 25, it is possible to modify the rearmost
outboard seat arrangements 376 by bring them forward as shown in
FIG. 27. However, this causes the standard length seat unit to
intrude upon the space by the front cabin doors that must be kept
clear for take-off and landing. Thus, the front console 380 on
these rear outer seats is modified to have an extendible front
bulkhead 382 which can be moved outwardly into the door space in
flight and retracted for take off and landing.
[0110] Referring now to FIG. 28 an alternative configuration for a
display screen such as a television monitor 400 is shown. The
display screen 400 is mounted on the forward console 304, at a
suitable height for ease of viewing by an occupant of the seat 300.
In the embodiment shown, the monitor 400 is placed at the top of
the console 304 and the top of the console 304 is accordingly of a
suitable height. The monitor 400 is pivotally mounted about a
substantially horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of the accommodation unit as a whole and provided at the edge
of the console 304 closest to the seat. The monitor 400 is, thus,
pivotable between a display position 402a) and a stowed position
402b). The pivot axis is shown generally at 401. The monitor 400 is
joined to the axis 401 by a bracket 403 and is further pivoted to
the top end of the bracket 403 at a further pivot axis 405.
Accordingly, when the monitor 400 is in the display position, it is
adjustable about this further pivot axis 405 to a desired viewing
position by the user, one such position being shown at 402c).
[0111] A console cover 406 is further provided. The cover 406 is
positioned to close the area in which the console is stowed in its
stowed position 402b). As a result, the cover 406 provides
protection for the monitor 400 when it is stowed away. The cover
406 is also closeable when the monitor 400 is in the display
position 402a) to prevent other objects being placed in the storage
space which could interfere with subsequent operation. In either
configuration, the cover 406 preserve the aesthetic line of the
accommodation unit as a whole. The cover 406 is pivotably mounted
about an axis parallel to pivot axis 401 but at the opposed side of
the top of the console 304. Accordingly, the cover 406 simply
pivots up and out of the way to allow the monitor 400 to be moved
between stowed and display positions, and pivots back down to cover
the top of the console 304.
[0112] Movement of the monitor 400 between its stowed and displayed
positions, and incorporating movement of the cover 406 may be
achieved either manually or by an automatic drive mechanism as
appropriate. It will be appreciated that other mounting
arrangements other than pivoting arrangements, for example
retracting or sliding arrangements, could be used for either or
both the monitor 400 and cover 406. Alternatively, the pivot
mountings for the monitor 400 and cover 406 could be reversed as
appropriate.
[0113] Referring now to FIGS. 29 to 31, an alternative seat
articulation mechanism is shown allowing movement of the chair
between a seat position and a bed position.
[0114] FIGS. 29a) to d) illustrate the various principle components
in the arrangement, shown in bold, as appropriate for clarity. The
seat includes a seat back 420, a seat portion 422 and a leg rest
424. The seat further includes a movable back shell 426.
[0115] Referring to FIG. 29b) the seat includes a first fixed guide
428 having a guide slot 430. The seat back 420 includes a bracket
432 and guide bearing 434 received in the guide slot 430.
Accordingly, forward motion of the seat back 420 is guided by
movement of the guide bearing 434 along the guide slot 430 together
with a hinged attachment 436 to the seat portion 422.
[0116] Also connected to the upper end of the first fixed guide 428
is an arm 438 which is pivotably mounted on the first fixed guide
428 at its lower end and pivotably mounted to the fixed shell 426
at its upper end. The fixed shell 426 is also pivotably mounted to
a cranked arm 440 at its upper end. The elbow of the cranked arm
440 is pivotably mounted to the first fixed guide 428 at a pivot
point 442 and is pivotably mounted to and raisable by the push rod
of a fluid or other suitable linear actuator 444 at its lower end
446. The back shell 426 is driveable downwardly and rearwardly by
upward motion of the actuator 444 as guided by the arms 438 and
440.
[0117] Referring to FIG. 29c) a second fixed guide 448 includes a
second guide slot 450. A bracket 452 is fixedly mounted to the seat
portion 422 at its upper end and includes a second guide bearing
454 in the second guide slot 450. Also shown in FIG. 29c) is a
linear actuator 456 for raising the leg rest 424 relative to the
seat portion 422.
[0118] The seat portion 422 is additionally guided by a support arm
458 shown in FIG. 29d). The support arm 458 is driveable linearly
forwardly by a linear actuator 460 and, as can thus be seen in
FIGS. 30 and 31 is formed of two stages 462 and 464 which extend
linearly telescopically.
[0119] Operation of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 29 to 31 will
now be described. In the seating position shown in FIG. 29, the
seat back 420 is fully upright and the leg rest 424 is fully
retracted. The first and second guide bearings 434, 450 are at
their rear most positions in their respective guide slots 430, 454,
support arm 458 is fully retracted and back shell 426 is in its
forwardmost and uppermost position.
[0120] In FIG. 30, the seat is shown in a reclined position. The
back shell 426 is driven to its rearmost, lowermost position by
actuator 444 cooperating with guide arms 438 and 440. The support
arm 458 has been moved forwardly to an intermediate telescoped
position by the linear actuator 460 drawing the seat portion
forwardly and adjusting its orientation as determined by the
cooperation of second guide slot 450 and second guide bearing 454.
The seat back 420 is also drawn forward by the seat portion 422 at
hinge 436 as guided by the cooperation of the first guide slot 430
with the first guide bearing 434. The leg rest 424 is raised by
linear actuator 456 (not shown); in addition, a foot rest 466 is
slidably mounted in the leg rest 424 is driven to an extended
position by a suitable actuator (not shown).
[0121] FIG. 31 shows the seat back 420, seat portion 422 and leg
rest portion 424 in their final positions with support arm 458 in
its fully extended position. It will be seen that the support arm
458 is spaced very slightly from the supporting surface 459 to
provide support should excessive weight be applied to the distal
end of the seating arrangement.
[0122] The steps set out above are reversed to return the seats to
its seating position.
[0123] While various embodiments have been described, it is to be
noted that a feature referred to in relation to one embodiment
could equally well be used in relation to the others. For example,
the movable and retractable arms of FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 can be used
in the seats of FIG. 12 onwards. Similarly, the table. seat control
panel and over ancillary equipment of the seats of FIG. 12 onwards
can be used in relation to the seat of FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5. Thus,
while various embodiments of the invention have been described by
way of example, it will be apparent to the skilled person that
various modifications and alterations can be made without departing
from the invention. The invention is intended to be limited only by
the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.
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