U.S. patent application number 11/618303 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-05 for luggage retention device and seat with such a luggage retention device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Airbus Deutschland GmbH. Invention is credited to Andrew Muin, Markus Schumacher.
Application Number | 20070152480 11/618303 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38170058 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070152480 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Muin; Andrew ; et
al. |
July 5, 2007 |
Luggage Retention Device and Seat with Such a Luggage Retention
Device
Abstract
A luggage retention device may be affixed underneath a seat area
of a passenger seat and includes an upper element and a lower
element which may be made of flexible materials. The upper element
in the region of a backrest of the passenger seat is spaced apart
from the lower element to form a raised part, and in the region of
a front edge of a seat area contacts the lower element to form a
part of the luggage retention device, the part being arranged so as
to be lying substantially flat.
Inventors: |
Muin; Andrew; (US) ;
Schumacher; Markus; (US) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTOPHER PARADIES, PH.D.
FOWLER WHITE BOGGS BANKER, P.A.
501 E KENNEDY BLVD, STE. 1900
TAMPA
FL
33602
US
|
Assignee: |
Airbus Deutschland GmbH
Hamburg
DE
|
Family ID: |
38170058 |
Appl. No.: |
11/618303 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60754745 |
Dec 29, 2005 |
|
|
|
60829735 |
Oct 17, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/188.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64D 11/0636 20141201;
B64D 11/003 20130101; B64D 11/064 20141201 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/188.08 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/62 20060101
A47C007/62 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 29, 2005 |
EP |
05 028 664.0 |
Oct 17, 2006 |
DE |
10 2006 049 002.9 |
Claims
1. A luggage retention device capable of being affixed underneath a
seat area of a passenger seat, comprising: an upper element; and a
lower element, wherein the upper element in a region of a backrest
of the passenger seat is spaced apart from the lower element such
that a raised part of the luggage retention device is formed and in
the region of a front edge of the seat area contacts the lower
element to form a part of the luggage retention device, the part
being arranged so as to be lying substantially flat against a
floor, and the lower element being made of flexible materials.
2. The luggage retention device of claim 1, further comprising
lateral delimitation devices, the lateral delimitation devices
interconnecting edges of the upper element with those of the lower
element in a region between the raised part and the substantially
flat-lying part.
3. The luggage retention device of claim 2, wherein the
delimitation devices are made of an elastic net.
4. The luggage retention device of claim 2, wherein the
delimitation devices include a material with an elastic insert or
tension tape.
5. The luggage retention device of claim 2, wherein the
delimitation devices are designed as a scissor-type mechanism.
6. The luggage retention device of claim 1, wherein an area of the
upper element is larger than that of the lower element.
7. The luggage retention device of claim 1, wherein luggage
retention device, by way of connections, is integrated with the
passenger seat.
8. The luggage retention device of claim 7, wherein in an installed
state of the passenger seat, the lower element rests substantially
flat on the floor to which the passenger seat is fastened.
9. The luggage retention device of claim 1, wherein the luggage
retention device is an independent component, and is slidable along
a seat rail in which the passenger seat is arranged.
10. The luggage retention device of claim 1, wherein the raised
part of the luggage retention device is formed by a dimensionally
stable frame.
11. The luggage retention device of claim 1, wherein the raised
part is formed by elastic fasteners provided on the upper element
and connected to the passenger seat, the fasteners allowing the
ability to push the upper element downwards onto the lower
element.
12. The luggage retention device of claim 1, wherein several
luggage retention devices for a group of passenger seats form an
integrated unit.
13. A passenger seat comprising a luggage retention device of claim
1.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
German Patent Application No. 10 2006 049 002.9 filed Oct. 17,
2006, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/829,735 filed
Oct. 17, 2006, of European Patent Application No. 05 028 664.0
filed Dec. 29, 2005 and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/754,745 filed Dec. 29, 2005, the disclosures of which
applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The field relates to a luggage retention device as well as
to a seat with such a luggage retention device, in particular, for
use in aircraft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In aircraft, passenger seats are arranged at determined
spacing in relation to each other in an aircraft cabin, commonly
referred to as the seat pitch. The normal seat pitch for economy
class in a passenger aircraft ranges from approximately 710 mm to
840 mm. At the level of the seat surface this repetition of
components, in longitudinal direction of the aircraft, may
essentially be divided into two decisive sections: first, the
region taken up by the depth of the seat area and by the adjacent
thickness of the backrest; and second the clearance between the
backrest of the seat directly in front, and of the front edge of
the seat directly behind it.
[0004] A cross section of an aircraft cabin shows that the loading
edge of an overhead stowage bin may not be positioned vertically
above the aisle-side edge of a group of seats, but instead may be
set back behind the edge by some dimension in a transverse
direction of the aircraft. This offset in transverse direction of
the aircraft would make it possible for a person, during loading or
unloading of the bins, to step between the seats so that the
longitudinal aisle of the cabin remains clear for other passengers
to pass without impediment. However, in reality, the aisle
frequently becomes blocked because passengers may find it
impossible, during loading and unloading, to step between the
aisle-side seats. The clearance between the backrest and the front
edge of the seat may be inadequate for this.
[0005] However, blockages of the aisle may increase the time an
aircraft spends on the ground, thus possibly having a negative
effect on the economic result of an airline.
[0006] One solution to the above-mentioned problem consists of
providing the aisle-side seat area so that it may automatically
fold upwards. However, in relation to the aisle-side seat, luggage
volume underneath the seat and floor space are in direct conflict
with each other. Basically, three types of usage compete for the
space underneath a seat area that may be folded up: [0007] 1.
standing between the seats, [0008] 2. luggage storage (usually of
the passenger seated behind), and [0009] 3. extended leg room for
the passenger seated behind. It may be understood that usage 1 may
exclude concurrent usage 2 and 3, while usage 2 may exclude usage 1
and 3, and usage 3 excludes usage 1 and 2.
[0010] Usage 2 and 3 may be limited in favour of usage 1. In
contrast to this, the floor space may not be compromised if the
retention device is arranged so as to be vertical underneath the
front edge of the transverse seat structure and of the folded-up
seat area. Since the remaining shareable space behind the retention
device is then only small, usage 2 (luggage storage) and usage 3
(relaxed leg position) may exclude each other almost completely.
Furthermore, retention rods that are adjustable in longitudinal
direction of the aircraft may not be practical because it may not
be clear who is to determine their position. This would may be
tantamount to inviting conflict situations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Among other things, it may be an object of the present
invention to create a luggage retention device and a seat with such
a luggage retention device, where it may be possible to solve the
conflict between the ability to stand between the seats, and
providing luggage storage space underneath the seat.
[0012] The luggage retention device according to one example of the
invention, may be affixed underneath the seat surface of a
passenger seat, and comprises an upper element and a lower element
made of flexible materials, where the upper element in the region
of a backrest of the passenger seat may be spaced apart from the
lower element to form a raised part of the luggage retention
device, and in the region of a front edge of the seat area contacts
the lower element so as to form a substantially flat-lying part of
the luggage retention device. In this way, the raised part, from
behind, may allow sliding an item of luggage underneath the
passenger seat. In this arrangement, the upper element and the
lower element form a pocket. If no item of luggage is to be slid
underneath the passenger seat, for cases where the seat area of the
passenger seat may be folded up, it may be easy to stand between
the passenger seats.
[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention, the
luggage retention device further comprises lateral delimitation
devices which interconnect edges of the upper element with those of
the lower element in the region between the raised part and the
flat-lying part. This may prevent any lateral falling out of
objects that have been slid into the luggage retention device.
[0014] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the
delimitation devices may be made from an elastic net, from a
material with an elastic insert, or a tension tape, or as a
scissor-type mechanism so that in a state where no object is
inserted in the luggage retention device, and as a result of an
elastic force, the upper element may be pulled in the direction of
the lower element, thus making it easier for a person to stand
between the seat rows without a danger of tripping over.
[0015] According to a further embodiment of the invention, an area
of the upper element may be larger than that of the lower element.
This may make it possible for a person to safely stand between the
seats without the luggage retention device becoming an obstacle
that poses a danger of the person tripping over, but at the same
time may increase the luggage volume.
[0016] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the
luggage retention device may be designed, by way of connections, to
be integrated in the passenger seat. This may ensure that if there
may be a change in layout of the seats, the associated luggage
retention devices may move along with the seats.
[0017] According to a further embodiment of the invention, in the
installed state of the passenger seat, the lower element rests
substantially flat on the floor to which the passenger seat may be
fastened. As an alternative, the floor itself may be the lower
element.
[0018] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the
luggage retention device, as an independent component, is slidable,
along a seat rail in which the passenger seat may be arranged.
[0019] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the
raised part of the luggage retention device may be formed by a
dimensionally stable frame so as to accommodate an item of luggage
or to provide space for the feet of a passenger seated behind.
[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the
raised part may be formed by elastic fasteners provided on the
upper element and connected to the passenger seat. This may allow
the ability to easily push the upper element downwards, for example
with a vacuum cleaner, which facilitates the cleaning process.
[0021] According to a further embodiment of the invention, several
luggage retention devices for a group of passenger seats are taken
together to form a totality.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES.
[0022] Below, embodiments of the invention are described with
reference to the enclosed figures. Identical or similar components
in the figures have the same reference characters. The following
are shown:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a region of an aircraft cabin interior with a
group of passenger seats to illustrate the underlying problem;
[0024] FIG. 2 depicts a luggage retention device according to a
preferred embodiment in a first state;
[0025] FIG. 3 shows the luggage retention device according to FIG.
2 in a second state;
[0026] FIG. 4 depicts the luggage retention device according to
FIGS. 1 and 2 in detail;
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a luggage retention device according to
another embodiment;
[0028] FIGS. 6A to 6C show luggage retention devices according to
further embodiments;
[0029] FIG. 7 shows a luggage retention device according to another
embodiment of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 8 shows a luggage retention device according to another
embodiment of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 9 depicts a luggage retention device according to
another embodiment of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 10 shows a luggage retention device according to
another embodiment for a group of seats; and
[0033] FIG. 11 depicts a luggage retention device according to
another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] The examples described and drawings rendered are
illustrative and are not to be read as limiting the scope of the
invention as it is defined by the appended claims.
[0035] Identical or similar elements are always identified by the
same or corresponding reference characters in all figures. The
illustrations in the figures are diagrammatic and not to scale.
[0036] By a seat 1 of a group 2 of seats on the aisle side, which
seat may be folded up, FIG. 1 shows the theoretically attainable
maximum stowage volume under the seat 1. The front edge of the
cuboid 3 may be positioned vertically underneath the front
upholstery edge 4 of the seat area 5.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, a luggage retention rod 6 of the
adjacent seats 7, 8, which together with the seat 1 form the group
2 of seats, may be spaced somewhat back in relation to the above,
because passengers in various situations wish to place their lower
limbs back somewhat behind vertical, for example if they want to
slide luggage below the seats in front (not shown).
[0038] FIG. 1 shows the extent to which the space for use as a
luggage storage space and as extended legroom may be curtailed for
the passenger seated behind, if the luggage retention rod may be
placed back into a position substantially perpendicular underneath
the front edge of the transverse carrier 9 in longitudinal
direction of the aircraft. In contrast to this, a position of the
retention rod 6 further forward, in particular in the case of the
seat 1 being designed so as to be able to be folded up, would
jeopardise the ability of passengers to stand between the seats,
and would thus negate the advantages of a foldable seat as such,
because there would be a permanent obstacle and a danger of the
passenger standing between the seats tripping over. Furthermore, a
foot of a passenger could even become trapped between the retention
device and the transverse structure.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows the retention device 10 according to a
preferred embodiment for use underneath the seat 1, arranged on the
aisle-side, of the group 2 of seats. In FIG. 2 the retention device
10 may be designed as a carpet pocket and may be in a state in
which no object has been slid under the seat 1.
[0040] The seat 1 may be designed as a folding seat. In FIG. 2, the
seat is shown in a state in which the seat area is folded up so
that a passenger may easily stand between the seats because s/he
may step on the retention device 10. The retention device 10 may be
made from a flexible material, for example, carpet or the like.
[0041] FIG. 2 shows the retention device 10 in its unused state,
wherein a suitcase 12 is shown behind the seat 1, which suitcase 12
is ready to be slid into the retention device 10, as shown in FIG.
3.
[0042] FIG. 2 shows that the raised part 13 of the luggage
retention device 10, i.e. in that region below a transverse seat
support 9 (in the area of the backrest 14 of the seat 1), the
region may in any case not be used as an area to step on and the
luggage retention device 10 may be raised such that the suitcase 12
may be inserted without there being any need to manually lift the
carpet in addition.
[0043] FIG. 4 shows the luggage retention device 10 in detail,
without the seat 1 being shown.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the luggage retention device 10
comprises an upper element 15 and a lower element 16 which are
interconnected by way of lateral delimitation devices 17. According
to this embodiment, the lateral delimitation devices are made from
an elastic net which makes it possible to accommodate the suitcase
12 and prevents any lateral falling out of said suitcase 12. In a
region 18 of the luggage retention device 10 the upper element 15
may be spaced apart from the lower element 16 such that the raised
part 13 may be formed, into which the suitcase 12 may be inserted
into the raised part 13. Such spacing for example, may be achieved
in the upper element 15, by loops A, which may be attached to the
transverse structure 9 of the seat 1 as shown in FIG. 1.
[0045] In a region 19 of the luggage retention device 10, the upper
element 15 contacts the lower element 16 and rests substantially
flat against the latter. The luggage retention device 10 according
to this embodiment, may be preferably designed as a carpet pocket.
Other suitable non-rigid materials may be used. As mentioned above,
the raised part 13 of the retention device 10 may be attached to a
transverse structure of the seat. In contrast to this, in the
remaining region of the luggage retention device 10, the design
should be substantially flat so that anyone stepping onto the
unused luggage retention device 10 does not perceive this region as
a "step" or even an obstacle for tripping over.
[0046] The height of the flat region 19 of the luggage retention
device 10 may be substantially reduced to the thickness of the
material, for example, of a carpet. As an alternative, other
flexible materials may be used for the upper element 15 and the
lower element 16.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the area of the upper element 15 may be
larger than the area of the lower element 16. In the unused state
of the luggage retention device 10, the upper element 15 largely
conforms with the lower element 16, as shown in FIG. 2, while in
the case where the luggage retention device 10 is in use (suitcase
12 inserted) the upper element 15 may touch the lower element 16
only in the region 19. In the region 19, the upper element 15 may,
for example, be sewn to the lower element 16. FIG. 4 shows such a
sewn arrangement 20.
[0048] FIG. 5 shows a luggage retention device 10 that differs from
the above luggage retention device according to FIG. 4 only in that
the lateral delimitation devices 17 are designed as gathered
material with elastic inserts 21 (or tension tape 21). FIG. 6A
shows a further luggage retention device 10 that differs from the
luggage retention device according to FIG. 4 only in that the
lateral delimitation devices 17 comprise a scissor-type mechanism
22. FIG. 6A shows the in-use state, i.e. the state in which the
suitcase has been inserted into the luggage retention device 10.
Other embodiments of the lateral delimitation devices 17 are
allowed, provided that the upper element 15 conforms with the lower
element 16 when the suitcase 12 is withdrawn from the luggage
retention device 10.
[0049] FIG. 6B shows a state of the luggage retention device 10
according to FIG. 6A without a suitcase.
[0050] FIG. 6C shows the luggage retention device 10 according to
FIG. 6B in the folded-together state.
[0051] FIG. 7 shows the luggage retention device 10 which may be
designed so as to be integrated in the seat 1. According to this
embodiment, the luggage retention device 10 is, attached by a wire
hoop 23 or a plastic frame to the lower end of the base 24 of the
seat 1, for example by a screw connection. This ensures that if
there is a change in the layout of the seats, the associated
luggage retention devices move along with the seats.
[0052] According to another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the
luggage retention device may also be slidable, as an independent
component, along a seat rail 25. According to this embodiment, the
luggage retention device 10 may not be designed so as to be
integrated in the seat 1. The elevated part 13 of the luggage
retention device 10 is, for example, formed by a dimensionally
stable frame in order to easily slide a briefcase (not shown) into
the luggage retention device 10 without having to manually lift the
upper element 15 of the retention device 10.
[0053] According to FIGS. 1 to 8, a luggage retention device has
been described for the aisle-side seat 1 of the group 2 of seats.
As an alternative it may be possible to provide such a luggage
retention device 10 for all the seats of the group 2 of seats, as
shown in FIGS. 9 to 11.
[0054] FIG. 9 shows the group 2 of seats, in which seats 7 and 1
are folded up. Although not shown, for example seat 8 may also be
folded up.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 9, for example the upper element 15 may be
connected to the seat 7 by elastic attachments 27 in order to form
an inclined insertion surface for inserting a briefcase from the
rear (not shown) and in this way form the raised part 13. In this
way it may be possible, for example by a vacuum cleaner 28, to push
down the upper element 15 for cleaning the luggage retention device
10 when no briefcase may be inserted.
[0056] The separate luggage retention devices 10 shown in FIG. 9
may also be designed as an integrated unit 29, as shown in FIG. 10.
Analogous to the considerations according to FIGS. 7 and 8, this
integrated unit 29 of the stowage volume could be combined
underneath a group of seats to form a floor-covering panel or
similar, which either forms part of the seat chassis, compare FIG.
10, or may be installed on the cabin floor as an independent
component, compare FIG. 11. If the various seat chassis are locked
into place at the desired positions on the seat rails, then the
integrated unit 29 with the carpet pockets 10 may be also
secured.
[0057] Although the invention has been described above with
reference to the preferred embodiments, it is understood that it
goes without saying that modifications and changes may be made
without leaving the protective scope of the invention. For example,
the floor itself may be the lower element 16 of the luggage
retention device described above if the luggage retention device is
not designed so as to be integrated in the seat. Furthermore, the
invention may also be used in applications other than in an
aircraft, for example in a bus.
[0058] In addition, it should be pointed out that "comprising" does
not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "one" does not
exclude a plural number. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that
characteristics or steps which have been described with reference
to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination
with other characteristics or steps of other embodiments described
above. Reference characters in the claims are not to be interpreted
as limitations.
[0059] Alternative combinations and variations of the examples
provided will become apparent on this disclosure. It is not
possible to provide specific examples for all of the many possible
combinations and variations of the embodiments described, but such
combinations and variations may be claims that eventually
issue.
* * * * *