Patent ID: 11912177
Assignee: ALSTOM HOLDINGS
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A passenger transport vehicle comprising a system for managing the space inside the vehicle which is configured to vary the number of available seating places in accordance with the level of passenger traffic to be transported, the management system comprising
at least one mechanical support structure having a fixed part and a movable part which is movable, relative to the fixed part, between a first position in which the movable part is extended relative to the fixed part so that the mechanical support structure forms at least one available seating place for passengers, and a second position in which the movable part is retracted towards the fixed part so that the at least one seating place is unavailable for seating,
wherein the mechanical support structure comprises at least one covering surface which is connected to and is disposed around at least a portion of the movable part, the covering surface and the movable part moving together substantially solidary with each other, and
wherein the at least one covering surface comprises at least a first substantially rigid portion, a second substantially rigid portion, and a third deformable portion which is disposed between the first and second substantially rigid portions and which is connected to the first substantially rigid portion and the second substantially rigid portion, the first substantially rigid portion forming a seating surface when the movable part is in the first position, while the first and second substantially rigid portions form with the third deformable portion an ischiatic support surface when the movable part is in the second position,
wherein the fixed part of the mechanical support structure comprises at least:
a first longitudinal bar which is fixedly installed inside the vehicle;

and wherein the movable part of the mechanical support structure comprises at least:
a second longitudinal bar having a first end connected to the first longitudinal bar, in proximity to a first end of the first longitudinal bar; and
a third longitudinal bar having a first end slidably connected to the first longitudinal bar; and
first connection means configured to connect a second end of the second longitudinal bar to a second end of the third longitudinal bar in an movable manner one with respect to the other.