Patent ID: 7918504
Filing Date: 2011-04-05
Classification: B64D

Abstract:
1. A seating arrangement for a passenger-carrying vehicle, the arrangement providing a plurality of seating positions, said seating positions being capable of simultaneously seating a respective passenger, each of the seating positions comprising a respective seat and a respective footwell, said respective footwell being located forwardly of said respective seat in a forward direction; wherein said seating arrangement includes a first of said seating positions and a second of said seating positions displaced with respect to one another in both a forward direction and a transverse direction, said transverse direction being substantially perpendicular to said forward direction such that the respective footwell of said first seating position is located beside the respective seat of said second seating position in said transverse direction, said second seating position being located generally forward of said first seating position in said forward direction; wherein said respective footwell of said first seat position includes a top portion enclosing said footwell from above to define a respective console adjacent said respective seat of said second seating position; wherein each seat is operable into a reclined state in which a respective component of the respective seat for supporting said respective passenger's legs projects into the respective footwell; wherein the said second seating position partially overlaps with the footwell of said first seating position in said transverse direction such that said second seating position overhangs part of the footwell of said first seating position along a side of said footwell; and a shell shaped to define a respective station for the respective seats and to define the respective footwells of said first and second seating positions, wherein the station for the seat of the first seating position and the station for the seat of the second seating position partially overlap in the transverse direction such that said station for the seat of the second seating position overhangs the respective footwell of said first seating position, and wherein the shell includes a buttress portion extending adjacent the seat of said second seating position, the buttress portion being shaped to define a respective footwell of said first seating position.