Abstract:
An internal wall in an aircraft cabin separates a lavatory and a galley of the aircraft. The internal wall has an intermediate notch that increases a lateral width dimension of the lavatory above the notch and thereby improves the spatial environment of the lavatory.

Description:
[0001]    This patent application is a Continuation-In-Part of patent application Ser. No. 13/645,972, which was filed on Oct. 5, 2012 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,770,517 on Jul. 8, 2014. 
     
    
     FIELD  
       [0002]    The present disclosure pertains to the configuration of an internal wall in an aircraft cabin that separates a lavatory and a galley of the aircraft. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to an aircraft cabin having a lavatory and galley separated by an internal wall, where the internal wall has an intermediate notch that increases a lateral width dimension of the lavatory above the notch and thereby improves the environment and enhances the functionality and ergonomics of the lavatory. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Commercial aircraft set up for the transportation of passengers typically include rows of seats along the length of the aircraft cabin that are separated by a central aisle, at least one galley in the cabin, and one or more lavatories in the cabin. Because the primary purpose of a commercial aircraft is to transport passengers, the aircraft cabin is usually set up to maximize the number of seats in the cabin. As a result, it is challenging to provide adequate lavatory space without reducing seat count. 
         [0004]    A typical passenger aircraft includes at least one lavatory enclosure that is positioned along the central aisle of the aircraft among the rows of seats. The lavatory enclosure is accessed through a doorway from the central aisle. The width of the lavatory enclosure is typically not much larger than the width of the doorway. The dimensions of the lavatory enclosure often make it difficult for a user to move around in the enclosure, much less provide comfortable elbow room in the enclosure. Thus, passengers who are above median height and weight and are using conventional aircraft lavatories may feel uncomfortably confined in the lavatory enclosure. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The aircraft lavatory enclosure of the present disclosure overcomes the disadvantages associated with prior art aircraft lavatory enclosures discussed above. This is accomplished by repositioning the lavatory enclosure in the aircraft cabin away from the rows of the seats and the central aisle. The lavatory enclosure of the disclosure is moved to a position adjacent a cross-aisle at the rear of the aircraft cabin that provides access to two aircraft cabin doors on laterally opposite sides of the aircraft. Moving the aircraft lavatory to a position rearwardly of the cross-aisle enables the lavatory enclosure to be reconfigured to make the best use of available space at the rear of the aircraft cabin. 
         [0006]    In the aircraft of the disclosure, a pair of lavatory enclosures are positioned adjacent laterally opposite sides of the aircraft body. Each of the lavatories is positioned in areas on opposite sides of a galley located at the rear of the aircraft cabin. The first lavatory of the pair is positioned between one side of the galley and a first interior sidewall of the aircraft body and the second lavatory of the pair is positioned between the opposite side of the galley and a second interior sidewall of the aircraft body. In one preferred embodiment, the first and second lavatories are basically mirror images of each other. However, it is not necessary that the first and second lavatories always be the same, and the first and second lavatories could have different constructions with different features and floor plans. Therefore, only the first lavatory enclosure will be described in detail, with it being understood that the second lavatory enclosure could be a mirror image thereof. 
         [0007]    The first lavatory enclosure includes a front wall with a doorway that is accessible from the cross aisle of the cabin. The front wall extends laterally from the first interior sidewall of the aircraft body to the galley in the rear of the aircraft cabin. An internal wall in the cabin separates the lavatory from the galley. The internal wall extends longitudinally from the lavatory front wall to a rear bulkhead wall of the aircraft cabin. The internal wall is comprised of a lower section, an intermediate section and an upper section that are all interconnected. The wall lower section extends vertically upwardly from the floor surface between the adjacent lavatory and the galley. The lower section extends upwardly to a vertical height above the toilet in the adjacent lavatory where the lower section connects with the intermediate section. The wall intermediate section extends from the lower section laterally towards the centerline of the airplane and over a lower portion of the galley. The wall upper section then extends vertically upwardly from the intermediate section to the roof of the cabin. The intermediate section of the wall moves the upper section of the wall laterally away from the center of the toilet. This creates a notch in the lavatory that increases the lateral width of the lavatory above the wall intermediate section. The increase in the lavatory width provides more usable space in the lavatory for passengers using the lavatory, while still retaining the small footprint of the lavatory on the floor surface of the aircraft between the wall lower section and the adjacent interior sidewall of the aircraft. The increased usable space gives the lavatory an impression of additional spaciousness and a more comfortable atmosphere. Additionally, the repositioned lavatory has made more space available along the central aisle of the aircraft to add passenger seating and improve the economic efficiency of the aircraft. 
         [0008]    In addition to the increased usable space in the lavatory provided by the notch formed in the internal wall, further modifications have been made to the lavatory to give the impression of spaciousness. Each of the modifications may be applied to one lavatory, or the modifications may be used in various different combinations in different lavatories. 
         [0009]    The lavatory floor inside the lavatory has been ramped downward. The lavatory floor surface has a front edge at the floor surface of the aircraft cabin and a longitudinally opposite rear edge. As the lavatory floor surface extends from the front edge to the rear edge, the floor surface declines vertically downward from horizontal. This gives the lavatory an inch or more of additional standing height at the rear of the lavatory. 
         [0010]    The lavatory internal wall upper section has been curved or angled to increase the elbow room in the lavatory. The internal wall upper section has opposite left and right side edges and an intermediate portion of the internal wall between the edges. The intermediate portion of the internal wall upper section extends away from the lavatory as the internal wall upper section extends from the opposite left and right edges toward the intermediate portion. 
         [0011]    An outboard window with a window shade has been added to the lavatory. The window could be an actual window with a view outside the aircraft, or a faux window. The open window improves the feeling of spaciousness in the lavatory. 
         [0012]    A collapsible shelf has been added to the lavatory internal wall. The collapsible or folding shelf is moveable between the horizontal position where the shelf can support toiletry items, and a vertical position of the folding shelf where the shelf does not extend into the space of the lavatory. 
         [0013]    The internal wall intermediate section has been lowered from its position above the stowage space or galley cart space to a position in line with the toilet seat of the lavatory. This provides additional hip room in the lavatory and enables the toilet to be moved inboard slightly away from the outboard interior side wall, further enhancing the spaciousness of the lavatory. 
         [0014]    To assist larger passengers, a grab handle has been added to the internal wall of the lavatory. The enhanced spaciousness provided by the construction of the internal wall enables the addition of the grab handle. The grab handle will be useful to passengers using the lavatory during a rough flight and for larger passengers using the lavatory. 
         [0015]    In addition to the addition of a grab handle in the lavatory to assist larger passengers, the internal wall of one of the lavatories is moved further inboard than the internal wall of the second of the lavatories. This creates a wider lavatory in which the toilet also can be moved further inboard. This wider lavatory with the toilet moved slightly inboard is provided to accommodate obese passengers. 
         [0016]    In a further embodiment of the pair of lavatory enclosures the pair of lavatories are able to be communicated with each other to enable communication between family members using both lavatories. A counter surface is provided above the stowage area. The counter surface is continuous with the first internal wall intermediate section of the first lavatory and the second internal wall intermediate section of the second lavatory. A vertical partition is attached to the first internal wall upper section adjacent the front edge of the counter surface. The partition is moveable between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position the partition extends laterally over the counter surface adjacent the counter surface front edge between the first internal wall upper section and the second internal wall upper section. In the open position the partition is displaced from over the counter surface and is folded up next to the first internal wall upper section. 
         [0017]    Both the first internal wall upper section and the second internal wall upper section are moveable between open positions and closed positions. In the closed positions of the upper sections the upper sections extend between the internal wall intermediate sections and the counter surface, separating the first and second lavatories from the counter surface. In the open positions the first internal wall upper section and the second internal wall upper section are pivoted outwardly over the counter surface, providing access to the counter surface from both lavatories and communication between the two lavatories behind the closed partition. 
         [0018]    In a variant of the lavatory embodiment with the partition and moveable internal wall upper section, a stationary vertical wall is positioned in the middle of the counter surface and the partition only opens to the stationary vertical wall. The internal wall upper section can be pivoted open over the counter surface behind the closed partition, providing a counter surface in the lavatory that could be used as a changing table or for other purposes. 
         [0019]    In still a further embodiment of the pair of lavatories separated by a galley or stowage space, the counter surface provided over the stowage space is moveable rearwardly. This enables service carts to be positioned under the counter surface with one service cart in front of a second service cart. Moving the counter surface forward would cover the inline service carts, and pushing the counter surface backward or pivoting the counter surface backward would provide access to the second service cart behind the first service cart. 
         [0020]    In still a further embodiment of the counter surface between the two lavatories, a waste bin is provided beneath the counter surface. An access opening is provided in the counter surface providing access to the waste bin. A further access opening is provided in the lavatory internal wall with the further access opening providing access to the same waste bin. 
         [0021]    In each embodiment of the lavatories with the counter surface between the lavatories, indirect lighting is provided above the internal wall upper section. The indirect lighting positioned above the internal wall upper section provides light to both the lavatory and the counter surface. 
         [0022]    The features, functions and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various embodiments or may be combined in yet other embodiments further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    Further features of the aircraft lavatory of the disclosure are set forth in the following detailed description of the aircraft and in the drawing figures. 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a representation of a front perspective view of the aircraft lavatory. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a representation of a front view of the lavatory of the disclosure at the rear of the aircraft cabin. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a representation of a portion of a conventional aircraft floor plan at the rear of the aircraft cabin showing the typical locations of lavatories of the aircraft relative to the passenger seating and the galley of the aircraft. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a representation of the floor plan at the rear of the aircraft of the disclosure with the relocated lavatory of the disclosure. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 5-11  are representations of further embodiments of the aircraft lavatories having modifications made to the lavatories to give the impression of spaciousness. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]      FIG. 1  is a representation of the floor plan at the rear of a typical aircraft cabin where lavatories of the aircraft are located. In  FIG. 1  a rearward portion of the aircraft fuselage or body  12  that surrounds the aircraft cabin is shown in cross section. As is conventional, the aircraft cabin has a longitudinal length between a front  14  of the cabin and a rear  16  of the cabin. The cabin also has a lateral width between opposite first  18  and second  22  interior sidewalls of the aircraft body. 
         [0030]    A plurality of rows of seats  24 ,  26  may be arranged on the floor surface  28  of the aircraft cabin. The rows of seats  24 ,  26  may also be arranged on laterally opposite sides of the cabin and define a central aisle  32 . The central aisle  32  may also extend longitudinally through the cabin across the floor surface  28  between the front  14  and rear  16  of the cabin and between the rows of seats  24 ,  26 . A galley  34  may be provided in the rear of the cabin at the rearward end of the central aisle  32 . This space could be used for other purposes and could be broadly described as a stowage space  34 . 
         [0031]    A cross aisle  36  may extend laterally across the rear  16  of the cabin in front of the galley  34 . The cross aisle  36  may extend between a pair of boarding doors  38 ,  42  in the respective sidewalls  18 ,  22  of the aircraft body. 
         [0032]    The galley  34  may typically include a galley cart compartment  44  containing a plurality of galley carts  46 . In the example shown in  FIG. 1  the galley cart compartment  44  contains four galley carts  46 . Each galley cart  46  is supported by rollers on the floor surface  28  and is inserted longitudinally into a slot provided for the cart in the compartment  44 . The galley also includes a countertop  48  on top of the compartment  44 . Although not shown, the galley  34  also may include appliances such as a coffee maker, a hotplate, a microwave oven, etc. above the counter  48 . Galley equipment is produced according to basically two worldwide standards, namely ATLAS and KSSU. These have their origins in the industry in legacy maintenance resource pools (ATLAS=Alitalia, TAP, Lufthansa, Air France, Sabena and KSSU=KLM, Swissair, SAS, UTA) and have subsequently developed into industry standards to enable modular equipment interchange between aircraft of different manufacturers. 
         [0033]    Each piece of ATLAS standard equipment is preferably able to fit in any ATLAS galley on any aircraft type of any airline worldwide. The same is true for the KSSU standard equipment. ATLAS equipment is today&#39;s leader for worldwide market share with about 75% of galley equipment manufactured being either ATLAS standard or ATLAS compatible. KSSU has about a 20% market share and a handful of legacy air lines with proprietary standards (BA has a proprietary standard called “ACE” for example) account for the remaining 5%. 
         [0034]    Equipment standards for ATLAS and KSSU include specifications for most anything ranging from carts to oven racks to coffeepots to plastic cups to storage boxes. A variation of even a single millimeter from the standard specifications for galley equipment could result in equipment not being able to stow securely and the consequent safety issues that result. 
         [0035]    Most equipment is actually manufactured by the same companies. For example, rotatable or movable equipment (carts, etc.) are manufactured by companies such as Driessen and Diethelm-Keller. Consumables such as trays, cups, etc. are manufactured by companies such as DeSter and Helios. These companies either provide airlines with branded or generic versions of existing designs or developed entirely new product lines within the existing standards. 
         [0036]    In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the aircraft includes three lavatory enclosures  52 ,  54 ,  56 . Each of the enclosures is accessible through a respective door  58 ,  62 ,  64  of the enclosures  52 ,  54 ,  56 . A small coat closet  66  is also provided in the cabin. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the width dimension of each of the lavatory enclosures  52 ,  54 ,  56  set in order to maximize the passenger seating in the aircraft cabin. The width of each lavatory enclosure  52 ,  54 ,  56  is not much larger than the width of its respective door  62 ,  64 ,  66 . The dimensions of the lavatory enclosures  52 ,  54 ,  56  often make it difficult for a user to enter the enclosure from the central aisle  32  and move around in the enclosure, much less provide comfortable elbow room in the enclosure. The narrow width of the enclosures  52 ,  54 ,  56  may result in passengers using the lavatories feeling uncomfortably confined in the enclosures. 
         [0037]    The aircraft lavatory enclosure of the present disclosure overcomes the disadvantages associated with prior art aircraft lavatory enclosures discussed above. This is accomplished by repositioning the lavatory enclosure in the aircraft cabin away from the rows of the seats and the central aisle. The enclosure is moved to a position rearwardly of the cross-aisle  36  at the rear of the aircraft cabin. Moving the aircraft lavatory to a position rearwardly of the cross-aisle  36  enables the lavatory enclosure to be reconfigured to make the best use of available space at the rear of the aircraft cabin. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of a pair of lavatories  72 ,  74  of an embodiment of the present disclosure that have been installed at the rear of the aircraft cabin shown in  FIG. 1 . The lavatories  72 ,  74  are positioned rearwardly of the cross-aisle  36  and on laterally opposite sides of the galley  34 . In comparing  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it can be seen that the lavatories  72 ,  74  have been positioned in areas available between the galley  34  and the opposite first  18  and second  22  interior sidewalls of the aircraft body.  FIG. 1  is a perspective review of a pair of lavatories of the disclosure, and  FIG. 4  is a plan view of one of the lavatories of the disclosure. In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  the pair of lavatories may include a first  72  and second  74  lavatory that are mirror images of each other. However, it is not necessary that the first  72  and second  74  lavatories be the same, and the lavatories could have different constructions with different features and floor plans. Only the first lavatory  72  will be described in detail. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the lavatory  72  may include a front wall  76  as part of its enclosure. The aircraft body first internal sidewall  18  and a rear bulkhead wall  78  of the aircraft may also form portions of the enclosure of the lavatory. The front wall  76  may have a doorway  82  that is accessible from the cross-aisle  36 . A door  84  is secured to the front wall  76  and can be manually operated to selectively open and close the doorway  82  in a conventional manner. The door  84  selected for the lavatory  72  may be a double fold door that basically folds into the area of the lavatory  72  when opening the door. This prevents the door  84  from obstructing movement through the cross aisle  36  at the rear of the cabin. 
         [0040]    In addition, the enclosure of the lavatory  72  includes an internal wall  86 . The internal wall  86  may be positioned laterally between the galley  34  and the lavatory  72 . In a further embodiment an aircraft may contain two lavatories  72 ,  74  in the aircraft cabin. They may be arranged such that, a pair of internal walls  86 ,  88  in the cabin separate each of the respective lavatories  72 ,  74  from the galley  34  at the center of the cabin. 
         [0041]    The first internal wall  86  is comprised of a lower section  92 , an intermediate section  94  and an upper section  96 . Each of the sections may be interconnected as seen in the drawing figures. Additionally, each of the wall sections extend longitudinally through the cabin from the lavatory enclosure front wall  76  to the rear bulkhead wall  78 , thereby completing the lavatory enclosure. 
         [0042]    The wall lower section  92  may extend vertically upwardly from the floor surface  28  between a lower area of the adjacent lavatory  72  and a lower area of the galley  34 . The lower section  92  may be perpendicular to the floor surface  28  and extends upwardly from the floor surface to the wall intermediate section  94 . The height of the lower section  92  may position the intermediate section  94  at a position vertically above the toilet  98  in the lavatory  72 . Additionally, the height of the lower section  92  may position the intermediate section  94  vertically above the galley cart compartment  44 . 
         [0043]    The intermediate section  94  extends horizontally from the lower section  92  over the lower area of the galley and the galley cart compartment  44  and inboard or toward the centerline of the airplane from the lavatory  72 . The intermediate section  94  extends from the lower section  92  to the wall upper section  96 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the wall intermediate section  94  may be coplanar with the galley counter top  48 . In an alternative embodiment, the intermediate section  94  may be continuous with the galley counter top  48 . In a further embodiment a single structure may form the wall intermediate section  94  and the galley counter top  48 . The intermediate section also adds a countertop  104  to the lavatory  72 . Depending on the type of equipment employed in the galley, for example whether ATLAS or KSSU equipment is used, and what quantities of equipment, for example whether four carts or three carts are used, the intermediate section  94  could have a lateral width dimension ranging from 2 inches to 20 inches. In other environments, the intermediate section  94  could have other lateral width dimensions and other orientations than the horizontal orientation shown. 
         [0044]    The wall upper section  96  may extend vertically upwardly from the intermediate section  94  between an upper area of the lavatory and an upper area of the galley to the roof  102  of the aircraft cabin. The intermediate section  94  positions the upper section  96  laterally further inboard from the first interior sidewall  18  of the aircraft body from the lower section  92 . Thus as shown in  FIG. 4 , the lateral width dimension  106  of the lavatory  72  above of the intermediate section  94  is larger than the largest lateral width dimension  108  of the lavatory  72  below the intermediate section  94 . Furthermore, the intermediate section  94  and the upper section  96  together form a notch in the lavatory  72  that provides additional area to the lavatory. The increase in the lavatory width above the intermediate section  94  provides more usable space in the lavatory for passengers using the lavatory, while still retaining the small footprint of the lavatory on the floor surface  28  between the lower section  92  and the first interior sidewall  18 . The increased usable space gives a lavatory an impression of speciousness and a more comfortable atmosphere. 
         [0045]    With the modification of the rear of the aircraft cabin shown in  FIG. 1  by the repositioned lavatories of the disclosure, the lavatory enclosures  52 ,  54 ,  56  shown at the rear of the aircraft cabin  16  in  FIG. 3  can be removed, enabling the addition of more passenger seating to the aircraft and thereby improving the economic efficiency of the aircraft. 
         [0046]    As stated earlier, in addition to the increased usable space in the lavatory provided by the notch formed in the internal wall, further modifications are made to the lavatory to give the impression of spaciousness. The features of the modifications to be described may or may not be included in one lavatory. The features can be used in various combinations in various different lavatories. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the lavatory floor surface  112  inside the lavatory has been ramped downward. The lavatory floor surface  112  has a front edge  114  at the floor surface  28  of the aircraft cabin and a longitudinally opposite rear edge  116 . As the lavatory floor surface  112  extends from the front edge  114  to the rear edge  116 , the lavatory floor surface  112  declines vertically downward from the horizontal plane represented in dashed lines in  FIG. 5  of the aircraft cabin floor surface  28 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the lavatory inner wall upper section  122  is curved or angled outwardly from the lavatory to increase the elbow room in the lavatory. The inner wall upper section  122  has opposite left  124  and right  126  side edges and an intermediate portion  128  of the internal wall upper section between the edges. The intermediate portion  128  of the internal wall upper section  122  extends away from the lavatory as the internal wall upper section  122  extends from the opposite left  124  and right  126  edges toward the intermediate portion  128 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , an outboard window  132  with a window shade  134  is provided for the lavatory just above the sink  136 . The window  132  could be an actual window with a view outside the aircraft, or a faux window that provides translucent light without direct viewing. A user of the lavatory can open the window shade  134  to improve the feeling of spaciousness in the lavatory. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the internal wall intermediate section  138  has been lowered from its position above the stowage space or galley cart space to a position in line with the toilet seat  142  of the lavatory. This provides additional hip and elbow room in the lavatory. 
         [0051]    Also represented in  FIG. 5  is a collapsible or folding shelf  144  that has been added to the lavatory internal wall. The folding shelf  144  is attached to the internal wall by a hinge or other equivalent mechanism for pivoting movement between its horizontal position shown in  FIG. 5  and a vertical position where the hinge mechanism suspends the shelf  144  vertically downward from the internal wall. In the vertical position the shelf  144  does not extend into the space of the lavatory. One or more releasable latches  146  could be provided on the shelf  144  to hold the shelf in its horizontal position. In the horizontal position of the shelf  144 , the shelf could be used to support toiletry items or other types of items used by the occupant of the lavatory. 
         [0052]      FIG. 7  shows a representation of the lavatory in which the internal wall lower section  152  has been moved inboard to the same plane as the internal wall upper section  96 . This creates a wider lavatory in which the toilet can be moved further inboard as represented by the dashed lines  154  in  FIG. 7 . This wider lavatory with the toilet moved slightly inboard is provided to accommodate obese passengers. It also provides the aircraft with the option of using a lavatory of a conventional width such as the second lavatory  74 , or using a lavatory with a larger width. 
         [0053]    To assist larger passengers, a grab handle  156  is added to the internal wall of the lavatory represented in  FIG. 7 . As represented in  FIG. 7 , the grab handle(s)  156  could be oriented horizontally or vertically or both. The grab handle  156  will be useful to passengers using the lavatory during a rough flight or for larger passengers using the lavatory. 
         [0054]      FIG. 8  is a representation of a further embodiment of the pair of lavatory enclosures  72 ,  74  in which the pair of lavatories are able to be communicated with each other to enable communication between family members using both lavatories. As in the previous embodiments, the counter surface  48  is positioned above the stowage area or galley cart compartment  44 . The counter surface  48  is continuous with the first internal wall intermediate section  94  of the first lavatory  72  and the second internal wall intermediate section (not shown) of the second lavatory  74 . A foldable vertical partition  162  is attached to the first internal wall upper section  96  along a right side of the first internal wall upper section  96 . The partition  162  is positioned above a front edge of the counter surface  48 . As represented in  FIG. 8 , the partition  162  is moveable between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position the partition  162  extends laterally, left to right as viewed in  FIG. 8  over the counter surface  48  adjacent the counter surface front edge. The closed partition extends from the first internal wall upper section  96  to the second internal wall upper section  164 . In the closed position the partition  162  can be locked by a family member in the second lavatory  74 . In the open position the partition  162  is moved to the left as represented in  FIG. 8  and is displaced from over the counter surface  48 . The open partition  162  is folded up next to the first internal wall upper section  96 . 
         [0055]    The first internal wall upper section  96  and the second internal wall upper section  164  are connected by pivoting devices to the rear bulkhead wall  78 . This enables both the first internal wall upper section  96  and the second internal wall upper section  164  to be pivoted between open and closed positions. In the closed positions the first internal wall upper section  96  and the second internal wall upper section  164  both extend across their respective intermediate sections between the intermediate sections and the counter surface  48 . The first internal wall upper section  96  and the second internal wall upper section  164  can both be locked in their closed positions separating the first  72  and second  74  lavatories from the counter surface  48 . In the open positions the first internal wall upper section  96  and the second internal wall upper section  164  are pivoted outwardly about their pivot connections over the counter surface  48  until the sections are substantially flat against the rear bulkhead wall  78 . This provides access to the counter surface  48  from both lavatories  72 ,  74  and communication between the two lavatories behind the closed partition  162 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 9  is a variant embodiment of the lavatories represented in  FIG. 8 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 9  a stationary vertical wall  168  is positioned in the middle of the counter surface  48 . The vertical wall  168  extends vertically to the ceiling of the aircraft and longitudinally from the counter surface front edge to the rear edge of the counter surface and the rear bulkhead wall  78 . In the  FIG. 9  embodiment the partition  172  is partially expandable to the stationary vertical wall  168  and can be locked in its closed position to the vertical wall  168 . The internal wall upper section  96  of the first lavatory  72  can be opened and closed in the same manner as that described with reference to  FIG. 8 . Thus, with the internal wall upper section  96  pivoted open over the counter surface  48  behind the closed partition  172 , a large counter surface is provided in the first lavatory  72  that can be used as a changing table or for other purposes. 
         [0057]      FIG. 10  is a representation of a still further embodiment of the pair of lavatories  72 ,  74  separated by the galley or stowage space  44 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 10  the counter surface  48  has a front edge  174  and an opposite rear edge  176 , a left side edge  178  and an opposite right side edge  182  as viewed in  FIG. 10 . Additionally, there is a joint represented by the dashed line  184  between a front portion  186  and a rear portion  188  of the counter surface  48 . The joint  184  enables the counter front portion  186  and the counter front edge  174  to be moved rearwardly toward the counter rear portion  188  and the counter rear edge  176 . The joint  184  could be a hinge joint, could be a joint that enables the counter front portion  186  to slide into the counter rear portion  188 , or some other equivalent type of mechanical joint. This connection between the counter front portion  186  and the counter rear portion  188  enables service carts to be positioned under the counter surface  48  with one service cart in front of a second service cart as represented in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Moving the counter surface front portion  186  to its forward position would cover the inline service carts with the counter surface  48 . Pushing the counter surface front portion  186  rearward or pivoting the counter surface front portion  186  backward toward the counter surface rear portion  188  will provide access to the second service cart behind the first service cart in the inline arrangement of service carts. 
         [0058]      FIG. 11  is a representation of a still further embodiment of the lavatory  72 . In  FIG. 11  a waste bin  192  is positioned beneath the counter surface  48  and behind a forward, outboard galley cart (not shown). An access opening  194  with a bin flap is provided through the counter surface  48 . The access opening  194  is positioned to provide access to the waste bin  192  through the access opening. A second access opening  196  with a bin flap is provided through the internal wall  86 . The second access opening  196  also provides access to the waste bin  192  from the interior of the lavatory  72 . 
         [0059]    Also represented in  FIG. 11 , in each embodiment of the lavatories with the counter surface between the lavatories, an indirect lighting source  198  is provided above the internal wall upper section  96  and above the counter  48 . The indirect lighting source  198  positioned above the internal wall upper section  96  provides light to both the lavatory  72  and the counter surface  48 . 
         [0060]    As various modifications could be made in the construction of the apparatus and its method of operation herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.