Abstract:
An armrest apparatus for a passenger seat includes a longitudinally-extending center armrest adapted to be disposed between side-by-side first and second seats, and a privacy divider. The divider is moveable between a stowed position wherein an upper surface of the center armrest is accessible by an occupant of the first or second seat, and a deployed position wherein the divider extends to the center armrest and forms a generally vertically extending wall between of occupants of the first and second seats. The privacy may include a plurality of linked panels.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/529,686 filed Dec. 15, 2003, and Provisional Application No. 60/589,297, filed Jul. 20, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to vehicle seating and more particularly to a tourist/coach class aircraft seating arrangement. Aircraft seating is typically divided into various classes, for example first class, business class, and coach or tourist class. For each class of seating, an individual passenger is allotted a preselected amount of space (both area and volume). First-class seats provide the most individual space, and also may include features to improve comfort, such as fully reclining sleeper functions. In contrast, the tourist/coach class is provided with a relatively small amount of space, in order to provide the most efficient transportation and lowest cost.  
         [0003]     It has been found that passengers are more satisfied by a given quantity of space when that space is completely controlled, or “owned” by the passenger. Since the space for coach-class seating is limited, it is especially important that a passenger&#39;s personal space be protected from intrusion from other passengers. However, prior art coach class seats are typically arranged such that passengers seated side-by side must share an a single armrest. In this arrangement, the armrest width allotted to each passenger, and the dividing line between adjacent seats, is not clearly delineated. This can lead to conflicts between passengers as each tries to assert control of the single armrest, as well as discomfort of the passenger that gets a smaller portion of the armrest.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a vehicle passenger seat which is clearly separated from an adjacent seat.  
         [0005]     It is another object of the invention to provide a privacy divider between adjacent passenger seats.  
         [0006]     It is another object of the invention to provide a seat having a privacy divider which still provides a full-width armrest to a passenger.  
         [0007]     These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing an armrest apparatus for a passenger seat including a longitudinally-extending center armrest adapted to be disposed between side-by-side first and second seats, and a privacy divider attached to the center armrest. The privacy divider is moveable between a stowed position wherein an upper surface of the center armrest is accessible by an occupant of the first or second seat, and a deployed position wherein the privacy divider extends to the center armrest and forms a generally vertically extending wall between of occupants of the first and second seats.  
         [0008]     According to another embodiment of the invention, the armrest apparatus further includes at least one auxiliary armrest attached to a left or right side of the center armrest. The auxiliary armrest is moveable between a retracted position, and an extended position in which the auxiliary armrest provides a laterally-extending support.  
         [0009]     According to another embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary armrest is pivotally attached at an inboard edge thereof to the center armrest.  
         [0010]     According to another embodiment of the invention, the armrest apparatus further includes means for selectively retaining the armrest in the extended position.  
         [0011]     According to another embodiment of the invention, the center armrest includes a wall-like upright support having a top member attached thereto. Movement of the auxiliary armrest to the extended position exposes a space between the upright support and the retracted position of the auxiliary armrest. The space is adapted to accommodate a passenger&#39;s thigh.  
         [0012]     According to another embodiment of the invention, the privacy divider includes a plurality of generally triangular panels pivotally mounted about a common axis.  
         [0013]     According to another embodiment of the invention, the panels are linked together such that motion of a first one of the panels towards the deployed position causes motion of the remainder of the panels towards the deployed position.  
         [0014]     According to another embodiment of the invention, the armrest apparatus further includes a second auxiliary armrest attached to the other of the left or right sides of the center armrest and moveable between a retracted position, and a extended position in which the auxiliary armrest provides a laterally-extending support  
         [0015]     According to another embodiment of the invention, the panels are pivoted near a rear end of the center armrest and pivot downwards and forwards when deployed.  
         [0016]     According to another embodiment of the invention, the panels are pivoted near a front end of the center armrest and pivot upwards and forwards when deployed.  
         [0017]     According to another embodiment of the invention, one of the panels includes a cover which is disposed flush with an upper surface of the center armrest when the privacy divider is in the stowed position.  
         [0018]     According to another embodiment of the invention, a passenger seat unit includes: a frame for being attached to a floor of a vehicle; first and second seats carried side-by-side on the frame, each of the seats including a seat bottom for supporting a passenger and an upwardly-extending seat back attached to the frame; a forwardly-extending center armrest disposed between the first and second seats; and a privacy divider. The privacy divider is moveable between a stowed position wherein the armrest is accessible by an occupant of the first or second seat, and a deployed position wherein the privacy divider extends to armrest so as to mutually block access of occupants of the first and second seats from each other.  
         [0019]     According to another embodiment of the invention, the passenger seat unit further includes at least one auxiliary armrest attached to a left or right side of the center armrest. The auxiliary armrest is moveable between a retracted position, and a extended position in which the auxiliary armrest provides support for an arm of a passenger seated in one of the first and second seats. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     The subject matter that is regarded as the invention may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a passenger seat set including a privacy divider;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the passenger seat set of  FIG. 1  showing the privacy divider in a partially deployed position;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the passenger seat set of  FIG. 1  showing the privacy divider in a fully deployed position;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of the passenger seat set of  FIG. 1  showing details of a center armrest thereof;  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is another partial perspective view of the passenger seat set of  FIG. 1  showing details of a center armrest thereof, with the privacy divider in a partially deployed position;  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is another partial perspective view of the passenger seat set of  FIG. 1  showing details of a center armrest thereof, with the privacy divider in a partially deployed position;  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is another partial perspective view of the passenger seat set of  FIG. 1  showing details of a center armrest thereof, with the privacy divider in a fully deployed position;  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the privacy divider of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view of an armrest incorporating a folding auxiliary armrest;  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is another view of the armrest of  FIG. 9 , showing the auxiliary armrest in a partially extended position;  
         [0031]      FIG. 11  is another view of the armrest of  FIG. 9 , showing the auxiliary armrest in a fully extended position;  
         [0032]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an armrest incorporating an alternative embodiment of a privacy divider in a stowed position;  
         [0033]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the armrest of  FIG. 12  showing the privacy divider in a deployed position;  
         [0034]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the armrest of  FIG. 12  showing the privacy divider in an alternative deployed position;  
         [0035]      FIG. 15  is cross-sectional view of the armrest and privacy divider of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a passenger seat incorporating an alternative embodiment of a folding auxiliary armrest;  
         [0037]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the folding auxiliary armrest of  FIG. 16  in a partially extended position;  
         [0038]      FIG. 18  is another perspective view of the folding auxiliary armrest of  FIG. 16  in an extended position;  
         [0039]      FIG. 19  is cross-sectional view of the armrest of  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0040]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a passenger seat incorporating another alternative embodiment of a privacy divider in a stowed position;  
         [0041]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the privacy divider of  FIG. 20  in a deployed position; and  
         [0042]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the a variation of the auxiliary armrest shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0043]     Referring to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views,  FIGS. 1-8  illustrate a passenger seat set  10  including a privacy divider. The seat set  10  includes two seats  12  and  14  which are collectively provided with three armrests  16 ,  18 , and  20 , each shown in the lowered passenger use position. The seats  12  and  14  include seat backs  22  and  22 ′ and seat bottoms  24  and  24 ′. The seats  12  and  14  are supported by a frame  26 . The frame  26  is mounted on legs  28  and  30  that are in turn mounted to the deck of the aircraft by track fittings of a known type.  
         [0044]     The privacy divider, referred to generally at  32 , is disposed between the seats  12  and  14  and can be stowed in an upright position as shown in  FIG. 1 , or deployed as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In the deployed position, the privacy divider  32  separates the passengers in respective seats  12  and  14 , and most importantly blocks each passenger from placing his or her elbow beyond the center of the center armrest  18 . Although the presence of the privacy divider  32  reduces the amount of armrest space available to each of the adjacent passengers, it will increase overall passenger satisfaction, as passengers prefer to have a smaller amount of space which is protected from intrusion from other passengers, rather than a larger amount of space which is not clearly defined.  
         [0045]     As noted above, when the privacy divider  32  is deployed, it consumes at least some of the space normally available on top of the center armrest  18 . Accordingly, the center armrest  18  is provided with a pair of auxiliary armrests  54   a  and  54   b  attached to the side walls  56   a  and  56   b  thereof. The auxiliary armrests  54   a  and  56   b  are folded down against the sidewalls  56   a  and  56   b , out of the passenger&#39;s way, when the privacy divider  32  is not in use, as shown in  FIG. 1 . When the privacy divider  32  is extended, the auxiliary armrests  54   a  and  54   b  can be folded upward into a horizontal position to provide extra support for the passenger&#39;s arm, as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the privacy divider  32  comprises a plurality of generally triangular panels  34 ,  36  and  38 , each including a pair of divergent side edges  40   a  and  40   b  which extend between an outer edge  42  (the shape of which may be varied as desired), and an inner apex  44 . The panels  34 ,  36 , and  38  are mounted on a common pivot  46  which passes through the inner apex  44  of each panel. One of the panels  34  includes deployment means such as the illustrated handle  48 , which a seated passenger can use to pivot the panel  34  forward and downward until it contacts the center armrest  18 . The privacy divider  32  may also include suitable linking means which cause the panels  36  and  38  to pivot into the deployed position when the panel  34  is moved. In the illustrated example, shown in  FIG. 8 , the panel  34  includes a flange  50  at its aft most side edge  40   b  which bears against a complementary flange  52  at the forward side edge  40   a  of the panel  36  as the panel  34  is pulled forward. A similar linking arrangement may be employed between the panel  36  and the panel  38 . The privacy divider  32  need not be a rigid barrier. Any configuration which will provide separation and privacy between two passengers may be used. For example, the panels  34 ,  36 , and  38  could be replaced with a curtain-like structure, such as elasticized fabric (not shown).  
         [0047]      FIGS. 9-11  illustrate the internal structure of the auxiliary armrest  54   a , which is representative of the auxiliary armrest  54   b , in more detail. The auxiliary armrest  54   a  comprises a shell  58  including a generally planar upper surface  60  connected to a pair of spaced-apart inboard and outboard flanges  62  and  64 . The inboard flange  62  is attached to the sidewall  56   a  of the center armrest  18  by a linkage  68  or other suitable means to allow the shell  58  to pivot between retracted and extended positions. A suitable mechanism is provided to hold the auxiliary armrest  54   a  in the extended position. In the illustrated example the linkage  68  is mounted to the shell  58  in such a manner that its elements move into an “over-center” relationship when the auxiliary armrest  54   a  is raised (see  FIG. 11 ). This prevents the auxiliary armrest  54   a  from being lowered until the linkage  68  is manually collapsed.  
         [0048]      FIGS. 12-15  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the privacy divider, referred to generally at  132 , which may be substituted for the privacy divider  32  described above. The privacy divider  132  comprises a plurality of wedge-shaped panels  134 ,  136 ,  138 , and  140 , mounted on a common pivot  146  which passes through the inner apex of each panel. The uppermost panel  134  has a cover  148  attached thereto. The cover  148  may be padded or upholstered and is received in a slot  150  in the upper surface of the center armrest  18 . For purposes of illustrative clarity, auxiliary armrests  54   a  and  54   b  are not shown in  FIGS. 12-15 . The panel  134  may include deployment means such as the illustrated tab  152 , which a seated passenger can use to pivot the panel  134  upwards and forwards. The privacy divider  132  need only be raised sufficiently to prevent competition or “elbow jousting” between two passengers. Therefore, the completely raised position of the privacy divider  132  may be fully upward so that the cover  148  is nearly vertical, as shown in  FIG. 14 , or it could be at some lower position, such as is shown in  FIG. 13 . The privacy divider  132  may also include suitable linking means, such as those described above with respect to the privacy divider  32 , which cause the panels  136 ,  138 , and  140  to pivot into the deployed position when the panel  34  is moved. The privacy divider  132  need not be a rigid barrier. Any configuration which will provide separation and privacy between two passengers may be used. For example, the panels  134 ,  136 , and  138  could be replaced with a flexible, curtain-like structure, such as elasticized fabric (not shown).  
         [0049]      FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate another alternative privacy divider  232  disposed inside an armrest  18 . It is similar in construction to the privacy divider  132  in that it includes a cover  248  and at least one panel  234  (or a curtain-like structure as described above). In contrast to the pivoting motion of the privacy divider  132 , the privacy divider  232  is deployed or stowed by raising or lowering it in a vertical direction. The panel  234  man be mounted in the armrest  18  by suitable rails or other known structures for this purpose. The cover  248  may also include a tab  252  that a seated passenger can use to manipulate the privacy divider.  
         [0050]      FIGS. 16-19  illustrate an alternative center armrest  18 ′ which incorporates a pair of auxiliary armrests  154   a  and  154   b . The center armrest  18 ′ comprises a wall-like upright support  156  and a longitudinally-extending top member  158 , which may be padded and/or upholstered. As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the upright support  156  is relatively thin to minimize passenger space intrusion, and may be flared outwards at the top to provide a mounting surface for the top member  158 . First and second auxiliary armrests  154   a  and  154   b  are pivotally attached to opposed edges of the top member  158 , for example with hinges  160   a  and  160   b , to allow the auxiliary armrests  154   a  and  154   b  to pivot between retracted and extended positions. Each of the auxiliary armrests  154   a  and  154   b  includes a top surface  162  which may be which may be padded and/or upholstered as shown. As shown in  FIGS. 16-18 , the auxiliary armrests  154   a  and  154   b  may be individually raised or lowered. Suitable means, for example a friction mechanism, may be provided to prevents the auxiliary armrests  154   a  and  154   b  from being lowered unintentionally.  
         [0051]      FIG. 19  illustrates the auxiliary armrest  154   a  in the extended position and the other auxiliary armrest  154   b  in the retracted position. In the retracted position, the auxiliary armrest  154   b  provides padding for the thigh of a seated passenger. In the extended position, the auxiliary armrest  154   a  provides an arm support as described above. Because of the design of the upright support  156 , which lacks the spaced-apart sidewalls of the center armrest  18  described above, and the auxiliary armrests  154   a  and  154   b , there is also a substantial amount of extra width or “thigh room” provided in the extended position.  
         [0052]      FIG. 22  illustrates a variation of the auxiliary armrests  154   a  and  154   b , labeled  154   a ′ and  154   b ′. In this variation, the first and second auxiliary armrests  154   a ′ and  154   b ′ are pivotally attached to opposed edges of a top member  158 ′, for example with hinges  160   a ′ and  160   b ′ such that they lie on top of the top member  158 ′ in the retracted position. The auxiliary armrests  154   a ′ and  154   b ′ may be individually retracted or extended by pivoting them through 180°. Suitable means, for example a friction mechanism, may be provided to prevents the auxiliary armrests  154   a ′ and  154   b ′ from being moved unintentionally.  
         [0053]     The foregoing has described a seating arrangement including a privacy panel. While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications thereto can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims.