Abstract:
An adjustable partitioning mechanism for an aircraft including a more or less straight upper rod of variable length and assumed to be horizontal. The ends of the rod are connectable so as to allow the rod to pivot around a vertical axis. The mechanism further includes a curtain that is attachable so as to cooperate with complementary attachments mounted on the rod. An aircraft can be equipped with at least one such partitioning mechanism.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a mechanism for adjustable partitioning intended in particular for an aircraft and more particularly for the layout of the rear portion of an aircraft. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Aircraft intended for the transport of passengers, in particular those intended for long-haul flights, comprise a cabin accommodating the passengers. For the comfort of the passengers, kitchens, also called galleys, are provided in the cabin for storing and/or preparing meals and the serving of these meals is performed by the commercial flight personnel with the aid of carts, also called trolleys. The galleys and storage spaces for the trolleys are provided at various locations distributed in the cabin of the aircraft. In general, the rear of the cabin of such an aircraft, that is to say the space behind the last door of the aircraft, is laid out to accommodate trolleys and has a work space provided for preparing the meals intended to be carried by the trolleys. 
     As for document U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,228, it shows an aircraft rear-portion layout in which a fairly deep housing for accommodating at least two trolleys one behind the other is provided. This housing, in the embodiments shown, occupies more or less the entire available surface behind the last door of the aircraft. It also can be laid out in a rest space for accommodating the flight personnel. 
     It also is known to provide, at the rear of the aircraft, a compartment comprising a berth and thus allowing the commercial flight personnel to rest during long-haul flights. This compartment is arranged above the cabin accommodating the passengers, to the rear thereof. Stairs, or a ladder, allow(s) access to this compartment. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     At the rear of the aircraft there thus is a space planned at once for work and for rest for the commercial flight personnel. This invention has as a purpose to provide means allowing the commercial flight personnel to be isolated from the passengers during work phases as well as during rest phases. It is advisable, in particular, to provide a space making it possible to undress and dress before and after a rest period. 
     This invention has been implemented in the context of a layout of a rear portion of an aircraft, but the means provided by this invention can be used in an aircraft outside the rear portion thereof. 
     One purpose of this invention is to provide means making it possible to achieve a separation between the commercial flight personnel and the passengers, allowing these personnel on the one hand to work in peace without being disturbed by the passengers and also making it possible to achieve private spaces for the resting personnel. 
     The invention also has as a purpose to make it possible to adjust a space in an aircraft according to the flight phases and/or service requirements on board the aircraft. 
     To this end, this invention proposes an adjustable partitioning mechanism for an aircraft, characterized in that it comprises an upper rod of variable length, in that the rod comprises at its ends connection means allowing the rod to pivot around an axis, and in that it further comprises a curtain having attachment means intended to cooperate with complementary attachment means mounted on the rod. 
     In this way, such a partitioning mechanism can be adapted in length and thus be arranged between a fixed element and a movable element making the corresponding space adjustable. 
     By curtain there is understood here a removable partition mechanism, which can be folded. It thus can involve a flexible element, or a set of rigid elements, for example slats, movable among themselves so as to be able to be opened out and folded back. 
     According to a first embodiment, the rod has a more or less straight form. It also is conceivable, however, to have a curved rod, for example in the form of an arc of a circle. In the case of a straight rod, the connection means allowing the rod to pivot preferably make it possible to implement a pivoting around an axis more or less perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rod. In that way, when the rod is arranged in a horizontal plane, it then can pivot around a vertical axis while remaining, during this pivoting, in its horizontal plane; that is to say, if the rod is against a flat ceiling, it can pivot parallel to this ceiling. 
     By way of illustration, this invention proposes an embodiment of the rod in which the latter comprises a main C-shaped sectional element and a secondary C-shaped sectional element mounted sliding in the main sectional C-shaped element, and fastening cramps are mounted sliding in each sectional C-shaped element in order to allow attachment of the curtain, for example a flexible curtain. In this way, the rod is a telescopic rod the length of which is adaptable by having the secondary sectional element slide inside the main sectional element. In such an embodiment, it can be provided that each C-shaped sectional element has at one end means intended to cooperate with complementary outside means in order to implement a pivot connection around an axis. 
     In order to permit a better support of the curtain, the curtain according to the invention has, for example, fastening means arranged on the side opposite the means for attachment to the rod. These fastening means then make it possible to interlock the bottom of the curtain with fixed elements in the aircraft. Various means can be used here, such as, for example, a simple link, a hook-and-loop system (more widely known under the registered trademark Velcro), pressure buttons, magnets cooperating with metal parts, etc. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of a partitioning mechanism according to the invention, on at least one of the ends of the rod, its connection means can be removed so as to be able to move the corresponding end of the rod. When one end is removed in this way, the rod can pivot in a more or less horizontal plane around the pivot connection located at the other end of the rod. 
     This invention also relates to an aircraft, characterized in that it comprises on the one hand at least one partitioning mechanism such as described above and on the other hand connection means complementary to the connection means of the rod so as to implement a pivot connection. 
     Such an aircraft comprises, for example, in standard manner, a cockpit, a cabin intended to accommodate passengers, doors for access to the said cabin and a space laid out behind the last access door, that is to say on the side opposite the cockpit. The said space laid out can comprise a central island surrounded by passageways. In such a configuration, a partitioning mechanism advantageously connects the central island to an opposite wall so as to be able to form a partition across a passageway surrounding the central island. In this way, it is possible to isolate the space arranged behind the last door for access to the cabin from the rest of the cabin. In order to adjust the space arranged behind the last access door, the central island comprises, for example, a movable wall, and at least one partitioning mechanism is mounted at one of its ends on the movable wall of the central island. 
     An aircraft comprising a central island such as described above also can comprise a monument facing the central island and separated from the latter by a transverse passageway, the monument comprising stairs for access to a rest compartment. In this configuration, two partitioning mechanisms according to the invention advantageously are provided between the central island and the monument so as to make it possible to close off the passageway between the central island and the monument at its two ends. In this way, it is possible to create a changing room on the one hand between the monument and the central island and on the other hand between the two partitioning mechanisms. For such a use of the partitioning mechanisms, the latter preferably are movable so that they each can, in a first position, close off the passageway between the monument and the central island and a second position folded back along the monument. In this way, in their opened-out position, the partitioning mechanisms contribute to forming, for example, a changing room, while in their folded-back position they can close off the access to the monument stairs. 
     More generally, this invention also relates to an aircraft that comprises a monument comprising stairs for access to a rest compartment, this monument not necessarily being placed at the rear of the aircraft. In this case, the stairs open into an aisle running alongside the monument, and advantageously, two partitioning mechanisms according to this invention are provided so as to make it possible to close off, at its two ends, the aisle into which the stairs open. Here also, one manages to create a private space, which can be used as a changing room, for the commercial flight personnel. Here also, the partitioning mechanisms are movable so that each is able, in a first position, to close off the aisle at its ends and a second position folded back along the monument. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Details and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from the description that follows, presented with reference to the attached schematic drawings, on which: 
         FIG. 1  is a view from above of a rear portion of a cabin of an aircraft according to the invention, 
         FIG. 2  shows in perspective two partitioning mechanisms according to the invention, also visible on  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 3  is a view from above corresponding to  FIG. 1  in another configuration, 
         FIG. 4  shows in perspective the two partitioning mechanisms of  FIG. 2  in the configuration shown on  FIG. 3 , 
         FIG. 5  is a view from above simplified by comparison with  FIGS. 1 and 3  showing the rear portion of the same aircraft in a third configuration, 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view corresponding to the views of  FIGS. 2 and 4  for the third configuration of  FIG. 5 , 
         FIG. 7  is a view from above corresponding to the view of  FIG. 5  and showing the rear portion of the same aircraft in a fourth configuration, 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view corresponding to the views of  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  6  for the fourth configuration of  FIG. 7 , 
         FIG. 9  is a view in cross-section of a rod of a partitioning mechanism according to the invention, 
         FIG. 10  is a view from above of a partitioning mechanism showing this mechanism in greater detail, 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an embodiment of a removable connection for the end of a rod of a partitioning mechanism according to this invention, and 
         FIG. 12  shows in detail a component used in the connection shown on  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 3  show a rear portion of a cabin of an aircraft intended for the transport of passengers. Here it concerns an aircraft of the type of those commonly used by the airline companies for the transport of passengers over long distances. Such an aircraft generally allows transport of a least one hundred passengers, for example at least two hundred passengers. It is assumed here that it concerns an aircraft of single-deck type, comprising a main deck on which there is laid out at the front of the aircraft a cockpit (not shown) in which the pilots are seated for flying the aircraft. A passenger cabin is laid out behind the cockpit as far as the rear of the aircraft.  FIGS. 1 to 8  show the portion of the passenger cabin located at the end of the main deck facing the cockpit. In standard manner, a hold (not shown) is provided underneath the main deck. 
     The passenger cabin is delimited by a floor  2 , by a cabin wall  4  and by a ceiling (not shown). The floor  2  is considered hereinafter as being more or less plane and horizontal. As for the cabin wall  4 , it extends more or less vertically and is curved, as the individual skilled in the art knows. 
     The cabin extends longitudinally in relation to a longitudinal axis  6  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ) of the aircraft. The cabin wall  4  comprises side walls that correspond to the fuselage of the aircraft and, on the side facing the cockpit, the cabin wall  4  is formed by a partition extending more or less crosswise in relation to the axis  6  and referred to as impervious partition  8 . The latter separates the cabin from a non-pressurized technical compartment arranged in the rear end of the fuselage, also referred to as rear cone of the aircraft. 
     The cabin wall  4  comprises several doors allowing access to and evacuation from the passenger cabin. These doors are distributed along the cabin. There generally is designated by the term “door” a set of two doors facing each other and arranged on both sides of the cabin, symmetrically in relation to the longitudinal axis  6  of the aircraft. On  FIGS. 1 and 3  there thus has been shown the last door  10  of the aircraft, that is to say the door (i.e. the pair of doors) located the farthest back in relation to the longitudinal axis  6  of the aircraft, or else, expressed differently, the farthest away from the cockpit. 
     In standard manner, the passenger cabin has seats  12  fastened on the floor  2 . In the embodiments shown, seats  12  are grouped in threes, thus forming transverse rows of seats arranged one behind the other and two aisles  14  thus separate groups of rows of seats. 
     This description concerns more particularly the layout of the cabin of the aircraft behind the last door  10 . This space is a work and storage space for the commercial flight personnel. Indeed, during travel in an aircraft, particularly during long-haul flights, beverages and meals are offered to the passengers. It is appropriate, therefore, to provide areas for storing the beverages and foodstuffs and for preparing them before serving them. These storage and preparation spaces generally are referred to by the English term “galley,” translated as kitchen. The meals prepared in the galley then are arranged with beverages on carts (also referred to as trolleys) for service to the passengers. These trolleys, or demi-trolleys  16 , are stored in housings  18  when they are not being used. The depth of each of the housings  18  corresponds more or less to the length of a trolley or of two demi-trolleys  16 . 
     In the aircraft considered here, housings  18  are arranged in the rear portion of the aircraft, behind the last door  10  along walls  4  of the cabin as well as along the impervious partition  8 . In the central portion there also is observed the presence of a unit in which there is located a housing  18  (provided here for two trolleys in the embodiment shown on the drawings) and which is referred to hereinafter as central island  20 . In fact, this unit is bordered on each of its faces by an aisle or a passageway. Moreover, this unit has a tray  22  that can serve as a work surface ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) or as a bar counter ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). A movable partition  24  tops this unit, extending on the one hand over the entire length of this unit and on the other hand from the tray  8  up to the ceiling of the cabin. 
     In the embodiment of the aircraft chosen to illustrate this invention, a transverse aisle  26  is provided at the door  10 . This transverse aisle  26  borders the central island  20  on one side. In this aircraft rear portion, there also is seen the presence of a monument  28  (term used to designate an element fastened to the floor in the layout of an aircraft cabin). This monument  28  comprises, for example, an access to a rest compartment (not shown) arranged in the upper portion of the cabin, above the seats  12 . Stairs  30  make it possible, for example, to reach a vestibule providing access to one (or more) berth(s) arranged in the upper portion of the cabin. The space arranged underneath the raised vestibule then allows storage of trolleys or demi-trolleys  16 . 
     On  FIGS. 1 and 2 , two partitioning mechanisms are provided for separating the passengers from the commercial flight personnel during, for example, the preparation of meals and service. In usual manner, for the comfort and tranquility of the passengers, just as for the personnel who are working, a separation is provided between the passengers and the flight personnel. In the first configuration of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the partitioning mechanisms are arranged along the transverse aisle  26  so as to close off the access in the portion laid out behind the last door  10  and intended for accommodating the trolleys and preparing them. It is observed that each partitioning mechanism connects the central island  20  to a monument arranged along the wall  4  of the cabin and intended for the storage of trolleys. Each partitioning mechanism here is connected at one if its ends to the movable partition  24  of the central island  20  and at its other end to the corner formed by transverse aisle  26  and the access to the rear portion of the aircraft laid out in particular for the housing of trolleys. 
     The partitioning mechanisms shown are adjustable mechanisms that can be used for several configurations as illustrated on the drawings. In this way the same partitioning mechanisms are used in the configurations of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In comparison with the preceding configuration of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , movable partition  24  of central island  20  was shifted. Whereas in  FIGS. 1 and 2  this movable partition  24  is shown in a position brought forward toward the front of the aircraft, in  FIGS. 3 and 4  it is shown in a position moved-back toward the rear of the aircraft. In this way, tray  22  of the central island that serves as a work surface for the flight personnel ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) now is transformed into a bar counter for the passengers while preserving the separation between the space intended for the passengers and that reserved for the commercial flight personnel. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate by way of additional example another configuration that can be obtained with the same partitioning mechanisms as those shown on  FIGS. 1 to 4 . In this configuration, the partitioning mechanisms are connected at one of their ends, as in the two preceding configurations, to the corner formed by the transverse aisle  26  and the access to the rear portion of the aircraft laid out in particular for the housing of trolleys. As for the other end of each partitioning mechanism, here it is connected to a corner of monument  28 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show a fourth configuration that can be obtained still with the same partitioning mechanisms. In this configuration, the partitioning mechanisms connect the central island  20 , and more precisely the movable partition  24  of the central island to an angle of the monument  28 . In this way there is formed in transverse aisle  26  an isolated space  32  of trapezoidal shape in front of stairs  30 . In this configuration, the partitioning mechanisms thus close the access to the aisle into which the stairs  30  open. This isolated space  32  can be used as a changing room for the commercial flight personnel, when the latter are going to rest or resume service after a rest period. The advantage of this changing room is that it makes it possible to undress or dress in comfort because it has a relatively substantial height making it possible to stand upright without having to bend down and provides sufficient freedom of movement. This isolated space  32  therefore provides a comfortable private space for the commercial flight personnel. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  show an embodiment of a partitioning mechanism according to this invention.  FIG. 10  corresponds to the second configuration of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The partitioning mechanism comprises on the one hand a rod  34  mounted near the ceiling of the cabin and referred to as upper rod  34  and on the other hand a flexible curtain  36 . 
     In the embodiments shown on the drawings, the curtain  36  is a flexible curtain that could be made, for example, of fabric or of coated fabric or of flexible synthetic material. However, it also is conceivable to have a curtain  36  made up of rigid elements connected together so that these elements can be in an opened-out position in which they are arranged one beside the other to fully close off a passageway, but they also can assume a folded-back position in which the rigid elements are arranged so as to maximally clear the said passageway. It thus can involve, for example, slats articulated in relation to each other or else slats articulated on the rod. Other embodiments, of course, are conceivable. 
     Rod  34  is shown in cross section on  FIG. 9 . It comprises a first C-shaped sectional element  38 , a second C-shaped sectional element  40  and fastening cramps  42 . The two sectional elements have a similarly shaped section. Both, in the embodiment shown, comprise a generally rectangular-shaped contour with an opening on a large side of the rectangle. The second C-shaped sectional element  40  is dimensioned so as to be able to be positioned inside the first C-shaped sectional element  38  by being able to slide into the latter. As shown on  FIG. 10 , a slight play preferably remains between the two sectional elements. 
     Fastening cramps  42  are arranged inside the second C-shaped sectional element  40 . These have a heel  44  of more or less rectangular shape adapted to the inside space of the second C-shaped sectional element  40 . This heel  44  bears a part projecting beyond the two sectional elements through the opening made in the latter, a hole  46  being provided in the projecting part so as to form an attachment ring for the flexible curtain  36 . The latter then comes to be attached in these holes  46  with the aid of fasteners (not shown on the drawings). Likewise, fastening cramps  42  are found inside the first C-shaped sectional element. Their form is identical overall to that of the fastening cramps  42  shown on  FIG. 9 , but the size of the heel of each is adapted to the inside space of the first sectional element  38 . 
     Rod  34  is equipped at each of its ends with connection means cooperating with complementary means in order to form a pivot connection. In one embodiment, as shown on  FIG. 10 , the first C-shaped sectional element  38  has at one end a bore  48  intended to cooperate with a vertical-axis cylindrical axis  50  to form a pivot connection. As for the second sectional element  40 , it has a cylindrical finger  52  intended to come to fit into a vertical-axis bore arranged on an attachment cramp  54  (affixed on the movable wall  24  of the central island  20  in the example of  FIG. 10 ). 
     The connection implemented in this way at each end of the rod  34  therefore makes it possible to have the rod  34  pivot and furthermore is removable, which makes it possible to shift the said rod  34 . It is assumed that the rod  34  is in a more or less horizontal plane. The pivot connection makes it possible to have the rod pivot in this horizontal plane. 
     By virtue of the removable nature of the rod  34 , it is conceivable to arrange the corresponding flexible curtain  36  when no partitioning of the space is necessary. Advantageously, in this case, the rod  34  comes to be positioned against the monument  28 , along the transverse aisle  26 . In this position, the partitioning mechanism makes it possible to close off the access to stairs  30 , thus forming a barrier making it possible to deter an unauthorized person from going up into the rest space reserved for the commercial flight personnel. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate an embodiment variant allowing connection of one end of the rod  34 . In this embodiment variant, the end of the rod  34  has a narrowing  56  that connects the body of the rod to a head  60  of overall circular cylindrical shape. The head  60  is intended to come to be positioned in a rigid housing  61  that is implemented, for example, on the movable partition  24 . Inside this rigid housing  61 , there is a semi-rigid part  62  that defines an opening  64 . The latter expands as soon as the head  60  of the rod  34  is introduced and resumes its initial shape as soon as the head  60  is housed in this semi-rigid part  62 . The latter can turn inside the rigid housing  61  so as to be adjusted and be in the extension of the rod  34 . This is symbolized in particular by the arrow shown on the rigid housing  61  on  FIG. 12 . 
     Rod  34  makes it possible to ensure a good guidance and a good support of the flexible curtain  36  in its upper portion. For support of the flexible curtain  36  at the lower portion, that is to say on the side opposite the rod  34 , fastening means (not shown) can be provided. Numerous means may be used here. It concerns, for example, a connection making it possible to fasten the bottom of the flexible curtain  36  to a fixed element. There also may be provided, in place of or in addition to the connection, means for attachment with loops and hooks (known under the registered trademark Velcro), with pressure buttons, magnetic means, or . . . . 
     Curtain  36  is flexible so as to make it possible to be able to fold it back. However, in order to provide a good partitioning and a good separation, the curtain  36  is, for example, made of fairly thick synthetic material in order to allow a good isolation. Other embodiments indicated above, in particular using rigid elements, also are conceivable. 
     At the rear of the aircraft, it is possible to provide two partitioning mechanisms as shown on  FIGS. 1 to 8 . However, it is possible to provide four partitioning mechanisms: two mechanisms arranged, for example, as shown on  FIGS. 1 and 2  or on  FIGS. 3 and 4  or again on  FIGS. 5 and 6 , as well as two partitioning mechanisms such as those shown on  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of non-limitative examples and to the variants indicated. It also relates to embodiment variants within the capacity of the individual skilled in the art in the context of the claims below. 
     Thus, for example, a partitioning mechanism according to the invention may be positioned not only at the rear of an aircraft but also in other locations of an aircraft. If there is another access to a rest space in the aircraft, partitioning mechanisms may be provided in order to implement, for example, a changing room such as described above.