Office Action 4: Notice of Allowance (2025-03-05)

CLAIMS:
Listing of Claims:

AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMSThis listing of claims will replace all prior versions, and listings of claims in the application.

1\. (Currently Amended) An aircraft passenger seat unit, configured for use adjacent an aisle of an aircraft cabin, wherein:the seat unit comprises:
a seat,
a console,
a footrest, and
a movable panels wherein the seat unit does not include a leg rest extending from the seat;
the console is positioned on an aisle side of the seat unit and is spaced apart from the footrest along a longitudinal axis of the aircraft cabin to define an access path between the console and the footrest, the access path providing passenger access into the seat unit from the aisle;
the seat comprises a seat pan without the leg rest directly extending from the seat pan, and backrest, the seat having an upright sitting configuration in which the backrest is substantially upright;
the seat is movable in the upright sitting configuration from a first position to a second position;
in the first position of the seat a front edge of the seat pan is spaced apart from the footrest such that the console is positioned between a lateral edge of the seat pan and the aisle and such that the lateral edge of the seat pan is spaced apart from the access path,
in the second position of the seat the front edge of the seat pan ouches the footrest such that the footrest and seat pan together form a surface without the leg rest and such that the lateral edge of the seat pan is positioned in the access path, between the console and the footrest; and
the movable panel is movable with respect to the footrest between a closed position in which the movable panel at least partially encloses a side of the footrest and Page 2 of 13

an open position in which the movable panel at least partially exposes the side of the footrest such that, in use, when the seat is in the second position and the panel is in the open position, a passenger can access the surface formed by the footrest and seat pan from the aisle through the partially exposed side of the footrest and across the lateral edge of the seat pan.

2.-3. (Cancelled)

4\. (Previously Presented) The aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, wherein the seat faces in a direction defining a seat axis, and wherein the seat is movable along the seat axis towards or away from the footrest when the seat is moved between the first and second positions.

5\. (Previously Presented) The aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, wherein the seat unit has an aisle side that is configured to be adjacent an aisle in use, and wherein the movable panel is positioned along the aisle side of the seat unit when in the closed position such that movable panel at least partially encloses the side of the footrest to block access to the side of the footrest from the aisle, and such that when the panel is in the open position a passenger can access the at least partially exposed side of the footrest from the aisle.

6.-7. (Cancelled)

8\. (Previously Presented) The aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, wherein the console comprises a table surface for use by a passenger of the seat unit.

9\. (Previously Presented) The aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 8, wherein the aircraft passenger seat unit is configured to be positioned directly adjacent to and in front of a further, substantially identical aircraft seat unit, and wherein the console is at least partially formed by the movable panel of the further seat unit.

10\. (Previously Presented) The aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 9 further comprising a shell, wherein the shell forms the console of the seat unit and the movable panel of the further seat unit.

11\. (Previously Presented) The aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, wherein the movable panel is movably mounted via a hinge.

12\. (Previously Presented) The aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 11, wherein the movable panel is mounted via a hinge and configured to be moved between the closed position and open position about a horizontal axis located towards a bottom of the panel.

13\. (Previously Presented) The aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 11, wherein the movable panel is mounted via a hinge and configured to be moved between the closed position and open position about a vertical axis located towards a side of the panel.

14\. (Previously Presented) The aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, wherein the seat unit comprises a locking system configured to lock the movable panel in the closed position, the lock system comprising:- a plurality of latches positioned on the movable panel and configured to engage with a structure of the seat unit to lock the movable panel in the closed position, or - a plurality of latches positioned on the structure of the seat unit and configured to engage with the movable panel to lock the movable panel in the closed position.

15\. (Previously Presented) The aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 14, wherein the lock system comprises an actuatable member operable to disengage the latches so that the movable panel can be moved from the closed position to the open position.

16\. (Previously Presented) The aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 15, wherein the actuatable member is positioned on a surface of the movable panel that is adjacent the footrest when the panel is in the closed position.

17.-19. (Cancelled)1818

20\. (Previously Presented) The aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, wherein the movable panel is rotatably mounted with respect to the footrest and the movable panel is rotatable between the closed position and the open position.

21\. (Currently Amended) An aircraft passenger seat unit, configured for use adjacent an aisle of an aircraft cabin, wherein:the seat unit comprises:
a seat,
a footrest, and
a movable panel,
wherein the seat unit does not include a leg rest extending from the seat;
the seat comprises a seat pan without the leg rest directly extending from the seat pan, and backrest, the seat having an upright sitting configuration in which the backrest is substantially upright;
the seat is movable in the upright sitting configuration from a first position in which the seat pan is spaced apart from the footrest to a second position in which a front edge of the seat pan touches the footrest such that the footrest and seat pan together form a surface without the leg rest; and
the movable panel is movable with respect to the footrest between a closed position in which the movable panel at least partially encloses a side of the footrest and an open position in which the movable panel at least partially exposes the side of the footrest such that, in use, when the seat is in the second position and the panel is in the open position, a passenger can access the surface formed by the footrest and seat pan from an aisle through the partially exposed side of the footrest.

22\. (Currently Amended) An aircraft passenger seat unit, configured for use adjacent an aisle of an aircraft cabin, wherein:the seat unit comprises a seat,

a footrest, and
a movable panels wherein the seat unit does not include a leg rest extending from the seat;
the seat comprises a seat pan without the leg rest directly extending from the seat pan, and backrest, the seat having an upright sitting configuration in which the backrest is substantially upright;
the seat is movable in the upright sitting configuration from a first position in which the seat pan is spaced apart from the footrest to a second position in which the seat pan\[\[ is\]\] touches the footrest such that the footrest and seat pan together form a surface without the leg rest;
the movable panel is rotatably mounted with respect to the footrest via a hinge;
and the movable panel is rotatable between a closed position in which the movable panel at least partially encloses a side of the footrest and an open position in which the movable panel at least partially exposes the side of the footrest such that, in use, when the seat is in the second position and the panel is in the open position, a passenger can access the surface formed by the footrest and seat pan from an aisle through the partially exposed side of the footrest.

23\. (New) The aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, wherein the movable panel is configured to rotate into the aisle when moving from the closed position to the open position.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1, 4-5, 8-16, and 21-23 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Regarding claim 1, Nicholas (US 10501188 B2) discloses an aircraft passenger seat unit (Nicholas, figures 7a-d, item 709), configured for use adjacent an aisle of an aircraft cabin (Nicholas, figures 1e and 7a-d, item 111, seat units adjacent aircraft aisle), wherein the seat unit comprises:
- a console (Nicholas, figure 7a-d, item 729)
- a seat (Nicholas, figure 7a-d, item 709),
- a footrest (Nicholas, figure 7b, item 726), and
- a movable panel (Nicholas, figure 7a-d, item 725, end wall made of a panel moves),
the console is positioned on an aisle side of the seat unit and is spaced apart from the footrest along a longitudinal axis of the aircraft cabin to define an access path between the console and the footrest, the access path providing passenger access into the seat unit from the aisle (Nicholas, figure 7a-d, item 733, access path between console and footrest);
the seat comprises a seat pan and backrest (Nicholas, figure 7c, items 715a and 715b, backrest and seat pan), the seat having an upright sitting configuration in which the backrest is substantially upright (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 715a, backrest is upright);
the seat is movable in the upright sitting configuration from a first position to a second position;
in the first position of the seat a front edge of the seat pan is spaced apart from the footrest such that the console is positioned between a lateral edge of the seat pan and the aisle and such that the lateral edge of the seat pan is spaced apart from the access path (Nicholas, figure 7a-d, items 715a-c, 726, and 729, seat spaced apart from the footrest in a first position; console between seat pan and aisle),
in the second position of the seat the front edge of the seat pan is arranged contiguously with the footrest such that the footrest and seat pan together form a continuous surface and such that the lateral edge of the seat pan is positioned in the access path, between the console and the footrest (Nicholas, figure 7a-d, items 715a-c and 726, leg rest bridges gap of the access path between the seat pan and the footrest arranged contiguously to form a continuous surface when extended); and
the moveable panel being movable with respect to the footrest between a closed position in which the movable panel at least partially encloses a side of the footrest (Nicholas, figure 7a, item 725, panel in closed configuration enclosing a side of the footrest) and an open position in which the movable panel at least partially exposes the side of the footrest such that, in use, when the panel is in the open position, a passenger can access the continuous surface formed by the footrest and seat pan from the aisle through the partially exposed side of the footrest and across the lateral edge of the seat pan (Nicholas, figure 7c, item 725, panel in open configuration exposing a side of the footrest and thereby allowing passenger access to surface including the footrest from the lateral edge towards the aisle), except:
wherein the seat unit does not include a leg rest.
Wallace (US 20130241247 A1) teaches a seat comprising a seat pan and backrest wherein the seat unit does not include a leg rest extending from the seat (Wallace, figure 2, item 16, seat including seat pan and backrest), the seat having an upright sitting configuration in which the backrest is substantially upright (Wallace, figure 2, item 16, backrest is upright);
the seat is movable in the upright sitting configuration from a first position in which the seat pan is spaced apart from a footrest (Wallace, figure 2, item 18, seat pan spaced apart from footrest) to a second position in which the seat pan arranged contiguously with the footrest such that the footrest and seat pan together form a surface (Wallace, figure 3, items 14 and 18, seat pan is contiguous with the footrest and forms a continuous surface with the footrest).
Nicholas and Wallace are both considered analogous art as they are both in the same field of aircraft seating. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the application for one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the seat of Nicholas with the seat forming a contiguous and continuous surface between the seat pan and the footrest of Wallace with a reasonable expectation of success in order to prevent occupant discomfort from having feet becoming wedged in a gap between the seat pan and footrest.
Alternatively, should applicant argue that Nicholas as modified by Wallace fails to teach the contiguous, continuous surface claimed above, O’Neil (US 11312494 B2) teaches a seat with a seat pan and legrest, wherein a front edge of the seat pan is arranged contiguously with the footrest such that the legrest and seat pan together form a continuous surface (O’Neil, claim 11).
Nicholas as modified by Wallace and O’Neil are both considered analogous art as they are both in the same field of aircraft seating. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the application for one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the arrangement of the seat pan and footrest of Nicholas with the seat forming a contiguous and continuous surface between the seat pan and a forward surface of Wallace with a reasonable expectation of success in order to prevent occupant discomfort from having feet becoming wedged in a gap between the seat pan and footrest.
Dowty (US 20200385125 A1) also teaches a seat unit wherein the seat unit does not include a leg rest extending from the seat;
wherein the seat comprises a seat pan without the leg rest directly extending form the seat pan;
wherein the seat is movable from a first position to a second position wherein in the second position of the seat the front edge of the seat pan touches the footrest such that the footrest and seat pan together from a surface without the leg rest (Dowty, figures 1 and 4b, item 106 and 114).
However, it would not have been obvious to modify the seat of Nicholas to remove the legrest, because there would be no reason to remove the legrest.
Claims 21 and 22 are allowed for incorporating the same allowable subject matter.
Claims 4-5, 8-16, and 23 are allowed for being dependent on an allowable claim.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see pages 9-12 of applicant’s reply, filed 12/16/2024, with respect to the drawing objections and rejection under 35 USC 112 and 35 USC 102/103 to claims 1, 4-5, 8-16, and 19-22 have been fully considered and are persuasive.  These rejections/objections have been withdrawn.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Davis (US 11299274 B1) teaches a movable panel but for the seat rather than the footrest
Dowty (US 11345476 B2) teaches a movable panel between seats that seems to obstruct footrest when closed
Katakura (US 11731764 B2) teaches a movable armrest for the seat
Wallace (US 20130241258 A1) teaches a moveable door panel
Henshaw (US 9469405 B2) teaches a seat with a movable panel
O’Neil (US 11312494 B2) teaches a seat with a legrest and seatpan which together form a continuous surface.
Davis (US 11299274 B1) teaches a movable panel rotatable with respect to the seat unit and the movable panel is rotatable between the closed position and the open position (Davis, figure 1, item 200, rotation assembly allows panel to rotate with respect to seat).
Hankinson (US 8419123 B2) teaches leg rest being moved to the footrest instead
Park (US 20090302158 A1) teaches a leg rest attached to footrest

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
I.
Introduction
Upon entry of the present amendment, claims 1, 4, 5, 8-16, and 20-23 will be pending in this application. Claims 1, 21, and 22 have been amended, claim 19 has been canceled without prejudice or disclaimer, and new claim 23 has been added. Support for amendments can be found at least in FIGS. 2-3 of the published application. No new matter is added. Based on the following remarks, Applicant respectfully requests reconsideration and allowance of the pending claims.
II.
Drawing Objection
The drawings are objected to a line pointing to a footrest with no numbering. FIG. 4 has been amended to include reference number "209" pointing to the footrest. Accordingly, Applicant requests reconsideration and withdrawal of drawing objection.
III.
Claim Re
j
ections under 35 U.S.C.
&
Claims 1, 4-5, 8-16, and 19-22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112(a) and § 112(b) as due to the term "continuous surface" for reasons noted in the office action at pages 2-3. Without acknowledging the propriety of rejections, Applicant has amended the claims to delete the term "continuous" solely to expediate prosecution. Accordingly, Applicant requests reconsideration and withdrawal of § 112 rejections.
IV.
Claim Re
j
ections under 35 U.S.C.
&
&
Claims 1, 4-5, 8-10, and 21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102 as allegedly being anticipated by U.S. Patent No. 10,501,188 B2 to Nicholas et al. ("Nicholas") or, in the alternative, under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Nicholas in view of U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0241247 Al to Wallace et al. ("Wallace"), in view of U.S. Patent No. 11,312,494 B2 to O'Neill et al. ("O'Neill"). Claims 11 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Nicholas, or alternatively over Nicholas in view of Wallace, in view of O'Neill as applied to claim 1 above, in view of U.S. Patent No. 11,794,902 B2 to Pothier ("Pothier"). Claims 11-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being
unpatentable over Nicholas in view of Pothier, or alternatively over Nicholas in view of Wallace, in view of O'Neill, in view of Pothier as applied to claim 1 above, in view of U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0126671 Al to Guering ("Guering"). Claims 14-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Nicholas, or alternatively over Nicholas in view of Wallace, in view of O'Neil as applied to claim 1 above, in view of U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017/0283064 Al to Robinson ("Robinson"). Claim 20 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Nicholas, or alternatively over Nicholas in view of Wallace, in view of O'Neil, in view of Pothier as applied to claim 1 above. Claim 22 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Nicholas in view of Wallace, in view of U.S. Patent No. 11,299,274 B1 to Davis et al. ("Davis") or alternatively in view of Wallace in view of Pothier, in view of O'Neil. Applicant traverses this rejection and requests its withdrawal.
Independent claim 1 has been amended solely to expedite prosecution of this case. Claim 1, as amended, inter alia, recites:
...wherein the seat unit does not include a leg rest extending
from the seat,
the seat comprises a seat pan without the leg rest directly
extending from the seat pan, and backrest...
...in the second position of the seat the front edge of the seat
pan touches the footrest such that the footrest and seat pan together
form a surface without the leg rest
The cited references fail to teach or suggest all the features recited in amended claim 1.
Support for the amended claims can be found at least in the figures of the as-filed specification. For example, FIG. 1 clearly shows the seat unit does not include a leg rest directly extending from the seat pan 119. FIGS. 2-3 clearly shows the front edge of the seat pan touches the footrest in the second position.
Nicholas describes a seat unit having a seat pan 515b, a leg rest 515c, and an ottoman 526 of a foot-receiving structure 523, see FIG. Sd below for references. The 3-pieces 515b, 515c, and 526 of the seat unit cooperate to form a coplanar "transfer surface" to allow disabled-access configuration. Additionally, an end wall 525 can be removed (and later reattached) to widen an opening 533 from 13 inches to 20 inches. In another embodiments, in FIG. 7a-7d, the end wall 725 is slidable to widen the opening to 20 inches.
On the contrary, the claimed seat unit does
n
o
t
have a leg rest (as amended above) as the seat pan 209 touches the footrest 219 (shaded in blue), as shown in FIG. 2 (see below) and FIG.
3 of the present application.
Fig. 5d Nicholas
Fig. 2 Present application
Wallace does shows a seat bottom 16 touches the ottoman 18 and does not have a leg rest. However, Nicholas cannot reasonably be modified in view of Wallace because none of the embodiments suggest the leg rest in Nicholas can be removed, rather it is part of the 3-piece seat unit (seat pan, leg rest, and ottoman) sized for disabled access function e.g., for creating coplanar transfer surface. Even assuming arguendo the leg rest is removed, the seat size or ottoman size of Nicholas will increase significantly preventing disabled access and will
not
be able to meet a minimum 13 inches access opening in normal configuration, thereby violating purpose of Nicholas. If a smaller seat size is used, the seat back of Nicholas will need to be in lie-flat position to create the planar transfer surface, rather than in an upright position as intended by Nicholas. This can be undesirable for disabled access requiring an upright seat back.
For at least the reasons presented above, Applicant respectfully submits that amended independent claim 1 is not anticipated or rendered obvious by Nicholas, Wallace, or other cited
references, alone or in   combination. Independent claim    21 and 22
similarly recites
aforementioned features of claim 1, and as such these claims are also believed allowable for similar reasons as above. Dependent claims are believed allowable at least due to their dependence from the independent claim 1 as well as the features they recite individually. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests that the 35 U.S.C. § 102 and § 103 rejections be withdrawn and that these claims be allowed.
V.
New Claims
Claim 23 is new. Support for this new claim can be found, for example, in the FIG. 2. No new matter has been added. Applicant submits that claim 23 is allowable at least for the reason of its dependence upon allowable base claim 1 and for the reason that its additional recitals further distinguish them from the cited references.
For example, the cited references cannot reasonably be combined to describe "the movable panel is configured to rotate into the aisle when moving from the closed position to the open position" to provide access to footrest.
Nicholas, in FIGs. 7a-d, shows the wall 725 is slidable to "widen the access opening from 13 inches to 20 inches" in the disabled-access configuration. In another embodiment of FIG. 5a, discussed above, the wall 525 is removable. Nowhere does Nicholas suggest the wall 525 or 725 can open into the aisle. None of the other references show a panel hingedly coupled to open into the aisle.
Pethier, in FIG. 5, shows the wall 80 is rotatable, but it rotates inward, not into the aisle. For example, Pethier clearly recites "In the opened position, the reconfigurable wall element 80 is pivoted so that the second edge 84 is
interior
to the lavatory enclosure 14." Walls of lavatory enclosure are very different from wall of a seat unit at least in terms of size and functional limitations. A person of ordinary skill will not be motivated to modify a slidable wall or a removable wall of a seat unit (in Nicholas) to a rotatable wall of a lavatory. Such modification can require substantial structural modifications to the seat structure because seat spacing is very limited, and includes other seat components/accessories (e.g., console, monitor, etc.) which may also need modification. Secondly, modifying Nicholas' slidable wall 725 to a rotatable wall will not guarantee the wider access from 13 inches to 20 inches, which is required in the disabled- access configuration. Even assuming, arguendo, Nicholas is modified in view of Pethier, the
panel has to move
inward,
not into the aisle, which defeats the purpose of Nicholas of having wide opening.
Favorable consideration of this new claim is respectfully requested.
CONCLUSION


CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20240300651A1: Claims:
A layout for a column of lie flat passenger seats for an aircraft passenger cabin, comprising: a first row including at least one oblique seat; a second row positioned directly aft of the first row and including at least one forward facing seat; and at least one further row positioned aft of the second row and including at least one forward facing seat; wherein: none of the second row and the at least one further row includes an oblique seat; and each of the at least one oblique seat and the at least one forward facing seat of each of the second row and the at least one further row is configured to adjust between an upright condition and a lie flat condition; and when in the lie flat condition, each of the at least one oblique seat and the at least one forward facing seat of each of the second row and the at least one further row is configured to nest with at least one other seat.
a first row including at least one oblique seat;
a second row positioned directly aft of the first row and including at least one forward facing seat; and
at least one further row positioned aft of the second row and including at least one forward facing seat;
none of the second row and the at least one further row includes an oblique seat; and
each of the at least one oblique seat and the at least one forward facing seat of each of the second row and the at least one further row is configured to adjust between an upright condition and a lie flat condition; and
when in the lie flat condition, each of the at least one oblique seat and the at least one forward facing seat of each of the second row and the at least one further row is configured to nest with at least one other seat.
The layout according to claim 1 , wherein: the first row is a front row of the column; the column is a center column configured to be positioned between two longitudinal aisles oriented parallel to an aircraft longitudinal axis; the first row includes two oblique seats; and the two oblique seats are oriented in a toes-out or a toes-in configuration.
the first row is a front row of the column;
the column is a center column configured to be positioned between two longitudinal aisles oriented parallel to an aircraft longitudinal axis;
the first row includes two oblique seats; and
the two oblique seats are oriented in a toes-out or a toes-in configuration.
The layout according to claim 2 , wherein: the second row includes two forward facing seats; each of the at least one further row includes two forward facing seats; and the two forward facing seats of the second row and the at least one further row are positioned in an alternating configuration in which every other row the two forward facing seats are positioned side-by-side and every other row the two forward facing seats are positioned spaced apart.
the second row includes two forward facing seats;
each of the at least one further row includes two forward facing seats; and
the two forward facing seats of the second row and the at least one further row are positioned in an alternating configuration in which every other row the two forward facing seats are positioned side-by-side and every other row the two forward facing seats are positioned spaced apart.
The layout according to claim 3 , further comprising a partition wall positioned aft of each of the first row, the second row, and the at least one further row.
The layout according to claim 2 , wherein a portion of each of the two oblique seats, when in the lie flat condition, extends into a footwell space formed in a monument positioned forward of the front row.
The layout according to claim 2 , further comprising a partition positioned between the two oblique seats, the partition configured to adjust between an extended condition and a retracted condition.
The layout according to claim 1 , wherein: the first row includes a single oblique seat oriented toes-in or toes-out; the second row includes a single forward facing seat; each of the at least one further row includes a single forward facing seat; and the single forward facing seats of the second row and the at least one further row are positioned in an alternating inboard and outboard configuration relative to a longitudinal aisle.
the first row includes a single oblique seat oriented toes-in or toes-out;
the second row includes a single forward facing seat;
each of the at least one further row includes a single forward facing seat; and
the single forward facing seats of the second row and the at least one further row are positioned in an alternating inboard and outboard configuration relative to a longitudinal aisle.
The layout according to claim 1 , further comprising a console positioned to one side of each of the at least one oblique seat of the first row, the at least one forward facing seat of the second row, and the at least one forward facing seat of the at least one further row.
The layout according to claim 8 , further comprising a footwell formed in the console.
A layout for a passenger cabin of an aircraft, comprising: a first longitudinal aisle oriented parallel to an aircraft longitudinal axis; a second longitudinal aisle oriented parallel to the aircraft longitudinal axis; a starboard column of lie flat seats positioned to one side of the first longitudinal aisle; a port column of lie flat seats positioned to one side of the second longitudinal aisle; and a center column of lie flat seats positioned between the first longitudinal aisle and the second longitudinal aisle; wherein: a first row of each of the starboard column and the port column includes a single oblique seat oriented in a toes-out or a toes-in configuration; a second row, positioned directly aft of the first row, and at least one further row positioned directly aft of the second row, of each of the starboard column and the port column includes a single forward facing seat; a first row of the center column includes two oblique seats oriented in a toes-out or a toes-in configuration; a second row, positioned directly aft of the first row, and at least one further row positioned directly aft of the second row, of the center column includes two forward facing seats; and none of the second row and the at least one further row of any of the starboard column, the port column, and the center column includes an oblique seat.
a first longitudinal aisle oriented parallel to an aircraft longitudinal axis;
a second longitudinal aisle oriented parallel to the aircraft longitudinal axis;
a starboard column of lie flat seats positioned to one side of the first longitudinal aisle;
a port column of lie flat seats positioned to one side of the second longitudinal aisle; and
a center column of lie flat seats positioned between the first longitudinal aisle and the second longitudinal aisle;
a first row of each of the starboard column and the port column includes a single oblique seat oriented in a toes-out or a toes-in configuration;
a second row, positioned directly aft of the first row, and at least one further row positioned directly aft of the second row, of each of the starboard column and the port column includes a single forward facing seat;
a first row of the center column includes two oblique seats oriented in a toes-out or a toes-in configuration;
a second row, positioned directly aft of the first row, and at least one further row positioned directly aft of the second row, of the center column includes two forward facing seats; and
none of the second row and the at least one further row of any of the starboard column, the port column, and the center column includes an oblique seat.
The layout according to claim 10 , wherein: the first row of each of the starboard column, the port column, and the center column is a front row of the respective column; and the layout further includes a monument positioned forward of the front row of each of the starboard column, the port column, and the center column, each monument including a footwell.
the first row of each of the starboard column, the port column, and the center column is a front row of the respective column; and
the layout further includes a monument positioned forward of the front row of each of the starboard column, the port column, and the center column, each monument including a footwell.
The layout according to claim 10 , wherein, in the center column, the two forward facing seats of the second row and the at least one further row are positioned in an alternating configuration in which every other row the two forward facing seats are positioned side-by-side and every other row the two forward facing seats are positioned spaced apart.
The layout according to claim 10 , further comprising, in each of the starboard column, the port column, and the center column, a partition wall positioned aft of each of the first row, the second row, and the at least one further row.
The layout according to claim 10 , further comprising a partition positioned between the two oblique seats in the center column, the partition configured to adjust between an extended condition and a retracted condition.
The layout according to claim 10 , wherein, for each of the starboard column and the port column: the single oblique seat is oriented toes-in or toes-out; and the single forward facing seats of the second row and the at least one further row are positioned in an alternating inboard and outboard configuration relative to their respective first or second longitudinal aisle.
the single oblique seat is oriented toes-in or toes-out; and
the single forward facing seats of the second row and the at least one further row are positioned in an alternating inboard and outboard configuration relative to their respective first or second longitudinal aisle.
The layout according to claim 10 , further comprising a console positioned to one side of each of the single oblique seat of the first row of each of the starboard column and the port column, the two oblique seats of the first row of the center column, the single forwarding facing seats of the second row and at least one further row of the starboard column and the port column, and the two forward facing seats of the second row and the at least one further row of the center column.
The layout according to claim 16 , further comprising a footwell space formed in each console.
Ref US20130241247A1: Claims:
An aircraft passenger suite, comprising: a seat including a seat back and a seat bottom configured for movement between an upright seating position and a horizontal bed position; an ottoman positioned apart from the passenger seat that serves as a foot rest when the seat is in the seating position and a bed surface when the seat is in the horizontal bed position; and a first armrest assembly positioned alongside the seat, the first armrest assembly including an armrest and an armrest housing in which the armrest is mounted for movement between an upper horizontal armrest position and a lower horizontal bed position; wherein the seat back, the seat bottom, the ottoman and the first armrest assembly reside in horizontal alignment to form a bed when the seat is in the horizontal bed position and the first armrest assembly is in the lower horizontal bed position.
a seat including a seat back and a seat bottom configured for movement between an upright seating position and a horizontal bed position;
an ottoman positioned apart from the passenger seat that serves as a foot rest when the seat is in the seating position and a bed surface when the seat is in the horizontal bed position; and
a first armrest assembly positioned alongside the seat, the first armrest assembly including an armrest and an armrest housing in which the armrest is mounted for movement between an upper horizontal armrest position and a lower horizontal bed position;
wherein the seat back, the seat bottom, the ottoman and the first armrest assembly reside in horizontal alignment to form a bed when the seat is in the horizontal bed position and the first armrest assembly is in the lower horizontal bed position.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 1 , further comprising a second armrest assembly positioned alongside the seat, the second armrest assembly comprising: an armrest and an armrest housing in which the armrest is mounted for movement between an upper horizontal armrest position and a lower horizontal bed position; and a planar bed extension having an upper bed surface, and mounted in the armrest housing for movement between a stowed position wherein the bed extension is contained in a vertical position in the armrest housing and a deployed position wherein the bed extension is positioned exterior to the armrest housing in a raised, horizontal position with the bed surface in horizontal alignment with the upper horizontal surface of the armrest; wherein the armrest and the planar bed extension of the second armrest assembly reside in horizontal alignment with the seat back, the seat bottom, the ottoman and the armrest of the first armrest assembly when the armrest of each of the first and second armrests assemblies is in the lower horizontal bed position and the bed extension is raised.
an armrest and an armrest housing in which the armrest is mounted for movement between an upper horizontal armrest position and a lower horizontal bed position; and
a planar bed extension having an upper bed surface, and mounted in the armrest housing for movement between a stowed position wherein the bed extension is contained in a vertical position in the armrest housing and a deployed position wherein the bed extension is positioned exterior to the armrest housing in a raised, horizontal position with the bed surface in horizontal alignment with the upper horizontal surface of the armrest;
wherein the armrest and the planar bed extension of the second armrest assembly reside in horizontal alignment with the seat back, the seat bottom, the ottoman and the armrest of the first armrest assembly when the armrest of each of the first and second armrests assemblies is in the lower horizontal bed position and the bed extension is raised.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 1 , further comprising partition walls defining a passenger living area, wherein the seat back, seat bottom, ottoman, armrests and bed extension cooperatively form a bed that occupies substantially the entirety of the passenger living area when the seat back, seat bottom, armrests and bed extension are in horizontal bed positions.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 1 , further comprising a closet positioned alongside the second armrest assembly.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 1 , further comprising a video monitor positioned in a partition wall forward of the seat.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 1 , wherein the bed extension is mounted for movement on a horizontal linear slide by which the bed extension is ejected out of a front opening of the armrest for deployment.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 1 , wherein an interconnection between the armrest and the bed extension first deploys the bed extension from the armrest housing, and thereafter moves the armrest from the vertical position to the raised, horizontal position.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second armrests move vertically relative to their respective housings along linear slides.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 1 , further comprising a privacy screen slidable between an open and closed position to open and close an opening to the suite.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 9 , wherein the privacy screen includes lighting elements controllable to provide a desired degree of illumination and color to the privacy screen.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 10 , wherein the privacy screen is translucent.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 1 , wherein two or more like aircraft passenger suites are arranged in a nested arrangement to form a column.
An aircraft passenger suite including a combination bed, comprising: a seat including a seat back and a seat bottom that are movable between an upright seating position and a horizontal bed position; an ottoman positioned apart from the seat back for expanding a surface area of the horizontal bed position of the seat when the seat is in the horizontal bed position; a first armrest assembly positioned alongside the seat, the first armrest assembly including an armrest mounted for vertical movement relative to a housing, the armrest residing in horizontal alignment with the seat back and the seat bottom when the armrest is fully lowered and the seat is in the horizontal bed position; and a second armrest assembly positioned alongside the seat, the second armrest assembly including an armrest mounted for vertical movement relative to a housing, the armrest residing in horizontal alignment with the seat back and the seat bottom when the armrest is fully lowered and the seat is in the horizontal bed position, the second armrest assembly further including a bed extension deployable therefrom that resides in horizontal alignment with the seat back and seat bottom when the seat is in the horizontal bed position; wherein the seat back, seat bottom, ottoman, armrests and bed extension form a substantially continuous planar bed surface in the horizontal bed position.
a seat including a seat back and a seat bottom that are movable between an upright seating position and a horizontal bed position;
an ottoman positioned apart from the seat back for expanding a surface area of the horizontal bed position of the seat when the seat is in the horizontal bed position;
a first armrest assembly positioned alongside the seat, the first armrest assembly including an armrest mounted for vertical movement relative to a housing, the armrest residing in horizontal alignment with the seat back and the seat bottom when the armrest is fully lowered and the seat is in the horizontal bed position; and
a second armrest assembly positioned alongside the seat, the second armrest assembly including an armrest mounted for vertical movement relative to a housing, the armrest residing in horizontal alignment with the seat back and the seat bottom when the armrest is fully lowered and the seat is in the horizontal bed position, the second armrest assembly further including a bed extension deployable therefrom that resides in horizontal alignment with the seat back and seat bottom when the seat is in the horizontal bed position;
wherein the seat back, seat bottom, ottoman, armrests and bed extension form a substantially continuous planar bed surface in the horizontal bed position.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 13 , wherein the bed extension has an upper bed surface and mounts in the armrest housing for movement between a stowed position wherein the bed extension is contained in a vertical position in the armrest housing and a deployed position wherein the bed extension is positioned exterior to the armrest housing in a raised, horizontal position.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 13 , further comprising a privacy screen positioned along an aisle side of the suite configured to slide between open and closed positions to provide privacy to the suite.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 15 , wherein the privacy screen is translucent and includes lighting elements controllable to provide a desired degree of illumination and color to the privacy screen.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 13 , wherein the suite is defined by a plurality of walls defining a suite living area, and wherein the seat back, seat bottom, ottoman, armrests and bed extension cooperatively form a substantially continuous, horizontal bed in a horizontal bed seating position.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 13 , wherein two or more like aircraft passenger suites are arranged in a nested arrangement to form a column.
The aircraft passenger suite of claim 13 , wherein the bed extension, when deploye
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