Furnishing item for a vehicle as well as a vehicle with such a furnishing item

A furnishing item for a vehicle includes a first wall with an access opening situated therein, a door and an oblong flap. The door is arranged on the first wall so that it is swivable relative to the access opening around a first rotational axis. The oblong flap is arranged on the access opening in a vertical direction parallel to the door, and swivelably arranged on a second rotational axis, which is situated on a side of the access opening lying opposite the first rotational axis, and arranged parallel to the first rotational axis. The door and oblong flap extend from the first rotational axis or second rotational axis to the second rotational axis or first rotational axis and together completely close the access opening in a closed state.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a furnishing item for a vehicle as well as to a vehicle with such a furnishing item.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When setting up passenger cabins in means of transportation, one focus lies in optimizing the space for passengers, so as to maximize the number of available seats. Consideration must here be given to seats for crewmembers, prescribed safety equipment, utilities and lavatories, which limit the available space.

For reason of efficiency, dense seating configurations may be realized in particular in commercial aircraft, resulting in a relatively small distance between rows of passenger seats, cabin monuments or other furnishing items. For this reason, openings for accessing a furnishing item are often arranged or scaled down in such a way that a door which closes the access opening permits just enough passage width. Nevertheless, it might become necessary for a furnishing item to be used by a special group of users, e.g., limited-mobility or older individuals, who require a larger passage width and support measures.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As a consequence, an aspect of the invention is directed to a furnishing item that is as compact as possible, offers a sufficiently wide opening, while still providing a sufficiently wide passageway in front of the opening given a dense seating configuration.

Proposed is a furnishing item for a vehicle comprising a first wall with an access opening situated therein, a door and an oblong flap, wherein the door is arranged on the first wall so that it is swivelable relative to the access opening around a first rotational axis, wherein the oblong flap is arranged on the access opening in a vertical direction parallel with a primary axis of extension to the door, and swivelably arranged on a second rotational axis, which is situated on a side of the access opening lying opposite the first rotational axis, and arranged parallel to the first rotational axis, wherein the door and oblong flap extend from the first or second rotational axis to the second or first rotational axis and together completely close the access opening in a closed state.

One special feature of the furnishing item according to an embodiment of the invention is the oblong flap, which in a vertical direction is arranged on the right or left next to the actual door, and together with the latter can close the access opening for the furnishing item. This allows the furnishing item user to utilize an expandable access opening to the furnishing item, even given an unchanged, relatively narrow passage width of an adjoining cabin section. Access to the furnishing item here takes place primarily by opening the door, which has a width lying within the range usual for the cabin. By contrast, the flap may have a clearly smaller width, and is here exclusively limited to providing an additional opening width with the door open.

The design for the door and flap may be selected based on a choice of customary materials and a construction that suits the latter. It may be especially advantageous in an aircraft to manufacture a door and flap out of a composite material, wherein the latter comprises a core layer comprised of a honeycomb material, and is outwardly covered with cover layers made in particular out of a fiber-reinforced plastic. Of course, other single or multiple-layer structures may be selected, which impart an especially low weight to the door and flap at a sufficient rigidity.

It should be possible to lock or fix the flap at least in its closed position. The term “closed” here relates to a position in which the flap closes the access opening in conjunction with the door. Depending on the intended use, it may also make sense to additionally fix the flap in positions deviating therefrom, for example in a position swiveled either partially or completely inward or partially or completely outward. Locking may take place automatically by swiveling the flap, for example with a latching or catching mechanism, a trap or a safety catch. In addition, locking may also be performed manually. Locking may take place at an upper and/or lower edge of the flap, wherein the control element necessary for releasing or locking may also be situated in an intermediate position between the upper edge and lower edge.

In an especially advantageous embodiment, the flap comprises a handle that extends at an angle from the flap and lies in a plane that comprises a distance of at most 20 cm from the second rotational axis, wherein the handle lies on a flat side of the flap, which points into the interior of the lavatory in the closed state of the second door segment. The smaller the distance between the second rotational axis and a tensile force exerted on the handle by an individual, the better the handle may align itself in the direction of the tensile force as soon as the flap is swivable freely. In particular given a very narrow flap, the latter may permit any swiveling motion desired when in an unlocked state, since a flap with a small width extends only slightly into the cabin, and the danger of collisions between the flap and other parts inside the vehicle may be virtually precluded.

In a preferred embodiment, the handle extends perpendicular to the flap. With the door closed, an individual may use the handle to hold on to inside the furnishing item, for example during turbulence, since this handle would be no different than a handle fixedly secured to a wall in terms of its usability. The handle may protrude further outward with the flap open, making it usable from outside as a supporting measure, for example as a standing aid for older individuals.

The at least one handle may further be arranged horizontally or vertically in relation to a base or floor area of the furnishing item. As an alternative, the handle may be twistably or swivelably arranged on the flap, so that the handle may be horizontally or vertically arranged, if needed.

The at least one handle may further also be swivelably arranged on the flap, wherein the swiveling axis may run parallel to the primary extension of the handle.

It is especially preferred for the door to comprise a width that is at least about two times the width of the flap. The door may further also comprise a width that is even larger, for example three times, four times, five times the width of the flap, etc. In particular, the width of the flap is adjusted to the size and orientation of a handle arranged thereon. Given an access opening with a width of around 20 inches (50.8 cm), a resultant door width may be enough to be able to enter and again leave the furnishing item according to the invention. On the other hand, a conventional 20 inch wide door may also be enhanced by a two, three, four or more inch wide flap, making it possible to replace and utilize conventional elements.

In an especially advantageous embodiment, the flap is designed so that it is swivable inwardly and outwardly from a closed position at least by a respective 90°. When the flap is inwardly swiveled, the flap does not pose any disruption on an exterior side of the furnishing item. This makes a lot of sense in particular given a limited passageway width. In addition, a handle integrated on the flap may also be used on an exterior side, for example by an individual to hold on to or draw closer to the furnishing item, which is advantageous in particular for individuals with limited mobility. However, this does not require that the handle be fixedly secured to an exterior side of the furnishing item so as to extend into the passageway.

It is especially preferred that the flap be set up to be swiveled from a closed position by at least 260° around the second rotational axis. As a consequence, for example, the flap is swivable from a mechanical contact point in the interior of the furnishing item up to a mechanical contact point in an exterior surface of the furnishing item, thereby completely and flexibly covering any and all areas of application.

The at least one handle provides at least two different vertical and spaced apart gripping positions. This may be realized by just a single handle, which comprises a longitudinal extension of a kind that permits gripping at varying height positions. As a consequence, for example, a position [sic] sitting in the furnishing item may assume a deeper gripping position, for example to stand up or move while seated from a toilet to a folding seat. However, a standing individual may also hold onto a higher gripping position as well.

For example, the different vertically spaced apart gripping positions may also be realized by two or more handles, which in particular are arranged one over the other.

One advantageous embodiment comprises a second wall, which is situated at an angle relative to the first wall in an area near the second rotational axis, as well as a seating arrangement that is located in an area of the second wall facing the access opening. A special feature here involves the seating arrangement, which is located right at an opening of the furnishing item, and thus may be reached directly from the opening. If the furnishing item is a lavatory, washroom, or changing area, an individual with limited mobility may move directly from a wheelchair parked in front of the furnishing item to the seating arrangement. An assistant should normally not be required for this purpose. If the individual in question is on the seating arrangement, which is located entirely in the furnishing item given its arrangement on the second wall, the individual may close the door and subsequently enjoy complete privacy. As a consequence, the furnishing item according to an embodiment of the invention does not require that two adjacent lavatories, which may be joined together by removing or opening an intermediate wall, be simultaneously blocked to allow an individual in a wheel chair to stay therein. The wheelchair does not have to remain in the furnishing item while the individual is in the furnishing item. Another advantage lies in the fact that the individual may independently stay and move around in the furnishing item.

In an advantageous embodiment, the furnishing item comprises a toilet, wherein the seating arrangement may be a seat or a folding seat, and comprises a seat height corresponding to the seat height of the toilet. The seating arrangement may be located on the second wall by means of a variety of different fittings. For example, the wall may also be fabricated out of a sandwich material consisting of a light honeycomb fabric as the core layer with outer cover layers. Required points of force application for the seating arrangement may have local reinforcements, which may transmit the force into the second wall or adjoining structural elements, for example by way of struts, frame parts or suitable, large-surface load application elements. The second wall may also comprise a construction that deviates therefrom, which is based on a local frame structure that is only clad with a visually attractive covering, wherein the seating arrangement is directly attached to the frame structure.

The folding seat preferred for an especially space-saving realization is further to be understood as a device having a seat surface, which is arranged on the second wall so that it is swivable by means of a hinge, wherein the hinge line preferably lies in or parallel to a seating level defined by the seating surface. The type of folding seat is not to be limited within the framework of the configuration of the furnishing item according to an embodiment of the invention. However, it would be beneficial to use the smallest, thinnest and lightest folding seat possible, so as to only negligibly increase the overall weight of the furnishing item according to the invention by providing the folding seat, and to enable a space-saving accommodation of the folded up folding seat.

The furnishing item is selectable from a group of furnishing units, wherein the group comprises a room inside the vehicle, a vehicle cabin, a lavatory, washroom, storage cabinet and relaxation room.

The invention further relates to an aircraft with a cabin, several passenger seats and at least one such furnishing item.

In an advantageous embodiment, the furnishing item is a furnishing module integrated into a cabin monument. The furnishing module may be designed according to any of the above described embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1presents a top view of a furnishing item2, which is designed as a lavatory2that comprises a first wall4and a second wall6, which are essentially arranged at a right angle relative to each other. In order to enter the furnishing item2from an aisle8of a cabin10, an access opening12is present in the first wall, which is closable by a door arrangement14that comprises a door16and a narrow flap18situated parallel to the door16.

The door16is here arranged so that it is swivable around a first rotational axis20located in an area of the first wall4closest to the second wall6. The flap18is mounted so that it is swivable around a second rotational axis22that runs parallel to the first rotational axis20and is located opposite the first rotational axis20. The distance between the two swiveling axes20and22is selected in such a way that the door16and flap18may completely close the access opening12.

Situated in an area of the second wall6lying closest to the first wall4is a seating arrangement in the form of a folding seat24, which is arranged so that it is swivable around a swiveling axis26, and is movable into a folded-up neutral position or a folded-down use position.

Located inside the furnishing item2is a toilet28arranged opposite the access opening12, whose seat height corresponds to the seat height of the folding seat24and vice versa. For example, if an individual with limited mobility wishes to use the toilet28, the door16must first be opened, and then the flap18, after which the folding seat24is folded down. The individual in question may then slide onto the folding seat24from the wheelchair, and is then located completely inside the lavatory2. As a consequence, this allows a sliding from the folding seat24onto the toilet28while maintaining complete privacy.

Arranged on the flap18swiveled upwardly outward onFIG. 1is a handle30, which lies in a plane that preferably also contains the second rotational axis22. Of course, the handle30may also be spaced somewhat further apart from the rotational axis22along the flap18, but the distance should be as small as possible. When the flap18is open, it is swivable around the second rotational axis22, so that the handle30may assume any orientation desired, and be used from the inside and outside.

The individual may grasp the handle30to move from a wheelchair in the aisle8to the folding seat24, wherein the handle30is then aligned so as to follow the tensile force exerted by the individual. As a consequence, an always ideally aligned handle30may be used during the entire process of moving from a wheelchair to the folding seat24or vice versa. If the flap18is locked into a closed position, the individual in the interior of the furnishing item2may of course always hold on to it. If the flap18is closed, the handle30also does not outwardly protrude, thus giving the lavatory2a harmonious outward appearance.

For example, the width of the door may measure 18 inches, while the flap18may be two inches wide. Of course, different dimensions may also be selected, in particular to comply with a required passageway width.

FIG. 2shows the furnishing item2, in which the door arrangement4is completely closed, and the handle30in the furnishing item2points toward the toilet28. The handle may there be used by an individual who is seated on the toilet28or folding seat24.

FIG. 3presents a front view of the furnishing item2, which more clearly illustrates the dimensional proportions between the flap18and door16. The furnishing item2is positionable in a monument configuration, which is situated adjacent to additional furnishing items. For example, an adjacent furnishing item32with a similar or conventional construction may be present.

Finally,FIG. 4presents a three-dimensional view showing how an individual34gains access to a furnishing item2according to the invention from a wheelchair36. The wheelchair36rolls in front of the access opening12, from where the individual34may open the door16and flap18and then move toward a toilet28located therein, wherein a seating arrangement24arranged on the second wall26may be used for this purpose.

In addition, let it be noted that “comprising” does not preclude any other elements or steps, and that “an” or “a” does not rule out a plurality. Let it further be noted that features that were described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also be used in combination with other features in other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference numbers in the claims are not to be regarded as a limitation.