Vehicle business class seat and stowage system

An aircraft that includes a fuselage having a floor, first and second outboard walls and an aisle, and a first seat and storage system that is positioned between the first outboard wall and the aisle. The first seat and storage system includes a seat that includes a seat back and a seat portion, and a storage assembly that includes a storage portion and an extension portion. The storage portion defines a storage interior and a storage opening and includes a cover that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The storage opening faces the aisle. The extension portion extends from the storage portion toward the first outboard wall. The storage assembly defines a top surface to which the seat is secured. The storage assembly defines an under seat cavity below a bottom surface of the extension portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to aircraft seating, and more particularly to a business class seat that includes storage associated therewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The need has arisen for a business class type seat that can fit into a narrow, non-constant and/or tapering aircraft fuselage. The size of the cabin and intended service level requires carry-on stowage at each seat in lieu of overhead bins. The combined seat and stowage architecture needs to be able to adapt to a potentially tapering or non-constant fuselage section of the aircraft while remaining manufacturable on a large scale. The combined seat and stowage architecture must also allow incorporation of the many expected amenities of a business class seat (e.g. ample stowage, passenger space, in-flight entertainment functions and enhanced comfort). Current widebody business class seats lack the flexibility necessary for a narrow, non-constant section and/or tapering airframe. Further such widebody business class seats can be too large and heavy for a narrow, non-constant and/or tapering aircraft fuselage due to limitations associated with their lie flat ability and associated seat shell furniture. Current narrow body business class seats are not able to provide the stowage or expected comfort required for a narrow, non-constant and/or tapering aircraft fuselage. Current business jet seats may provide comfort, but are not sized appropriately for a narrow, non-constant and/or tapering aircraft fuselage. The present invention creates an adaptable, manufacturable business class seat system for narrow, tapering, non-constant fuselage applications.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an aircraft that includes a fuselage having a floor, first and second outboard walls and an aisle, and a first seat and storage system that is positioned between the first outboard wall and the aisle. The first seat and storage system includes a seat that includes a seat back and a seat portion, and a storage assembly that includes a storage portion and an extension portion. The storage portion defines a storage interior and a storage opening and includes a cover that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The storage opening faces the aisle. The extension portion extends from the storage portion toward the first outboard wall. The storage assembly defines a top surface to which the seat is secured. The storage assembly defines an under seat cavity below a bottom surface of the extension portion. Preferably, at least a portion of the storage interior is positioned below the seat.

In a preferred embodiment, the first seat and storage system includes a floor riser assembly positioned below the extension portion. The floor riser assembly defines a storage interior and includes a door that is movable between a closed position and an open position where the storage interior is accessible. A top surface of the floor riser assembly partially defines the under seat cavity. Preferably, the floor riser assembly includes an aft portion and a forward portion and the width of the aft portion is less than the width of the forward portion. In a preferred embodiment, the first seat and storage system includes an aft side unit positioned between the seat and the first outboard wall and an upper surface of the aft side unit comprises an arm rest. The aft side unit includes a middle side surface and at least a forward side inclined surface. The seat portion is positioned adjacent the middle surface and the forward inclined surface extends forwardly of the seat portion and inclines toward the aisle.

In a preferred embodiment, the first seat and storage system includes a forward side storage assembly that includes a main body portion that defines a storage interior and a door that is movable between a closed position and an open position where the storage interior is accessible. In one embodiment, the door of the forward side storage assembly is located on a top thereof and is movable upwardly to the open position. In another embodiment, the door of the forward side storage assembly is located on a side thereof and is movable inwardly to the open position. In another embodiment, the forward side storage assembly includes both doors.

In a preferred embodiment, the back portion of the seat is asymmetrical. The back portion includes a center portion and inboard and outboard portions that extend outwardly from the center portion and the outboard portion is wider than the inboard portion. In an embodiment where the fuselage is tapering (where the first and second outboard walls taper from a rear of the fuselage toward a front of the fuselage), a filler panel is positioned between the aft side unit and the first outboard wall and the filler panel has a tapering width. In an embodiment, a first filler panel is positioned between the aft side unit and the first outboard wall and a second filler panel is positioned between the forward side storage assembly and the first outboard wall. The first filler panel has a greater width than the second filler panel.

Preferably, the seat is rotatable with respect to the seat storage assembly between a position where the seat faces forwardly and a position where the seat is angled toward the first wall. Preferably, the first seat and storage system includes a lower side unit positioned below the aft side unit and the forward side storage assembly and the lower side unit defines a lower side unit interior configured to run cables therethrough. The ends can be open to allow passage of the cables or other components.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seat and storage system that includes a seat that includes a seat back and a seat portion and a seat storage assembly. The seat includes first and second sides. The seat storage assembly includes a storage portion and an extension portion. The storage portion defines a storage opening and includes a cover that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The storage opening is open to the first side of the seat. The extension portion extends from the storage portion toward the second side of the seat. The storage assembly defines a top surface. The seat is secured to the top surface, and the storage assembly defines an under seat cavity below a bottom surface of the extension portion.

The present invention provides for a modular business class type seat system that can fit into a narrow, non-constant and/or tapering aircraft fuselage. The invention further provides that the seat system is able adapt to the various limitations inherent with a narrow, non-constant and/or tapering aircraft fuselage. Several modular features of the seat system that help achieve this in the preferred embodiment include, but are not limited to, the standard overhead bin is eliminated and stowage within each seat is provided. This allows each passenger to have access and reserved space for their carry-on baggage at their seat. The seat structure may use variable width filler panels to allow the seat system to conform a tapering and/or non-constant fuselage. The seat structure may further use an outboard side ledge sculpted to the seat system to conform a tapering and/or non-constant fuselage. The seat back may be molded symmetrically and then trimmed for either left or right side variations and asymmetrical applications. The seat back arm rest may be formed for enhanced baggage ingress and egress and then finished for either left or right side variations and asymmetrical applications.

The combined seat structure and floor mount baggage stowage allows passengers to sit over their carry-on luggage and provides a mounting structure for the seat by connecting the seat to the floor and fuselage side rails. The seat mounting hardware is designed to allow the seat to be installed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, for example, but not limited to, zero to five degrees. The seat structure may further incorporate a floor riser for elevated seating ergonomics and stowage. The seat structure may further incorporate an adaptable combination lower side ledge unit/closeout which provides space for aircraft systems. The seat structure may further incorporate a forward, upper side ledge which may contain provisions for passenger stowage and/or aircraft systems.

Further these features allow passenger to have their bag located right at their seat, the seat system to have increased stowage and function and the expected comfort levels to be achieved while providing that the seat system can be installed at all locations within a narrow, non-constant and/or tapering aircraft fuselage diameter.

In preferred embodiments, the seat system can also include independent modules that leverage commonality, adaptability, and customization, including but not limited to, D sized baggage compartment that serves as a floor mount and seat base structure, baggage ingress/egress path and retention system and/or economy style seat pan structure with ability to trim for left hand or right hand configurations.

Left and right hand applications are also enabled with, but not necessarily limited to five degrees of rotation relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft thus allowing “herringbone” seating positions, varying taxi, takeoff and landing positions, foot wells allowing stretched recline and an ottoman lounge facing inboard where the baggage compartment is used as the ottoman. The present invention can also include an adaptable seat platform (bridges bag compartment to side wall seat rail) and a floor riser for proper seating ergonomics and side ledge laptop stowage, adaptable environmental control and electrical systems routing for length of aircraft, and a side ledge inner structure and valance panel common side ledge arm rest in combination with an adaptable side ledge inner and valance panel.

Preferably, the layout is intended to be one passenger seat, one aisle and one passenger seat across the width of the aircraft. Alternatively the layout may be any combination of seats and aisles across the width of the aircraft. The present invention can be used in scenarios other than an aircraft. For example, the invention can be used in other modes of transportation including but not limited to trains, cars, buses and vertical take-off and landing autonomous aircraft.

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the various features outlined to achieve a business class seat for a non-constant, tapering and/or narrow diameter fuselage can be implemented individually or in combination without limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be appreciated that terms such as “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “short,” “long,” “up,” “down,” “aft,” “forward,” “inboard,” “outboard” and “below” used herein are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the components described herein is within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating the present invention and not for purposes of limiting the same,FIGS. 1-6show a seat arrangement or seat and storage system10. In an exemplary embodiment, the seat and storage system10can be used in an aircraft100with a tapering fuselage102, such as a supersonic jet. However, this is not a limitation on the present invention and the assembly can be used in other aircraft and vehicles.

As shown inFIGS. 1-3, in a preferred embodiment, the seat and storage system10includes seat12with a back portion14and a seat portion16, seat storage assembly18, aft side unit20, forward side storage assembly22, lower side unit24, floor riser assembly26, and filler panels28. The seat storage assembly18includes storage therein and forms a platform on which the seat12can be mounted.

As shown inFIG. 3, the seat storage assembly18generally includes a storage portion30and an extension portion32. The storage portion30defines a storage interior34with a storage opening that generally opens to the side of the seat that faces an aisle. The storage portion30includes a door or cover38that opens and closes to allow luggage or other items into the storage interior34. The door or cover can pivot open or can slide open like a drawer. The extension portion32extends from the storage portion30toward the wall or away from the storage portion30. Therefore, the cover38opens to a first side12aof the seat and the extension portion extends toward and to the second side12bof the seat.

As shown inFIG. 3, the seat storage assembly18defines a top surface18ato which the seat12is secured. In a preferred embodiment, the seat12can be rotated with respect to the seat storage assembly18and the top surface18a.FIG. 3shows a 5° angle as an example. The seat can be rotated any angle between 1° and 89° inwardly or outwardly. In a preferred embodiment, when mounted in an aircraft, the seat storage assembly18is mounted to the seat tracks104mounted on either the floor106or wall108. Preferably, the seat storage assembly18includes mounting members40that connect to the seat tracks104. As shown inFIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment, the mounting members40are mounted on or attached to the distal end of the extension portion32(for connecting to the wall seat track104) and on the bottom of the storage portion30(for connecting to the floor seat track104).

As shown inFIG. 1, when positioned next to the wall of the fuselage and above the floor, the seat storage assembly18defines an under seat cavity42below a bottom surface44of the extension portion32.

The aft side unit20is positioned between the seat12and the wall108and includes an armrest46on its upper surface. The inside surface48is contoured to allow a passenger to sit in various positions. In a preferred embodiment, the inside surface48includes a middle side surface50and forward and aft side inclined surfaces52and54. As shown inFIG. 1, the seat portion16can be contoured to match the middle, forward and aft inclined surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the forward and aft side included surfaces52and54incline toward the aisle and toward the forward side storage assemblies22aft and forward thereof. As shown inFIG. 4, the forward and aft side included surfaces52and54extend to a point where they include a thickness that is generally the same as the forward side storage assemblies22aft and forward thereof. In other words, the ends or corners of the forward and aft side included surfaces52and54are generally flush with the forward side storage assemblies22aft and forward thereof.

The forward side storage assembly22is positioned against the wall108, forward of the seat12and preferably flush with the aft side unit20. The forward side storage assembly22defines a storage interior56and includes a cover or door that accesses the storage interior56. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the forward side storage assembly22can include one or more doors58and60. Door58opens upwardly or to the top of the forward side storage assembly22and door60opens inwardly or inboard of forward side storage assembly22.

Filler panels28can be positioned between one or both of the forward side storage assembly22and the aft side unit20. As shown inFIG. 4, the filler panels28can be of different widths so that forward side storage assemblies22and aft side units20of the same size can be used in a tapering fuselage. In other words, as the fuselage tapers and a group of forward side storage assemblies22and aft side units20are placed in the fuselage, the spaces between the forward side storage assemblies22and aft side units20and the wall will change. Therefore, variable width filler panels28can be used to fill the gaps. The filler panels themselves each include a tapering width. In another embodiment, the filler panels can include a constant width, but the width can become narrower as the filler panels are positioned forward in the fuselage. A combination of both constant and tapering width filler panels can also be used.

The lower side unit24is preferably positioned below the forward side storage assembly22and aft side unit20. Preferably, the lower side unit24defines a lower side unit interior that can be used to run aircraft systems therethrough or as further storage. If the interior is used as a conduit, the ends are either open or include openings therein that align with openings in an adjacent lower side unit24. This allows cables or other components to extend along the length of the fuselage through the various lower side units24.

The floor riser assembly26is positioned on the floor and is used for passengers to put their feet on the top surface. To accommodate the storage space in the seat storage assembly18, the seat12may be positioned higher than in a typical aircraft. The floor riser assembly26therefore raises the level of the “floor” of the top surface26aof the floor riser assembly26. In a preferred embodiment, the floor riser assembly26defines a storage interior62and includes a door64that opens upwardly or slides to access the storage interior62. Preferably, the floor riser assembly26includes an aft portion65that fits under the seat12and partially defines the under seat cavity42. The aft portion65is preferably narrower than the forward portion66that includes the door64thereon.

FIGS. 5A-5Cdemonstrate a method for manufacturing the seats12in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The seats will be positioned in an aircraft on the left and right sides thereof and each installed seat only includes a single armrest34and is contoured or shaped asymmetrically. However, for ease of manufacturing, the seats are originally made or molded with a symmetrical shape and with two armrests. See seat68inFIG. 5A. The seats can then be trimmed so that they can be positioned on either the left or right side of the aircraft. See the left side seat inFIG. 5Band the right side seat inFIG. 5C. In particular, the back portion14of the seat12is formed or trimmed to be asymmetrical. As shown inFIGS. 5B and 5C, the back portion14includes a center portion76and inboard and outboard portions78and80that extend outwardly from the center portion76. Preferably, the outboard portion80is wider or extends further outwardly from the center portion76than the inboard portion78. Also, as shown inFIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, the outboard portion80contours around and extends above the top surface of the aft side unit20. Furthermore, due to the dimensional constraints of the tapering fuselage, the seats can be trimmed or shaped according to where they are going to be positioned within the aircraft. In other words, even seats that are positioned on the right side of the aircraft can be trimmed to different dimensions to fit as desired.

FIG. 6shows a seat12from the rear. In a preferred embodiment, the seat12can include the oxygen compartment70, and all the components associated therewith, on the back or side of the back portion14. Therefore, in an emergency, the oxygen mask is accessible to a passenger seated in the seat behind the seat where the oxygen assembly is located.FIG. 6also shows the tray table72and in-flight entertainment74on the back of the seat12.FIG. 6also shows how the floor riser assemblies26of forward and aft seats abut or connect to one another to form a continuous “floor surface” for passengers.

The above-detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of and examples for the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Further, any specific numbers noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing values, measurements or ranges.

The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Any measurements described or used herein are merely exemplary and not a limitation on the present invention. Other measurements can be used. Further, any specific materials noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing materials.