Aircraft passenger seat unit including surrounding shell defining a seat planform

The present invention provides, an aircraft passenger seat unit comprising a convertible passenger seat, a shell defining a planform of the seat unit, the planform having a first end region across a first end of the planform, a second end region across the second end of the planform, and a middle region extending from the first end region to the second end region, wherein the second end region is offset from the first end region in a direction transverse to the length of the planform, the shell further comprising a moveable partition being moveable between a raised position and a lowered position, in which a sight line is unblocked, wherein the moveable partition is located adjacent the middle region and wherein, when in the lowered position, the partition is located under the bed height of the converted passenger seat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage application of International Patent Application No. PCT/GB2020/051190, filed on May 15, 2020, and titled “An Aircraft Passenger Seat Unit,” which is related to and claims priority benefits from United Kingdom Patent Application No. 1906923.6, filed on May 16, 2019, and titled “An Aircraft Passenger Seat Unit,” both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to aircraft passenger seating, especially for business class and first class passengers.

The present invention concerns an aircraft passenger seat unit. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns an aircraft passenger seat unit comprising a passenger seat, the passenger seat having a seat pan and a backrest and the passenger seat being convertible between a seat configuration and a bed configuration, in which there is provided a bed surface at a bed height, a shell at least partially surrounding the passenger seat and defining a planform of the seat unit, the planform having a length from a first end of the planform to a second opposite end of the planform, a first end region across the first end of the planform, a second end region across the second end of the planform, and a middle region extending from the first end region to the second end region.

The invention also concerns two aircraft passenger seat units, an aircraft seating cabin arrangement, and a kit of parts.

Various prior art aircraft cabin arrangements and associated aircraft passenger seat units are known. Examples for use in business class or first class include the arrangements and/or seat units shown in WO 03/013903, WO 2018078374 and EP 1963132. However, in all of these examples, it is not possible to provide access between a pair of seat units. Instead, each seat is kept relatively separate from an adjacent seat. For example, there may simply be a partition (to allow a sight line between the units) between the seats of the two units.

The present invention seeks to mitigate the above-mentioned problems. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved aircraft passenger seat unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, according to a first aspect, an aircraft passenger seat unit comprising a passenger seat, the passenger seat having a seat pan and a backrest and the passenger seat being convertible between a seat configuration and a bed configuration, in which there is provided a bed surface at a bed height, a shell at least partially surrounding the passenger seat and (at least partially) defining a planform of the seat unit, the planform having a length from a first end of the planform to a second opposite end of the planform, a first end region across the first end of the planform, a second end region across the second end of the planform, and a middle region extending from the first end region to the second end region, wherein the second end region is offset from the first end region in a direction transverse to the length of the planform, the second end region being offset by an offset distance, the shell further comprising a moveable partition, the moveable partition being moveable between a raised position, in which it blocks a sight line to or from the seat unit, and a lowered position, in which the sight line is unblocked, wherein the moveable partition is located adjacent the middle region and wherein, when in the lowered position, the partition is located under the bed height.

By having a partition that, in its lowered position, is located under the bed height allows for access between the seat unit and another adjacent seat unit. For example, a double bed could be effectively provided that spans the two units above the lowered partition. The double bed surface could be effectively formed by the converted bed surface of the claimed unit and a bed surface of the adjacent unit, the two adjacent units being close to each other and only separated by a small gap approximately the width of the moveable partition. The moveable partition is able to be out of the way in its lowered position so it does not encroach on the double bed space. This enables two acquainted passengers to have adjacent seats and be able to have a larger shared bed area. On the other hand, if the passengers are not acquainted then the two seat units can simply function with two separate seats and two separate beds. This provides a flexible seat arrangement, allowing for both acquainted and non-acquainted passengers.

It is also noted that having an offset second region and the moveable partition being located in between the first and second regions allows the seat unit to be arranged with other like units at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the cabin and therefore provide a column of similar seat units, each seat unit having a large effective space. For example, without having a second region being offset from the first region, the space behind a passenger seat is often wasted as it cannot be effectively used by the passenger in that seat. By having the second end region offset from the first end region, allows the seat units (and the seats within them) to be arranged at a desired angle to the longitudinal axis of the cabin, whilst also allowing a space behind a seat to be used by a passenger in an adjacent seat unit, in a more effective way. For example, instead of the space being behind the seat (and effectively blocked by the backrest), the space can instead be used by a passenger of an adjacent seat unit, as it is located at the side of their adjacent seat.

Having a middle region that extends between the two end regions allows a smooth profile of the seat unit to make the seat units feel roomy whilst also allowing the seat units to tessellate with similar seat units.

Hence, the present invention provides a versatile seat unit and versatile resulting cabin arrangement, with efficient use of space.

In the context of the invention, the term transverse corresponds to width of the seat unit.

The passenger seat may be convertible between the seat and bed configurations using a recline mechanism. Alternatively, the passenger seat may be a bench style seat, without a recline mechanism.

The entire length of the moveable partition may be located under the bed height. The bed height may be 350 to 400, preferably 375 to 385, for example 381 mms above the lowest point of the seat unit. The bed height may be 380 to 430, preferably 400 to 410, for example 406 mms above the cabin floor when installed in an aircraft cabin. The raised height of the moveable partition may be greater than 1000 mm, 1270 mm or 1520 mm above the lowest point of the seat unit (corresponding to the raised height above the cabin floor when installed in an aircraft cabin). The lowered height of the moveable partition may 340 to 390, and preferably 365 to 375, for example 368 mms above the lowest point of the seat unit (corresponding to the lowered height above the cabin floor when installed in an aircraft cabin).

The first end region may be substantially rectangular. The second end region may be substantially rectangular.

The shell may define a side of the seat unit. The shell may define two opposing sides of the seat unit.

The sides of the seat units defined by the shell may act to delineate one seat unit from another. In other words, there is no overlap (when viewed in plan) of one seat unit and another. In other words, the sides of the seat units may have a substantially vertical orientation within the seat unit.

Preferably, the first end region has a first width and the second end region has a second width. The first or second width may extend across the entire first end or second end, respectively. In other words, the first or second widths may extend across the width of planform.

More preferably, the first width and the second width are substantially the same such that the width of the planform at the first end is substantially the same as the width of the planform at the second end.

Preferably, the middle region has a third width and wherein the third width is substantially the same as the first width and/or the second width.

The planform may have a constant width. This makes the units easier to tessellate with similar units. The constant, first, second or third widths may be less than 1300 mm or less than 1150 mm.

Preferably, the moveable partition is located adjacent the middle region along substantially the whole length of the middle region. It may be located along at least 90% of the length of middle region. This allows for significant access between the unit and an adjacent unit at the bed height. This provides for a useful double bed surface to be provided between two units.

More preferably, the moveable partition is also located adjacent the first end region and/or adjacent the second end region. It may be located along at least 90% of the length of the entire planform. This allows for significant access between the unit and an adjacent unit at the bed height. This provides for a useful double bed surface to be provided between two units.

Preferably, the middle region has a planform in the shape of a parallelogram.

The partition, if located only adjacent the middle region, may form a substantially straight line. This line corresponds to the side of the parallelogram. If the partition is also located adjacent the first or second end region, it may be formed of two substantially straight sections, angled with respect to each other, to correspond to the side of the first or second end region and the middle region. If the partition is also located adjacent first and second end regions, it may be formed of three substantially straight sections, angled with respect to each other, to correspond to the sides of the first end region, middle region and second end region.

The straight sections corresponding to the first and second end regions may be substantially parallel to each other. The seat may be angled with respect to these straight section(s) corresponding to the first and/or second end regions. The seat may be angled with respect to the straight section corresponding to the middle region.

Preferably, the middle region has a planform defined by two S-shape sides.

The partition, if located only adjacent the middle region, may form a substantially S-shaped section. This S-shaped section corresponds to side of the planform of the middle region. If the partition is also located adjacent the first or second end region, it may be formed of one substantially straight section, corresponding to the side of the first or second end region and a substantially S-shaped section, corresponding to the side of the planform of the middle region. If the partition is also located adjacent first and second end regions, it may be formed of two substantially straight sections; one corresponding to the side of the first end region and one corresponding to the side of the second end region, and a substantially S-shaped section, in between the two substantially straight sections, corresponding to the side of the planform of the middle region.

The straight sections corresponding to the first and second end regions may be substantially parallel to each other. The seat may be angled with respect to these straight section(s) corresponding to the first and/or second end regions. The seat may be angled with respect to a straight line drawn from one end of the S-shaped section corresponding to the middle region to the other end of the S-shaped section corresponding to the middle region. In other words, the seat may be angled with respect to the effective angle of the middle region.

The S-shaped sections may comprise a first end portion that is tangential to the first end region and may have a second end portion that is tangential to the second end region. The S-shaped section first and/or second end portion may meet and/or join to the first end region and/or second end region where they are tangential.

Preferably, the offset distance of the second end region is 30% to 70%, preferably 40 to 60%, and more preferably approximately 50% of the width of the first end region, second end region or middle region. The offset distance of the second end region may be 45-55% of the width of the first end region, second end region or middle region.

Preferably, the length of the planform is approximately 200% to 250%, and more preferably 215% to 235%, of the width of the first end region, second end region or middle region. The length of the planform may be 220-230% and may be substantially 225% of the width of the first end region, second end region or middle region.

Preferably, a planform angle is between 20 and 45 degrees, and more preferably between 30 and 40 degrees. The planform angle is defined as the angle of a line, running from the middle of the first end to the middle of the second end, to a line that is perpendicular to the width/offset direction (i.e. the length of the planform). The planform angle is a measure of the offset distance relative to the length of the seat unit.

Preferably, the backrest of the passenger seat, when in the seat configuration, is located towards the first end of the planform.

More preferably, the shell surrounds the back of the backrest of the passenger seat. In other words, the first end is effectively fully closed. In other words, the first end is completely surrounded. In other words, there is no access to the seat unit (inside the shell and/or the seat side of the shell) and/or no access to the seat at the first end.

Preferably, the seat unit comprises an ottoman located towards the second end of the planform. The ottoman may provide part of the bed surface.

More preferably, the ottoman is located on one side of the second end of the planform.

Even more preferably, the shell at least partially surrounds a side of the ottoman facing the second end of the planform. In other words, the second end is partially closed. In other words, there is no access to the seat unit (inside the shell and/or the seat side of the shell) and/or no access to the seat via the ottoman.

Preferably, an accessway into the seat unit is provided on the opposite side of the second end of the planform to the side where the ottoman is located. In other words, the shell does not surround the opposite end of the second end of the planform. In other words, the second end is at least partially open to allow access to the seat unit (inside the shell and/or the seat side of the shell) and/or access to the seat.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is also provided two aircraft passenger seat units, each aircraft passenger seat unit being as described above in relation to the first aspect, wherein the two aircraft passenger seat units are arrangeable side-by-side so that a moveable partition of one of the seat units is adjacent the other seat unit, and such that the moveable partition is moveable to the lowered position under the bed height so as to provide for passage between the two seat units above the bed height.

This allows, for example, a double bed to be effectively provided that spans the two units above the lowered partition. The double bed surface could be effectively formed by the converted bed surface of the both seat units being close to each other and only separated by a small gap approximately the width of the moveable partition of one of the units. The moveable partition is able to be out of the way in its lowered position so it does not encroach on the double bed space. This enables two acquainted passengers to have adjacent seats and be able to have a larger shared bed area. On the other hand, if the passengers are not acquainted then the two seat units can simply function with two separate seats and two separate beds. This provides a flexible seat arrangement, allowing for both acquainted and non-acquainted passengers.

Preferably, the two seat units are arrangeable side-by-side such that the two passenger seats face in the same direction and/or arrangeable such that the two passenger seats face in opposite directions.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is also provided an aircraft seating cabin arrangement, wherein the arrangement comprises a column of a plurality of aircraft passenger seat units as described above in relation to the first aspect, the column extending longitudinally along an aircraft cabin (i.e. along the longitudinal cabin axis), and wherein the aircraft passenger seat units are arranged side-by-side in the column such that the moveable partition of each of the seat units is located adjacent another seat unit in the column.

The seat units may be arranged at an angle to the longitudinal cabin axis.

Preferably, the arrangement comprises at least three columns, including at least one middle column and two outer columns, the middle columns being separated on each of their two longitudinal sides from another of the columns by an aisle and wherein the middle columns are provided by columns as described above.

More preferably, the arrangement comprises at least four columns, including at least two middle columns and two outer columns, wherein the middle columns are provided by columns as described above.

Preferably, the outer columns are provided with aircraft passenger seat units at a different pitch and/or angle to the aircraft passenger seat units of the middle column(s).

The cabin arrangement may comprise a 1-1-1, 1-2-1 or 1-1-1 arrangement (the numerals referring to the number of seats, separated by aisles designated as “-”). The middle columns may be as described above. The outer columns may not be as described above. Alternatively, the cabin arrangement may comprise a 1-1 arrangement, whereby at least one of columns may be as described above.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is also provided a kit of parts comprising a passenger seat and a shell suitable for forming an aircraft passenger seat unit as described above in relation to the first aspect.

Preferably, the kit of parts comprises two passenger seats and two shells suitable for forming two aircraft passenger seat units as described above in relation to the second aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1shows a plan view of an aircraft cabin arrangement10including aircraft passenger seat units100according to a first embodiment of the invention. The cabin10has a left hand side cabin wall11and a right hand side cabin wall12(directions as looking in direction of travel towards front of cabin, at the top of the Figure). The cabin has a longitudinal axis, shown by the dashed line labelled13.

Eleven of the seat units100according to the invention form a middle column16of the cabin. Also shown is a left hand side column14and a right hand side column15. In these side columns14,15the seat units19are not in accordance with the invention. There are 14 such seat units19(7 in each of the side columns14,15). The side columns14,15and middle column16are separated from each other by a left hand aisle17and a right hand aisle18.

Importantly, it can be seen that the pitch of the seat units100is much shorter than the pitch of the seat units19. This can be seen by comparing the number of seat units100(eleven) to the number of seat units19(seven) in the columns shown, occupying the same length along the cabin10. This is achieved by the seat units100(and in particular, the seats of the seat units) being angled so as to extend in a direction that is further angled away from the longitudinal axis. In other words, the seat units100are angled more transversely to the longitudinal axis of the cabin, than the seat units19are.

Looking at the middle column16of seat units100, it is noted that each seat unit100is similar. For ease, various reference numerals have been used in the following description and these are distributed along the column16in the Figure, rather than labelled to a single seat100in the column. However, it is noted that the various described features apply to all the seat units100in the middle column16.

It is noted that each seat unit100has a seat110inside the unit. Each seat110comprises a conventional seat pan111, seat back112and leg rest113. The seats110can move, using a recline mechanism, between a seat configuration114(as inFIG.1) and a bed configuration115(as shown inFIG.2), in a conventional manner. The seat100is located towards a left hand side of the seat unit.

Each seat unit100is also provided with an ottoman120, which forms part of the bed surface of the bed configuration of the seat110. This can be seen inFIG.2. The ottoman120is located towards a right hand side of the seat unit.

Each seat unit100has a planform180, shown by hatched lines. The planform180is defined by a shell structure130surrounding the seat110of each unit100.

The planform180(and therefore each seat unit100) has a first end181(near the seat110) and a second end183(near the ottoman120). There is a rectangular first end region182at the first end181and a similar rectangular second end region184at the second end183. A middle region185joins the two end regions.

A length of the planform, shown by arrow186, is defined as the length of thie unit transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cabin130. The length186is 193 cm.

The width of the planform at any given point is defined by the dimension in the longitudinal cabin axis13direction. Hence, the width of the first end region is shown by arrow191, the width of the second end region is shown by arrow192and the width of the middle region is shown by arrow193. These widths are all the same and are 86.6 cm. This is also the effective pitch of the seat units.

Importantly, the second end region183is offset from the first end region182in an offset direction, labelled194, by an offset distance195. This offset direction194is in the longitudinal cabin axis13direction.

The offset distance195is defined by the distance (in the offset direction194) between a point on the first end region182and a corresponding point on the second end region184. InFIG.1, the point used is the forwards-most point of the first and second end regions. The offset distance185is 55.8 cm.

An angle, labelled as196, of the planform180is defined by the angle formed between line extending from i) a point on the first end region182to ii) a corresponding point on the second end region184, and a line extending transversely to the cabin longitudinal axis13. InFIG.1, the point used is the middle point of the first and second end regions. The planform angle196is 34 degrees.

The seat110is located towards the first end181and the ottoman120towards the second end183. The seat faces towards the ottoman120, in a direction slightly backwards from the forwards flight direction of the cabin.

A passenger in a specific seat110has the perspective that they are contained within the unit corresponding to that seat, by a shell extending around them. Of course, that does not mean that the shell surrounding them is necessarily an integral part of the unit they are sat in. In fact, a shell on one side of the passenger could be attributed to the unit they are in and the shell on the opposite side could be attributed to a different unit located adjacent to that opposite side of the unit. Only one shell is required between two seats, for privacy purposes. When describing the seat units100below, the shell structure130will be described in relation to the different parts of the shell surrounding a seat110. Of course, this is made up from different shell parts some of which may be formed with the unit of that seat, and others may be formed with shell parts that form part of an adjacent seat, as will be explained.

Each seat110is surrounded by a shell structure130made up of the following shell portions, as seen by a passenger sitting in the seat110and facing towards the ottoman120:

i) a first end region shell portion140; made up of left first end region shell portion141to the left of the seat110, a head-end first end region shell portion142behind the seat110and right first end region shell portion143to the right of the seat110,

ii) a second end region shell portion160; made up of left second end region shell portion161, a foot-end second end region shell portion162and right second end region shell portion163, and

iii) a middle region shell portion150made up of left middle region shell portion157and right middle region shell portion158.

It is pointed out that in the second end region shell portion160, the foot-end region shell portion162does not extend across the width of the second end and thus, there is provided an accessway164into the seat unit100at the second end183, from aisle18.

The left middle region shell portion157comprises a slightly curved portion151which is tangential to left first end region shell portion141, and a slightly curved portion153which is tangential to left second end region shell portion161, and a significantly S-shaped curved portion152, which joins portions151and152. Hence, the left middle region shell portion157provides an S-shaped shell extending between the left side of the first end region and the left side of the second end region.

Similarly, the right middle region shell portion158, which has the same shape as the left middle region shell portion157, comprises a slightly curved portion154which is tangential to right first end region shell portion143, and a slightly curved portion156which is tangential to right second end region shell portion163, and a significantly S-shaped curved portion155, which joins portions154and156. Hence, the right middle region shell portion158provides an S-shaped shell extending between the right side of the first end region and the right side of the second end region.

The S-shapes of the shell portions157,158are the same so that the width across the middle region185is constant, despite the S-shape of the sides of the middle region185.

Shell portions142and162are considered to always be part of the unit in question. Those shell portions on the left side of the unit (i.e.141,151,152,153,157,161) can be considered to be part of the unit100or the left adjacent unit. Those shell portions on the right side of the unit (i.e.143,154,155,156,158,163) can be considered to be part of the unit100or the right adjacent unit. However, if the left shell portions are considered part of the unit in question, the right shell portions are not and vice versa. For consistency, it will be considered in the following that the shell portions to the right side of a unit100are associated with that unit and the left ones are associated with the left adjacent unit.

FIG.2shows a close-up view of two of the aircraft passenger seat units (a right adjacent unit100band a left adjacent unit100a) ofFIG.1, in a bed configuration115. There is a moveable partition170provided by the shell structure between the two adjacent seats. This shell structure between the seats (i.e. belonging to the seat unit100atowards the top of the figure, to the left) is moveable from a lowered position172(as shown) and a raised position. The raised position171is shown by a similar movable partition170shown to the right of the right adjacent seat unit100b.

The partition(s)170can be raised to the raised position171. Here, the partition170provides privacy to block sight lines between the two seats of the adjacent units100. The partition(s)170can be lowered to the lowered position172. Importantly, the lowered position172is beneath the height of the bed surface of the seat in its bed configuration115. Hence, when both adjacent seats are in the bed configuration115, and the partition between the seats110is lowered to the lowered position172, a double bed surface is effectively formed.

The raised position171is at a height of 100 cm above the cabin floor. The lowered position172is at a height of 39 cm above the cabin floor.

FIG.3shows a plan schematic view of an aircraft cabin arrangement10′ including two aircraft passenger seat units, according to a second embodiment of the invention. This second embodiment is similar to the first, but differs in that the planform180and middle regions185are a different shape to that found in the first embodiment.

Specifically, the middle region185is in the form of a parallelogram (straight sided), rather than an S-sided shape. Hence, the left and right middle region shell portions157,158provide straight sided shell portions, extending between the first end region and the second end region.

FIG.4shows side view of one of the units with the partition lowered andFIG.5shows a perspective view ofFIG.4. Here, it can clearly be seen that the seat110is in the bed configuration115, so as to form the bed surface with the ottoman120. The moveable partition170is in the lowered position172, which is below the bed level/height. It is also noted thatFIG.5clearly shows a triangular support surface116adjacent and to the side of the seat110that is able to form part of the bed surface, as it is approximately level with the bed level/height.

The seats of the seat units adjacent one another may face in the same direction, as described above. Alternatively, they may face in opposite directions. For example, if the units are in a column of seat units, the seat units alternate in their facing direction along the column. Similarly, the seats100and ottomans120alternate as to which side of the column they are located. Similarly, the accessways164also alternate so that alternate seat units access alternate aisles17,18.

The description above describes a cabin layout with a middle column16being formed of seat units100according to the invention. There may be two such middle columns (i.e. not window/cabin wall-adjacent columns) formed of seat units100according to the invention.

The moveable partition170may not be provided along the entire length of the side shell portions (i.e. along the length of the unit). Instead, the moveable partition may be provided only on some or all of the middle region shell portions (157,158), rather than also on some or all of the side first and second end region shell portions, as described above.

The seats110may be bench-style seats where, the bed surface in the bed configuration115is provided by a separate seat element, such as a fold-down element.

It should be noted that throughout this specification, “or” should be interpreted as “and/or”.