Abstract:
A contoured class divider for dividing an aircraft cabin according to a predetermined class arrangement and including a divider panel having a contour closely matching a contour of a forward-positioned seatback, and adapted for being positioned in closely spaced-apart relation to the seatback for providing additional space aft of the divider panel. At least one leg is provided for supporting the panel on an aircraft cabin deck. A viewing window is formed in the panel for providing the ability of a flight attendant to observe areas of the cabin.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This present application claims priority from and incorporates by reference the full contents of a provisional patent application filed on Apr. 4, 2016, Application No. 62/317,706. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a contoured class divider providing enhanced legroom, carry-on stowage access and improved seat pitch. The invention addresses commercial aircraft multi-class cabin arrangements and how they can be efficiently separated from each other. One method to achieve division of the seat groups is by providing a hard divider between rows of seats attached to the aircraft seat tracks and an upper support element such as an overhead storage bin assembly. 
         [0003]    To accomplish this intent and optimize the usable space between cabin classes, the contoured class divider according to this application is specifically designed to nest into the volume behind the seat body following the profile of the seatback while still allowing for adequate seatback recline. In addition, the form of the divider allows the seat immediately behind the contoured class divider to be located several inches closer to the seat forward of it, thus increasing the opportunity for increased seat pitch and passenger legroom in the cabin. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a class divider for a commercial passenger aircraft. 
         [0005]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a contoured class divider for a commercial passenger aircraft that nests into the volume behind the seat body following the profile of the seatback while still allowing for adequate seatback recline. 
         [0006]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a contoured class divider for a commercial passenger aircraft that permits increased seat pitch and passenger legroom in the cabin. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a contoured class divider for a commercial passenger aircraft that allows a seat immediately behind a contoured class divider according to the invention to be located several inches closer to the seat forward of it. 
         [0008]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a contoured class divider for a commercial passenger aircraft that includes a viewing window for permitting visual observation from a position aft of the class divider into an area of the aircraft cabin forward of the class divider. 
         [0009]    These and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by providing a contoured class divider that includes a curved panel for being mounted into track fittings behind a selected row of seats. The curve of the panel closely corresponds to the shape of the back of the selected row of seats and nests into the volume behind the seatback while still allowing for adequate seatback recline. More specifically, a contoured class divider is provided for dividing an aircraft cabin according to a predetermined class arrangement and including a divider panel having a contour closely matching a contour of a forward-positioned seatback and adapted for being positioned in closely, spaced-apart relation to the seatback for providing additional space aft of the seat. At least one leg is provided for supporting the panel about an aircraft cabin deck. 
         [0010]    A viewing window is formed in the panel for providing the ability of a flight attendant to observe areas of the cabin forward of the divider. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The present invention is best understood when the following detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a cabin view looking forward, showing a contoured class divider according to one embodiment of the invention and forward-positioned seats; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation of the divider and seats; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view looking aft of the divider only; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view looking forward of the divider only; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view looking forward of two side class dividers and a center class divider according to an alternate embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a partial plan view of an aircraft cabin showing placement of contoured class dividers according to embodiments of the invention; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, a contoured portside class divider  10  according to one preferred embodiment of the invention is shown positioned directly behind a seat row of two business class seats “S” such as are conventionally found in commercial aircraft cabins. Such cabins typically include both structural and decorative panels and overhead stowage bins for passenger luggage and other items. The divider  10  includes a fixed, rigid monument in the form of a panel  12  attached to floor-mounted seat tracks “T” and the overhead stowage bin “B” of the aircraft cabin. The exact attachment configuration is dependent upon aircraft type and cabin configuration. The contoured portside class divider  10  optionally includes an attendant viewing window  14  that is inset into an outer corner of the upper part of the panel  12  that can be defined by the airlines&#39; cosmetic specifications. The window  14  may be clear or automatically dimmable. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the divider  10  utilizes space behind the seats “S” that is normally vacant with conventional class dividers but does not provide sufficient space for stowage or other uses. By forming the panel  12  to closely correspond to the contour of the seatback of the seat “S”, the Head Impact Criteria (HIC) requirement is optimized for the seat immediately behind the divider  10 . As shown, the panel  12  in the rear-facing direction is generally convex with a lower section  12 A that is relatively flat in order to accommodate optionally supplied pockets  22  for use by occupants of aft-positioned seats. Three pockets  22  are shown reflecting that the seats behind the divider  10  are main cabin seats, which are typically arranged in groups of three. The spacing provides the ability for the aft seats (not shown) to be moved forward up to four (4) inches towards the divider  10 , improving seat spacing in the cabin. The panel  12  is elevated off the floor by support legs  16 ,  18 , allowing for stowage of passenger items under the seats “S” forward of the divider  10 . 
         [0020]    The legs  16 ,  18  are bowed rearwardly in a convex manner to provide a cantilevered resistance against rearward deflection of the panel  12 , particularly if it is accidentally impacted by excessive recline of the seatback of the seat “S”, or if pulled rearwardly by a seated passenger as an aid to rising out of an occupied seat. The top end of the divider  10  is secured against deflection by a connector  20  that attaches the divider  10  to an overhead structure below the bins “B”. Therefore, both the top and bottom of the divider  10  are preferably secured against movement. Sufficient space remains between the panel  12  and the seats “S” to allow for the usual amount of seatback recline. The panel  12  also provides additional legroom for the occupants of seats aft of the divider  10 . 
         [0021]      FIGS. 3 and 4 , together with previously referenced  FIG. 2 , show the bowed configuration of the legs  16 ,  18 . The legs  16 ,  18  are robustly constructed to resist rearward deflection and include respective ribbed brackets  24 ,  26  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0022]    A starboard divider  70  having the same characteristics would be provided for use on the starboard side of the aircraft cabin. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a port, center and starboard dividers according to a further embodiment of the invention are shown at reference numerals  30 ,  50  and  70 . 
         [0024]    Port divider  30  includes a panel  32  attached to floor-mounted seat tracks and the overhead stowage bin of the aircraft cabin in a manner similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The exact attachment configuration is dependent upon aircraft type and cabin configuration. The divider  30  optionally includes an attendant viewing window  34  that is inset into an outer corner of the upper part of the panel  32  that can be defined by the airlines&#39; cosmetic specifications. The window  34  may be clear or automatically dimmable. Legs  36 ,  38  are bowed rearwardly as shown and as described above. The panel  32  in the rear-facing direction is generally convex with a lower section  32 A that is relatively flat in order to accommodate optionally supplied pockets  40  for use by occupants of aft-positioned seats. The profile of the top end of the panel  32  is curved to fit a storage bin configuration different than that shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , is secured against deflection by a connector  42  that attaches the divider  30  to an overhead structure, not shown. 
         [0025]    The center divider  50  includes a panel  52  attached to floor-mounted seat tracks and the overhead stowage bin of the aircraft cabin in a manner similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The exact attachment configuration is dependent upon aircraft type and cabin configuration. The divider  50  optionally includes an attendant viewing window  54  that is inset into an outer corner of the upper part of the panel  32  that can be defined by the airlines&#39; cosmetic specifications. The window  54  may be clear or automatically dimmable. Legs  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62  are bowed rearwardly as shown and as described above. The panel  52  in the rear-facing direction is generally convex with a lower section  52 A that is relatively flat in order to accommodate optionally supplied pockets  68  for use by occupants of aft-positioned seats. The profile of the top end of the panel  52  is secured against deflection by connectors  64 ,  66  that attach the divider  50  to an overhead structure, not shown. 
         [0026]    Starboard side divider  70  includes a panel  72  attached to floor-mounted seat tracks and the overhead stowage bin of the aircraft cabin in a manner similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The exact attachment configuration is dependent upon aircraft type and cabin configuration. The divider  70  optionally includes an attendant viewing window  74  that is inset into an outer corner of the upper part of the panel  72  that can be defined by the airlines&#39; cosmetic specifications. The viewing window  74  may be clear or automatically dimmable. Legs  76 ,  78  are bowed rearwardly as shown and as described above. The panel  72  in the rear-facing direction is generally convex with a lower section  72 A that is relatively flat in order to accommodate optionally supplied pockets  80  for use by occupants of aft-positioned seats. The profile of the top end of the panel  32  is curved to fit a storage bin configuration different than that shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , is secured against deflection by a connector  82  that attaches the divider  70  to an overhead structure, not shown. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the port side, center and starboard side class dividers  30 ,  50  and  70  are positioned to divide an aircraft cabin into separate classes. 
         [0028]    A contoured class divider according to the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples. Various details of the invention maybe changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims.