Patent Publication Number: US-2021163139-A1

Title: Seat arrangement, in particular for an airplane

Description:
The present invention relates to a seat arrangement, in particular of seats for passengers of a transport vehicle, in particular of an airplane. The invention aims to provide a seat arrangement of this kind which ensures both the comfort and the safety of the passengers, while giving them privacy. The invention thus has a particularly advantageous application in airplane seats. 
     The “Business Class” type of airplane seat offer passengers different comfort positions, from a “seated” position to a “bed” position in which the seat creates a substantially horizontal lying surface on which the passenger can lay down. 
     Intermediate comfort positions are also proposed, such as the “relax” position in which the backrest is greatly reclined. Generally, these intermediate positions are obtained by the angle of the backrest, which pivots about a horizontal axis and perpendicularly to an axis of extension of the seat. The passenger can then remain on the seat during transitions between the different positions. 
     The bed generally consists in particular of the backrest, the seat surface, a leg rest and a footrest; the latter can be attached or linked to the seat kinematics. 
     Certain “Business Class” airplane cabin seat arrangements allow direct access to an aisle for all passengers via a passage arranged between two seats which are arranged one behind the other along a longitudinal axis of the airplane cabin. Passengers can thus easily get out of their seat, especially when the seat is in the “bed” position. 
     Therefore, when a passenger or a crew member is walking in an aisle located to the side of the seat, in particular towards the rear of the airplane cabin, they are likely to be in direct visual contact with a passenger seated in a seat. Such a situation creates a lack of privacy, which can cause a feeling of discomfort for the seated passenger. 
     The invention aims in particular to effectively remedy this drawback by proposing a seat arrangement, in particular intended to be installed in an airplane cabin, comprising:
         at least one “front” seat unit and at least one “rear” seat unit located one behind the other along a longitudinal axis of the airplane cabin and respectively comprising at least one seat capable of passing from a “seated” position to a “bed” position,   a transverse passage disposed between the “front” seat unit and the “rear” seat unit to allow access to an aisle,
 
characterized in that the seat arrangement comprises at least partly flexible closure means, said closure means being movable between a stowed position in which the closure means are clear of the passage and a deployed position in which the closure means close the passage.
       

     The invention thus makes it possible to define an enclosed interior space around the seat which gives the passenger a feeling of privacy by preventing them from being in direct view of other passengers and/or crew members walking in the aisle. 
     According to an embodiment, the closure means comprise a curtain, in particular made of fabric at least in part, and a device for returning the curtain to the stowed position so as to create tension on the curtain when the curtain is in the deployed position. 
     According to an embodiment, the return device comprises a roller provided with a shaft around which at least part of the curtain is wound when the curtain is in the stowed position. 
     According to an embodiment, the roller is attached to the front seat unit. 
     According to an embodiment, the roller is arranged between a backrest and a fixed shell of the rear seat unit. 
     According to an embodiment, the return device comprises at least one resilient return member, such as a spring. 
     According to an embodiment, the resilient return member is attached both to the front seat unit and to an end edge of the curtain. 
     According to an embodiment, said seat arrangement comprises means for holding the curtain in the deployed position, such as a handle intended to cooperate with a support carried by the rear seat unit and/or a magnetic device. 
     According to an embodiment, said seat arrangement comprises at least one translational guide for the curtain that is attached to the front seat unit. 
     According to an embodiment, said seat arrangement comprises means for stiffening the curtain, such as cords or a flexible plate. 
     According to an embodiment, the stiffening means extend beyond the guide. 
     According to an embodiment, the curtain comprises a first part made of a thin fabric and a second part made of a thick fabric attached to the first part, the second part having patterns. 
     According to an embodiment, said seat arrangement comprises means for generating a light pattern. 
     According to an embodiment, the means for generating a light pattern comprise a light source and translucent wires arranged in a thickness of the curtain. 
     According to an embodiment, the means for generating a light pattern comprise a light panel arranged inside the curtain. 
     According to an embodiment, the means for generating a light pattern comprise an assembly of lamps, in particular of the LED type. 
     According to an embodiment, perforations made in the curtain allow a desired pattern to appear. 
     According to an embodiment, the closure means comprise a semi-flexible curtain alternating between strips and folding zones. 
     According to an embodiment, the strips are oriented vertically. 
     According to an embodiment, the semi-flexible curtain is formed by a plurality of strips that are spaced apart and are covered by fabric, the portions of the fabric extending between two adjacent strips forming the folding zones. 
     According to an embodiment, an end edge of the semi-flexible curtain is rotatably mounted about a vertical shaft relative to a seat unit. 
     According to an embodiment, the semi-flexible curtain is configured to conform to a shape of a shell of the front seat unit in the stowed position. 
     According to an embodiment, the semi-flexible curtain is configured such that the strips are folded over one another in the stowed position. 
     According to an embodiment, said arrangement comprises means for holding the semi-flexible curtain in the stowed position and in the deployed position, in particular of the magnetic type. 
     Of course, the various features, variants and/or embodiments of the present invention may be associated with each other in various combinations provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. 
    
    
     
       The present invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description containing embodiments provided for illustrative purposes with reference to the appended drawings, which are given by way of non-limiting example and may be used to supplement the understanding of the present invention and the description of the implementation of the invention and, where appropriate, to contribute to the definition of the invention, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view of an airplane cabin incorporating a seat arrangement according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are perspective views of an assembly of two seats separated by a passage capable of being closed by closure means according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    are views of the assembly of two seats showing the closure means in the stowed position and the deployed position, respectively; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view illustrating the structure of a curtain forming the closure means according to the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view showing the installation of a curtain roller behind a backrest; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view through a guide for the closure means according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a handle used to move the curtain according to the invention from a stowed position into a deployed position; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the assembly of two seats showing a variant of the spring return device; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of an assembly of two seats showing the integration of stiffening means inside the curtain according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an assembly of two seats provided with a curtain integrating means for generating a light pattern according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 12 a , 12 b  and 12 c    are views illustrating three embodiments of the means for generating a light pattern according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 13 a  and 13 b    show closure means formed by a semi-flexible curtain in a stowed position and a deployed position, respectively; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating a deployment phase of the semi-flexible curtain according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a detailed view of the magnetic holding means of the semi-flexible curtain in the stored position and the deployed position; 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of the various elements forming a semi-flexible curtain according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a semi-flexible curtain having an accordion configuration in the stowed position. 
     
    
    
     It should be noted that, in the drawings, the structural and/or functional elements common to the various embodiments may have the same reference signs. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties. 
       FIG. 1  shows an airplane cabin  10  extending along a longitudinal axis X 1  comprising a seat arrangement  11 . The seat arrangement  11  according to the present invention comprises a plurality of seat units  12  that each comprise an individual seat  13 . Advantageously, the seat  13  is capable of passing from a “seated” position, corresponding to the position used in particular during the stopping, take-off and landing phases of the airplane, and a “bed” position, in which the seat  13  defines a substantially horizontal lying surface for the passenger. In particular, the “seated” position and the “bed” position constitute configurations of the seat  13  in two end positions. According to variants, the seat  13  may also assume intermediate positions, referred to as relax positions, between these two end positions. 
     The plurality of seat units  12  are arranged in at least one row  15   a  that preferably extends along the longitudinal axis X 1  of the airplane cabin  10 . According to the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the plurality of seat units  12  are arranged in four rows  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d.    
     According to various particular embodiments, within row  15   a , or rows  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d , respectively, the seat unit  12  can be oriented such that the seat  13  faces forward and/or towards the rear of the airplane. 
     It should be noted that, in the remainder of the description, the terms “front” and “rear” used in relation to the expression “seat unit” locally define a relative position of the seat  13  within the row  15   a , or the rows  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d , respectively, and do not refer in any way to an orientation of the seat  13  within the airplane cabin  10 . In other words, the term “front seat unit” means that the seat unit is positioned directly in front of another seat unit within the row, while the term “rear seat unit” means that the seat unit is positioned directly behind another seat unit within the row. 
     According to the exemplary embodiment shown, the seat arrangement  11  comprises two side groups  16   a ,  16   b  comprising seat units  12 . The two side groups  16   a ,  16   b  are formed by two rows  15   a ,  15   b , respectively, of seat units  12  positioned along a side wall  17  of the fuselage of the airplane cabin  10 . The seat arrangement  11  also comprises a central group  20 . The central group  20  is preferably formed by two rows  15   c ,  15   d  of seat units  12 . In such an arrangement, the two rows  15   c ,  15   d  of seat units  12  particularly adjoin one another laterally. 
     The side groups  16   a ,  16   b  are each separated from the central group  20  by an aisle  21 . According to the configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , two aisles  21  are therefore provided in the airplane cabin  10 , specifically between each side group  16   a ,  16   b  and the central group  20 . In a variant, the two side groups  16   a ,  16   b  could each be formed by several rows of seat units  12 . 
     Each seat  13  has an axis of extension X 2  substantially corresponding to a direction of longitudinal extension of the seat  13 . In particular, the axis of extension X 2  corresponds to the direction of longitudinal extension of the seat  13  in the “bed” position. In this case, the axis X 2  is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X 1  of the airplane cabin, that is to say it forms an angle of less than 10 degrees with respect to the axis X 1 . In a variant, the axis of extension X 2  of a seat forms a non-zero angle greater than 10 degrees with the longitudinal axis X 1  of the airplane cabin  10 . Chevron seat configurations can then be defined in which the two seat units  12  form a “V.” The tip of the “V” shape may be located in front of or behind the backrests  24  of the seats  13  when they are in an inverted chevron configuration. 
     In the example shown, the seats  13  are oriented towards the front of the airplane cabin  10 , that is to say in the direction of a zone comprising a cockpit of the airplane. In an alternative embodiment, the seats  13  are oriented towards the rear of the airplane cabin  10 , that is to say in the direction of a zone opposite the airplane cockpit. 
     As is illustrated in particular by  FIG. 2 , each seat unit  12  comprises a seat  13  having a backrest  24 , which is in particular adjustable in inclination, and a seat surface  25 , which is in particular potentially adjustable in inclination. In addition, the seat  13  may comprise a leg rest (not shown), which is in particular adjustable in inclination. In addition, the seat unit  12  may comprise a footrest  27 , which is visible in particular in  FIG. 3 . 
     According to a variant, the footrest  27  may be formed by a fixed cushion, which is in particular arranged in a housing  29  dedicated to receiving the passenger&#39;s feet. Preferably, the footrest  27  is located in the extension of the seat  13  when the latter is in the “bed” position. 
     The seat unit  12  may also comprise side furniture  32 , which can in particular serve as a fixed shelf and/or as tray table storage. 
     The seat unit  12  may also comprise a fixed shell  33  that is capable of ensuring separation. A fixed shell  33  of this kind thus makes it possible to ensure the privacy of each passenger. Advantageously, in order to fulfill such a function of ensuring privacy, the fixed shell  33  extends around the backrest  24  of the seat  13  in order to create a partly enclosed interior space in which the seat  13  is arranged. 
     When two seat units  12  are arranged one behind the other, advantageously, the two seat units  12  are arranged so as to define an at least partially vertical overlap therebetween. The vertical overlap between the two seat units  12  may consist, as shown, in positioning the housing  29  of the footrest  27  of the “rear” seat unit  12  under the side furniture  32  of the corresponding “front” seat unit  12 . 
     A distinction is also drawn between a “left” seat unit  12 , in which the side furniture  32  is arranged to the left of the seat  13 , and a “right” seat unit  12 , in which the side furniture  32  is arranged to the right of the seat  13 . A row  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  is formed by alternating “left” seat units  12  and “right” seat units  12 , such that each seat  13  is located in front of side furniture  32  of the front seat unit comprising the housing  29  of the corresponding footrest  27 . 
     In addition, the seat unit  12  may comprise an armrest  34 . According to certain configurations, the armrest  34  may be retractable such that it is movable between a “raised” position in which the armrest  34  is capable of supporting a part of the passenger&#39;s body, in particular a passenger&#39;s arm, and a “stowed” position in which the armrest  34  is capable of being positioned at the same level as the seat surface  25  of the seat  13 , in particular when said seat is in a sitting position. The passenger can thus take advantage of comfort positions by placing, for example, a part of their body, in particular a leg, on the armrest  34  when in the “stowed” position. 
     As can be seen in particular in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 4   a , a transverse passage  37  is formed between two consecutive seat units  12  of a row  15   a , or the rows  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d , respectively, namely a front seat unit  12  and a rear seat unit  12 . More specifically, according to the exemplary embodiment shown, the transverse passage  37  extends between the shells  33  of the front seat unit  12  and the rear seat unit  12 . 
     The transverse passage  37  is arranged to allow the passenger to move from the seat  13  to the aisle  21 , in particular when the seat  13  is in the bed position. 
     According to the present invention, closure means  40 , in particular removable closure means  40 , are arranged in the transverse passage  37 . The closure means  40  are capable of ensuring the closure of the transverse passage  37 . 
     When the closure means  40  are deployed, as shown in particular in  FIGS. 2 and 4   b , the transverse passage  37  between two consecutive seat units  12  from the row  15   a , or the rows  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d , respectively, is closed by the closure means  40 . 
     Therefore, the passenger sitting in the seat  13  is separated from any other passengers and/or crew members walking in the aisle  21  by the closure means  40 , which cooperate with the fixed shell  33  extending around the seat  13 . The passenger is thus seated in a privacy area defined by the enclosed space that is thus produced. 
     In the embodiment in  FIG. 2 to 12   b , the closure means  40  comprise a curtain  41 , in particular made of fabric, and a device  42  for returning the curtain  41  to the stowed position so as to create tension on the curtain  41  when the curtain  41  is in the deployed position. 
     In this case, as can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the curtain  41  comprises a first part  45  made of a thin fabric, called a technical part, and a second part  46  made of a thick fabric attached to the first part  45  by being sewn to this first part  45 , for example. The second part  46  is thicker than the first part  45 , which is why the terms “thin” and “thick” must be understood in relation to the thickness of these two parts  45  and  46 . The second part  46  is called the aesthetic part because it may have patterns, such as the logo of an airline. The second part  46  could for example be made of fabric, Alcantara, or leather to increase the perceived quality of the ensemble. 
     In addition, the return device  42  comprises a roller  48  provided with a shaft  49  around which the technical part of the curtain  41  is wound when the curtain  41  is in the stowed position. The roller  48  has a vertical orientation when installed on the seat unit  12 . In the example shown, the roller  48  is attached to the front seat unit  12 . In a variant, the roller  48  is attached to the rear seat unit  12 . The roller  48  can be arranged between the backrest  24  and the shell  33  of the rear seat, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     At least one, preferably two, translational guides  51  for the curtain  41  that is attached to the shell  33  of the front seat unit  12  can be provided, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 . The guides  51  cooperate with the upper edge and the lower edge of the curtain  41 , respectively. In  FIG. 7 , a guide  51  comprises a housing  52  of complementary shape to a profile  53  attached to the curtain  41 . In cross section, the profile  53  is provided with a round section head, or alternatively in the shape of a dovetail, or any other shape suitable for the application. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 10 , the curtain  41  may comprise stiffening means  55 , such as cords and/or rigid edges and/or a flexible plate. These means  55  may extend along the edge of the curtain  41 . 
     The stiffening means  55  are arranged at least in part of the zone of the curtain  41  intended to cooperate with the guide  51 . This zone corresponds to the aesthetic part  46  of the curtain  41 , for example. 
     The curtain  41  further comprises means  56  for holding said curtain  41  in the deployed position. As shown in  FIG. 8 , these holding means  56  comprise, for example, a handle  57  forming a hook intended to cooperate with a support  58 , in particular in the form of a square, carried by the rear seat unit  12  (cf.  FIG. 3 ). Magnetic holding devices  59  arranged on either side of the handle  57  can also be used in combination. The holding means  56  may be breakable beyond a limit force. Alternatively, the curtain  41  could include fusible seams. 
     Thus, in operation, the passenger would be able to pull the curtain  41  towards them by means of the handle  57  in a rectilinear direction, such that the curtain  41  can slide along the guides  51 . Once the curtain  41  has traveled its course until it reaches the deployed position, the passenger causes the handle  57  to cooperate with its retaining support  58  while the possible magnetic holding devices  59  arranged on either side of the handle  57  also generate a retaining force. The tension applied by the roller  48  keeps the curtain  41  taut in the deployed position. Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the stiffening means  55  extend beyond the guides  51  to ensure guidance even in the event of the passenger exerting excessive force on the curtain  41 . 
     By releasing the handle  57  from its support, the return force applied by the roller  48  is greater than the retaining force of the magnetic retaining devices  59 , and therefore the curtain  41  automatically returns to its stowed position. 
     In a variant, in the embodiment in  FIG. 9 , the return device  42  comprises at least one resilient return member  61 , such as a spring. In the example shown, two springs  61  are used, which are each fixed both to the front seat unit  12  and to an end edge of the curtain  41 . 
     In the embodiment in  FIG. 11 , the curtain  41  integrates means  63  for generating a light pattern. These means  63  may comprise a light source  64  and translucent wires  65  arranged in the thickness of the curtain  41 , as illustrated by  FIG. 12 a   , or a luminous panel  67 , which is preferably flexible, arranged inside or on the curtain  41 , as illustrated by  FIG. 12 b   . Alternatively, it is possible to use an assembly of lamps  68 , in particular of the LED type, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 c   . In all cases, a configuration of perforations  69  made in the curtain  41  allow the desired pattern to appear. 
     In the embodiments in  FIG. 13 to 17 , the closure means  40  comprise a semi-flexible curtain  71  alternating between vertical  72  strips  72  and folding zones  73 . The semi-flexible curtain  71  can be folded along the zones  73  at least in part. 
     In the embodiment in  FIG. 16 , the semi-flexible curtain  71  is formed by a plurality of strips  72  that are spaced apart in a regular manner and are covered by fabric  70 , the portions of the fabric  70  extending between two adjacent strips  72  forming the folding zones  73 . Glue  74  may be arranged between the strips  72  and over the entirety of the edge of the fabric  70  to ensure the assembly of the various elements. The strips  72  may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid plastics material. 
     An end edge of the semi-flexible curtain  71  is rotatably mounted about a vertical shaft  75  relative to a seat unit  12 , in this case the front seat unit. 
     As illustrated by  FIGS. 13 a    and  14 , the semi-flexible curtain  71  is configured to conform to a rounded shape of the shell  33  of the front seat unit  12  in the stowed position. This is made possible by the fact that the strips  72  can be folded relative to each other such that the assembly of the strips  72  which are slightly bent relative to each other generally take a curved shape corresponding to the curvature of the shell  33  front seat unit  12 . 
     To move the curtain  71  from the stowed position to the deployed position, the passenger rotates the curtain  71  about the shaft  75  until the slats  72  extend substantially in the same plane, such that the curtain  71  closes the transverse passage  37  between the two seat units  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 13 b    and  14 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 15 , it is possible to use means  77  for holding the curtain  71  in the stowed position and in the deployed position, in particular of the magnetic type. It is thus possible to use a magnet  78  to magnetically attach the free end edge of the curtain  71  to a metal support  79  that is integral with a seat unit  12 . 
     Alternatively, as can be seen in  FIG. 17 , the semi-flexible curtain  71  is configured such that the vertical strips  72  are folded over one another in the stowed position. The curtain  71  therefore has an accordion-like structure in which the strips  72  are superimposed on each other over the majority of their surface. In a variant, the strips  72  could be oriented horizontally. 
     It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to a cabin arrangement in which each seat  13  is oriented towards the aisle  21  of the airplane cabin  10 . It also covers any arrangement of airplane cabins  10  in which there is a transverse passage  37  arranged between two seat units  12  arranged one behind the other along a longitudinal axis X 1  of the airplane cabin  10  allowing direct access to an aisle  21 . 
     It is therefore also applicable to seat arrangements in which the seats are turned in a direction opposite to that of the aisle  21  (known as a “herringbone” type configuration). Alternatively, the seats  13  have an axis X 2  parallel to the axis X 1  of the cabin  10 . 
     The invention may also be implemented with seats installed in other means of transport, such as seats for buses, trains, or boats. 
     Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, which are provided solely by way of example. It covers various different modifications, alternative forms and other variants that may be considered by a person skilled in the art in the context of the present invention, and in particular any combination of the different modes of operation described above, which can be taken in isolation or combination.