Patent Description:
The field of the invention relates to passenger seat units, such as mini suites, having a passenger seat area, and more particularly to privacy screens, walls, or doors that divides the passenger seat area from an aisle area or other common area.

Many vehicles such as passenger aircraft, buses, trains, ships, automobiles, and the like include seats that passengers may use during travel. Some vehicles include seats that are provided with passenger seat units, such as mini suites, having privacy shells or screens that enable a passenger occupying the seat to have an enclosed feeling. For example, a privacy screen, wall, or sliding door may be provided that divides a passenger seat area with the passenger seat from the aisle area or other common area. To fully close off the passenger seat area, some passenger seat units may include privacy doors or screens (collectively a "privacy feature"), and airline crew and/or other passengers cannot see in to the suite and/or cannot access the suite without moving a door.

While passenger comfort and privacy are important considerations in passenger seat unit design, passenger seat units are also subject to safety requirements established by governments or other standard-setting organizations. For example, some regulations require that no door may be installed between any passenger and any emergency exit space or aisle during certain situations such as taxiing, takeoff, and landing (TTL). Other regulations may require that the door must be openable even if an adjacent aisle is crowded. Accordingly, any privacy feature that may be associated with the passenger seat must allow a safe and timely exit from the passenger seat unit. Document <CIT> describes a system having a passenger seat area divided from an aisle or common area by a privacy feature, where the privacy feature offers a primary egress from the passenger seat area and a secondary egress from the passenger seat area. The primary egress comprises a sliding door configured to slide into and out of a wall pocket in order to open or close a passageway space. The secondary egress comprises multiple hinges on the sliding door such that the door is hinged when sliding movement into and out of the wall pocket is blocked. The document <CIT> describes a panel door assembly for providing access to an aircraft passenger suite including a translatable panel door assembly and a filler door connected to a forward end of the panel door assembly at a hinge point.

The claimed invention proposes a passenger seat unit according to claim <NUM>. Further optional features are described in the dependent claims <NUM>-<NUM>.

According to the present claimed invention, a passenger seat unit includes a privacy shell and a door. The privacy shell at least partially defines a passenger seat area, and the privacy shell includes an opening for allowing entry to and exit from the seat unit. The door is supported on the privacy shell and includes a first panel and a second panel. The second panel is pivotably connected to the first panel such that the second panel is movable relative to the first panel between a folded position and an unfolded position. A length of the door in the folded position is less than a length of the door in the unfolded position. In the folded position, the door is movable in a forward and aft direction relative to the privacy shell.

In various embodiments, the door is slidable in the forward and aft direction relative to the privacy shell. In some embodiments, in the unfolded position, the door is movable in the forward and aft direction relative to the privacy shell and, in a forward-most position or an aft-most position, the door in the unfolded position obstructs the opening of the privacy shell. In certain embodiments, in the folded position, the door is movable in the forward and aft direction between a forward-most position and an aft-most position, and in both the forward-most position and the aft-most position, the door in the folded position maintains at least portion of the opening that is unobstructed by the door.

The passenger seat unit may include at least one vertical hinge pivotably connecting the first panel and the second panel of the door. According to the claimed invention, the first panel defines an aft edge of the door, and the door includes a door latch that selectively secures the second panel to the first panel in the folded position. The door also includes an indicator along the aft edge of the door that provides a visual indication of whether the second panel is latched or unlatched to the first panel. In certain embodiments, the privacy shell includes a shell latch that selectively secures the door in a forward-most position or an aft-most position. The shell latch may include an indicator that provides a visual indication of whether the door is latched or unlatched to the shell latch.

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Directional references such as "up," "down," "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "forward," and "aft," among others, are intended to refer to the orientation as illustrated and described in the figure (or figures) to which the components and directions are referencing. Reference herein to a "forward-most" position or component and an "aft-most" position or component likewise merely refers to the orientation as illustrated and is not meant to require a particular orientation of components, and an "aft-most" position or component illustrated may be a "forward-most" position or component if oriented in such a manner.

The described embodiments of the invention provide passenger seat units with doors. While the passenger seat units are discussed for use with aircraft and/or aircraft seats, they are by no means so limited. Rather, embodiments of the passenger seat units may be used in other vehicles and/or with seats of any type or otherwise as desired.

According to certain embodiments of the invention, as shown in <FIG>, a passenger seat unit <NUM> includes a privacy shell <NUM> and a door <NUM>. The privacy shell <NUM> defines a passenger seat area <NUM>. As best illustrated in <FIG>, the privacy shell <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> that allows for entry to and exit from the passenger seat area <NUM>. The particular shape of the opening <NUM> should not be considered limiting on the disclosure. Various passenger features may be provided in the passenger seat area <NUM> as desired, including but not limited to a passenger seat <NUM>, a bed <NUM>, a tray table <NUM>, an in-flight entertainment screen <NUM>, stowage compartments, closets, reading lights, various other features that may be utilized by the passenger, and/or various other combinations or subcombination of features as desired. The shape of the privacy shell <NUM>, the privacy seat area <NUM>, and the passenger features illustrated in the privacy seat area <NUM> should not be considered limiting on the disclosure.

The door <NUM> of the passenger seat unit <NUM> is supported on the privacy shell <NUM> and is movable in a forward and aft direction <NUM> (see <FIG>). Optionally, the door <NUM> may include gripping features <NUM> that the passenger may utilize to facilitate movement of the door <NUM> between the forward-most position and the aft-most position. In certain aspects, the door <NUM> may be supported on the privacy shell <NUM> via various suitable mechanisms or devices such that the door <NUM> is movable in the forward and aft direction <NUM>. As some non-limiting examples, the door <NUM> may be slidable along a rail, may be movable via rollers, or may utilize various other mechanisms or devices as desired. In the forward and aft direction <NUM>, the door <NUM> may be movable between a forward-most position and an aft-most position. As discussed in detail below, in various embodiments, in the forward-most position, the door <NUM> may at least partially obstruct the opening <NUM>, meaning that the door <NUM> at least partially covers the opening <NUM> to further enclose the passenger seat area <NUM>.

In some embodiments, and as best illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG>, the privacy shell <NUM> may include a shell latch <NUM> that selectively engages and retains the door <NUM> in the aft-most position. It will be appreciated that depending on the type of shell latch <NUM> utilized, the shell latch <NUM> may include various other and/or additional components as desired. As such, the particular shell latch <NUM> illustrated should not be considered limiting, and the shell latch <NUM> may be various suitable devices or mechanisms for selectively retaining the door <NUM> in the aft-most position.

In the embodiment illustrated, the shell latch <NUM> is a slam latch system that selectively engages at least the first panel edge <NUM>. The shell latch <NUM> engaged with or otherwise connected to the first panel edge <NUM> may secure the door <NUM> in the aft-most position, and the shell latch <NUM> disengaged with the first panel edge <NUM> may allow for the door <NUM> to move in the forward and aft direction <NUM>. In some embodiments, the shell latch <NUM> selectively engaging the first panel edge <NUM> may improve the ability of the shell latch <NUM> to retain the door <NUM> in the aft-most position. However, the particular location of the shell latch <NUM> on the privacy shell <NUM> and the portion of component of the door <NUM> that the shell latch <NUM> engages should not be considered limiting on the disclosure.

Optionally, and as best illustrated in <FIG>, the shell latch <NUM> includes an indicator <NUM> that selectively provides a visual indication of whether the door <NUM> is secured in the aft-most position. In the embodiment illustrated, the indicator <NUM> includes buttons 158A-B that may be in an activated configuration indicating that the door <NUM> is secured in the aft-most position or a deactivated configuration indicating that the door <NUM> is unsecured. <FIG>, and <FIG> illustrate a non-limiting example of the button 158A in the activated position, and <FIG> illustrates a non-limiting example of the button 158B in the deactivated position. As illustrated, in these embodiments, the button (e.g., button 158A) may have a first visual marker 160A indicating that the button is in the activated position and the door <NUM> is secured in the aft-most position, and the button (e.g., button 158B) may have a second visual marker 160B indicating that the button is in the deactivated position and the door <NUM> is unsecured in the aft-most position. In these embodiments, at least one visual characteristic of the second visual marker 160B may be different from the first visual marker 160A. In certain embodiments, movement of the indicator <NUM> from the activated configuration to the deactivated configuration may disengage the shell latch <NUM> from the door <NUM> such that the door <NUM> is no longer secured to the shell latch <NUM> and/or relative to the privacy shell <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the passenger seat unit <NUM> may include various devices or mechanisms for selectively securing the door <NUM> in the forward-most position. Such devices or mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, latch systems, friction fit systems, clips, and/or other suitable devices or mechanisms as desired.

The door <NUM> of the passenger seat unit <NUM> includes at least a first panel <NUM> and a second panel <NUM>. While two panels of the door <NUM> are illustrated, in other embodiments, the door <NUM> may have more than two panels as desired. The first panel <NUM> of the door <NUM> includes a first surface <NUM> and a second surface <NUM> opposite from the first surface <NUM>. The first panel <NUM> also includes a first panel edge <NUM>. Similarly, the second panel <NUM> of the door <NUM> includes a first surface <NUM> and a second surface <NUM> opposite from the first surface <NUM>. The second panel <NUM> also includes a second panel edge <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the second panel <NUM> is movable relative to the first panel <NUM> such that the door <NUM> may be in a folded position or an unfolded position. <FIG> illustrate the door <NUM> in the unfolded position, <FIG> illustrate the door <NUM> in the folded position, and <FIG> illustrates the door <NUM> at a position between the folded position and the unfolded position. The second panel <NUM> may be connected to the first panel <NUM> via various suitable mechanisms or devices as desired such that the door <NUM> is movable between the folded position and the unfolded position. In the embodiment of <FIG>, at least one vertical hinge <NUM> connects the second panel <NUM> with the first panel <NUM>.

As best illustrated in <FIG>, in the unfolded position, the first surface <NUM> of the first panel <NUM> and the first surface <NUM> of the second panel <NUM> may face a same direction, and the second surface <NUM> of the first panel <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> of the second panel <NUM> may face the same direction. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, in the unfolded position, the first surface <NUM> and the first surface <NUM> may face towards the passenger seat area <NUM>, and the second surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> may face away from the passenger seat area <NUM>. In various embodiment, in the unfolded position, the first surface <NUM> is substantially parallel to the first surface <NUM>, and in certain embodiments, the first surface <NUM> may be flush with the first surface <NUM> such that the door <NUM> has a continuous surface facing towards the passenger seat area <NUM>. Similarly, in the unfolded position, the second surface <NUM> may be substantially parallel to the second surface <NUM>, and in certain embodiments, the second surface <NUM> may be flush with the second surface <NUM> such that the door <NUM> has a continuous surface facing away from the passenger seat area <NUM>.

In various embodiments, in the unfolded position, the second panel <NUM> is substantially aligned with the first panel <NUM> in the forward and aft direction <NUM> (see, e.g., <FIG>). In certain embodiments, in the unfolded position, the first panel edge <NUM> of the first panel <NUM> may define an aft-most edge of the door <NUM>, and the second panel edge <NUM> of the second panel <NUM> may define a forward-most edge of the door <NUM> opposite from the first panel edge <NUM>.

As best illustrated in <FIG>, in the folded position, a length of the door <NUM> is less than a length of the door <NUM> in the unfolded position. In various embodiments, in the folded position, the second panel <NUM> is folded back onto the first panel <NUM> such that the first surface <NUM> of the first panel <NUM> faces in a direction that is opposite from the direction that the first surface <NUM> of the second panel <NUM> is facing. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the first surface <NUM> of the first panel <NUM> may face towards the passenger seat area <NUM>, and the first surface <NUM> of the second panel <NUM> may face away from the passenger seat area <NUM>. In this embodiment, the second surface <NUM> of the first panel <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> of the second panel <NUM> may face each other, and optionally may abut or otherwise contact each other. As best illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the folded position, the first panel edge <NUM> of the first panel <NUM> and the second panel edge <NUM> of the second panel <NUM> may both be aft edges of the door <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the door <NUM> in the folded position optionally includes the second panel <NUM> in an orientation that is approximately <NUM>° from the orientation of the second panel <NUM> in the unfolded position. In various embodiments, and as discussed in detail below, the door <NUM> may be in the folded position during a TTL situation.

In the folded position, the second panel <NUM> may be selectively secured to the first panel <NUM> such that its relative position is maintained, or the second panel <NUM> may be unsecured to the first panel <NUM> such that the second panel <NUM> is movable via the vertical hinge <NUM> (or other connecting component). According to the claimed invention, the door <NUM> includes a door latch system <NUM> that selectively secures the door <NUM> in the folded position. It will be appreciated that depending on the type of door latch system <NUM> utilized, the door latch system <NUM> may include various other and/or additional components as desired. As such, the particular door latch system <NUM> illustrated should not be considered limiting, and the door latch system <NUM> may be various suitable devices or mechanisms for selectively retaining the door <NUM> in the folded position.

In the embodiment illustrated, the door latch system <NUM> is a slam latch system that includes a first latch component <NUM> on the first panel <NUM> and a second latch component <NUM> on the second panel <NUM> that is complimentary to and/or otherwise selectively engages the first latch component <NUM>. The second latch component <NUM> engaged with or otherwise connected to the first latch component <NUM> may secure the second panel <NUM> relative to the first panel <NUM>, while the second latch component <NUM> disengaged or otherwise disconnected from the first latch component <NUM> may allow the second panel <NUM> to be movable relative to the first panel <NUM>. In some cases, the first latch component <NUM> may be positioned on or proximate to the first panel edge <NUM>. In these embodiments, the first latch component <NUM> at a position that is spaced apart from the vertical hinge <NUM> (or other connecting component) may improve the ability of the door latch system <NUM> to retain the door <NUM> in the folded position.

As best illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the door latch system <NUM> includes an indicator <NUM> that selectively provides a visual indication of whether the second panel <NUM> is latched or otherwise secured to the first panel <NUM>. According to the claimed invention, the indicator <NUM> is provided on the first panel <NUM>, on the first panel edge <NUM>. In various embodiments, the indicator <NUM> may be provided on the door <NUM> such that the indicator <NUM> is outside of the passenger seat area <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a non-limiting example of the indicator <NUM> in an activated configuration indicating that the second panel <NUM> is latched to the first panel <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in this embodiment, the indicator <NUM> extends outwards (e.g., in the forward and aft direction <NUM>) from the first panel edge <NUM> and optionally such that a visual marker <NUM> is visible. <FIG> illustrates a non-limiting example of the indicator <NUM> in a deactivated configuration indicating that the second panel <NUM> is not latched or otherwise secured to the first panel <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in this embodiment, the indicator <NUM> is flush and/or otherwise aligned with the first panel edge <NUM> and optionally such that the visual marker <NUM> is concealed.

In certain embodiments, the indicator <NUM> is coupled to the door latch system <NUM> such that movement of the indicator <NUM> from the activated configuration (<FIG>) to the deactivated configuration (<FIG>) may disengage the door latch system <NUM> such that the second panel <NUM> is no longer secured to the first panel <NUM>. As an example, moving the indicator <NUM> from the activated configuration to the deactivated configuration may cause the first latch component <NUM> to become disengaged from the second latch component <NUM> such that the second panel <NUM> is movable relative to the first panel <NUM>.

As previously mentioned, the door <NUM> is movable in the forward and aft direction <NUM>. According to the claimed invention, the door <NUM> is movable in the forward and aft direction <NUM> while the door <NUM> is in the unfolded position or the unfolded position. As one-non-limiting example, <FIG> illustrate the door <NUM> in the unfolded position and in the aft-most position, <FIG> illustrate the door <NUM> in the unfolded position and in the forward-most position, <FIG> illustrate the door <NUM> in the folded position and in the aft-most position, and <FIG> illustrate the door <NUM> in the folded position and in the forward-most position.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the unfolded, aft-most position, the door <NUM> maintains at least portion of the opening <NUM> that is unobstructed by the door <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the entire opening <NUM> is unobstructed by the door <NUM> in the unfolded, aft-most position.

Referring to <FIG>, in the unfolded, forward-most position, the door <NUM> obstructs the opening <NUM> (e.g., the door <NUM> closes off the opening <NUM> such that entry to and exit from the seat unit through the opening <NUM> is prevented).

Referring to <FIG>, in the folded, aft-most position, the door <NUM> maintains at least portion of the opening <NUM> that is unobstructed by the door <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the entire opening <NUM> is unobstructed by the door <NUM> in the folded, aft-most position.

Referring to <FIG>, in the folded, forward-most position, the door <NUM> maintains at least a portion of the opening <NUM> that is unobstructed by the door <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the size of the portion of the opening <NUM> that is unobstructed by the door <NUM> in the folded, forward-most position is a minimum distance size needed for a passenger to enter or exit the passenger seat unit <NUM>, such as during an emergency situation. In one non-limiting example, the size of the unobstructed portion of the opening <NUM> when the door <NUM> is in the folded, forward-most position is about <NUM> inches (<NUM>), although in other embodiments, the size may be less than <NUM> inches or greater than <NUM> inches.

Positioning the door <NUM> in the folded position and with the panels <NUM>, <NUM> latched together at least during a TTL situation may allow for the passenger seat unit <NUM> to comply with various safety regulations because the passenger may still exit the passenger seat unit <NUM> if needed and/or even if the door <NUM> fails and moves to the forward-most position. It will be appreciated that the door <NUM> may be in the folded position in non-TTL situations as desired. For example, the passenger may put the door <NUM> in the folded position to have partial privacy or obstruction of the opening <NUM>. Likewise, during non-TTL situations, the door <NUM> may be in the unfolded position (and in the forward-most or aft-most position) as desired.

Claim 1:
A passenger seat unit (<NUM>) comprising:
a privacy shell (<NUM>) at least partially defining a passenger seat area (<NUM>), the privacy shell (<NUM>) comprising an opening (<NUM>) for allowing entry to and exit from the seat unit (<NUM>); and
a door (<NUM>) supported on the privacy shell (<NUM>), the door (<NUM>) comprising a first panel (<NUM>) and a second panel (<NUM>) pivotably connected to the first panel (<NUM>) such that the second panel (<NUM>) is movable relative to the first panel (<NUM>) between a folded position and an unfolded position,
wherein a length of the door (<NUM>) in the folded position is less than a length of the door (<NUM>) in the unfolded position, and
wherein, in both the unfolded position and the folded position, the door (<NUM>) is movable in a forward and aft direction relative to the privacy shell (<NUM>) between a forward-most position of the door (<NUM>) and an aft-most position of the door (<NUM>),
wherein the first panel (<NUM>) defines an aft edge of the door (<NUM>), wherein the door (<NUM>) further comprises:
a door latch (<NUM>) that is configured to selectively secure the second panel (<NUM>) to the first panel (<NUM>) in the folded position; and
an indicator (<NUM>) along the aft edge (<NUM>) of the door (<NUM>), wherein the indicator (<NUM>) provides a visual indication of whether the second panel (<NUM>) is latched or unlatched to the first panel (<NUM>), wherein the indicator (<NUM>) is movable between an activated configuration and a deactivated configuration, wherein, in the activated configuration, a visual marker (<NUM>) providing the visual indication is visible, and, in the deactivated configuration, the visual marker (<NUM>) is concealed, and
wherein the indicator (<NUM>) is coupled to the door latch (<NUM>) such that movement of the indicator (<NUM>) from the activated configuration to the deactivated configuration disengages the door latch (<NUM>) such that the second panel (<NUM>) is disengaged from the first panel (<NUM>).