Patent Description:
The majority of traveling passengers can board a plane or other conveyance on their own and make use of standard passenger seats and lavatories. PRM passengers, for instance passengers confined to a wheelchair, require special boarding procedures and accommodations. For example, regarding passenger aircraft, part of the special boarding procedures involves transferring a passenger from their own personal wheelchair to a transfer wheelchair able to traverse a narrow aircraft aisle. Such transfer is not only disruptive to the passenger, but transfer wheelchairs are not catered to specific passenger needs and cannot be used for seating during flight. Thus, the PRM passenger must be transferred a second time from the transfer wheelchair to a standard passenger seat, further disrupting the passenger.

Conventional lavatories are also incapable of accommodating a wheelchair due their small size, narrow entrance door, and difficulty transitioning from the longitudinal aisle into the lavatory. In addition, small lavatories are not able to accommodate both a PRM passenger and their caregiver at the same time. While solutions have been developed for temporarily expanding a lavatory, such solutions typically involve increasing the width of the longitudinal aisle entrance. For example, in the case of adjacent lavatories, prior art solutions include a dividing wall repositionable to expand the size of one lavatory at the expense of the adjacent lavatory. While well-intentioned, such solutions are limited in their amount of possible expansion, continue to require access from the longitudinal aisle, and prevent use of the contracted lavatory when the adjacent lavatory is expanded.

Therefore, to minimize disruption to all traveling passengers while better catering to PRM passenger needs, it would be desirable to allow a wheelchair user to remain in their own personal wheelchair during boarding, travel and when accessing a lavatory. It would also be desirable to position the PRM passenger near a lavatory, and to provide a lavatory reconfigurable to allow direct access from a dedicated seating area without having to traverse a longitudinal aisle, crew area, or other heavily trafficked area of a passenger cabin. <CIT> discloses a lavatory monument assembly that includes an enclosure having front and rear walls and that defines an enclosure interior. A divider wall that extends between the front and rear walls, and a divider door that is movable between closed and opened positions. In the closed position the divider door divides the enclosure interior into first and second lavatory interiors. The divider wall includes first and second sections and the divider door includes first and second portions that meet at an obtuse angle. The divider door is pivotably attached to the divider wall. The front wall includes first and second lavatory doors that are both movable between closed and opened positions and provide access to the first and second lavatory interiors. A first toilet is positioned adjacent the rear wall in the first lavatory interior and a second toilet is positioned adjacent the rear wall in the second lavatory interior. <CIT> discloses a space-saving sanitary unit having a toilet which offers improved user convenience to persons with restricted mobility, a cabin module for an aircraft is described which has a sanitary unit. The sanitary unit has a toilet cubicle with a toilet. The toilet cubicle is formed by four side walls and the toilet is arranged on a first side wall. A first access door is arranged in a second side wall, which extends transversely to the first side wall and adjoins the first side wall. A surface which is designed to at least partially accommodate a wheelchair is provided as an option within the toilet cubicle. The cabin module is configured to be installed with the second side wall transversely to a direction of flight. The first side wall 18a is aligned with an external wall in the installed state. <CIT> discloses a monument arrangement for a cabin of a vehicle has a first monument, with a washroom formed therein, a second monument and an aisle. The first and second monuments enclose the aisle, wherein an access opening to the washroom is directed toward a side wall of the second monument and is adjacent to the aisle. The distance between the access opening and the relevant side wall of the second monument is at most <NUM>, and the side wall of the second monument has a first, rigid side wall portion and at least one second side-wall portion, which is mounted on the first side wall portion such that it can be pivoted about a vertical axis and which can be pivoted from a neutral position, running in the direction toward the first side wall portion, into an angled position, directed away from the first monument and the aisle.

To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, in one aspect the present invention provides an expandable lavatory configured for installation in a vehicle including an interior space formed between an exterior wall and a longitudinal aisle. The expandable lavatory includes first, second and third walls forming a lavatory interior, the first wall positionable across the interior space, the second wall positionable along the longitudinal aisle, and the third wall repositionable between a first position in which the third wall is positionable across the interior space and a second position in which the third wall is positionable along the longitudinal aisle. A first door is positioned in the second wall for providing access to the lavatory interior from the longitudinal aisle. A second door is pivotally attached to the third wall such that the second door is deployable across the interior space when the third wall is in the second position, and the second door when deployed providing access to the lavatory interior from an exit pathway positioned across the interior space. A footprint of the lavatory interior is greater when the third wall is in the second position in order to accommodate passengers with mobility issues.

In some embodiments, the expandable lavatory includes a fourth wall positioned partway across the interior space, the fourth wall aligned with the second door when the second door is deployed across the interior space.

In some embodiments, the expandable lavatory further includes a first deployable privacy panel configured to deploy to fill a space between a top of the third wall and a vehicle ceiling when the third wall is in the second position of the third wall, and a second deployable privacy panel configured to deploy to fill a space between a top of the second door and the vehicle ceiling when the second door is deployed across the interior space.

In some embodiments, the expandable partition further includes at least one cabin attendant seat carried on the third wall, wherein the at least one cabin attendant seat is positioned along an exit pathway when the third wall is positioned across the interior space, and wherein the at least one cabin attendant seat is positioned along the longitudinal aisle when the third wall is positioned along the longitudinal aisle.

In some embodiments, the first wall is fixed, the second wall is perpendicular to the first wall, the third wall is perpendicular to the second wall when the third wall is in the first position, and the third wall is parallel to the second wall when the third wall is in the second position.

In some embodiments, the expandable lavatory includes a sink positioned in the lavatory interior and a toilet positioned to one side of the sink, wherein the toilet is parallel to the second wall or angled toward the second wall.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an aircraft cabin configuration including an interior space formed between a fuselage wall and a longitudinal aisle. An exit pathway leading to an exit door divides the interior space into a first portion and a second portion. A seating area positioned in the first portion of the interior space includes at least one passenger seat and a wheelchair securement area is positioned to one side of the at least one passenger seat. An expandable lavatory is positioned in the second portion of the interior space. In a first, non-expanded configuration, the lavatory can be used by passengers without mobility constraints. In a second, expanded configuration, the lavatory is further accessible to passengers with mobility constraints, for instance wheelchair-bound passengers.

In embodiments, the cabin configuration includes first, second and third walls forming a lavatory interior, the first wall is positioned across the interior space, the second wall is positioned along the longitudinal aisle, and the third wall is repositionable between a first position in which the third wall is positioned across the interior space and a second position in which the third wall is positioned along the longitudinal aisle. A first door is positioned in the second wall for providing access to the lavatory interior from the longitudinal aisle. A second door is pivotally attached to the third wall and deploys across the interior space when the third wall is in the second position. The second door, when deployed, provides access to the lavatory interior from the exit pathway. A footprint of the lavatory interior is greater when the third wall is in the second position, and the second door, when deployed across the interior space, is longitudinally aligned with the wheelchair securement area. In some embodiments, the expandable lavatory further includes a fourth wall positioned partway across the interior space, the fourth wall aligned with the second door when the second is deployed across the interior space.

In some embodiments, the seating area includes a plurality of passenger seats, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of passenger seats is removable or reconfigurable to clear a portion of the wheelchair securement area. In some embodiments, the expandable lavatory further includes a first deployable privacy panel configured to deploy to fill a space between a top of the third wall and a ceiling of the aircraft cabin when the third wall is in the second position of the third wall, and a second deployable privacy panel configured to deploy to fill a space between a top of the second door and the ceiling of the aircraft cabin when the second door is deployed across the interior space. In some embodiments, the expandable partition further includes at least one cabin attendant seat carried on the third wall, wherein the at least one cabin attendant seat is positioned along the exit pathway when the third wall is positioned across the interior space, and wherein the at least one cabin attendant seat is positioned along the longitudinal aisle when the third wall is positioned along the longitudinal aisle. In some embodiments, the first wall is fixed, the second wall is perpendicular to the first wall, the third wall is perpendicular to the second wall when the third wall is in the first position, and the third wall is parallel to the second wall when the third wall is in the second position.

In some embodiments, the cabin configuration further includes a privacy partition positioned to one side of the seating area adjacent the wheelchair securement area, the privacy partition longitudinally aligned with and extending in a direction of the second wall.

In some embodiments, the lavatory includes a sink positioned along the fuselage wall and a toilet positioned to one side of the sink, wherein the toilet is not longitudinally aligned with the wheelchair securement area.

In some embodiments, the lavatory toilet is angled toward the second wall or angled toward the fuselage wall.

Embodiments of the inventive concepts can include one or more or any combination of the above aspects, features and configurations.

Such description refers to the included drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, and in which some features may be exaggerated, and some features may be omitted or may be represented schematically in the interest of clarity. Like reference numbers in the drawings may represent and refer to the same or similar element, feature, or function. In the drawings:.

In the following detailed description of embodiments, numerous specific details may be set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the disclosure.

Broadly speaking, the present disclosure provides embodiments of passenger cabin configurations, dedicating seating areas for PRM passengers, and expandable lavatories with direct access for PRM passengers.

<FIG> illustrate a passenger cabin, for example an aircraft passenger cabin, including a dedicated PRM passenger seating area and expandable lavatory. The passenger cabin <NUM> includes an interior space <NUM> formed between a fuselage wall <NUM> and a longitudinal aisle <NUM>. The interior space <NUM> extends longitudinally along a portion of the length of the passenger cabin <NUM> and along one side of the longitudinal aisle <NUM>. The interior space <NUM> is divided by a transverse exit pathway <NUM> leading to an exit door <NUM> provided along the fuselage wall <NUM>. The transverse exit pathway <NUM> divides the interior space <NUM> into a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM>, not necessarily equally dimensioned.

A seating area <NUM> positioned in the first portion <NUM> includes at least one passenger seat <NUM>. As shown, in some embodiments each passenger seat <NUM> is an economy class seat forming part of a seat row. The seating area <NUM> in the first portion <NUM>, when configured for wheelchair securement, is dedicated for use by a PRM passenger and a caregiver or an accompanying passenger. Additional seats rows may be positioned in the cabin outside of the first portion <NUM>, for instance aft of the seating area <NUM> and/or to one side of the seating area <NUM> across the longitudinal aisle <NUM>.

With specific reference to <FIG>, the seating area <NUM> includes a row of passenger seats wherein at least one of the passenger seats <NUM>, and preferably two of the passenger seats, are removable at least in part, or reconfigurable, to clear floor space for receiving a wheelchair <NUM>. Floor tracks <NUM> and seat frame elements may serve as anchoring locations for attaching straps or other elements for securing the wheelchair <NUM> in place during flight. As shown, the floor tracks <NUM> extend in the longitudinal direction from the seating area <NUM> in the direction of the expandable lavatory <NUM>. When secured during flight, the wheelchair <NUM> is positioned just aft of the exit pathway <NUM> such that the exit pathway remains unobstructed.

The expandable lavatory <NUM> is positioned in the second portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the expandable lavatory <NUM> is in a first configuration for use by passengers without mobility issues. In other words, the typical or conventional lavatory use configuration. The expandable lavatory <NUM> generally includes first, second and third walls forming a lavatory interior. The first wall (see <FIG> at <NUM>) is a transverse wall extending across the interior space, for instance from the fuselage wall <NUM> to the longitudinal aisle <NUM>. The second wall <NUM>, which may be coupled to and/or continuous with the first wall, extends in the longitudinal direction along one side of the longitudinal aisle <NUM>. The third wall <NUM>, which in some embodiments is pivotally coupled to the second wall <NUM>, extends across the interior space when in a first position as shown in <FIG>, and extends along the longitudinal aisle <NUM> and parallel to the second wall <NUM> when pivoted to a second position as shown in <FIG>. The first position of the third wall <NUM> shown in <FIG> corresponds to a retracted or conventional configuration of the lavatory <NUM>, while the second position of the third wall <NUM> corresponds to an expanded lavatory configuration as shown in <FIG>.

A first door <NUM> is positioned in the second wall <NUM> and swings open to provide access into the lavatory directly from the longitudinal aisle <NUM>. In some embodiments, the lavatory entrance via the first door <NUM> is fixed in width and the width is insufficient to allow passage of a wheelchair. In some embodiments, the first and second walls <NUM>, <NUM> are also positionally fixed. In some embodiments, the third wall <NUM> carries crew elements on an exterior side of the third wall, i.e., outside of the lavatory interior. The crew elements may include, but are not limited to, cabin attendant seats <NUM>, a cabin information display system (CIDS) <NUM>, etc. When the third wall <NUM> is in the first position as shown in <FIG>, the crew elements are positioned in the exit pathway <NUM> such that the cabin attendant seat bottoms deploy into the exit pathway <NUM>. When the third wall <NUM> is in the second position as shown in <FIG>, the cabin attendant seat bottoms deploy into the longitudinal aisle <NUM> for use during air turbulence and otherwise when the expanded lavatory is in use.

With specific reference to <FIG>, a second door <NUM> is pivotally attached to the third wall <NUM>. The second door <NUM> is configured to swing open to provide access into the lavatory interior from the exit pathway <NUM>. In use, lavatory expansion includes in a first step moving (e.g., pivoting) the third wall <NUM> from its first position across the interior space to its second position parallel to the longitudinal aisle and in some embodiments in line with the second wall <NUM>. In a second step, the second door <NUM> is pivoted away from the third wall <NUM>, hinged along one edge, to a closed position in which the closed door extends across the interior space. In some embodiments, the door length is less than the width of the interior space (i.e., from the fuselage wall <NUM> to the longitudinal aisle <NUM>) and a fourth wall <NUM> is provided to fill the space between the fuselage wall <NUM> and closed second door <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments the third wall <NUM> is curved along the top edge to generally conform to the curvature of the fuselage wall <NUM> when the third wall <NUM> is in the first position. The second door <NUM> may have a similar curvature such that the curvatures of the third wall <NUM> and the second door <NUM> align with the second door <NUM> is in the first position and the second door is stowed face to face against the third wall <NUM>. In some embodiments, a first deployable partition <NUM> is provided to fill the space between the top edge of the third wall <NUM> and the ceiling <NUM> when the third door is in the second position, and a second deployable partition <NUM> is provided to fill the space between the top edge of the second door <NUM> and the ceiling <NUM> when the second door is deployed. In some embodiments, the first and second deployable partitions <NUM>, <NUM> are integrally formed. In some embodiments, the first and second deployable partitions <NUM>, <NUM> are separate and separately deployable. Each of the deployable partitions <NUM>, <NUM> may be carried on their respective lavatory element, may be attached to the ceiling <NUM>, or may be stowed elsewhere and installed as needed. In some embodiments, the height of the third wall <NUM> and the height of the second door <NUM> are sufficient to obviate the need for space-filling privacy partitions. In some embodiments, a privacy partition <NUM> is positioned to one side of the seating area, the privacy partition <NUM> positioned along the longitudinal aisle <NUM> and extending in a direction of the expandable lavatory <NUM>. In some embodiments, the privacy partition <NUM> includes at least one of storage compartments and a window.

<FIG> shows a view from the dedicated PRM seating area into the expanded lavatory through the second door <NUM>. As shown, the floor tracks <NUM> extend from the seating area into the lavatory. In some embodiments, the wheelchair always remains attached to the floor tracks <NUM>. Also shown is the optional privacy partition <NUM> positioned alongside the seating area, and more particularly, alongside a convertible passenger seat as discussed below.

<FIG> illustrate the steps involved with lavatory expansion and lavatory ingress. <FIG> shows a PRM passenger confined to a wheelchair, the PRM passenger positioned in the dedicated seating area <NUM> during flight, and the expandable lavatory in a contracted or conventional configuration. <FIG> shows the third wall <NUM> moved to the 'open' position to expand the lavatory interior. <FIG> shows the PRM passenger moving into the expanded lavatory. <FIG> shows the PRM passenger fully in the expanded lavatory, and with the second door <NUM> in the closed position. Apparent from <FIG>, the PRM passenger seat position and the second door <NUM> are longitudinally aligned such that the PRM passenger can move straight forward to enter the expanded lavatory to position the wheelchair laterally adjacent the toilet <NUM> to facilitate easy transfer from the wheelchair to the toilet and back. A comparison of <FIG> further shows the difference in footprint size between the contracted configuration of the lavatory as shown in <FIG> and the expanded configuration of the lavatory as shown in <FIG> further shows the lavatory footprint capable of accommodating both the PRM passenger and a caregiver, and the privacy of the expanded lavatory.

<FIG> shows another embodiment of a PRM accessible lavatory <NUM>. As shown, the seating area includes a row of seats <NUM> each seat equipped with a flip-up seat bottom <NUM> configured to stow against its respective seat back <NUM> to clear space in the seating area to accommodate a wheelchair. In some embodiments, the dedicated seating area occupies a portion of a conventional passenger seating area such that the dedicated seating area is visually indistinguishable from an adjacent conventional passenger seating area when the dedicated seating area is used for conventional passenger seating. Seat components such as seat backs, armrests and headrests may be the same or similar in both the conventional passenger seating zone and the dedicated seating area for visual consistency throughout the passenger cabin. The dedicated seating area may be positioned in any location within the aircraft cabin but is preferably positioned directly longitudinally adjacent the expandable lavatory <NUM> as shown.

In some embodiments, the seat row is positioned on a floor pallet <NUM> installable in the dedicated seating area and sized to substantially correspond to the footprint of the dedicated seating area. The floor pallet <NUM> may be unitary or multi-piece to facilitate installation and depending on the footprint of the dedicated seating area. The floor pallet <NUM> preferably has a lightweight construction, is resistant to deformation, transfer loads on restraint assemblies to the floor, and has a thin vertical profile. <FIG> illustrates two of the three passenger seats with their seat bottoms <NUM> positioned to accommodate a wheelchair in the dedicated seating area. <FIG> further shows the PRM passenger moving into the expandable lavatory <NUM> via an expanded access opening. <FIG> shows the PRM passenger wheelchair fully in the expanded lavatory and with the passenger transferred from the wheelchair to the toilet.

<FIG> shows a first embodiment of a lavatory interior including a sink <NUM> positioned adjacent the fuselage wall <NUM>, a counter <NUM> coextensive with a portion of the fuselage wall <NUM> and transitioning into the sink <NUM>, and the toilet <NUM> positioned to the side of the counter <NUM>. The toilet <NUM> is parallel to the longitudinal aisle. <FIG> shows a second embodiment of a lavatory interior, similar to the first embodiment, but with the toilet <NUM> angled toward the fuselage wall <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An expandable lavatory (<NUM>) configured for installation in a vehicle including an interior space (<NUM>) formed between an exterior wall (<NUM>) and a longitudinal aisle (<NUM>), the expandable lavatory comprising:
first (<NUM>), second (<NUM>) and third (<NUM>) walls forming a lavatory interior, the first wall positionable across the interior space, the second wall positionable along the longitudinal aisle, and wherein the third wall repositionable between a first position in which the third wall is positionable across the interior space and a second position in which the third wall is positionable along the longitudinal aisle;
a first door (<NUM>) positioned in the second wall, the first door providing access to the lavatory interior from the longitudinal aisle; and
a second door (<NUM>) pivotally attached to the third wall, the second door deployable across the interior space when the third wall is in the second position, and the second door when deployed providing access to the lavatory interior from an exit pathway positioned across the interior space;
wherein a footprint of the lavatory interior is greater when the third wall is in the second position.