Aircraft passenger seating unit

Abstract

The present invention provides an aircraft passenger seating unit 100 comprising a seat 121, a private housing 110 having a primary opening 117 for allowing access to and exit from the seating unit, a storage unit 130 comprising one or more brackets for supporting laundry, and a door 140 movable between a first position in which the housing 110 has a primary opening 117 for allowing access to and exit from the seating unit, and a second position in which the housing 110 has a primary opening 117 for allowing access to and exit from the seating unit. The door has a first position in which the door at least partially blocks the main opening and a second position in which the door at least partially closes access to the holder of the storage unit. An aircraft passenger seating unit 100 is also provided in which the door 140 completely blocks the primary opening 117, thereby preventing entry and exit of a passenger in a first position. The invention also provides an aircraft passenger seating unit 100 in which the door 140 is arranged to move in an offset direction at an angle to the private shell 110 in the vicinity of the opening 117.

Description

[0001] This case is a divisional application of a case whose application date is October 14, 2019, whose invention name is aircraft passenger seat unit and whose application number is 201980067864.6. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an aircraft passenger seating unit. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an aircraft passenger seating unit comprising a seat, a private shell at least partially surrounding the seat, the private shell having a main opening allowing entry and exit to the seating unit and a storage unit, the storage unit comprising one or more supports for supporting clothing stored in the storage unit and resting against an inner surface of the private shell adjacent the main opening. Background Art

[0003] In business, especially in first class aircraft cabins, it is common to encounter aircraft passenger seating units or suites that are expected to provide passengers with a relatively high level of privacy, such as provided by a private housing. For example, first class passengers often expect to be able to completely enclose the area around them (in the suite) so that airline crew members and / or other passengers cannot see into the suite and / or cannot access the suite without moving the door. In addition, first class passengers often expect a wardrobe or other storage unit in the suite. The wardrobe often has a separate door. This adds weight and complexity to the suite.

[0004] The Swiss first class arrangement uses the width of the private shell to provide wardrobe space. When the wardrobe is open, it is pulled out of the private shell to close the shell doorway and allow access to the contents of the wardrobe. When it is closed, it slides into the private shell. This then also provides access through the doorway and closes access to the wardrobe contents.

[0005] The problem with this arrangement is that opening the suite to allow doorway access involves moving the entire wardrobe and its contents. This means it can be heavy and more difficult to move, and may require a more robust mounting arrangement, making the arrangement heavier. Additionally, moving clothing each time the access door is moved may result in damage to the clothing. Furthermore, the wardrobe is not easily accessible. Finally, it should be noted that when the wardrobe is open (and the doorway is closed), the clothing in the wardrobe is near the seat / bed in the suite, so this may additionally result in damage to the clothing.

[0006] The Swiss first class layout also uses a second panel to close the suite. This panel is adjacent to the wardrobe (when open), effectively forming part of the private shell. The panel can be retracted by sliding to open that part of the private shell and allow emergency opening of the suite. This feature can be used, for example, if the wardrobe is stuck in its open (doorway closed) position. Again, having a second removable panel (or door) adds weight and complexity to the suite.

[0007] Swiss First Class has seats, private screens and wardrobes arranged essentially parallel to one another. This can mean the suites feel cramped.

[0008] The present invention seeks to alleviate the above mentioned problems.Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved aircraft passenger seating unit. Summary of the invention

[0009] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an aircraft passenger seating unit comprising a seat, a private shell at least partially surrounding the seat, the private shell having a main opening allowing entry into and exit from the seating unit, a storage unit comprising one or more racks for supporting clothing stored in the storage unit and abutting against an inner surface of the private shell near the main opening, and a door movable relative to the storage unit between a first position and a second position, in which the door is positioned to at least partially block the main opening and in which the door at least partially closes access to the racks of the storage unit.

[0010] Making the door movable relative to the support of the storage unit enables the door to be moved without moving the contents of the storage unit supported by the support. This means that the contents are less likely to be damaged during the movement of the door. In addition, the arrangement is easier to move as only the weight of the door is moved. The installation of the door may also be light as it only needs to support the relatively light weight door. In addition, the support of the storage unit is easily accessible and only requires moving the door towards the first position. Finally, it is to be noted that the storage unit is located near the opening (i.e., adjacent to the opening). Therefore, when the storage unit is accessible, the contents of the storage unit are located on one side of the opening, and if the opening is in the middle of the seating unit (usually), this means that the contents are located on one side of the seating unit. Since the contents are not near the seat / bed of the seating unit, this further prevents damage to the contents.

[0011] The door may be arranged such that in a first position the door at least partially provides access to a rack of the storage unit, and in a second position the door is positioned to provide access at least partially to the main opening. The door may be arranged such that in the second position the door only at least partially closes access to the rack of the storage unit.

[0012] The door in the first position may completely block the main opening. For example, preventing passengers from entering and leaving the seating unit. Alternatively, the door in the first position may only partially block the main opening. Another door or panel may be used to completely block the main opening.

[0013] The door may include a movable or removable portion. Movement or removal of the portion may provide a secondary opening for a user to allow emergency exit from the seating unit when the door is in the first position.

[0014] Having a movable portion allows emergency opening without providing other movable (e.g., slidable) panels or doors. It should be noted that in the first position, only the door (and not the contents of the storage unit) blocks the main opening.

[0015] The removable portion may be frangible such that the removable portion may be broken away from the remainder of the door to provide an auxiliary opening.

[0016] Alternatively, the door may include a movable auxiliary door portion. The auxiliary door portion can slide or pivot relative to the door.

[0017] The storage unit may be fixed relative to the private housing. It will be appreciated that the storage unit may be fixed directly to the private housing, or indirectly to the private housing, for example via the floor of an aircraft passenger seating unit. Thus, the contents of the storage unit will not move excessively.

[0018] The support of the storage unit may be located at least 20 cm above the floor of the aircraft passenger seat unit. Preferably, the support may be located at least 50 cm above the floor. More preferably, the support may be located at least 100 cm above the floor. Even more preferably, the support may be located at least 150 cm above the floor. The storage unit may be a wardrobe. One or more supports of the storage unit may include a plurality of hooks, shelves and / or rails.

[0019] The door may be arranged to slide between a first position and a second position. The door may slide substantially along the direction of its length. Alternatively, the door may be a folding door, such as a hexagonal door.

[0020] The back side of the storage unit may be located proximate to the inner surface of the private housing.When the door is in the second position, the front side of the storage unit may provide access to a shelf of the storage unit.

[0021] Note that the statement that the back side of the storage unit can abut against the inner surface of the private shell does not require that the back side directly abuts against the inner surface. For example, there may be a gap between the back side of the storage unit and the inner surface of the private shell.

[0022] The depth of the storage unit between the front side and the rear side may be deeper at the first end of the storage unit than at the second end of the storage unit. The front side of the storage unit may deviate from the rear side of the storage unit at an angle so that the front side and the rear side of the storage unit are not parallel. The front side of the storage unit may deviate from an angle between 1° and 30°. Preferably, the angle may be between 15° and 25°.

[0023] The first end of the storage unit may be remote from the main opening. The second end of the storage unit may be closer to the opening. This allows the storage unit to be remote from the privacy screen at its end remote from the main opening. This may therefore reduce the space available for the passenger's feet, which typically require less space than the passenger's torso area. Larger storage units may also be provided.

[0024] The door may be arranged to move between a first position and a second position in a direction that is angularly offset from the inner surface of the private housing. The direction of movement of the door may deviate from an angle between 1° and 30°. Preferably, the angle may be between 15° and 25°.

[0025] The orientation of the door can be changed between two positions, so that the orientation of the door is angled relative to the private shell in the second position and aligned with the private shell in the first position.

[0026] The angle at which the seat faces may deviate from the direction of movement of the door. The direction of movement of the door may deviate from an angle between 1° and 25°. Preferably, the angle may be between 4° and 12°. The angle at which the seat faces may deviate from the angle of the inner surface of the private shell. The seat direction may deviate from an angle between 1° and 45°. Preferably, the angle may be between 8° and 20°.

[0027] The private shell may extend to a height of at least 100 cm above the floor of the aircraft passenger seating unit. Preferably, the private shell may extend to a height of at least 125 cm above the floor. More preferably, the private shell may extend to a height of at least 150 cm above the floor. Even more preferably, the private shell extends to the ceiling of the aircraft cabin.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is also provided an aircraft passenger seating unit comprising a seat, a private shell at least partially surrounding the seat, the private shell having a main opening to allow entry and exit from the seating unit, and a door movable relative to the main opening from a first position to a second position, in which the door completely blocks the main opening thereby preventing passengers from entering and exiting (entering / exiting the seating unit), and in which the door provides at least partial access to the main opening.

[0029] Passenger entry and exit can be achieved (only) through the main opening.

[0030] Having the door completely block the main opening in the first position means that no other panels or doors are needed to completely block the opening. This provides suitable privacy without adding the weight and complexity of other movable panels (or doors).

[0031] In the second position, the door may provide full access to the primary opening.

[0032] The door may include a movable or removable portion. Movement or removal of the portion may provide a secondary opening for a user to provide an emergency exit from the seating unit when the door is in the first position.

[0033] Having a movable portion allows an emergency opening without providing other movable (e.g., slidable) panels or doors. It should be noted that in the first position, only the door (and not the contents of the storage unit) blocks the main opening.

[0034] The removable portion may be frangible such that the removable portion may be broken away from the remainder of the door to provide an auxiliary opening.

[0035] Alternatively, the door may include a movable auxiliary door portion. The auxiliary door portion may slide or pivot relative to the door.

[0036] The door may be arranged to slide between a first position and a second position. The door may slide substantially along the direction of its length. Alternatively, the door may be a folding door, such as a hexagonal door.

[0037] The private shell may extend to a height of at least 100 cm above the floor of the aircraft passenger seating unit. Preferably, the private shell may extend to a height of at least 125 cm above the floor. More preferably, the private shell may extend to a height of at least 150 cm above the floor. Even more preferably, the private shell extends to the ceiling of the aircraft cabin.

[0038] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is also provided an aircraft passenger seating unit comprising a seat, a private shell at least partially surrounding the seat, the private shell having a main opening to allow entry and exit from the seating unit, and a door movable between a first position and a second position, in which the door at least partially blocks the main opening and in which the door provides at least partial access to the main opening, wherein the door is arranged to move between the first position and the second position in a direction angularly offset from the private shell near the opening.

[0039] The door is arranged to move between a first position and a second position in a direction angularly offset from the private housing near the opening, thereby giving the suite unit a greater sense of spaciousness. For example, it is easier to provide suitable seating / bed space while also providing suitable storage space.

[0040] The door may be arranged to move between a first position and a second position in a direction that is angularly offset from the inner surface of the private housing. The direction of movement of the door may deviate from an angle between 1° and 30°. Preferably, the angle may be between 15° and 25°.

[0041] The angle at which the seat faces may deviate from the direction of movement of the door. The direction of movement of the door may deviate from an angle between 1° and 25°. Preferably, the angle may be between 4° and 12°. The angle at which the seat faces may deviate from an angle of the inner surface of the private shell. The direction of the seat may deviate from an angle between 1° and 45°. Preferably, the angle may be between 8° and 20°.

[0042] The door may be located further away from the side of the seating unit providing the opening in the first position than in the second position. This allows the storage unit to be located further away from the privacy screen at its end remote from the main opening. This may therefore reduce the space available for the passenger's feet, which typically require less space than the passenger's torso area. At the same time, a larger storage unit may be provided.

[0043] The door may be arranged to slide between a first position and a second position. The door may slide substantially along the direction of its length. Alternatively, the door may be a folding door, such as a hexagonal door.

[0044] It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0046] Figure 1 A plan view of an aircraft passenger seating unit according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0047] Figure 2a Shows Figure 1 Perspective view of an aircraft passenger seating unit with the wardrobe in a closed position.

[0048] Figure 2b Shows Figure 1 Perspective view of an aircraft passenger seating unit with the wardrobe in an open position.

[0049] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A view of an aircraft passenger seating unit's wardrobe from inside the unit.

[0050] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 A perspective view of the exterior of an aircraft passenger seating unit, wherein access to and from the unit is enclosed, and

[0051] Figure 5 Shows Figure 1 A perspective view of the exterior of an aircraft passenger seating unit wherein emergency access to and from the unit is provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Figure 1 A plan view of an aircraft passenger seating unit 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The unit 100 is also referred to as a suite. The suite 100 contains a seat 121. The seat 121 can be constructed in a conventional manner so that it can be converted into a flat bed for a passenger of the suite 100.

[0053] The seat 121 is surrounded by a private housing 110, which serves as a boundary of the suite 100. The private housing 110 provides a rectangular shape to the unit 100. As will now be described, the private housing 110 is composed of various walls.

[0054] The first wall 111 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction 200 of the aircraft cabin in which the unit 100 is located and is located on one side (for the embodiment shown, the right side) of the seat 121. The first wall 111 is adjacent to and extends along one side of an aisle (not shown) of the aircraft cabin. The second wall 112 extends substantially perpendicularly to the first wall 111 (away from the aisle) and behind the seat 121, and the third wall 113 extends parallel to the first wall 111 (on the opposite side of the seat 121) and extends the length of the unit 100 to the end of the unit 100 opposite to the seat 121. The fourth wall 114 extends perpendicularly to the first wall 111 and the third wall 113 and is parallel to and opposite to the second wall 112, so that the fourth wall 114 is opposite to the seat 121. The lengths of the fourth wall 114 and the second wall 112 are substantially the same as each other. The fifth wall 115 extends parallel to the first wall 111 and the third wall 113 and also extends in the same plane as the first wall 111 (along the side of the aisle), thereby becoming part of the same side of the rectangular shape of the unit 100 as the first wall 111 .

[0055] Between the first wall 111 and the fifth wall 115 is a passage opening 117. The opening 117 allows for passage of passengers in / out of the unit 100.

[0056] like Figure 1 As shown, the seat 121 faces forward at an angle 122 relative to the longitudinal direction 200 of the aircraft cabin. The angle 122 is 12 degrees.

[0057] The unit or suite 100 also includes the storage unit 123. The storage unit 123 is located to the left of the seat 121 (for the illustrated embodiment) and occupies the space between the seat 121 and the third wall 113. It can be seen that the storage unit is triangular in top view because the seat 121 is at an angle 122 to the third wall 113. Below the storage unit 123 (i.e., back to the left side of the seat 121), the storage unit 123 is located to the left of the seat 121 and occupies the space between the seat 121 and the third wall 113. Figure 1 The fourth wall 114 has a footrest for passengers in the seats behind the seat 121 (not shown). Similarly, the passenger in the seat 121 may be able to use the footrest in a similar seat unit (not shown) in front. This can be achieved by having a suitable opening or hole (not shown) in the fourth wall 114.

[0058] The unit 100 also includes a monitor screen 124 near the fourth wall 114. The screen 124 is placed at an angle to be perpendicular to the direction the seat 121 faces (to provide a suitable viewing angle for the passengers in the seat 121). Therefore, the screen 124 is at an angle to the fourth wall 114.

[0059] The unit 100 also includes a wardrobe 130. The wardrobe 130 is located at the corner of the fourth wall 114 and the fifth wall 115 and abuts against the inner side of the fourth wall and the inner side 116 of the fifth wall. The rear wall of the wardrobe abuts against the inner side 116 of the fifth wall 115 and extends to the opening 117. The left side wall 132 abuts against the inner side of the fourth wall 114. The front side of the wardrobe extends from the fourth wall 114 toward the opening 117 at an angle 141 of 19 degrees. The right side wall 131 of the wardrobe extends perpendicularly to the fifth wall 115 from the rear wall (at the end of the fifth wall near the opening 117) to meet the front side.

[0060] Therefore, the wardrobe has a "rectangle plus triangle" shape in plan. In other words, the rectangular rear portion of the wardrobe 130 abuts against the fifth wall 115, and the front triangular portion of the wardrobe 130 is in front of the rectangular portion. The depth of the wardrobe at the left side wall 132 is deeper than the depth at the right side wall 131.

[0061] The wardrobe is provided with a door 140. The door 140 is slidable. The door 140 slides in a direction parallel to the front of the wardrobe (ie at an angle 141 relative to the longitudinal direction 200 of the aircraft cabin).

[0062] The first extreme position of the door 140 is the "closed wardrobe" position, in which it is adjacent to and parallel to the front side of the wardrobe 130. In this position, the left edge of the door abuts against the fourth wall 114, and the right edge of the door is flush with the right wall 131 of the wardrobe 130. Figure 2a This location can be clearly seen in the .

[0063] The second extreme position of the door 140 is the "open wardrobe" position, in which the door 140 is located to one side of the front side of the wardrobe 130. In this position, the right edge of the door abuts against the inner edge 118 of the first wall 111, and the left edge of the door is located near the right side wall 131 of the wardrobe 130. Figure 2b This location can be clearly seen in the .

[0064] Importantly, when the door 140 is in the "closed closet" position, such as in Figure 2a , the opening 117 is accessible, thereby easily entering and exiting the unit 100. When the door 140 is in the "open closet" position, such as in Figure 2b In the embodiment, the opening 117 is blocked by the door 140, making it difficult to enter and exit the unit 100. Figure 4 A perspective view of the exterior of an aircraft passenger seating unit 100 is shown, wherein in the “open wardrobe” position, closed access to / from the unit is achieved by means of the door 140 .

[0065] Figure 3 A view of a wardrobe 130 within the unit 100 is shown. Here, it can be seen that the wardrobe provides a lower shelf 133 at a height of 43 cm above the aircraft cabin floor. At the top of the wardrobe 130, there is a hook 134 on which a coat can be hung to hang the coat. The hook is located at a height of 150 cm above the aircraft floor. The door extends from the floor to a height of 147 cm above the floor.

[0066] like Figure 3 As shown, the inside of the door 140 of the wardrobe has an elongated vertical handle recess 142a (approximately halfway up the height of the door 140) that a passenger can grip to move the door between two extreme positions inside the unit 100. A similar elongated vertical handle recess 142b is provided on the outside of the door 140 that a user, such as an aircraft crew member, can use to grip from outside the unit 100 to move the door between two extreme positions.

[0067] The door 140 includes a frame 144 forming a peripheral segment of the door 140. The frame 143 provides structural strength to the door 140, and elongated handle recesses 142a, 142b are located on the frame 144. Inside the frame 144, the door 140 includes a frangible panel 143 that is easily broken and separated from the frame 144. Figure 5 A perspective view of the exterior of an aircraft passenger seating unit 100 is shown, with the panel 143 removed to provide emergency access in / out of the unit 100. Here, an auxiliary opening is provided through the frame 144 of the door 140.

[0068] Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is adaptable to many different variations not specifically shown herein. By way of example only, some possible variations will now be described.

[0069] The wardrobe 130 may be provided with any suitable number and height of hooks 134 and shelves 133. Additionally or alternatively, the wardrobe 130 may be provided with a plurality of slide rails. In fact, the wardrobe may be provided with any suitable clothing rack / storage features.

[0070] The storage unit 123 may be a deep storage unit so that the relevant planned area is only used for storage. The back of the seat may not be used as a footrest. Similarly, there may be no front footrest (in the front seat unit) for the passenger of seat 121 to use.

[0071] The orientation of the door can be changed between two positions so that the orientation of the door is angled relative to the private housing in the second position and aligned with the private housing in the first position. This can be achieved by running the door on a track that is linear along the storage unit across the main opening and then separating the track at the point where the main opening and the storage unit intersect. These auxiliary tracks can be curved and engaged when the door approaches the first position. The track at the other end away from the storage unit may also be slightly curved. When the door moves from the second position to the first position, the door basically pivots about a point away from the storage unit, or pivots and slides at the point away from the storage unit.

[0072] In the foregoing description, when reference is made to wholes or elements that have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, these equivalents are incorporated herein as if set forth individually. Reference should be made to the claims to determine the true scope of the invention, which claims should be interpreted as covering any such equivalents. The reader will also understand that wholes or features of the invention described as preferred, advantageous, convenient, etc. are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it should be understood that, although there are possible benefits in some embodiments of the invention, such optional wholes or features may not be desired in other embodiments and therefore may not exist.

Claims

1. An aircraft passenger seat unit comprising: Seats; a privacy shell at least partially surrounding the seat, the privacy shell having a primary opening to allow entry and exit from the seating unit; a storage unit including one or more supports for supporting clothing stored in the storage unit, a back side against the interior surface of the private housing, and a front side; a door movable relative to the storage unit between a first position in which the door at least partially blocks the primary opening and a second position in which the door at least partially closes access to a shelf of the storage unit, wherein a front side of the storage unit provides access from the aircraft passenger seating unit to the shelf of the storage unit; and wherein the door is arranged to slide between a first position and a second position; and The door is arranged to move between a first position and a second position in a direction offset at an angle of between 15° and 25° from an inner surface of the private housing.

2. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1, wherein: The door in the first position completely blocks the primary opening.

3. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The door includes a movable or removable portion, and wherein movement or removal of the portion provides an auxiliary opening for a user to provide emergency egress from the seating unit when the door is in a first position.

4. An aircraft passenger seating unit according to claim 3, wherein: The removable portion is frangible such that the removable portion can be broken away from the remainder of the door to provide the secondary opening.

5. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The storage unit is fixed relative to the personal housing.

6. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The support of the storage unit is located at least 20 cm above the floor of the aircraft passenger seating unit.

7. An aircraft passenger seat unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The storage unit is a wardrobe.

8. An aircraft passenger seating unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The one or more brackets of the storage unit include a plurality of hooks, shelves and / or rails.

9. An aircraft passenger seating unit according to claim 8, wherein: A depth of the storage unit between the front side and the rear side is deeper at a first end of the storage unit than at a second end of the storage unit.

10. An aircraft passenger seating unit according to claim 9, wherein: A first end of the storage unit is away from the main opening, and a second end of the storage unit is close to the opening.

11. An aircraft passenger seating unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The privacy shell extends above the floor of the aircraft passenger seating unit to a height of at least 100 cm.

12. An aircraft passenger seating unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the door is located further away from a side of the seating unit providing the opening in the second position than in the first position.

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