Passenger seat for a vehicle with integrated life jacket

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a passenger seat for a vehicle and a vehicle having at least one such passenger seat. Technical background

[0002] Passenger seats in commercial aircraft typically consist of a seat frame supporting a seat cushion and a backrest. Below the seat cushion is usually a lockable container containing a compacted life jacket. It can happen that passengers steal a life jacket during a flight. Furthermore, the storage space below the seat cushion is limited due to the life jacket container. Due to the container's location, a visual inspection to determine whether a life jacket is located in a container or whether prohibited or unwanted items are located there is difficult.

[0003] US 5 342 109 A shows a seat with a lifebuoy, consisting of a seat with a backrest and a seat surface, a life jacket fitted into a cavity formed in the backrest, and a flap in the cover material, one edge of which is connected to the cover material and extends over the life jacket. US 6 152 527 A shows a passenger seat for a vehicle that travels over or on water and includes a base attached to the vehicle for supporting the lower extremities of the passenger. A seat back extends upward from the base and supports the passenger's back. At least one life jacket forms part of the backrest, which has a removable cover with a transparent upper part.

[0004] EP 0 147 376 A1 relates to a lifejacket assembly primarily intended for aircraft passengers, including a buoyancy body providing at least the major part of the buoyancy and straps or the like suitable for holding the lifejacket assembly in position on persons. Description

[0005] It can be considered a task to propose a passenger seat that allows alternative storage of a life jacket.

[0006] The object is achieved by a passenger seat having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments can be found in the subclaims and the following description.

[0007] A passenger seat for a vehicle is proposed, comprising a seat frame, a seat surface, a backrest, and a life jacket, wherein the backrest comprises a back cushion and a cover, wherein the back cushion comprises a recess which is adapted to the life jacket such that the life jacket can be inserted into the recess and is at least partially flush with the back cushion, wherein the cover has a main surface and a strip-like edge which largely surrounds the main surface and can rest on edge surfaces of the back cushion, and wherein the cover can be fastened to the back cushion and is designed to cover the back cushion, including the recess and the life jacket.

[0008] The passenger seat is fundamentally constructed in a manner very similar to a conventional passenger seat. The seat frame could be made of a metallic material and include front and rear seat legs. These could support support tubes that are arranged essentially horizontally and carry seat surfaces and backrests. Such a seat frame could be designed to accommodate or form one, two, three, four, or five seats.

[0009] The components directly facing a passenger are each formed by a seat and a backrest. The seat is arranged essentially horizontally, and the backrest extends transversely to it. The seat may have a seat cushion covered with a cover. The backrest has the back cushion, which is attached to a flat or shell-like backrest structure. The back cushion may have a thickness of a few centimeters, approximately in the range of 1 to 5 cm, and preferably approximately 1.5 cm, and be made of foam.

[0010] According to the invention, the back cushion comprises a recess adapted to a life jacket. The life jacket could, for example, have a U-shaped structure to which straps for donning the life jacket are attached. The structure could be inflatable, in particular automatically inflatable. A light, cables, and an energy storage device could be arranged on it. The life jacket can be inserted into the recess of the back cushion so that the back cushion and the life jacket are flush with one another, at least in some areas. This is to be understood as meaning that a front surface facing away from the rear of the backrest is designed to be as continuous as possible and without any major depth differences. The life jacket therefore complements the recess to form a complete back cushion. In an uninflated state, the life jacket can have a thickness of only approximately 5 mm. The recess in the back cushion is adapted to this.

[0011] The backrest is complemented by a cover, which is attached to the front of the backrest cushion and the life jacket. The life jacket is thus enclosed between the backrest cushion and the cover, making it virtually invisible from the outside. It is protected and prevents theft while sitting in the passenger seat. As explained below, a viewing window is preferably provided through which the presence of the life jacket can be checked. In areas outside the viewing window, the backrest is no different from a conventional backrest.

[0012] The passenger seat according to the invention is particularly advantageous because, on the one hand, the life jacket is attached to the passenger seat in a particularly space-saving manner. A separate container underneath the seat is unnecessary. On the other hand, the risk of prohibited items being concealed in a life jacket container is reduced. The largest possible storage space for luggage is provided underneath the seat. Furthermore, in an advantageous embodiment, the life jacket is inserted in an unfolded state, thus simplifying removal and fitting.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the recess is designed to accommodate the life jacket in an unfolded state of use. The user can thus put the life jacket on immediately after removing it, eliminating the need to unfold the life jacket or study instructions on how to unfold and put it on. This can significantly speed up the process of putting on the life jacket and significantly reduce passenger uncertainty when handling it.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the cover has a viewing window that is positioned such that part of the life jacket is visible through the viewing window from outside the passenger seat. This enables easy visual inspection, as cabin crew can immediately see through the viewing window whether a life jacket is properly positioned inside the backrest. It is conceivable that the viewing window, when the cover is arranged on the back cushion, is located in an upper area of ​​the recess, for example in the middle of the backrest. It would also be conceivable to position the viewing window slightly off-center so that the viewing window is visible when the passenger is seated. Preferably, the viewing window is located on the edge of the cover and allows part of the edge surface of the back cushion to be seen, with the back cushion being designed at this point so that the life jacket is visible.The depression could, for example, end with a recess extending radially towards the relevant edge surface and ending at the viewing window.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the passenger seat further comprises a visible seal or lead seal that can be applied between the cover and the back cushion. This provides additional security that prevents the cover from being removed without authorization, that the life jacket has not yet been removed, and that no objects have been placed in the receptacle. The seal could, for example, consist of two tamper-evident, interconnected stickers that cannot be separated without causing damage. The seal could be implemented with a wire or other linear connecting means that is passed through the back cushion and the cover, the ends of which are inseparably connected. If the cover is removed, the connecting means is destroyed, which is clearly visible.

[0016] According to the invention, the cover has an edge designed to cover an edge surface of the back cushion. The edge could be arranged on one, two, three, or four edges of the cover and designed as a strip. This strip could be angled transversely to a main surface of the cover. The main surface of the cover can be placed on the back cushion and the life jacket, and the edge, i.e. an edge strip, can be placed on corresponding edge surfaces of the back cushion. This can provide an attractive finish that can also prevent the main surface from slipping.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the cover can be attached to the back cushion using hook-and-loop fasteners. The cover can therefore be easily removed from the back cushion or attached to it. The hook-and-loop fasteners are attached in pairs to the cover and the back cushion. They can run along a predetermined line or be distributed along it. The number of hook-and-loop fasteners should be selected to ensure sufficient hold of the cover and easy removal.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the hook-and-loop fasteners are arranged on a front side or on the edge surfaces of the back cushion and corresponding locations on the cover. For example, the hook-and-loop fasteners can be attached along a circumferential line extending at a distance from the edge surfaces of the backrest. It is conceivable that several point-shaped hook-and-loop fasteners are located along this contour.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the cover is constructed in one piece. Then, for example, one side or edge of the cover can be grasped to pull it off the back padding. This provides immediate and complete access to the life jacket.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the cover has a pull-off mechanism arranged on an outer side, with which the cover can be removed. For example, the pull-off mechanism could be a loop with appropriate lettering or coloring. It is conceivable that it could be located on an upper edge of the backrest and be visible to every passenger. The pull-off mechanism could be integrated into the cover or sewn to it, with the hook-and-loop fasteners or other connecting means arranged in such a way that the cover can be torn off immediately by pulling the pull-off mechanism.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the seat frame comprises a storage compartment directly below the seat surface, extending to the underside of the seat frame, for accommodating luggage. As mentioned above, this maximizes the luggage space below the seat surface, allowing larger carry-on items to be conveniently stored beneath the seat surface. Furthermore, the likelihood of unwanted or prohibited items being placed in a container below the seat surface is reduced.

[0022] The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising a cabin with a floor and a plurality of passenger seats arranged thereon according to the preceding description.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the vehicle is an aircraft. Short description of the characters

[0024] The following examples are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The illustrations are schematic and not to scale. Like reference numerals refer to like or similar elements. They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a backrest with an integrated life jacket according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a back cushion with a recess. Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the back cushion and a cover that can be attached thereto. Fig. 4 is a schematic front view of the cover, the back cushion, and the life jacket. Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a passenger seat arrangement. Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of an information sign on the back cushion. Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a viewing window and a seal. Fig. 8 is a spatial representation of an aircraft in which the passenger seats with integrated life jackets shown in the preceding figures are arranged. Detailed description of implementation examples

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a backrest 2 and a seat surface 3 of a passenger seat for a vehicle, in particular for an aircraft. The seat surface 3 is designed as a continuous cushion with a cover thereon and is essentially not relevant to the invention. The backrest 2 has a back cushion 4 which comprises a recess 6 into which a life jacket 8 can be inserted. The recess 6 is adapted to the life jacket 8 and for this purpose has, for example, the shape of the upside-down letter U. The life jacket 8 has straps 10 which are attached to a buoyancy body 12. The recess 6 has a correspondingly shaped, additional recess section 14 for receiving the straps 10. The buoyancy body 12 is not inflated, so that the life jacket 8 has a particularly compact shape, but is not folded up, but is in a state of use.

[0026] To inflate the buoyancy body 12, a corresponding device can be arranged on the life jacket 8 (not shown).

[0027] To complete the backrest 2, a cover 16 is provided, which is made of a suitable textile and completely covers the back cushion 4, including the life jacket 8. The cover 16 has a main surface 18 and a strip-like edge 20 that largely surrounds the main surface 18. While the main surface 18 rests on the back cushion 4 and the life jacket 8, the edge 20 can be placed on edge surfaces 22 of the back cushion 4.

[0028] For example, an information sign 26 with instructions on how to put on the life jacket 8 and what to do in an emergency is provided on the upper side 24 of the back cushion 4, i.e., below the cover 16. The information sign 26 is also referred to as a "safety on board card" or "emergency card." A user who removes the cover 16 from the back cushion 4 can immediately see the information sign 26 due to its position. The information sign 26 can be made of a somewhat thicker textile or other flexible material so that its shape can adapt to the shape of the back cushion. The material should be sufficiently stable to be held in the hand without collapsing. It is conceivable that the information sign 26 can be removably attached to the back cushion 4 using Velcro. This represents an essential safety factor for providing information about emergency exits and what to do in emergency situations.By placing it together with the life jacket 8 on the back cushion 4 under the cover 16, theft can be prevented.

[0029] In Fig. 2 The recess 6 is shown in detail. In addition to a main section 28, additional recess sections 14a and 14b are provided here to accommodate the straps 10 and other components of the life jacket 8. The main section 28 and the recess sections 14a and 14b can have different depths. The recess 6 is designed such that, when the life jacket 8 is inserted, the back padding 4 and the life jacket 8 together form a surface that is as continuous as possible and flat.

[0030] Hook-and-loop fasteners 30 are provided for securing the cover 16, indicated schematically here by circles. In the illustration, the hook-and-loop fasteners 30 are distributed along a contour 32 running along the edge 20. The hook-and-loop fasteners 30 can be arranged in pairs of hook and loop fasteners. Alternatively, pairs of mushroom-shaped fasteners are also conceivable. Counterparts to the hook-and-loop fasteners 30 distributed along the edge 20 are arranged on the edge surface 22 in this example.

[0031] Fig. 4 shows the essential components of the backrest. On the left side of the drawing, the cover 16 is shown in a flat, unfolded form. In the middle of the figure, the backrest 2 with integrated life jacket 8 is shown, which for the sake of completeness is shown on the right in Fig. 4 shown in plan view. It is particularly advantageous that the life jacket 8 is not inflated and not folded, in order to ensure very easy removal and donning after removal of the cover 16.

[0032] Fig. 5 shows a passenger seat arrangement 34 with a seat frame 36, which has seat legs 38 and support tubes 40 and is arranged on a floor 62. Here, three passenger seats 42 are formed by way of example, each consisting of a seat surface 3 and a backrest 2. Below the middle seat 42, a container 44, which is usually provided in the prior art and is usually used for accommodating folded life jackets 8, is indicated by dashed lines. Instead, however, according to the invention, a receiving space 48 for accommodating luggage 50 can be provided directly below the seat surface 3, extending to an underside 46 of the seat frame 36.

[0033] This illustration schematically shows a tab 49 or loop as a pulling device, which can be grasped by a user to tear off the cover 16. The tab 49 can always protrude from the cover or simply be color-coded. A conspicuous label, for example, with the word "pull," could be provided.

[0034] How to Fig. 1 mentioned and in Fig. 6 As shown, an upper side 24 of the back cushion 4 may have an information plate 26 with instructions for putting on and using the life jacket 8 and for what to do in an emergency.

[0035] Fig. 7 also shows a side view of a passenger seat 42. A viewing window 52 is visible here, which in this example is incorporated into the edge 20 of the cover 16. The viewing window 52 allows the presence of the life jacket 8 in the recess 6 to be detected. This allows the presence of each passenger seat 42 to be checked directly from an aisle.

[0036] Additionally, a seal 54 is provided, which tears when the cover 16 is removed. If a user 56 grasps the cover 16 and removes it from the backrest cushion 4, the seal 54 is destroyed. This is immediately noticeable and can be used to check the presence and proper condition of the life jacket 8 in the respective passenger seat 42.

[0037] Finally, Fig. 8 an aircraft 58 in which a cabin 60 with a floor 62 and several passenger seats 42 arranged thereon is provided.

[0038] Additionally, it should be noted that "comprising" or "having" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limitations.

Claims

1. A passenger seat (42) for a vehicle, comprising a seat frame (36), a seat surface (3) a backrest (2), and a life jacket (8), wherein the backrest (2) has a back cushion (4) and a cover (16), wherein the back cushion (4) has a recess (6) which is adapted to the life jacket (8), so that the life jacket (8) can be inserted into the recess (6) and is flush with the back cushion (4) at least in some areas, wherein the cover (16) has a main surface (18) and a strip-shaped edge (20) which largely surrounds the main surface (18) and which can rest on edge surfaces (22) of the back cushion (4), and wherein the cover (16) can be fastened to the back cushion (4) and is designed such that it covers the back cushion (4) and thereby encloses the recess (6) and the life jacket (8).

2. Passenger seat (42) according to claim 1, wherein the recess (6) is designed to accommodate the life jacket (8) in an unfolded state of use.

3. Passenger seat (42) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover (16) has a viewing window (52) which is arranged such that a part of the lifejacket (8) is visible from outside the passenger seat (42) through the viewing window (52).

4. Passenger seat (42) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a visible seal or a visible gasket (54) attachable between the cover (16) and the back cushion (4).

5. Passenger seat (42) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (16) is attachable to the back cushion (4) by means of hook-and-loop fasteners (30).

6. Passenger seat (42) according to claim 5, wherein the hook-and-loop fasteners (30) are arranged on a front side or on edge surfaces (22) of the back cushion (4) and corresponding locations of the cover (16).

7. Passenger seat (42) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (16) is made in one piece.

8. Passenger seat (42) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (16) comprises a pulling means (49) arranged on an outer side, with which the cover (16) can be pulled off.

9. Passenger seat (42) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat frame (36) directly below the seat surface (3) comprises a receiving space (48) extending to an underside (46) of the seat frame (36) for receiving pieces of luggage (50).

10. Vehicle (58), comprising a cabin (60) with a floor (62) and a plurality of passenger seats (42) arranged thereon according to one of the preceding claims.

11. Vehicle (58) according to claim 10, wherein the vehicle (58) is an aircraft (58).