SEATING UNIT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat unit comprising a console provided with a movable tray for closing a storage housing. The invention finds a particularly advantageous application with seat units of the "business class" and "first class" type.

[0002] In a manner known per se, such a seat unit comprises a seat associated with a side console provided with storage and a shell extending at least partly around the seat so as to delimit a semi-enclosed space around the passenger. Such a configuration makes it possible to guarantee the privacy of the passenger seated on the seat.

[0003] The seat offers the passenger different comfort positions, from a "sitting" position to a "lying" position, in which the seat defines a substantially horizontal sleeping surface for the passenger to lie down. Intermediate comfort positions are also offered, such as the "relax" position in which a seat back is strongly inclined. Generally, these intermediate positions are obtained by tilting the pivoting back about a horizontal axis and perpendicular to an extension axis of the seat. The passenger can then remain on the seat during transitions between the different positions. The seat generally consists in particular of the back and a seat and is likely to include a legrest and / or a footrest, which may be fixed or linked to a kinematics of the seat.

[0004] The enclosed storage spaces located on the seat console may be arranged in a vertical arrangement and be accessible via a storage door that can be moved about a vertical axis. These storage spaces may also be arranged in a horizontal arrangement and be accessible via a hatch that can be moved about a horizontal axis. However, the movable walls of the storage spaces have no function other than to allow access to or close these storage spaces.

[0005] Document FR3011783 describes a support device equipping a rear face of a folding backrest of a first vehicle seat. This device comprises i) a holding part fixedly secured to the rear face of the backrest and comprising two grooves substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, ii) a plate suitable for supporting objects once the backrest is folded down and mounted to rotate on an axis and iii) a crosspiece suitable for sliding in the grooves and to which the axis is coupled in order to allow rotational drive and / or sliding in the longitudinal direction of the plate between a stowed position, in which it is placed entirely on the rear face, and deployed positions in which it extends over a longitudinal side and / or an upper transverse side of the backrest.

[0006] The invention is described in independent claim 1. The claim discloses a seating unit comprising a console, an armrest and a top wall, said console comprising: a storage housing delimiting an internal volume inside which objects can be placed, said storage housing comprising an opening opening towards the outside of said storage housing in a vertical direction, and a movable tray, movable between a closed position in which the movable tray closes the opening of the storage housing and an open position in which said movable tray is clear of the opening of the storage housing to allow access to the internal volume of said storage housing, said movable tray extending in a horizontal plane in the closed position and in the open position, said movable tray being able to be maintained in said horizontal plane during a movement of said movable tray from the closed position to the open position and vice versa, characterized in that the storage housing extends vertically between the armrest and the upper wall forming a table surface.

[0007] The invention thus makes it possible, thanks to the movable tray for closing the storage housing held in a horizontal plane, to use this movable tray as a support on which the passenger can place objects such as a glass, a portable electronic device (mobile phone, tablet), or any other object, regardless of the position of the movable tray. The invention also makes it possible to access the storage housing without having to remove the object placed on the movable tray.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, in the closed position and in the open position, the movable tray is located in the same horizontal plane as the upper wall forming the table surface.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, in the closed position, the movable tray is located in an extension of the upper wall forming the table surface.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the plate is movable in rotation from one position to another by means of a pivot connection with a vertical axis.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pivot connection is formed by a vertical rod cooperating with a cavity of corresponding shape made in a cylindrical portion integral with the plate.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the console comprises a device for limiting an angular movement of the movable plate.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device for limiting an angular movement of the movable plate comprises a lug mechanically linked to the plate cooperating with a groove in the shape of an arc of a circle formed in a shoulder of the rod so that at least one end of the groove constitutes a movement stop for the lug so as to limit an angular movement of the movable plate during its passage from the closed position to the open position.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the console comprises a light source capable of providing lighting of the internal volume of the storage housing.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the mobile tray comprises a device for holding a portable electronic device.

[0016] The invention also relates to a seat unit comprising a seat and a console as previously defined.

[0017] The present invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments given for illustrative purposes with reference to the appended figures, presented as non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description of its embodiment and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a perspective view of a seat unit comprising a console according to the invention provided with a storage housing associated with a movable tray in the closed position; [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of a storage housing of a console according to the invention provided with a movable tray in the open position; [ Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is a top perspective view of a storage housing of a console according to the present invention; [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 is a perspective view from below of a movable tray associated with a storage housing of a console according to the invention; [ Fig. 5 ] There figure 5 is a side view of a device for holding a portable electronic device that can be integrated on a mobile platform according to the invention.

[0018] It should be noted that the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0019] Furthermore, in the remainder of the description, the relative terms of the type "horizontal" or "vertical" are understood by reference to the common meaning that a passenger sitting on a seat with which the console according to the invention is associated would give them.

[0020] There figure 1 shows a seat unit 10 comprising a seat 12 associated with a side console 13 extending along one side of the seat 12. In addition, a shell 15 extends at least partly around the seat 12 so as to delimit a semi-enclosed space around the passenger. Such a configuration makes it possible to guarantee the privacy of the passenger seated on the seat 12. A video screen 16 of a multimedia system or IFE (for "Inflight Entertainment System" in English) may be installed on a rear part of the privacy shell 15 so as to be usable by a rear passenger.

[0021] The seat unit 10 may also conventionally comprise a meal tray 18 movable between a stored position (corresponding to that shown in the figure 1 ) in which the meal tray 18 is located inside a housing provided in the console 13 and a deployed position in which the meal tray 18 is located outside the housing.

[0022] The seat 12 is advantageously provided with kinematics allowing it to be movable between a "seated" position, in which the seat 12 is configured to define a seated position for a passenger, and a "reclined" position, in which the seat 12 is configured to define a sleeping surface for the passenger, advantageously substantially horizontal. Intermediate comfort positions are also proposed, such as the "relax" position in which a backrest of the seat is strongly inclined.

[0023] The seat 12 comprises an extension axis X1 defined by the intersection between a horizontal plane and a vertical median plane of the seat 12 corresponding to a plane of symmetry of the seat 12. The extension axis X1 of the seat 12 may form a non-zero angle with respect to a direction parallel or coincident with a central axis X2 of the aircraft. In this case, the seat 12 is turned in the direction of the axis X2. Alternatively, the seat 12 may be turned in a direction opposite to the axis X2.

[0024] In the example shown, the console 13 comprises an upper wall 19 of horizontal orientation. The upper wall 19 forms a table surface on which a passenger can place objects. On its rear end, a vertical storage space 20 may be provided comprising one or more elements from among a literature pocket, a bottle holder, or a minibar. The choice of storage is configurable according to the wishes of the airline. The storage space 20 is closed by a door 21 with a vertical axis hinge. The console 13 may also comprise a reading light 22 intended to direct lighting towards the seat 12.

[0025] Furthermore, a cavity 24 is located under the upper wall 19. The cavity 24 is open laterally towards the seat 12 with which the console 13 is associated.

[0026] In addition, a horizontal face 25 of the console 13 has in particular an armrest function. The horizontal face 25 may locally have a curved cuff shape 26 matching the shape of a part of the passenger's arm. The upper wall 19 has a recess provided in a lateral edge to allow the passenger easy access to the cuff shape 26.

[0027] Furthermore, the console 13 includes a storage compartment 27 delimiting an internal volume inside which the passenger can place objects, in particular valuable objects, such as jewelry or a watch.

[0028] The storage housing 27 is provided with an opening 28 opening outwards from said storage housing 27 in a vertical direction. The storage housing 27 extends vertically between the armrest 25 on the one hand and the upper wall 19 forming a table surface on the other hand.

[0029] In this case, the storage housing 27 is arranged in the front part of the console 13. In its rear part, the storage housing 27 is delimited by a wall carrying a control unit 30 of the seat 12 and its environment (called "PCU" for "Passenger Control Unit" in English). The control unit 30 allows in particular the passenger to control the selection of a position of the seat 12 as well as the environment of the seat 12, namely a video system, a heating device, a lighting ambiance, or any other parameter of the environment of the seat 12.

[0030] A tray 31 is movable between a closed position in which the movable tray 31 closes the opening 28 of the storage housing 27 as shown in the figure 1 and an open position in which said movable tray 31 is disengaged from the opening 28 of the storage housing 27 to allow access to the internal volume of said storage housing 27, as shown in the figure 2 In the closed position, the movable tray 31 does not interfere with the internal volume of the storage housing 27.

[0031] The movable plate 31 may be made from a plate made of a plastic material or a painted metal material, in particular an aluminum material. The movable plate 31 extends in a horizontal plane P in the closed position and in the open position 28. The movable plate 31 is able to be held in said horizontal plane P during a movement of said movable plate 31 from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.

[0032] In the closed position and in the open position, the movable tray 31 is located in the same horizontal plane P as the upper wall 19 forming the table surface. In the closed position, the movable tray 31 is located in an extension of the upper wall 19, that is to say that there is a surface continuity between the movable tray 31 and the upper wall 19.

[0033] The plate 31 is movable in rotation from one position to another following the arrow F by means of a pivot connection 34 with a vertical axis X3. As can be seen in the figure 3 , the pivot connection 34 is formed by a vertical rod 35 provided with one end cooperating with a cavity 36 of corresponding shape made in a cylindrical portion 37 integral with the plate 31 (cf. figure 4 ).

[0034] In this case, the rod 35 comes from a bottom of the storage housing 27. The rod 35 preferably has a stepped diameter. The rod 35 thus comprises an end section 39 of small diameter intended to be inserted inside a space 40 of the cavity 36 of corresponding diameter. A section 41 of intermediate diameter is intended to be inserted inside a space 42 of the cavity 36 of corresponding diameter. The rod 35 also comprises a section 43 of large diameter (relative to the other two sections 39 and 41). A difference in diameter between the section 41 of intermediate diameter and the section 43 of large diameter forms a shoulder 44.

[0035] Furthermore, a device 46 is preferably provided for limiting an angular displacement of the movable plate 31. The device 46 for limiting an angular displacement of the movable plate 31 comprises a lug 48 mechanically linked to the plate 31 cooperating with a groove 49 in the shape of an arc of a circle formed in the shoulder of the rod 35, so that at least one end of the groove 49 constitutes a displacement stop for the lug 48 so as to limit an angular displacement of the plate 31 during its passage from the closed position to the open position. In this case, the lug 48 comes from an end face of the cylindrical portion 37.

[0036] Alternatively, the movable plate 31 may move in a translational movement to move from one position to another. Alternatively, the plate 31 may move in a combined rotational and translational movement to move from one position to another. Alternatively, the movable plate 31 may be mounted on a telescopic arm.

[0037] The mobile tray 31 may also include a device 51 for holding a portable electronic device 52, such as a digital tablet or a smartphone-type mobile phone. As illustrated by the figure 5 , the holding device 51 comprises at least one groove 53 intended to receive an edge of the portable electronic device 52. The groove 53 could for example be defined by two adjacent teeth 54 extending in projection relative to an upper face of the movable plate 31.

[0038] Alternatively, the movable plate 31 may include holding tabs intended to be arranged on either side of the portable electronic device 52 depending on its thickness. Alternatively, the holding device 51 may also include jaws capable of gripping the portable electronic device 52 by its lateral edges.

[0039] In order to obtain an aesthetic effect, particularly when the aircraft cabin is in night mode, the console 13 comprises at least one light source 55 visible in figure 2 , such as a lamp or a light guide, providing illumination of the internal volume of the storage housing 27. The internal walls of the storage housing 27 may be covered with a soft material of the suede or leather type in order to provide a good quality finish to the storage housing 27 which may be used by the passenger to store precious objects such as jewelry or watches.

[0040] In the example shown, the movable tray 31 and the storage housing 27 have a pentagonal shape. Alternatively, the tray 31 and the storage housing 27 may have any other shape adapted to the configuration of the console 13, in particular a round, square, triangular, rectangular, hexagonal shape, or any other polygonal or rounded shape.

[0041] Of course, the various features, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0042] Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications that those skilled in the art may envision, provided that they remain within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A seat unit comprising a console (13), said console (13) comprising: - an armrest, and - an upper wall, and - a storage housing (27) delimiting an internal volume inside which objects can be placed, - the storage housing (27) comprising an opening (28) towards the outside of said storage housing (27) in a vertical direction, and - a movable plate (31) capable of moving between a closed position in which the movable plate (31) closes the opening (28) of the storage housing (27) and an open position in which said movable plate (31) is spaced from the opening (28) of the storage housing (27) so as to access to the internal volume of said storage housing (27), - said movable plate (31) extending in a horizontal plane (P) in the closed position and in the open position (28), said movable plate (31) being able to be maintained in said horizontal plane (P) during a movement of said movable plate (31) from the closed position to the open position and vice versa, characterized in that the storage housing (27) extends vertically between the armrest (25) and the upper wall (19) forming a table surface.

2. The seat unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the closed position and in the open position, the movable plate (31) is located in the same horizontal plane (P) as the upper wall (19) forming the table surface.

3. The seat unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the closed position, the movable plate (31) is located in an extension of the upper wall (19) forming the table surface.

4. The seat unit according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the movable plate (31) is able to move in rotation from one position to another by means of a pivot connection (34) with a vertical axis (X3).

5. The seat unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the pivot connection (34) is formed by a vertical rod (35) cooperating with a cavity (36) of corresponding shape made in a cylindrical portion (37) fixed to the movable plate (31) .

6. The seat unit according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a limitation device (46) for an angular movement of the movable plate (31).

7. The seat unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the limitation device (46) for an angular movement of the movable plate (31) comprises a toe (48) mechanically linked to the movable plate (31) and cooperating with a groove (49) having the shape of a circular arc formed in a shoulder of the rod (35) so that at least one end of the groove (49) forms a movement stop for the toe (48) so as to limit an angular movement of the movable plate (31) during the passage thereof from the closed position to the open position.

8. The seat unit according to any of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one light source (55) capable of providing lighting of the internal volume in the storage housing (27).

9. The eat unit according to any of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the movable plate (31) comprises a holding device (51) for a portable electronic device (52).

10. The seat unit (10) according to any of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises a seat (12).