Flexible structure for creating a relaxation area in an aircraft cabin

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible structure for creating a rest space inside an aircraft cabin, in particular an airplane cabin.

[0002] Devices are known for creating a rest area around an aircraft seat, particularly a "Business Class" seat, to allow crew members to rest within the aircraft cabin among the passengers.

[0003] Current solutions involve draping curtains around a Business Class seat. These curtains provide protection from other passengers during sleep. These curtains also protect against light and crowding, providing greater comfort and privacy for crew members.

[0004] However, these curtains pose aesthetic problems as well as integration issues within the aircraft cabin. Indeed, curtains require the installation of bulky and unsightly modules, such as exposed rails, which degrade the quality perceived in the cabin by passengers. The addition of external rails can also pose safety problems in the event of a crash.

[0005] Furthermore, the purpose of these curtains is not clearly communicated to passengers. This may lead passengers to question their function in the cabin. Passengers may wonder, for example, whether these curtains are used to hide a broken seat or form a medical tent. The curiosity of some passengers, who may be tempted to look behind the curtains, is likely to disturb the rest of the crew members. This can result in embarrassing situations for both passengers and crew members.

[0006] Thus, the known curtain systems do not allow crew members to sleep comfortably and isolated from other passengers within the cabin. These systems also do not meet the quality criteria in terms of finish and aesthetics for a Business Class cabin.

[0007] Document EP3309072 describes a privacy partition for a seat having a fabric-covered frame. The privacy partition has a collapsed configuration and an extended configuration that defines an enclosed perimeter around the seat.

[0008] Document WO2018 / 033599 describes a seating arrangement, in particular intended to be installed in an aircraft cabin, comprising at least one front seat unit and at least one rear seat unit located one behind the other, a transverse passage being arranged between the front seat unit and the rear seat unit to allow access to a traffic aisle. Movable closing means are capable of at least partially closing the transverse passage when the closing means are deployed.

[0009] Document US2021 / 163139 describes a seating arrangement, in particular intended to be installed in an aircraft cabin, comprising at least one front seat unit and at least one rear seat unit located one behind the other, a transverse passage being arranged between the front seat unit and the rear seat unit to allow access to a circulation aisle. At least partly flexible closing means are movable between a stowed position in which the closing means are clear of the passage and a deployed position in which the closing means close the passage.

[0010] The invention aims to effectively remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing an assembly for an aircraft cabin comprising: a rear seat unit comprising a seat and a privacy shell extending at least partly around the seat, a front seat unit comprising a seat and a privacy shell extending at least partly around the seat, an access passage to a circulation corridor extending between the rear seat unit and the front seat unit, a removable flexible structure comprising, in a deployed state, an upper portion extending above the seat of the rear seat unit between the privacy shell of the rear seat unit and the privacy shell of the front seat unit, and a lateral portion extending vertically between the rear seat unit and the front seat unit to close the access passage to the circulation corridor, such that the flexible structure delimits, with the shell of the rear seat unit and the shell of the front seat unit, an enclosed rest space around the seat of the rear seat unit.

[0011] The invention thus makes it possible, thanks to the use of the removable flexible structure, to integrate harmoniously into an aircraft cabin without degrading the aesthetic appearance or the perceived quality of a business class cabin. Indeed, the invention does not require the addition of bulky and visually unsightly modules in the cabin, such as the installation of visible rails. In addition, when the solution is not deployed, the flexible structure can be discreetly stored in the compartment without disturbing the passengers. The invention also makes it possible to improve the separation between the rest area reserved for the flight crew and the rest of the cabin. The rest conditions of the flight crew are therefore also improved. The invention is also economical, insofar as it is simple to produce and requires almost no modification to the cabin.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one holding device is capable of ensuring that the flexible structure is held on a privacy shell.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the holding device comprises at least one protruding stud provided in a portion of the privacy shell intended to be inserted inside an opening made in the flexible structure.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the holding device comprises a flap connected to the flexible structure, said flap being intended to be fixed to a portion of the privacy shell.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flap is made of a flexible plastic material.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flap has a U shape so as to be able to at least partially surround a portion of the privacy shell.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible structure comprises a support element intended to be pressed against a portion of a privacy shell.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support element has an L-shape having an angle pressed against a corresponding angle of a privacy shell of a seat unit.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible structure comprises at least one positioning insert intended to bear against a corresponding area of ​​a seat unit or a wall of the aircraft cabin.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible structure is provided with at least one strap so as to be able to increase an internal volume of the enclosed rest space.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible structure has an asymmetrical configuration relative to a median transverse plane, such that a height of the flexible structure measured relative to a floor of the aircraft cabin at the location of the privacy shell of the rear seat unit is greater than a height of the flexible structure measured relative to the floor of the aircraft cabin at the location of the privacy shell of the front seat unit.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible structure is preferably made of a flexible material, in particular a textile material.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible structure is made of a padded material.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible structure comprises a marking in the form of text and / or a symbol indicating that the flexible structure delimits an enclosed rest space reserved for crew members.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible structure can be personalized in the colors of an airline.

[0026] The invention also relates to an aircraft cabin comprising the assembly as defined above.

[0027] 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] [Fig. 2 ] THE figures 1 et 2 are perspective views of part of an aircraft cabin respectively before and after the installation of a flexible structure added according to the invention allowing the creation of an enclosed rest space for the crew members; [ Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of a device for maintaining the flexible structure provided with a projecting stud from a privacy shell intended to cooperate with an opening made in the flexible structure; [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 is a top view of a portion of the flexible structure secured to a privacy shell of the front seat unit by means of a retaining device figure 3 ; [ Fig. 5a] [Fig. 5b ] THE figures 5a et 5b are perspective views illustrating the installation of a flexible structure according to the invention allowing the creation of an enclosed rest space for crew members; [ Fig. 6 ] There figure 6 is a perspective view showing the flexible structure in the folded state in the hands of a crew member; [ Fig. 7 ] There figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the flexible structure placed around a seat unit for the creation of an enclosed rest space for crew members; [ Fig. 8 ] There figure 8 is a detailed perspective view of a flexible structure retaining device having a flap for securing the flexible structure to a portion of a privacy shell of a seat unit; [ Fig. 9 ] There figure 9 is a detailed perspective view of a support element provided in an edge of the flexible structure ensuring indexing in position of the flexible structure relative to a privacy shell of a seat unit; [ Fig. 10 ] There figure 10 is a detailed perspective view of a positioning insert that may be provided in the flexible structure; [ Fig. 11a ] [ Fig. 11b ] THE figures 11a And 11b are perspective views illustrating the installation of the embodiment of the flexible structure according to the invention with flaps allowing the creation of an enclosed rest space for the crew members; [ Fig. 12 ] There figure 12 illustrates the use of straps to increase the volume of the resting space delimited by the flexible structure; [ Fig. 13 ] There figure 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an enclosed rest space having an asymmetrical configuration.

[0028] It should be noted that, in the figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0029] Furthermore, the relative terms of the type "front", "rear", "upper", "lower" are understood by reference to the common meaning that a person installed on a seat around which the flexible structure according to the invention is deployed to form an enclosed rest space would give them.

[0030] There figure 1 shows an aircraft cabin 10 comprising a plurality of seat units 11.1, 11.2, for example of the business class type. Conventionally, the aircraft cabin 10 comprises several columns of seat units 11.1, 11.2 located one behind the other. However, two seat units 11.1, 11.2 have been shown in the figure in order to facilitate understanding of the invention.

[0031] A rear seat unit 11.1 comprising a seat 12 and a privacy shell 13 extending at least partly around the seat 12 is distinguished, and a front seat unit 11.2 comprising a seat 12 and a privacy shell 13 extending at least partly around the seat 12. A privacy shell 13 thus makes it possible to isolate the passenger of the corresponding seat unit 11.1, 11.2 from the external environment.

[0032] A seat 12 may offer a passenger different comfort positions, from a "sitting" position to a "bed" position, in which the seat 12 defines a substantially horizontal sleeping surface for the passenger to lie down. Intermediate comfort positions are also provided, such as the "relax" position in which a backrest of the seat 12 is steeply inclined. Generally, these intermediate positions are obtained by tilting the pivoting backrest about a horizontal axis perpendicular to an extension axis of the seat 12. The passenger may remain on the seat 12 during transitions between the different positions.

[0033] A seat unit 11.1, 11.2 may also include a side cabinet 15 having an upper face 16 on which the passenger can place objects. The side cabinet 15 may be provided with a footwell 17 intended to receive the feet of a passenger of a corresponding rear seat 12, in particular when the rear seat 12 is in the "bed" position. Thus, the opening of the footwell 17 is directed towards the seat 12 located immediately behind the cabinet 15 of the seat unit.

[0034] An access passage 18 to a circulation corridor 20 extends between the rear seat unit 11.1 and the front seat unit 11.2. This access passage 18 allows the passenger of the rear seat unit 11.1 to access the circulation corridor 20.

[0035] In order to create an enclosed resting space 23 around the rear seat unit 11.1, a flexible structure 24 is used which is attached to the seat units 11.1, 11.2, as shown in the figure 2 . The flexible structure 24 comprises, in a deployed state, an upper portion 25 extending above the seat 12 of the rear seat unit 11.1 between the privacy shell 13 of the rear seat unit 11.1 and the privacy shell 13 of the front seat unit 11.2. The flexible structure 24 also comprises a lateral portion 26 extending vertically between the rear seat unit 11.1 and the front seat unit 11.2 to close the access passage to the circulation corridor. Thus, the removable flexible structure 24 delimits, with the privacy shell 13 of the rear seat unit 11.1 and the privacy shell 13 of the front seat unit 11.2, an enclosed rest space 23 around the seat 12 of the rear seat unit 11.1.

[0036] In the example shown, the upper portion 25 may extend mainly in a horizontal plane relative to the floor 28 of the aircraft cabin. Alternatively, the upper portion 25 may extend in a plane forming a non-zero angle relative to the floor 28. The angle of the plane in which the upper portion 25 extends relative to the floor 28 may be a few degrees, in particular between 0 and 30 degrees. The lateral portion 26 extends mainly in a plane perpendicular to the floor 28. The lateral portion 26 is preferably made in one piece with the upper portion 25. The flexible structure 24 is thus made in one piece.

[0037] The flexible structure 24 is preferably made of a textile material. The flexible structure 24 may be made of a padded or quilted material. Such a configuration provides better insulation from noise and light and thus improves the comfort of the crew members. The textile material may be uniformly pleated to minimize unsightly creases in the curtain caused by storage. The flexible structure 24 may take the form of a deformable panel.

[0038] The flexible structure 24 may include a marking 44 in the form of text and / or a symbol indicating that the curtain delimits an enclosed rest space 23 reserved for crew members, as shown in the figures 2 And 7 This helps clarify its usefulness to passengers. Advantageously, the flexible structure 24 can be personalized with the airline's colors.

[0039] At least one holding device 30 is capable of fixing the flexible structure 24 to a privacy shell 13 of at least one seat unit 11.1, 11.2. As can be seen in the figures 3 et 4 , the holding device 30 comprises at least one protruding stud 31 formed in a portion of the privacy shell 13 intended to be inserted inside an opening 32 made in the removable flexible structure 24. Alternatively, the protruding stud 31 could be replaced by a hook intended to cooperate with the opening 32 made in the removable flexible structure 24. Alternatively, the holding device 30 comprises magnets integrated in the flexible structure 24 intended to cooperate with metallic or magnetic elements integrated in a seat unit 11.1, 11.2, or vice versa. Alternatively, the removable holding device 30 comprises self-gripping fasteners formed in the flexible structure 24 and intended to cooperate with self-gripping fasteners of corresponding shape formed in a seat unit 11.1, 11.2. The self-gripping fasteners could be, for example, Velcro type fasteners (Registered trademark).

[0040] The following is described, with reference to the figures 5a et 5b , the installation of the flexible structure 24 in order to create an enclosed resting space 23 around the seat 12 of the rear seat unit 11.1. For this purpose, a front edge of the flexible structure 24 is fixed to the shell of the front seat unit 11.2 by inserting at least one stud 31 inside a corresponding opening 32 provided in the flexible structure 24. For this purpose, a crew member 33 can press on the flexible structure along the arrow F1 to make the stud 31 penetrate inside the corresponding opening 32, as shown in the figure 5a .

[0041] The rear edge of the flexible structure 24 may also be connected to the shell of the rear seat 12 and / or to a wall of the aircraft cabin 10 by a similar device with a protruding stud 31 and a corresponding opening 32 provided in the flexible structure 24. The crew member 33 may thus put the rear edge of the flexible structure 24 in place along the arrow F2.

[0042] The crew member 33 then simply has to gradually unfold the flexible structure 24 above the rear seat unit 11.1 along the arrow F3, so that the flexible structure 24 closes the enclosed rest space 23 via the upper portion 25 and the lateral portion 26.

[0043] As illustrated by the figure 6 , once the flexible structure 24 is disengaged from the studs 31, the flexible structure 24 can be folded and stored easily and compactly inside a space of the aircraft provided for this purpose. This storage space could be, for example, a space provided in a piece of furniture or in a luggage compartment.

[0044] In the embodiment of Fig. 7, the holding device 30 of the flexible structure 24 comprises a flap 35 connected to the flexible structure 24. The flap 35 clearly visible on the figure 8 is intended to be fixed on a portion of a privacy shell 13. The flap 35 may be made of a more rigid material than the rest of the curtain. The flap 35 is advantageously made of a flexible deformable plastic material, or rubber, or any other material suitable for the application. The flap 35 has a U-shape so as to be able to at least partially surround a portion of the privacy shell 13.

[0045] As can be seen on the figure 9 , the flexible structure 24 may also comprise at least one support element 36 intended to be pressed against a portion of a privacy shell 13. The support element 36 thus makes it possible to guarantee correct indexing in position of the flexible structure 24 relative to a privacy shell 13. The support element 36 has an L shape whose angle is pressed, according to the arrows F4 and F5, against a corresponding angle of a portion of a privacy shell 13 of a seat unit. The support element 36 may be provided in an edge of the flexible structure 24. The support element 36 may be constituted by a stiffened portion of an edge of the flexible structure 24.

[0046] As illustrated by the figure 10 , it is also possible to use one or more positioning inserts 38, in particular of elongated shape, made of an elastic material. The positioning inserts 38 are for example made of rubber. By coming to bear against a corresponding zone of a privacy shell 13 or of a wall of the aircraft cabin 10, these positioning inserts 38 also participate in the correct positioning as well as in the maintenance of the flexible structure 24 to form the enclosed rest space 23.

[0047] The following is described, with reference to the figures 11a And 11b , the installation of the flexible structure 24 provided with flaps 35 in order to create an enclosed rest space 23 around the seat 12 of the rear seat unit 11.1.

[0048] First, the support element 36 coming from the front edge of the flexible structure 24 is pressed according to the arrow F6 against a corresponding shape of the shell of the front seat 12. The opposite edge of the flexible structure 24 is put in place according to the arrow F7.

[0049] The flap 35 is then put in place in order to attach the flexible structure 24 to the privacy shell 13 of the front seat unit 11.2. For this purpose, as shown in the figure 8 , the flap 35 is inserted via a free end inside an opening 39 delimited by a longitudinal portion 40 and the remainder of the privacy shell 13 of the front seat unit 11.2. The flap 35 is then rotated according to the arrow F8 in such a way that the U-shape partially surrounds the portion 40 of the privacy shell 13. A similar flap 35 connected to a rear edge of the flexible structure 24 may also be attached to the privacy shell 13 of the rear seat unit 11.1.

[0050] As shown in the figure 11b , the crew member 33 then simply has to gradually unfold the flexible structure 24 above the rear seat unit 11.1 according to the arrow F9, so that the flexible structure 24 closes the rest space 23 via the upper portion 25 and the side portion 26.

[0051] The rubber inserts 38 will be able to improve the positioning and maintenance of the flexible structure 24.

[0052] Once the flaps 35 are detached from the privacy shells 13, the flexible structure 24 can be folded and stored easily and compactly within a space of the aircraft provided for this purpose, such as for example a space provided in a piece of furniture or in a luggage compartment.

[0053] In order to improve the ergonomics and comfort of the crew members, the flexible structure 24 may be provided with a strap 42 shown in the figure 12 . A structural portion 43 connected to the flexible structure 24 is arranged partly inside a U-shaped space delimited by the strap 42. By pulling on one end of the strap 42 according to the arrow F10, the bottom of the U of the strap 42 pushes the structural portion 43 towards the inside of the enclosed rest space 23 according to the arrow F11. This has the effect of deforming the flexible structure 24 upwards according to the arrow F12 so as to increase a volume of the enclosed rest space 23.

[0054] As illustrated in the figure 13, the flexible structure 24 may have an asymmetrical configuration relative to a median transverse plane Pm so that a height H1 of the flexible structure 24 measured relative to the floor 28 of the aircraft cabin 10 at the location of the privacy shell 13 of the rear seat unit 11.1 is greater than a height H2 of the flexible structure 24 measured relative to the floor 28 at the location of the privacy shell 13 of the front seat unit 11.2.

[0055] Of course, the various features, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention may be combined with each other in various combinations provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variations that may be envisaged by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention and in particular all combinations of the various modes of operation described above, which may be taken separately or in combination, provided that they fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An assembly for an aircraft cabin (10), comprising: - a rear seat unit (11.1) comprising a seat (12) and a privacy shell (13) extending at least partly around the seat (12), - a front seat unit (11.2) comprising a seat (12) and a privacy shell (13) extending at least partly around the seat (12), - an aisle access passage extending between the rear seat unit (11.1) and the front seat unit (11.2), - a removable flexible structure (24) comprising, in a deployed state, an upper portion (25) extending above the seat (12) of the rear seat unit (11.1) between the privacy shell (13) of the rear seat unit (11.1) and the privacy shell (13) of the front seat unit (11.2), and - a lateral portion (26) extending vertically between the rear seat unit (11.1) and the front seat unit (11.2) for closing the access passage to the aisle, - such that the flexible structure (24) delimits, with the shell of the rear seat unit (11.1) and the shell of the front seat unit (11.2), an enclosed rest space (23) around the seat (12) of the rear seat unit (11.1).

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one holding device (30) is capable of holding the flexible structure (24) on a privacy shell (13).

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein the holding device (30) comprises at least one projecting stud (31) in a portion of the privacy shell (13), said projecting stud being providing so as to be inserted into an opening (32) in the flexible structure (24).

4. The assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the holding device (30) comprises a flap (35) connected to the flexible structure (24), said flap (35) being provided so as to be fixed on a portion of the privacy shell (13).

5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein the flap (35) has a U shape so as to surround at least partially a portion of the privacy shell (13).

6. The assembly according to any of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the flexible structure (24) comprises a support element (36) for pressing against a portion of a privacy shell (13).

7. The assembly according to any of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the flexible structure (24) comprises at least one positioning insert (38) for contacting a corresponding zone of a seat unit (11.1, 11.2) or a wall of the aircraft cabin (10).

8. The assembly according to any of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the flexible structure (24) is provided with at least one strap (42) for increasing an internal volume in the enclosed rest space (23).

9. The assembly according to any of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the flexible structure (24) has an asymmetrical configuration relative to a median transverse plane (Pm), such that a height (H1) of the flexible structure (24) measured relative to a floor (28) at the privacy shell (13) of the rear seat unit (11.1) is greater than a height (H2) of the flexible structure (24) measured relative to the floor (28) at the privacy shell (13) of the front seat unit (11.2).

10. The assembly according to any of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the flexible structure (24) comprises a marking (44) in the form of a text and / or a symbol for indicating that the flexible structure (24) delimits an enclosed rest space (23) for crew members.