Seat cushion provided with a removable central portion

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cushion for a seat, comprising: - a removable central portion (21), and - a peripheral portion (22) comprising a receiving cavity (23) having a shape complementary to the removable central portion (21), - the removable central portion (21) being disposed inside the receiving cavity (23) of the peripheral portion (22) such that the peripheral portion (22) extends around the removable central portion (21), - the removable central portion (21) and the peripheral portion (22) being made of a flexible material.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: SEAT CUSHION WITH REMOVABLE CENTRAL PART

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat cushion provided with a removable central part. The invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application with aircraft seat cushions, in particular seat cushions or back cushions.

[0002] A seat cushion or a back cushion can be made conventionally either by molding in a single block, or from several blocks of foam assembled together by gluing. In the case where the material of the cushion is not sufficiently fire resistant, the cushion is covered with a fireproof envelope called "FBL" for "Fire Blocking Layer" in Anglo-Saxon terminology.

[0003] When a cushion is worn, it is necessary to replace the entire cushion, whereas generally only the central part is damaged. Furthermore, during a development phase, when a cushion does not satisfy an airline, the designer must redefine the entire cushion. This generates significant development costs for the product's safety certification.

[0004] The invention aims to effectively remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a cushion for a seat comprising: - a removable central part, and - a peripheral part comprising a receiving cavity having a shape complementary to the removable central part, - the removable central part being arranged inside the receiving cavity of the peripheral part, in such a way that the peripheral part extends around the removable central part, - the removable central part and the peripheral part being made of a flexible material.

[0005] The invention thus makes it possible to reduce the replacement costs of a cushion by replacing only the worn removable central part. The invention also makes it possible to reduce the development time of a cushion by prequalifying removable central parts having different levels of hardness for a common peripheral part. The hardness of the central foam which ensures the passenger's main comfort can be adapted according to the airline's needs. The invention thus reduces the certification time of the seat.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving cavity passes through the peripheral part.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, a lower face of the removable central part comprises at least one removable fixing device for ensuring removable fixing of the removable central part with a seat element.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving cavity comprises a bottom wall against which a lower face of the removable central part is pressed.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, a single covering cover at least partially covers the removable central part and at least partially the peripheral part.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, a central covering cover at least partially covers the removable central part and a peripheral covering cover at least partially covers the peripheral part.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one removable fixing device provides a removable mechanical connection between the central trim cover and the peripheral trim cover.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the removable central part and / or the peripheral part is covered by a fire-resistant envelope on at least one face opposite the receiving cavity.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the removable central part and the peripheral part are made of foam, in particular polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, fiber foam, cellular foam, inflatable foam, or any other material making it possible to produce comfort foam.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the removable central part has a hardness different from that of the peripheral part.

[0015] The invention also relates to an airplane seat comprising a cushion as previously defined.

[0016] 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:

[0017] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an airplane seat having cushions according to the invention;

[0018] [Fig. 2a] [Fig. 2b] [Fig. 2c] Figures 2a, 2b, 2c are respectively top, exploded, and sectional views of a first embodiment of a seat cushion according to the invention;

[0019] [Fig. 3a] [Fig. 3b] Figures 3a and 3b are respectively exploded and assembled views of a second embodiment of a seat cushion according to the invention;

[0020] [Fig. 4a] [Fig. 4b] Figures 4a and 4b are respectively exploded and assembled views of a third embodiment of a seat cushion according to the invention;

[0021] [Fig. 5a] [Fig. 5b] Figures 5a and 5b are respectively exploded and assembled views of a fourth embodiment of a seat cushion according to the invention;

[0022] [Fig. 6] Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a seat cushion according to the invention.

[0023] It should be noted that, in the figures, 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.

[0024] The relative terms of the type "lower", "upper" are understood by reference to the common meaning that a person observing the seat cushion according to the invention arranged on a horizontal plane would give them, which corresponds in particular to the orientation of figures 2b and 2c.

[0025] Figure 1 shows an economy class seat 10 intended to be fixed on rails (not shown) mounted on a floor of an aircraft cabin. For this purpose, the seat 10 has legs 11 provided with fasteners 12 configured to cooperate with the rails of the cabin. A luggage bar 13 makes it possible to retain the luggage placed under the seat 10.

[0026] The seat 10 comprises several seats 15 and several backrests 16 so as to define several places. Each backrest 16 can be mounted tilting backwards relative to the corresponding seat 15. The seat 10 also comprises armrests 17.

[0027] In order to improve the comfort of the seat, each seat 15 is covered by a seat cushion 18 and each backrest 16 is covered by a backrest cushion 19.

[0028] The seat cushion 18 and / or the back cushion 19, hereinafter commonly referred to as "seat cushions", may be produced according to several embodiments described below.

[0029] In the embodiment of Figures 2a, 2b, and 2c, the seat cushion 18, 19 comprises a removable central portion 21, and a peripheral portion 22 arranged around the removable central portion 21. The removable central portion 21 is separate from the peripheral portion 22 and can be replaced independently of the peripheral portion 22.

[0030] The removable central part 21 and the peripheral part 22 are made of a flexible material. Advantageously, the removable central part 21 and the peripheral part 22 are made of a foam material. The removable central part 21 and the peripheral part 22 are made of a foam, in particular a polyurethane foam, a polyethylene foam, a fiber foam, a honeycomb foam, an inflatable foam or any other material making it possible to produce a comfort foam. The removable central part 21 preferably has a hardness different from that of the peripheral portion 22.

[0031] More specifically, the removable central part 21 has a generally parallelepiped shape. Alternatively, the removable central part 21 may have a cylindrical shape or any other shape adapted to the shape of the seat 15 or the backrest 16.

[0032] As can be seen in Figure 2a, the peripheral part 22 comprises a receiving cavity 23 having a shape complementary to the removable central part 21. The receiving cavity 23 is delimited by side walls 24.1-24.4 of the peripheral part 22. Indeed, the peripheral part 22 comprises four side walls 24.1-24.4 connected to each other. The side walls 24.1 and 24.2 are parallel to each other. The walls 24.3 and 24.4 are parallel to each other. The walls 24.1 and 24.2 are connected by the walls 24.3 and 24.4.

[0033] The removable central part 21 is arranged inside the receiving cavity 23 of the peripheral part 22 in such a way that the peripheral part 22 extends around the removable central part 21. The receiving cavity 23 comprises a bottom wall 27 against which a lower face of the removable central part 21 is pressed, as shown in Figures 2b and 2c.

[0034] A lower face of the peripheral part 22 comprises at least one removable fixing device 30 for ensuring removable fixing of the removable central part 21 with a seat element. The seat element is constituted by the seat 15 or by the backrest 16 of the seat. The removable fixing device 30 can be chosen from: Velcro strips (trade name), press studs, magnets, hooks, in particular plastic hooks. In the figures, the removable fixing devices 30 are represented schematically by rectangles.

[0035] The removable central part 21 is covered by a fire-resistant envelope 31.1 on at least one face opposite the receiving cavity 23. Indeed, the faces of the removable central part 21 located on the side of the receiving cavity 23 are less exposed to fire than the faces located on the side opposite the receiving cavity 23. The fire-resistant envelope 31.1 can however cover all of the external faces of the removable central part 21. In the figures, the fire-resistant envelopes 31.1, 31.2 are shown schematically in broken lines.

[0036] The peripheral part 22 is covered by a fire-resistant envelope 31.2 on at least one face opposite the receiving cavity 23. In fact, the internal faces of the receiving cavity 23, that is to say the faces of the peripheral part 22 delimiting the receiving cavity 23, are protected by the removable central part 21 arranged inside the receiving cavity 23.

[0037] The fire-resistant envelopes 31.1, 31.2 advantageously comprise an aramid-based material. Alternatively, in the case where the removable central part 21 and / or the peripheral part 22 have sufficient fire resistance, it is possible to remove the corresponding fire-resistant envelope 31.1, 31.2.

[0038] Furthermore, a trim cover 33 at least partially covers the removable central portion 21 and at least partially the peripheral portion 22. The trim cover 33 is made at least partly of fabric, alcantara, or leather. The trim cover 33 includes patterns, for example patterns in the colors of an airline or a logo of the airline. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2b and 2c, the trim cover 33 is a single trim cover 33, that is to say it is made in a single part.

[0039] At least one removable fastening device 30 provides a removable mechanical connection between the single upholstery cover 33 and at least one part 21, 22 of the cushion 18, 19.

[0040] In the embodiment of Figures 3a and 3b, the upholstery cover 33 is made in two parts, namely a central upholstery cover 33.1 at least partially covering the removable central part 21 and a peripheral upholstery cover 33.2 at least partially covering the peripheral part 22 of the seat cushion 18, 19. The central upholstery cover 33.1 is separate from the peripheral upholstery cover 33.2. The upholstery covers 33.1, 33.2 cover at least the visible faces of the removable central part 21 and the peripheral part 22, when the removable central part 21 is arranged inside the receiving cavity 23 of the peripheral part 22 of the seat cushion 18, 19.

[0041] At least one removable fastening device 30 provides a removable mechanical connection between the central trim cover 33.1 and the peripheral trim cover 33.2.

[0042] As illustrated in Figure 3b, initially, it is possible to install, on the seat 15 or the backrest 16, the peripheral part 22 surrounded by the fire-resistant envelope 31.2 and the covering cover 33.2. Secondly, the removable central part 21 surrounded by the fire-resistant envelope 31.1 and the covering cover 33.1 can be placed in the receiving cavity 23 of the peripheral part. The removable central part 21 is connected to the peripheral part 22 by means of the removable fixing devices 30.

[0043] In the embodiment of Figures 4a and 4b, the peripheral portion 22 delimits a through receiving cavity 23. The receiving cavity 23 is through with respect to the peripheral portion 22. The receiving cavity 23 opens out from one side of the peripheral portion 22 in a direction perpendicular to a plane in which the seat cushion 18, 19 extends.

[0044] A lower face of the removable central part 21 comprises at least one removable fixing device 30 to ensure removable fixing of the removable central part 21 with a seat element 15, 16. The seat element can be the seat 15 or the backrest 16. The lower face of the removable central part 21 carrying at least one removable fixing device 30 is a face opposite the upper face intended to support a part of the passenger's body.

[0045] According to this embodiment, the covering cover 33 is a single covering cover covering at least in part the removable central part 21 and the peripheral part 22 of the cushion 18, 19. The covering cover 33 covers in particular the upper faces as well as the visible lateral faces of the removable central part 21 and of the peripheral part 22 of the cushion 18, 19, when the removable central part 21 is arranged inside the receiving cavity 23.

[0046] In the embodiment of Figures 5a and 5b, the peripheral portion 22 delimits a through receiving cavity 23 receiving the removable central portion 21. Furthermore, the trim cover 33 is made in two parts, namely a central trim cover 33.1 at least partially covering the removable central portion 21 and a peripheral trim cover 33.2 at least partially covering the peripheral portion 22 of the seat cushion 18, 19.

[0047] As illustrated in Figure 5b, initially, it is possible to install, on the seat 15 or the backrest 16, the peripheral part 22 surrounded by the fire-resistant envelope 31.2 and the covering cover 33.2. Secondly, the removable central part 21 surrounded by the fire-resistant envelope 31.1 and the covering cover 33.1 can be placed in the receiving cavity 23 of the peripheral part. The removable central part 21 is connected to the peripheral part 22 by means of the removable fixing devices 30.

[0048] In the embodiment of Figure 6, inclined internal faces 34, 35 are provided between the removable central part 21 and the peripheral part 22. The peripheral part 22 thus comprises internal faces 35 facing internal faces 34 of the removable central part 21. The internal faces 35 of the peripheral part 22 facing the internal faces 34 of the central part removable 21 are faces delimiting the receiving cavity 23. The internal faces 34, 35 form a non-zero angle with respect to a plane P perpendicular to a plane passing through a base 36 of the removable central part 21. The base 36 of the removable central part 21 is narrower than a top 37 of the removable central part 21 to allow the insertion of the removable central part 21 into the receiving cavity 23 from above in the case of a seat cushion 18. In cross-sectional view, the removable central part 21 has a trapezoidal shape. These inclined faces 34, 35 allow better support of the removable central part 21 with respect to the peripheral part 22.

[0049] The invention can of course be implemented with any type of aircraft seat, such as business class seats, or seats in other means of transport, such as car seats, train seats, or boat seats.

[0050] Of course, the various features, variations 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.

[0051] 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 variants that may be envisaged by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention and in particular all combinations of the different modes of operation described above, which may be taken separately or in combination.

Claims

CLAIMS Cushion (18, 19) for a seat characterized in that it comprises: - a removable central part (21), and - a peripheral part (22) comprising a receiving cavity (23) having a shape complementary to the removable central part (21), - the removable central part (21) being arranged inside the receiving cavity (23) of the peripheral part (22), in such a way that the peripheral part (22) extends around the removable central part (21), - the removable central part (21) and the peripheral part (22) being made of a flexible material. Cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving cavity (23) is through with respect to the peripheral part (22). Cushion according to claim 2, characterized in that a lower face of the removable central part (21) comprises at least one removable fixing device (30) to ensure removable fixing of the removable central part (21) with a seat element. Cushion according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving cavity (23) comprises a bottom wall (27) against which a lower face of the removable central part 21 is pressed. Cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a single covering cover (33) at least partially covers the removable central part (21) and at least partially the peripheral part (22).Cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a central covering cover (33.1) at least partially covers the removable central part (21) and a peripheral covering cover (33.2) at least partially covers the peripheral part (22).

7. Cushion according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one removable fixing device (30) provides a removable mechanical connection between the central covering cover (33.1) and the peripheral covering cover (33.2).

8. Cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the removable central part (21) and / or the peripheral part (22) is covered by a fire-resistant envelope (31.1) on at least one face opposite the receiving cavity 23.

9. Cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the removable central part (21) has a hardness different from that of the peripheral part (22).

10. Aircraft seat comprising a cushion according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images