GRIPPING ELEMENT FOR MANUALLY OPERATING A SEAT BACK

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat (11) for an aircraft comprising: - a seat (13), - a backrest 15 comprising a front face on which the back of a passenger can rest and a rear face opposite the front face, the backrest (15) being movable between a raised position and a lowered position in which the backrest (15) forms with the seat (13) a sleeping surface, - an anchoring point (21) arranged in the upper part of the backrest (15), and - a gripping element (23) provided with a fixing interface (24) capable of being temporarily hooked in a removably manner on the anchoring point (21) to facilitate the raising of the backrest (15) from the lowered position to the raised position. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: GRIPPING ELEMENT FOR MANUALLY MANIPULATING A SEAT BACK

[0001] The present invention relates to a gripping element for the manual handling of a seat back. The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the field of aeronautics, in particular with seat units for first class or business class aircraft cabins.

[0002] In a manner known per se, such a seat unit comprises a seat associated with a side console and a privacy shell extending at least partly around the seat. Such a configuration makes it possible to guarantee the privacy of the passenger by creating a partially enclosed space around the seat unit to isolate the passenger from the external environment.

[0003] The seat offers the passenger different comfort positions, from a "sitting" position to a "bed" position, in which the seat defines a substantially horizontal sleeping surface so that the passenger can lie down. For this purpose, the backrest is able to pivot around a horizontal axis and perpendicular to an extension axis of the seat. The backrest is thus movable between a raised position and a lowered position in which the backrest extends in the same plane as the seat to form the sleeping surface with the seat.

[0004] In order to ensure the movement of the various elements of the seat moving from the sitting position to the bed position, the seat comprises one or more actuators ensuring movement of the backrest backwards and, where appropriate, of the seat forwards.

[0005] In the event that one of the actuators fails while the seat is in the bed position, it is necessary for the flight attendant to manually raise the backrest. As illustrated in [Fig.l], the environment around the seat 1 is generally constrained by the privacy shell and the console, handling the backrest 2 is difficult because it must be carried out while being placed in front of the seat 3. In order to raise the backrest 2, a flight attendant 4 grasping the upper end of the backrest 2 must therefore adopt uncomfortable positions likely to cause back pain 5 due to the significant angle formed by the back with the rest of the body during the pulling force of the backrest 2 along the arrow FL

[0006] The invention aims to effectively remedy this drawback by proposing a seat for an aircraft comprising: - a seat, and - a backrest comprising a front face on which a passenger's back can rest and a rear face opposite the front face, the backrest being movable between a raised position and a lowered position in which the backrest forms a sleeping surface with the seat, - an anchor point located in the upper part of the backrest, and - a gripping element provided with a fixing interface capable of being temporarily and removably attached to the anchor point to facilitate raising the backrest from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0007] The invention thus makes it possible, thanks to the use of the gripping element, to make handling the backrest more comfortable and easier for the flight crew. In particular, the invention allows the flight crew to maintain a better posture when handling the backrest to move it from the lowered position to the raised position. The invention therefore makes it possible to significantly increase the longevity of their spine and to improve the working conditions of the flight crew.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping element is an upper strap of a three-point type safety belt, said upper strap having a fixing interface intended to cooperate with a belt buckle, said fixing interface also being capable of being removably hooked onto the anchor point.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping element is an attached strap comprising a fixing interface capable of being removably attached to the anchoring point.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gripping element is a rigid rod comprising a fixing interface capable of being removably attached to the anchoring point.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the anchoring point is arranged on a rear face of the backrest.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the anchoring point is arranged on a headrest.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the anchoring point is made in a peri-edge spherical of the file.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the anchoring point is constituted by a projecting stud or a hook.

[0015] The invention also relates to a seat unit comprising a seat as previously defined.

[0016] The invention further relates to an aircraft comprising a seat unit as previously defined.

[0017] The invention also relates to a method for manually moving a backrest of an aircraft seat as previously defined from a lowered position to a raised position, said backrest being initially in the lowered position, said method includes: - a step of attaching the gripping element to the anchoring point via the fixing interface, so as to create a mechanical connection between the gripping element and the backrest, - a step of manual traction on the gripping element so as to move the backrest from the lowered position to the raised position, and - a step of detaching the fixing interface from the anchoring point so as to dismantle the mechanical connection between the gripping element and the backrest.

[0018] 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 by way of illustration 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:

[0019] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1], already described, is a schematic representation illustrating the difficulty for a member of the flight crew to manually raise a backrest from a lowered position to a raised position;

[0020] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a seating unit according to the invention equipped with a three-point belt comprising a high strap intended to cooperate with an anchoring point according to the invention;

[0021] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a rear face of a seat back provided with an anchoring point according to the invention;

[0022] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a view of a rear face of a seat back provided with a point anchoring according to the invention produced on a headrest of the seat;

[0023] [Fig.5a] [Fig.5a] is a perspective view of an anchor point according to the invention made in an edge of a backrest structure and a fixing interface cooperating with the anchor point;

[0024] [Fig.5b] [Fig.5b] is a top view of the fixing interface cooperating with the anchor point according to the invention of [Fig.5a];

[0025] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic representation illustrating a manual lifting of a seat back by means of a gripping element according to the present invention.

[0026] It should be noted that 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.

[0027] [Fig. 2] shows a seat unit 10 comprising a seat 11 convertible into a berth comprising a frame 12 on which a seat 13 and a backrest 15 are mounted. The backrest 15 has a front face on which the back of a passenger and a rear face opposite the front face.

[0028] The seat 11 is associated with a side console 16 extending along one side of the seat 11. The side console 16 may include a table surface 17 on which a passenger can place personal objects or their meal tray in particular. The side console 16 may also include a vertical storage space 20 comprising one or more elements from a literature pocket, a bottle holder, or a minibar. The choice of storage is configurable according to the wishes of the airline.

[0029] Furthermore, a privacy shell 18 extends at least partially around the seat 11 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 11.

[0030] The seat 11 is advantageously provided with kinematics allowing it to be movable between a "seated" position, in which the seat 11 is configured to define a seated position of a passenger, and a "bed" position, in which the seat 11 is configured to define a substantially horizontal sleeping plane for the passenger. For this purpose, the backrest 15 is able to pivot about a horizontal axis and perpendicular to an extension axis of the seat 11. The backrest 15 is thus movable between a raised position and a lowered position in which the backrest 15 extends in the same plane as the seat 13 to form with the seat 13 the sleeping plane. In order to ensure the movement of the various elements of the seat 11 passing from the seated position to the bed position, the seat 11 comprises one or more actuators ensuring a movement of the backrest 15 towards the rear and where appropriate of the seat 13 towards the front.

[0031] A housing 19 in which a footrest is arranged is provided in the side console 16. The housing 19 is open towards the rear seat 11, so that the passenger seated on the rear seat 11 can place his feet on the footrest, in particular when the rear seat 11 is in the bed position.

[0032] The seat 11 advantageously comprises a three-point belt 27 making it possible to ensure that the passenger is restrained on the seat in the event of an impact by means of three straps fixed to three belt attachment points. More precisely, the three-point belt 27 comprises a first strap 28 and a second strap 29 intended to form together a lap belt. The first strap 28 and the second strap 29 each have one end fixed to the frame 12 of the seat 11 or to the seat 13, in particular in the case where the seat 11 is movable between a sitting position and a bed position, as is the case in the example shown. The first strap 28 and the second strap 29 comprise at another end respectively a male part and a female part of a belt buckle 30 intended to cooperate with each other in order to form a lap belt around the passenger's body.

[0033] The three-point belt 27 further comprises a third strap 31, called the strap su upper, intended to maintain the upper part of the body of a passenger. The upper strap 31 can be associated with a reel (not shown) fixed on the seat frame 11 at the level of the rails of the aircraft cabin. Alternatively, the reel can be fixed to the rear face of the backrest 15. The upper strap 31 coming from the reel passes through a passage opening 34 made in the upper part of the backrest 15, in particular at the level of the passenger's shoulder. The upper strap 31 has at its end a fixing interface 24 intended to cooperate with the belt buckle 30.

[0034] Furthermore, an anchoring point 21 is arranged in the upper part of the backrest 15. By "upper part of the backrest 15" is meant the part of the backrest 15 which is located above a median plane P of the backrest 15 extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal extension direction of the backrest 15. The position of the anchoring point 21 is important to ensure a certain efficiency and discretion of the system.

[0035] Furthermore, a gripping element 23 is provided with a fixing interface 24 capable of being temporarily removably hooked onto the anchoring point 21 to facilitate raising the backrest 15 from the lowered position to the raised position. By "removably hooked" is meant the fact that a mechanical connection between the fixing interface 24 and the anchoring point 21 can be created and then dismantled without the aid of a tool. A removable mechanical connection is thus created between the gripping element 23 and the backrest 15.

[0036] Advantageously, the gripping element 23 is the upper strap 31 of the three-point type seat belt 27. The fixing interface 24 is intended to cooperate with the belt buckle 30 when the seat belt 27 is attached around the passenger. The fixing interface 24 is also capable of being removably hooked onto the anchor point 21.

[0037] Alternatively, the gripping element 23 is an attached strap 35 comprising a fixing interface 24 capable of being removably attached to the anchoring point 21. The use of a strap 31, 35 allows a certain freedom of movement.

[0038] Alternatively, the gripping element 23 takes the form of a rigid rod 36 attached comprising a fixing interface 24 capable of being removably attached to the anchoring point 21.

[0039] In the embodiment of [Fig. 3], the anchoring point 21 is arranged on a rear face of the backrest 15. The anchoring point 21 is constituted by a projecting stud. The projecting stud can be fixed by screwing, welding or any other fixing technique adapted to the application. Alternatively, the anchoring point 21 has a hook shape or any other shape adapted to the removable attachment of a gripping element 23 facilitating the raising of the backrest 15.

[0040] In the embodiment of [Fig.4], the anchoring point 21 is arranged on a head 25, in particular a lower edge of the head 25. As previously, the anchor point 21 can take the form of a protruding stud or a hook.

[0041] In the embodiment of Figures 5a and 5b, the anchoring point 21 is made in a peripheral edge 26 of the backrest 15. The anchoring point 21 takes the form of a hook integral with the edge 26 of the backrest 15. The hook 21 can be obtained by machining the edge of the backrest 15 consisting of removing material from the edge 26 of the backrest 15 to define the hook 21. The hook 21 has for example an L shape comprising a portion extending in the plane of the rear face of the backrest 15 and a portion extending perpendicular to the rear face of the backrest 15. The portion of the hook 21 extending perpendicular to the rear face of the backrest 15 is directed towards the rear of the backrest 15. Whatever the positioning of the anchoring point 21, it does not interfere with the mechanical behavior of the seat 11, in particular during certification tests.

[0042] The attachment interface 24 of the strap 31, 35 or of the rigid rod 36 may have a closed circumference defining a through opening 37 for passage of the anchoring point 21. As can be seen in [Fig.5b], the elongated through opening 37 of the attachment interface 24 comprises a round-shaped portion 37.1 and a triangular-shaped portion 37.2 opening into the round shape. Alternatively, the through opening 37 may have a rectangular or square shape or any other shape suitable for the application. Such an attachment interface 24 is also adapted to cooperate with a projecting stud constituting the anchoring point 21. Alternatively, the attachment interface 24 may have a shape having an open circumference, in particular a hook shape.

[0043] The method for manually moving the backrest 15 of the aircraft seat 11 from a lowered position to a raised position by means of a gripping element 23 is described below with reference to [Fig. 6]. The backrest 15 being initially in the lowered position, said method comprises a step of hooking the gripping element 23 onto the anchoring point 21 via the fixing interface 24 so as to create a mechanical connection between the gripping element 23 and the backrest 15. In the case of an upper strap 31 of a three-point belt 27, a loop is thus formed in the upper part of the backrest 15 extending between the part of the upper strap 31 emerging from the backrest and the end of the upper strap fixed to the anchoring point 21.

[0044] Due to the fixed configuration of the anchoring point 21 and the mechanical connection created between the gripping element 23 and the backrest 15, this loop will allow a member of the flight crew 38 to manually pull on the gripping element 23 along the arrow F2 so as to move the backrest 15 from the lowered position to the raised position. Given the small angle formed by the back of the flight crew member 38 relative to the rest of his body, the risk of causing back pain is greatly reduced.

[0045] Once the backrest is in the raised position, the member of the flight crew 38 can then unhook the fixing interface 24 from the anchoring point 21 so as to dismantle the mechanical connection between the gripping element 23 and the backrest 15. In the case of a three-point belt 27, unhooking the upper strap 31 will allow the passenger to attach the upper strap 31 to the belt buckle 30 to ensure their safety.

[0046] It should be noted that the member of the flight crew 38 would not have a grip by pulling directly on the upper strap 31 (not fixed to the anchor point 21) due to the presence of the reel which would have the effect of unwinding the belt when it is pulled by the member of the flight crew 38.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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 operating modes described above, which may be taken separately or in association.

Claims

Claims

1. Seat (11) for an aircraft comprising: - a seat (13), and - a backrest (15) comprising a front face on which the back of a passenger can rest and a rear face opposite the front face, the backrest (15) being movable between a raised position and a lowered position in which the backrest (15) forms with the seat (13) a sleeping surface, characterized in that said seat (11) further comprises: - an anchoring point (21) arranged in the upper part of the backrest (15), and - a gripping element (23) provided with a fixing interface (24) capable of being temporarily hooked in a removably manner on the anchoring point (21) to facilitate the raising of the backrest (15) from the lowered position to the raised position.

2. Seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the gripping element (23) is an upper strap (31) of a three-point type safety belt (27), said upper strap (31) having a fixing interface (24) intended to cooperate with a belt buckle (30), said fixing interface (24) also being capable of being removably hooked onto the anchoring point (21).

3. Seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the gripping element (23) is an attached strap (35) comprising a fixing interface (24) capable of being removably attached to the anchoring point (21).

4. Seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the gripping element (23) is a rigid rod (36) attached comprising a fixing interface (24) capable of being removably attached to the anchoring point (21).

5. Seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the anchoring point (21) is arranged on a rear face of the backrest (15).

6. Seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the anchoring point (21) is arranged on a headrest (25).

7. Seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the anchoring point (21) is made in a peripheral edge (26) of the backrest (15).

8. Seat according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that that the anchor point (21) is constituted by a protruding stud or a hook.

9. Seat unit (10) characterized in that it comprises a seat (11) defined according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Aircraft characterized in that it comprises a seat unit (10) defined according to claim 9.

11. Method for manually moving a backrest (15) of an aircraft seat (11) defined according to any one of claims 1 to 8 from a lowered position to a raised position, characterized in that said backrest (15) being initially in the lowered position, said method comprises: - a step of hooking the gripping element (23) onto the anchoring point (21) via the fixing interface (24), so as to create a mechanical connection between the gripping element (23) and the backrest (15), - a step of manually pulling on the gripping element (23) so as to move the backrest (15) from the lowered position to the raised position, and - a step of unhooking the fixing interface (24) relative to the anchoring point (21) so as to dismantle the mechanical connection between the gripping element (23) and the file (15).

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