Ottoman made from a suspended layer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a seat unit, in particular for an aircraft, comprising a footrest (17) having: - at least one suspended layer (20) intended to support feet of a passenger, said suspended layer (20) comprising a front edge (20.1) and a rear edge (20.2), - a stiff reinforcing cross-member (25) arranged near a front edge of the suspended layer (20), said reinforcing cross-member (25) being vertically recessed relative to the suspended layer (20), and - a comfort element (26) disposed on the reinforcing cross-member (25).

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: OTTOMAN MADE FROM A HANGER TABLECLOTH

[0001] The present invention relates to an ottoman made from a suspension web. The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the field of aeronautics, in particular with "business class" and "first class" type seating units in an aircraft cabin.

[0002] In a manner known per se, such a seat unit comprises a seat associated with a shell, called a "privacy 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 passenger's privacy.

[0003] The seat offers the passenger various comfort positions, from a "sitting" position to a "lying" position, in which a seat base and a seat back define a substantially horizontal lying surface for the passenger to lie down on. Intermediate comfort positions are also offered, such as the "relax" position in which the seat back is tilted sharply backward.

[0004] The seat unit comprises a housing in which is arranged a footrest also called "ottoman" on which a rear passenger can rest his feet, in particular when his seat is in a reclined position. The footrest conventionally comprises a support wall made of a composite material formed by a layer of honeycomb material sandwiched between two layers based on fibers, in particular glass fibers. The support wall is covered by a comfort layer, in particular made of foam, which can itself be covered by a trim cover.

[0005] However, such a footrest configuration has a high mass and a significant bulk. Indeed, the support wall having a thickness of the order of 12mm (1 / 2 inch), the comfort layer having a thickness of the order of 50mm, and the covering cap having a thickness of the order of 1mm, the total thickness of the footrest is of the order of 63mm.

[0006] The invention aims to effectively remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a seat unit, in particular for an aircraft, comprising: - a seat, and - a footrest comprising: - at least one suspension sheet intended to support the feet of a passenger, said suspension sheet comprising a front edge and a rear edge, - a rigid reinforcing crosspiece arranged on the side of a front edge of the suspension sheet, said reinforcing crosspiece being arranged vertically set back from the suspension sheet, and - a comfort element placed on the reinforcement crosspiece.

[0007] The invention thus makes it possible to reduce the mass of the footrest compared to the use of a composite wall. In addition, the footrest according to the invention is more compact than an ottoman according to the state of the art due to a gain in thickness. Indeed, the footrest according to the invention comprises a suspension layer having a thickness of the order of 1 mm, a layer of flexible material having a thickness of between 10 mm and 13 mm and, where appropriate, a covering cap having a thickness of between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm, i.e. a maximum total thickness of 16.5 mm. The presence of the reinforcing crosspiece makes it possible to withstand overloads without damaging the suspension layer and to guarantee a certain rigidity to the footrest. The invention is also easily integrated into any type of seat unit and is economical due to its low cost price.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the comfort element fills a space extending vertically between the reinforcing crosspiece and the suspension sheet.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suspension web is a textile suspension web or a wire suspension web or a suspension web formed by a plurality of straps.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the comfort element is made from a material chosen from foam, felt, or a three-dimensional printed structure.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suspension sheet is covered by a layer of flexible material.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the layer of flexible material is made of foam.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the layer of flexible material is covered by a covering cap.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the covering cap is fixed to the reinforcing crosspiece by means of a removable fixing device chosen from: self-gripping textile fastener strips with loops and hooks, press studs, magnets, or a fixing profile.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the seat unit comprises fixing elements, such as fixing crosspieces or bent wires, to which the suspension web is fixed by means of profiles having a hook-shaped section each fixed along a corresponding edge of the suspension web.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suspension sheet is crimped onto a fixing crosspiece.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing crosspiece is fixed by its ends to a hull by means of fixing members.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing crosspiece is glued or is integral with the hull.

[0019] 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 be used to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description of its implementation and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, on which:

[0020] [Fig. 1 a] [Fig. 1 b] Figures 1 a and 1 b are front and rear perspective views of an aircraft seat unit having a footrest according to the invention

[0021] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a footrest according to the invention;

[0022] [Fig. 3a] [Fig. 3b] Figures 3a and 3b are cross-sectional views along the section plane AA of Figure 2 of different embodiments of a footrest according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig. 4a] [Fig. 4b] Figures 4a and 4b are front views of different embodiments of a suspension web of a footrest according to the invention

[0024] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating an attachment of a suspension web of a footrest according to the invention to a fixing crosspiece intended to be mounted on a shell of the seat unit according to the invention;

[0025] [Fig. 6a] [Fig. 6b] Figures 6a and 6b are detailed cross-sectional views of different methods of attaching the suspension web of the footrest according to the invention to the attachment crosspiece of Figure 5;

[0026] [Fig. 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating an attachment of a suspension web of a footrest according to the invention to a wire structure intended to be mounted on a shell of a seat unit according to the invention;

[0027] [Fig. 8] Figure 8 is a detailed cross-sectional view of one method of attaching the suspension web of the footrest according to the invention to the wire structure of Figure 7.

[0028] 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.

[0029] The relative terms of the type "front", "rear", "horizontal", "vertical", are understood by reference to the common meaning that a person installed on a seat located at the rear of the seat according to the invention and looking at the footrest associated with it would give them.

[0030] Figures 1a and 1b show a seat unit 10 comprising a seat 11 associated with a shell 12, called a privacy shell, extending at least partly 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.

[0031] More specifically, the seat 11 comprises a seat 13 and a backrest 15. 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 for a passenger, and a "reclined" position in which the seat 13 and the backrest 15 define a sleeping surface for the passenger, advantageously substantially horizontal. The seat 11 can also take at least one intermediate comfort position, called the relax position, in which the backrest 15 of the seat 11 is strongly inclined towards the rear.

[0032] The seat unit 10 comprises a housing 16 arranged next to the seat 11 in which a footrest 17 is arranged on which a rear passenger can place his feet. The housing 16 may be delimited by a portion of the shell 12. The footrest 17 has an axis X corresponding to the intersection between the footrest 17 and a vertical median plane. The axis X is parallel to the direction of orientation of the legs of a passenger whose feet are placed on the footrest 17.

[0033] The footrest 17 comprises a suspension sheet 20 intended to support the feet of a passenger. The suspension sheet 20 comprises a front edge 20.1, a rear edge 20.2 and two lateral edges 20.3, 20.4 connecting the front edge 20.1 and the rear edge 20.2 together.

[0034] The suspension sheet 20 has flexibility providing comfort to the passenger. The suspension sheet 20 may be a textile suspension sheet made of a woven material obtained from one or more textile threads 21 woven together in a predetermined pattern, as shown in FIG. 4a.

[0035] Alternatively, the suspension web 20 is a wire suspension web made from several metal wires 22 folded in the form of a serpentine, as shown in FIG. 4b. The metal wires 22 are undulated in the horizontal plane defined by the suspension web 20. In order to improve the mechanical strength of the assembly, the metal wires 22 may be connected to each other by a frame 24 made of overmolded plastic. Alternatively, the suspension web 20 is formed by a plurality of elastic straps. The elastic straps may be arranged parallel to each other.

[0036] As illustrated in Figures 2, 3a and 3b, a rigid reinforcing cross member 25 is arranged on the side of a front edge of the suspension ply 20. The reinforcing cross member 25 has a longitudinal extension direction D1 perpendicular to the axis X of the suspension ply 20. The reinforcing cross member 25 has the shape of an elongated bar. The reinforcing cross member 25 may have a rectangular, round or square cross section or any other shape suitable for the application.

[0037] The reinforcing crosspiece 25 is arranged vertically set back relative to the suspension ply 20. In other words, the reinforcing crosspiece 25 is located at a lower level relative to the plane in which the suspension ply 20 extends. There is at least locally a vertical superposition between the reinforcing crosspiece 25 and a plane in which the suspension ply 20 extends, that is to say that at least one vertical line perpendicular to the plane in which the suspension ply 20 extends intersects on the one hand the plane in which the suspension ply 20 extends and on the other hand the reinforcing crosspiece 25. In Figure 3a, there is an at least partial vertical superposition between the reinforcing crosspiece 25 and the foam layer 28, that is to say that at least one vertical line perpendicular to the foam layer 28 intersects on the one hand the foam layer 28 and the reinforcing crosspiece 25. reinforcement 25. In this embodiment, at least partial vertical overlap also exists between the covering cap 29 and the reinforcement crosspiece 25.

[0038] The suspension sheet 20 can thus deform while ensuring the comfort of the passenger in the case of normal use of the footrest 17. The reinforcing crosspiece 25 ensures a force absorption in the event of an overload applied to the footrest 17, for example when the passenger stands on the footrest 17. Indeed, in the event of an overload, a part of the body of a passenger (in particular the feet and / or part of the legs) in contact with the suspension sheet 20 can bear on the reinforcing crosspiece 25 ensuring the vertical force absorption in order to avoid deterioration of the suspension sheet 20.

[0039] The reinforcing crosspiece 25 may be made of a material chosen from metal, a rigid plastic material or a composite material. The reinforcing crosspiece 25 may have a honeycomb structure. The reinforcing crosspiece 25 may alternatively be obtained by means of at least one metal wire bent in the form of a serpentine.

[0040] The reinforcing crossmember 25 may be fixed by its ends to the shell 12 by means of fixing members such as screws, rivets, studs or any other fixing member suitable for the application. Alternatively, the reinforcing crossmember 25 is glued or is integral with the shell 12. In this case, the reinforcing crossmember 25 and the shell 12 are made simultaneously from the same composite material. The composite material may comprise a central layer having a honeycomb structure and two layers made of fibers, in particular glass fibers or carbon fibers, plated on either side of the central layer. The material of the reinforcing crossmember 25 and the shell 12 is shaped and then placed in an oven to set the material in the desired shape.

[0041] In addition, a comfort element 26 visible in figures 3a and 3b, is arranged on the reinforcing crosspiece 25. The comfort element 26 has an elongated shape extending in the longitudinal extension direction D1 of the reinforcing crosspiece 25. The comfort element 26 fills a space E extending vertically between the reinforcing crosspiece 25 and the suspension sheet 20. Thus, a face upper part of the comfort element 26 is located at the same level as the suspension sheet 20.

[0042] The comfort element 26 has, for example, an elongated parallelepiped shape or an elongated cylindrical shape. The comfort element 26 is made of a material chosen from foam whose density is adapted according to the desired level of comfort for the passenger, felt, or a 3D printed structure or any other material suitable for the application. The comfort element 26 may comprise springs to give good flexibility to the comfort element 26.

[0043] In the embodiment of Figure 3a, the suspension sheet 20 is covered by a layer of flexible material 28. The layer of flexible material 28 is preferably made of foam.

[0044] The layer of flexible material 28 is covered by a covering cap 29 made of a textile material, leather, faux leather or alcantara or any other material suitable for the application. The covering cap 29 may have patterns, in particular in the colors of the airline. Such a configuration makes it possible to improve the aesthetic appearance of the assembly.

[0045] The covering cap 29 can be fixed to the reinforcing crosspiece 25 by means of a removable fixing device 31 chosen from: self-gripping textile fastener strips with loops and hooks, such as Velcro fasteners (trade name), press studs, magnets, or a fixing profile comprising a groove intended to cooperate with an edge of the reinforcing crosspiece 25.

[0046] Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 3b, a covering cap 29 covers the comfort element 26 but does not cover the suspension sheet 20. In this case, a suspension sheet 20 having a finished aesthetic appearance is chosen.

[0047] In the embodiment of Figure 5, fixing crosspieces 33 are intended to be fixed to the shell 12 of the seat by screwing, riveting or gluing. As illustrated in Figure 6a, the suspension sheet 20 is attached to the fixing crosspieces 33 by means of profiles 34 having a hook-shaped section, in particular J-shaped, each fixed along a corresponding lateral edge 20.3, 20.4 of the suspension sheet 20. The hook of a profile 34 is inserted inside a through opening 36 made in the fixing crosspiece. The profiles can be sewn along an edge of the suspension sheet 20. The profiles 34 can be made of plastic or metal.

[0048] In the embodiment of Figure 6b, the fixing crosspieces 33 are crimped directly onto a corresponding lateral edge 20.3, 20.4 of the suspension sheet 20. The edge 20.3, 20.4 of the suspension sheet 20 is then held irreversibly clamped inside a groove 37 of the fixing crosspiece 33.

[0049] In the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8, a wire structure is provided comprising curved wires 40 to which the profiles 34 secured to the lateral edges 20.3, 20.4 of the suspension sheet 20 are attached. For this purpose, the hooks of the profiles 34 cooperate with a corresponding wire 40.

[0050] 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.

[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 1. Seat unit (10), in particular for an aircraft, comprising: - a seat (11), and - a footrest (17), characterized in that the footrest (17) comprises: - at least one suspension sheet (20) intended to support the feet of a passenger, said suspension sheet (20) comprising a front edge (20.1) and a rear edge (20.2), - the suspension sheet (20) being a textile suspension sheet or a wire suspension sheet or a suspension sheet formed by a plurality of straps, - a rigid reinforcing crosspiece (25) arranged on the side of a front edge of the suspension sheet (20), said reinforcing crosspiece (25) being arranged vertically set back relative to the suspension sheet (20), and - a comfort element (26) arranged on the reinforcing crosspiece (25).

2. Seat unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the comfort element (26) fills a space (E) extending vertically between the reinforcing crosspiece (25) and the suspension sheet (20).

3. Seat unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the comfort element (26) is made of a material chosen from foam, felt, or a three-dimensional printed structure.

4. Seat unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the suspension sheet (20) is covered by a layer of flexible material (28).

5. Seat unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the layer of flexible material (28) is made of foam.

6. Seat unit according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the layer of flexible material (28) is covered by a covering cap (29).

7. Seat unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the covering cap (29) is fixed to the reinforcing crosspiece (25) by means of a removable fixing device (31) chosen from: self-gripping textile fastener strips with loops and hooks, press studs, magnets, or a fixing profile.

8. Seat unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises fixing elements (33, 40), such as fixing crosspieces (33) or curved wires (40), to which the suspension sheet (20) is fixed by means of profiles (34) having a hook-shaped section each fixed along a corresponding edge of the suspension sheet (20).

9. Seat unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the suspension sheet (20) is crimped onto a fixing crosspiece (33).

10. Seat unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the reinforcing crosspiece (25) is fixed by its ends to a shell (12) by means of fixing members.

11. Seat unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the reinforcing crosspiece (25) is glued or is made in one piece with the shell (12).

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