Screen for an aircraft seat

Abstract

An aircraft seat assembly (1) is disclosed. The assembly (1) includes a screen (15, Fig 1a) for use across an opening (4) through which a passenger can egress from a seat (2) into an aisle (9, Fig 2). The screen (15, Fig 1a) is deployable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. In the folded configuration the screen (15, Fig 1a) occupies a first footprint such that the passenger (5) may freely pass through the opening (4) from the seat (2) into the aisle (9, Fig 2). In the unfolded configuration the screen (15, Fig 1k) occupies a second, larger, footprint, such that the screen (15, Fig 1k) extends across the opening (4) and inhibits passenger egress through the opening (4). In some embodiments, the screen (15, Fig 1a) may comprise nine panels (17, 21, 23, Fig 1k) separated by twelve fold lines (19a-19d, 25a-25h, Fig 1k) about which the screen (15, Fig 1a) is folded and unfolded.

Description

[0001] SCREEN FOR AN AIRCRAFT SEAT

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to screens for aircraft seating. More particularly, but not exclusively, aspects of the present invention concern an aircraft seating assembly comprising a screen, and a screen for use in an aircraft seating assembly.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] In recent years, it has become increasingly popular when designing aircraft seating, to provide an aircraft seating assembly that has one or more doors to separate a passenger from the aisle. This is especially the case in business class or first class seating where passengers increasingly value privacy and value a feeling of having their own personal space. In this context, privacy doors are typically provided in combination with relatively high surrounding wall structures to enclose the passenger as much as possible. To limit the displacement of a door into the aisle during use, most privacy doors are mounted on a slider mechanism, allowing sliding movement of the door back and forth across the entrance to the aircraft seat.

[0006] From a regulatory perspective, privacy doors for use in aircraft seating should meet certain requirements. For example, SAE AS6960 entitled “Performance Standard for Seat Furnishings in Transport Aircraft” defines privacy doors, and the performance requirements such a door should meet. This includes the need for the door to be reliably capable of opening in case of emergencies. In practice, this means there tends to need to be redundancy in any sliders to ensure the door opens even in the rare event of a mechanical failure in the primary slider mechanism. It can be challenging to provide a privacy door that meets these safety requirements, yet also achieves other desirable design parameters such as being relatively lightweight and / or compact.

[0007] Aspects of the present invention seek to mitigate the above-mentioned problems. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved privacy arrangement for an aircraft seat. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an aircraft seat assembly comprising: an aircraft seat; a surrounding structure for separating the seat from an aisle, wherein the surrounding structure defines an opening for the passenger to egress from the seat into the aisle; and a screen for use across the opening. The screen is a deployable structure, deployable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. In the folded configuration the screen may occupy a first footprint such that the passenger may freely egress the seat, into the aisle, through the opening. In the unfolded configuration the screen may occupy a second footprint, the second footprint being larger than the first footprint such that the screen extends across the opening and inhibits passenger egress through the opening. The screen may comprise a plurality of panels, separated by a fold line, and more preferably by a plurality of fold lines, about which the screen is folded and unfolded during deployment between the folded and unfolded configurations.

[0009] It has been recognised that such an arrangement may provide the privacy function typically afforded by a door, but without some of the associated drawbacks. Notably, due to the folding nature of the screen, there tends to be no need to provide redundant mechanisms for ensuring the emergency egress from the seat. Embodiments of the invention may therefore be relatively lightweight and / or compact, compared to privacy doors having a comparable function.

[0010] The screen may comprise a plurality of hinges, each hinge defining one of the fold lines. In some embodiments, the hinges may be mechanical hinges, for example piano hinges. The screen may comprise a plurality of flexure hinges. Each flexure hinge may define one of the fold lines. Providing flexure hinges has been found to be especially beneficial because the flexure hinge does not comprise any mechanical moving parts. Thus, a flexure hinge may provide the required function of reliably allowing the screen to be deployed between the folded and unfolded configurations. In some embodiments the screen may comprise a mixture of both mechanical hinges and flexure hinges. The hinges preferably provide a single degree of freedom.

[0011] The flexure hinges may take a number of forms. Each flexure hinge may be formed of a different material to the panels, for example the flexure hinge may be formed from sprung steel. In some embodiments, each flexure hinge may be formed of the same material as the panels, for example the flexure hinge may be a living hinge. The screen may be a compliant structure. The compliant structure may not require movement about any mechanical joints, during deployment between the folded and unfolded configurations.

[0012] Each flexure hinge is preferably unidirectional. Thus, each flexure hinge preferably allows the panels either side of a fold line to rotate, relative to each other, but not beyond 180 degrees. Such an arrangement has been found to be especially beneficial because it tends to ensure the screen remains capable of returning from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration. For example, the use of unidirectional flexure hinges may prevent two panels either side of a fold line rotating ‘over centre’ in a way that would then inhibit a return fold.

[0013] The screen may be biased to retract from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration. Such an arrangement is beneficial because it ensures that in the absence of a retaining force, the screen retracts to allow passenger egress (i.e. it retracts into the folded configuration). Thus, the screen may readily allow emergency egress, simply by removal of a retaining force holding the screen in the unfolded configuration. In the unfolded configuration, the panels across either side of each fold line are preferably biased towards the folded configuration by a biasing moment across the fold line. For example, the biasing moment may be formed by a force (such as a magnetic or elastic force) acting around the hinge line. In some embodiments, an elastic force may be due to the deformation of the material of the hinge (for example for a flexure hinge). In some embodiments, an elastic force may be provided by a biasing member, such as a spring.

[0014] The screen may comprise a latch for retaining the screen in the unfolded configuration. The latch may take a number of forms. For example the latch may be a mechanical latch. The latch may be a magnetic latch. The latch is preferably configured to latch onto part of the surrounding structure.

[0015] The screen may be deployable to a stable unfolded configuration. In some embodiments, the stable unfolded configuration may be the same as the unfolded configuration. In other embodiments, the stable unfolded configuration may be achieved via further unfolding of the screen beyond the unfolded configuration.

[0016] In the stable unfolded configuration, the screen may form a stable structure. The stable structure may retain its shape in the absence of an external force to the screen. In embodiments comprising a hinge, the hinge may be bi-stable. In one of the bi-stable states, the hinge may be in a fully open position (for example with adjacent panels across a fold line being substantially planar). When the screen is in the stable unfolded configuration the hinge may be in the fully open position. In the other of the bi-stable states, the hinge may be closed. When the screen is in the folded configuration, the hinge may be in the closed position. When the screen is in a stowed configuration (described below), the hinge may be in the closed position.

[0017] The screen may be further deployable between the folded configuration and a stowed configuration. The stowed configuration may be the same as the folded configuration. More preferably, in the stowed configuration the screen may occupy a third footprint, the third footprint being smaller than the first footprint, such that the passenger continues to freely egress the seat, into the aisle, through the opening, and such that the screen is also stowed away. The screen is preferably folded and unfolded about the fold lines during deployment between the folded and stowed configurations. The stowed configuration is typically a compact configuration suitable for taxi take-off and landing (TTOL). The screen may be biased to extend from the stowed configuration to the folded configuration. In the stowed configuration, the panels across either side of each fold line may be biased towards the folded configuration by a biasing moment across the fold line. For example, the biasing moment may be formed by a force (such as a magnetic or elastic force) acting around the hinge line. In some embodiments, an elastic force may be due to the deformation of the material of the hinge (for example for a flexure hinge). In some embodiments, an elastic force may be provided by a biasing member, such as a spring.

[0018] The screen may comprise a stowing latch for retaining the screen in the stowed configuration. The stowing latch may take a number of forms. For example the stowing latch may be a mechanical latch. The stowing latch may be a magnetic latch. The stowing latch is preferably configured to latch onto part of the surrounding structure.

[0019] A frame of reference may be defined with reference to the aircraft cabin in which the seat assembly is to be installed. The frame of reference may have a longitudinal direction (X), a vertical (Y) direction and a lateral direction (Z). These X, Y, Z directions are preferably mutually orthogonal. The longitudinal direction X is preferably aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cabin, and / or the aisle. The vertical direction Y is preferably perpendicular to the cabin floor onto which the seat assembly is to be mounted. The lateral direction Z is preferably perpendicular longitudinal direction, and thus generally spanwise on the aircraft and / or perpendicular to the aisle.

[0020] The first and second footprints are preferably measured in the X-Y plane. Thus, the second footprint may extend in the vertical (Y) direction and the longitudinal (X) direction and the first footprint may extend in the vertical (Y) direction and the longitudinal (X) direction. The screen is preferably configured such that the second footprint is larger than the first footprint in both the vertical (Y) direction and in the longitudinal (X) direction. Such an arrangement has been found to be especially beneficial because it ensures the screen can be relatively compact when folded. For example, it avoids the need, when folded, for the screen to occupy its full height (i.e. its height when unfolded). It has also been identified that the unfolding of the screen to enlarge its footprint in both the X and the Y directions may create an especially pleasing passenger experience.

[0021] The screen, when unfolded, may extend from a height adjacent the cabin floor. In embodiments in which the screen is configurable to a stowed configuration, the first footprint may be larger than the third footprint in both the vertical (Y) direction and in the longitudinal (X) direction. Thus, the stowed configuration may be especially compact, such that it is suitable for use in TTOL.

[0022] In the unfolded configuration, the screen may be generally planar. In the unfolded configuration, the screen may substantially lie in the XY plane. In the stowed configuration, the screen may be generally planar. In the stowed configuration, the screen may substantially lie in, or parallel to, the XY plane.

[0023] It will be appreciated that references herein to features of the seat assembly with reference to the XYZ reference frame, are not limited to precisely mathematical compliance. For example, the screen may lie substantially in the XY plane, even if there are de minimis extensions of the structure in the lateral Z direction. Those extensions in the Z direction are, however, small relative to the extension of the screen in the X and Y directions.

[0024] The screen may be configured (for example by the layout of the fold lines) such that during movement between the folded and the unfolded configuration, the screen experiences a component of displacement in a lateral (Z) direction, perpendicular to the XY plane. The maximum magnitude of the displacement of the screen in that lateral (Z) direction is preferably less than the magnitudes of the displacements of the screen in the longitudinal (X) direction and / or in the vertical (Y) direction. Such an arrangement has been found to be beneficial because it may enable the screen to be deployed between the folded and the unfolded configuration without significant displacement of the screen into the aisle.

[0025] In embodiments in which the screen is configurable to a stowed configuration, the screen may be configured such that during movement between the folded and the stowed configuration, the screen experiences a component of displacement in a lateral (Z) direction, perpendicular to the XY plane. The maximum magnitude of the displacement of the screen in that lateral (Z) direction is preferably less than the magnitudes of the displacements of the screen in the longitudinal (X) direction and / or in the vertical (Y) direction.

[0026] During deployment between the folded and unfolded configurations, the unfolding movement across each of the plurality of fold lines may occur simultaneously. The deployment may thus result from a combined unfolding across the plurality of fold lines. Such an arrangement has been found to be beneficial because it may enable a relatively simple locus of movement of the screen, even where there are a plurality of collectively-complex unfolding / folding movements across the plurality of fold lines.

[0027] The screen may be configured such that at least one, and preferably two of the fold lines remain in a fixed position during deployment between the folded and unfolded configurations. The other fold lines in the plurality of fold lines may move, (for example they may translate in the X and or Y directions) during deployment between the folded and unfolded configurations. For example, two of the fold lines may be fixed relative to the surrounding structure of the seat. The screen may comprise a panel that is also fixed relative to the surrounding seat structure. The screen may be configured such that a first panel of the plurality of panels remains in a fixed position during deployment between the folded and unfolded configurations, and the other panels of the plurality of panels fold and unfold relative to the first panel, during deployment between the folded and unfolded configurations.

[0028] The plurality of panels of the folding screen may comprise a primary panel being generally in the shape of a polygon having N sides. Each side may form a fold line. The screen may comprise N secondary panels, each secondary panel being connected to the primary panel along a respective one of the N sides of the primary panel and being foldable relative to the primary panel along those respective fold lines. The screen may comprise a plurality of tertiary panels, each tertiary panel being connected to adjacent secondary panels along at least one fold line.

[0029] The primary panel may be generally in the shape of a quadrilateral, and more preferably a square. Such an arrangement has been found to be especially beneficial in providing a suitable arrangement of fold lines. The edges of the primary panel may be canted around 90 degrees to the outer edges of the screen in the unfolded configuration.

[0030] Each of the secondary panels, for example the four secondary panels, may comprise a pair of parallel sides. Each of the secondary panels, for example the four secondary panels, may comprise a pair of non-parallel sides. Each secondary panel may be connected to the primary panel along one of its non-parallel sides.

[0031] In embodiments comprising tertiary panels, each secondary panel may be connected to one of the tertiary panels along one of the parallel sides of the secondary panel. Said secondary panel may be connected to another of the tertiary panels along the other of its parallel sides.

[0032] In embodiments in which the screen is deployable to / from a stowed configuration, the primary panel may have a first orientation, and in the unfolded configuration the primary panel may have a second orientation, that is different to the first orientation. The screen may be configured such that during movement between the stowed configuration and the unfolded configuration, the primary panel rotates between the first orientation and the second orientation. The longitudinal extent of the third footprint may be defined by the longitudinal distance between opposing vertices of the primary panel. The vertical extent of the third footprint may be defined by the vertical distance between the other opposing vertices of the primary panel. The rotation into the second orientation may be substantially 90 degrees such that said vertical distance between the other opposing vertices of the primary panel becomes the longitudinal displacement of the screen when unfolded from the stowed to the unfolded configuration.

[0033] The surrounding structure of the seat assembly may be the surrounding structure facing the aisle. For example, the surrounding structure may comprise a shroud. The surrounding structure may comprise a wall. The surrounding structure may be associated with the seating assembly in which the seat is located. In some embodiments at least some of the surrounding structure may also be associated with an adjacent seat (for example it may be a shroud of an adjacent seat). Reference has been made herein to egress for the seat into the aisle. It will be appreciated that the opening is also suitable for ingress to the seat from the aisle and references to egress are equally applicable, in reverse, to ingress.

[0034] The first footprint is such that the passenger may freely egress the seat, into the aisle, through the opening. The first footprint is preferably such that the passenger may have unobstructed egress the seat, into the aisle, through the opening. For example the passenger may freely egress the seat in a manner that is compatible with aircraft seating certification requirements.

[0035] The panels in the plurality of panels are preferably rigid panels. For example the panels may have significantly higher flexural rigidity than the fold lines.

[0036] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a screen for use as the screen in the first aspect of the invention. The screen may be a deployable structure, deployable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. In the folded configuration the screen may occupy a first footprint. In the unfolded configuration the screen may occupy a second footprint, the second footprint being larger than the first footprint. The second footprint may be such that the screen is suitable for creating privacy, for example by extending across an opening to inhibit passenger egress through the opening. The screen may comprise a plurality of panels, separated by a plurality of fold lines about which the screen is folded and unfolded during deployment between the folded and unfolded configurations.

[0037] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a screen deployable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The screen may comprise a plurality of panels, separated by a plurality of fold lines about which the folding screen may be folded and unfolded during deployment between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The plurality of panels of the folding screen may comprise: a primary panel being generally in the shape of a quadrilateral, each side of the quadrilateral forming a fold line, four secondary panels, each secondary panel being connected to the primary panel along a respective one of the four sides of the primary panel and being foldable relative to the primary panel along those respective fold lines. The screen may comprise at least one tertiary panel. The or each tertiary panel may be connected to an adjacent secondary panel along at least one fold line. In the folded configuration the folding screen may occupy a first footprint. In the unfolded configuration the folding screen may occupy a second footprint, the second footprint being larger than the first footprint. The second footprint may be such that the folding screen can extend across an opening and provide privacy and / or inhibits egress through the opening.

[0038] The screen according to aspects of the invention herein is preferably for use as a privacy screen on an aircraft seat assembly, especially as a privacy screen to provide privacy from an aisle in an aircraft cabin. However, other uses of the screen may also be envisaged. For example the screen may be arranged as a privacy screen between adjacent seats. Such an arrangement may be beneficial where seats, for example pairs of seats, are arranged to be convertible between private configurations (for example with the screen unfolded to provide privacy) and shared configurations (for example with the screen folded to create a shared suite).

[0039] The screen may also be used elsewhere. For example the screen according to aspects of the invention herein may be used as a screen elsewhere on an aircraft, for example for cabin crew. Alternatively or additionally, the screen may be used in nonaircraft applications.

[0040] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an aircraft comprising a passenger seating cabin with an aisle longitudinally extending therein. The aircraft contains a multiplicity of the seating assemblies according to the first aspect of the invention, positioned adjacent to the aisle.

[0041] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an aircraft seat assembly comprising: an aircraft seat; a surrounding structure for separating the seat from an aisle, wherein the surrounding structure defines an opening for the passenger to egress from the seat into the aisle; and a deployable screen for use across the opening. The screen is deployable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, the screen being biased towards the folded configuration. In the folded configuration the screen is retracted from the opening such that the passenger may freely egress the seat, into the aisle, through the opening. In the unfolded configuration the screen extends across the opening and is releasably fastened at one edge to the surrounding structure of the seat such that the screen inhibits passenger egress through the opening. The screen comprises a plurality of rigid panels, separated by a plurality of hinged, preferably flexure hinged, fold lines about which the folding screen is folded and unfolded during deployment between the folded and unfolded configurations.

[0042] It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention. For example, the screen of one aspect of the invention may incorporate any of the features described with reference to the screen in the seating apparatus of any another aspect of the invention and vice versa.

[0043] Description of the Drawings

[0044] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

[0045] Figures la to Ik shows a seat assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention, with the screen progressively unfolding from a stowed configuration to an unfolded configuration;

[0046] Figure 2 shows a LOPA of an aircraft cabin with a multiplicity of the seating assemblies of the first embodiment in Figures la- Ik;

[0047] Figures 3a to 3e shows a screen according to a second embodiment of the invention with the screen progressively unfolding from a stowed configuration to an unfolded configuration;

[0048] Figures 4a and 4b shows a model of a screen according to a third embodiment of the invention with the screen in a stowed configuration and an unfolded configuration respectively; and

[0049] Figure 5 is a schematic cross section of a flexure hinge in the third embodiment;

[0050] Figure 6 is a schematic cross section of a living hinge in the first embodiment; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of a sample piece of one of the flexure hinges in the second embodiment.

[0051] Referring first to Figures la to Ik, these Figures show a seat assembly 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The seat assembly 1 is shown with the screen progressively unfolding from a stowed configuration to an unfolded configuration, from Figures la to Ik respectively.

[0052] With initial reference to Figure la, the seat assembly comprises an aircraft seat 2, and a surrounding structure 3a, 3b comprising privacy walls 3a and 3b arranged to shield the passenger 5 from an aisle. One privacy wall 3 a of the surrounding structure is an extension of the shroud behind the seat 2, and the other privacy wall 3b of the surrounding structure is an extension of the shroud behind the next seat along the aisle (not visible in Figures la-lk). The two privacy walls 3a and 3b define an opening 4 for the passenger to egress from the seat 2 into the aisle 9 (see Figure 2).

[0053] The seat assembly l is a business class seating assembly in which the seat 2 is convertible from a seating configuration (shown in Figures la-lk) to a lie-flat bed configuration (not shown). The seat assembly 1 is shown in isolation in Figure la, but is configured for installation in an aircraft cabin 7 (see Figure 2) in an orientation in which the privacy walls 3a and 3b are positioned adjacent an aisle 9 of the cabin. An example cabin 7 with a layout of passenger accommodation (LOP A), in which this seat assembly 1 is installed adjacent an aisle 9, is shown in Figure 2. The notional outline of one of the seat assemblies is shown in dashed-line highlight in Figure 2.

[0054] Seat assemblies of this general nature are known. In known arrangements, it may be desirable to provide a door for selectively opening / closing the opening through which the passenger may egress the seat into the aisle. To limit the displacement of such a door into the aisle during opening / closing of the door, the door is typically mounted on a slider mechanism, allowing sliding movement of the door across the opening. There is a need for such a door to be reliably capable of opening in case of emergencies. In practice, this means there tends to need to be redundancy in the slider mechanisms to ensure the door opens even in the rare event of a mechanical failure in the primary slider mechanism. Such a door may therefore be relatively heaving and / or bulky. Embodiments of the invention seek to mitigate this problem.

[0055] Referring back to Figure la, in the first embodiment of the invention, the seat assembly 1 does not comprise a privacy door. Instead, the seat assembly comprises a folding screen 15 that is deployable from a stowed configuration (shown in Figure la) to an unfolded configuration (shown in Figure Ik)

[0056] The structure of the screen 15 will first be described with initial reference to Figure Ik, which most clearly shows all features of the screen 15 by virtue of the screen being in the unfolded configuration.

[0057] The screen 15 comprises nine panels, separated by twelve fold lines 19a-19d and 25a-25h, about which the screen 15 is folded and unfolded during deployment between the stowed and unfolded configurations. The nine panels comprise a central, square panel 17 having four sides, each side forming a fold line 19a-19d (the structure of the fold lines being described in more detail below). There are also four secondary, trapezoidal, panels 21 connected, along one of their non-parallel sides, to the primary panel 17 along respective fold lines 19a-19d. There are also four tertiary, rectangular, panels 23 each connected to adjacent trapezoidal panels 21 along two fold lines 25a- 25h respectively. The panels are such that the screen 15, when unfolded, has a square footprint.

[0058] The screen in the first embodiment is a compliant structure that does not require movement about any mechanical joints, during deployment between stowed and unfolded configurations. The panels 17, 21, 23 are each generally planar and are rigid relative to the fold lines 19a-19d and 25a-25h. The panels are made from a fibre composite, with a synthetic leather outer skin. Each of the fold lines 19a-19d and 25a-25h is defined by a flexure hinge. Each flexure hinge is a living hinge formed by providing a thinner region of the fibre composite along the fold lines between adjacent panels. Each flexure hinge has a single degree of freedom and is unidirectional such that it only allows the panels 17, 21,23 either side of the hinge to rotate, relative to each other, by no more than 180 degrees. The flexure hinges are coincident with the fold lines 19a-19d and 25a-25h and are therefore not separately labelled in the embodiment of Figure la-lk.

[0059] The deployment of the screen 15 from the stowed configuration to the unfolded configuration will now be described with reference to Figures la through to Ik. The screen 15 is described in a local cartesian reference frame X,Y,Z having a longitudinal direction X aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cabin and the aisle; a vertical direction Y perpendicular to the cabin floor, and a lateral direction Z perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and thus generally spanwise on the aircraft and perpendicular to the aisle. For the sake of clarity, only some of the panels 17, 21, 23 and some of the fold lines 19a-19d and 25a-25h are labelled in Figures la-lh, and only the panels are labelled in Figures li and Ij. All those elements are labelled in Figure Ik.

[0060] Referring to Figure la, the screen 15 is initially stowed in a compact arrangement against the privacy wall 3a. The screen 15 has a relatively small, square, footprint, as measured in a projection into the X-Y plane against the privacy wall 3a. The screen 15 is also tightly folded into itself such that the folded screen lies substantially flush with the wall 3a and in the X-Y plane, with minimal projection into the aisle. In this stowed configuration the screen 15 is safely stowed and the seat assembly is configured for TTOL. Should the passenger 5 wish to have more privacy, he / she may deploy the screen 15. To begin deployment of the screen 15, the passenger 5 grips the latch 27 on the upper corner of the screen (on the upper-left tertiary panel 23) and pulls the screen 15 in a diagonal movement primarily within the X-Y plane (as illustrated by the arrow in Figure la). Such a movement, simultaneously moves adjacent panels 17, 21, 23 relative to each other about the respective flexure hinges that separate those panels.

[0061] For the sake of clarity, only the fold lines that are visible from the views of Figures la to Ik are illustrated in those Figures. However, it will be appreciated that there is also movement about the other fold lines, that are obscured when the screen is folded, or partially folded.

[0062] The initial phase of movement displaces the tertiary panel 23 with components of movement in all of the X, Y and Z directions. This movement arises due to the secondary panels 21, to which the tertiary panel 23 is connected, themselves also each being hinged to an edge of the primary central panel 17. The nature of this movement is most readily visible by comparing successive images in Figures la through to le. Generally, the centre of the central panel 17 moves in the direction indicated by arrow 8, whilst rotating clockwise.

[0063] The screen 15 of the first embodiment is rotationally symmetrical about the centre of the primary panel 17 (see Figure Ik for example). Thus, the movement of the tertiary panel 23 described above is also mirrored on the opposing corner of the screen 15, but with that bottom right tertiary panel 23 being fixed to the privacy wall 3a.

[0064] Continued unfolding of the screen 15, moves the screen 15 into the position in Figure le. At this position, the screen 15 has displaced its maximum amount in the lateral direction Z, and thus protrudes its maximum distance into the aisle 9. Further pulling on the tertiary panel 23 by the passenger 5 then reduces the lateral displacement and brings the screen 15 back towards a generally planar arrangement. The nature of this movement is most readily visible by comparing successive images in Figures le through to Ik.

[0065] When fully unfolded, as shown in Figure Ik, the panels are generally coplanar and lie back in the X-Y plane, or a plane closely parallel thereto.

[0066] When fully unfolded, the passenger 5 latches the top corner of the tertiary panel 23 to the opposing privacy wall 3b of the seat assembly. The latch 27 is a magnetic latch which retains the screen 15 in the unfolded configuration unless or until that restraining force is removed. When unfolded and retained in this position, the screen acts as a privacy screen for the passenger in the seat and inhibits passenger egress through the opening 4.

[0067] As best illustrated by comparing Figure la with Figure Ik, the footprint of the screen 15 (i.e. the projection of the screen in the XY plane) is significantly larger in the unfolded configuration than in the stowed configuration. In fact, in the first embodiment of the invention, the footprint is twice as long and twice as high in the unfolded configuration than in the stowed configuration, such that the overall footprint is quadruple the area of the stowed configuration in the X-Y plane. Such an arrangement therefore provides a screen that can both act as a large privacy screen when deployed, but may also be significantly more compact when stowed.

[0068] The use of flexure hinges in the first embodiment is also especially beneficial. In particular, the resulting arrangement is a compliant structure that does not require the use of sliders or other mechanical joints that would likely be needed in a door. This avoids the need for redundancy of such mechanisms. The screen 15 in the first embodiment can therefore be relatively lightweight and compact.

[0069] The flexure hinges in the first embodiment are unidirectional. The flexure hinges are also arranged such that they are biased towards a closed position. These features also give rise to additional benefits. Firstly, since the hinges are unidirectional, adjacent panels are prevented from over-rotating in a manner that might otherwise inhibit a return to the folded configuration. Secondly, since the hinges are biased towards a closed position, the screen will naturally retract towards the stowed configuration (Figure la) once the restraining force (provided by the magnetic latch 27) is released. This is especially beneficial because it ensures the screen 15 will collapse to a folded configuration and allow unobstructed egress through the opening 4, simply by virtue of the passenger unlatching the screen 15. It is therefore a fail-safe arrangement for providing unobstructed egress to the aisle 9.

[0070] The hinges in the first embodiment of the invention are biased towards a closed position, but not necessarily a fully closed position. When the hinges are in this closed position, the screen is in a folded configuration as shown in Figure lb. In this configuration, the screen 15 has partially unfolded from the stowed configuration, but still has a significantly smaller footprint that the unfolded screen, and still allows unobstructed egress for the passenger to the aisle. To move the screen 15 from the folded configuration to the stowed configuration, the passenger (or cabin crew) can push the tertiary panel 23 back down (i.e. in the reverse of the arrow 8 in Figure lb), thereby further folding the screen into the stowed configuration of Figure la. The screen is held in this position by a second latch (not shown).

[0071] The first embodiment has been described with reference to the screen 15 unfolding from the stowed configuration to the unfolded configuration. The screen 15 is also reversibly foldable from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration, and subsequently, the stowed configuration. This action is simply the reverse of the unfolding described with reference to Figures la to Ik. Under the action of the biased hinges, the screen 15 will naturally collapse back to the folded configuration of Figure lb in the absence of the retaining force from the magnetic latch (see preceding paragraph). The screen 15 can then be pushed further into the stowed configuration (Figure la) by pushing down and back on the tertiary panel 23.

[0072] Figures 3a to 3e show a screen according to a second embodiment of the invention with the screen 115 progressively unfolding from a stowed configuration to an unfolded configuration. The screen 115 is similar to that of the first embodiment, and where appropriate, the same reference numerals are used to describe corresponding features from the first embodiment, but those numerals have been incremented by 100. In the second embodiment the screen 115 is shown remote from the other parts of the seat assembly. For the purposes of illustrating the deployment of the screen, it is instead held in a U-shaped frame structure. The U-shape frame structure is typically not necessary to incorporate into the surrounding structure of the seating assembly because the surrounding structure acts as the uprights of the frame, against which the screen is retained. The arrangement of fold-lines 119a-l 19d and 125a-125h between the panels 117, 121 and 123 is the same as that of the first embodiment and the deployment between stowed (Figure 3a), folded (Figure 3b) and unfolded (Figure 3e) configurations can be seen from the successive images in Figures 3a to 3e.

[0073] This arrangement of fold lines in the screen of the first and second embodiment is a known arrangement of fold lines, but only in the context of origami. For example, such a folded structure is illustrated in htps: / / www.youtube.coxn / watch?v=yMxqCYdxH 14. The first and second embodiments of the invention uses this fold arrangement in the context of a screen for an aircraft seat. The use of this arrangement in this new, and completely different context, provides unexpected benefits as are described herein.

[0074] In the second embodiment of the invention, the hinges are bi-stable such that they are stable when fully open or when fully closed. As such, the screen 115 of the second embodiment forms a stable structure when in the unfolded configuration because all the hinges are fully open when the screen 115 is unfolded to this state. As such the unfolded configuration is also a stable unfolded configuration. When the screen is in the stable unfolded configuration (see Figure 3e) a removal of the restraining force of the magnetic latch does not, alone, allow the screen to move to the folded configuration. Instead, the passenger must apply a small force to the screen 115 (for example by pushing one or more of the panels 117, 121, 123 in the lateral Z direction) to move at least one of the hinges away from its stable open state. Once this occurs, the hinge(s) is no longer stable and the screen is in a similar configuration to the unfolded configuration in the first embodiment. Thus, it will naturally collapse to the folded state due to the elastic biasing moments created around the hinges.

[0075] In the second embodiment of the invention, the other of the bi-stable states of each of the hinges is a fully closed state. The screen will naturally collapse to the folded configuration (Figure 3b) and, if necessary with some additional force from the passenger, the screen will move to the stowed configuration. Since the hinges are stable in the fully closed state, the screen will then remain stowed in the absence of an external force moving it from this state.

[0076] The second embodiment of the invention comprises some flexure hinges. However, the screen of the second embodiment also comprises sprung-biased mechanical hinges along some of the fold lines, notably those fold lines between the primary panel and the secondary panels. Such an arrangement may allow the biasing force for biasing the screen to the folded / stowed configuration to be tailored by selecting appropriate biasing springs with suitable spring constants.

[0077] A model of a third embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in Figures 4a and 4b. Figure 4a shows a mock-up of the screen in a stowed configuration and Figure 4b shows the screen in an unfolded configuration. The screen 215 is similar to that of the first and second embodiments, and where appropriate, the same reference numerals are used to describe corresponding features from the first embodiment, but those numerals have been incremented by 200. In the third embodiment, some of the secondary 221 and tertiary panels 223 have been removed, notably those panels that do not themselves project into the opening 204 when the screen 215 is unfolded. Since those omitted panels (not shown) would otherwise unfold onto the privacy walls of the seating assembly they may be removed without compromising privacy. It will be appreciated that the screen 215 of the third embodiment nonetheless is still deployable between the stowed and unfolded configurations and exhibits an increase in footprint from the former to the latter (see Figure 4a compared to Figure 4b).

[0078] In the third embodiment of the invention the fold lines 219d, 219c, 225f-225h (shown in dashed-line) are located along adjoining sides of the respective panels. The flexure hinges are not living hinges, and are instead each formed from a single, or a pair, of sprung steel bands 231 attached at each end to an adjacent panel.

[0079] One of these flexure hinges is shown schematically in cross-section in Figure 5. A cross-section of a corresponding living hinge of the first embodiment is also illustrated in Figure 6.

[0080] Referring first to Figure 5, an example flexure hinge 229 is illustrated along fold line 225g between panels 217 and 223. The flexure hinge 229 is shown, in the left-hand image, when the screen is in the stowed configuration. At this stage, the sprung steel band 231 is fully folded (about the fold line 225g). A biasing moment, due to elastic deformation of the steel band 231, urges the hinge to partially open to the folded configuration. This folded configuration is shown in the central image and represents an equilibrium configuration which the screen adopts in the absence of the retraining force holding it as stowed or as unfolded. In the unfolded configuration, shown in the right hand image of Figure 5, the hinge is fully open and the panels 223 and 217 are substantially planar. The hinge 229 is configured to open no further than this position. A biasing moment urges the hinge back towards the closed position (shown in the central image) such that the screen collapses back to the folded configuration once a restraining force is released.

[0081] Figure 6 shows the corresponding living hinge 29 about fold line 25g in the embodiment in Figure la- Ik, and shown in the three corresponding configurations. Instead of the sprung steel band, the living hinge comprises a thinned portion 31 of the panel material. This thinned portion 31 has a single degree of freedom about the fold line 25g and provides an elastic moment in the same manner as the band in Figure 5. Figure 7 shows a sample of one of the flexure hinges 229 in the second embodiment. The flexure hinge is bi-stable and is shown in its fully open, stable, state. It is also stable in its fully closed state in which the adjacent panels 223, 221 lie against each other, as they would be when the screen is in the stowed configuration (not shown in Figure 7).

[0082] Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. By way of example, other layouts of folding lines within the screen are also possible whilst still achieving benefits over the prior art door arrangements. Other shapes of screen are possible - in all cases the footprint of the screen increasing when unfolded from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration. A screen in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may also be used in other parts of an aircraft, for example between adjacent seats.

[0083] Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

Claims1. An aircraft seat assembly comprising: an aircraft seat; a surrounding structure for separating the seat from an aisle, wherein the surrounding structure defines an opening for the passenger to egress from the seat into the aisle; and a screen for use across the opening, wherein the screen is a deployable structure, deployable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, wherein in the folded configuration the screen occupies a first footprint such that the passenger may freely egress the seat, into the aisle, through the opening, wherein in the unfolded configuration the screen occupies a second footprint, the second footprint being larger than the first footprint such that the screen extends across the opening and inhibits passenger egress through the opening, wherein the screen comprises a plurality of panels, separated by a plurality of fold lines about which the screen is folded and unfolded during deployment between the folded and unfolded configurations, and wherein the second footprint extends in a vertical (Y) direction and a longitudinal (X) direction, and wherein the second footprint is larger than the first footprint in both the vertical (Y) direction and in the longitudinal (X) direction.

2. An aircraft seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein in the unfolded configuration, the screen is generally planar and lies in the XY plane, and wherein in the stowed configuration, the screen is generally planar and lies in, or parallel to, the XY plane.

3. An aircraft seat assembly according to claim 2, wherein the screen is configured such that during movement between the folded and the unfolded configuration, the screen experiences a component of displacement in a lateral (Z) direction, perpendicular to the XY plane, and wherein the maximum magnitude of displacement of the screen in that lateral (Z) direction is less than the magnitudes ofthe displacements of the screen in the longitudinal (X) direction and / or in the vertical (Y) direction.

4. An aircraft seat assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the screen comprises a plurality of flexure hinges, each flexure hinge defining one of the fold lines.

5. An aircraft seat assembly according to claim 4, wherein each of the flexure hinges is a living hinge.

6. An aircraft seat assembly according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each of the flexure hinges is unidirectional.

7. An aircraft seat assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the screen is a compliant structure that does not require movement about any mechanical joints, during deployment between the folded and unfolded configurations.

8. An aircraft seat assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the screen is biased to retract from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration.

9. An aircraft seat assembly according to claim 8, wherein in the unfolded configuration, the panels across either side of each fold line are biased towards the folded configuration by a biasing moment across the fold line.

10. An aircraft seat assembly according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the screen comprises a latch for retaining the screen in the unfolded configuration.

11. An aircraft seat assembly according to claim 10, wherein the latch is configured to latch onto part of the surrounding structure.

12. An aircraft seat assembly according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the latch is a magnetic latch.

13. An aircraft seat assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the screen is further deployable between the folded configuration and a stowed configuration,wherein in the stowed configuration the screen occupies a third footprint, the third footprint being smaller than the first footprint, such that the passenger continue to freely egress the seat, into the aisle, through the opening, and such that the screen is also stowed away; and wherein the screen is folded and unfolded about the fold lines during deployment between the folded and stowed configurations.

14. An aircraft seat assembly according to claim 13, wherein the first footprint is larger than the third footprint in both the vertical (Y) direction and in the longitudinal (X) direction.

15. An aircraft seat assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein during deployment between the folded and unfolded configurations, the unfolding movement across each of the plurality of fold lines occurs simultaneously.

16. An aircraft seat assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the screen is configured such that at least one, and preferably two of the fold lines remain in a fixed position during deployment between the folded and unfolded configurations, and the other fold lines in the plurality of fold lines are arranged to move during deployment between the folded and unfolded configurations.

17. An aircraft seat assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of panels of the screen comprises: a primary panel being generally in the shape of a polygon having N sides, each side forming a fold line;N secondary panels, each secondary panel being connected to the primary panel along a respective one of the N sides of the primary panel and being foldable relative to the primary panel along those respective fold lines; and a plurality of tertiary panels, each tertiary panel being connected to adjacent secondary panels along at least one fold line.

18. An aircraft seat assembly according to claim 17, wherein the primary panel is generally in the shape of a quadrilateral, and more preferably a square.

19. An aircraft seat assembly according to claim 18, wherein each of the four secondary panels is generally in the shape of a trapezoid having a pair of parallel sides and a pair of non-parallel sides, and wherein each secondary panel is connected to the primary panel along one of its non-parallel sides.

20. An aircraft seat assembly according to claim 19, wherein each secondary panel is connected to one of the tertiary panels along one of its parallel sides, and is connected to another of the tertiary panels along the other of its parallel sides.

21. An aircraft seat assembly according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein in the stowed configuration, the primary panel has a first orientation and in the unfolded configuration the primary panel has a second orientation, the screen being configured such that during movement between the stowed configuration and the unfolded configuration, the primary panel rotates between the first orientation and the second orientation.

22. An aircraft seat assembly according to claim 21 when dependent on claim 18, wherein the first orientation of the primary panel is such that the longitudinal extent of the third footprint is defined by the longitudinal distance between opposing vertices of the primary panel, and the vertical extent of the third footprint is defined by the vertical distance between the other opposing vertices of the primary panel, and wherein the rotation into the second orientation is substantially 90 degrees such that said vertical distance between the other opposing vertices of the primary panel becomes the longitudinal displacement of the screen when unfolded from the stowed to the unfolded configuration.

23. A screen for use in the aircraft seat assembly according to any preceding claim.

24. An aircraft comprising a passenger seating cabin with an aisle longitudinally extending therein, and wherein a multiplicity of the seating assemblies according to any of claims 1 to 22, are positioned adjacent to the aisle.

25. An aircraft seat assembly comprising: an aircraft seat;a surrounding structure for separating the seat from an aisle, wherein the surrounding structure defines an opening for the passenger to egress from the seat into the aisle; and a deployable screen for use across the opening; wherein the screen is deployable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, the screen being biased towards the folded configuration, and wherein in the folded configuration the screen is retracted from the opening such that the passenger may freely egress the seat, into the aisle, through the opening, wherein in the unfolded configuration the screen extends across the opening and is releasably fastened at one edge to the surrounding structure of the seat such that the screen inhibits passenger egress through the opening, and wherein the screen comprises a plurality of rigid panels, separated by a plurality of flexure fold lines about which the folding screen is folded and unfolded during deployment between the folded and unfolded configurations, wherein upon deployment from the folded to the unfolded configuration, the footprint of the screen becomes larger in both the vertical (Y) direction and in the longitudinal (X) direction.

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