Abstract
An accessible lavatory unit (103) for an aircraft cabin (102) is disclosed. The lavatory unit (103) is configurable between an able-bodied configuration and a PRM-accessible configuration. In the able-bodied configuration the lavatory unit has a first internal floor space (132) and there is a cabin floor space (130) external to the lavatory unit (103). The lavatory unit (103) is expandable into the PRM-accessible configuration in which the lavatory unit (103) is expanded to have a second internal floor space (132), the second internal floor space (132) encompassing a region of the cabin floor space (130). A sink for an aircraft lavatory unit is also disclosed.
Claims
1. A lavatory unit for an aircraft cabin, wherein the lavatory unit is configurable between an able-bodied configuration and a PRM-accessible configuration wherein in the able-bodied configuration the lavatory unit has a first internal floor space and there is a cabin floor space external to the lavatory unit, wherein the lavatory unit is expandable into the PRM-accessible configuration in which the lavatory unit is expanded to have a second internal floor space, the second internal floor space encompassing a region of the cabin floor space.
2. The lavatory unit according to claim 1, the lavatory unit comprising a perimeter wall that separates an internal space of the unit from space external to the unit, wherein the perimeter wall comprises a moveable wall assembly; wherein in the able-bodied configuration the moveable wall assembly is in a retracted configuration, wherein the moveable wall assembly is moveable into an expanded configuration to expand the lavatory unit into the PRM-accessible configuration.
3. The lavatory unit according to claim 2, wherein the lavatory unit, for example the moveable wall assembly, comprises at least one panel assembly configured to cover a gap that would otherwise be created in the perimeter wall of the lavatory unit when the lavatory unit is expanded, for example as the moveable wall assembly moves from the retracted configuration to the expanded configuration.
4. The lavatory unit according to claim 3, wherein the at least one panel assembly comprises a foldable panel, for example a bi-fold panel, that expands by unfolding.
5. The lavatory unit according to claim 3, wherein the at least one panel assembly comprises a sliding panel, for example a panel slidably mounted for movement relative to the moveable wall assembly, and wherein the panel slides from a first position when the lavatory unit is in the able-bodied configuration to a second position when the lavatory unit is in the PRM-accessible configuration and thereby covers a gap that would otherwise be created in the perimeter wall of the lavatory unit as the moveable wall assembly moves between the retracted configuration and the expanded configuration.
6. The lavatory unit according to claim 2, wherein the lavatory unit comprises a door assembly, wherein in the able-bodied configuration the door assembly is operable to an open position in which an able-bodied user can access the first internal floor space via a first door opening in the perimeter wall, the first door opening having a first effective width, and optionally a closed position in which the door prevents access to the first internal floor space via said first door opening; wherein in the PRM-accessible configuration the door assembly is operable to an open position in which a PRM can access the internal floor space via a second door opening in the perimeter wall, the second door opening having a second effective width, and optionally a closed position in which the door prevents access to the internal floor space via said second door opening; and wherein the second effective width is greater than the first effective width.
7. The lavatory unit according to claim 6, wherein the moveable wall assembly comprises the door assembly.
8. The lavatory unit according to claim 7, wherein the door assembly comprises a primary door and a secondary door, wherein the primary door provides access to the first door opening; and the primary door and the secondary door cooperate to provide access to the second door opening.
9. The lavatory unit according to claim 1, the lavatory unit comprising a crew seat mounted on an inboard side of the unit.
10. The lavatory unit according to claim 1, the lavatory unit comprising a toilet, and wherein in the PRM-accessible configuration, the interior space comprises a recess sized and shaped to receive the knees of a PRM sitting on the toilet and/or a PRM sitting in a wheelchair received within the lavatory unit.
11. The lavatory unit according to claim 1, the lavatory unit comprising a sink, for example located adjacent an inboard and/or forward side of the unit.
12. The lavatory unit according to claim 1, wherein the maximum length of the lavatory unit in the able-bodied configuration is no more than 38 inches.
13. The aircraft comprising a lavatory unit according to claim 1.
14. The aircraft according to claim 13, the aircraft cabin comprising a row of seats, an aircraft door, and an egress pathway associated with the aircraft door; wherein the lavatory unit is located aft of the row of seats and immediately adjacent to the egress pathway.
15. A method of reconfiguring an aircraft lavatory unit to enable access by a PRM, the method comprising expanding the lavatory unit, for example from an able-bodied configuration to a PRM-accessible configuration, such that cabin floor space that was located outside the lavatory unit prior to the expansion is encompassed within the internal floor space of the lavatory unit after expansion.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the lavatory unit comprises a moveable wall assembly and expanding the lavatory unit comprises displacing the moveable wall assembly, for example rearwards.
17. A sink for an aircraft lavatory unit, the sink comprising a faucet and a basin located beneath the faucet, wherein the depth of the basin is at least 7 inches and the faucet is located no more than 2 inches above the top of the basin.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0063] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:
[0064] FIG. 1 shows a cabin layout including a prior art lavatory unit;
[0065] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a cabin layout including a lavatory unit according to a first example embodiment of the invention, when the lavatory unit is in (a) an able-bodied configuration and (b) a PRM-accessible configuration;
[0066] FIGS. 3a to 3d show a perspective view from (a) the inboard side, (b) the aft side, (c) the outboard side and (d) the forward side of the lavatory unit of the first example embodiment;
[0067] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the lavatory unit of the first example embodiment in an able-bodied configuration with the door open;
[0068] FIGS. 5a and 5b are perspective views of the lavatory unit of the first example embodiment in a PRM-accessible configuration with (a) the door closed and (b) the door open;
[0069] FIGS. 6a to 6c show a plan view of the lavatory unit of the first example embodiment in (a) an able-bodied configuration, (b) an intermediate configuration and (c) a PRM-accessible configuration;
[0070] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of part of the interior of the lavatory unit of the first example embodiment;
[0071] FIG. 8(a) to (d) shows different stages in a process of an unassisted PRM using the lavatory unit of the first example embodiment;
[0072] FIG. 9(a) to (d) shows different stages in a process of a PRM using the lavatory unit of the first example embodiment with the aid of an assistant;
[0073] FIG. 10(a) to (e) show different stages in a process of a PRM using a lavatory unit of a second example embodiment with the aid of an assistant; and;
[0074] FIG. 11 shows a flow chart of a method of using the lavatory unit of the first example embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0075] FIG. 1 shows the layout of an aircraft cabin 1 including two prior-art lavatory units 3. The cabin 1 layout is essentially symmetrical about a centreline of the aircraft, labelled A in FIG. 1. Either side of the centreline A is a row of three forward-facing passenger seats 4 (the seats facing towards the left-hand side in FIG. 1). A lavatory unit 3 is located to the rear of each row of seats 4, with the back of the seats 4 received within a recess 6 formed in the forward side 8 of the perimeter wall 9 that separates the interior of lavatory unit 3 from the cabin 1. A bi-fold door 10 of each lavatory unit 3 opens onto an aisle 12 which runs along the centreline A of the aircraft and between the seats 4. A toilet 14 and a sink 15 are located within the lavatory unit 3, toilet 14 is located opposite the bi-fold door 10 and sink 15 is located in the corner between the forward side 8 and an inboard side 24 of the perimeter wall 9 (the inboard side 24 being the side facing aisle 12). A double crew-seat 16 is mounted to the rear side 18 of each lavatory unit 3. An exit 20 is located on both sides of the cabin 1, aft of the lavatory units 3. Vertical lines B1, B2 added to the upper half of FIG. 1 along with the shaded area of cabin floor space 30 immediately adjacent the forward line B1 denote the limits of an egress pathway that must remain unobstructed during taxiing, take-off and landing. A similar pathway exists on the other side of the cabin 1. The shaded area of cabin floor space 30 is immediately adjacent the rear side of the crew seat 16, when the seat is in the folded configuration. The rearward line B2 is immediately adjacent the forward extent of a galley area 22 which extends across the rear of the cabin 1 (the right hand side of the cabin in FIG. 1). The length of the lavatory unit 3 (i.e. the extent of the lavatory unit 3 measured parallel to the centreline A) is 33 inches at its longest point (labelled C in FIG. 1) and 26 inches at its shortest point (labelled D in FIG. 1), the difference being due to recess 6. The length of the lavatory unit 3 including crew seat 16 (labelled E in FIG. 1) is 38 inches.
[0076] In use, an able-bodied user can access lavatory unit 3 from aisle 12 via bi-fold door 10 to use toilet 14 and sink 15.
[0077] The space efficient nature of prior-art lavatory unit 3 facilitates its incorporation into the cabin. However, due to its dimensions and layout, lavatory unit 3 tends not to be PRM-accessible.
[0078] FIGS. 2(a) and (b) show the layout of an aircraft cabin 101 including a lavatory unit 103 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. Elements that are similar as between FIGS. 1 and 2 have been indicated in FIG. 2 using their reference numeral from FIG. 1 incremented by 100 (i.e. lavatory unit 3 in the FIG. 1 is referred to as lavatory unit 103 in FIG. 2). The position of passenger seats 104, aisle 112, exits 120, lines B1, B2 and galley 122 is essentially unchanged as between FIGS. 1 and 2. A lavatory unit 103 in accordance with a first example embodiment is shown in the top half of the cabin as shown in FIG. 2, the bottom half of the cabin including a prior-art lavatory unit 3 as described above in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, two lavatory units in accordance with the first example embodiment may be used. The lower half of the cabin as shown in FIG. 2 is essentially unchanged from that shown in FIG. 1. The lavatory unit 103 is located to the rear of each row of seats 104, with the back of the seats 104 received within a recess 106 formed in the forward side 108 of the perimeter wall 109 of the lavatory unit 103. The position of recess 106 and forward side 108 is unchanged as between FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In contrast to the prior-art lavatory unit 3, a single crew seat 116 is located on an inboard side 124 of lavatory unit 103 (i.e. the side facing aisle 112) and door 110 is located in the aft side 118 of perimeter wall 109. A toilet 114 and a sink 115 are located in lavatory unit 103, the sink 115 is located in the corner between inboard side 124 and forward side 108 of perimeter wall 109, the toilet 114 is opposite to and faces inboard side 124. The position of the toilet 114 and sink 115 remains unchanged as between FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b). In other embodiments, lavatory unit 103 may be located in a different region of the cabin, for example forward of an aircraft door, or in the centre of the cabin.
[0079] In FIG. 2(a) and FIGS. 3(a) to 3(d), the lavatory unit 103 is in an able-bodied configuration. An outboard portion 118a of aft side 118 of perimeter wall 109 (i.e. the portion furthest from aisle 112 in FIG. 2) is in the same position relative to seats 104 as in FIG. 1, but an inboard portion 118b of aft side 118 which includes door 110 is immediately adjacent line B1 (see FIG. 2(a)). An intermediate portion 118c of side 118 joins the outboard 118a and inboard 118b portions. A bi-fold panel 126 is connected between inboard portion 118b and intermediate portion 118c of aft side 118. In the able-bodied configuration this panel is located inside lavatory unit 103 and is folded. A sliding panel 128 is mounted on a fixed portion 124a of the inboard side 124 of perimeter wall 109. In the able-bodied configuration the sliding panel 128 is located within the fixed portion 124a of the inboard side 124. In some embodiments, the length of the lavatory unit 103 (i.e. the extent of the lavatory unit 103 measured parallel to the centreline A) is 38 inches at its longest point (labelled C in FIG. 2a) and 26 inches at its shortest point (labelled D in FIG. 2a), when the lavatory unit is in the able-bodied configuration. Thus, the length of the lavatory unit 103 in the able-bodied configuration is equal to the length of the known lavatory unit 3 including crew seat 16 (labelled E in FIG. 1).
[0080] In the PRM-accessible configuration shown in FIG. 2(b) the inboard portion 118b of the aft side 118 of the perimeter wall 109 is displaced rearwards (towards the right-hand side in FIG. 2(b)) in comparison to its position in the able-bodied configuration of FIG. 2(a). In some embodiments, the inboard portion 118b is displaced rearwards by 13 inches as between the able-bodied and PRM-accessible configurations. The position of intermediate portion 118c remains unchanged as between FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b). In FIG. 2(b), bi-fold panel 126 is unfolded and extends along a straight line parallel to centreline A between intermediate portion 118c and inboard portion 118b of aft side 118. Thus, in the PRM-accessible configuration, aft side 118 includes inboard portion 118b, outboard portion 118a, intermediate portion 118c and bi-fold panel 126. In FIG. 2(b) sliding panel 128 has slid rearwards out of stationary portion 124a of inboard side 124 and extends between stationary portion 124a and inboard portion 118b of aft side 118. Thus, in the PRM-accessible configuration, inboard side 124 includes stationary portion 124a and sliding panel 128.
[0081] It will be appreciated by comparing FIGS. 2a and 2b, and in light of the description above that a portion of cabin floor space 130 that is outside the lavatory unit 103 when the lavatory unit 103 is in the able-bodied configuration of FIG. 2(a) is encompassed within the internal floor space 132 of the lavatory unit 103 when the lavatory unit is in the PRM-accessible configuration of FIG. 2(b).
[0082] It will also be appreciated that the positioning of the inboard portion 118b of aft side 118 is made possible because crew seat 116 is located on the inboard side 124 of the lavatory unit 103 rather than on the aft side as in lavatory unit 3. Consequently, the length of the lavatory unit 103 in the able-bodied configuration may be increased to make use of the space vacated by the crew seat.
[0083] FIG. 3 shows perspective views of the lavatory unit 103 of the first example embodiment from the (a) inboard, (b) aft, (c) outboard and (d) forward sides. In FIG. 3 the lavatory unit 103 is in the able-bodied configuration with the door 110 closed. As can be seen in FIGS. 3(a) and (b), perimeter wall 109 includes a top side 134 having an opening 136 for a PSU (Passenger Service Unit) formed therein. Recess 106 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 3(c) and (d). The recess 106 is positioned vertically so as to receive the seat backs of the passenger seats of row 104. The recess 106 does not extend all the way down to the cabin floor and accordingly the lavatory unit 103 has an increased length below the height of the recess 106. Inside the lavatory unit 103 this provides a knee-receiving recess 138 (see FIG. 7) shaped and configured to receive the knees of a PRM in a wheelchair. In other embodiments the recess may be absent. As can be seen in FIG. 3(b) the outboard side 119 of the lavatory unit 103 is curved to match the shape of the cabin wall.
[0084] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the lavatory unit 103 of the first example embodiment in the able-bodied configuration with the door 110 open to allow an able-bodied user to access the interior of the lavatory unit 103 via a door opening 140. A baby changing table 142 is provided above the toilet 114 and is shown in the down position in FIG. 4 (but can be folded upwards and stowed when the toilet 114 is to be used). Grab handles 139 are positioned either side of toilet 114 (see FIG. 6). Sliding panel 128 protrudes rearwardly from fixed part 124a of inboard side 124, and includes a latch (not shown) in its rearward end to which door 110 latches when closed.
[0085] FIGS. 5a and 5b show a perspective a view of the lavatory unit 103 of the first example embodiment in the PRM-accessible configuration. As can be seen in FIG. 5, in the PRM-accessible configuration, the top side 134 of lavatory unit 103 includes a ceiling panel 146 that extends between a fixed part 134a of the top side 134 and inboard portion 118b of the aft side 118. Ceiling panel 146 is a sliding panel that is located within the fixed part 134a of the top side 134 of the perimeter wall 109 when the lavatory unit 103 is in the able-bodied configuration. In the PRM-accessible configuration, the inboard-side 124 further includes an insert panel 144 (shown in more detail in FIG. 6) extending between fixed part 124a of inboard side 124 and sliding panel 128 over a portion of the height of the unit 103. In other embodiments the insert panel may be absent. Together, inboard portion 118b of aft side 118 (including door 110), bi-fold panel 126, sliding panel 128, ceiling panel 146 and insert panel 144 may be referred to as a moveable wall assembly 152. In some embodiments the moveable wall assembly 152 may comprise additional elements, for example further panels. In the same or yet further embodiments, moveable wall assembly 152 does not include door 110. In the same or yet further embodiments, the moveable wall assembly 152 may comprise elements from other sides of the perimeter wall 109. For example, the moveable wall assembly 152 may comprise parts of any one of the inboard, outboard, forward and/or aft sides of the lavatory units. In FIG. 5(a) the inboard edge of door 110 is latched to the rearward end of sliding panel 128 and the lavatory unit 103 is therefore closed off from the cabin 1. It will be appreciated that other latching arrangements may be used.
[0086] In FIG. 5(b) door 110 is pivoted about a hinged connection to the rest of the inboard portion 118b of aft side 118, and sliding panel 128 is slid back into the fixed portion 124a of the inboard side 124 thereby creating an opening 148 via which a PRM can access the interior of the lavatory unit 103. Opening 148 is bigger than opening 140 (i.e. bigger than the door opening in the able-bodied configuration).
[0087] FIG. 6 shows a sectional plan view of the lavatory unit 103 of the first example embodiment in (a) the able-bodied configuration, (b) and intermediate configuration and (c) the PRM-accessible configuration. In FIG. 6(a), the portion of cabin floor space 130 is shown on the other side of the door 110 (which forms part of perimeter wall 109) to the internal floor space 132 of the lavatory unit 103 and is therefore external to the lavatory unit. In FIG. 6(c) that portion of cabin floor space 130 is now within the perimeter wall 109 defined by sliding panel 128, door 110 and aft wall 118 and therefore is encompassed within the internal floor space 132.
[0088] FIG. 7 shows a close up of the interior of the lavatory unit 103 and in particular, sink 115. As can be seen in FIG. 7, sink 115 extends further along inboard side 124 than forward side 108 and comprises a basin 117. The basin 117 is relatively narrow and relatively deep such that a user's hand may be received in the basin 117 vertically. A faucet 150 is located above the sink 115 and is relatively close to the top of the basin 117. In some embodiments the faucet 150 may be within 2 inches of the top of the sink. In some embodiments, the basin 117 may have a depth of 8 inches and a width of 5 inches. While the sink 115 is described here in the context of accessible lavatory unit 103, it will be appreciated that the use of such a sink is not restricted to such lavatory units and sink 115 may find application in aircraft lavatory units of various types.
[0089] For take-off, taxiing and landing, lavatory unit 103 is in the able-bodied configuration. When a PRM needs to access the lavatory unit 103 a member of the cabin crew reconfigures the lavatory unit 103 from the able-bodied configuration to the PRM-accessible configuration by moving the inboard end 118b of the aft side 118 rearwards. By virtue of their connection therewith, bi-fold panel 126, sliding panel 128 and ceiling panel 146 slide and/or unfold with the motion of the inboard end 118 to move from their positions in the able-bodied configuration to their positions in the PRM-accessible configuration thereby covering gaps that would otherwise be created in the perimeter wall 109 by the movement of the inboard end 118b of the aft side 118 relative to other elements of the perimeter wall 109. Similarly, insert panel 144 is located in a gap that remains in the perimeter wall 109 after the elements discussed above have reached their positions in the PRM-accessible configuration. The expansion of the lavatory unit 103 using the moveable wall assembly 152 causes a portion of the cabin floor space 130 that was outside the lavatory unit 103 in the able-bodied configuration to be brought within the lavatory unit 103 thereby increasing the internal floor space 132 of the unit 103. A PRM enters the unit 103 via opening 148 which is created by moving door 110 to an open position and sliding slidable panel 128 back into the perimeter wall 109 thereby rendering opening 148 larger in comparison to opening 140 of the able-bodied configuration. The increase in the internal floor space 132 and the size of the opening 148 provides sufficient room to allow a PRM in a wheelchair to enter the lavatory unit 103 in a way which allows them to transfer to the toilet 114 when the door 110 and sliding panel 128 are closed together. Accordingly, lavatory units in accordance with the present example embodiment provided a PRM-accessible lavatory unit that, in the able-bodied configuration has the same footprint as the prior-art non-accessible lavatory unit but which can be reconfigured to be PRM-accessible. Additionally, the process of reconfiguring the lavatory unit between the able-bodied and PRM-accessible configurations is more user friendly and straightforward for cabin crew in comparison to prior art accessible toilets and does not require occupation of additional toilets. In the present embodiment, accessibility in the PRM-accessible configuration is achieved by the combination of the two-part door (i.e. door 110 and sliding panel 128) and the moveable wall assembly 152. However, it will be appreciated that, depending on the shape and configuration of the lavatory unit it may not always be necessary to have these two features together to produce an accessible toilet. Accordingly, these features may find application separately.
[0090] It will be appreciated that various service connections (not shown) will join the lavatory unit to various aircraft systems including electric power etc.
[0091] FIG. 8 shows different stages in a process of an unassisted PRM using the lavatory unit of the first example embodiment. In FIG. 8(a) the PRM is seated in the aircraft wheelchair and enters the lavatory unit 103 facing forward via opening 148. The PRM moves forward within the lavatory unit 103 and the door 110 and slidable panel 128 are brought together to close off the lavatory unit 103 from the cabin as shown in FIG. 8(b). The PRM can then transfer themselves from the wheelchair to the toilet 114 via the position shown in FIG. 8(c) to a final position shown in FIG. 8(d). As the PRM transfers from the wheelchair to the toilet 114 their knees enter recess 138. Toilet 114 is shaped to allow a user to facing the inboard/forward corner of the lavatory unit with their knees located in recess 138 (as shown in FIG. 8(d)).
[0092] FIG. 9 shows different stages in a process of a PRM using the lavatory unit of the first embodiment with the aid of an assistant. In FIG. 9(a) the PRM is seated in the aircraft wheelchair and enters the lavatory unit 103 facing rearward via opening 148. The PRM moves forward within the lavatory unit 103 until both the PRM and the assistant are inside lavatory unit 103 and the door 110 and slidable panel 128 are brought together to close off the lavatory unit 103 from the cabin as shown in FIG. 9(b). The PRM can then transfer with the aid of the assistant from the wheelchair to the toilet 114 via the position shown in FIG. 9(c) to a final position shown in FIG. 9(d). Toilet 114 is shaped to allow a user to facing the inboard/aft corner of the lavatory unit (as shown in FIG. 9(d)). While inside the lavatory unit 103 the assistant stands with their back to door 110 within the space created by moveable wall assembly 152.
[0093] FIG. 10 shows different stages in a process of a PRM using a lavatory unit of a second embodiment with the aid of an assistant. Elements that are similar as between FIGS. 2 and 10 have been indicated in FIG. 10 using their reference numeral from FIG. 2 incremented by 100 (i.e. lavatory unit 103 in FIG. 2 is referred to as lavatory unit 203 in FIG. 10). The aspects of the lavatory unit 203 of FIG. 10 that differ significantly with respect to the lavatory unit 103 of FIG. 2 will be discussed here, other aspects of the lavatory unit 203 being substantially as described for lavatory unit 103. In FIG. 10(a) the lavatory unit 203 is in the able bodied configuration and, when viewed in plan, appears substantially similar to the lavatory unit 103 of FIG. 2, with the exception that the lavatory unit 203 does not include a crew seat. In the lavatory unit 203 of FIG. 10, a bi-fold panel 226 is connected between an outboard portion 218a and intermediate portion 218c of aft side 218 of perimeter wall 209 (rather than between inboard portion 118b and intermediate portion 118c). In the able-bodied configuration this panel is located inside lavatory unit 203 and is folded. In contrast to the lavatory unit of FIG. 2, the lavatory unit 203 does not include a sliding panel or a recess equivalent to recess 106. The location and orientation of lavatory unit 203 within the aircraft cabin is the same as for lavatory unit 103 in FIG. 2, but in other embodiments the orientation and/or location may differ. In the PRM-accessible configuration shown in FIG. 10(b) the inboard portion 218b and the intermediate portion 218c of perimeter wall 209 is displaced rearwards (towards the right-hand side in FIG. 10(b)) in comparison to its position in the able-bodied configuration of FIG. 10(a). In FIG. 10(b), bi-fold panel 226 is unfolded and extends along a straight line parallel to centreline A between intermediate portion 218c and outboard portion 218a of aft side 218. Thus, in the PRM-accessible configuration, aft side 218 includes inboard portion 218b, outboard portion 218a, intermediate portion 218c and bi-fold panel 226.
[0094] It will also be appreciated that the positioning of the inboard portion 118b and intermediate portion 218c of aft side 218 is made possible because the crew seat is absent from the aft side 218. Consequently, the length of the lavatory unit 203 in the PRM configuration may be increased to make use of the space vacated by the crew seat.
[0095] For take-off, taxiing and landing, lavatory unit 203 is in the able-bodied configuration shown in FIG. 10(a). When a PRM needs to access the lavatory unit 203 a member of the cabin crew reconfigures the lavatory unit 203 from the able-bodied configuration to the PRM-accessible configuration shown in FIG. 10(b) to (e) by moving the inboard end 218b and intermediate portion 218c of the aft side 218 rearwards. By virtue of their connection therewith, bi-fold panel 226, sliding panel (not shown) and ceiling panel (not shown) slide and/or unfold with the motion of the inboard end 218 to move from their positions in the able-bodied configuration to their positions in the PRM-accessible configuration thereby covering gaps that would otherwise be created in the perimeter wall 209 by the movement of the inboard end 218b and intermediate portion 218c relative to other elements of the perimeter wall 209. The expansion of the lavatory unit 203 using the moveable wall assembly 252 causes a portion of the cabin floor space 230 that was outside the lavatory unit 203 in the able-bodied configuration to be brought within the lavatory unit 203 thereby increasing the internal floor space 232 of the unit 203. A PRM enters the unit 203 via the opening which is created by moving door 210 to an open position and sliding slidable panel 228 back into the perimeter wall 209 thereby rendering the opening in the PRM-accessible configuration larger in comparison to the opening of the able-bodied configuration. The increase in the internal floor space 232 and the size of the opening provides sufficient room to allow a PRM in a wheelchair to enter the lavatory unit 203 in a way which allows them to transfer to the toilet 214 when the door 210 and sliding panel 228 are closed together.
[0096] FIG. 10(b) to (e) show different stages in a process of a PRM using the lavatory unit of the second embodiment with the aid of an assistant. In FIG. 10(b) the PRM is seated in the aircraft wheelchair and enters the lavatory unit 203 facing forward via the opening between door 210 and sliding panel 228. The PRM moves forward within the lavatory unit 203 until both the PRM and the assistant are inside lavatory unit 203 and the door 210 and slidable panel 228 are brought together to close off the lavatory unit 203 from the cabin as shown in FIG. 10(c). The PRM can then transfer with the aid of the assistant from the wheelchair to the toilet 214 via the position shown in FIG. 10(d) to a final position shown in FIG. 10(e). While inside the lavatory unit 203 the assistant stands facing door 210 and is forward of the PRM, while the wheelchair is located within the space created by moveable wall assembly 152.
[0097] FIG. 11 shows a flow chart of a method of using the lavatory of the first example embodiment. The lavatory unit 103 is in the able-bodied configuration during taxiing and take-off 180. In flight, an able-bodied user may access 182 the lavatory unit 103 without any reconfiguration required. As part of the process the door 110 is opened 183a to created opening 140 and closed 183b to close off the lavatory unit from the cabin 1. In the event a PRM requires access 184, flight crew reconfigures 186 the lavatory unit 103 from the able-bodied configuration to the PRM-accessible configuration. The step of reconfiguring 186 the lavatory unit 103 comprises moving 188a inboard portion 118b aft, bi-fold panel 126 unfolding 188b, sliding panel 128 sliding 188c aft, ceiling panel 146 sliding 188d aft and sliding 188e insert panel 144 (i.e. moving movable assembly 152). A PRM may then access 188 the lavatory unit 103. A part of the process of a PRM accessing 188 the lavatory unit 103 the door 110 is opened 190a and sliding panel 128 is slid 190b forward to create opening 148 via which the PRM can enter the lavatory unit 103. Door 110 is then closed 190c and sliding panel 128 is slid 190d backwards to close opening 148 and close off the lavatory unit from the cabin. After the PRM has accessed the lavatory unit 103, the lavatory unit 103 is then reconfigured 192 from the PRM-accessible configuration to the able-bodied configuration prior to landing 194. It will be appreciated that both able-bodied user and PRMs may access the lavatory unit multiple times during a single flight and accordingly steps 182 to 192 may be repeated multiple times.
[0098] 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.
[0099] 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.
