DOOR ASSEMBLY FOR PASSENGER SEATING

Abstract

A door assembly for passenger seating comprises a base having a leading end in which a recess is formed, and a door that is curved in end cross-section. The door is pivotable with respect to the base and, in an open state, the rearward end of the door is located in the recess. The arrangement reduces the space in the forward direction that is required to accommodate the door, and so facilitates provision of a minimum size of gap between seat rows without having to increase inter-row pitch.

Claims

1. A door assembly comprising: a base having a leading end in which a recess is formed; and a door having a leading end and a rearward end, and being curved in end cross-section; wherein said door is pivotable with respect to said base between a closed state and an open state about at least one pivot axis, and wherein, in the open state, said rearward end of said door is located in said recess.

2. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein said recess is provided by a cut-out portion in said leading end of said base.

3. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein said recess is formed along substantially the entire length of said leading end of said base.

4. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein said recess is curved along substantially the entire length of said leading end of said base, and wherein said recess has a curvature that substantially corresponds to a curvature of said rearward end of said door.

5. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein said base is curved in end cross-section, and wherein said base has a curvature that substantially corresponds to the curvature of said door.

6. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein said door is shaped to curve outwardly, said door having a convex outside face and a concave inside face.

7. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein said recess is formed in an outer portion of said leading end.

8. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein said leading end of said base defines a mouth of a compartment, and said recess is formed in an edge of said mouth.

9. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein said door and said recess are shaped and dimensioned such that, when said door is in the open state, said rearward end of said door fits into said recess, and wherein as said door opens, said rearward end of said door fits into said recess to allow said door to reach the open state.

10. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein said door comprises a first part pivotably coupled to a second part at a pivot interface, said pivot interface being exposed from said base when said door is in the closed state to allow said first part of said door to pivot between the open and closed states.

11. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein said door is movable with respect to said base between the closed state, in which said door is extended from said base, and a retracted state in which said door is retracted with respect to said base, and wherein said door is linearly movable between the closed state and the retracted state.

12. The door assembly of claim 11, wherein said base defines a compartment for housing said door in the retracted state, said door being movable into and out of said compartment between the retracted state and the closed state, and wherein said base comprises an outer wall and an inner wall, said compartment being defined between said outer and inner walls, and wherein said recess is formed in said end of said outer wall.

13. The door assembly of claim 12, wherein said door comprises a first part pivotably coupled to a second part at a pivot interface, said pivot interface being exposed from said base when said door is in the closed state to allow said first part of said door to pivot between the open and closed states, and wherein in the retracted state said pivot interface is located in said compartment, and in the closed state said pivot interface is located outside of said compartment.

14. The door assembly of claim 11, wherein door is coupled to said base by a slide mechanism and/or a roller mechanism to facilitate movement between the retracted and closed states.

15. The door assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base is shaped to serve as a wall or a divider.

16. Passenger seating comprising at least one seat and a door assembly, said door assembly comprising: a base having a leading end in which a recess is formed; and a door having a leading end and a rearward end, wherein said door is curved in end cross-section; wherein said door is pivotable with respect to said base between a closed state and an open state about at least one pivot axis, and wherein, in the open state, said rearward end of said door is located in said recess.

17. The passenger seating of claim 16, wherein said door assembly is part of a surround structure in which said at least one seat is located.

18. The passenger seating of claim 16, wherein, in the open state, said door exposes a gap providing passenger access to and from said at least one seat and, in the closed state, said door closes the gap, and wherein said passenger seating comprises a plurality of rows, each row comprising at least one seat, and wherein the gap is defined between a respective seat surround structure of an adjacent row, or between a seat surround structure of one row and a bulkhead.

19. The passenger seating of claim 16, comprising a plurality of rows each having at least one of said seats, said rows being spaced apart to define a gap between adjacent rows, wherein said door of each respective door assembly of at least one of said rows, when in the closed state, closes the gap between said respective row and another of said rows in front of said respective row, and wherein, said at least one seat of each row is located within a respective surround structure, and wherein said door of each respective door assembly of at least one of said rows, when in the closed state, closes the gap between its surround structure and the surround structure of the row in front.

20. An aircraft seating installation comprising: passenger seating comprising at least one seat and a door assembly; said door assembly comprising: a base having a leading end in which a recess is formed; and a door having a leading end and a rearward end, and being curved in end cross-section; wherein said door is pivotable with respect to said base between a closed state and an open state about at least one pivot axis, and wherein, in the open state, said rearward end of said door is located in said recess.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of passenger seating embodying one aspect of the invention, and including a door assembly embodying another aspect of the invention;

[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the door assembly shown in an open state in a second mode of operation;

[0029] FIG. 3 is a side view of the door assembly shown in a closed state;

[0030] FIG. 4A is a side view of the door assembly in an open state in a first mode of operation;

[0031] FIG. 4B is a side view of the door assembly in a closed state; and

[0032] FIG. 4C is a side view of the door assembly in the open state of the second mode of operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Referring now to the drawings there is shown, generally indicated as 10, passenger seating embodying one aspect of the invention. Passenger seating embodying the invention is particularly suitable for use in vehicles (e.g. aircraft, boats, trains and buses) where the seating is located in a common passenger area, for example an aircraft cabin, having one or more aisles running alongside the seating. In some embodiments, the seating 10 is aircraft seating and is located, in use, in an aircraft cabin (not shown).

[0034] In the following description, it is assumed that a seated passenger faces in a forward direction and so terms such as forward, front, rearward, rear and fore-and-aft are intended to be construed accordingly. The term “vertical” is intended to mean perpendicular to the surface on which the seating is located in use.

[0035] The seating 10 comprises at least one seat 12. In typical embodiments, there is a plurality of seats 12 arranged in rows, each row having one or more seat 12. In FIG. 1, a first row R1 is shown and has a single seat 12. In alternative embodiments, the row R1 may comprise a plurality of seats. Part of a forward row R2 is also shown. The rows are typically the same as each other and so the same or similar description applies as would be apparent to a skilled person. In general, at the rear of each row and/or in front of it there may be provided more seating (e.g. additional row(s) of seat(s) 12). Alternatively, for example when the seating is installed in a cabin, a bulkhead (not shown) may be located in front of and/or behind the seating 10. Typically, a bulkhead is located adjacent and in front of or behind the first and/or last row. When the seating 10 is located in a cabin, an aisle (not shown) may located alongside the seating 10 on one or both sides, typically running substantially perpendicular with the rows R1, R2. The, or each, aisle may separate the seating 10 from additional seating (not shown but 10 which may be the same as the seating 10), bulkhead or cabin wall (not shown).

[0036] The seat 12 is typically located within a seat surround structure 14 that at least partially surrounds the seat 12. The surround structure 14 typically includes a back portion 16 behind the seat 12 and at least one side portion 18. The surround structure 14 may be shared by more than one seat 12 of the same row R1, R2, for example being configured to provide the back portion 16 and side portion(s) for each seat 12. The seats 12 may be of a type that can recline to form a bed.

[0037] It will be apparent that the surround structure 14 provides a seated passenger (not shown) with some privacy from other passengers seated in the same row and/or in adjacent row(s), as applicable, and from people in the aisle(s). However, the surround structure 14 must allow space for passengers to access the seat 12 from the aisle and vice versa. Accordingly, the side portion 18 that is, in use, adjacent an aisle is configured to provide a gap 24 for ingress to and egress from the seat 12. In typical embodiments, this means that the side portion 18 does not extend fully and permanently to the surround structure 14 of the row R2 in front, or to a bulkhead in front, as applicable. This is in contrast to the far side portion (not visible) which may extend fully and permanently to the to the surround structure 14 of the row R2 in front, or to a bulkhead in front, as applicable. In this example it is assumed that when the seating 10 is installed, access to the seat 12 is not required from beyond the far side.

[0038] This might be because, for example, the far side is, when installed, adjacent a cabin wall or a bulkhead, or is adjacent another seat (in the case of a multi-seat row embodiment),

[0039] To improve privacy, the side portion 18 comprises a door assembly 30 embodying one aspect of the invention. The door assembly 30 comprises a base portion 32, which typically extends along the aisle-side of the seat 12 typically from the back 16 of the surround structure 14, and is typically panel-like in form. The base portion 32, which is typically substantially rectangular in shape or panel-like, provides a wall adjacent the seat 12 (on the aisle side in this example), typically as part of the surround structure 14. The door assembly also comprises a door 34 that is movable with respect to the base 32 between an open, or retracted, state (FIG. 4A) in which the ingress/egress gap 24 is provided, and a closed, or extended, state (FIGS. 1 and 4B) in which the gap 24 is closed. It will be understood that the word “closed” in this context does not necessarily mean that the gap 24 is eradicated completely and is therefore intended to embrace “fully closed” and “substantially closed”. In some embodiments, and as is illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1 and 4B, the arrangement is such that, in the closed state, the door 34 engages with the surround structure 14 of the row R2 in front (or the bulkhead in front as applicable).

[0040] In some embodiments, the door 34 is a sliding door, i.e. is slidable with respect to the base 32 between the open (or retracted) and closed (or extended) states. To facilitate sliding movement of the door 34, the door 34 may be coupled to the base 32 by one or more slide mechanism (not shown), for example comprising slide rails and/or rollers, which may be provided at the top and/or bottom of the door 34, or may be linearly movable by any conventional means. Optionally, the base 32 comprises a compartment 42 for housing the door 34 when open (i.e. retracted), the compartment having a mouth 44 through which the door 34 slides into and out of the compartment 42. The base 32 may therefore be described as a door housing. The compartment 42 may be dimensioned to house substantially the entire door 34 when open. Accordingly, 30 when the door 34 is open, the gap 24 is defined between the leading end of the base 32 and the forward surround structure 14/bulkhead. Alternatively, the arrangement may be such that part of the door projects from the base 32 when open in which case the gap 24 is defined between the leading end 33 of the door 34 and the forward surround structure 14/bulkhead. In alternative embodiments, the arrangement may be such that the door 34 slides alongside the base 32 rather than into a compartment in the base.

[0041] The door assembly 30 provides some privacy between the seat 12 and the aisle whether or not the door 34 is open since the base 32 extends alongside the seat 12, and is typically panel-like in form. However, greater privacy is provided when the door 34 is closed. The height of the door assembly 30 also affects the privacy afforded to the passenger. It may be preferred that the height of the base 32 and the door 34 is approximately level with the head rest 48 of the seat 12. Optionally, the base 32 and the door 34 are each solid and opaque to maximize privacy. The door 34 is typically substantially rectangular in shape.

[0042] In some embodiments, the door assembly 30 includes an actuator or actuation means (not shown) for moving the door 34 from the open state to the closed state and/or from the closed state to the open state. The actuation means may comprise one or more extendible actuator, such as a hydraulic ram, gas spring or mechanical spring, coupled between the door 34 and the base 32, or take any other suitable conventional form. In alternative embodiments, the door 34 may be manually operable, i.e. the actuation means may be omitted, for opening and/or closing.

[0043] In some embodiments, when the door 34 is closed, the primary means of egress for a seated passenger is to slide the door 34 into the retracted open state shown in FIG. 4A, which in some embodiments involves sliding the door 34 rearwards. For reasons of safety, the seating 10, and in particular the door assembly 30, provides, in addition to the primary means, a secondary means for a seated passenger to egress from the seat 12 when the door 34 is closed. The secondary means may be provided by configuring the door assembly 30, and in particular the door 34, to support a secondary mode of operation (in particular a secondary mode of opening) that is in addition to and different from, the primary mode of operation described above.

[0044] In some embodiments, and as is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4C, the secondary opening mode is supported by providing the door 34 in first and second parts 34A, 34B that are coupled together at an interface or joint 84. Optionally, the first and second parts 34A, 34B are pivotably coupled together at interface 84 so that the first part 34A can pivot with respect to the second part 34B between the closed state (FIG. 4B) and a pivoted open state (FIG. 4C). Optionally, the first part 34A pivots through 90° or substantially 90° between the open and closed states. The illustrated pivotable coupling between the first and second parts 34A, 34B is configured to allow pivoting movement of the first part 34A about at least one pivot axis that extends substantially vertically in use, and may be substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the door 34 between the open and closed states in the primary mode (which may also be referred to as the fore-and-aft direction), and substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction of the row. One desirable arrangement is such that, when the door 34 is in its closed state (as shown in FIG. 4B) the interface 84 and the first part 34A of the door are exposed by the base 32, i.e. are outside of the compartment 42 in the illustrated embodiment. In this state, the second part 34B of the door is typically at least partly located within or in register with the base 32. Accordingly, when the door 34 is closed, the coupling at interface 84 allows its first part 34A to be pivoted with respect to the second part 34B to provide a second mode of opening the door (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4C). In some embodiments, the first part 34A of the door is pivotably coupled to the second part 34A at the interface 84 to allow to first part 34A to pivot with respect to the second part 34B and with respect to the base 32 about one or more pivot axis. The pivotable coupling may be provided by one or more hinges 86 which provide the or each pivot axis, the illustrated arrangement being such that the first part 34A is pivotable through 90° or substantially 90° between the open and closed states. Any suitable conventional hinge(s) may be used. Typically, two or more spaced apart, vertically aligned hinges 86 are provided. Optionally, the, or each, hinge is spaced apart from the vertical mid-point of the door. Optionally, the, or each, hinge is spaced apart from the top and bottom of the door. Optionally, the, or each, hinge is a parallel or double-action hinge, for example being configured to provide first and second parallel pivot axes for facilitating pivoting movement of the door 34 between the open and closed states. In some embodiments, the pivotable coupling is configured so that the first part 34A of the door can pivot outwardly away from the seat 12, e.g. into the aisle. Hence, in some embodiments, when the door 34 is in its closed state as shown in FIG. 4B, it is capable of being opened to allow egress from the seat 12 by either of two modes: retracting rearwardly to the open state (FIG. 4A); or pivoting outwardly in the manner of a hinged door (FIGS. 2 and 4B). It is envisioned that the passenger does not use the second mode for opening the door 34 routinely; instead, the second mode is intended for use in emergencies.

[0045] In some applications, e.g. aircraft seating, industry regulations may specify a minimum size for the gap 24. In particular, a minimum gap size may be stipulated for egress from the seating 10 in the event of an emergency. When the door 34 is open in the second mode (FIGS. 2 and 4C), the gap 24 is measured to a leading part of the open door 34 and, as such, the gap 24 is smaller than it would be if the door 34 was not present. One option for obtaining the required gap size while accommodating the door 34 is to increase the pitch between the rows of seats. However, this can have the undesirable effect of reducing the number of rows that can fit into a given cabin space. To overcome this problem, a recess 50 is formed in a leading end 52 of the base 32 and, when the door 32 is open in the second mode, a rearward end 54 of the door 32 is received by the recess 50. In particular, the configuration is such that, as the door 32 opens, the rearward end 54 of the door 32 fits into the recess 50 to allow the door 32 to reach its open state (in which it is typically disposed perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicularly, to the front-to-rear direction of the door assembly or passenger seating) without being prevented from doing so by engagement with the leading end 52 of the base 32.

[0046] The recess 50 may be provided by a cut-out portion formed in the leading end 52 of the base 32. Optionally, the recess 50 is formed in an outer portion of the leading end 52, i.e. a portion that is on the outside of the base 32, for example such that it faces an aisle in use. This facilitates the outwardly pivoting door 34, which typically pivots through 90° or approximately 90° when pivoting between its open and closed states. The recess 50 may be formed in a leading edge of the leading end 52, such as an outer leading edge, typically as a cut-out formed in the leading edge. In some embodiments, the leading end 52 defines the mouth 44 of the compartment 52, and the recess 50 is formed in an edge 45 of the mouth 44, such as the outer edge, i.e. the edge that is on the outside of the base 32, for example such that it faces an aisle in use. Typically, a corresponding recess is not formed in the corresponding inner edge. Typically, the base 32 comprises an outer wall and an inner wall, the compartment 42 being defined between the outer and inner walls, the recess 50 being formed in the end of the outer wall.

[0047] In some embodiments, the recess 50 is formed along the entire length, or substantially the entire length of the leading end 52 (in particular the leading edge 45 in the illustrated embodiment) of the base 32, the length being taken in the vertical direction typically, e.g. from top to bottom. It will be apparent that the recess 50 is recessed with respect to the leading end 52 in the front-to-rear direction of the base 32. The recess 50 may be curved or otherwise concave.

[0048] In some embodiments, the door 34 is curved in end cross-section, as can best be seen from FIG. 4C. In particular, the door 34 may be shaped to curve outwardly, i.e. the door 34 may be the to have an inside face 35A (which faces inwardly of the surround structure 14 when the door is closed) and an outside face 35B (which faces outwardly of the surround structure 14 when the door is closed), the outside face 35B being convex and in the inside face 34A being concave, such as correspondingly concave. At least the first part 34A, and optionally also the second part 34B, of the door 34 is shaped in this manner. Optionally, the base 32 is correspondingly curved in end cross-section to match or otherwise correspond with the curvature of the door 34. In particular, it is envisioned that at least the compartment 42 and mouth 44 are correspondingly curved in end cross-section to match or otherwise correspond with the curvature of the door 34. In preferred embodiments, the term “end cross-section” refers to the end-to-end cross-section, for example the cross-section in the end-to-end direction, or the front-to-rear direction, of the door 34, base 32 or compartment 42 as applicable, i.e. the cross-section taken in a plane parallel with the ends. For example, in some embodiments the door 24 is curved in cross-section when viewed in a direction from the leading end 33 to the rearward end 54 of the door 34.

[0049] Advantageously, the recess 50 is also curved, such as along its entire, or substantially entire, length. The curvature of the recess 50 may match, substantially match, or otherwise correspond to the curvature of the rearward end 54 of the door 34 (which itself is determined by the curvature of the door 34 described above). As can best be seen from FIGS. 4A and 4B, the illustrated recess 50 is concave. The depth of the recess 50 may vary from embodiment to embodiment but may for example be 0.02 to 0.05 m at its deepest point.

[0050] In some embodiments, the respective shape and dimension of the door 34 and of the recess 50 are such that, when the door 34 is pivoted open, the rearward end 54 of the door 34 fits into the recess 50. This arrangement reduces the space in the forward direction that is required to accommodate the door 34, and so facilitates provision of a minimum size of gap 24 without having to increase inter-row pitch. In typical embodiments, the space saving may only be in the region of 2-3 cm, but this saving can make it possible to fit at least one additional row of seat(s) in a given cabin space.

[0051] In alternative embodiments (not illustrated) the door 34 may be configured to open and close in only one mode, in particular a mode that corresponds to the secondary mode described above. As such the door 34 opens and closes pivotably (as illustrated in FIGS. 4B and 4C) but does not slide or retract into the base 32 as illustrated in FIG. 3A.

[0052] In some embodiments, the curvature of the relative parts of the door assembly (in particular the curvature of any one or more of the first and second door parts 34A, 34B, the base 32, the compartment 42, mouth 44 and/or recess 50) is smooth or continuous (as for example can be seen from the end view of door part 34A in FIG. 4C). Alternatively, the curvature may be stepped or discontinuous (not illustrated) such that the relevant part of the door assembly is generally curved, e.g. generally concave or convex as applicable.

[0053] In alternative embodiments (not illustrated), the door 34 may be flat, or planar, rather than curved, and the base 32 and recess 50 may be correspondingly shaped, e.g. the recess 50 may be rectangular.

[0054] The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. Changes modifications in the specifically-described embodiments may be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.