Crew rest area on board of a vehicle, in particular an airplane

Abstract

An area on board of a vehicle, in particular of an airplane. The area has a compartment and an opening providing access to the compartment. The area includes a curtain arranged to be drawn in a closed position in which the curtain covers the opening. The curtain includes at least one magnetic curtain element provided along a lower edge of the curtain, and the area includes at least one magnetic opening element positioned along a lower edge of the opening, which at least one magnetic opening element and at least one magnetic curtain element are arranged to attract each other when the curtain is in the closed position.

Claims

1. A crew rest area on board of a vehicle, the area comprising: a compartment having an opening providing access to the compartment, the opening having a lower edge, and the compartment having a plurality of magnetic opening elements positioned along the lower edge of the opening; and a curtain configured to be drawn to a closed position, in which the curtain covers the opening, the curtain further configured to be drawn to a retracted position, the curtain having a lower edge, the curtain comprising a plurality of magnetic curtain elements provided along the lower edge of the curtain, and the curtain comprising a plurality of vertically oriented alternating folds creating a plurality of vertical curtain portions wherein each of the plurality of vertical curtain portions comprises one or more of said plurality of magnetic curtain elements, in the closed position, the plurality of magnetic opening elements and plurality of magnetic curtain elements are arranged to attract each other, and in the retracted position, the plurality of magnetic curtain elements are arranged so that polarities are alternately oriented from the one or more magnetic curtain elements in one of said plurality of vertical curtain portions to a neighboring one or more magnetic curtain elements in a neighboring vertical curtain portion.

2. The crew rest area according to claim 1, wherein the compartment is a resting place with a bed for a crew member of the vehicle.

3. The crew rest area according to claim 1, wherein the curtain comprises a plurality of vertical strips which in the retracted position have their surfaces orientated parallel and against each other, wherein in the retracted position, the vertical strips are attracted towards each other.

4. The crew rest area according to claim 3, wherein the vertical strips are connected to each other along their lower edge.

5. The crew rest area according to claim 4, wherein the vertical strips are connected to each other by a wire.

6. The crew rest area according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of magnetic opening elements are electromagnets and the area comprises a switch for switching the magnetic opening elements on and off.

7. The crew rest area according to claim 1, wherein the compartment is a passenger compartment or a galley compartment.

8. An airplane comprising a crew rest area according to claim 1.

9. The crew rest area according to claim 1, wherein the folds facilitate folding the curtain into the retracted position, and wherein in the retracted position adjacent, curtain portions are attracted towards each other.

10. The crew rest area according to claim 1, wherein the curtain comprises a plurality of vertical strips, which plurality of vertical strips in the retracted position have surfaces orientated parallel and against each other, wherein the plurality of magnetic curtain elements are arranged on the plurality of vertical strips such that in the retracted position, the vertical strips are attracted towards each other.

11. The crew rest area according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic curtain elements are arranged to attract each other when the curtain is in the open position, such that the magnetic curtain elements are engaged in effecting a closed position as well as a retracting position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

(2) FIGS. 1a-1b schematically shows a crew rest area according to an embodiment,

(3) FIGS. 2a-2b schematically shows a crew rest area according to an alternative embodiment,

(4) FIGS. 3a-3d schematically show further embodiments, and

(5) FIGS. 4a-4f schematically show further embodiments.

(6) The figures are meant for illustrative purposes only, and do not serve as restriction of the scope or the protection as laid down by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(7) The figures schematically show different embodiments of a magnetic curtain 30 for use in a sleeping room or crew rest area 1 inside an aircraft. Such crew rest areas 1 comprise one or more resting places or bunks 10 comprising a bed for a crew member. each bed can be accessed by an opening 20, which can be closed by the curtain 30.

(8) The curtain 30 comprises a hanging portion hanging from a curtain rail and comprises one or more magnetic curtain elements 31 along the lower edge of the curtain 30. The magnetic curtain elements 31 may be formed by one or more ferromagnetic elements or by one or more active magnetic elements.

(9) The magnetic curtain elements 31 are integrated in the hanging portion, for instance inside the fabric forming the curtain 30 or positioned in a hemmed portion of the curtain 30.

(10) The curtain 30 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a-1b is formed by a plurality of vertical strips or vertical blinds 34. The curtain 30 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a-2b is formed by a piece of fabric, which may be pleated to fold away nicely.

(11) For all embodiments in which the magnetic curtain element 31 are active magnetic elements, the magnetic curtain elements 31 may be positioned and orientated such that the magnetic curtain elements 31 are attracted towards each other in the retracted position, to ensure that the curtain folds away neatly. The magnetic curtain elements 31 may for instance be alternately orientated with respect to their nearest neighbouring magnetic curtain elements 31.

(12) When the curtains are closed, the magnetic curtain elements 31 interact and connect to one or more magnetic opening elements 21 provided along a lower edge of the opening 20. The curtain 30 closes the bunk off from light and sound.

(13) It will be understood that many combinations of magnetic elements 31 can be used, which will be further explained with reference to FIGS. 4a-4f.

(14) The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a-1b shows a curtain comprising a plurality of vertical strips 34 comprising magnetic curtain elements 31 along their lower edges. According to the embodiment shown, each vertical strips 34 comprises two magnetic curtain elements 31, but of course, any other suitable number may be provided instead, including one. The magnetic curtain elements 31 may be active magnets, but may also be passive magnets, such as a ferromagnetic material. In this latter case, the magnetic opening elements 21 are active magnetic elements. The lower parts of the vertical strips 34 may be connected to each other by a wire 35 or the like.

(15) When in the retracted position, the plurality of vertical strips 34 have their surfaces orientated parallel and against each other. Depending on the type of curtain, the vertical strips 34 may be orientated in a zigzag or /\/\/\ orientation or in a fishbone or ////// orientation. The orientation of the magnetic curtain elements 31 may be adapted to this, to ensure that the magnetic curtain elements 31 are attracted by their neighboring magnetic curtain elements 31 in the retracted position.

(16) FIGS. 2a-2b show an alternative embodiment, wherein the curtain 30 is formed by a piece of fabric comprising a plurality of vertical, alternating folds 32 creating a plurality of pleats 36, each pleat comprising two pleat portions. In the retracted position, the curtain 30 will be orientated in a zigzag or /\/\/\ orientation. The position and the orientation of the magnetic curtain elements 31 may be adapted to this, to ensure that the magnetic curtain elements 31 are attracted by their neighboring magnetic curtain elements 31 in the retracted position.

(17) Although the embodiments shown show magnetic curtain elements 31 being present in each pleat portion or vertical strip, it will be understood that this may not necessarily be the case, and that for instance, magnetic curtain elements 31 may be present every 2, 3, 4 . . . etc. pleat portion or vertical strip.

(18) In both embodiments, at least one magnetic opening element 21 may be provided along the lower edge of the opening 20 at a height which matches the height of the at least one magnetic curtain element 31 and at a vertical position and interspacing such that the magnetic curtain and openings elements 31, 21 are in each other working sphere and are attracted towards each other in the closed position of the curtain 30.

(19) In case both the magnetic curtain elements 31 and magnetic opening elements 21 are active, their orientation may be chosen such that they attract each other. In case one of the at least one magnetic curtain elements 31 and magnetic opening elements 21 is a passive magnetic element, the orientation of the other of the at least one magnetic curtain elements 31 and magnetic opening elements 21 can be chosen freely.

(20) According to an embodiment, the magnetic curtain elements 31 or the magnetic opening elements 21 may be provided by electromagnets which can be switched on and off.

(21) FIGS. 3a-3d show examples of different orientations of magnetic curtain elements 31. Although these figures show a curtain formed by a plurality of vertical strips, it will be understood that the examples shown in FIGS. 3a-3c may be applied to a pleated curtain (as described above with reference to FIGS. 2a-2b) as well.

(22) FIG. 3a shows an example wherein the north-south orientation of the magnetic curtain elements 31 is perpendicular to the surface of the curtain. Each vertical strip 34 (or pleat portion) comprises two alternating orientated magnetic curtain elements 31. The orientation of the magnetic curtain elements 31 is similar in each vertical strips 34 (or pleat portions).

(23) FIG. 3b shows an example wherein the north-south orientation of the magnetic curtain elements 31 is perpendicular to the surface of the curtain. Each vertical strip 34 (or pleat portion) comprises one magnetic curtain elements 31. The orientation of the magnetic curtain elements 31 is opposite in neighbouring vertical strips 34 (or pleat portions).

(24) FIG. 3c shows an example wherein the north-south orientation of the magnetic curtain elements 31 is parallel to the lower edge of the curtain 30. Each vertical strip 34 (or pleat portion) comprises one magnetic curtain element 31. The orientation of the magnetic curtain elements 31 is similar in neighbouring vertical strips 34 (or pleat portions).

(25) The embodiments of FIGS. 3a-3c are in particular for curtains which fold away in a zigzag or /\/\/\ orientation.

(26) The embodiment shown in FIG. 3d relates in particular to an embodiment wherein the curtain folds away in a fishbone or ////// orientation and thus in particular to a curtain comprising vertical strips 34. FIG. 3d shows an example wherein the north-south orientation of the magnetic curtain elements 31 is parallel to the lower edge of the curtain 30. Each vertical strip 34 (or pleat portion) comprises one magnetic curtain element 31. The orientation of the magnetic curtain elements 31 is opposite in neighbouring vertical strips 34.

(27) It will be understood that many variations can be conceived and that the examples of FIGS. 3a-3d are just provided by way of example.

(28) FIGS. 4a-4f show different examples of combinations of magnetic curtain elements 31 and magnetic opening elements 21. These figures show a cross sectional top view of part of the curtain 30 next to the magnetic opening elements 21. Although these figures show a pleated curtain (as described above with reference to FIGS. 1a-1b), it will be understood that the examples shown in FIGS. 4a-4f may be applied to a curtain formed by a plurality of vertical strips (as described above with reference to FIGS. 1a-1b) as well.

(29) FIG. 4a shows a single pleat with two pleat portions 361 formed by a fold 32 of the curtain 30, wherein each pleat portion comprises a magnetic curtain element 31 with its north-south orientation parallel to the surface of the curtain 30. The orientation of neighboring magnetic curtain elements 31 are similar. The magnetic opening elements 21 are orientated with their north-south orientation parallel to the lower edge of the opening 20 and are positioned such that their north and south poles match the position of the south and north poles of the magnetic curtain elements 31 when the curtain is in the closed position.

(30) FIGS. 4b and 4c shows a single pleat with two pleat portions 361 formed by a fold 32 of the curtain 30, wherein the magnetic curtain elements 31 are formed by one or more passive magnetic elements 311, such as ferromagnetic elements. The magnetic opening elements 21 are active magnetic elements, such as permanent magnets, with their north-south orientation parallel to the lower edge of the opening 20 (FIG. 4b) or with their north-south orientation perpendicular in a direction perpendicular to the lower edge of the opening 20 and directed towards the curtain 30 (FIG. 4c).

(31) FIG. 4d shows a single pleat with two pleat portions 361 formed by a fold 32 of the curtain 30, wherein each pleat portion comprises a magnetic curtain element 31 formed by permanent magnets, with their north-south orientation in any desired direction, for instance parallel to the surface of the curtain 30 (as shown). The magnetic opening elements 21 are formed by a passive magnetic opening elements 211 (such as ferromagnetic elements as shown in FIG. 4d) or formed by electromagnetic elements (not shown).

(32) FIG. 4e shows a single pleat with two pleat portions 361 formed by a fold 32 of the curtain 30, wherein the magnetic curtain elements 31 are formed by passive magnets 311, such as ferromagnetic elements and the magnetic curtain elements 21 are formed by one or more electromagnets 212.

(33) FIG. 4f shows a single pleat with two pleat portions 361 formed by a fold 32 of the curtain 30, wherein the magnetic curtain elements 31 are formed by electromagnets 312 and the magnetic curtain elements 21 are formed by passive magnetic elements 211.

(34) The skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure is not limited to crew rest areas in airplanes as described above, but also may relate to an access or passage area on board of a vehicle in particular of an airplane in which the access or passage area comprises an opening that provides an access or passage to a neighboring space in the vehicle wherein the access or passage area comprises a curtain arranged to be drawn in a closed position in which the curtain covers the opening and in a retracted position that leaves the opening at least partially uncovered, wherein the curtain comprises at least one magnetic curtain element provided along a lower edge of the curtain and the access or passage area comprises at least one magnetic opening element positioned along a lower edge of the opening, which at least one magnetic opening element and at least one magnetic curtain element are arranged to attract each other when the curtain is in the closed position.

(35) The access or passage area may be a closeable separation of a compartment in the vehicle, in which the curtain is arranged in a closed position to cover the access or passage to said compartment.

(36) The separation may be used as described above to cover a crew rest area but may also be used in relation to a passenger compartment, or a galley compartment.

(37) The descriptions above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that alternative and equivalent embodiments of the disclosure can be conceived and reduced to practice, without departing from the scope of the claims set out below.