SEAT SYSTEM FOR A CABIN OF A TRANSPORTATION MEANS WITH A COMPACTABLE SEAT ROW

Abstract

A seat system for a cabin of a transportation system includes a first seat unit, a second seat unit, and a rail system attachable to a floor of the cabin, having two rails that run parallel to each other, for receiving the seat units on selective positions. A line-up of a plurality of first seat units and at least one second seat unit on the rail system constitutes a seat arrangement. The first seat unit includes a seat frame having a seat cushion and a back cushion. The second seat unit includes a seat frame having a foldable seat cushion and a back cushion. The second seat frame includes two forward seat legs supported on two auxiliary rail segments that are arranged between the rails in a region. The forward seat legs are guidable underneath the seat cushion of a first seat unit arranged in front of it.

Claims

1. A seat system for a cabin of a transportation system, the seat system comprising: at least one first seat unit; at least one second seat unit; and a rail system attachable to a floor of the cabin having two rails that run parallel to each other, to receive the at least one first seat unit and the at least one second seat unit on selective positions; wherein a line-up of a plurality of first seat units and at least one second seat unit on the rail system constitutes a seat arrangement in the cabin; wherein each of the at least one first seat unit comprises a first seat frame having a seat cushion and a back cushion; wherein each of the at least one second seat unit comprises a second seat frame having a foldable seat cushion and a back cushion; and wherein the second seat frame comprises two distanced forward seat legs supported on two auxiliary rail segments that are arranged between the rails at least in a region, wherein the forward seat legs are, at least in a region, guidable underneath the seat cushion of a first seat unit arranged in front of it.

2. The seat system according to claim 1, wherein: each second seat unit comprises two rear holding devices, two forward holding devices and the two auxiliary rail segments; the rear holding devices are fastenable on the rails and are each designed for supporting a rear seat leg of the second seat frame; in each case, one auxiliary rail segment is supported on a rear holding device so as to be movable parallel to the rails each and carries a forward holding device at an end opposed to the rear holding devices; and the forward holding devices are each adapted for supporting a forward seat leg of the second seat frame.

3. The seat system according to claim 2, wherein each second seat unit furthermore comprises two forward supporting devices, which are each connected with the rail and are each adapted for supporting an auxiliary rail segment guided parallel to the rails.

4. The seat system according to claim 3, wherein the forward support devices are rigidly connected through a strut that extends transverse to the rails or the auxiliary rail segments, respectively.

5. The seat system according to claim 3, wherein the forward support devices are adapted for supporting the auxiliary rail segments to be displaceable in a permanently unblocked manner.

6. The seat system according to claim 3, wherein each second seat unit is configured to hold a support strut between a rear seat leg and a forward support device or an auxiliary rail segment of the same side each, when the forward support devices are shifted to the rear holding devices.

7. The seat system according to claim 3, wherein each second seat unit comprises two connecting struts, which each extend from a forward support device to a side facing away from the rear holding device of the same second seat unit along an associated rail and are designed to be connected with a rear holding device of a first seat unit arranged in front of it in a defined distance.

8. The seat system according to claim 7, wherein the connecting struts comprise as rail covers.

9. The seat system according to claim 3, wherein the forward support devices of a second seat unit are connected with rear holding devices of a first seat unit arranged in front of it in such a way, that they are movable in direction to the first unit, if the seat cushion of the second seat unit is folded up, only about such a way, that the folded up seat cushion does not touch the backrest of the first seat unit.

10. The seat system according to claim 1, wherein the second seat frame is movable underneath the first seat frame about a distance in a range of 1 inch to 12 inches, and in a range of 2 inches to 6 inches with folded up seat cushion.

11. A cabin of a transportation system comprising a seat arrangement, the seat arrangement created by a seat system comprising: a plurality of first seat units; at least one second seat unit; and a rail system attachable to a floor of the cabin having two rails that run parallel to each other, for an arrestable receiving of the plurality of first seat units and the at least one second seat unit on selective positions; wherein each first seat unit comprises a first seat frame having a seat cushion as well as a back cushion; wherein each second seat unit comprises a second seat frame having a seat cushion being foldable up as well as a back cushion; and wherein the second seat frame comprises two distanced forward seat legs, which are supported on two auxiliary rail segments that are arranged between the rails at least in a region, which forward seat legs are, at least in a region, guidable underneath the seat cushion of a first seat unit arranged in front of it.

12. The cabin according to claim 11, wherein: the seat arrangement comprises at least one group with a plurality of first seat units as well as an additional second seat unit; the first seat units are arranged one behind each other on the rails; and the second seat unit is arranged behind the group of first seat units.

13. The cabin according to claim 12, wherein at least one first seat unit is arranged behind the second seat unit.

14. The cabin according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of groups of first seat units are arranged in the cabin, and wherein behind each group a second seat unit is arranged.

15. An aircraft, comprising a cabin, the cabin including a seat system comprising: a plurality of first seat units; at least one second seat unit; and a rail system attachable to a floor of the cabin having two rails that run parallel to each other, for an arrestable receiving of the plurality of first seat units and the at least one second seat unit on selective positions; wherein each first seat unit comprises a first seat frame having a seat cushion as well as a back cushion; wherein each second seat unit comprises a second seat frame having a seat cushion being foldable up as well as a back cushion; and wherein the second seat frame comprises two distanced forward seat legs, which are supported on two auxiliary rail segments that are arranged between the rails at least in a region, which forward seat legs are, at least in a region, guidable underneath the seat cushion of a first seat unit arranged in front of it.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Other characteristics, advantages and potential applications of the disclosed subject matter result from the following description of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. Furthermore, identical or similar objects are identified by the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0037] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a seat arrangement created by a seat system 2 in two different configurations.

[0038] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a detail of a second seat unit in two different configurations.

[0039] FIGS. 5 and 6 show the configurations of FIGS. 1 and 2 in three-dimensional views.

[0040] FIG. 7 shows the one first seat unit and a second seat unit in two different configurations and the associated components fastened at the rails schematically.

[0041] FIG. 8 shows an aircraft having a cabin and a seat arrangement positioned therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The following detailed description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the embodiments of the subject matter or the application and uses of such embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a seat system 2 in a cabin 4 of a transportation system having a floor 6, on which a rail system 8 having rails 10 is arranged. Three first seat units 12 are arranged on the rail system 8 and in each case constitute a passenger seat or a passenger seat row, respectively, on a first seat frame 14. The first seat unit 12 furthermore comprises a seat cushion 16, which exemplarily is not foldable, as well as a swivable back cushion 18.

[0044] In addition to the three first seat units 12, a second seat unit 20 is present, which is arranged between both rear first seat units 12 and comprises a seat cushion 22, which is foldable up and shown in a folded up state, a back cushion 24 and a second seat frame 26. In the illustration of FIG. 1, the first seat unit 20 is strongly compacted through the folded up seat cushion 22 and is able to assume the position shown in FIG. 1, at which the forward seat legs 28 extend underneath the seat cushion 16 of the first seat unit 12 positioned in front of it. Here, the folded up seat cushion 22 is placed directly behind the backrest 18. Resultantly, in cabin 4 an installation space of at least about 9 to 19 inch is released, which may be utilized by first seat units 12 for increasing the respective seat distances 30.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows the same seat system 2 at which the second seat unit 20 is not compacted, but shown with folded down seat surface 22. Here, the second seat unit 20 is virtually not to be differentiated from a second seat unit 12, also seat units 12 or 20, respectively, provide a normal seat; however, the achievable seat distances 32 are slightly smaller than the seat distance 30 in FIG. 1 altogether.

[0046] Consequently, for a quick reconfiguration of a cabin 4, a second seat unit 20 may be compacted, through folding the seat cushion 22 into a vertical position, after which the second seat unit 20 is moved close to a first seat unit 20 arranged in front of it and the resulting free installation space may be utilized by increasing the seat distances of all first seat units 12. It is to be understood, that the unit comprising the first seat unit 12 and second seat unit 20 may also be displaced altogether. As FIG. 1 clearly shows, the second seat frame 26 may even reach underneath the first seat cushion 16. The functional principle for ensuring this function is shown in the following figures.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a detail of the seat system 2 in form of a sub-structure for a second seat unit 20. In a partial sectional view the two rails 10, which run parallel to each other, are shown, which rails 10 are exemplarily oriented parallel to a longitudinal direction x of the cabin 4. In the case shown, the rails 10 are realized in the form of so-called gliding rails, which comprise a profile cross-section having an undercut and are equipped with raster openings 34 at a top side. Two rear holding devices 36 are arranged on the rails 10, which comprise a recess fitting to the profile cross-section of the rail 10 and are glidingly supported thereon. Latching devices, components, or elements, which are not illustrated, may engage with the raster openings 34 of the rail 10 in order to fixate the position of the respective rear holding device 36 on the rail 10. Through the use of a gliding rail with a profile cross-section having an undercut, a lifting-off of the rear holding devices 36 may be prevented such that an engagement with raster openings 34 is sufficient to achieve a secure fixation of the object connected therewith.

[0048] In each case, an auxiliary rail segment 38 is arranged at the rear holding devices 36, which auxiliary rail segment extends parallel to the respective adjacent rail 10. Consequently, two auxiliary rail segments 38 are present between the rails 10. In each case these comprise a forward holding device 40, which is adapted for supporting a forward seat leg 28 of the second seat frame 26. For this, exemplarily a flange 42 is indicated, which may be arranged in the same way on the rear holding devices 36. The position of the flanges 42 at the forward holding devices 40 however leads to a lesser distance as at the rear holding devices 36.

[0049] For an additional support of the auxiliary rail segments 38, two forward support devices 44 are arranged at the rails 10, on which an auxiliary rail segment 38 is glidingly supported in each case. Preferably, the forward support devices 44 are adapted for always supporting the auxiliary rail segments 38 in a gliding manner without blocking, such that a force introduction in x-direction of the second seat unit 20 is accomplished exclusively over the rear holding devices 36 into the rail 10. The forward holding devices 40 exclusively serve for absorbing and introducing forces in directions perpendicular thereto, i.e. in y- and z-direction. It is to be understood that this constellation may also be possible vice versa in that the rear holding devices 36 merely introduce forces in y- and z-direction into the rail 10, while exclusively the front holding devices 40 introduce forces in x-direction into the rail 10. This may depend on the type of the seat realized by the seat system.

[0050] Both forward support devices 44 are further connected to each other by way of a transverse strut 46, which runs transverse to the rails 10 or the auxiliary rail segments 38, respectively. Thereby, in particular during displacement of the forward support devices 44, it may be ensured that both support devices 44 always comprise the same relative position to the rear holding devices 36 and that a skewing, canting or bending of the auxiliary rail segments 38 does not occur.

[0051] The position in FIG. 3 is equal to the position of the second seat unit 20 in FIG. 2, at which the seat surface 22 is folded down and the second seat unit 20 consequently acts as a usual passenger seat.

[0052] In FIG. 4, a slightly changed positioning of the elements to each other is illustrated. This is equivalent to a compacted position of the second seat unit 20, as shown in FIG. 1. The forward support devices 44 are moved to the rear holding devices 36, such that the forward holding devices 40 are spatially placed relatively freely. If forward seat legs 28 of the second seat unit 20 are arranged thereon, these may reach underneath the seat cushion 16 or a first seat frame 14 of a first seat unit 12, respectively. This is possible, since the clearance of the two forward holding devices 40 is smaller than the clearance between the rails 10, on which the rear seat legs of a first seat unit 12 arranged in front of it are placed. Hence, if a second seat unit 20 with a folded up seat cushion 22 is moved close to a first seat unit 12, the forward support devices 44 are urged to the rear holding devices 36 and the forward holding devices 40 may reach underneath the seat cushion 16 of a first seat unit 12. Different than the illustration in FIG. 4, also the forward support devices 40 may be moved flushly onto the rear holding devices 36.

[0053] In a three-dimensional illustration, FIGS. 5 and 6 shown, which orientations the seat units 12 and 20 assume with the components being positioned according to FIGS. 3 and 4. The illustration in FIG. 5 correlates to the orientation of the components from FIG. 3. The second seat unit 20 is exemplarily shown as a seat row having three passenger seats, which are created abreast on the second seat frame 26. Rear seat legs 48 are arranged on the rear holding devices 36, while the forward seat legs 28 are arranged on the forward holding devices 40. Additionally, a support strut 50 extends from the rear seat leg 48 to an auxiliary rail segment 38 for an additional support of the rear seat leg 26 at the forward support device 40, if this is moved rearwards to the rear holding device 36. The support strut 50 may merely rest on the forward support device 44 or the auxiliary rail segment 38.

[0054] In FIG. 6, the second seat unit 20 is shown with folded up seat cushions 22, wherein the forward support devices 44 are moved in direction of the rear holding devices 36, create a surface contact with the support strut 50 there and, resultantly, the second seat unit 20 is very compact. Exemplarily, the forward support devices 40 are in surface contact with rear holding devices 52 of a first seat unit 12 arranged in front of it. Moving a first seat unit 12 to the compacted second seat unit 20 or pushing the second seat unit 20 onto the first seat unit 12 consequently leads to a reduced resting surface of the second seat frame 26 and to a clear increase of available installation space in the cabin.

[0055] FIG. 7 shows the whole arrangement again schematically with a block-based view of the components mounted on the rails 10. A forward first seat unit 12 is hereby shifted to a compacted second seat unit 20 rearwards. In the left part of the view of FIG. 7, the first seat unit 12 and the second seat unit 20 create a usual arrangement of seats arranged one behind the other, while in the right part, a compacting is shown.

[0056] Underneath these arrangements, the mounting of the first seat unit 12 on the rails 10 is shown on the left side. Forward holding devices 54 for receiving forward seat legs 56 of a first seat unit 12 always comprise the same distance to the rear holding devices 52, which are connected to rear seat legs 58 of the first seat unit 12. Also, the distance between the rear holding devices 36 and the forward holding devices 40 of the second seat unit 20 are constant. If the first seat unit 12 is moved onto a compacted second seat unit 20, the rear holding devices 52 of the first seat unit 12 urge the forward support devices 44 in direction of the rear holding devices 36. The forward holding devices 40 then stand freely underneath the seat cushion 16 of the first seat unit 12.

[0057] In addition, for achieving a predetermined distance between the rear holding devices 52 and the forward support devices 44, e.g. for ensuring a sufficient movability of a backrest 18, a connecting strut 60 may be used, with which the rear holding devices 52 and the forward support devices 44 are connected. Since these connecting struts 60 virtually do not have to absorb a mechanical load, these may be realized in form of rail covers. They comprise a fixed length, allow a quicker changing configuration of the seating and at the same time fulfill the function of a rail cover.

[0058] With seat units 12 and 20 moved to each other, the support struts 50 may assume a surface contact with the forward support devices 44, such that a certain support in z-direction may be accomplished.

[0059] Finally, FIG. 8 shows an aircraft 62, which is equipped with a cabin 4, in which a seat arrangement created by the seat system 2 is present.

[0060] In addition, it should be pointed out that “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and “a” or “an” does not exclude a plural number. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that characteristics or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference characters in the claims are not to be interpreted as limitations.

[0061] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claimed subject matter in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the described embodiment or embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope defined by the claims, which includes known equivalents and foreseeable equivalents at the time of filing this patent application.