SEAT ASSEMBLY FOR AIRCRAFT

Abstract

A seat assembly for an aircraft cabin, wherein the seat assembly includes, in a same row a first seat, and a second seat, and a storage compartment disposed in an adjacent manner between the first and second seats. The storage compartment is sized to accommodate luggage of a passenger in either or both of the first and second seats.

Claims

1. A seat assembly for an aircraft cabin, wherein the seat assembly comprises, in a same row: a first seat, and a second seat, and a storage compartment disposed in an adjacent manner between said first and second seats.

2. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat assembly comprises a support structure, the first and the second seat being affixed to the support structure, and the storage compartment being installed upon the support structure.

3. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the storage compartment is installed directly upon the support structure.

4. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat assembly comprises an additional seat between the first and the second seat, and wherein the storage compartment is disposed upon said additional seat, supported upon the same.

5. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is alternated a seat and a storage compartment for any number of seats.

6. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage compartment comprises a dividing screen in an upper part thereof.

7. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first seat or the second seat is disposed at an extremity of the seat assembly and comprises a headrest and a side screen disposed at a height of the headrest.

8. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage compartment comprises means of affixation to be secured in a removable manner upon the seat assembly.

9. A seat assembly as claimed in the claim 2, wherein said first and second seats are secured to bars of the support structure.

10. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage compartment comprises means of retention configured to secure at least one item of hand luggage within an interior thereof.

11. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means of retention comprise at least one lockable door.

12. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the storage compartment is compartmentalized into two spaces, wherein each space comprises a lockable door independent of the other lockable door.

13. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the storage compartment is compartmentalized into two spaces, wherein both spaces share a same lockable door.

14. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage compartment is accessible solely from the first seat or the second seat.

15. An aircraft cabin comprising a seat assembly as claimed in claim 1.

16. An aircraft cabin as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cabin is of a single aisle and is provided, in an economy section thereof, with at least three seats at one side of the aisle, wherein at least one group of three seats comprises the seat assembly.

17. An aircraft cabin as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cabin is of twin aisle forming three columns of seats and is provided, in an economy section thereof, with at least three seats at one side of the aisle, wherein the at least one group of three seats comprises the seat assembly.

18. An aircraft cabin as claimed in claim 16, wherein in at least two continuous rows of the same column in a longitudinal direction of the cabin, at least two groups of three seats comprise the seat assemblies.

19. An aircraft comprising an aircraft cabin as claimed in claim 15.

20. An aircraft as claimed in claim 19, wherein the aircraft is of passenger transport type, and wherein at least part of a cargo hold is configured for transport of merchandise.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] These and other characteristics and advantages of the invention shall be set out more clearly on the basis of the following detailed description of a preferred manner of embodiment, provided solely on the basis of an illustrative and non-limitative example making reference to the accompanying figures.

[0077] FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of a support structure for the seat assembly according to the invention.

[0078] FIG. 2 shows an example of embodiment of a seat assembly according to the invention.

[0079] FIG. 3a shows an example of embodiment of an aircraft cabin in economy class configuration according to the invention.

[0080] FIG. 3b shows a cross-sectional view of the cabin of FIG. 3a in order to illustrate the disposition of the passenger seated in a seat assembly according to the present invention, together with the luggage thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0081] A person skilled in the art will be capable of identifying that the aspects and details herein described are realizable in the form of a seat assembly (1), of an aircraft cabin (10), or of an aircraft as such.

[0082] The present invention, according to the first inventive aspect, is a seat assembly (1) for an aircraft, characterized in that the seat assembly comprises, in a same row:

[0083] a first seat (2), and a second seat (3), and

[0084] a storage compartment (4) disposed in an adjacent manner between the first (2) and second (3) seats.

[0085] FIG. 1 shows a support structure (5) for the seat assembly (1) according to the invention. In particular, there may be appreciated a chassis formed by bars (5.2) and tubes (5.1) conferring rigidity upon the structure. For example, it may be observed that the structure is formed by two tubes (5.1) disposed longitudinally at the height of the seat (5.3) and several transverse bars (5.2) to confer rigidity.

[0086] There may also be observed the support legs (5.4) upon the floor of the cabin and the seat skeleton (5.3) lacking the padded zone. There exists a basic structure supporting and maintaining in position a seat platform and a back extending until forming the headrest. For illustrative reasons, solely one seat skeleton is shown in the central position, however it could equally be in the outermost positions.

[0087] In addition, although not shown, this structure (5) comprises a mechanism of connection/disconnection, normally of standard type, permitting the installation and deinstallation thereof in the cabin (10).

[0088] FIG. 2 shows an example of an embodiment of a seat assembly (1) according to the invention. The seat assembly (1) comprises:

[0089] a support structure (5) configured to support at least three economy class seats,

[0090] the first (2) and the second (3) seats installed upon the support structure (5), and

[0091] a storage compartment (4) installed upon the support structure.

[0092] As may be appreciated, the storage compartment (4) has been installed in the intermediate space provided for an additional economy class seat, specifically it is implemented upon the additional central seat, being supported upon the same. Consequently, the storage compartment disposes of the same space previously available to the passenger seated in that seat.

[0093] As has already been stated, this central seat or support may be narrowed or widened to change the space available for the compartment, transferring it to or removing it from any of the lateral seats (or to/from both thereof at the same time), according to policies of the company. In this manner, more spacious seats may be offered including an on board personal locker, for example.

[0094] The compartment (4) shown is compartmentalized into two spaces, one lower (4.2) and another upper (4.1), each thereof presenting a lockable sliding door independent of the other. In this manner, the right-hand seat disposes of the upper part and the left-hand seat of the lower part. Although not observable in the figure, each of the doors is slidable in a vertical sense, that is to say, in a downwards direction. However, it is observable in the side visible from that perspective how the sliding door is displaced slightly downwards, in addition to the handle permitting the operation of the door by the passenger being observed.

[0095] Furthermore, the spaces are compartmentalized by means of a shelf whereupon the upper luggage may be supported. Similarly, compartmentations may be offered in the vertical sense, separating the spaces in terms of “left and right” or “front and rear”.

[0096] A checked suitcase is also shown at the foot of the seat assembly for the purposes of picturing the dimensions of the compartment. This suitcase shown has a height of 60 cm and could be accommodated in the compartment (4), for example in the lower space (4.2).

[0097] Preferably, the compartment (4) has a shape substantially that of a rectangular prism of dimensions of at least 43×40×60 cm (width between seats, depth of seat, height).

[0098] In addition, in this embodiment the seat assembly (1) comprises means to prevent the airborne propagation of diseases. In this manner, the compartment (4) comprises a dividing panel (6) in the upper part thereof to physically separate the passengers seated in the same seat assembly (1). Although not shown in FIG. 2 for illustrative reasons, this dividing panel (6) is shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b.

[0099] As may be observed, in this embodiment the economy class seat (3) planned to be situated proximate to the aisle (12) in the aircraft cabin, additionally comprises a side screen (7) separating the seat (3) at the height of the headrest thereof (3.1) from the aisle (12). A third screen (8) occupies at least an upper zone of the economy class seats (2, 3). In this figure, the rear screen (8) occupies the entirety of the rear part of the seat assembly (1), however it could be divided into two or more parts, one for each seat (2, 3).

[0100] The screens are preferably manufactured from a transparent plastic material having properties compatible with the requirements of aircraft certification such as, for example, polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate.

[0101] The first seat (2), in turn, is situated proximate to a window (11) of the cabin (10).

[0102] In order to illuminate the cubicle formed by the set of screens (6, 7, 8) the rear screen (8) furthermore comprises a frame having at least one light (9) configured to illuminate substantially the zone of the seat (2, 3). The light may be fixed or directable, or both may coexist.

[0103] Through incorporating all the elements thereof into the seat assembly (1) itself, it is understood that the invention is readily implementable in the present models of cabin (10).

[0104] Apart from the physical distancing measures, the seat assembly is configured to accommodate disposable sanitizing material such as, for example, toilet paper, and/or hydroalcoholic gel, and/or facemask (such as of surgical type or a cloth facemask), and/or gloves of latex, vinyl, or nitrile. This sanitizing material may be provided sterilized in the form of an individual personal kit within a sealed bag.

[0105] This bag may be distributed or replaced by the cabin crew prior to each flight by means of refilling a pocket of the seat assembly (1) capable of holding it.

[0106] Although not observed for illustrative reasons, the luggage storage compartment (4) may also comprise a label bearing explanations and directions of a hygiene nature. This label may contain the hygiene regulations of the company operating the aircraft in respect of the use of the sanitizing material being provided and/or practices recommended by national or international health authorities, such as the World Health Organization.

[0107] Below, there shall be described an aircraft cabin (10) in economy class configuration, as may be appreciated in FIGS. 3a and 3b. The cabin (10) comprises at least one seat assembly (1) according to that described in relation to FIG. 2.

[0108] A person skilled in the art will understand that the seat assembly (1) is not exclusive, but preferred, to the aeronautical environment, and could equally be applied to any other cabin of vehicles using this type of seat assemblies.

[0109] Returning to FIG. 3a, the cabin shown represents a portion of an economy class of a single aisle aircraft. Consequently, in the part shown the seats are organized into two columns each thereof having three rows, although the cabin may have more rows.

[0110] By having illustrated solely one seat assembly (1) according to the present invention in relation to the 6 shown (1, 13), the dimensions thereof may be compared to the customary standard (13). Consequently, it is observed that the compartment of the seat assembly (1) disposes of the same space as the central seat of any of the other standard seat assemblies (13).

[0111] Should the use of the seat assembly (1) according to the invention be extended to the contiguous rows, the luggage storage space (4) could:

[0112] either be disposed in an alternate manner in each row, that is to say, in front of or behind an economy class seat (2, 3) there may be situated a luggage storage space (4), or

[0113] be disposed in the same position, that is to say, in front of or behind a luggage storage space (4) there may be situated the luggage storage space (4) of the corresponding seat assembly thereof.

[0114] Equally, these configurations may be combined in a given cabin (10) in order to ensure the uniform distribution of weight or even to group/disperse passengers on the same fare within the cabin.

[0115] FIG. 3b permits visualizing the cubicle formed by the panels (6, 7, 8) and the useful space per passenger. It can be confirmed that the passenger is protected from those seated behind or alongside the same in the same seat assembly (1).

[0116] In FIGS. 3a and 3b one of the walls of the compartment (4) has been suppressed in order to visualize the internal space and verify the ability thereof to accommodate one or more items of hand luggage. Consequently, as previously stated, the passenger is enabled to carry on board therewith, and look after at all times during the flight, the luggage thereof, offering the tranquility of it not being touched by third parties. In addition, this avoids crowds at the points of luggage check-in and reclaim and permits boarding and disembarking from the aircraft more rapidly.

[0117] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms “a” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.