Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1
AN AIRCRAFT CABIN INTERIOR LAYOUT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns an aircraft cabin interior layout.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The scope of the present invention is the interior layout of aircrafts
intended for passenger transportation and more especially aircrafts exploited
commercially by airlines. In such an aircraft, every passenger is provided
with a seat
but according to the class in which this seat is located the comfort of this
seat is more or
less. For instance, some aircrafts include three classes commonly called
economic
class, business class and first class.
Generally, for all classes of comfort, seats are arranged, in tows
transverse in relation to the airplane axis (or the airplane moving direction)
as well as in
longitudinal columns.
To make their airplane fleets profitable, airlines have a double concern.
They wish, on the one hand, to have the largest number possible of passengers
travel in
a given space (the aircraft cabin) and on the other hand they wish to satisfy
and win
their customers over by offering them the best possible performances in terms
of
comfort and space. Several documents, such as for example WO-03/053735 and FR-
2
843 730, have proposed aircraft cabin interior layout optimizing the available
space in
such cabin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In at least one aspect, the present invention concerns more specifically
the business class and first class compartments in which passengers may travel
in lying
position. Document EP-1 364 874 reveals an individual module for aircraft
passenger
that, combined with others similar modules, permits to occupy in an optimized
way the
available space in an aircraft cabin while conforming to technical constraints
imposed
by aeronautic norms. Figures of this document show combinations of modules
permitting to fit a large number of passengers in a cabin. However, in the
proposed
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2
layout, some seats are oriented in the moving direction of the aircraft while
of others
are oriented in the opposite direction.
As such, it is an object of at lest one aspect of the present invention to
provide an aircraft cabin layout permitting to fit a maximum number of
passengers in a
given space, all seats destined to accept passengers in this layout being
oriented in the
same direction.
To this effect it proposes a set of aircraft seats intended to equip an
aircraft cabin, including at least two columns of neighboring seat, the seats
being
arranged one behind another in each of the seat columns and every seat being
convertible into berth in order to present an appreciably stretched out
bedding surface.
Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention, each seat when converted
into berth presents a first bedding part and at least a second bedding part
less broad than
the first part; in two adjacent columns, seats are arranged in a staggered
manner, such
that the first part of a seat from one column is placed opposite to a second
narrower part
of a seat from the second column.
This staggered seats disposition, combined with seats not presenting,
once converted into berth, a constant width, fits a larger number of seats in
a given
space without downgrading the comfort of the passengers. The part with the
larger
width of the seat converted into berth is preferably intended for receiving a
passenger's
torso while the narrower parts of the berth receive notably the passenger's
head and
legs. The bedding surface is not necessarily plane. The seat of concern here
can be a
reclining seat not forming an appreciably horizontal bedding surface in its
"most
reclined" position.
An advantageous form of realization provides that each seat, when
converted into berth, presents an appreciably straight longitudinal side. Such
seats may
hence be adjusted to form columns either along a passageway or along a cabin
wall. In
this form of realization, the set of aircraft seats according to the invention
include, for
example, at least two types of seats, a first type of seats presenting a
straight
longitudinal side placed to the right of a passenger occupying aforesaid seat
and a
second type of seats presenting a straight longitudinal side placed to the
left of the
passage occupying the same position on this seat. It can be expected then that
the seats
of a same column are for example all of a same type.
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2a
In a first form of realization seats of a same column of seats are spaced
one from another so that when they are converted into berth, the spaces
separating them
is less than about ten centimeters. In that way, the loss of room in the cabin
is
minimized and then a larger number of seats is fitted in a given space.
In another form of realization, seats of a same column of seats are spaced
one from another so that when they are converted into berth, the spaces
separating them
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allow for a passenger's passageway. This configuration may be used notably
when the
set of seats according to the invention are against a cabin wall. Thanks to
the provided
passageways, access to the seats of the seat column set along the cabin wall
is possible
without the passengers occupying these seats close to the wall having to
apologize to the
passengers installed on the other column seats.
In the case where seats of a same column of seats are spaced one from
another, a luggage bin may be arranged between two neighboring seats of this
column.
For example it pertains here to a column of seats set along a cabin wall.
A set of aircraft seats according to the invention includes for example two
columns of seats.
In this case, when seats present a straight longitudinal side, this set of
seats
is delimited for example by a longitudinal passageway and the straight
longitudinal side
of the seats is on the side of aforesaid passageway.
A set of aircraft seats according to the invention may also includes three
columns of seats.
In this case, the seats of a same column of seats are conveniently spaced
one from another so that when they are converted into berth, the spaces
separating them
allow for a passenger's passageway. In this way, it is possible to reach the
central
column of seats without having to apologize to the passengers in the lateral
columns. In
this form of realization, since the free space between seats of the central
column is not
useful for a passenger's passageway, this space is advantageously used for
storage.
A set of three columns of seats provides for example that the seats of each
lateral column of seats are spaced one from another so that when they are
converted into
berth, the spaces separating them allows for a passenger's passageway, and
that the seats
of the central column of seats presents, when they are converted into berth, a
length
greater than the seats length of the lateral columns when they are converted
into berth.
These seats of greater length can then be proposed to large size passengers.
A set of three columns of aircraft seats are preferably delimited
longitudinally by two passageways in order to facilitate the access to all
seats of this
assembly. The seats of the lateral columns then advantageously present an
appreciably
straight longitudinal side on the corresponding passageway side. Such an
assembly can
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present a longitudinal symmetry axis.
In a set of three columns of aircraft seats according to the invention, the
seats of the central column can be staggered longitudinally in relation to the
seats of a
lateral column while they may be aligned with the seats of the other lateral
column. It
is also possible to have the central column seats staggered longitudinally in
relation to
the seats of both lateral columns but with a different stagger.
The present invention also proposes a set of aircraft seats including four
columns of seats.
Such an assembly is made for example of two sets of two columns of
seats as described above.
Seats of a same column of seats of a set of four columns of seats are
preferably spaced one from another so that, when they are converted into
berth, the
spaces separating them allow for a passenger's passageway. In this manner, it
is
possible to reach all seats of this assembly without having to disturb the
already
installed passengers. In such a configuration, the free space left between the
central
columns seats may be used to fit a luggage bin since it is useless for a
passengers'
passageway.
Another form of realization of a four seats assembly provides that the
seats of each lateral column of seats are spaced one from another so that,
when they are
converted into berth, the spaces separating them allows for a passenger's
passageway,
and that the seats of the central columns of seats present, when they are
converted into
berth, a greater length than the length of the lateral column seats when they
are
converted into berth. These central column seats may then welcome passengers
of
larger size.
In a four columns of seats configuration, it may also be provided that
seats of one of the central columns are aligned in relation to the seats of
the other
central columns but are staggered in relation to the seats of the
corresponding lateral
column of seats.
Accordingly, in at least one aspect, the present invention provides set of
aircraft seats intended to equip an aircraft cabin, including at least two
neighboring
columns of seats, the seats being arranged one behind another in each column
of seats
and each seat being convertible into berth in order to present an appreciably
stretched
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out bedding surface, characterized in that each seat, when it is converted
into berth,
presents a first bedding part and at least a second narrower bedding part in
relation to
the first part, in that two neighboring columns seats are arranged in
staggered form, so
that the first part of a seat of a column is facing a second narrower part of
a seat in the
5 second column, in that it includes three columns of seats, in that the seats
of each lateral
column of seats are spaced one from another so that when they are converted
into berth,
the space separating them allows for a passenger's passageway, and that the
seats of the
central column of seats present, when they are converted into berth, a length
greater
than the seats length of the lateral columns when they are converted into
berth.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides set of aircraft seats
intended to equip an aircraft cabin, including at least two neighboring
columns of seats,
the seats being arranged one behind another in each column of seats and each
seat
being convertible into berth in order to present an appreciably stretched out
bedding
surface, characterized in that each seat, when it is converted into berth,
presents a first
bedding part and at least a second narrower bedding part in relation to the
first part, in
that two neighboring columns seats are arranged in staggered form, so that the
first part
of a seat of a column is facing a second narrower part of a seat in the second
column, in
that it includes three columns of seats, in that the seats of the central
column are
staggered longitudinally in relation to the seats of both lateral columns but
with a
different stagger.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides set of aircraft
seats intended to equip an aircraft cabin, including at least two neighboring
columns of
seats, the seats being arranged one behind another in each column of seats and
each seat
being convertible into berth in order to present an appreciably stretched out
bedding
surface, characterized in that each seat, when it is converted into berth,
presents a first
bedding part and at least a second narrower bedding part in relation to the
first part, in
that two neighboring columns seats are arranged in staggered form, so that the
first part
of a seat of a column is facing a second narrower part of a seat in the second
column, in
that it includes four columns of seats, in that the seats of each lateral
column of seats
are spaced one from another so that, when they are converted into berth, the
space
separating them allows for a passenger's passageway, and in that the seats of
the central
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5a
columns of seats present, when they are converted into berth, a length greater
than the
length of the lateral column seats when they are converted into berth.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides set of aircraft seats
intended to equip an aircraft cabin, including at least two neighboring
columns of seats,
the seats being arranged one behind another in each column of seats and each
seat
being convertible into berth in order to present an appreciably stretched out
bedding
surface, characterized in that each seat, when it is converted into berth,
presents a first
bedding part and at least a second narrower bedding part in relation to the
first part, in
that two neighboring columns seats are arranged in staggered form, so that the
first part
of a seat of a column is facing a second narrower part of a seat in the second
column, in
that it includes three columns of seats, in that seats of the central column
are staggered
longitudinally in relation to the seats of a lateral column whereas they are
aligned with
the seats of the other lateral column.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides an arrangement of
aircraft seats for outfitting an aircraft cabin comprising: at least two
columns of
neighboring seats, with the seats arranged one behind the other in each of the
columns
of seats and each seat being convertible into a sleeper so as to present a
stretched out
sleeping surface, wherein all seats of the arrangement are turned in the same
direction,
each seat when converted into a sleeper presents a first sleeping portion and
at least a
second narrower sleeping portion with respect to the first portion, and in two
neighboring columns, the seats are staggered, so that the first part of a seat
of a first
column is closer to the second narrower portion of a seat of the second column
than to
the first part of the seat of a second column, and wherein, in at least one of
said at least
two columns, neighboring seats are in contact with each other when converted
into
sleepers.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides an arrangement of
aircraft seats for outfitting an aircraft cabin comprising: at least three
columns of seats,
with the seats arranged one behind the other in each of the columns of seats
and each
seat being convertible into a sleeper so as to present a stretched out
sleeping surface,
wherein all seats of the arrangement are turned in the same direction, each
seat when
converted into a sleeper presents a first sleeping portion and at least a
second narrower
sleeping portion with respect to the first portion, and in two neighboring
columns of
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5b
said at least three columns, the seats are staggered, so that the first part
of a seat of a
first column of said two neighboring columns is closer to the second narrower
portion
of a seat of a second column of said two neighboring columns than to the first
part of
the seat of the second column, and the first portion of the seat of the first
column is at
substantially a same distance from a floor of the cabin as the first portion
of the seat of
the second column.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides an arrangement of
aircraft seats for outfitting an aircraft cabin comprising: at least four
columns of seats,
with the seats arranged one behind the other in each of the columns of seats
and each
seat being convertible into a sleeper so as to present a stretched out
sleeping surface,
wherein all seats of the arrangement are turned in the same direction, each
seat when
converted into a sleeper presents a first sleeping portion and at least a
second narrower
sleeping portion with respect to the first portion, and in two neighboring
columns of
said at least four columns, the seats are staggered, so that the first part of
a seat of a first
column of said two neighboring columns is closer to the second narrower
portion of a
seat of a second column of said two neighboring columns than to the first part
of the
seat of the second column, and the first portion of the seat of the first
column is at
substantially a same distance from a floor of the cabin as the first portion
of the seat of
the second column.
The present invention also concerns an aircraft, characterized in that it
includes a set of seats such as describes here above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Details and advantages of the present invention will be more evident in
the description that follows, reference made to the schematic drawing in
appendix in
which Figure 1 represents schematically in plan view a section of an aircraft
cabin
presenting five columns of seats,
Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 for a cabin presenting seven
columns of seats,
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Sc
Figure 3 is a variant of the cabin layout represented in Figure 2, and
Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of a section of an aircraft cabin including
eight
columns of seats.
The figures of the drawing are representing an aircraft cabin
compartments in which convertible seats are laid out. In such a disposition, a
traveller
occupying such a compartment may travel in a seated position as well as in a
stretched
out, or almost stretched out position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In plan view, every seat represented in the drawing, when converted into
berth (plane or almost plane), has a contour adapted to the human morphology.
The
berth part intended for receiving a passenger's torso is wider while the berth
parts
intended for receiving the passenger's head and legs are narrower. Although
not
represented in the drawing, it is quite possible here to consider using
modules such as
those revealed in document EP-1 364 874.
In the attached drawing, each seat, when converted into berth, presents a
contour having the same shape (save one symmetry). This contour (Figure 1)
presents
first of all two straight transverse extremities. A first extremity 2 lays on
the berth side
intended to receive a traveller's feet, whereas the other transverse extremity
4 lays at the
extremity of the berth intended to receive this traveller's head. These
transverse
extremities are represented straight. One may however consider other forms
here:
rounded angles, entirely rounded, elliptic, etc....
These traverse extremities 2, 4 are joined by longitudinal sides. A first
longitudinal side is straight and extends perpendicularly to transverse sides
2, 4. This
straight longitudinal side is called in continuation with straight side 6
description.
The other longitudinal side presents a dogleg shape. First of all, from
transverse side 2, this dogleg extends toward transverse side 4 while forming
a first
section 8 appreciably parallel to straight side 6. It results in a narrow
berth part.
Second section 10 of the dogleg forming the second longitudinal side creates a
widening of the berth. The corresponding part of the berth receives for
example a
traveller's thighs and
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pelvis.
A third section 12 of the longitudinal dogleg side is again parallel to
straight side 6. This section corresponds for example to the part of the berth
intended to
receive a traveler's bust.
Finally, the last and fourth section 14 of the dogleg forming the second
longitudinal side realizes a narrowing of the berth width. The part of the
berth
corresponding to this last and fourth section 14 is intended to receive
notably a traveler's
head.
It is noticed on the different figures of the drawing that there are two types
of seat. The first type of seat is such that when a traveler lies down on his
back on the
berth, his/her head being then toward the rear of the aircraft, straight side
6 is to his/her
right. For the other type of seat, under the same conditions, straight side 6
of the
corresponding berth is to the traveler's left.
On Figure 1, five columns of seats are represented. It is meant here and in
the rest of the description by columns of seats, as a set of seats arranged
longitudinally
one behind another in relation to the aircraft.
A first column of seats is arranged between left wall 16 of the cabin and a
first passageway 18. In this column, seats are arranged one behind another so
that, into
berth position, a front transverse side 2 comes in contact, or nearly in
contact, with a
neighboring transverse side 4. A minimal space is left therefore between two
neighboring seats of a same column converted into berth. In this column of
seats, all
seats are of a same type and straight side 6 of these seats is every time
along left wall 16
of the cabin.
A set of two columns is located appreciably in the center of the cabin
represented. This set is arranged between passageway 18 and a second
passageway 20.
In each of these columns, a same type of seat is found every time. For the
seats of the
column being on passageway 18 side, straight side 6 is located to the left of
a passenger
traveling in the moving direction of the aircraft whereas in the second
column, located on
the side of passageway 20, straight side 6 is placed to the right of a
passenger traveling in
the moving direction of the aircraft.
It is noticed on the drawing that the passengers of this set of two columns
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are arranged staggered. Indeed, the seats of the columns are not arranged in
order to
obtain transverse rows, meaning perpendicular to the columns. Indeed, these
two
neighboring columns, in each of which the seats are set one following another
in order to
leave a minimum space between two neighboring seats converted into berth, are
staggered in the longitudinal direction one in relation to the other. This
shift is chosen so
that the largest part of the berth, corresponding to third section 12 of a
column, is located
appreciably at the level of a narrower part of a berth seat of the neighboring
column.
Hence, at the center of both column assembly, the larger part of a seat in one
column is at
the level of the berth seat part corresponding to first section 8 of the
neighboring column
seat.
The last two columns of seats are arranged between passageway 20 and a
right cabin wall 22. Columns of this set of seats are distinct from the
columns described
previously in that a space 24 is left free between two neighboring berth
seats. This free
space 24 is sufficient to allow for a traveler's passageway. In this manner,
in the column
adjoining passageway 20, passageways are arranged to allow for accessing the
seats
located along right cabin wall 22. The passengers with a seat along this right
cabin wall
22 may therefore reach their seat without bothering a person installed on
his/her seat in
the column adjoining passageway 20.
A shift similar to the previously described shift for two neighboring
columns is found for these two columns presenting free spaces 24. Indeed, as
noticed on
the drawing, except possibly for the seats located at the extremities of a
column, the
larger part of a seat, corresponding to third section 12, is at the level of a
narrower part, in
the present case the part corresponding to first section 8.
Considering the existing shift between the various columns, spaces 26
remain without seats. They may be used to provide for storage bins.
On Figure 2, the represented aircraft cabin includes seven columns of
seats. In this configuration, three passageways with references 28, 30 and 32
are found.
Here as well, a left cabin wall 16 and a right cabin wall 22 are found. The
column of
seats located along left cabin wall 16 is similar to the column of seats
located along left
cabin wall 16 of Figure 1. Similarly, the set of two columns of seats being
between
passageways 28 and 30, respectively 30 and 32, are similar to the set of two
columns of
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seats represented in Figure 1 between passageways 18 and 20. The set of two
columns of
seats being on the side of right cabin wall 22 are also similar the one in
Figure 1 also
located along right cabin wall 22.
One notices on this Figure 2 that, for columns located along cabin walls 16
and 22, toward the front of the aircraft, seats are not perfectly aligned one
behind another
but the column shape adjusts to the shape of the corresponding cabin wall. The
seat
shape allows here for a good fit to the cabin wall shape.
Figure 3 is a slight variant from layout realization in Figure 2 which
allows for placing a larger number of seats in a same space.
Finally, in Figure 4, three passageways 28, 30 and 32 are found. The set
of two columns of seats located each time between two passageways are similar
to the set
of two columns of seats arranged between two passageways in Figures 2 and 3.
On the
cabin wall side, there are each time here sets of two columns of seats, the
seats being
spaced one from another in a same column of seats.
Other configurations than those represented in the drawing may be
considered. For example, in narrower cabins, four columns of seats with a
single central
passageway may be provided. One obtains then a configuration similar to that
in Figure
4 without however the four central columns of seats.
Set of three or four columns of seats may also be provided. So in Figure 4
configuration for example, it is possible to suppress central passageway 30
and to adjoin
one to the other both sets of two columns of seats located on each sides of
this central
passageway 30. This configuration presents the inconvenience that passengers
installed
into berth seats of the central columns of this set of four columns need to
apologize to
their neighbor if they want to reach or leave their seat. In order to avoid
this
inconvenience, it is then sufficient to create passageways between the seats
as
represented for example in Figure 4 for the columns of seats located on the
side of cabin
walls 16 and 22.
In these sets of four columns of seats, within each column there is same
type of seats (straight side 6 on the right or on the left) and an alternate
type of seats from
one column to another. In this set of four columns of seats, a longitudinal
shift between
seats of two neighboring columns is found except for both central columns. For
these
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two columns, there may be either no shift or a shift identical to the existing
shift between
two other columns, or else a different shift.
As evoked above, it is also possible in the context of the invention to have
sets of three columns of seats. Preferably, to facilitate the access to the
seats in the
central column, a space, such as spaces 24 in Figures 1 to 4, is provided each
time
between two neighboring seats of a same column of seats. It is also
advantageously
provided here to have in each column of seats only one type of seats and to
alternate
types of seats from one column to another. In such a configuration, with three
columns
of seats, it is possible to provide a longitudinal shift between two seats of
two
neighboring columns but it is also possible to have a shift for the columns of
seats that
are neighboring by their longitudinal sides of non straight seats and not to
have a shift (or
the same shift or a different shift) for the seats of columns neighboring by
two straight
sides.
In this configuration of three columns of seats, it may be advantageous to
plan for a third type of seat for the central column. It would be a seat
presenting a
symmetrical shape in relation to its longitudinal axis. Each longitudinal side
of such a
seat would present a shape such as that described above in reference to Figure
1. The use
of this third type of seat allows then for optimizing the width of the set of
three columns
of seats, meaning to offer the greatest comfort possible to passengers
traveling on these
seats while having the smallest global width possible for the three columns.
One notices
here that the spaces provided above between seats of a same column are not
used for
travelers' passageway with regard to spaces left free between the central
column seats.
These central column berth seats may then provide a longer bedding surface.
Such a
berth seat would then be reserved for a passenger of large size. The free
spaces between
seats of this central column may also be used for storing luggage. According
to the
layout retained for the cabin interior, if enough storage spaces are provided
in this way, it
becomes possible to suppress any luggage bin placed above head.
The remarks made above on the use of the space left free between two
berth seats of the central column of a set of three columns of seats
(realizing a longer
bedding surface or storage space) may apply also to the central columns of a
set of four
columns of seats described above.
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The forms of realization presented here above permit to reach all
described seats without disturbing a passenger installed on another seat.
The seat shape, when they are converted into berth, may of course vary
from the shapes described above. One may, for example, also use seat modules
such as
5 those revealed in the EP-1 364 874 Al document. Referring to Figure 5A of
that
document, which is also the abstract figure, a module such as those
represented on this
figure is considered. This module of the abstract figure presents a straight
side (26)
which is placed to the left of a traveler occupying the represented module.
This module
may cooperate with another similar module in which straight side (26) is to
the right of
10 the passenger traveling inside this module. These two modules are placed
then side by
side so that a first segment (28) of one of these modules comes to cooperate
with a
second segment (30) of the other module. Some configurations similar to those
represented on figures 1 to 4 of the drawing are then found.
The present invention doesn't limit itself to the various forms of realization
described above as non restrictive examples. It also concerns all alternative
of realization
accessible to the skilled man in the context of the claims hereafter.
The invention is therefore not limited to aircraft cabins capable to fit five,
seven or eight columns of seats. The invention fit all widths of cabin and can
be
considered from a cabin in which three columns of seats may be positioned.
