Patent Application
20250051012
This disclosure relates broadly to the field of aircraft, and more specifically to aircraft seating arrangements.
Space saving reverse herringbone seating configurations have become popular in aircraft because they allow increased passenger density without decreasing passenger comfort. Likewise, so called mini-suite passenger compartments have become popular in luxury transcontinental passenger sections. Mini-suites are generally defined by a door providing privacy to a seat separated from an adjacent mini-suite by a wall. However, because of the positioning of seats in a reverse herringbone seating configuration may be largely isolated from each other. While this may be desirable for passengers traveling alone, it may be undesirable for couples, families, or passengers otherwise traveling as a group. Therefore, it may be desirable to create a seating arrangement that cures the above deficiencies.
A mini-suite is disclosed, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the mini-suite includes a partition, wherein the partition is configured to be adjustable in order to prevent access to an adjacent mini-suite when the partition is engaged and allow access to the adjacent mini-suite when the partition is disengaged. In embodiments, the mini-suite includes a seat, comprising a footrest, a seat bottom, and a seatback, wherein the seat is configured to be independently oriented in at least one of a sitting position, a slouched position, or a berthed position. In embodiments, the mini-suite includes a console, wherein the console is mounted on a rear wall of the mini-suite and is configured to provide a secondary backrest when folded into the rear wall or provide a work surface when folded down from the rear wall. In embodiments, the mini-suite includes secondary furniture disposed between the seat and the partition, wherein the secondary furniture is adjustable to match the orientation of the seat when the seat is in any of the sitting position, the slouched position, or the berthed position and match the orientation of adjacent secondary furniture located in the adjacent mini-suite. In embodiments, the mini-suite includes a storage compartment, wherein the storage compartment is located below the secondary furniture. In embodiments, the mini-suite includes a forward cavity, wherein the footrest of the seat is configured to extend at least partway into the forward cavity when the seat is in the berthed position.
An aircraft seating arrangement is disclosed, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the aircraft seating arrangement includes two or more seats, wherein each seat of the two or more seats comprises a footrest, a seat bottom, and a seatback, wherein the two or more seats are configured to be independently oriented in at least one of: a sitting position, a slouched position, or a berthed position. In embodiments, the aircraft seating arrangement includes two or more pieces of secondary furniture, each of the two or more pieces of secondary furniture disposed proximal to a corresponding one of the two or more seats. In embodiments, the aircraft seating arrangement includes a partition configured to separate a first seat and a first piece of secondary furniture from a second seat and a second piece of secondary furniture when the partition is engaged, wherein when the partition is disengaged a joint passenger area comprising the two or more seats and the two or more pieces of secondary furniture is formed.
An aircraft seating arrangement is disclosed, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the aircraft seating arrangement includes two or more mini-suites. In embodiments, each of the two or more mini-suites a partition, wherein the partition is configured to be adjustable in order to prevent access to an adjacent mini-suite when the partition is engaged and allow access to the adjacent mini-suite when the partition is disengaged In embodiments, each of the two or more mini-suites includes a seat, comprising a footrest, a seat bottom, and a seatback, wherein the seat is configured to be independently oriented in at least one of a sitting position, a slouched position, or a berthed position. In embodiments, each of the two or more mini-suites includes a console, wherein the console is mounted on a rear wall of the mini-suite and is configured to provide a secondary backrest when folded into the rear wall or provide a work surface when folded down from the rear wall. In embodiments, each of the two or more mini-suites includes secondary furniture disposed between the seat and the partition, wherein the secondary furniture is adjustable to match the orientation of the seat when the seat is in any of the sitting position, the slouched position, or the berthed position and match the orientation of adjacent secondary furniture located in the adjacent mini-suite In embodiments, each of the two or more mini-suites includes a storage compartment, wherein the storage compartment is located below the secondary furniture. In embodiments, each of the two or more mini-suites includes a forward cavity, wherein the footrest of the seat is configured to extend at least partway into the forward cavity when the seat is in the berthed position.
This Summary is provided solely as an introduction to subject matter that is fully described in the Detailed Description and Drawings. The Summary should not be considered to describe essential features nor be used to determine the scope of the Claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description are example and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the subject matter claimed.
The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments or examples (“examples”) of the present disclosure are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In general, operations of disclosed processes may be performed in an arbitrary order, unless otherwise provided in the claims. In the drawings:
Before explaining one or more embodiments of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components or steps or methodologies set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. In the following detailed description of embodiments, numerous specific details may be set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure.
As used herein a letter following a reference numeral is intended to reference an embodiment of the feature or element that may be similar, but not necessarily identical, to a previously described element or feature bearing the same reference numeral (e.g., 1, 1a, 1b). Such shorthand notations are used for purposes of convenience only and should not be construed to limit the disclosure in any way unless expressly stated to the contrary.
Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
In addition, use of “a” or “an” may be employed to describe elements and components of embodiments disclosed herein. This is done merely for convenience and “a” and “an” are intended to include “one” or “at least one,” and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.
Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “some embodiments” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment disclosed herein. The appearances of the phrase “in some embodiments” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and embodiments may include one or more of the features expressly described or inherently present herein, or any combination of or sub-combination of two or more such features, along with any other features which may not necessarily be expressly described or inherently present in the instant disclosure.
Aircraft have adopted various seating configuration to best accommodate first class and business class demand for space and accommodations, while attempting to maximize the number of passengers that can be fit onto the aircraft. Such configurations include, but are not limited to, forward facing seats (e.g., passengers face the direction the plane is going), herringbone seats (e.g., passengers are angled such that they face towards the aisle), and reverse herringbone seats (e.g., passengers are angled such that they face away from the aisle). Further, various staggering and spacing schemes have been implemented in conjunction with the various seating configurations.
Additionally, in many first class and business class cabins, seats are configured in such a manner where each seat is housed within their own mini-suite on the aircraft. In this way, various considerations are given to create a mini-suite in a manner that is suitable private. Such considerations include dividers or partitions between other seats and/or the aisle and doors on each mini-suite. However, mini-suites in aircraft are required to comply with various regulations set forth by government agencies. Examples of such regulations may be found in “Proposed Special Condition on Installation of mini-suite type seating Applicable to Airbus A350” as set forth by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Therefore, the mini-suites disclosed herein should be considered to comply with said regulations.
A mini-suite in an aircraft may be a seating arrangement surrounded by walls such that a passenger sitting in the mini-suite may have enhanced privacy. Each mini-suite may include a single seat with additional furniture, such as, but not limited to, center consoles, entertainment systems, or the like. Mini-suites may be separated from an adjacent mini-suite by things such as, but not limited to, center consoles, removable partitions, walls, or the like. To further enhance privacy, each mini-suite may include a door, though a mini-suite is not required to have a door.
In a general sense, an aircraft seat may be formed from three main parts: a footrest, a seat bottom, and a backrest.
On many longer flights it may be desirable for a seat to recline into various positions. For example, a seat may be configured to be in a sitting position. The sitting position may be the default position of the seat and resemble a chair (e.g., the footrest and backrest are vertical or approximately vertical and the seat bottom is horizontal or approximately horizontal). Further, a sitting position may be the required position for taxi, takeoff, and landing (TTOL).
A seat may also be adjustable to a berthed position. The berthed position may correspond to the footrest, seat bottom, and backrest being aligned in such a manner all three components are horizontal or are approximately horizontal. In this way, a berthed position of a seat may correspond to the seat being used as a bed.
A seat may also be adjustable to a slouched position. Broadly speaking, a slouched position may be any position of the seat within the seat's range of adjustment between the sitting position and the berthed position.
One of many features that may be present in a mini-suite is a center console. The center console may provide features to the passenger that is sitting in the mini-suite, such as storage, a table, and/or a divider between an adjacent passenger. However, it also provides a footwell. This provides additional legroom to a passenger in the mini-suite behind, which permits the seat to enter the berthed position without taking up an unnecessary amount of room, but providing a space for the footrest of the seat to enter and occupy when the seat is in the berthed position.
However, in the aft, or rear, row of a cabin, the inclusion center console including a footwell for the mini-suite behind is unnecessary, as there is no mini-suite behind the aft row. Therefore, the inclusion of such a center console can create wasted space in the mini-suite.
In a reverse herringbone configuration, the placement and orientation of the seats may create a private and secluded flight experience (e.g., because of dividers and/or the distance between the seats). While this may be desirable for those traveling alone, it may not be desirable for others. For example, those traveling together (e.g., family, couples, or friends) may wish to have a less secluded flight experience. Further, those traveling alone may wish to have additional sitting and/or sleeping space in their mini-suite. Therefore, in the aft row of a cabin (e.g., where legroom and/or the berthed position of a passenger in any row behind do not need to be taken into account) the center console may be removed and replaced with an extended, or shareable surface. In this way, the surface (e.g., the sleeping or sitting surface) in the mini-suite may be extended or two adjacent mini-suites may form a shared surface.
Referring now to
In embodiments, the mini-suite 102 includes a seat 104. The seat 104 may include a seatback 104a, a seat bottom 104b, a footrest 104c, and one or more armrests 104d. In embodiments, the seatback may include a headrest, which may be a discrete component or integrated into the seatback 104c.
The seatback 104a, the seat bottom 104b, the footrest, 104c, and the one or more armrests 104d may be any group of structures capable of being arranged relative to each other in order to form a seat 104. For example, the seatback 104a, the seat bottom 104b, the footrest, 104c, and the one or more armrests 104d may have any given either spatial or ergonomic considerations. Further, the seatback 104a, the seat bottom 104b, the footrest, 104c, and the one or more armrests 104d may have any surface profile that may be required by ergonomic considerations or spatial considerations (e.g., the seatback 104a, the seat bottom 104b, the footrest, 104c, and the one or more armrests 104d may have a raised edges to cradle a passenger, the seatback 104a, the seat bottom 104b, the footrest, 104c, and the one or more armrests 104d may have rounded edges, or the like). Further, the seatback 104a, the seat bottom 104b, the footrest, 104c, and the one or more armrests 104d may be padded. The seatback 104a, the seat bottom 104b, the footrest, 104c, and the one or more armrests 104d may also include a covering (e.g., cloth, leather, faux leather, polyester, or the like).
The seat 104 may be configured in any one of a sitting position, a slouched position, or a berthed position. For example, the seatback 104a, the seat bottom 104b, and/or the footrest 104c may change positions relative to each other in order to change the configuration of the seat 104. Further, the height of the armrest 104d may be adjustable (e.g., the height and/or angle of the armrest 104d may be adjustable) in order to accommodate a passenger when the seat 104 is in any configuration. In this way, the armrest 104d may be adjustable to match the orientation of the seat 104 (e.g., the height and/or angle of the seat 104) when the seat 104 is in any of the sitting position, the slouched position, or the berthed position.
In embodiments, the mini-suite 102 includes secondary furniture 106. The secondary furniture 106 may be located between the seat 104 and a partition 108. Similar to the components of the seat 104, the secondary furniture 106 may be any shape and/or have any surface profile. Further, the secondary furniture 106 may be padded and include a covering. The thickness of the padding and/or the covering chosen may be chosen to match the seat 104. The secondary furniture 106 may be positioned such that the secondary furniture 106 and the armrest 104d are disposed on opposite sides of the seat. Further, the secondary furniture 106 may be built into the walls of the mini-suite 102 such that the secondary furniture 106 forms part of the perimeter of the mini-suite 102. While it may be beneficial for the height and/or the orientation of the secondary furniture 106 to be adjustable, the height and/or the orientation may be fixed.
Further, a top surface of the secondary 106 furniture may be adjustable to match the orientation (e.g., height and/or angle) of the seat 104 in any of the sitting position, slouched position, or the berthed position. Such adjustable secondary furniture 106 is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/230,844, entitled SEAT EXTENSION FURNITURE FOR AIRCRAFT SEATS and having docket number 176531US01, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In this way, the adjustable orientation of the secondary furniture may provide for an extended seating area in the mini-suite 102 or an extended sleeping area in the mini-suite 102, depending on whether or not the seat 104 is in the sitting or slouched position (e.g., an extended seating area) or the seat 104 is in the berthed position (e.g., an extended sleeping area).
In embodiments, the mini-suite 102 includes a partition 108. The partition 108 may be a structure (e.g., a thin rectangular structure) that separates two mini-suites 102 from each other. Further the partition may be able to disengage (e.g., removable, slide into a hidden compartment, or the like) such that two mini-suites 102 may be joined.
In embodiments, the mini-suite 102 includes a console 110. Similar to the components of the seat 104 and/or the secondary furniture 106, the console 110 may be any shape and/or have any surface profile. Further, the console 110 may be padded and include a covering. The thickness of the padding and/or the covering chosen may be chosen to match the seat 104 and/or the secondary furniture 106. Further, the console 110 may be stowable. In this way, the console may fold into the rear wall of the mini-suite 102, or fold down from the rear wall of the mini-suite 102 (e.g., as in
In
For example,
When a mini-suite 102 is adjacent to a secondary mini-suite 202 a seating arrangement may include two or more seats 104 and two or more pieces of secondary furniture 106. In embodiments, the mini-suite 102 may include a first seat 104 and a first piece of secondary furniture 106 and the adjacent mini-suite 202 may include a second seat 104 and a second piece of secondary furniture 106). The first piece of secondary furniture 106 may be disposed proximal to a first seat 104 (e.g., the first piece of secondary furniture 106 may be next to the first seat 104 in the mini-suite 102) and the second piece of secondary furniture 106 may be disposed proximal to a second seat 104 (e.g., the second piece of secondary furniture 106 may be next to the second seat 104 in the adjacent mini-suite 202).
Further, the mini-suite 102 may include controls 204. The controls 204 may be used to control the position of the seat 104, a top surface of secondary furniture 106 (e.g., to match the orientation of the seat 104), and/or the armrest 104d. Further, there may be controls to control any aspect of the mini-suite 102 (e.g., entertainment systems, the position of the console 110, or the like). It should be noted that the controls 204 need not be located on a single panel, or in a single location. For example, if the controls 204 are located on a single panel or a single location they may be located anywhere in the mini-suite 102. For example, the controls 204 may be located at various positions in the mini-suite 102 such that individual controls 204 are near, or located on, what they are intended to control (e.g., a control 204 to adjust the orientation of the seat 104 is located on or near the seat 104, a control 204 to control an entertainment system may be located on or near the entertainment system, and so on).
Further, the controls 204 may correspond to various modes of controlling aspects of the mini-suite 102. For example, some controls 204 may correspond with mechanical controls (e.g., the orientation of the seat 104 and the orientation of the secondary furniture 106 are adjusted manually) and some controls 204 may correspond with electrical (e.g., signal-based) controls (e.g., the orientation of the seat 104 and the orientation of the secondary furniture 106 are adjusted with electronic actuators). By way of another example, all controls 204 in the mini-suite 102 may correspond to electrical controls. By way of yet another example, all controls 204 in the mini-suite 102 may correspond to electrical controls.
In this way, the controls 204 may be configured to adjust the position of the seat 104 between the sitting position, the slouched position, or the berthed position.
For instance, a subset of the controls 204 may correspond with the adjustment nature of the seat 104, armrest 104d, secondary furniture 106, and/or the console 110. It is contemplated that some, or all, of the seat 104, armrest 104d, secondary furniture 106, and the console 110 may be adjustable by mechanical means. In this way, the controls 204 may include, but are not limited to, a button or a latch. This may allow the mechanical controls to engage or disengage any mechanism known in the art suitable for restraining and/or allowing orientation changes (e.g., an air piston, a latch catch, or the like).
It should also be noted that some, or all, of the seat 104, armrest 104d, secondary furniture 106, and the console 110 may be adjustable by electrical means. In this way, the controls 204 may include, but are not limited to, a button. Pushing the button may cause an electrical signal to be sent causing an electronic actuator to adjust the orientation of some, or all, of the seat 104, armrest 104d, secondary furniture 106, and the console 110.
In
In
Here, passengers may choose to either sit in the seat 104 or on the secondary furniture 106. For example, two passengers sitting on the secondary furniture without the partition 108 engaged may be as close as they would be in a normal seat. However, the mini-suite may give the passengers more room or other comforts.
In embodiments, each mini-suite 102 may also include a forward cavity 302. The forward cavity 302 may extend under a center console of a forward mini-suite. The forward cavity 302 may be used for extra legroom for the seating arrangement 100.
Here, the seats 104 are in the berthed position. When the seats are in the berthed position, the footrest 104c may extend in such a manner as so as to fit within the forward cavity 302. In this way, the forward cavity 302 may provide for space saving when using seats 104 that may be oriented in a berthed position because each row may have some of the length associated with the berthed position placed under a forward row.
Further, like in
Further, it should be noted the chiral nature of the mini-suite 102 and the adjacent mini-suite 202 are depicted in the top views of
Broadly speaking, the joint seating area 402 and the joint sleeping area 404 may be collectively considered as a joint passenger area. A joint passenger area may encompass and configuration where the partition 108 has been disengaged and the mini-suite 102 and the adjacent mini-suite 202 (or the seats 104 and secondary furniture 106 therein) are joined (e.g., not blocked by the partition). Further, it should be noted that a joint passenger area is not limited to configurations where both seats 104 are in the same orientation (e.g., a first seat 104 may be in the sitting position and a second seat 104 may be in the berthed position, a first seat 104 may be in the sitting position and a second seat 104 may be in the slouched position, a first seat 104 may be in the slouched position and a second seat 104 may be in the berthed position, or the like). It should also be noted that a joint passenger area may be formed when the secondary furniture 106 is not adjustable (e.g., the height and/or orientation of the secondary furniture 106 is fixed). Further, a partition 108 may be located between the first piece of secondary furniture 106 and the second piece of secondary furniture 106 such that when the partition is engaged the mini-suite 102 and the adjacent mini-suite 202 are separated. However, the partition 108 may be disengaged (e.g., removed) such that the mini-suite 102 and the adjacent mini-suite 202 are connected and a joint passenger area is formed.
For example, the console 110 may be folded into the rear wall of the mini-suite 102 to form a back rest. The backrest may be used when a passenger is using secondary furniture 106 as extra seating. Further, additional storage may be located behind the console 110 when the console 110 is folded into the back wall of the mini-suite 102.
For example, the console 110 may be folded down from the rear wall of the mini-suite 102. In this way, the console 110 may form a work surface in the mini-suite 102. The work surface may be suitable for eating, supporting a computer, or the like. When the console 110 is being used as a work surface a passenger may be restricted to sitting in their seat 104, as the console 110 may be positioned over the secondary furniture 106.
In embodiments, a top surface of the secondary furniture 106 may include a lid 604. The lid 604 may be on hinges or otherwise attached to the top surface of the secondary furniture 106 in a manner that allows the lid 604 to pivot or otherwise open. The lid 604 may allow access to a storage compartment 602 located within the secondary furniture 106. Further, the lid 604 may be made from the same material as the secondary furniture 106 (e.g., and also made from the same material as the seat 104).
In embodiments, the seating arrangement 100 may be used in a 1-2-1 seating arrangement (e.g., one seat, an aisle, two seats, and aisle, one seat). In this way, the seating arrangement 100 (e.g., the mini-suite 102 and the adjacent mini-suite 202 within the seating arrangement 100) may be the center (e.g., middle) seats in a 1-2-1 seating arrangement. Further, the seating arrangement 100 (e.g., the mini-suite 102 and the adjacent mini-suite 202 within the seating arrangement 100) may be configured in a reverse herringbone manner and may be positioned behind reverse herringbone seats (e.g., seats of the same kind). In this way, the cabin remains largely uniform in its seating configuration.
It is to be understood that embodiments of the methods disclosed herein may include one or more of the steps described herein. Further, such steps may be carried out in any desired order and two or more of the steps may be carried out simultaneously with one another. Two or more of the steps disclosed herein may be combined in a single step, and in some embodiments, one or more of the steps may be carried out as two or more sub-steps. Further, other steps or sub-steps may be carried in addition to, or as substitutes to one or more of the steps disclosed herein.
Although inventive concepts have been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the claims. Components illustrated and described herein are merely examples of a system/device and components that may be used to implement embodiments of the inventive concepts and may be replaced with other devices and components without departing from the scope of the claims. Furthermore, any dimensions, degrees, and/or numerical ranges provided herein are to be understood as non-limiting examples unless otherwise specified in the claims.
