This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 21275110.1 filed Aug. 11, 2021, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a modular bar unit for socialising at event locations or in a vehicle such as an aircraft.
Often there is a need to create a bar area for people to together in locations where no such bar area currently exists, for example at locations where events are organised, for gatherings at locations otherwise used for other purposes etc. In response to increasing competition for passengers and increasing passenger demands, some airlines have also started providing areas in their aircraft where people can gather to socialise or relax or sit in a bar environment away from their passenger seat, particularly on long haul flights. Such bars may be serviced or self-service and add to general passenger comfort and satisfaction. Usually, these areas on aircraft require a dedicated area of the cabin where passengers are able to stand and drink/socialise.
To install a bar at a location can be time consuming and expensive and requires a dedicated space for the bar. A bar will often have to be custom designed and built for the location in question which is cost intensive. Alternatively, a generic bar can be installed, where space permits. The bar then takes up space in a location which might, at other times, been needed for other uses.
There is a need for a more flexible bar structure that can be configured to the available space and requirements and taste for the occasion and location in question.
According to the disclosure, there is provided a bar module comprising a bar element and one or more seating elements pivotably attached to the bar element, the seating element(s) moveable relative to the bar element between a stowed position and a seat position, the module configured to be arranged adjacent one or more other bar modules to form a bar.
The seating element may be pivotably attached to the outer side of the bar element by means of a first hinge, and the seating element may comprise a frame part pivotably attached to the bar element and a seat part pivotably attached to the frame part by a second hinge.
The seating element may be a simple stool or may e.g. comprise a back rest part foldably attached to the seat part.
The outer side of the bar element may form a recessed area for the user's knees. The inner side of the bar element may be provided with a storage recess. Further, the bar element may be provided with water and/or power connections.
According to another aspect, there is provided a modular bar as defined in claim 10.
Also provided is a method of assembling a modular bar as defined in claim 15.
Examples of the bar module and the modular bar according to the disclosure will now be described. The detailed description is by way of example only and variations may be possible within the scope of the claims.
The bar module 10 according to this disclosure comprises a bar element 1 and one or more seating elements 2. The seating element 2 is foldable and pivotably attached to the bar element 1 to be pivotable and foldable between a stowed position (
The bar module 10, here comprising a bar element 1 and one seating element 2 but may include several seat elements attached to one bar element. Several such modules can be assembled together to form a modular bar as will be described further below with reference to
In the example shown, the seating element 2 is a cantilevered structure comprising a frame part 20 attached by a first hinge 21 to the bar element 1. Other seat structures may also be envisaged. In the depicted example, the frame part is attached to a base end 11 of the bar element 1 but other attachment locations could also be envisaged. At the end of the frame part 20 opposite the end that is attached to the bar element is a seat part 22 attached to the frame part by a second hinge 23. Optionally, the seating element 2 may also include a back rest part 24 pivotally attached to the seat part 22. In the stowed position, the frame part 20 is pivoted about the first hinge 21 inwards towards an outer side 1a of the bar element 1 and the seat part 22 is either folded back against the frame part (not shown) or positioned, by means of the second hinge 23, to lie flat against the outer side 1a of the bar element 1 as shown in
Although the sides 1a, 1b of the bar element 1 may be straight, or curved or any other desired shape or surface design, in one example, the outer side 1a is provided with a concave or recessed shape 12 to provide space for a person's knees when seated on the seating element.
The individual modules can then be fitted together and combined and assembled into a modular bar according to the desired shape, size and design by placing modules side-by-side. The modules may be provided with connecting means (not shown) to allow them to be easily secured together or, alternatively, they can be merely positioned side-by-side with their side edges abutting.
The modular nature of the bar means that the modules can be assembled in a wide range of shapes and sizes to form automated/self-service or serviced/attended bars.
Many other shapes, configurations and sizes are possible such as those shown in
Bar elements may also be provided with power and water connections (not shown).
Because the modules can be easily disassembled and transported and the seat elements stowed, the bar could be assembled only when needed and then folded away for storage when not needed and the layout and size of the bar can be easily adapted to different requirements and situations. In aircraft, for example, smaller or larger bars could be set up depending on the nature of the flight and service offered for each flight.
In terms of manufacturing, costs and time are reduced in that a number of standard modules can be manufactured allowing the customer to provide lighting and décor according to taste, branding etc. Different airlines, for example, could be provided with the basic modules and then provide their own branding.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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21275110.1 | Aug 2021 | EP | regional |