Vehicle seating with privacy divider
An armrest apparatus for a passenger seat includes a longitudinally-extending center armrest adapted to be disposed between side-by-side first and second seats, and a privacy divider. The divider is moveable between a stowed position wherein an upper surface of the center armrest is accessible by an occupant of the first or second seat, and a deployed position wherein the divider extends to the center armrest and forms a generally vertically extending wall between of occupants of the first and second seats. The privacy may include a plurality of linked panels.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/529,686 filed Dec. 15, 2003, and Provisional Application No. 60/589,297, filed Jul. 20, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to vehicle seating and more particularly to a tourist/coach class aircraft seating arrangement. Aircraft seating is typically divided into various classes, for example first class, business class, and coach or tourist class. For each class of seating, an individual passenger is allotted a preselected amount of space (both area and volume). First-class seats provide the most individual space, and also may include features to improve comfort, such as fully reclining sleeper functions. In contrast, the tourist/coach class is provided with a relatively small amount of space, in order to provide the most efficient transportation and lowest cost.
It has been found that passengers are more satisfied by a given quantity of space when that space is completely controlled, or “owned” by the passenger. Since the space for coach-class seating is limited, it is especially important that a passenger's personal space be protected from intrusion from other passengers. However, prior art coach class seats are typically arranged such that passengers seated side-by side must share an a single armrest. In this arrangement, the armrest width allotted to each passenger, and the dividing line between adjacent seats, is not clearly delineated. This can lead to conflicts between passengers as each tries to assert control of the single armrest, as well as discomfort of the passenger that gets a smaller portion of the armrest.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTherefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a vehicle passenger seat which is clearly separated from an adjacent seat.
It is another object of the invention to provide a privacy divider between adjacent passenger seats.
It is another object of the invention to provide a seat having a privacy divider which still provides a full-width armrest to a passenger.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing an armrest apparatus for a passenger seat including a longitudinally-extending center armrest adapted to be disposed between side-by-side first and second seats, and a privacy divider attached to the center armrest. The privacy divider is moveable between a stowed position wherein an upper surface of the center armrest is accessible by an occupant of the first or second seat, and a deployed position wherein the privacy divider extends to the center armrest and forms a generally vertically extending wall between of occupants of the first and second seats.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the armrest apparatus further includes at least one auxiliary armrest attached to a left or right side of the center armrest. The auxiliary armrest is moveable between a retracted position, and an extended position in which the auxiliary armrest provides a laterally-extending support.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary armrest is pivotally attached at an inboard edge thereof to the center armrest.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the armrest apparatus further includes means for selectively retaining the armrest in the extended position.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the center armrest includes a wall-like upright support having a top member attached thereto. Movement of the auxiliary armrest to the extended position exposes a space between the upright support and the retracted position of the auxiliary armrest. The space is adapted to accommodate a passenger's thigh.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the privacy divider includes a plurality of generally triangular panels pivotally mounted about a common axis.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the panels are linked together such that motion of a first one of the panels towards the deployed position causes motion of the remainder of the panels towards the deployed position.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the armrest apparatus further includes a second auxiliary armrest attached to the other of the left or right sides of the center armrest and moveable between a retracted position, and a extended position in which the auxiliary armrest provides a laterally-extending support
According to another embodiment of the invention, the panels are pivoted near a rear end of the center armrest and pivot downwards and forwards when deployed.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the panels are pivoted near a front end of the center armrest and pivot upwards and forwards when deployed.
According to another embodiment of the invention, one of the panels includes a cover which is disposed flush with an upper surface of the center armrest when the privacy divider is in the stowed position.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a passenger seat unit includes: a frame for being attached to a floor of a vehicle; first and second seats carried side-by-side on the frame, each of the seats including a seat bottom for supporting a passenger and an upwardly-extending seat back attached to the frame; a forwardly-extending center armrest disposed between the first and second seats; and a privacy divider. The privacy divider is moveable between a stowed position wherein the armrest is accessible by an occupant of the first or second seat, and a deployed position wherein the privacy divider extends to armrest so as to mutually block access of occupants of the first and second seats from each other.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the passenger seat unit further includes at least one auxiliary armrest attached to a left or right side of the center armrest. The auxiliary armrest is moveable between a retracted position, and a extended position in which the auxiliary armrest provides support for an arm of a passenger seated in one of the first and second seats.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe subject matter that is regarded as the invention may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:
Referring to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views,
The privacy divider, referred to generally at 32, is disposed between the seats 12 and 14 and can be stowed in an upright position as shown in
As noted above, when the privacy divider 32 is deployed, it consumes at least some of the space normally available on top of the center armrest 18. Accordingly, the center armrest 18 is provided with a pair of auxiliary armrests 54a and 54b attached to the side walls 56a and 56b thereof. The auxiliary armrests 54a and 56b are folded down against the sidewalls 56a and 56b, out of the passenger's way, when the privacy divider 32 is not in use, as shown in
Referring to
The foregoing has described a seating arrangement including a privacy panel. While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications thereto can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims.
Claims
1. An armrest apparatus for a passenger seat comprising:
- a longitudinally-extending center armrest adapted to be disposed between side-by-side first and second seats;
- a privacy divider attached to said center armrest, said privacy divider being moveable between:
- a stowed position wherein an upper surface of said center armrest is accessible by an occupant of said first or second seat; and
- a deployed position wherein said privacy divider extends to said center armrest and forms a generally vertically extending wall between of occupants of said first and second seats.
2. The armrest apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
- at least one auxiliary armrest attached to a left or right side of said center armrest and moveable between:
- a retracted position; and
- an extended position in which said auxiliary armrest provides a laterally-extending support.
3. The armrest apparatus of claim 2 wherein said auxiliary armrest is pivotally attached at an inboard edge thereof to said center armrest.
4. The armrest apparatus of claim 3 further comprising means for selectively retaining said armrest in said extended position.
5. The armrest apparatus of claim 2 wherein said center armrest comprises a wall-like upright support having a top member attached thereto, and wherein movement of said auxiliary armrest to said extended position exposes a space between said upright support and the retracted position of said auxiliary armrest, said space adapted to accommodate a passenger's thigh.
6. The armrest apparatus of claim 1 wherein said privacy divider comprises a plurality of generally triangular panels pivotally mounted about a common axis.
7. The armrest apparatus of claim 6 wherein said panels are linked together such that motion of a first one of said panels towards said deployed position causes motion of the remainder of said panels towards said deployed position.
8. The armrest apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a second auxiliary armrest attached to the other of said left or right sides of said center armrest and moveable between:
- a retracted position; and
- an extended position in which said auxiliary armrest provides a laterally-extending support.
9. The armrest apparatus of claim 1 wherein said panels are pivoted near a rear end of said center armrest and pivot downwards and forwards when deployed.
10. The armrest apparatus of claim 1 wherein said panels are pivoted near a front end of said center armrest and pivot upwards and forwards when deployed.
11. The armrest apparatus of claim 10 wherein said one of said panels includes a cover which is disposed flush with an upper surface of said center armrest when said privacy divider is in said stowed position.
12. A passenger seat unit comprising:
- a frame for being attached to a floor of a vehicle;
- first and second seats carried side-by-side on said frame, each of said seats comprising a seat bottom for supporting a passenger and an upwardly-extending seat back attached to said frame;
- a forwardly-extending center armrest disposed between said first and second seats; and
- a privacy divider moveable between:
- a stowed position wherein said is armrest accessible by an occupant of said first or second seat; and
- a deployed position wherein said privacy divider extends to said armrest to mutually block access of occupants of said first and second seats from each other.
13. The passenger seat unit of claim 12 further comprising:
- at least one auxiliary armrest attached to a left or right side of said center armrest and moveable between:
- a retracted position against said left or right side of said center armrest; and
- an extended position in which said auxiliary armrest provides support for an arm of a passenger seated in one of said first and second seats.
14. The passenger seat unit of claim 13 wherein said auxiliary armrest is pivotally attached at an inboard edge thereof to said center armrest.
15. The passenger seat unit of claim 14 further comprising means for selectively retaining said auxiliary armrest in said extended position.
16. The passenger seat unit of claim 13 wherein said center armrest comprises a wall-like upright support having a top member attached thereto, and wherein movement of said auxiliary armrest to said extended position exposes a space between said upright support and the retracted position of said auxiliary armrest, said space adapted to accommodate a passenger's thigh.
17. The passenger seat unit of claim 12 wherein said privacy divider comprises a plurality of generally triangular panels pivotally mounted about a common axis.
18. The passenger seat unit of claim 17 wherein said panels are linked together such that motion of a first one of said panels towards said deployed position causes motion of the remainder of said panels towards said deployed position.
19. The passenger seat unit of claim 13 further comprising a second auxiliary armrest attached to the other of said left or right sides of said center armrest and moveable between:
- a retracted position; and
- an extended position in which said auxiliary armrest provides support for an arm of a passenger seated in the other of said first and second seats.
20. The passenger seat unit of claim 19 further comprising means for selectively retaining said second auxiliary armrest in said extended position.
21. The passenger seat unit of claim 8 wherein said panels are pivoted near a rear end of said center armrest and pivot downwards and forwards when deployed.
22. The passenger seat unit of claim 8 wherein said panels are pivoted near a front end of said center armrest and pivot upwards and forwards when deployed.
23. The passenger seat unit of claim 22 wherein said one of said panels includes a cover which is disposed flush with an upper surface of said center armrest when said privacy divider is in said stowed position.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 15, 2004
Publication Date: Sep 8, 2005
Applicant: BE AEROSPACE, INC. (Wellington, FL)
Inventors: Mark Dowty (Rural Hall, NC), Glenn Johnson (King, NC), Robert Carr (Mascot)
Application Number: 11/012,929