Berths Patents (Class 105/316)
  • Patent number: 11167850
    Abstract: A passenger rest cabin situated in the overhead crown area of an aircraft provides individual rest compartments along either lateral side of a central longitudinal corridor of limited height. The corridor and entrance thereto is configured to minimize the risk of claustrophobia by providing sensory preparation systems and techniques. Sensory preparation including transitional compartments with variations in video, lighting and ventilation are presented to the passenger to create a more inviting space. The limited height corridor is equipped with a series of handholds, sized and spaced according to the size of the average passenger, to mitigate the strain of traversing the corridor in a bent over position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jefferey M. McKee, Ron Moss, Travis J. Vaninetti
  • Patent number: 10661901
    Abstract: An economy class cabin with sleeping berths in a passenger aircraft, includes cabin floor, multi-tier sleeping berths, an air duct, an overhead bin, seats, a baggage storage place, a shoe storage place and multi-tier baggage racks. The multi-tier sleeping berths are disposed in parallel to longitudinal axis of the aircraft; a longitudinal partition board is disposed between two abreast sleeping berths; and two latitudinal partition boards are respectively disposed at two opposite ends of each of the sleeping berths and a private space is formed by the longitudinal partition board, two latitudinal partition boards, a bed cushion and a slidable curtain. The present invention has simple structure and reasonable utilization of compact space, enables all or some of passengers of the economy class to be in a lie-flat sleeping state in half of the time in intercontinental flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Inventor: Gang Chen
  • Patent number: 10625866
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: a floor panel for a rotorcraft; and a plurality of passenger seats coupled to the floor panel, wherein: the plurality of passenger seats is arranged into a plurality of seating rows; and the plurality of passenger seats comprises one or more foldover seats arranged to facilitate access to one or more exits of the rotorcraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Emrich, Ross D. Cosby, Carl A. May, Richard Theodore Perryman
  • Patent number: 10556689
    Abstract: A convertible seating unit (100, 200) is disclosed as including a first seat (104a, 204a) including a first backrest (106a) and a first seat base (108a), and a second seat (104b, 204b) on a side of the first seat, in which at least the first seat is movable between a first configuration in which the first backrest is inclined relative to the first seat base and a second configuration in which the first backrest is substantially parallel to the first seat base, and when the first seat is in the second configuration, the first backrest forms a first upper support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: BUTTERFLY FLEXIBLE SEATING SOLUTIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: James Shing Hin Lee
  • Patent number: 10029602
    Abstract: A sleeping unit for a vehicle having at least one side wall includes a first wall located inside the vehicle and spaced apart from the side wall of the vehicle, a second wall, a combined seating and sleeping unit and a retractable sleeping unit. The combined seating and sleeping unit has a first section and a second section and is movable from a first configuration in which the first and second sections are generally perpendicular to one another to a second configuration in which the first and second sections are generally parallel to one another. The retractable sleeping unit is movable from a first position in which it is located in the space between the first wall and the side wall of the vehicle to a second position in which it is located outside the space between the first wall and the side wall of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Forest River, Inc.
    Inventors: Collin Cannon Spickler, Lamar Miller, Dennis Mast, Steven Miller, Joe Mast
  • Patent number: 9854912
    Abstract: The reclining chair 100 according to the invention comprises an anchoring structure 200 having, mounted thereon, a support structure or frame 300A which forms a support of a seat 300B connected at the front to a leg rest 600, the frame 300A being connected laterally to two arm rests 500 and at the rear to a backrest 400. The backrest and frame are connected together by means of frame pins 316; the backrest and seat 300B are connected together by means of lever systems 410, 410a connected at one end to seats 407 provided on the framework 401 of the backrest 400 and at the other end to pins arranged in seats 323 on the seat side support structures 311 of the seat 300B; the frame 300A and seat 300B are connected together by means of frame pins 306 and 318 which slide inside corresponding recesses 320 and 321 formed in the seat side support structures 311 of the seat 300B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: IACOBUCCI HF ELECTRONICS S.P.A.
    Inventor: Lucio Iacobucci
  • Patent number: 9481319
    Abstract: A bracket assembly adjustably mounted a flat screen TV monitor in the sleeper compartment of an over-the-road truck. The bracket base mounts to the ceiling of the truck cab and to the front wall of the sleeper compartment. An arm is slidably connected to the base. The TV is mounted to a plate on the end of the arm so as to reside in the entry/exit opening between the cab and the sleeper compartment. The TV can be moved between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Avery A. Gatton
  • Patent number: 9376211
    Abstract: A modular cabin segment for a vehicle includes a first lateral segment module that accommodates a first toilet arrangement with at least one toilet compartment and a second lateral segment module, wherein in each case an outer lateral face of the first segment module and of the second lateral segment module is designed to adapt in each case to an inner wall of a cabin of the vehicle so as to correspond to the aforesaid. At least one of the modules includes at least one cabin attendant seat that on one side is held on the at least one module so that it can be pivoted on an axis. In this manner very good integration of many different functions in the manner of a construction kit is achieved in order to be able to accommodate a greater number of passenger seats elsewhere within the limited space provided in a cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Schliwa, Maria Strasdas
  • Patent number: 8888043
    Abstract: A crew bunk system may include a bunk frame assembly and at least two vertically spaced crew berths. Each one of the crew berths may have a lengthwise hinge line dividing the crew berth into a stationary panel and a foldable panel. The stationary panel may be fixedly coupled to the bunk frame assembly. The foldable panel may be hingedly coupled to the stationary panel along the hinge line. The crew bunk system may include at least one connecting member interconnecting the foldable panels such that the foldable panels pivot in unison between a deployed position and a stowed position. The crew bunk system may include a latching mechanism configured to lock the foldable panels in the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Olliges, Mark E. King, Marc A. Spane, Paul A. Kinzer, Aaron L. Castillo, Douglas J. Seiersen, Richard J. Johnson, Lee L. Smith
  • Patent number: 8528260
    Abstract: The invention comprises a structure having at least two separate air chambers (7) enclosed by flexible, flat material (8) and having flexible bars (9) in the interior thereof for stabilizing an external shape of the air chambers (7). The structure is characterized in that the air chambers (7) form a wall structure (4) in the inflated state. By means of such a wall structure (4)—preferably in conjunction with a corresponding ceiling structure (16)—lightweight berths (1), particularly for aircraft crew, flight passengers, or transported injured persons, can be set up quickly and simply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Lantal Textiles
    Inventors: Roland Von Ballmoos, Laszlo Kerekes, Dragan Radanovic, Andreas Gühmann, Iris Suter
  • Patent number: 8522692
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of railroad passenger car, and more particularly relates to a sleeper compartment of a railroad passenger car. The sleeper compartment may be an open type or a private booth type, comprising: sidewalls, partition walls, and two columns of longitudinally arranged sleepers that are parallel with each other; each column of the longitudinally arranged sleepers is formed by no less than two sleepers that are joined together, the sleepers comprise an upper-sleeper layer and a lower-sleeper layer; one partition wall is provided between adjacent sleepers; the length direction of the longitudinally arranged sleepers is consistent with the length direction of the railroad passenger car; the longitudinally arranged sleepers at two sides are fixed to the sidewalls respectively, and a corridor is provided between two adjacent columns of longitudinally arranged sleepers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Tangshan Railway Vehicle Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bangcheng Sun, Chao An, Shunyin Cai, Huijun Liu
  • Patent number: 8276962
    Abstract: A litter support system for a vehicle including a support framework connectable to a wall of the vehicle, an upper litter support arm for holding a litter, the upper litter support arm connected to the support framework, a lower litter support arm for holding a litter, the lower litter support arm connected to the support framework, wherein the upper and lower litter support arms are connected to the support framework such that the upper and lower litter support arms are rotatable between a store position and a first support position and movable substantially horizontally between the first support position substantially adjacent to and near the support framework and a second support position substantially extended outwardly from the support framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Ferno-Washington, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Chinn
  • Patent number: 8256712
    Abstract: A crew rest unit for an aircraft fuselage may be formed as a monocoque shell (10) having curved walls (10b) complementary to and fitting within an available space (20a, 20b) in the aircraft fuselage. The monocoque shell (10) provides an enclosure for at least one sleep area (14a, 14b) therein. The curved walls (10b) of the monocoque shell (10) have load-bearing mounting members (12) on their outer surfaces for attachment of fasteners (22) to an adjacent wall or frame for the pre-determined available space (20a, 20b) in the aircraft fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Shawn H. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 7883133
    Abstract: A litter support system for a vehicle including a support framework connectable to a wall of the vehicle, an upper litter support arm for holding a litter, the upper litter support arm connected to the support framework, a lower litter support arm for holding a litter, the lower litter support arm connected to the support framework, wherein the upper and lower litter support arms are connected to the support framework such that the upper and lower litter support arms are rotatable between a store position and a first support position and movable substantially horizontally between the first support position substantially adjacent to and near the support framework and a second support position substantially extended outwardly from the support framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Ferno-Washington, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Chinn
  • Patent number: 7823831
    Abstract: An aircraft cabin includes: a deck forming a plane surface on which seats are fastened; an aisle extending longitudinally in the cabin and elevated in relation to the deck; and berths served by the aisle, arranged at an angle above the seats of the deck on both sides of the aisle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventor: Bernard Guering
  • Patent number: 7762496
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aircraft having a fuselage. The fuselage may have a plurality of frame members, a cabin formed within the fuselage, a floor defining a portion of the cabin, a center section of seats disposed on the floor, a crown positioned above a center section of seats, and a crew rest module. The crew rest module may have an entrance module defined by at least two entrance module peripheral walls and having a seating area, and a bunk module being separate from the seating area and being defined by at least three bunk module peripheral walls. The entrance module peripheral walls and the bunk module peripheral walls may be sized to fit through a passenger door of a substantially assembled aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Doug Jon Seiersen, Kyong Shik Kim, James Robert Park, Duane Michael Egging
  • Patent number: 7699264
    Abstract: A rest unit that can be laid out inside a fuselage of an aircraft, especially for the benefit of the crew, is made up of a plurality of cells of an elongated shape, each cell having longitudinal and transverse dimensions corresponding to a location of a berth, the cells being juxtaposed on at least two levels to form a module of a parallelepipedal outer shape. This module can be incorporated in a rear cone of the fuselage of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventor: Bernard Guering
  • Patent number: 7681951
    Abstract: A passenger compartment with first through fourth placement spaces that include first through fourth accommodation units, where the accommodation units are of a modular design. The first and second accommodation units are a first seat and a second seat which can both be changed between a sitting position and an essentially horizontal resting position. The first and second placement spaces are arranged in one placement plane facing each other. The third placement space is arranged beside the first placement space and the fourth placement space is arranged beside the second placement space. The arrangement includes a delimiting element arranged laterally beside the first and second placement spaces and extending to be perpendicular in relation to the placement plane. First and second couchette elements are affixable to the delimiting element such that passengers can be accommodated who are in positions lying down above the first and second placement spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Doebertin, Alexander Niesigk, Andreas Peppel, Werner Granzeier
  • Patent number: 7448576
    Abstract: A mobile platform personnel berth unit and a method for creating the mobile platform personnel berth unit are provided. A male mandrel is created defining an inner mold line surface of the berth unit. The male mandrel is overlayed with one or more layers of filament strips. The filament layers are thermally cured to create an integrated structural member. The male mandrel is then removed from the structural member. The structural member is profile shaped to create a semi-finished berth unit having a top, a bottom and a pair of integral side panels. Additional entrance and back panels as well as access panels and connecting hardware are then added to complete the berth unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ralph D Druckman, Karen L Hills, Susan L Robinson
  • Patent number: 7389959
    Abstract: A modular overhead privacy system for a mobile platform, in one form, includes a plurality of independent privacy modules located longitudinally spaced apart, above a passenger cabin, in an overhead crown area of the mobile platform. The system additionally includes a plurality of private access stairways providing access to the privacy modules from the passenger cabin. Each private module is accessible by an independent one of the private access stairways. Each privacy module includes at least one berth that provides a passenger or crew member a private reposing space separate from the passenger cabin. In one embodiment the privacy modules are longitudinally spaced apart in accordance with a seat pitch of a plurality of rows of seats in the passenger cabin. In another embodiment the seats are positioned adjacent one another behind a stairway leading the overhead privacy module. The system can be employed in either a passenger cabin area or a crew member area of a mobile platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher J Mills
  • Patent number: 7290735
    Abstract: An aircraft cabin that includes a main structure being the structure of the aircraft and enclosing the cabin; a bridge forming a flat surface on which the seats are secured; an aisle extending longitudinally in cabin and elevated with respect to bridge, and beds or cots accessed by said aisle and arranged above seats of bridge, transversally with respect to aisle and on both sides of such aisle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Airbus
    Inventors: Bruno Saint-Jalmes, André Rezag, Jazon Zaneboni
  • Patent number: 7185849
    Abstract: A passenger accommodation cabin for a vehicle, particularly an aircraft includes a wall defining a passenger accommodation area; a plinth disposed substantially at floor level and adapted to support a mattress within the accommodation area to provide at least one substantially flat bed; a false floor that is selectively movable between a deployed position in which the false floor at least partially covers the mattress and a retracted position for allowing use of the bed; and a seating system having at least one seat and associated supporting structure for supporting the seat within the accommodation area generally above the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited
    Inventors: David Ferry, Adam Bernard Wells, Luke Miles
  • Patent number: 6851134
    Abstract: A berth arrangement, especially for means of transport, is described, comprising a plurality of single berths (1) which are arranged in rows in a successive, superimposed and mutually offset fashion and receive at least one reclining seat (6), and which berths form a sitting room (2) and a foot room (3) starting out from the sitting room (2), with the height of the foot room being smaller than the sitting room height. In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is provided that the respective ceilings (5) and floors (4) of the sitting rooms (2) correspond to the negative shapes of the floors (10) and ceilings (9) of the foot space (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Walter Freller
  • Patent number: 6715716
    Abstract: An aircraft seat assembly 10 is provided including a plurality of aircraft seat elements 12. The aircraft seat assembly 10 includes a first aircraft seat element 18, having a first seat portion 16 and a first back portion 18. The first back portion 18 includes a lower back portion 22 and an upper back portion 24. The lower back portion 22 is rotatable between a raised position 26, wherein the lower back portion 22 is tangential with the upper back portion 24 to form a contiguous back rest 29, and a lowered position 28, wherein the lower back portion 22 is tangential with the first seat portion 16 to form an extended horizontal sleeping platform 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Kwun-Wing W. Cheung
  • Patent number: 6276635
    Abstract: A seating unit for a vehicle, particularly an aircraft, that has a movable portion including a back rest, a seat pan and a leg rest, and a fixed portion having front and rear legs. The movable portion is movable between a fully reclined position and an upright position. A recess is disposed below the back rest and seat pan in the upright position, the recess constituting a foot-well for a person using another seat therebehind. Front and rear cross-members can be fixedly secured respectively to the lower ends of the front and rear legs, and are fixed to seat tracks provided in the vehicle. In one embodiment, the fixed portion includes two spaced rear legs that are positioned on opposing sides of the recess, and the rear cross-member can be fixedly secured to the lower ends of both of the rear legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Reynard Aviation Limited
    Inventors: David Ferry, James H. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6152400
    Abstract: Sleeping units such as bunks or cabins are arranged in a space efficient manner in the lower lobe of an aircraft, accessible from the main passenger cabin by a stairway or elevator. The space efficient arrangement of sleeping units can include bunks extending longitudinally along one side of a longitudinal aisle and bunks extending transversely of the aircraft at the other side of the aisle. Access to the transversely extending bunks can be by short cross-aisles. At least one portion of the passenger compartment can have a floor lowered relative to the normal cargo floor to provide additional headroom in the aisle, while another portion of the sleeping compartment can rest on the cargo floor for conversion between a passenger rest area configuration and a standard cargo carrying configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mithra M. K. V. Sankrithi, Marlyn E. Kyle
  • Patent number: 6073883
    Abstract: A rest area is provided in the crown of an aircraft, above the ceiling of the main passenger cabin. The rest area includes a longitudinally extending aisle having a floor lowered into the overhead bin structure of the passenger cabin, and raised beds accessible from the aisle. The beds can extend longitudinally at opposite sides of the aisle, or transversely of the aircraft with end access from the aisle. The rest area can incorporate a lounge consisting of a couch, recliners, and/or storage units, with an enlarged passing area for users of the rest area. The overhead rest area provides a convenient, comfortable resting area, such as for pilots and attendants, without affecting the revenue generating capability of the seating configuration of the main passenger cabin, or the cargo carrying capably of the lower lobe of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kim G. Ohlmann, Mark E. Wentland, Richard C. Burnham, Mithra M. K. V. Sankrithi, Richard J. Mazzone
  • Patent number: 5992798
    Abstract: The present invention provides a seat for a passenger vehicle, particularly an aircraft, which seat comprises a first fixed part for supporting the seat adjacent a floor of a vehicle; a second movable part comprising a seat pan component, a back-rest component and a leg-rest component; guiding means between the first fixed and second movable part for guiding movement of the movable parts relative to the fixed part between an upright position and a fully reclined position, such that as the movable part is moved towards the fully reclined position, said back-rest component is lowered translationally towards the floor; reclining means for reclining the back-rest component from an upright orientation to a fully reclined orientation as the movable portion is moved from the upright to the fully reclined positions; the arrangement being such that as the movable part is moved between the upright and fully reclined positions, the locking drive means is controlled such that the leg-rest component remains in contact wit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Reynard Aviation Limited
    Inventor: David Ferry
  • Patent number: 5876059
    Abstract: An occupant restraint system for vehicles with a sleeping compartment or bunk area, which uses airbags installed above and in front of the occupant of the bunk area to provide restraint and secondary collision protection during crashes and rollovers and other emergency conditions. A shelf assembly above the bunk is described, containing the airbag modules installed internal to the shelf. The covering of the shelf is such that deployment of the airbags would occur through the bottom cover, providing protection to the reclining occupant during crashes and rollovers. The shelf assembly containing the airbag modules has a fabric or mesh curtain connecting the front of the shelf to the lower bunk to restrict forward occupant motion during rapid deceleration, to provide privacy for the occupant and to secure the hinged movement of the upper shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Kleinberg
  • Patent number: 5788183
    Abstract: A device for a seat, in particular an aircraft seat, the seat having a back that pivots between an upright sitting position and a folded-down sleeping position, the device serving to cause the seat proper of the seat to take up an appropriate position that matches that of the back. The device includes two support-and-drive assemblies designed to be disposed laterally on either side of the seat, each assembly having first and second hinged and deformable mechanical linkages designed to be associated mechanically firstly with the back to pivot relative thereto, and secondly with the seat proper in portions thereof that are respectively proximal and distal relative to the back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Societe Industrielle et Commerciale De Materiel Aeronautique
    Inventor: Robert Marechal
  • Patent number: 5690355
    Abstract: An occupant restraint system for vehicles with a sleeping compartment or bunk area, which uses airbags installed above and in front of the occupant of the bunk area to provide restraint and secondary collision protection during crashes and rollovers and other emergency conditions. A shelf assembly above the bunk is described, containing the airbag modules installed internal to the shelf. The covering of the shelf is such that deployment of the airbags would occur through the bottom cover, providing protection to the reclining occupant during crashes and rollovers. The shelf assembly containing the airbag modules has a fabric or mesh curtain connecting the front of the shelf to the lower bunk to restrict forward occupant motion during rapid deceleration, to provide privacy for the occupant and to secure the hinged movement of the upper shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Kleinberg
  • Patent number: 5425516
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger accomodation system providing rows of side-by-side seat assemblies for passengers, with the seats operable to provide alternating rows of elevated partially reclining seats and alternate rows of fully reclining seats to provide lounges or beds for some of the passengers and with access to each of the seats regardless of the status of the seat and its location in the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Inventor: Paul H. Daines
  • Patent number: 5259575
    Abstract: A stretcher which is adapted to be hingedly attached to the inside surface of a transportation means is disclosed. The stretcher is provided with orifices through the top and bottom surfaces of the stretcher such that the location of the orifices corresponds to the arrangement of the windows in the transportation means so that the passenger's view is not blocked by the stretcher when the stretcher is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventor: Carlos P. Cabrera
  • Patent number: 4686908
    Abstract: Equipment for public transport vehicles and transit areas having on either side of a longitudinal passageway, symmetrical transverse rows of sitting seats, having an alternating orientation, sometimes facing and sometimes back to back. At least above two longitudinal sequences of sitting seats on the side of the longitudinal passageway are provided longitudinal lounger seats, at a rate of one lounger for two sitting seats, whereof the central bottom points bear on the seat backs coupled back to back and whereof the adjacent raised ends are extended on the curved inner roof area. Access to each central bottom point takes place by steps located on the other side of the longitudinal passageway and which face one another, in the sides common to the seat backs joined back to back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Inventor: Pierre Legrand
  • Patent number: 4589612
    Abstract: The present invention first provides a high-density accommodations module which is vertically convertible from parallel bedding to staggered-seating configurations. The respective configurations are more specifically established by at least one set of vertically-paired, reconfigurable accommodations compartments, each having in each of its associated configurations an upper-torso section and a lower-torso section. In the bedding configuration, prone postures are accommodated by a mutually-horizontal disposition of associated upper and lower-torso sections. In the seating configuration, upright postures are accommodated by a mutually-vertical disposition of the associated sections. For the conversion from bedding to seating, the module is arranged such that the lower-torso section of the upper compartment's bedding configuration becomes an upper-torso section for the lower compartment's seating configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Inventor: Wibara Halim
  • Patent number: 4215899
    Abstract: In a cabin for trucks with trailer-fixtures, a first sleeping-berth is arranged behind and between the seats on the rear wall of the cabin pivotally about a horizontal pin. A second sleeping-berth is provided, that is conveyable from an operational position next to the first sleeping-berth to a horizontal storing position above the first sleeping-berth. A linkage for moving the second berth comprises two cantilevers that are pivotally fixed to the cabin about a horizontal pin and hold the second sleeping-berth at the lateral sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nurnberg Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Schmidt, Gerhard Watzek
  • Patent number: 4144601
    Abstract: The air ride sleeper of the present invention supports a mattress or cushion. The sleeper provides cushioned movement in both a vertical and horizontal front-to-rear direction, so that the effects of bumps, vibrations, and rapid acceleration or deceleration on the person lying or sitting on the cushion are minimized. In preferred embodiments, the vertical cushioning is provided by first and second air cushions while the horizontal cushioning is provided by first and second spring-loaded slides, which slide over first and second rails and are connected to the frame by first and second variable vertical supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Inventors: Alan J. Anderson, Anthony R. Hargreaves
  • Patent number: 4138949
    Abstract: A sleeping berth movable between stored and use positions includes an elongated pan having a central substantially deep portion and at opposite ends substantially narrower portions which contain a suitably shaped mattress. The shallow portions in the use position of the bed increase the head room for passengers seated on the compartment seats. The pan or shell of the berth also includes at one side thereof a tubular beam construction which houses a linkage mechanism for releasably locking the berth in use and non-use positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1979
    Assignee: Pullman Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack E. Gutridge, Keith J. Hallam
  • Patent number: 4018166
    Abstract: A railway passenger compartment includes a seating arrangement which is convertible to elongated berths by moving oppositely disposed seats toward each other, the same being hingedly connected to seat backs which are also moved into longitudinal alignment forming berths. Stationary seat supports are provided with tracks which slidingly support cantilevered arms connected to the seats and provide basic supports for the seats when in the berth position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Assignee: Pullman Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack E. Gutridge, Walter J. Marulic