Passenger Placement Patents (Class 105/344)
  • Patent number: 11142320
    Abstract: A cabin module for a commercial aircraft includes a set of bulkheads defining a quadrant with an inboard wall and converging side walls. The module is sub-divided by a removable partition which splits the module into two passenger compartments. The quadrant shape of the module enables it to overlap an adjacent seat area, thereby using space between seat areas that is otherwise underutilised. In a particular form the modules define a single central aisle which transitions from a pair of parallel aisles aft via a Y-shaped transition region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LIMITED
    Inventor: James Shing Hin Lee
  • Patent number: 10858108
    Abstract: A passenger seat arrangement is provided for a single-aisle vehicle, such as a narrow-body aircraft. In some examples, the passenger seat includes a passenger seat having a seat plane. The passenger seat is positioned such that the seat plane is at a non-square and non-zero acute angle relative to a plane of the aisle. The passenger seat is a non-lie flat seat movable between an upright position and a neutral position. A seat back of the passenger seat is at a non-zero angle relative to a seat base of the passenger seat in both the upright position and the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Paul Bentley, Jeremy Green, Joe Gaston
  • Patent number: 10124814
    Abstract: The invention relates to a passenger cabin of a vehicle, in particular a saloon coach of a rail vehicle, wherein the passenger cabin (1) comprises a room divider (10), wherein the room divider (10) is attached to a cabin frame, wherein the room divider (10) comprises at least one backrest surface (11, 12), wherein at least a section of the backrest surface (11, 12) extends along a longitudinal axis (3) of the passenger cabin (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Griggs, Richard Butterfield
  • Patent number: 9856025
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to passenger aircraft seats. The disclosure focuses on a seat unit arrangement (10) for a cabin and seat units that provide different comfort positions. In some embodiments, a side cushion (14) forms part of a bed surface when the seats are converted to a bed position. In some embodiments, a bed extension (30) is deployed from a stowed position to form a part of the bed surface. In some embodiments, a seat backrest (22) does not form part of the bed surface when the seat unit is in the bed position. In some embodiments, a lounge position is provided when the seat backrest rotates toward a side cushion. In such an embodiment, the passenger may be positioned toward the side cushion such that the passenger may comfortably rest their legs on the side cushion without converting the seat to a bed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats France
    Inventors: Franck Jasny, Christophe Ducreux, Jeremy Cailleteau, Philippe Roy, Patrick Herault
  • Publication number: 20140224149
    Abstract: A rail vehicle includes an interior which can be partially shut off and is constructed from a plurality of car bodies. At least one dividing wall, which can be extended, runs in a direction transverse to the rail vehicle and divides a segment of the rail vehicle which is accessible to people from a segment of the rail vehicle which is inaccessible to people.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Ralf Thierschmann, Thomas Vogeley
  • Patent number: 8286560
    Abstract: A carriage including a floor comprising at least one low platform and two high floor levels, the low platform having a floor height lower than that of the high floor levels and being arranged opposite a door, the low platform being movable in translation is provided. The low platform is connected to said high floor levels by ramps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Alstom Transport SA
    Inventors: Joél Hachet, Michel Cherdo
  • Patent number: 8167244
    Abstract: A class divider for an aircraft passenger cabin is provided. The class divider includes a partition positioned immediately aft of a rear row of seats in a first predetermined class area of the aircraft cabin and an aft-facing panel having a width and height generally corresponding to a width and height of the rear row of seats. One or more passenger convenience features selected from the group of video monitors, tray tables, and magazine storage pockets are provided on the aft-facing panel for use by passengers seated immediately aft of the partition in a front row of a second predetermined class area of the aircraft cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: B E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn A. Johnson, Randy Penley
  • Patent number: 7665692
    Abstract: A baggage bin for an aircraft includes a compartment with a lower face substantially plane and a first flap that, in a closing position, is inclined toward the inside of the baggage bin in relation to a plane perpendicular to the lower face of the baggage bin. The first flap is mounted pivoting around a first axis. The bin includes a second flap arranged outside the first flap in relation to the baggage bin and articulated with the first flap. The second flap extends, in the closing position of the baggage bin, from a lower edge of the baggage bin to a ceiling edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus
    Inventor: Thomas-Mathias Bock
  • Publication number: 20090255437
    Abstract: A carriage including a floor comprising at least one low platform and two high floor levels, the low platform having a floor height lower than that of the high floor levels and being arranged opposite a door, the low platform being movable in translation is provided. The low platform is connected to said high floor levels by ramps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: ALSTOM TRANSPORT SA
    Inventors: Joel Hachet, Michel Cherdo
  • Patent number: 7354018
    Abstract: An aircraft cabin module for passengers that includes two transverse walls extending from a longitudinal cabin wall up to a longitudinal aisle, at least one of the transverse walls including a transparent portion. A longitudinal wall separates the cabin module from the aisle. At least one service module is arranged between the two transverse walls, more or less symmetrically in relation to a transverse median plane, defining with the walls of the module two contiguous personal spaces. An access is provided from the aisle to each personal space, and at least one seat is provided in each personal space, each seat having at least one configuration in which it is positioned parallel to the cabin wall. Each personal space includes elements capable of forming a bedding surface for at least one passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Airbus
    Inventor: Bruno Saint-Jalmes
  • 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: 5611503
    Abstract: A process for arranging seats within an airplane to provide optimal combinations of passenger comfort and space utilization. The process involves calculating the average passenger comfort level in each possible row configuration using the comfort levels enjoyed by passengers seated in different seating environments created by adjacent occupied seats, empty seats, sidewalls and aisles, each such comfort level being weighted by the portion of passengers who would be seated in the seating environments at each possible load factor and the frequency of occurrence of that load factor. The row configuration with the highest passenger comfort level may be installed in the airplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert K. Brauer
  • Patent number: 5218910
    Abstract: A roller coaster has cars with passenger supports to hold the passengers in a substantially horizontal position within the car during the ride in seats which can be rigidly molded for each new individual passenger to conform to the unique body contours of the passenger, wherein the cars have multiple vertically-tiered levels of passenger support and are supported from above and below on the track, to provide an increased speed and thrill capability for the ride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Inventors: Ethan J. Mesmer, Matthew S. Gray, Milton E. Parrish
  • Patent number: 5176082
    Abstract: A passenger detection loading and unloading control system is provided for high volume passenger transporters such as subway trains and the like which electronically counts the passengers in each passenger compartment and prepositions passengers that intend to deboard at the next passenger loading and unloading platform and which electronically counts and prepositions a number of passengers at the next platform for boarding. The system further permits simultaneous loading and unloading of passengers without interference with passenger flow. Passengers on the transporter are numerically counted and those passengers intended to deboard the transporter at the next platform are also counted. Signals representing these counted passengers are continuously transmitted to a signal processing facility for processing. A predetermined time schedule for arrival and departure is established for the high volume passenger transporter in relation to each passenger loading and unloading platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Inventors: Joong H. Chun, Hanjoo Lee
  • Patent number: 5063859
    Abstract: A railroad car having an upper and lower level is disclosed. The lower level is positioned above a flat center sill extending along the length of the car and supported above the axles of the wheels at either end of the car. The upper level is positioned vertically above the lower level. Each of the levels includes doorways opening to the floor region of the respective levels. Having a doorway at each level permits a freer flow of passenger and railroad service personnel traffic between railroad cars. The upper level includes an observation deck having an integral window member which has a substantially vertical portion, a curved portion, and a generally horizontal portion. The shape of the duct system ensures that forced air is evenly distributed along the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Inventor: Thomas G. Rader
  • Patent number: 4678226
    Abstract: A vehicle body able to withstand fluctuating external pressure while providing ample space for the passengers, by having a multiplicity of substantially square, first frames each having reinforced portions on two upper corners thereof, provided by rounding inner surfaces of the two upper corners, and a multiplicity of substantially square, second frames having reinforced portions on two lower corners thereof provided by rounding inner surfaces of the two lower corners. They are arranged alternately over the length of the vehicle body, and are connected together by longitudinal structural members. A shell plate is attached to the substantially square frames at their outer surfaces, to provide a substantially square vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Ishizuka, Makoto Ogawara
  • Patent number: 4582354
    Abstract: A bus construction and loading station for selective seated and reclined posture of passenger transport in a multiplicity of isolated compartments one above the other between bays formed by reinforcement bulkheads, with individually controlled air conditioning into each compartment, and each compartment being divisible to separate passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Inventor: Wibara Halim
  • Patent number: 4526422
    Abstract: A sitting device for freely chosen or fixedly attached mounting on a floor and on a subframe, or for attachment to vertical surfaces, said device comprising an array of supporting faces consisting of at least two such faces, neighboring supporting faces having different positions. One of the two neighboring supporting faces may serve to support the posterior of the occupant and the other to support the calf. Alternatively one serves to support the back and the other to support the posterior. The supporting faces comprise a forwardly inclined seat cushion and a calf cushion forming a mutual angle of at least 90.degree.. The supporting faces may be arranged at a distance from each other and with free space between these. They may be mechanically linked with each other. A set of two posterior supports, a common calf support and a common table is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Inventors: Hans C. Mengshoel, Svein A. Gusrud
  • Patent number: 4415051
    Abstract: An improved, low height, electrically powered mine car is provided for transporting an entire crew (up to eleven persons) in a low vein mine shaft which includes strategically located and sized personnel and driver compartments for maximum load capacity. The main crew compartment is oriented to hold up to eight individuals who lie in a substantially supine position with their limbs intertwined; the forward end of the car has a central driver compartment allowing the operator to steer and control the car in a generally supine position, as well as two additional personnel compartments respectively ahead of the front wheels where the passengers may ride in a reclined position. The motor, main differential and drive shafts are substantially encased within a housing structure in order to prevent fouling of these components by dirt or the like encountered in a mine shaft. Spring structure for the car combines low profile, rugged characteristics and minimum space requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Mine Equipment Company
    Inventor: Jerry F. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4161914
    Abstract: A railway passenger sleeping car is provided with standard base compartments communicating with a standard size aisle remotely positioned from the car vestibule. The car includes a vestibule having an enlarged aisle which communicates with an enlarged compartment having an annex for storing special equipment for the handicapped. The vestibule aisle and enlarged compartment are positioned close to the car door openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1979
    Assignee: Pullman Incorporated
    Inventor: Ronald W. Marsh