MXPA97004422A - A unit of asie - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a seating unit for an aircraft cabin, the seating unit comprising: a fixed housing, a seat with a backrest portion supported and contained within the fixed housing, and a separate seat portion; a wheelbarrow associated with the seat portion of the seat, the wheelbarrow comprising a member extending away from the seat portion to contact a bearing surface on which, in use, the seat unit is placed, and whereby supporting the seat portion, and driving means for driving the truck to move the seat portion between a retracted position and an extended position, the seat portion and the backrest portion being pivotally engaged so that when moving the seat portion between the retracted and extended positions the backrest portion is urged to move between the substantially vertical and reclined positions while e remains substantially within the housing, wherein a substantially flat surface is formed by the backrest and seat portions when the backrest portion is in the reclined position and the seat portion is in the extended position.

Description

A SEAT UNIT This invention relates to a seating unit. More specifically, the invention relates to a seating unit for an aircraft cabin. In most aircraft, the first class cabin is adapted with large seats, widely separated, in order to provide space and comfort to passengers during their trip. Currently, virtually every first class cabin is adapted with large double seats with a separation (longitudinal distance between seats) of at least 1500 millimeters. The design of the current seat suffers from many inconveniences. The seats are not designed to extend flat, and this makes sleeping uncomfortable. There is also a lack of privacy between the two seats. This can be very disconcerting for passengers, particularly when they sleep. Passengers have said that the feeling is similar to being in bed with a stranger. Of course it would be possible to design these seats to extend planes. However, this creates another problem related to the way seats are reclined. Where a seat reclines, its backrest leans into the rear passenger's accommodation space. This is psychologically unpleasant for passengers who feel that their living space is being violated. This also makes it difficult for passengers behind a reclined seat to leave their own seats without disturbing other passengers. This is especially difficult for passengers occupying a window seat, who will disturb both passengers in the reclined seats in front, and passengers in the aisle seat next to him, when he leaves his seat. One way to overcome this problem would, of course, be to increase the separation between the seats up to, say, 2 meters. This is undesirable because, clearly, this reduces the seating capacity within the cabin for the sake of only a relatively minor advantage. On the other hand, the design of existing first-class seats does not lend itself to providing individual storage space for each passenger. Passengers prefer to keep their personal belongings within their reach, and currently this is only possible if bags, pillows, newspapers, etc., are placed on the floor of the cabin. As a result, the cabin can become very messy during a flight, particularly if this is a long flight at night. The present invention aims to overcome, or at least reduce, the problems mentioned above. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a seating unit comprising a fixed housing containing a primary seat with a reclining backrest, wherein the backrest is arranged to recline in such a way that it remains within the housing. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an accommodation unit comprising a primary reclining seat comprising a backrest and a seat portion, and an opposite secondary seat; the primary seat can be moved to a reclined position in which the backrest and the seat portion, together with the secondary seat, form a substantially flat sleeping surface. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a seat comprising a backrest portion, a seat portion and a wheelbarrow that can be operated to move the seat portion between a retracted position and an extended position, the seat portion and the backing portion cooperating in such a way that when the seat portion moves between the retracted and extended positions, the back portion is caused to move between the substantially vertical and reclined positions. The invention also provides a seating unit for a vehicle, the unit comprising a primary seat and a service unit adjacent to a vehicle., and structurally separated from, the primary seat, to accommodate services for individual use by a primary seat occupant. In the seating units to be described herein, each unit comprises a primary seat whose purpose is to provide support for a passenger seated therein. The services, ie the auxiliary features, such as a table, a television screen and storage, are provided by a separate service unit or side panel, which together with the primary seat, forms the seating unit. In this way, during a flight, the use, by a passenger, of its services does not bother other passengers because such use is substantially contained within the domain of that passenger's seat unit. Next, a reclining seat will be described in which a leg support panel is flown from the front of the seat, as the seat is reclined by a scissor type cantilever arrangement. Such a scissor-type arrangement is used extensively in airplane seats. According to another aspect of the invention, an aircraft is provided, including a cabin comprising a plurality of seating units, or accommodation units, as mentioned above. Until now, the seats in an airplane cabin have been arranged in a uniform manner, in a configuration in which rows of seats are placed perpendicular to the plane's axis. Generally, each row of seats is separated by a fixed distance from the row in front, so that each passenger has the same amount of space. The even separation also allows the backrest of a seat to support a table, and provides space for storage, and in some cases even houses a television screen and other auxiliaries and services, for the occupant in the back seat. The use of the back of a seat to support the services for the back seat is an undesirable compromise that results in the actions of a passenger causing inconvenience to other passengers during a flight. The invention also provides a vehicle comprising a cabin having a major axis and defined by at least two walls, one on each side of the major axis, the cabin containing a plurality of accommodation units having a respective major axis, and which are suitable for use by an individual passenger, where at least some of the units are staggered in such a way along a line in each wall, as to define an accommodation in which the major axis of each unit as length of the line, is out of alignment with the major axis of the cabin, providing by the same, privacy to each passenger in said units along the line, by means of avoiding that any of said units is completely adjacent to any another of said units. From the consideration of the description that follows later in the present, it will be evident that a stepped configuration allows each passenger to be provided with a greater degree of privacy. Such an arrangement allows the screens to be placed between adjacent seating units, to define the extent of each passenger's domain. A stepped configuration can also allow more seats to be provided within the same cabin space without any discernible loss of individual passenger space. The foregoing and other features of the invention are particularly stated in the appended claims, and together with the advantages thereof, will be made clearer by the consideration of the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, given with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings; Figure 1 is a first perspective view of a first accommodation unit embodying the invention. Figure 2 is a second perspective view of the first accommodation unit. Figure 3 is a plan view of an aircraft cabin containing plural accommodation units in an outward facing configuration. Figure 4 is a plan view of an aircraft cabin containing plural accommodation units in an interior facing configuration. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second accommodation unit embracing the invention, for use in the exterior facing configuration of Figure 3. Figure 6 is a second perspective view of the second accommodation unit. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a third accommodation unit embodying the invention, for use in the configuration facing the interior of Figure 4. Figure 8 is a second perspective view of the third accommodation unit. Figure 9 is a first schematic sectional view of a seat. Figure 10 is a second schematic sectional view of a seat. Figure 11 is a third schematic sectional view of a seat. Figure 12 is a third perspective view of the second accommodation unit.

Figure 13 is a third perspective view of the third accommodation unit. Figure 14 is a first schematic sectional view of a seat. Figure 15 is a second schematic sectional view of the seat of Figure 14. Figure 16 is a third schematic sectional view of the seat of Figure 14. Figure 17 is a fourth schematic sectional view of the seat of Figure 14. Figure 18 is a schematic sectional view of an alternative secondary seat arrangement. Figure 19 is a first perspective view of a fourth accommodation unit embodying the invention. Figure 20 is a second perspective view of the fourth accommodation unit. Figure 21 is a first perspective view of a fifth accommodation unit embodying the invention. Figure 22 is a plan view of an aircraft cabin containing plural accommodation units. Figure 23 is a second perspective view of the fifth accommodation unit. Figure 24 shows side views and plan views of the accommodation units in sitting and reclined positions.

Figure 25 shows side views and plan views of the accommodation units in sitting and sleeping positions. Referring now to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown an accommodation unit, or seating unit 1 comprising a primary reclining seat 2, and a fixed secondary seat 3. Both seats 2, 3 of the seating unit 1 , are provided to be used by a single first class passenger. Of course, it is completely up to the passenger how he uses seats 2, 3, but it is contemplated that he makes use of the primary seat 2 himself during the trip, and that he uses the secondary seat 3 for other passengers whom he invites to accompany him during the trip. travel. A second unit 4 can be placed comprising its own primary seat 5 and secondary seat 6, next to the first unit 1. In such a situation, the first unit 1 and the second unit 4 are separated from one another by a dividing wall 7 which provides privacy between the two units 1, 4. To this end, the dividing wall 7 comprises a screen 8 between the primary seats 2, 5 of the two units, and a screen 9 between the secondary seats 3, 6. Another wall of screen 10 extends behind the two secondary seats 3, 6, to provide more privacy. The two units 1, 4 shown in Figure 1 are designed to be placed in the center of the cabin and be offered to a couple traveling together. For this reason, the two bulkheads 8, 9 are modestly sized, and do not prevent the passengers sitting in the two units 1, 4 from conversing with one another. Conveniently, a retractable bulkhead (not shown) may be provided in either or both screens 8, 9 for extension over the dividing wall to separate the two units 1, 4 completely from one another when the passengers do not travel together. The space between the primary seat 2 and the second seat 3 of each unit is large, and in fact it is sufficient for a table to be profitably placed between the two seats 2, 3. The partition wall 7 includes a table storage portion 11. As shown in Figure 2, a table 12 housed in the storage portion 11, between the primary seat 2 and the secondary seat 3, may be placed during a trip if the passenger so desires. The passenger can use a flat area or back cover 13 between the secondary seat 2 and the screen 10, to store his briefcase, newspapers or other personal effects if he so wishes. Conveniently, a television screen (not shown) may be provided hinged below the surface 13, or indeed within the partition wall 7. A greater degree of privacy may be achieved by staggering or overlapping the seating units. In Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, a way in which the seating units can be staggered is shown. In this arrangement, the plural seat units 15 are provided around the edge of a car 16. Each of the units 15 comprises a primary seat 17 and a secondary seat 18. When a passenger sits in the primary seat 17 of any of the units 15 , this is facing the outside of the plane. For convenience, reference will be made herein to this superimposed configuration as an array facing the exterior. It should be noted that two pairs of units 1, 4 and 1 ', 4' are provided along the centerline 19 of the cabin. These units 1, 4 and 1 ', 4' are similar to the units shown in Figures 1 and 2, but it will be noted that there is a greater spacing between units 1 'and 4', than there is between units 1, 4. The amount of spacing between the units can be selected depending on the space available inside the cabin, and in advance to the preferences of the passengers. In Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, another way is shown in which the seating units can be staggered. Again, plural seat units 21 are provided around the edge of the car 16, each seat unit 21 comprising a primary seat 22 and a secondary seat 23. When a passenger sits on the primary seat 22 of any of the seating units 21, he will be facing the inside of the plane cabin. For convenience, reference will be made herein to this superimposed configuration as an array facing the interior. As with the arrangement shown in Figure 3, pairs of units 1, 4 and 1 ', 4' are also provided along the center line 19 of the cabin. These two staggered arrangements make efficient use of the cabin space to the extent that the same number of passengers in the cabin 16 can be accommodated, than those that can be accommodated using the previously known double-seat arrangement, with the largest spacing of 2 meters. The choice of using an inward facing arrangement, or an outward facing arrangement, is arbitrary because there are no significant cost advantages with any arrangement over the other arrangement. Preliminary research has shown that the front-facing arrangement is likely to be preferred by passengers, because it provides a greater sense of privacy than the face-to-face arrangement. With the arrangement of facing the outside the passengers must turn with the whole body to see other passengers in the cabin, while with the arrangement facing the interior the passengers are already facing the interior towards other passengers. The design of the seat units differs slightly depending on whether the seat unit is for a central position, or whether it is for a position on the edge in an arrangement facing the interior, or a position on the edge in a front arrangement. To the exterior. Each of Figures 5 and 6 show perspective views of two of the seat units designed to be used in the face-to-face arrangement of Figure 3. It should be noted that while the overall design of each seat unit 15 is substantially the same as that of the seat unit 1 described above, while the primary seats 17 and the secondary seat 18 are positioned separately and facing each other, many details of the design are different. Extending between one side of the primary seat 17 and secondary seat 18 is a wall 24. A back cover extends from the wall 24 towards the interior wall of the cabin (not shown), and provides a surface for the passenger to place their belongings personal if he so wishes. Of course, more storage space can also be provided inside the wall 24 if so required. A screen 26 extends from behind the primary seat 17, through the back cover 25. The screen 26 defines a boundary between consecutive seating units 15, providing privacy for other passengers. As shown in Figure 6, a table 27 can be provided inside the back cover 25, behind an access slot 28. Each of Figures 7 and 8 show a perspective view of a seat unit 21, suitable for use in the configuration facing the interior of Figure 4. The basic design of the seat unit 21 is substantially the same as that of the seat units 1 and 15 described above, while the unit 21 comprises separate primary seats 22. and secondary 23 facing each other, but again, many details of the design differ from that of units 1 and 15 described above. A wall 29 extends along one side of the primary seat 22 and the secondary seat 23, and a back cover 30 extends from the top of the wall towards the wall of the car 31. A slot 32 provided in the back cover 30 it contains a table 33, which can be mounted slidably or pivotally, in such a way that a passenger can pull it outward and place it between the primary 22 and secondary 23 seats, as shown in Figure 8. Consecutive seating units are spaced apart of the others by a privacy screen 34. Another structure is provided comprising a wall 35 and a surface 36, between the screen 34 and the primary seat 22 for use by the passenger. Cupboards or other storage space can be provided on the wall 29 and / or wall 35 (not shown). As shown, the wall 29 does not extend along the primary seat 22. Instead a portion is omitted to allow the passenger to use the space under the back cover 30 for storing personal luggage. The primary seat 22 (and in fact the primary seats 2 or 17) can be pivotally secured within the seat unit 21 to allow the seat to pivot to a forward position (if necessary to satisfy the rules concerning the takeoff and landing). In this case, the omission of a portion of the wall 29 would allow the seat 22 to rotate on its axis to a position in which the legs of the passenger are placed under the back cover 30. The primary seats 2, 17 and 22 are reclinable . Figures 9, 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings show schematically how one of the primary seats, say the primary seat 2, can be continuously reclined between a vertical position (Figure 9) and a substantially horizontal position (Figure 11) . The primary seat 2 comprises a fixed housing 41 which houses a portion of the seat back 42, a seat portion 43, and a leg rest 44. During a flight the seat 2 can be reclined to a position (shown in FIG. Figure 10) in which the passenger (not shown) is reclined on the seat with his back resting on the backrest portion 42 and his legs are supported on the leg support 44. If the passenger wishes to sleep, they can move the seat portion 43 and the leg rest 44 out of the housing 41 until the leg rest 44 coincides with the seat portion 45 of the secondary seat 3. In this position, the back portion 42 lies substantially flat in the housing 41. In this manner, the backrest portion 42, the seat portion 43 and the leg rest 44 of the primary seat, together with the seat portion 45 of the secondary seat form a substantial surface flat mind on which the passenger can sleep. The recline mechanism can be operated manually or automatically by electric motors, etc. (not shown). It should be noted that the primary seat is arranged in such a way that the backrest portion 42 always remains within the housing 41 and therefore does not interfere with the accommodation space of the other passengers that are behind. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the seat unit 15 facing the outside with the primary seat fully reclined so that its back portion 42, the seat portion 43 and the leg rest 44 form a horizontal sleeping surface. The drawing also shows the housing 48 of another seating unit. In the back of the housing the doors 49 and 50 provide access to a cupboard or wardrobe space 51 and a lower door 52 provides access to an additional storage space 53. Figure 13 similarly shows a unit 21 facing the interior in which the back portion 42, the seat portion 43 and the leg rest 44 of the primary seat 22 have been fully reclined to form, together with the seat portion 45 of the secondary seats 23, a surface for substantially sleeping flat, horizontal. Turning now to Figures 14 to 17 of the accompanying drawings, a primary seat 2 is shown within a fixed structure or housing 41 which houses a backrest portion 42, a seat portion 43 and a leg rest 44. Figure 14 shows the seat 2 in a contracted position in which the back portion is substantially completely vertical. The seat includes a reclining mechanism comprising a backrest slide 50 to which the seat portion 42 is connected at a support point 51. The reclining mechanism further comprises a seat slider 52 to which the portion of the seat is connected. seat 43 by a guide member 53 at a support point 54. The seat portion 43 is connected to a pivot point 55 at one end of the backrest portion 42 and is supported by a truck member 56 having wheels 57 that roll on the floor 58 of the cabin. Lanes (not shown) can be provided on the floor 58 to prevent excessive floor wear and to facilitate smooth movement of the seat. It will be appreciated that the runners and the rails are provided on both sides of the seat for a balanced support of the different parts of the seat. The seat is driven by electric motors (not shown) controlled by means of a control panel (not shown). When a passenger selects "recline" on the control panel, an engine causes the seat portion 43 to be propelled forward, by rotation of a screw shaft 59, out of the housing 41 to an extended position in which the The backrest portion is in a reclined position as shown in Figure 15. The forward thrust of the seat portion 43 causes the backrest portion 42 to be guided along a path defined by the backrest slide 50. The shape of the slides 50 and 52 is selected in relation to the height of the truck member 56 to guide the orientation of the seat portion 43 so that it remains comfortably inclined horizontally while reducing the inclination of the portion. of backing 42. While the seat portion continues to be propelled beyond the reclined position shown in Figure 15 toward the extended position which In Figure 16, a motor (not shown) is driven independently of the drive of the truck to drive a screw arrangement 60 and cause the same as the leg rest portion 44 to move from the substantially position. straight or vertical shown in Figures 14 and 15 towards the substantially horizontal or reclined position shown in Figure 16. A shock absorber 61 can be provided in the back of the housing 41 to provide support for the free end of the portion of backrest 42 while the seat moves toward and rests in the flat surface position of Figure 16. In order to avoid the possibility of a passenger foot being caught between the leg rest 44 and the secondary seat 3 during the transition of rest for legs 44 from vertical to horizontal, the secondary seat 3 may comprise a fixed rear seat portion 62, and a front seat portion 63 pivotally connected to the rear portion 62 as shown in Figure 17 of the accompanying drawings. In the event that a passenger places his feet, or indeed any other object, between the leg rest 44 and the secondary seat 3, the front portion 63 will rotate on its axis out of the path of the object. If a passenger does not wish to make use of the secondary seat 3, the front portion 63 may rotate on its axis to a position on the rear portion 62 to provide more usable floor space for the passenger within his seating unit. In a stable flight the main axis of an airplane is inclined horizontally. Typically, an airplane flies at an angle of 3o, that is, with its nose pointing slightly upwards. If the seat unit is designed to recline to form a substantially flat sleeping surface in a position that is horizontal to the airplane plane, then a passenger would be brought to lie in a position where his head was lower than his feet when the plane is casting at its normal inclination of 3o. Such a position is undesirable not to say that passengers find it uncomfortable. In order to avoid problems to the passenger with such position, the recline mechanism is designed to define a flat sleeping surface which is slightly inclined by, more or less 3o, so that in relation to the plane of the plane the passenger is lying down in a position where your head is higher than your feet. As a result of a normal stable flight the passenger's head will lie in the same horizontal plane as his feet. Conveniently, placing the sleeping surface at a slight inclination allows the seat arms, etc., within the housing to be more easily designed to provide extra clearance for the passenger's shoulders while the passenger is lying down. Figure 18 shows an alternative secondary seat arrangement, an arrangement commonly called a bi-fold. The secondary seat comprises a fixed seat portion 64, a rear seat portion 65 pivotally connected at a junction 66 to the fixed seat portion 64 and a front seat portion 67 fixed pivotally to the rear seat portion 65 at a junction 68. The secondary seat can be moved between a fully extended position in which the front and rear seat portions are in the positions represented by references 65 and 67, a partially extended position in which the front portion rotates about its axis about the joint 68 for resting on the upper part of the rear portion as represented by references 65 and 67 ', and a storage position in which the rear portion rotates on its axis around the joint 66 for positioning the front and rear portions. back in the positions represented by the references 65"and 67". Figure 19 shows a seat unit 70 comprising a reclining seat 71 and a sideboard or service unit 72. A second seat unit 73, positioned near the seat unit 70 and comprising a reclining seat 74, has its own services in the service unit 72. Although not shown in the drawings, the two units 70, 73 can be separated from one another by a dividing wall to provide privacy between the two units. The two units 70, 73 shown in Figure 19 are designed to be placed in the center of the cabin and be offered to two passengers traveling together. The service unit 72 contains for each seating unit 70, 73 a table 75, a television type monitor 76 and a cupboard 77, and advantageously defines the flat surfaces for smaller objects such as teacups and the like. The cupboard 77 can be used to store personal items such as a laundry bag, hearing aids, etc., and space can be provided to store magazines, newspapers and the like. Conveniently, a lifejacket can be stored in the service unit 72. As shown in Figure 19, the table 75 comprises two hinged parts 75a and 75b hinged together, the end portion being pivotally mounted to the service unit in a "clockwise" arrangement. pick up and throw. " This means that the two parts 75a, 75b of the table can be folded together and then rotated to fall vertically into a storage space under a cover (not shown) in the service unit 72. When Again, the table can be lifted from the storage area, turned to the horizontal position, and unfold the ready-to-use parts. You can, of course, use any of the other well-known table storage arrangements in airplanes instead of the "pick and drop" arrangement, if desired. The television type monitor 76 mounted to a pivotal arm 78 in the service unit 72 is shown. The monitor 76 provides in-flight entertainment for the passenger and does not need to be mounted as shown. Instead, for example, alternative arrangements may be used where the monitor 76 retracts within the service unit 72 or where the monitor 76 is removably secured to the unit 72. The use of the sideboard or the unit Services 72 enables a large number of auxiliary features to be displayed outside the seat. The removal of the table and the monitor completely from the seat reduces the pressure in the seat by removing the load of these services. The seat and service unit cooperate in this way to provide a seating unit that offers a comfortable and useful travel environment for passengers. The seat unit 70 comprises a pair of screens 79, 80 at about the height of the head for a passenger seated right on the seat. Screens 79, 80 increase the perception of privacy for the occupant of the seat. Lights 81, 82 can be provided on the screens for use by the passenger if desired.

Figure 20 of the accompanying drawings illustrates how several pairs of seating units can be accommodated along the center of a cabin. Each passenger area is defined by the seat 71 itself, the service unit 72, the backrest of the seat unit 83 on the front, and the screens 84, 85 extending from behind the seat units 83 in front of the service unit 72. For reasons that will become clear from the description that follows herein, the upper part of each seat defines a vault 86 at the rear of the seat unit. The space under the vault 86 can be left open as shown in Figure 20 or it can be partially enclosed to provide in both cases a briefcase (or similar) storage area for the passenger in the back seat. A spring clamp 88 may be provided to secure the briefcases and the like placed in the storage area. Other storage space can be provided for such items as a lifejacket on the arms 881, 88b of the seat. While the overlap arrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4 is preferred, other seating arrangements may, of course, be employed. Figure 22 of the accompanying drawings shows an arrangement in which a central series of seats is spaced comprising pairs of units 90, 91, 92 along the central axis 93 of the cabin, and three individual units 94, 95 and 96 and a single pair of units 97 are positioned along each side of the cabin. A storage unit 98 is placed in front of the main central unit pair 90 for privacy. Similarly, a screen 99 is placed opposite the side of the pair of units 97 and to a side of the single seat 96 to provide privacy especially for the seat occupant 97a. The bulkhead 99, which can be seen more clearly in Figure 23, is positioned behind one side of the console 100 on the side of the single seat 96 and secured to the back of the screen 80 of that seat. More storage space can be provided on the side of the console 100 if desired. It can be seen from Figure 23 that the seat 96 is reclining in a manner similar to the manner in which the seating units shown in Figures 1 to 17 herein can be reclined. Like the seats described above, the seat 96 comprises a fixed structure or housing 101 which houses a seat back portion 102, a seat portion 103 and a leg rest 104. The recline of the seat is controlled by the occupant by means of a control panel 105 (see Figure 20 for the example) which controls the driving of the motors and the driving of the axes in a manner similar to that described hereinabove with reference to Figures 14 to 17 .

In Figures 24 and 25 one can clearly see the manner in which the seat 86 is reclined. In Figure 24 there is shown a passenger 110 seated straight in a seat 111 and another passenger 112 shown in a reclined position in another seat 113. Figure 25 shows a passenger 114 seated straight in a seat 115 and passengers 116, 117 shown lying in the respective seats 118, 119. While the seat 113 is reclined the backrest portion 102 moves inside the housing 101. This is one reason why a slab 86 is formed in the upper portion of the housing. While the backrest portion moves into the housing the seat portion 103 and the legrest 104 move forward out of the housing, the legrest 104 moves upward from the upright position to a more horizontal position. Continuous recline of the seat eventually results in the back portion 102, the seat portion 103 and the leg rest 104 reaching the position of the seats 118 and 119 in Figure 25. In this position the backrest portion 102, the seat portion 103 and the leg rest 104 together form a substantially flat sleeping surface inclined towards the aircraft plane by a small angle. The angle is not critical, but the more inclined the angle, the less space will be required between the seating units. Research has shown that an angle of more than about 8o from the horizontal position is uncomfortable because passengers feel they are going to slide forward. Keeping in mind that most airplanes are inclined to 3 ° this means that an angle of approximately 11 ° can be used. With the seat in the sleeping position shown in Figure 25, the feet of a high passenger will search in the space underneath the vault of the front seat. This is another reason to provide the vault in each seating unit. The sleeping surface can be extended by providing a downwardly extending extension unit which cooperates (in a manner similar to the secondary seat in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 13) with the leg rest 104. The designs of the seat unit shown in Figures 19 to 25 are aesthetically different from the designs of the seat units shown in Figures 11 to 13 but it will be appreciated from the consideration of what follows that functionally the designs are very similar. Both designs provide a desirable privacy for passengers. Both designs provide a reclining / sleeping seat which does not infringe on the dominance of other passengers in the front or rear seats when the seat is moved to a recline / sleep position. The use of screens can improve an additional individual privacy of the passenger. The provision of auxiliaries in an off-the-seat arrangement as part of the seat unit reduces the seat load itself by allowing more space within the seat to be given to the passenger. The designs of the seat unit shown in Figures 19 to 25 do not include a secondary seat and do not provide a substantially horizontal sleeping surface. Instead of this, an extension back down can be provided. Also, while the sleeping surface is flat, it is inclined at an angle to the horizontal. Both features reduce the amount of space required for each seating unit within the aircraft cabin, allowing as many units to fit within a given cabin space. While Figure 22 shows an arrangement of a design of seating units in an aircraft cabin, it will be appreciated that other designs can be placed in that arrangement, or that other arrangements (such as the step arrangement) can be used with that arrangement. seat unit design. The characteristics described with respect to one modality can, of course, be adapted for use in another modality, the selection of a given design and arrangement of characteristics depend on the type of aircraft in which the seating units, of the nature of the flights and other factors very far from the scope of the invention. Having thus described the present invention by reference to preferred embodiments it is also well understood that the modalities in question are exemplary only and that modifications and variations such as those that may occur to those who have appropriate knowledge and skills can be made. move away from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (45)

1. A seat unit for an aircraft cabin, the unit comprising a fixed housing containing a primary seat with a reclining backrest, wherein the backrest is arranged to recline so that it remains inside the housing. A seating unit, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary seat comprises a seat portion arranged to be movable with the recline of the backrest, to allow the backrest to rest between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position. A seating unit, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the seat portion and the backrest are arranged to cooperate to form a substantially flat surface, when the backrest is reclined in the substantially horizontal position. 4. A seating unit, as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it also comprises a leg rest. A seating unit, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the leg rest is arranged to cooperate with the seat portion, to form part of the substantially flat surface, when the backrest is reclined in the substantially horizontal position . A seating unit, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a secondary seat positioned to face the primary seat. A seating unit, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the secondary seat has a seating portion positioned to cooperate with the leg rest of the primary seat, to form a portion of the substantially flat surface when the backrest of the seat primary seat is reclined in the substantially horizontal position. 8. A seating unit, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a privacy screen. 9. A seating unit, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises storage space provided behind the reclining backrest of the primary seat. 10. A seating unit, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a retractable table. 11. An accommodation unit comprising a reclining primary seat comprising a backrest and a seat portion, and an opposing secondary seat; the primary seat being movable to a reclined position in which the backrest and the seat portion, together with the secondary seat, form a substantially flat sleeping surface. 1

2. An accommodation unit, as claimed in claim 11, wherein the primary seat comprises a backrest portion and a seat portion, the backrest portion being reclinable between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position, and the seat portion being arranged to move toward the secondary seat in cooperation with the recline portion of the backrest. 1

3. An accommodation unit, as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that it also comprises a leg support portion, which can be moved between a retracted position and a support position. An accommodation unit, as claimed in claim 13, wherein the leg support portion can move said seat portion in cooperation with the recline of the backrest portion, in order to form part of the surface to sleep substantially flat. 15. A seat comprising a backrest portion, a seat portion, and a truck associated with the seat portion, the truck can be operated to move the seat portion between a retracted position and an extended position, the seat portion and the back portion cooperating in such a way that when the seat portion moves between the retracted and extended positions, the back portion is caused to move between the substantially vertical and reclined positions. 16. A seat, as claimed in claim 15, wherein the back portion is connected at one end thereof to the seat portion. A seat, as claimed in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that it further comprises back-guiding elements for guiding the backrest portion between said substantially vertical and reclined positions. A seat, as claimed in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that it further comprises seat guiding elements for guiding the seat portion to change the orientation thereof, as the seat portion moves between the retracted positions and extended. 19. A seat, as claimed in any of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that it further comprises a leg rest portion that can be moved between a retracted position and a support position. 20. A seat, as claimed in claim 19, wherein the leg rest portion can be operated between the retracted and retracted positions, independent of the operation of the truck. A seat, as claimed in any of claims 15 to 20, wherein the backrest, seat and leg rest portions form a substantially flat sleeping surface, when said backrest portion is in the reclined position, the portion of seat is in the extended position, and the leg rest portion is in the support position. 22. A seat, as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that it further comprises an extension surface spaced apart from the seat, the extension surface cooperating with the leg rest portion when the leg rest portion is in said support position. to extend the surface to sleep. 23. A seat, as claimed in claim 22, wherein the extension surface is provided to be secured to the back of another seat. 2

4. A seat, as claimed in claim 22, wherein the extension surface comprises a secondary seat. A seat, as claimed in claim 22 or 23 or 24, wherein the extension surface is pivotable to prevent an object from being trapped between the extension surface and the leg rest portion, as the portion Rest for legs moves between the retracted and support positions. A seat, as claimed in claim 24, wherein the secondary seat comprises a fixed portion and a pivotable portion that can be rotated to prevent an object from being trapped between the extension surface and the leg rest portion, As the leg rest portion moves between the retracted and support positions. 27. A seat, as claimed in any of claims 15 to 26, characterized in that it also comprises a fixed structure to which said backrest and seat guide elements are secured. A seat, as claimed in claim 27, wherein the fixed structure comprises a backrest, and the backrest guide elements are formed in such a way that the movement of the backrest portion is forward of the backrest of the fixed structure. . 29. A seat, as claimed in any of claims 15 to 28, characterized in that it also comprises an electric motor to drive the truck. 30. A seat, as claimed in claim 19 or any of claims 20 to 29 as dependent thereon, characterized in that it further comprises an electric motor for actuating the leg rest portion. 31. A seat, as claimed in claim 19 or 30, characterized in that it also comprises control elements that the user can operate to control the, or each electric motor. 32. A seating unit for a vehicle, the unit comprising a primary seat and a service unit adjacent to, and structurally spaced from, the primary seat, to accommodate services for the individual use of a primary seat occupant. 33. A seating unit, as claimed in claim 32, wherein the service unit provides storage space for personal effects of the occupant. 34. A seating unit, as claimed in claim 32 or 33, wherein the service unit contains a television-type monitor. 3

5. A seating unit, as claimed in claim 32, 33 or 34, wherein the service unit contains a table that can be extended in front of the primary seat. 3

6. A seating unit, as claimed in any of claims 32 to 35, characterized in that it also comprises a secondary seat placed to face the primary seat, the service unit being placed to one side of the primary and secondary seats, and extending between them. 3

7. A seating unit, as claimed in any of claims 32 to 36, characterized in that it also comprises a second primary seat for use by a second occupant, the service unit housing more services for the individual use of the second occupant. 3

8. An aircraft that includes a cabin comprising a plurality of seating units or accommodation units, as claimed in any preceding claim. 3

9. An aircraft, as claimed in claim 38, wherein the units are arranged in a configuration facing the exterior. 40. An aircraft, as claimed in claim 38, wherein the units are arranged in a configuration facing the interior. 41. A vehicle comprising a cabin having a major axis and defined by at least two walls, one on each side of the major axis, the cabin containing a plurality of accommodation units, each having a respective major axis, and being suitable for use by an individual passenger, where at least some of the units are staggered in such a manner along a line in each wall, as to define an arrangement in which the major axis of each unit along of the line is out of alignment with the major axis of the cabin, providing by the same, privacy to each passenger in said units along the line, by means of avoiding that any of said units is completely adjacent to any other said units. 42. A vehicle, as claimed in claim 41, wherein the units along each wall are oriented so that they are facing outward from the cab. 43. A vehicle, as claimed in claim 41, wherein the units along each wall are oriented so that they face the interior of the cabin. 44. A vehicle, as claimed in claim 41, 42 or 43, wherein each accommodation unit comprises a primary seat and a secondary seat opposite the primary seat, and wherein the units are staggered in such a manner along the the walls, that the secondary seat of a unit is substantially adjacent to the primary seat of the next unit in the line. 45. A vehicle, as claimed in any of claims 41 to 44, wherein the cabin contains a central series of units.