FR2805500A1 - Mechanism, for transforming adjacent rows of seats into resting couches, has link arm, stored against rear row of seats for normal access, and pivoted to attach to forward seat to form part of mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The mechanism transforms two adjacent rows of seats into a rest position, where the forward seats are above the rear seats and the seat backs are above the foot-rests of the next pair of seats. The mechanism consists of side assemblies fitted to the seats and are adjustable to take account of variation in seat pitch (RB). A linking arm (20) is fixed in position (20B) to allow free access and for transformation, is pivoted around axis (19) to attach to the forward seat in position (20A), at pivot (21) to act as part of the lifting mechanism.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for changing the position of passengers in public transport vehicles including in aircraft.

In all types of passenger transport, for long-distance journeys, it is desirable that seats can be converted into chairs for rest and relaxation.

These arrangements are mainly known under two different provisions. The first, which is generally used in high-class air transport and in trains, consists in using a large gap between the rows of seats in such a way that the passenger can lower the backrest. from the wheelchair to the back and raise the legrest in the front. The major disadvantage of this method is that it leads to a significant reduction in the number of possible places in a given space due to the increase in the distance between the rows of seats.

The second known provision consists in superimposing the passengers when they are in the lying position. This arrangement is mainly known in two forms of transformation which can be seen in the following documents FRA documents 2692122, FRA 2721266 and document 2753170 for aircraft describe a conversion of seats into berths using seat backs for do top berths and seats plus seat extensions to make lower berths. In this case, it is necessary that the interval between two rows of seats is substantially identical to the height of the pivoting backs for the upper berths. For intervals between rows usually adopted in the different types of transport, including aircraft, the number of berth places is less than the number of seats which goes against the good features of economy of operation.

The documents WO <B> 86105748 </ B> and FR 2747968 describe a seat transformation by alignment of the backrest, the seat and the legrest of the same chair. In this case, if all the seats are converted into berths, the interval between two rows of seats is greater than the interval usually found in sitting position, the number of seats is therefore less than the usual number for a seat. given volume.

The two forms of transformation described by the documents cited above require to respect intervals between two substantially identical rows for a given type of seat. This obligation makes it difficult to obtain a good implementation of the rows of seats according to the dimensional requirements of the surfaces to be developed also subject to the constraints of positioning of emergency exits, access doors or bathroom. These last imperatives of implantation sometimes lead to further reducing the number of rows of seats.

In summary, the disadvantage of these types of transformation is the reduction in the number of passengers in berth relative to the number of passengers that could be transported in seats in good operating economy conditions.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to remedy the drawback.

The object of the present invention is to propose a new device for converting seats into rest and relaxation chairs so as to have the same number of seats as seats in the rest position while maintaining interval values between two rows. seats identical to values usually used for seating only. These intervals may be adjustable for the same type of seat.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a device for simultaneously transforming two rows, at variable intervals, from one to several public transport seats, including aircraft, into two superposed rows of one or more rest and relaxation chairs such as that, in the case of a usual interval between rows, the upper end of the backs of the preceding chairs may be situated above the footrests of the following seats. This device comprises two adjustable sets of mechanisms positioned on each side of the two rows and can be connected to each other by motion transmission bars. Each lateral mechanism comprises, inter alia, a pivot arm between the two rows for transmitting the positioning movement of the upper row. These are the only elements found between the two rows of seats. These arms are adjustable in length to allow a variable interval between rows. The arm, located on the side of the driveway in the vehicle, can be removable and swivel in the seated position to allow free access seating.

According to other features of the invention - the front part of the upper row of the implementation mechanism comprises a two-point articulated system fixed on a stationary support located under the row before sitting position. It also comprises means, by auxiliary rods, for guiding one of the two attachment points of the seats of the upper row on a defined and desired course to its final position.

- The rear portion of the upper row of the implementation mechanism comprises an articulated system, driven by the rotation of levers on a single control axis, from the hinge points fixed on a stationary support located under the row in the seated position, guiding a second point of attachment of the seats of the upper row on a defined and desired course to its final position.

articulated system (above) comprises a locking device by two connecting rods whose three points of articulation are aligned to make the irreversible system in high position until we act directly on the rotation control levers .

- part of the mechanism of implementation of the lower row comprises a system articulated by rods allowing, from the points of articulation fixed on a stationary support located under the rear row in a sitting position, to guide row of seats forward and downwards by rotating the levers on a single axis command.

- Part of the installation mechanism of the lower row comprises a locking system making irreversible pivoting of the positioning rods until we do not act directly on the rotation of the control levers.

- The axis and control levers of the upper part are the same as those of the lower part. A defined positioning of intermediate joints allows the simultaneous movement of the two rows of seats avoiding any interference of volumes moved.

- The rotation of the main control axis connecting the two mechanism parts, or the rotation of the control levers, can be controlled manually or by any other means such as: geared motor, cylinder, spring or other.

- The mechanism comprises means for setting up and locking automatic and simultaneous legrests.

- Mechanism comprises means for setting up and locking automatic and simultaneous footrests.

- when the two rows of seats are seated, all the parts of the transformation device, as well as the leg supports and footrests, are located below on the lateral sides of the two rows of seats to allow free access seating and to facilitate the cleaning of the vehicle floor.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. FIG. 1 represents, in the rest and relaxation position, a set of two rows of chairs as well as one side of the transformation device. - Figure 2 shows, in a sitting position, one side of the device to transform the seat parts and seat backs the first row which will become the upper row of chairs after transformation rest position and relaxation.

- Figure 3 shows, in a sitting position, one side of the device of the first row of seats for the transformation in the upper position, legrests in use of rest and relaxation.

- Figure 4 shows, in a sitting position, one side of the device of the first row of seats for the transformation, in the upper position, the footrests in use of rest and relaxation.

- Figure 5 shows, in the seated position, one side of the device to transform the seat parts and back of the second row seats which will become the lower row of chairs after transformation rest and relaxation position.

- Figure 6 shows, in a sitting position, one side of the device of the second row of seats for the transformation, in the lower position, the legrests in use of rest and relaxation.

- Figure 7 shows, in the sitting position, one side of the device of the second row of seats for the transformation, in the lower position, the footrests in use of rest and relaxation.

Referring to these drawings, there is shown in Figure 1, in the rest position and relaxation, a set of two rows of chairs and one of the two sides of the processing device installed on the floor of a transport vehicle , including aircraft, via two fixed supports 1 and 2 but whose interval between these two supports can be variable.

Each upper resting chair consists of a reclining backrest 4, the end of which can be located above a footrest 10s of the next upper armchair, a seat 6 linked to the mechanism by the joints 21 and 22 and abutting 6A on the arm 20, a leg rest 8 attached to the mechanism by the joints 39 and 44, and a footrest 10 articulated at 46 on the leg support 8 and held in a joint 45 on the connecting rod 42 of the mechanism. The footrest 10 can be located below the end of the backrest 4p of the previous upper armchair.

Each lower rest chair consists of a reclining backrest 3, the end of which can be located above a footrest 9s of the next lower armchair, a seat 5 linked to the mechanism by the joints 56 and 63 , a leg support 7 fixed to the mechanism by the joints 72 and 77, and a footrest 9 hinged at 81 on the leg support 7 and held in a hinge 80 on a link 79 of the mechanism. The footrest 9 can be located below the end of the backrest 3p of the previous lower chair.

The operation of the portion of the mechanism for converting the seats 6 and 4 backrest rest position of the upper row is described from Figures 1 and 2. As can be seen in Figure 2, a setting RA (no shown in detail) of the length of the arm 20 in its portion 20A can be made according to the RB setting of the spacing of the supports 1 and 2.

Starting from the sitting position of the seat parts 4 and 6 (FIG. 2), it is firstly necessary, on the side of the aisle of the vehicle, to rotate about the axis 19 and according to the arrow F, the arm 208 in 20 so that the hinge 21B is merged with the hinge 21 of the seat 6. A lock (not shown) will maintain the arm 20 on the seat 6 in the hinge 21. The arm 20 , located on the side of the wall of the vehicle, may remain fixed permanently in articulation 21 on the seat 6 because it will not interfere with access to seating.

The control in rotation of the axis 12 on the fixed support 1, drives the lever 11 secured to the axis 12. The lever 11 can also be controlled directly in rotation about the axis 12. The pivot point 14 of the lever 11, pivoting around 12; push rod 15 (articulated 14 and 16) which will rotate, through the hinge 16, the lever 17 around the hinge 18 of the fixed support 1. The lever 17, by its articulation 19, goes driving the cranked rod 20 (articulated at 19 and 21) in rotation around the axis 21 of the seat 6 until contact with the connecting rod 20 against the abutment 6A of the seat 6. From this moment, the Following the movement of the mechanism will raise and pivot back the entire seat 6 and back 4 in a well-defined trajectory the displacement of the hinge 22 of the arm 24 on the seat 6. Indeed, when the point d articulation 22 moves, it is guided in a precise trajectory determined by the pivoting of the arm 24 around its axis 27 and by the displacement of the articulation 26. The articulation 27 describes a rotation around a hinge 31 of the support fixed 2 by means of the lever 29 (articulated at 27 and 31). The hinge 26 moves according to the rotation of the connecting rod 32 (articulated at 26 and 33) around the axis 33 which is itself driven by the lever 34. This lever 34 pivots around the hinge 30 of the lever 29 by the movement of its hinge which pivots itself around a hinge 37 fixed support 2 through the lever 36 (articulated 35 and 37). The end of the positioning movement, to a desired stable position, is shown in FIG. 1. In this same FIG. 1, the irreversibility of the movement is observed on the one hand by the alignment of the articulation points 14 and 16 of the lever 11 and the rod 15, and secondly by the alignment of the hinge points 22, 27 and 31 of the parts 24 and 29. The return to sitting position, as shown in Figure 2, can not be done only by lever rotation 11.

The automatic and simultaneous placement of the leg supports 8 of the upper row of chairs is described from Figures 1 and 3. In sitting position (Figure 3), the legrests 8 are below the seats 6. They are held by the joint 39 (common to the lever 40 and the connecting rod 38) and the joint 44 the rod 43. The positioning movement is as follows. On the one hand, the rotation (seen previously) of the arm 24 on the hinge point 22 of the seat 6 causes in its movement a connecting rod 38 (articulated at 25 and 39) via the hinge 25 of the arm The articulation 39 of the connecting rod 38 pivots around a hinge 23 of the seat 6 by means of a lever 40 hinged, in others, at 23 and 39. The movement of this hinge 39 drives the supports 8 on the other hand, the pivoting (seen above) of the lever 29 on the hinge point 31 fixed support 2 causes in its movement the connecting rod 43 (articulated 28 and 44) by via the hinge 28 of the lever 29. The displacement of the hinge 44 of the connecting rod on the legrests 8 causes these same legrests 8 to the desired stable position shown in Figure 1.

The automatic and simultaneous installation of the footrests of the row of upper armchairs is described from Figures 1 and 4. In sitting position (Figure 4) the footrests 10 are folded below the seats 6. They are held in place by the hinge 46 on the leg supports 8 and by the articulation 45 of the rod 42. The positioning movement is as follows. rotation (seen previously) of the lever 40 (articulated at 23, 39 and 41) drives in motion the connecting rod (articulated at 41 and 45) by its articulation 41 pivoting about the point 39. The movement of the rod 42, via of the articulation 45, rotates the footrests 10 around the articulation point 46 of the legrests 8 to the desired stable position shown in Figure 1. In this same figure 1, there is irreversibility the movement of the rotation of the footrest 10 on the legrests 8 by the alignment of the articulation points 39, 41 and 45 of the lever 40 and the connecting rod 42.

The operation of the part of the mechanism for converting the seats and backrests 3 to the rest position of the lower row is described from FIGS. 1 and 5. As can be seen in FIG. 5, all this part of the mechanism is located below the seats 5 while seated. From the sitting position of the seat parts 3 and 5 (FIG. 5), the rotation control (seen previously) of the lever 11 drives a roller 13 rotating about the axis 12. This roller 13, focused on the lever 11, slide in groove 49 of the lever 47 hinged at 48 on the fixed support 1. The rotation of this roller 13 around the hinge 12 of the fixed support 1 drives, via the groove 49, the lever 47 in rotation around the hinge 48 on the fixed support 1. This lever 47, via its hinge 50, drives in displacement a connecting rod (articulated at and 52). This displacement of the connecting rod 51 rotates the arm 53 (hinged 52, 54, 55 and around the hinge 54 on the fixed support 1. The pivoting of the arm 53 controls the displacement of the hinge 56 of the seat 5 and moves the lever 60 (articulated at 55, 59 and 61) by its articulation 55. The displacement of the lever 60, via the hinge 59, rotates the rod 57 (hinged at 58 and 59) in rotation around the hinge 58 on the fixed support 1. This same lever 60 also causes, by the hinge 61, a lever 62 (articulated, inter alia, at 61 and 63) in rotation on the hinge 63 of the seat 5. The movements of the hinge points 56 and 63 of the seat 5 lead to a pivoting and a forward and downward movement of all the seats 5 and the backs 3 to a desired stable position represented in FIG. 1. In this same FIG. 1, the irreversibility of the movement by the position particular groove 49 (lever 47) which is perpendicular to a line through the hinge points 12 and 13 of the lever 11. The return to sitting position, as shown in Figure 5, can only be done by the rotation of the lever 11.

The automatic and simultaneous placement of the legrests 7 of the row of lower chairs is described from Figures 1 and 6. In sitting position (Figure 6) the legrests 7 are located below the seats 5. They are held by the hinge 77 (more visible in Figure 1) of the lever 75 and the hinge 72 of the lever 71. The positioning movement is as follows. The rotation (seen previously) of the lever 62, on the hinge 63 of the seat 5, causes in its movement the rod 65 (articulated at 64 and 66) via the hinge 64 of the lever 62. The displacement of the rod 65, via the hinge 66, will rotate a lever 67 (articulated at 66, 68, 69 and 70) around a hinge point 68 on the seat 5. This pivoting of the lever 67 causes the movement of a rod 73 (hinged at 69 and 74) via the hinge 69 of the lever 67. The hinge 74 of the rod 73 pivots about a hinge 76 of the seat 5 via a lever 75 (articulated, inter alia, 74 and 76). The movement of the connecting rod 73, via the hinge 74, will rotate the lever 75 on the hinge 76 of the seat 5. pivoting of the lever 75 causes, via its hinge 77 (plus Figure 1), the legrests 7. The pivoting (seen above) of the lever 67, on the hinge 68 of the seat 5, also causes in its movement the rod 71 (hinged at 70 and 72) through the hinge 70 of the lever 67. The movement of the hinge 72 of the rod 71 on the legrests 7 causes these same legrests 7 to the desired stable position shown in Figure 1. In this same figure 1, we note the irreversibility of the movement of movement of the legrests 7 by the alignment of the hinge points 63, 64 and 66 of the parts 62 and 65 and also by the alignment of the points of articulation 68, 70 and 72 of the exhibits 67 71.

The automatic and simultaneous placement of the footrests 9 of the row of the lower chairs is described from Figures 1 and 7. sitting position (Figure 7) the footrest 9 are folded below the seats 5. are required in place by the articulation on the legrests 7 and the hinge 80 of the rod 79. The movement is implemented in the following manner. The rotation (seen previously) of the lever 75 (articulated, inter alia, at 77 78) causes in its connecting rod movement 79 (articulated at 78 and 80) by its articulation 78 pivoting about the point of articulation 77. The displacement of the connecting rod 79, through its articulation rotates the footrest 9 around the hinge point 81 of the legrests 7 to the desired stable position shown in Figure 1. In this same figure 1, there is shown irreversibility of the rotation of the footrest 9 on the leg supports 7, by the alignment of the hinge points 77, 78 and 80 of the lever 75 and connecting rod 79.

As can be seen (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5), on the control levers 11 pivoting in position of the hinge points 12, 13 and 14 defined in such a way that there is interference of volumes displaced. during the manceuvre of the mechanism.

rotation of the control shaft 12 and the control levers 11 can be controlled manually or by any other means such as: geared motor, cylinder, other spring. These different types of known means are not shown in the figures.

The device according to the invention is mainly intended for the rapid transformation of seats from sitting to rest and relaxation chairs for all types of public transport, including aircraft, whenever the rows of seats need to intervals and / or intervals sufficiently reduced to obtain good economy of operation.

Claims (10)

1) Device for simultaneously transforming two rows of one or more public transport seats, including aircraft, into two superposed rows of one or more seats for rest and relaxation characterized in that it comprises two lateral sets of adjustable mechanisms (RA) so as to be able to be used in the case of adjustable intervals in (RB) between seating rows in the seated position, in that this device also comprises means for placing in the rest position such that, in the case of usual interval between rows of seats, the upper end of the previous records (3p) and (4p) can be respectively above the following footrests (9) and (10), and in that, on the side of the vehicle aisle, the connecting arm (20) between the two rows of seats is removable a hinge (21) the seat (6) so, in a sitting position, to be pivoted against the seat ( 5) around a curing (19) to the position (20B) to allow free access to the seats. 2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the two side assemblies of the front portion of the upper row of the implementation mechanism each comprise two arms (29) and (36) hinged respectively (31) and (37) on a support (2) located below the front row of seats (6) and fixed to the floor of the vehicle, and in that these two lateral assemblies also each comprise levers (24) (34) and a connecting rod (32) allowing guiding an attachment point (22) of the upper row seats (6) along a defined and desired path to its final stable position. 3) Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the two side assemblies of the rear portion of the upper row of the placing mechanism each comprise a system articulated by means (11, 12, 15, 17, 20) to from the fixed hinge points (12) and (18) of the support (1) located below the rear row of the seats (5) and fixed to the floor of the vehicle, this articulated system being controlled by the rotation of the axis (12) or by the rotation of the levers (11) around the axis (12) so that the lever (20), in a first step, abuts (6A) on the seat (6). ) and subsequently pivoting levers (11) guides a point of attachment (21) of the seats (6) of the upper row on a defined and desired course to its final stable position. 4) Device according to claim 3 characterized in that the joints (12, 14, 16) of the elements (11) and (15) are aligned at the end of the positioning movement of the upper row to make irreversible the movement of the mechanism as the levers (11) will not be rotated. 5) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the two side assemblies of the portion of the lower row of the introduction mechanism each comprise a system articulated by means (11, 12, 47, 51, 53, 57, 60 , 62) from the fixed hinge points (48, 54, 58) of the support (1) located below the rear row of the seats (5) and fixed to the floor of the vehicle, this articulated system being controlled by the rotation the axis (12) or the rotation of the levers (11) about the axis 2) so as to guide the point of articulation (56) of the lever (53) on the seats and the point of articulation ( 63) of the lever (62) on these same seats (5) on a defined and desired course to the final stable position of the lower row of chairs rest. 6) Device according to claim 5 characterized in that, in the rest position and relaxation of the lower row, the position of the straight line passing the hinge points (12) and (13) of the lever (11) is perpendicular to the groove (49) lever (47) rendering irreversible the movement of the mechanism as the levers (1 will not be rotated. 7 Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that control levers (11), common to the mechanism for placing the upper row and the lower row of the positioning mechanism, comprise a geometric arrangement of their joints (12, 13, 14) defined so as to allow simultaneous movement of the two rows of seats avoiding any interference of displaced volumes. 8 Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotation of the levers (11) on the shaft (12) comprises the possibility of being controlled manually or by any other means such as: geared motor, cylinder, spring or other . 9 Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that comprises means for setting up and automatically locking and simultaneous legrests (7) and (8). 10) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises means for setting up and automatically locking and simultaneous footrest (9) and (10).