GB2614031A

GB2614031A - Vehicle seating

Info

Publication number: GB2614031A
Application number: GB2114353.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Miles Luke
Original assignee: New Territory Design Ltd
Current assignee: New Territory Design Ltd
Priority date: 2021-10-07
Filing date: 2021-10-07
Publication date: 2023-06-28
Also published as: WO2023057776A1; GB202114353D0

Abstract

A vehicle seat has a side support 10a that can be moved to stow in/against an armrest 30a,30b, and deployed to extend along a side of and outwardly from a seat back 100. Armrest 30a,30b can have a door or hatch 31a,31b, and an enlarged lower portion 32a,32b to house the side support 10a when stowed. The side support 10a can pivot parallel to a width direction of the seat, possibly about an axis parallel or the same as a pivot axis of the armrest 30a,30b. The side support 10a can be cushioned. The vehicle may be for mass transit e.g. aircraft.

Description

VEHICLE SEATING

Technical Field

The following disclosure relates to vehicle seating and, in particular, vehicle seats and rows thereof. In specific examples, the seats and rows thereof may be employed in mass transit vehicles, particularly aircraft.

Background

Various challenges exist in providing suitable vehicle seating. For instance, it can be challenging to provide vehicle seating that meets various sometimes competing priorities, such as being ergonomic (for the occupant and other users of the vehicle), yet durable (particularly in mass transit vehicles, where the seat is used frequently), simple to manufacture, compatible with existing vehicles, and cost effective.

Summary

Aspects of the invention are set out in the appended independent claims; particular embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

The following disclosure, in a first aspect, provides a vehicle seat comprising: a seat back; an armrest; and a side support element, which is moveable between: a stowed configuration, in which: the side support element is stowed against, or is stowed within the armrest, and at least one of the armrest and the side support element offers support to an arm of a vehicle user sitting in the vehicle seat; and a deployed configuration, in which: the side support element extends along a side of and outwardly from the seat back, generally in the same direction that the seat back faces, so as to offer support to the side of the user, and the armrest offers support to the arm of the user.

The following disclosure also provides, in a further aspect, a row of two or more vehicles seats according to any of the examples provided herein, in which all of the seats of the row face in the same direction, and adjacent seats within the row are connected to each other.

In a still further aspect, the following disclosure provides a vehicle comprising a row of seats according to any of the examples provided herein.

Brief description of the Drawings

Further features will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lAis a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to a first illustrative embodiment, showing a side support element for the seat in a deployed configuration; Figure 1B is a further perspective view of the vehicle seat of Figure lA taken from an opposite side of the seat, again showing the side support element in a deployed configuration; Figure 1C is a further perspective view of the vehicle seat of Figures 1A and 1B, showing the side support element in a stowed configuration; Figure 1D is a further perspective view of the vehicle seat of Figures 1A-1C, illustrating the relative dimensions and arrangement of various elements of the seat; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a row of seats having side support elements according to a further illustrative embodiment.

Detailed Description

Details of systems and methods according to examples will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the Figures. In this description, for the purpose of explanation, numerous specific details of certain examples are set forth. Reference in the specification to "an example" or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least that one example, but not necessarily in other examples. It should further be noted that certain examples are described schematically with certain features omitted and/or necessarily simplified for ease of explanation and understanding of the concepts underlying the examples.

Reference is firstly directed to Figure 1A, which is a perspective view of a vehicle seat 1 according to a first illustrative embodiment. In the particular example shown, the seat 1 is configured for use in an aircraft. However, it may be configured for use in various other vehicle types. In particular, the seat 1 may be configured for use in any of a variety of mass-transit vehicles, such as aircraft, buses, trains, ferries etc. Referring to Figure 1A, the seat 1 includes a seat back 100 and two armrests 30a, 30b (though this is not essential and, in other examples, only one armrest might be provided). Notably, the seat 1 further includes two side support elements, though only one of the side support elements 10a (which is associated with armrest 30a) is visible in Figure 1A. These side support elements10, when deployed, offer support to the side of the body of a vehicle user, such as a passenger, who is sitting in the vehicle seat. It should be noted that the word "body" is used herein in contradistinction to the word "head"; the side support elements are configured to support, for example, the sides of the user's upper arms, or their shoulders. While the particular example of a seat 1 shown in Figure 1A includes separate wings 40a, 40b for supporting the user's head, it should be understood that, in other examples, the side support elements 10 could additionally function to support the user's head, for example by being made particularly tall, for instance so that they extend substantially to the top of the seat back 100. Conversely, it should be understood that an element that supports only the head of the user, such as each of the wings 40a, 40b shown in Figure 1A, is not a "side support element", in the sense used herein.

The inventors consider that supporting a user in a side-leaning or rotated position is particularly ergonomic, providing significant comfort to the user sitting in the seat. This is in contrast to various attempts to increase user comfort by increasing the amount of leg room provided (e.g. by increasing pitch between rows of seats). Supporting a user in a side-leaning position may, for example, allow the user to change their posture, alleviating pressure of various parts of the body.

The functionality of these side support elements 10 may be better understood by considering Figures 1A-1C collectively: Figures 1A and 1B show the side support element 10a associated with armrest 30a in a deployed configuration, whereas Figure 1C shows the same side support element 10a in a stowed configuration. As indicated by a double-headed arrow in each of Figures lA and 1B, the user is able to move the side support element between these configurations in accordance with his/her preferences.

As may be appreciated from Figures lA and 1 B, when a side support element 10 is in a deployed configuration, the side support element 10a extends along a side of and outwardly from the seat back 100. For example, in the particular situation shown in Figures IA and 1B, side support element 10a extends along side 110 of the seat back 100. If the side support element associated with armrest 30b were moved to its deployed configuration, it would extend along the opposite side 120 of the seat back 100.

As may also be appreciated from Figures IA and 1B, the armrests 30 and side support elements 10 are so-configured that, when a side support element 10 is in its deployed configuration, it is able to offer support to the side of the user, while its associated armrest 30 is able to offer support to an arm of the user.

By contrast, as is apparent from considering armrest 30a in Figure 1C, or armrest 30b in Figures lA and 1B, when one of the side support elements 10 is in a stowed configuration, it no longer offers support to the side of the user; however, ts associated armrest 30 continues to offer support to an arm of the user.

In at least some cases, a stowed configuration for a side support element 10 might be described as a low-profile configuration for the side support elements 10. Such a low-profile configuration may allow a vehicle user to move past the seat easily.

As indicated by the curved shape of the double-headed arrows in Figures lA and 1B, in the particular example shown in Figures 1A-1D, each side support element 10 is configured for pivoting movement relative to the seat back 100 between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration. Such a deployment mechanism may be relatively easy to manufacture and/or may be relatively robust. Furthermore, in some embodiments, each side support element is configured solely for pivoting movement relative to the seat back 100 about a single axis. It may further be noted that, in the specific example shown in Figures 1A-1D, each armrest 30a, 30b is configured for pivoting movement relative to the seat back 100 between a stowed configuration (where it is, for example, generally horizontal) and a deployed configuration (where it is, for example, generally upright). In some embodiments, such as that shown in Figures 1A-1D, each armrest 30a, 30b is configured for pivoting movement about an axis that is parallel to a width direction of the seat back. Such an arrangement may be simple to construct and/or relatively compact.

Furthermore, in the specific example shown in Figures 1A-1D, each armrest 30a, 30b pivots about the same axis as its associated side support element 10. Such an arrangement may be relatively robust. This is, however, by no means essential and hence, in other examples, each armrest 30a, 30b and its associated side support element 10 may pivot about respective, parallel axes.

It should additionally be noted that, in some examples, an armrest 30a, 30b and its associated side support element 10 may share a common pivotable coupling to the seat back 100. Such a coupling may be relatively easy to manufacture and/or may be relatively robust. Nevertheless, in other examples, each armrest 30a, 30b might have a separate pivotably coupling to its associated side support element 10. For instance, each side support element 10 might be pivotably coupled to its associated armrest 30a, 30b. As another example, each side support element 10 might be pivotably coupled to the seat back at a different location to that which its associated armrest 30a, 30b is pivotably coupled.

It should, however, be appreciated that it is by no means essential that the side support elements 10 be configured for pivoting movement. Hence, in some examples, the side support element(s) 10 may, for example, be configured to deploy slidably and/or telescopically from an associated armrest.

As is apparent from Figures 1A-1D, in the particular example shown, the side support elements 10 are stowed within their associated armrests 30 when they are in a stowed configuration. However, this is not essential and, in other examples, such as that shown in Figure 2, a side support element 10 may instead be configured such that, when it is in its stowed configuration, it is stowed against an associated armrest 30.

Nevertheless, it may be noted that, in the particular example shown in Figures 1A-1D, each armrest 30a, 30b comprises a door or hatch 31a, 3 lb in an upper portion thereof. Each such door 31a, 3 lb can be opened by the user to provide access to the side support element 10 stowed within the armrest 30a, 30b in question, thereby allowing the user to move the side support element 10 to its deployed configuration. Conversely, when each such door 31a, 31b is closed, the side support elements 10 may be neatly stowed away when not needed by the user. In addition, or instead, by closing a door 31a, 31b, inadvertent user interaction with a stowed side support element 10 may be avoided. For example, with seats having such doors 31a, 31b, a user may be less likely to catch his/her clothing or fingers on a side support element 10 when stowed away.

In embodiments, such as that shown in Figures 1A-1D, where the side support elements 10 are stowed within their associated armrests 30, each armrest 30a, 30b may include an enlarged lower portion 32a, 32b to house the side support element 10. However, this is by no means essential, and other approaches for stowing a side support 10 within an armrest 30 are considered suitable.

In some examples, the or each side support element 10 may include a cushioned portion on a supporting face lla thereof, which (as is apparent from Figure 1A) is the face that offers support to the side of the user when the side support element 10 is in the deployed configuration. In some examples, the face 12a of the side support element 10 opposing the supporting face lla may lack a cushioned portion. Such a side support element 10 may be suitable where it is not intended that a user in a neighbouring seat would also make use of the side support element 10. Such an approach may be adopted even where the seat 1 is part of a row of seats. In such embodiments, every seat may be provided with a (single) side support element 10 that offers support to the right side of a user; or, as an alternative, every seat 1 may be provided with a (single) side support element 10 that offers support to the left side of a user. Nevertheless, it is envisaged that, in other examples, the side support element 10 may further include a second cushioned portion on face 12a of the side support element 10 opposing the supporting face 1 la, which may thus be configured as a second, opposing supporting face. Such an arrangement may be employed where the seat 1 is part of a row of seats, as the second, opposing supporting face 12a may offer support to a side of a further user seated in an adjacent seat.

The cushioned portion may, for example, include a fabric cover (for instance made of woven fabric, real or artificial leather or the like) that surrounds and encloses padding or stuffing material, such as a foam filling material or a densified fiber filling material. In embodiments where a side support element includes a cushioned portion, it may further include a backing structure that may, for example, be described as providing structural support to the cushioned portion. Such a backing structure may therefore be substantially rigid, for instance being formed from hard plastic materials and/or may include a metal support frame.

More generally, the side support element(s) 10 may, in some embodiments, be described as being substantially rigid, for example so that the or each side support element 10 moves as a single rigid body. Hence (or otherwise), the or each side support element 10 may not include any hinges, joints or articulations.

Attention is now directed to Figure 1D, which is a further perspective view of the vehicle seat 1 of Figures 1A-1 C, illustrating the relative dimensions and arrangement of various elements of the seat 1.

As is apparent from Figure 1D, the seat back 100 is elongate in a length direction, which is indicated by arrow 101. When deployed, each side support element 10 is also elongate in this length direction 101 and, moreover, extends a majority of the extent of the seat back 100 in this length direction 101. A thus-configured side support element 10 provides a suitable level of side support to a user sitting in the seat 1.

In terms of absolute size, the height of each side support element 10, when in its deployed configuration, (and, in some cases, the height of the supporting face Ila, 11b of each side support element 10) may be at least 30cm, and in some cases may be at least 40cm, or at least 50cm. The height of a side support element, or its supporting face, is for example defined such that it is the longest dimension of the side support element or supporting face, as the case may be. In the particular example shown in Figures 1A-1D, the thus-defined height of the side support elements 10 is parallel to the length direction 101, when the side support elements are deployed. However, it should be noted that, depending on the particular configuration of the seatback 100, the height of the side support element 10 may be defined in a slightly different direction to the length direction 101 of the seatback 100.

In terms of absolute size, the width of each side support element 10, when in its deployed configuration, may be at least 10cm, and in some cases may be at least 20cm. The width of a side support element is for example defined such that it is perpendicular to the longest dimension of the side support element, the height (and may, for example, be further defined such that it is perpendicular to the smallest dimension, the thickness).

While seat 1 of the embodiment of Figures 1A-1D includes two side support elements, it should be understood that in other embodiments only one side support element 10 might be provided. Indeed, seats could be provided with any suitable number of side support elements. Hence, in some embodiments each armrest could be associated with more than one side support element. Nevertheless, in many cases one or two side supports for each seat will be appropriate.

Attention is now directed to Figure 2, which is a perspective view of two rows 1000, 2000 of seats 1 according to a further illustrative embodiment. In the particular example shown, each row 1000, 2000 includes three substantially identical seats 1(i)-(iii), which all face in the same direction. It should however be understood that a row 1000, 2000 could include any appropriate number of seats; for example, other embodiments might include four or more seats.

In terms of their construction, such a row of seats 1000, 2000 may, in some examples, include a seat base, to which the seats 1(i)-(iii) are attached. The row of seats 1(i)-(iii) may then be installed as a single module within a vehicle. The seat base may, for example, include several connectors, which engage with corresponding features on the floor of a vehicle, during installation of the row.

In the particular example shown in Figure 2, each seat 1 has a simpler construction than the seat shown in Figures 1A-1D. Specifically, rather than each side support element 10 being stowed within the associated armrest 30, in the seats 1 shown in Figure 2 each side support element is merely stowed against the associated armrest 30. Nevertheless, it will be understood that seats with the more complex construction shown in Figures 1A-1D may be provided in rows in the manner shown in Figure 2 and described below.

Particularly (but not exclusively) in embodiments where each side support element 10 is stowed against its associated armrest 30, each side support element may, in its stowed configuration, offer support to an arm of the user sitting in the seat 1. In embodiments where a side support element 10, in its stowed configuration, offers support to an arm of the user sitting in the seat 1, the associated armrest 30 may be configured such that it offers additional support to the user's arm. Alternatively, the armrest 30 may be configured such it offers support to the user's arm when the side support element 10 is in its deployed configuration, but not when it is in its stowed configuration.

It should be noted, however, that side support elements 10 that are stowed within their associates armrests 30 may also, in some embodiments, offer support an arm of a user in their stowed configurations. For example, such a side support element 10 might include a portion that, when the side support element 10 is stowed, protrudes from an upper portion of the associated armrest 30.

As shown in Figure 2, neighbouring seats 1 within each row have a single armrest 30 disposed (and shared) between them. Furthermore, each armrest 30 is provided with only a single side support element 10. Hence (or otherwise), neighbouring seats 1 within a row have only a single side support element 10 between them.

Such an arrangement with only one armrest 30 and only one side support element 10 between seats 1 may be particularly suited to high-density applications, such as economy-class seating. In less high-density applications, such as business-class seating, each seat 1 might be provided with a respective pair of armrests, with neighbouring seats consequently being separated by two armrests 30.

In some cases, each side support element 10 may not be designed to be shared between neighbouring seats 1. Rather, it may be intended that each user use only one of the two side support elements adjacent his/her seat. Hence (or otherwise), in particular embodiments, each side support element 10 may be asymmetrically configured (e.g. in terms of its shape, construction and/or mounting) relative to the two seats it is disposed between. An example of this is shown in Figure 2, where each side support element, in its deployed configuration, is located towards the right side of the associated armrest 30, closer to the seat to the right of the side support element 10. Such side support elements 10 may be configured to preferentially support the left side of a user, for example by providing a cushion portion on only the right side of each side support element 10.

The seats described above with reference to Figures 1 A-1D and 2 may be configured for use in various vehicle types. In particular, the seats may be used in mass-transit vehicles, such as aircraft, buses, trains, ferries etc. Furthermore, while the embodiments described above include two side support elements for each seat, it should be understood that in other embodiments only one side support element might be provided for each seat. Indeed, seats could be provided with any suitable number of side support elements, though in many cases one or two side supports will be appropri ate.

More generally, the above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples. Further examples and embodiments are envisaged.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMSA vehicle seat comprising: a seat back; an armrest; and a side support element, which is moveable between: a stowed configuration, in which: the side support element is stowed against, or is stowed within the armrest, and at least one of the armrest and the side support element offers support to an arm of a vehicle user sitting in the vehicle seat; and a deployed configuration, in which: the side support element extends along a side of and outwardly from the seat back, generally in the same direction that the seat back faces, so as to offer support to the side of the user, and the armrest offers support to the arm of the user.
2. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein, in the stowed configuration, the side support element is stowed within the armrest, and wherein the armrest comprises a door in an upper portion thereof, which can be opened by the user to provide access to the side support element, thereby allowing the user to move the side support element to the deployed configuration.
3. The vehicle seat of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the side support element is configured for pivoting movement relative to the seat back between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration.
4. The vehicle seat of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the side support element is configured for pivoting movement about an axis that is parallel to a width direction of the seat back.
5. The vehicle seat of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the armrest is configured for pivoting movement relative to the seat back between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, the armrest and the side support element pivoting about respective, parallel axes or substantially the same axis.
6. The vehicle seat of any preceding claim, wherein the side support element is substantially rigid.
7. The vehicle seat of any preceding claim, wherein the side support element comprises a first cushioned portion on a first supporting face, which offers support to the side of the user when the side support element is in the deployed configuration.
8. The vehicle seat of claim 7, wherein the side support element comprises a second cushioned portion on a second supporting face, which opposes the first supporting face.
9. The vehicle seat of any preceding claim, wherein the side support element, in the deployed configuration, is elongate in a height direction, which is directed along said side of the seat back when the side support element is in the deployed configuration, and wherein the side support element, when in the deployed configuration, has an extent in said height direction of at least 20cm, preferably at least 30cm, more preferably at least 40cm.
10. The vehicle seat of any preceding claim, wherein the side support element, in the deployed configuration, is elongate in a height direction, which is directed along said side of the seat back when the side support element is in the deployed configuration, and wherein the side support element, when in the deployed configuration is elongate has an extent in a width direction, which is perpendicular to said height direction, of at least 10cm, preferably at least 20cm.
11. A vehicle seat according to any preceding claim, configured as an aircraft passenger seat, and optionally an economy class aircraft passenger seat.
12. A row of two or more of the vehicles seats according to any preceding claim, all of said seats facing in the same direction, adjacent seats within the row being connected to each other.
13. A vehicle comprising a row of seats according to claim 12, preferably wherein the vehicle is an aircraft.