Contour class divider

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11787544-B2
Application number	US-202117379145-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 19, 2021
Priority date	Apr 4, 2016
Publication date	Oct 17, 2023
Grant date	Oct 17, 2023

Abstract

An implementation of a contoured class divider for dividing an aircraft cabin includes a panel positioned between an aft seat and a forward seat, the panel having an aft-facing convex contour closely matching an aft-facing contour of a seatback of the forward seat and configured to enhance space utilization. The contoured class divider may include an articulation system to articulate at least a portion of the panel from a first position (normal operation) to a second position (emergency landing). The contoured class divider may provide up to an additional 12 inches of space which can be used to reduce seat pitch (and thereby enhance passenger comfort) or increase the number of rows of seats on a given aircraft.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A contoured class divider for dividing an aircraft cabin arrangement between at least one forward passenger seat and at least one aft passenger seat, the contoured class divider comprising: a panel positioned adjacent to and rearwardly of the at least one forward seat, the panel having a contoured shape for receiving a back of the forward passenger seat in at least one of a reclined position and an upright position, the panel extending substantially from an underside of an overhead bin to a fixation system affixing the contoured class divider directly to the forward passenger seat, wherein the panel includes at least one divider leg affixed to an aft part of a leg of the forward passenger seat via the fixation system, wherein the fixation system includes a bracket affixed at a first end to the at least one divider leg and at a second end to the leg of the forward passenger seat.

2. The contoured class divider of claim 1 , wherein the panel is configured to articulate towards the forward position when the panel is subjected to a deceleration of greater than 16 G.

3. The contoured class divider of claim 1 , wherein the panel is located within one inch of the at least one forward passenger seat when the at least one forward passenger seat is in a take-off taxi and landing (TTOL) operational position.

4. The contoured class divider of claim 1 , wherein the panel includes at least head impact zone.

5. A method for dividing an aircraft cabin arrangement between at least one forward passenger seat and at least one aft passenger seat, the method comprising:
positioning a panel of a contoured class divider adjacent to and rearwardly of the at least one forward seat, the panel having a contoured shape for receiving a back of the forward seat in at least one of a reclined position and an upright position; fixing a fixation system of the contoured class divider directly to the forward passenger seat, wherein the panel extends substantially from an underside of an overhead bin to the fixation system, wherein fixing the fixation system directly to the forward passenger seat includes fixing at least one divider leg to an aft part of a leg of the forward passenger seat via the fixation system, wherein fixing the fixation system directly to the forward passenger seat includes fixing a first end of a bracket to the at least one divider leg and fixing a second end of the bracket to the leg of the forward passenger seat.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein positioning the panel comprises positioning the panel in the rearward position within one inch of a recline position of the at least one forward passenger seat.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein positioning the panel comprises positioning the panel in the rearward position within a head impact zone of an aft-seated passenger in the at least one aft passenger seat, wherein the panel comprises at least one head impact zone protection feature.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one head impact zone protection feature comprises energy absorbing material embedded in a portion of the panel within the head impact zone.

9. The method of claim 5 , further comprising: prior to positioning the panel, removing a conventional class divider from between the at least one forward passenger seat and the at least one aft passenger seat; and
relocating the at least one aft passenger seat at least 4 inches closer to the at least one forward passenger seat.

10. The contoured class divider of claim 1 , wherein the fixation system is directly affixed to the forward passenger seat such that the contoured class divider is not affixed to a structure of a floor of the aircraft cabin.

11. The contoured class divider of claim 1 , wherein the fixation system supports a lower edge of the panel above a floor of the aircraft cabin such that a passenger in the aft passenger seat is able to stow luggage beneath the forward passenger seat.

12. The method of claim 5 , wherein fixing the fixation system directly to the forward passenger seat does not include fixing the contoured class divider or the fixation system to a structure of a floor of the aircraft cabin.

13. The method of claim 5 , wherein the fixation system supports a lower edge of the panel above a floor of the aircraft cabin such that a passenger in the aft passenger seat is able to stow luggage beneath the forward passenger seat.

Assignees

• Be Aerospace Inc

Inventors

• Papke Robert
• Claflin Shawn
• Mckee Jefferey M
• Skelly Trevor
• DILIANI Mario

Classifications

• B64D11/0606 Primary

  with privacy shells, screens, separators or the like (class dividers B64D11/0023) · CPC title

• B64D11/003

  Stowage devices for passengers' personal luggage · CPC title

• B64D11/0023

  Movable or removable cabin dividers, e.g. for class separation · CPC title

• B64D11/0619

  with energy absorbing means specially adapted for mitigating impact loads for passenger seats, e.g. at a crash · CPC title

• B64D11/0627

  Seats combined with storage means · CPC title