On-board-wheelchair stowage

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9725174-B2
Application number	US-201414453100-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 6, 2014
Priority date	Aug 16, 2013
Publication date	Aug 8, 2017
Grant date	Aug 8, 2017

Abstract

Systems for storing an on-board-wheelchair on-board an aircraft are provided. In order to provide a stowage possibility for an on-board-wheelchair that requires less valuable space, an aircraft cabin is provided that comprises an on-board space unit and at least one stowage compartment for an on-board-wheelchair. The on-board space unit provides an on-board function, and is surrounded by a housing wall structure. The stowage compartment provides space to accommodate an on-board-wheelchair. The stowage compartment is at least partly surrounded by an enclosure structure. At least a part of the enclosure structure is provided by the housing wall structure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An aircraft cabin, comprising:
an on-board space unit that provides an on-board function, the on-board space unit surrounded by a housing wall structure and the on-board space unit is an enclosed space in the cabin; and
at least one stowage compartment for an on-board-wheelchair, the at least one stowage compartment provides a space to accommodate the on-board-wheelchair, and the at least one stowage compartment is at least partly surrounded by an enclosure structure,
wherein at least a part of the enclosure structure is provided by the housing wall structure,
wherein the at least one stowage compartment comprises an on-board-wheelchair,
wherein the stowage compartment is provided behind a lavatory interior wall, and the at least one stowage compartment opens into a lavatory space; and
wherein the lavatory space provides a vestibule for unfolding and folding the on-board-wheelchair,
wherein the at least one stowage compartment is provided by a washbasin structure of the lavatory space and an upper enclosure of the at least one stowage compartment is provided by a washbasin surface;
wherein the at least one stowage compartment is provided by a wash-table enlargement between the washbasin structure and a portion of the lavatory space that faces a fuselage structure; and
wherein the on-board-wheelchair is provided with a wheelchair handlebar that extends outwardly from the wheelchair in a folded state, and a wall segment of the enclosing structure that faces an interior of the lavatory space is provided with a cut-out such that the wheelchair handlebar extends through the cut-out serving as a lavatory support rail.

2. The aircraft cabin according to claim 1 , wherein guiding rails are provided on a floor section of the at least one stowage compartment to facilitate a sliding insertion of transversely arranged wheels of the on-board-wheelchair.

3. The aircraft cabin according to claim 1 , wherein the on-board-wheelchair is arranged in the at least one stowage compartment in a folded manner.

4. The aircraft cabin according to claim 1 , wherein when the on-board-wheelchair is stowed in the at least one stowage compartment, the function and use of the on-board space unit remains unobstructed.

5. The aircraft cabin according to claim 1 , wherein the on-board function is selected from the group comprising:
a stowage space for items used during the flight or in preparation of the flight;
a stowage space for passengers' belongings during their stay on board;
a restroom;
a galley;
a crew rest area;
a monument;
a lavatory room; and
combinations thereof.

6. The aircraft cabin according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one stowage compartment is provided behind a lavatory interior wall of a lavatory space, and the stowage compartment is accessible from outside the lavatory space.

7. The aircraft cabin according to claim 6 , wherein the stowage compartment is provided by a washbasin structure; and
wherein the washbasin structure is provided with a first door opening to the lavatory space and a second door opening to an adjacent space selected from the group comprising an aisle area, a door entry area, a door exit area, an adjacent lavatory and a galley area.

8. An aircraft, comprising:
a fuselage structure; and
at least one cabin area arranged in the fuselage structure, the at least one cabin area including an on-board space unit that provides an on-board function, the on-board space unit surrounded by a housing wall structure and the on-board space unit is an enclosed space in the cabin area, and at least one stowage compartment for an on-board-wheelchair, the at least one stowage compartment providing a space to accommodate the on-board-wheelchair, and the at least one stowage compartment is at least partly surrounded by an enclosure structure,
wherein at least a part of the enclosure structure is provided by the housing wall structure,
wherein the at least one stowage compartment comprises an on-board-wheelchair,
wherein the stowage compartment is provided behind a lavatory interior wall, and the at least one stowage compartment opens into a lavatory space;
wherein the lavatory space provides a vestibule for unfolding and folding the on-board-wheelchair,
wherein the at least one stowage compartment is provided by a washbasin structure of the lavatory space and an upper enclosure of the at least one stowage compartment is provided by a washbasin surface;
wherein the at least one stowage compartment is provided by a wash-table enlargement between the washbasin structure and a portion of the lavatory space that faces the fuselage structure; and
wherein the on-board-wheelchair is provided with a wheelchair handlebar that extends outwardly from the wheelchair in a folded state, and a wall segment of the enclosing structure that faces an interior of the lavatory space is provided with a cut-out such that the wheelchair handlebar extends through the cut-out serving as a lavatory support rail.

Assignees

• Airbus Operations Gmbh

Inventors

• Seibt Christian
• Wiebalck Jens

Classifications

• B64D11/02

  Toilet fittings · CPC title

• B64D11/00 Primary

  Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for · CPC title