Technical Field

The present invention relates to stowable tables for aircraft passenger seat units, and to seat units incorporating such tables.

Background of the Invention The use of stowable tables on passenger aircraft is well known. Stowable tables are typically moveable between a stowed configuration in which the table is packed away, and a deployed configuration in which it forms a table surface for use by a passenger in the seat of the seat unit.

An example of a stowable table is shown in US3773381. In a stowed configuration the table is located in the back of the seat in front. The table has two hinged sections such that the table surface can be folded in half when in the stowed configuration, to allow the passenger extra knee room. The stowable table of US3773381 can also be used in both an intermediate configuration (in which the table surfaces are folded over one another) , and a fully-deployed configuration (in which the table surfaces are folded out to form a larger surface) . In both the intermediate and fully-deployed

configurations, the table surface protrudes relatively far out from the seat back of the seat in front, towards the

passenger .

It tends to be desirable for a stowable table to occupy relatively little volume in the stowed configuration, whilst still providing a relatively large useable area of table surface in the deployed configuration. It may also be

desirable to provide a relatively simple stowable table arrangement. It may also be desirable to provide a stowable table that does not unduly protrude into the passenger' s personal space.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a stowable table for an aircraft passenger seat unit, the table comprising a plurality of table elements, each of the table elements having a primary surface which when

deployed forms part of a table surface, wherein the table elements are arranged such that the table is configurable to:

(i) a stowed configuration in which the table elements are arranged in a stack;

(ii) an intermediate configuration in which a first pair of the table elements are unfolded from the stack such that their primary surfaces are co-planar to form an intermediate- sized table surface;

(iii) a fully-deployed configuration in which a second pair of table elements are unfolded from the stack such that the primary surfaces of both pairs of table elements are co- planar to form a full-sized table surface. Such an

arrangement allows a passenger to have a relatively large table surface (in the fully deployed configuration) whilst also having the option of a smaller table surface (in the intermediate configuration) that is less intrusive into the passenger's personal space. Such an arrangement may also facilitate a relatively compact stowed configuration.

In the stowed configuration the table elements are preferably arranged in the stack in a concertina formation. Such an arrangement facilitates efficient use of space in the stowed configuration and facilitates simple deployment of the table. In the stowed configuration, the primary surfaces within each pair of table elements preferably face away from one another. In the stowed configuration the primary surfaces of adjacent table elements of the first and second pairs of table elements, preferably face away from one another.

The first pair of table elements may be hinged together along a hinge, the hinge being located, when the table is in the stowed configuration, at an upper edge between the pair of table elements. During movement to the intermediate

configuration the lower edges of the table elements preferably move apart. Having the hinge on the upper edge is preferable to having a hinge at the lower edge because in that

arrangement the table elements would tend to be urged towards a collapsed or stowed configuration when pressure is placed on the table surface. The hinge is preferably arranged to move downwardly during movement from the stowed to intermediate configurations.

The hinge may be arranged to move to be substantially level with the lower edge of the table elements in the stowed configuration. The table surface in the intermediate and fully-deployed configurations is preferably level with the lower edge of the table elements in the stowed configuration.

Any features described with reference to the structure or operation of the first pair of table elements may be equally applicable to the second pair of table elements, and vice versa. For example, the second pair of table elements may be hinged together along a second hinge, the second hinge being located, when the table is in the stowed configuration, at an upper edge between the second pair of table elements.

The first pair of table elements may be connected to the second pair of table elements. However, in some embodiments, the stowable table may comprise one or more additional table elements. The additional table elements may be located between the first and second pairs. The additional table elements may comprise one or more primary surfaces that form part of the table surface in the intermediate and/or fully- deployed configurations.

The orientation of the table elements when in the stowed configuration may be substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the table elements when in the intermediate and fully-deployed configurations. In the intermediate and deployed configurations the table surface is preferably substantially parallel to the floor onto which the seat unit may be mounted. In the stowed configuration the table

elements may be substantially vertical (for example they may be mounted, or mountable, on a seat back of the seat in front) .

In the stowed configuration the table elements are arranged in a stack. The table elements preferably fully overlap one another. The table elements are preferably parallel to one another, but non-coplanar . The table elements are preferably adjacent one another.

The stowable table may be arranged such that in the intermediate configuration the second pair of table elements remain in substantially the same position as their position in the stowed configuration. Thus the second pair of table elements preferably take up a relatively low volume when the table is in the intermediate configuration.

The table, and more preferably the first pair of table elements, may comprise a handle. The stowable table may be is arranged such that translation of the handle away from the stack of table elements effects movement of the first pair of table elements such that the table moves from the stowed configuration to the intermediate configuration. Further translation of the handle may effect movement of the second pair of table elements such that the table moves from the intermediate configuration to the fully-deployed

configuration. The translation of the handle is preferably in the same direction when moving from the stowed to the intermediate to the fully-deployed configurations. The passenger may therefore easily pull the handle to effect movement of the table from the stowed to the intermediate and/or fully-deployed configurations. The direction of translation of the handle is preferably perpendicular to the primary surfaces of the table elements in the stowed

configuration .

The stowable table may further comprise a support structure associated with the first pair of table elements. The support structure may be stowed when the table is in the stowed configuration and the support structure may be deployed when the table is in the intermediate configuration such that the support structure is arranged to support the intermediate- sized table surface. The support structure may also be associated with the second pair of table elements, the support structure being stowed when the table is in the stowed

configuration and the support structure being fully-deployed when the table is in the fully-deployed configuration such that the support structure is arranged to support the fully- sized table surface. The support structure may comprise a pair of arms associated with either side of the table surface. The support structure may be arranged to support the table elements such that they are co-planar.

The stowable table may be adapted to be attached to a structure in front of a passenger seat. The table elements are preferably arranged to be pulled towards the front of a passenger when moving from the stowed to intermediate and/or fully deployed configurations.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an aircraft passenger seat unit, the seat unit comprising a seat and a stowable table in front of the seat, the table comprising a plurality of table elements, each of the table elements having a primary surface which when

deployed forms part of a table surface, wherein the table elements are arranged such that the table is configurable to:

(i) a stowed configuration in which the table elements are arranged in a stack;

(ii) an intermediate configuration in which a first pair of the table elements are unfolded from the stack towards the seat such that their primary surfaces are co-planar to form an intermediate-sized table surface;

(iii) a fully-deployed configuration in which a second pair of table elements are unfolded from the stack towards the seat such that the primary surfaces of both pairs of table elements are co-planar to form a full-sized table surface.

Any features described with reference to one aspect of the invention are equally applicable to any other aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

Description of the Drawings An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

Figures la to lc are perspective views showing a stowable table according to a first embodiment of the invention in stowed, intermediate and fully-deployed configurations respectively;

Figure 2a is a side and bottom view of the stowable table in Figure la;

Figure 2b is a side and bottom view of the stowable table during movement to the intermediate configuration;

Figure 2c is a side and bottom view of the stowable table in Figure lb; Figure 2d is a side and bottom view of the stowable tabl during movement to the fully deployed configuration; and

Figure 2e is a side and bottom view of the stowable tabl in Figure lc.

Detailed Description

Figures la to lc show a stowable table 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The stowable table 1 is shown in three separate configurations in Figures la to lc, namely a stowed configuration, an intermediate configuration and a fully-deployed configuration respectively.

The stowable table 1 is mounted on a monument 3 located in front of an aircraft passenger seat (not shown) , the monument 3 extending vertically from an aircraft cabin floor 5. The table 1 comprises four rectangular table elements 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d. Each table element has a flat upper surface which forms part of a table surface when deployed.

Movement between the stowed configuration, intermediate configuration and fully-deployed configuration is shown in more detail in the side and bottom view of Figures 2a-2e, to which reference is now made. The movements of parts of the stowable table 1 are shown using solid-arrows.

In the stowed configuration (Figures 2a), the table elements 7a-d are arranged in a stack and hinged together in a concertina formation. The first pair of table elements 7a, 7b at the front of the stack are hinged together along a hinge 9 (see Figures 2b to 2e) . The second pair of table elements 7c, 7d are hinged together along a second hinge 11 (see Figure 2d and 2e) . Both these hinges 9, 11 are located, when the table is in the stowed configuration, at an upper edge between the table elements in the respective pairs, and move downwardly during movement to the intermediate and fully-deployed configurations (see Figures 2b and 2d) . A third hinge 12 is located between the pairs of table elements 7a, 7b and 7c, 7d and opens in the opposite direction, but remains substantially level during deployment of the table.

The table 1 comprises a handle 13 attached to the first table element 7a. When the passenger (not shown) pulls the handle 13 in a horizontal movement away from the stack, the first pair of table elements 7a, 7b unfold from the stack and counter-rotate about the hinge 9 (Figure 2b) to form an intermediate-sized table surface in which the flat upper surfaces of the table elements are co-planar (Figure 2c) . The table is arranged such that the second pair of table elements 7c, 7d remain in the stack until the first pair 7a, 7b are fully unfolded. At this point the passenger may keep the table in this intermediate configuration (for example if he needs only a small table surface) , or he may move the table to a fully-deployed configuration by further movement of the handle 13.

Further movement of the handle 13 unfolds the second pair of table elements 7c, 7d in a similar manner to the above- described first pair (see Figures 2d and 2e) . When fully deployed, the upper surfaces of the second pair of table elements 7c, 7d form a co-planar table surface with each other and with the first pair of table elements 7a, 7b to create a substantially co-planar full-sized table surface (Figure 2e) .

The intermediate-sized table surface and the fully- deployed table surface may be used by the passenger for placing food, drink, laptop etc. To support the table

surface, the stowable table 1 includes supporting arms 15 which comprise a plurality of hinged sections that are

arranged to extend in a horizontal plane away from the stack. When the table 1 is in the intermediate or fully-deployed configurations, the arms 15 are not fully straightened (see Figures 2c and 2e for example) . This is a relatively rigid configuration and also ensures the arms 15 provide sufficient support across the width of the table surface.

The stowable table of the first embodiment provides a relatively compact arrangement when stowed, and also provides the passenger with a choice over what sized table to deploy. For example, if the passenger merely wishes to place a drink in front of him, he may deploy the table to the intermediate configuration, thereby providing a sufficiently large table surface without occupying an unnecessarily large space in front of him. However, should he wish to use a bigger table surface (for example to work on a laptop) the table can easily be deployed to the fully-deployed configuration.

Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. For example, the stowable table may be mounted on the seat back of the seat in front; the stowable table may comprise additional table elements between the first and second pairs of elements such that the table is configurable to a plurality of intermediate

configurations with intermediate sized table surfaces.

Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable

equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present

invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims.