Technical Field

The following disclosure relates to barrier systems for vehicle seating and, in particular, vehicle seating provided in rows. In specific examples, barrier systems may be employed in mass transit vehicles, particularly aircraft.

Background

Given the limited space available within vehicles, high density arrangements are relatively common in vehicle seating, particularly in aircraft. For example, rows of three or more seats are often seen in mass transit vehicles, such as aircraft, buses, trains, ferries etc. Such high-density seating arrangements may, however, reduce the privacy and comfort of passengers. Additionally, high-density seating arrangements may pose risks in terms of disease transmission. Diseases that may be transmitted by respiratory droplets, such as, in particular, the COVID-19 vims, are of particular concern, especially in vehicles where air is recirculated, such as aircraft. The present invention is intended to increase the privacy and comfort of passengers in a simple and cost-effective manner, and, in some cases, might mitigate the risks of disease transmission within vehicles.

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 barrier system configured for removable installation on a first seat of a row of vehicle seats, the system comprising: a barrier portion, which, when the system is installed on the first seat, provides a barrier that separates respective passenger spaces provided by second and third seats that are adjacent and either side of the first seat in the row; and a base portion, which, when the system is installed on the first seat, engages with a seat pan of the first seat, the seat pan thereby supporting the system.

In a further aspect, the following disclosure provides a row of seats comprising a first seat and a barrier system according to any of the examples provided herein installed on said first seat. In a still further aspect, the following disclosure provides a vehicle comprising a row of seats and a barrier system according to any of the examples provided herein installed on a first seat of said row of seats.

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 1 is a perspective view of a barrier system according to an illustrative embodiment, which has been installed on one of a row of vehicle seats;

Figure 2 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the barrier system and row of seats shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the barrier system and row of seats shown in Figures 1 and 2; and

Figure 4 is a top view of the barrier system and row of seats shown in Figures 1-3.

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.

Figures 1-4 show an illustrative embodiment of a barrier system. Reference is firstly directed to Figure 1 , which is a perspective view of the barrier system, when installed on one seat 110 within a row of vehicle seats 100 (in the particular example shown, the middle seat 110). The system is configured for removable installation, and may configured such that it can be fitted to existing seats. Such removable coupling may allow the barrier system 1 to be cleaned at regular intervals. In some examples, the system may be configured so as to enable installation without the use of tools (e.g. by configuring the system to be attached using touch fasteners, pop studs or the like). For the purposes of illustration, the seats shown in Figures 1-4 are aircraft seats; the barrier system 1 shown in these drawings has been specially adapted for such seats. Nonetheless, other embodiments of barrier systems may be configured for use in various alternative vehicle types, in particular various other types of mass-transit vehicles, such as buses, trains, ferries etc.

Returning to the particular example shown in Figure 1, as is apparent from the drawing, when the system is installed, the back 3 of the system contacts the seat back 111 of the first seat 110, whereas the front 2 of the system faces away from the seat back 111.

As shown in Figure 1 , the barrier system includes a barrier portion 10 and a base portion 20. In the example shown, the seat on which the barrier system has been installed is the middle seat 110 of a row of three seats 100. However, it will be appreciated that the barrier system could instead be installed on rows comprising more than three seats.

As is apparent from Figure 1, the barrier portion 10 functions to provide a barrier that separates respective passenger spaces provided by second and third seats either side in the row 120, 130 of the first seat 110. Such a barrier may may provide the passengers in the second and third seats with a private and protected environment, leading to a more pleasurable travel experience. Furthermore, it is thought that such a barrier could mitigate the risk of disease transmission between passengers sitting in the second and third seats 120, 130. Hence, the system might, in some embodiments, be described as a protective barrier system.

As shown in Figures 1-4, the barrier portion may, for example, be shaped such that it becomes narrower towards the front of the system (i.e. its lateral extent decreases). Hence, or otherwise, the barrier portion may be described as having a vertically extending ridge at its front. Viewed differently, the barrier portion may be described as providing an alcove or bay on either side. Such alcoves provide additional space to the passengers sitting in the second and third seats 120, 130.

As is further apparent from Figure 1, the base portion 20 functions to engage with the seat pan 112 of the middle seat 110. As a result of this engagement, the seat pan 112 acts to support the system (particularly laterally, i.e. in the row direction).

The base portion 20 may, for example, comprise one or more coupling elements for coupling the base portion to the seat pan. For instance, such coupling elements could include touch fasteners (i.e. hook and loop fasteners), pop studs, or some other kind of mechanical fasteners. The base portion 20 may be configured to use fasteners that are compatible with the existing seat hardware; for instance, they may be provided with the same fasteners as the cushions 122, 132 of the second and third seats in the row 120, 130.

In the particular example shown in Figures 1-4, the base portion 20 is coupled to the base of the seat pan 112, rather than, for example, the cushion of the seat pan. Thus, in the example shown, the base portion 20 effectively replaces the cushion of the seat pan. This may be apparent from comparing the middle seat 110, with the second and third seats 120, 130, each of which is provided with its own cushion 122, 132.

Reference is next directed to Figure 2, which is a partially exploded front perspective view of the barrier system and row of seats shown in Figure 1. In particular, the components of the barrier portion 10 of the system are shown separated from each other and from the base portion 20. As may be seen, in the specific example shown in Figures 1-4, the barrier portion 10 includes first and second side portions 11, 12, which are located adjacent, respectively, the second and third seats in the row 120, 130. In the particular example shown, the first and second side portions are provided by respective, separate articles. However, in other examples, they could be provided by a single article, for example a planar article could be folded in two to provide the first and second side portions 11, 12.

As may be appreciated from Figure 2, the first and second side portions 11, 12 are configured so that they contact one another to provide mutual lateral support. For instance, where a passenger sitting in the second seat 120 leans on the first side portion 11, the first side portion 11 will in turn be pressed against the second side portion, which resists lateral movement of the first side portion 11 , thereby providing lateral support to the first side portion 11.

In some embodiments, the back 3 of the system may comprise one or more coupling elements for coupling the system to the seat back 111. For instance, such coupling elements could include touch fasteners (i.e. hook and loop fasteners), pop studs, or some other kind of mechanical fasteners. Additionally, or alternatively, such coupling elements might be provided along first and second lateral sides of the back of the system. Such an arrangement may be particularly suitable where the coupling elements attach between the cushion of the seat back 111 and the seat back structure. In other examples, coupling elements might be distributed over the back of the system. Such an arrangement might be suitable where the barrier system replaces the seat back cushion 111.

In other embodiments, the back 3 of the system may include one or more coupling elements for coupling the system to the pivot points of armrests for the first seat 110. For instance, the system might include loops or straps (e.g. made of fabric) that can be slid onto or fastened around the armrest pivots.

Figure 2 further shows the barrier system as including an upper support member 30, which contacts and supports the first and second side portions 11, 12. In addition, the upper supporting member 30 acts as a cover for the barrier system, preventing objects from being dropped or lost inside the barrier system.

Attention is next directed to Figure 3, which is a partially exploded perspective view of the barrier system and row of seats shown in Figures 1 and 2. As is apparent from Figure 3 (and also Figure 2), an upper surface of the base portion 20 is shaped to receive, and to restrain lateral movement of, the barrier portion 10. In the particular example shown, the upper surface of the base portion 20 includes a Y-shaped channel 21 within which the first and second side portions 11, 12 are received. However, it will be appreciated that the upper surface may have any suitable shape. In particular, the upper surface may be shaped correspondingly to the shape of the particular barrier portion 10 used.

Attention is now directed to Figure 4, which is a top view of the barrier system and row of seats shown in Figures 1-3. As is shown most clearly in Figure 4, a lateral cross-section of the barrier portion 10 is generally Y-shaped. Such a shape may provide suitable structural strength to the barrier portion 10. Nonetheless, other cross-sectional shapes may be suitable. For example, in other embodiments the barrier portion 10 might instead be shaped so as to have a V-shaped lateral cross-section.

To provide suitable support to the barrier system, the base portion 20 may have a relatively large width in the lateral direction (the direction in which the row of seats extends). This width is indicated by arrow w in Figure 4 and may, for example, be greater than 30cm, in some cases greater than 35cm, or in some cases greater than 40cm. Similarly, the base portion 20 may have a relatively large extent in the depth direction (away from the seat back). This depth is indicated by arrow d in Figure 4 and may, for example, be greater than 30cm, in some cases greater than 35cm, or in some cases greater than 40cm

While in Figure 1-4 the barrier portion 10 and base portion 20 have been shown as separate articles, it is contemplated that, in other embodiments, these could instead be different portions of a single article. Such an article might, for example, be integrally formed, e.g. by molding. Nonetheless, forming barrier portion 10 and base portion 20 as separate articles may allow for the materials of each article to be tailored for their different purposes. While the barrier system 1 has been described as being capable of providing a barrier that separates respective passenger spaces provided by second and third seats either side in the same row as the first seat, it should be noted that barrier systems of certain embodiments may additionally be capable of being installed in the end seats of a row. Of course, in such a situation the barrier system would no longer function to separate passenger spaces in seats either side of the barrier system; however, it would remain capable of doing so, were it installed in another seat within the row.

Although, the seats illustrated in Figures 1-4 are aircraft seats, with the barrier system shown having been specially adapted for such seats, it should be understood that other embodiments of barrier systems may be configured for use in alternative vehicle types. In particular, other embodiments may be configured for use with various other types of mass- transit vehicles, such as buses, trains, ferries etc.

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.