Amenity Monument for Aircraft Cabins

Abstract

An amenity monument for installation in an aircraft cabin space that utilizes non-seat space in a seating layout while simultaneously providing features and amenities desirable to passengers. The amenity monument enhances the array of seating options and configurations available to an aircraft interior designer, and in some embodiments, may be equipped with one or more of display space, work space, and electronic features. The amenity monument is configured such that space beneath a counter can be utilized for other purposes, such as footwell space for seats positioned adjacent the amenity monument.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An amenity monument for installation in an aircraft cabin, the monument comprising:
 a contoured counter at least partially defining an inset region configured to permit a user to at least partially enter the monument, thereby providing clearance for passengers or crewmembers transiting an adjacent aisle;   a region disposed below the counter, the region at least partially occupied by foot-wells of adjacent passenger seats; and   a plurality of partition elements extending upwardly from the counter at least to a height corresponding to partitions or walls of adjacent passenger seats, passenger suites or monuments;   wherein the amenity monument is configured to permit the utilization of space in between passenger seats, said space being insufficient to accommodate additional seating.   
     
     
         2 . The amenity monument of  claim 1 , wherein the contoured counter has a curved or arcuate contour at least partially defining the inset region. 
     
     
         3 . The amenity monument of  claim 1 , wherein the inset region is configured to accommodate two users while permitting passengers and crew members to transit the adjacent aisle. 
     
     
         4 . The amenity monument of  claim 1 , further comprising an interactive display screen. 
     
     
         5 . The amenity monument of  claim 1 , further comprising electronically dimmable panels disposed in or above a portion of the plurality of partition elements. 
     
     
         6 . The amenity monument of  claim 5 , wherein the electronically dimmable panels are coupled to a controller configured to set the panels to a transparent condition during taxi, take-off and landing. 
     
     
         7 . The amenity monument of  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of privacy panels disposed above counter-height that extend along the adjacent aisle to provide the user additional privacy from passengers or crewmembers transiting the adjacent aisle. 
     
     
         8 . The amenity monument of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one gaming controller and/or at least one headset. 
     
     
         9 . The amenity monument of  claim 8 , wherein the inset region is configured to accommodate two users. 
     
     
         10 . The amenity monument of  claim 1 , wherein the region is adapted to store merchandise in a secure condition. 
     
     
         11 . An amenity monument for installation in an aircraft cabin between spaced seats, the monument comprising:
 a contoured counter having an inset region positionable adjacent a longitudinal aisle configured to permit a person to at least partially enter the inset region to provide clearance for passengers or crewmembers transiting the longitudinal aisle;   a region disposed below the contoured counter at least partially occupied by foot-wells of adjacent passenger seats; and   a plurality of partition elements extending upwardly from the contoured counter at least to a height corresponding to partitions or walls of adjacent passenger seats, passenger suites or monuments.   
     
     
         12 . The amenity monument of  claim 11 , wherein the contoured counter has a curved or arcuate contour at least partially defining the inset region. 
     
     
         13 . The amenity monument of  claim 11 , wherein the inset region is configured to accommodate two users while permitting passengers and crew members to transit the longitudinal aisle. 
     
     
         14 . The amenity monument of  claim 11 , further comprising an interactive display screen disposed on the contoured counter or on at least one partition element of the plurality of partition elements, the interactive display screen being coupled to a controller which is adapted to display on the display screen content selected from the group consisting of multimedia content, gaming content, destination-related content, and retail content. 
     
     
         15 . The amenity monument of  claim 14 , wherein the interactive display screen is a curved display screen providing an immersive multimedia experience. 
     
     
         16 . The amenity monument of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one gaming controller and at least one headset, wherein the interactive display screen displays gaming content. 
     
     
         17 . The amenity monument of  claim 14 , wherein the region is adapted to store merchandise that may be purchased via the interactive display in a secure condition, the amenity monument further comprising means to prevent unauthorized access to the merchandise. 
     
     
         18 . The amenity monument of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of electronically dimmable panels coupled to a controller configured to set each of the plurality of electronically dimmable panels to a transparent condition during taxi, take-off and landing. 
     
     
         19 . The amenity monument of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of privacy panels disposed above counter-height that extend along the adjacent aisle to provide the user additional privacy from passengers or crewmembers transiting the adjacent aisle. 
     
     
         20 . The amenity monument of  claim 11 , wherein the inset region is configured to accommodate two users.