WO2011077363A2

WO2011077363A2 - Improvements relating to passenger vehicle seating

Info

Publication number: WO2011077363A2
Application number: PCT/IB2010/055968
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Sean Bissett; James Dominic France; Glen Wilson Porter; Michael Bradley Robertson
Original assignee: Air New Zealand Limited
Priority date: 2009-12-21
Filing date: 2010-12-21
Publication date: 2011-06-30
Also published as: WO2011077363A3

Abstract

A vehicle seat comprising a seat base including a seat pan defining two opposite edges ("seat ends"), forming the base of the vehicle seat ("seat base"), a reversible backrest, the back rest including a back side and a front side and adapted to be able to offer support to a user in a seated position facing a first direction when the backrest is in a first position and to be able to offer support to a user in a seated position facing a second direction opposite to the first direction when the back rest is in a second position, an articulation mechanism operatively connecting the seat base and the back rest allowing the back rest to move between seat ends, and at a point in between, allowing the back rest to rotate, wherein the back rest is proximate more one of the other seat end when in the first position and the front side faces in the first direction and the back side faces in the second direction, and wherein the back rest is proximate more the other seat end when in the second position and the front side faces in the second direction and the back side faces in the first direction.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO PASSENGER VEHICLE SEATING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvements in vehicle seating and in particular though not solely, aircraft or train seating.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In vehicles where seating comfort and passenger room is directly proportionate to the cost paid by the seat occupant per seat for that trip, it can be desirable for the user or occupant to have some control over the configuration of their seating space. This control is perceived by the user as adding value to the cost they have paid for their seat. An extreme example of this is first class where a user has significant amount of body and leg room, high degree of control over the food and service they receive and other parts of their environment.

In the classes below first and business class, for example economy and premium economy, such control is increasingly recognised as providing value and interest to the user and therefore a valuable feature of the vehicle seat.

An ability of a seating configuration to adapt to the needs of the user or users of those seats, and, for example where there may be several users of the seats, wanting to create their own configuration is recognised as valuable.

Seat configurations of the prior art, especially for those in high cost seating environments such as present on an aircraft, have not enabled users to adapt their environment beyond the limitations of, for example, a foot rest, reclining seat back, fold-up arm rest and tray table.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for such need, or to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention may be said to be a vehicle seat comprising, a seat base including a seat pan defining two opposite edges ("seat ends"), forming the base of the vehicle seat ("seat base"),

a reversible backrest, said back rest including a back side and a front side and adapted to be able to offer support to a user in a seated position facing a first direction when the backrest is in a first position and to be able to offer support to a user in a seated position facing a second direction opposite to the first direction when the back rest is in a second position,

an articulation mechanism operatively connecting the seat base and the back rest allowing the back rest to move between seat ends, and at a point in between, allowing the back rest to rotate,

wherein the back rest is proximate more one of the other seat end when in said first position and the front side faces in the first direction and the back side faces in the second direction, and

wherein the back rest is proximate more the other seat end when in said second position and the front side faces in the second direction and the back side faces in the first direction.

Preferably the said articulation mechanism comprises,

a first linkage member able to pivot at a first end from a first pivot axis, transverse to the first and second directions on the seat base ("seat base pivot"), located between the ends of the seat base, and able to pivot at a second end, distal from the first, about a second pivot axis, parallel to the first pivot axis,

a second linkage member, pivotally connected to the first linkage, directly or indirectly, to pivot about said second pivot axis and connected to

an axle running along or parallel to and coupled to the back rest to allow the back rest to rotate about a third axis located in a plane orthogonal to the first pivot axis, to allow the seat front to rotate and face the first or second direction.

Preferably there is a lock mechanism to releasably secure the back rest to the seat base in at least the first and second positions.

Preferably to change from the first position to the second position the back rest in the first position is unlocked from the seat base and pivoted, via the first linkage and second linkages, partially upward and away from the seat base, the back rest is then rotated about the third axis to interchange directions of the front side and back side, the back rest is then pivoted via the first and second linkages down and toward the seat base into the second position and then locked to the seat base.

Preferably the said first pivot axis is on said seat base approximately midway between said ends of the seat base.

Preferably the second linkage member is located on or toward that part of the back rest closest to the seat base when in the first or second positions.

Preferably there is only one first linkage member between said first pivot axis point and said second pivot axis point.

Preferably the said first linkage member is located at or toward the mid point of said first pivot axis.

Alternatively there are two said first linkage members, located either side of said seat base.

Preferably the said first linkage member is recessed into said seat base.

Preferably the said back rest has a handle portion at or near the top of the back rest to enable a user to grasp the back rest.

Preferably the said seat base includes a cushion.

Preferably the said back rest includes a cushioned part at least on said front side.

Preferably the back side of said back rest includes at least one pocket or tray for a user facing said seat back to use.

Preferably there is a second lock mechanism to releasable secure the rotation of the back rest about the axle.

Preferably the first and or second lock is remotely activated, say for example on the top of the back rest.

Preferably the activation for the first or second lock is hidden.

Preferably there is a sensor, whether electronic, mechanical or otherwise, to indicate the direction the back rest is facing.

Preferably there is a sensor, whether electronic, mechanical or otherwise, to indicate the condition of at least the first of the lock mechanisms.

Preferably there is a physical indication, whether on the back rest or remotely, to show whether the back rest is locked correctly and/ or the direction the back rest is facing.

In another aspect the present invention may be said to be a vehicle seat configuration comprising or including,

a plurality of rows of seats in the vehicle facing or able to face in a first direction, each said row extending in the horizontal plane perpendicular to the first direction, and wherein at least one seat in every second of said rows has a back rest that can be reverse to face in a direction opposite the first direction.

Preferably the back rest can be configured between positions relative the seat pan to reverse the direction in which the back rest faces.

Preferably all the seats in every second row have back rests that can reverse to face in a direction opposite the first direction.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a method of altering a seating direction of a seat for a vehicle whereby the back rest moves from facing in a first direction at one end of a seat base, to facing in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, at the other end of the seat base, comprising or including the steps of unlocking the back rest facing in the first direction from the seat base,

pivoting the back rest partially upward and away from the seat base about at least one horizontal axis,

rotating the back rest about an axis ("rotational axis") in the vertical plane to interchange the facing direction of the back rest,

pivoting the back rest down and toward the seat base about said at least one horizontal axis to face in the second direction, and

locking the back rest to the seat base.

Preferably the said at least one horizontal axis is perpendicular to the first and second directions.

Preferably a first said at least one horizontal axis ("first horizontal axis") is located at a point midway between the ends of the seat base.

Preferably there is a second said at least one horizontal axis ("second horizontal axis") parallel to the first located at or toward the base of said back rest with a pivotal connection to the first horizontal axis.

Preferably the rotational axis is pivotally connected to the second horizontal axis.

In still another aspect the present invention may be said to be a seating configuration in a vehicle, comprising or including,

at least one row of at least two seats facing or able to face in a first direction, said row extending in the horizontal plane perpendicular to the first direction, each seat having a seat pan and a back rest extending therefrom,

wherein a seat pan of at least one of the two seats can move between a usable condition and a stowed condition (preferably moved in a pivotal and/ or translational manner between a horizontal and vertical orientation) to, in the stowed condition, reveal a space under the seat pan.

Preferably the said seat pan can move to the stowed condition to provide access to under-seat storage.

Preferably the said seat pan makes available said space to provide a foot well such that an occupant in an adjacent seat in the row can use the space for their feet.

Preferably the adjacent occupant can rotate to sit to face in a direction substantially in the horizontal plane and substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Preferably the said seat pan can move to the stored condition to facilitate entry and exit to the seats.

Preferably there is an arm rest between said at least two seats that can assume at least two positions,

a first position where the arm rest is lowered to sit substantially flush with the seat pan of each seat,

a second position where the arm rest is raised to provide an arm rest for at least one of the occupants of the two seats.

Preferably the said arm rest includes a cavity that can store articles such as, but not limited to books, magazines, papers and personal effects.

Preferably the said cavity is accessible in either of the first and second positions of the arm rest.

Alternatively said cavity is only accessible when the arm rest is in the second position.

Preferably there is at least one member (Preferably planar and herein after "first planar member") that can deploy from the back rest to a position where it provides a horizontal surface for use as any one or more of a

tray table or part thereof, and

an additional arm rest.

Preferably there are two such first planar members per seat, each able to deploy separate to the other.

Preferably said two first planar members can be locked together in their horizontally deployed state.

Preferably said two first planar members each are approximately between 50% and 30% of the width of the back rest.

Preferably there is a second planar member that can locate between at least one of said seats and a seat in front of said at least one of said seats, such that the second planar member can form a horizontal platform to allow an occupant of said at least one of said seats to recline or lie flat.

Preferably there are at least three seats in said row, the middle seat of which has the at least one seat base that can move between a usable condition and a stowed condition.

Preferably there is a said arm-rest between each said seat of said row.

Preferably alternatively there are more than three seats in said row, and any inner seats of said row has the at least one seat base that can move between a usable condition and a stowed condition.

Preferably the said seat base is hinged ("first hinge") at or near a bottom of said back rest to enable it to move between the usable condition and the stowed condition.

Preferably the said seat base is also hinged part way along its length ("second hinge") parallel to the first hinge to enable it to move between the usable condition and the stowed condition in a concertina fashion in conjunction with said first hinge.

Preferably there is a locking mechanism to selectively retain the seat base in either the usable condition or the stowed condition.

Preferably the said at least three seats can be converted to two seats by dropping said arm rest between the seats.

Preferably in addition the outer most first planar member of the first and third seat of the row can be deployed to provide said additional arm rest for each of the two occupants.

In still a further aspect the present invention may be said to be an array of at least two vehicle seats wherein at least one of the two seats has a reversible back rest as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In yet another aspect the present invention may be said to be a vehicle seat as described herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In an alternative aspect the present invention may be said to be a vehicle with a seat as described herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In yet a further aspect the present invention may be said to be an array of seats as described herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In another aspect the present invention may be said to be a method of altering the seating direction of a seat as described herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. In still another aspect the present invention may be said to be a method of altering a seating configuration as described herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In a further aspect the present invention maybe said to be a vehicle seat with a flip-up seat base as described herein with reference to any one or more of the

accompanying drawings.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As used herein the term "and/ or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/ or singular forms of the noun.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of. When interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present, but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7).

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited above and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference.

Where in this specification the term "vehicle" is used it may apply to any vehicle for conveying passengers and can include, though not limited to, cars, trucks, busses, aircraft (light and heavy) and trains.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements and features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, whereby:

Figure 1 shows in cross section the outline of one embodiment of a vehicle cabin interior showing a 3-3-3 seating configuration of the present invention,

Figure 2 shows a layout of passenger configuration in a cutaway perspective view of a vehicle interior with a plurality of one embodiment of the seating arrangements of the present invention,

Figure 3 shows a plan view of one embodiment of two cooperating rows of vehicle seats adjusted so that the reversible seat back of one row is adjusted to face in the opposite direction to the other row to form a facing seat configuration,

Figure 4 shows a side view of a seat with a reversible seat back rest and in dotted outline the stages for changing for facing from one direction to the other,

Figure 5 shows in perspective of one embodiment of a row with three seats, one back rest of the row reversed to face in the opposite direction,

Figure 6 shows in perspective view one embodiment of a row of three seats with a seat base flipped up in a concertina style, and also shows the arm rests in the elevated position, and additional members deployed from the back rest to form a table surface,

Figure 7 shows the same arrangement as Figure 6 with the first planar members in un-deployed positions from the back rest and the seat base flipped down,

Figure 8 shows the same configuration as Figure 7 with different arrangements of first planar members deployed as a table and as an additional arm rest,

Figure 9 shows a rear view of a row of seats, and

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of an aircraft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures 1 through 9.

A vehicle interior is shown in Figure 1 in cross section showing three seat arrays (2) of vehicle seat (1). The arrays (2) may contain 2, 3, 4, 5 or more seats as required. The interior has a floor (3) and ceiling (4). The ceiling (4) may additionally have functionality such as luggage bins or similar. The aircraft interior also has side walls (5) which may have windows (6) or similar.

A reversible seat back configuration will now be described with reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5. A vehicle seat (1) of the present invention has a back rest (7) and a seat base (13). The seat base (13) has a seat base cushion (30). The back rest (7) has a back rest cushion (31) at least on the front side (15). The back side (14) may have any one or more or a pocket or tray for a user to locate magazines, papers or other personal effects and/ or a tray to be used for eating and as a surface for the user or occupant. The seat base (13) has two ends (20) as shown.

The vehicle seat (1) faces in a first direction (9) when in a first position (10). Vehicle seats (1) with a reversible seat back can face in a second direction (11), opposite to the first, when in a second position (12) as shown in Figure 3. The first direction may for example be the forward direction of travel of the vehicle. Alternatively the first direction may be the transverse (e.g. cross cabin) direction to the forward direction of travel.

The back rest (7) has a back side (14) and a front side (15). The reversible back rest (7) as shown in Figure 4 faces in a second direction (11). It can be reversed to have the front side (15) moved to face the opposite end (20) of the seat base (13) such that the front side (15) now faces in the first direction (9).

This is achieved in the following way. The seat back (7) is articulated via a linkage mechanism (16) to the seat base (13). The linkage mechanism consists of a first linkage member (17) that can pivot around a first pivot axis (18) (a seat base pivot) at its first end (19). The second end (21) of the first linkage member (17) can pivot about a second pivot axis (22). This first linkage member can pivot from the positions as shown in Figure 4 via a central position shown.

In a preferred embodiments there is a single first linkage member (17) that is pivoted about a first pivot axis (18) located midway between the seat base ends (20). Where there is a single first linkage member (17) this is preferably located in the centre width ways in the seat base. The first linkage member (17) is located in a seat base recess (28) either in the seat base (13) itself or the seat base cushion (30). In other embodiments there are two first linkage members (17) located at or toward each side of the seat base.

The second end (21) of the first linkage member (17) is connected to a second linkage member (23) at or near the base of the back rest (7). The second linkage member is also connected to an axle (24) that runs up the back rest (7). In the preferred embodiment the axle (24) is able to move via the first and second linkage members in the vertical plane parallel to the first and second directions ((11) and (9)). The back rest (7) is able to rotate (26) via the axle (24) about a third axis (25) as shown. The seat back (7) is able to rotate (26) about the axle (24) in the matter shown in a central position in Figure 4. A lock mechanism (27) exists between the back rest (7) and the seat base (13). The lock mechanism (27) can be engaged in either of the second position (12) or first position (10) wherein the back rest (7) is facing in the first or second directions respectively. The lock mechanism (27) locks the back rest (7) to the seat base

(13) in either of its two positions. A second lock mechanism (33) may also exist to prevent or allow rotation (26) of the back rest (7) about the axle (24). These locks may be separately activated or jointly activated together. Either of the two locks may have remote activation (34). Remote activation may for example be on a convenient point on the back rest (7), or may be located in a service area so that only vehicle crew can activate the locks or deactivate the locks to allow change of back rest (7) position. In other embodiments the remote activation (34) is hidden so as to not be readily viewable by the user.

The method of seat reversing will now be described. The lock mechanism (27) is disengaged between the back rest (7) and the seat base (13) by remote activation (34), or direct activation at its location between the back rest (7) and the seat base (13). Thereafter the back rest (7) is pivoted about the first and second pivot axes upward from the seat base (13) and away from the seat end (20A). At a point where the back rest (7) can clear all obstacles it is rotated (26) as shown in Figure 4 about the axle (24). This reverses the directions of the front side (15) and back side (14). Once this reversing has occurred the back rest (7) is rotated further about the first and second pivot axis via the first and second linkage members downward and toward the seat base (13) and the other seat end (20B). The back rest (7) then engages the seat base (13) and is locked in position by the lock mechanism (27). The change of direction is now complete.

To aid in the process of seat direction changing and also generally for users to grasp the seat, a handle portion (29) is located on the upper portions of the back rest (7).

In other embodiments of the present invention there is at least one or more sensors (35) to sense the condition of the lock mechanism (27) and the second lock mechanism (33). These can signal either locally or remotely the conditions of the lock to determine that the back rest (7) is locked into one of either, the first or second positions and also which orientation the back rest (7) is in. Alternatively a single sensor may be present that indicates the direction and position of the back rest (7).

Such sensors and remote display can be used to show that all seats are correctly locked and secured and that if any are not these can be corrected, such as for when take off and landing. The configuration of a layout of passenger accommodation using a reversible seat will now be described. In a Layout Of Passenger Accommodation (LOPA) as shown in Figure 2 every alternating row (37) of seats, marked B, has at least one, and preferably all of the back rests (7) of that row able to reverse their direction. In this way a configuration as shown Figure 3 can be derived. This is where one row (37) of seats faces in a first direction (9) with the back rests (7) in a first position (10) and a corresponding row B has the back rests (7) facing a second direction (11) as they are in the second position (12). This facilitates the interaction of occupants of rows A and B such a when the occupants are a social group e.g. a sports group, a business group, a small or large family or another group that wishes to interact.

Therefore a LOPA of the current invention allows configuration of the seating arrangement in the vehicle to suit the passenger's needs. In some LOPA configurations all the seats of row types A and B face all in the same direction. In other LOPA

configurations only part of the total B type rows present are configured to face in the second direction (11). The choice of LOPA configuration is determined by the requirement of the occupants or the flight type.

The seats are arranged in rows (37) through the cabin of the vehicle. The seats are then grouped into arrays (2) as shown in Figure 1 and 2 such as the 3-3-3 configuration as shown. Other alternative configurations can be 2-4-2, 2-5-2, 3-2-3, 3-5-3 or any other desired configuration as required and that can fit into the aircraft.

In a preferred embodiment the seating arrangement is mounted within an aircraft 999 to provide a variety of seating and accommodation for passengers. It will be appreciated that whilst the preferred embodiment of the seating arrangement is mounted within an aircraft, the seating arrangement could be mounted in any other vehicle such as a cruise ship, train or bus.

Such a flexible LOPA of the present invention is designed to be used in the economy seating location of the aircraft 999 and fitted to a typical economy pitch of seat. Pitch being the distance of a point on a row of seats (37) to the same point on the next row (37) of seats. This LOPA can be used at any point in the vehicle cabin and is not restricted to the centre of side arrays. It can also be mixed with other LOPAs of differing configuration if needed.

A further embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 6 through 9. The row of seats (37) consists of a series of vehicle seats (1) each comprising of a base (13) and a back rest (7). At least one of the seat cushions (30) or seat bases (13) is able to flip up (39) as shown. In the preferred embodiment this flip up configuration occurs via a first hinge (52) located at or toward the juncture of the seat end (20) and the base of the back rest (7) and a second hinge (53) located midway along the seat base (13) or seat cushion (30) parallel to the first hinge (52). Such a concertina

arrangement allows for a compact folding up of the seat base (13) or seat cushion (30). There can be a locking mechanism to hold the flip-up seat base in either the up or down positions.

The result of such folding is that the space under the seat (40) can be revealed. The space (40) can serve one of at least two purposes. The first purpose is for storing luggage under the seat. The second possible purpose is the creation of a foot well (41) in the under seat region. The use of this will be described shortly.

Present also in each seat is an armrest (42). The armrest is deployable in at least two positions from the seat base (13). The armrest first position is lowered (43). The armrest second position is raised (44) to form an arm rest for the occupant. The raising and lowering of the armrest (42) deploys the armrest (44) from a cavity in/ or beside the seat base (13). When the armrest is in the armrest first position (43) i.e. lowered, it sits flush or below the upper surface of the seat base (13) or seat base cushion (30) so there is no protrusion. Within the armrest (42) itself there is a armrest hollow (45). This allows the internal volume of the armrest (42) to be used for storage. Such storage can be for magazines, papers, personal effects or other flat items or items that may fit in the arm rest hollow (45). Such an armrest (42) may be lockable in either of the two positions and in particularly in the armrest first position lowered (43) so that in conjunction with the armrest hollow (45) it can act as a secure location for personal effects of the occupant of the seat.

The space under the seat (40) when acting as a foot well (41) can be used in the following way. If there is a row of 3 seats (48) as shown then the occupants of the first seat (49) and third seat (51), when there is no occupant in the second or middle seat (50), can rotate inwards towards each other to face at 90° to the direction the seats otherwise face whether that is the first direction (9) or second direction (11). When facing each other such as this they can easily converse and in a manner to be described shortly work, collaborate or eat off a common table surface.

Each of the front sides (15) of the back rests (7) have at least one or more first planar members (46) that can be deployed therefrom. In the preferred embodiment there are two such first planar members (46) in each front side (15) of the back rest (7). These deploy from the back rest (7) hinging about their lower edge as shown in Figure 6 and 8 to stop in a horizontal orientation to provide a horizontal surface. Such a surface can be used as either an additional armrest or can be used as a table for eating, working or otherwise. In the preferred embodiment where a set of 3 seats (48) is shown then the occupants of the first seat (49) and the third seat (51) can turn and face each other as described and used the deployed first and second planar members as shown as a table for the purposes as described.

In the preferred embodiment the first planar members (46) are between 50% and 30% of half the width of the back rest (7).

In addition there can be a second planar member (47) that can fit to fill the space between the seat bases of one seat behind another seat. This can be used to provide a substantially lie flat platform to enable full or partial lay-flat of the seat occupant.

In further embodiments the outermost planar members (54) of each of these seats can be deployed and the result is that the 3 seat configuration (48) can be converted into a greater width two seat configuration resembling something similar to a couch with armrests. In Figure 8 such a configuration is shown with the exception that the armrests (42) that deploy from the seat base are raised where normally they would not be.

The advantages of this is that it gives further flexibility in configuration of seating arrangements and in particular gives the user the ability to configure their seats base according to their needs at any particular time during the flight.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising,

a seat base including a seat pan defining two opposite edges ("seat ends"), forming the base of the vehicle seat ("seat base"),

2. A vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said articulation mechanism comprises,

(i) a first linkage member able to pivot at a first end from a first pivot axis, transverse to the first and second directions on the seat base ("seat base pivot"), located between the ends of the seat base, and able to pivot at a second end, distal from the first, about a second pivot axis, parallel to the first pivot axis,

(it) a second linkage member, pivotally connected to the first linkage, directly or indirectly, to pivot about said second pivot axis and connected to

(iii) an axle running along or parallel to and coupled to the back rest to allow the back rest to rotate about a third axis located in a plane orthogonal to the first pivot axis, to allow the seat front to rotate and face the first or second direction.

3. A vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein there is a lock mechanism to releasably secure the back rest to the seat base in at least the first and second positions.

4. A vehicle seat as claimed in claim 3 wherein to change from the first position to the second position the back rest in the first position is unlocked from the seat base and pivoted, via the first linkage and second linkages, partially upward and away from the seat base, the back rest is then rotated about the third axis to interchange directions of the front side and back side, the back rest is then pivoted via the first and second linkages down and toward the seat base into the second position and then locked to the seat base.

5. A vehicle seat as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the said first pivot axis is on said seat base approximately midway between said ends of the seat base.

6. A vehicle seat as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the second linkage member is located on or toward that part of the back rest closest to the seat base when in the first or second positions.

7. A vehicle seat as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein there is only one first linkage member between said first pivot axis point and said second pivot axis point.

8. A vehicle seat as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein the said first linkage member is located at or toward the mid point of said first pivot axis.

9. A vehicle seat as claimed in any one of claim 2 to 6 wherein there are two said first linkage members, located either side of said seat base.

10. A vehicle seat as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9 wherein the said first linkage member is recessed into said seat base.

11. A vehicle seat as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the said back rest has a handle portion at or near the top of the back rest to enable a user to grasp the back rest.

12. A vehicle seat as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the said seat base includes a cushion.

13. A vehicle seat as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the said back rest includes a cushioned part at least on said front side.

14. A vehicle seat as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the back side of said back rest includes at least one pocket or tray for a user facing said seat back to use.

15. A vehicle seat as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 14 wherein there is a second lock mechanism to releasable secure the rotation of the back rest about the axle.

16. A vehicle seat as claimed in claim 15 wherein the first and or second lock is remotely activated, say for example on the top of the back rest.

17. A vehicle seat as claimed in claim 16 wherein the activation for the first or second lock is hidden.

18. A vehicle seat as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein there is a sensor, whether electronic, mechanical or otherwise, to indicate the direction the back rest is facing.

19. A vehicle seat as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein there is a sensor, whether electronic, mechanical or otherwise, to indicate the condition of at least the first of the lock mechanisms.

20. A vehicle seat as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein there is a physical indication, whether on the back rest or remotely, to show whether the back rest is locked correctly and/ or the direction the back rest is facing.

21. A vehicle seat configuration comprising or including,

a plurality of rows of seats in the vehicle facing or able to face in a first direction, each said row extending in the horizontal plane perpendicular to the first direction,

and wherein at least one seat in every second of said rows has a back rest that can be reverse to face in a direction opposite the first direction.

22. A vehicle seat configuration as claimed in claim 21 wherein the back rest can be configured between positions relative the seat pan to reverse the direction in which the back rest faces.

23. A vehicle seat configuration as claimed in claim 21 or 22 wherein all the seats in every second row have back rests that can reverse to face in a direction opposite the first direction.

24. A method of altering a seating direction of a seat for a vehicle whereby the back rest moves from facing in a first direction at one end of a seat base, to facing in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, at the other end of the seat base, comprising or including the steps of

(i) unlocking the back rest facing in the first direction from the seat base,

(ii) pivoting the back rest partially upward and away from the seat base about at least one horizontal axis,

(iii) rotating the back rest about an axis ("rotational axis") in the vertical plane to interchange the facing direction of the back rest,

(iv) pivoting the back rest down and toward the seat base about said at least one horizontal axis to face in the second direction, and

(v) locking the back rest to the seat base.

25. A method of altering a seating direction of a seat for a vehicle as claimed in claim 24 wherein the said at least one horizontal axis is perpendicular to the first and second directions.

26. A method of altering a seating direction of a seat for a vehicle as claimed in claim 24 or 25 wherein a first said at least one horizontal axis ("first horizontal axis") is located at a point midway between the ends of the seat base.

27. A method of altering a seating direction of a seat for a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 26 wherein there is a second said at least one horizontal axis ("second horizontal axis") parallel to the first located at or toward the base of said back rest with a pivotal connection to the first horizontal axis.

28. A method of altering a seating direction of a seat for a vehicle as claimed in claim 27 wherein the rotational axis is pivotally connected to the second horizontal axis.

29. A seating configuration in a vehicle, comprising or including,

30. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in claim 29 wherein the said seat pan can move to the stowed condition to provide access to under-seat storage.

31. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in claim 29 wherein the said seat pan makes available said space to provide a foot well such that an occupant in an adjacent seat in the row can use the space for their feet.

32. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 31 wherein the adjacent occupant can rotate to sit to face in a direction substantially in the horizontal plane and substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

33. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 32 wherein the said seat pan can move to the stored condition to facilitate entry and exit to the seats.

34. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 33 wherein there is an arm rest between said at least two seats that can assume at least two positions, (i) a first position where the arm rest is lowered to sit substantially flush with the seat pan of each seat,

(ii) a second position where the arm rest is raised to provide an arm rest for at least one of the occupants of the two seats.

35. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in claim 34 wherein the said arm rest includes a cavity that can store articles such as, but not limited to books, magazines, papers and personal effects.

36. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in claim 35 wherein the said cavity is accessible in either of the first and second positions of the arm rest.

37. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in claim 35 wherein said cavity is only accessible when the arm rest is in the second position.

38. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 37 wherein there is at least one member (Preferably planar and herein after "first planar member") that can deploy from the back rest to a position where it provides a horizontal surface for use as any one or more of a

(i) tray table or part thereof, and

(ii) an additional arm rest.

39. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in claim 38 wherein there are two such first planar members per seat, each able to deploy separate to the other.

40. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in claim 39 wherein said two first planar members can be locked together in their horizontally deployed state.

41. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in claim 39 or 40 wherein said two first planar members each are approximately between 50% and 30% of the width of the back rest.

42. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 41 wherein there is a second planar member that can locate between at least one of said seats and a seat in front of said at least one of said seats, such that the second planar member can form a horizontal platform to allow an occupant of said at least one of said seats to recline or lie flat.

43. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 42 wherein there are at least three seats in said row, the middle seat of which has the at least one seat base that can move between a usable condition and a stowed condition.

44. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in claim 43 wherein there is a said arm-rest between each said seat of said row.

45. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 44 wherein alternatively there are more than three seats in said row, and any inner seats of said row has the at least one seat base that can move between a usable condition and a stowed condition.

46. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 45 wherein the said seat base is hinged ("first hinge") at or near a bottom of said back rest to enable it to move between the usable condition and the stowed condition.

47. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in claim 46 wherein the said seat base is also hinged part way along its length ("second hinge") parallel to the first hinge to enable it to move between the usable condition and the stowed condition in a concertina fashion in conjunction with said first hinge.

48. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 47 wherein there is a locking mechanism to selectively retain the seat base in either the usable condition or the stowed condition.

49. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in claim 44 wherein the said at least three seats can be converted to two seats by dropping said arm rest between the seats.

50. A seating configuration in a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 49 wherein in addition the outer most first planar member of the first and third seat of the row can be deployed to provide said additional arm rest for each of the two occupants.

51. An array of at least two vehicle seats wherein at least one of the two seats has a reversible back rest as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

52. A vehicle seat as claimed herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

53. A vehicle with a seat as claimed herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

54. An array of seats as claimed herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

55. A method of altering the seating direction of a seat as claimed herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

56. A method of altering a seating configuration as claimed herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

57. A vehicle seat with a flip-up seat base as claimed herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.