IP Library Granted Patent US 8,167,243
Granted Patent B2
US 8,167,243 · App. 12/240,677 · Granted May 1, 2012

Systems and methods to provide optical enlargement of passenger interior cabin space

Assignee: Embraer S.A.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,167,243
App. No.
12/240,677
Granted
May 1, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods achieve an optical effect of cabin enlargement of a passenger vehicle. The optical effect creates a visual impression of a higher cabin when viewed from the forward part of the cabin space looking aft, and a wider cabin space when viewed from the aft part of the cabin space looking forward. In preferred forms, a series of alternating interdigitated trapezoidal starboard and port headliner modules are disposed adjacent to the cabin headliner. The headliner modules are also preferably arcuately curved about a central elongate axis of the passenger cabin.

Claims (18)

1. A system to provide optical enlargement of an interior cabin space of a passenger vehicle comprising a headliner in the interior cabin space, and a series of headliner modules sized and positioned within the interior cabin space to achieve an optical effect of increased cabin width or height in dependence upon viewing direction of the cabin space, wherein the headliner modules include a series of alternating interdigitated trapezoidal starboard and port headliner modules disposed adjacent to the cabin headliner.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the headliner modules create an optical effect of increased cabin width when viewed from a forward part of the cabin space looking aft, and an optical effect of increased cabin height when viewed from an aft part of the cabin space looking forward.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the starboard and port headliner modules are arcuately curved about a central elongate axis of the interior cabin space.

4. A system to provide optical enlargement of an interior cabin space of a passenger vehicle comprising a series of headliner modules sized and positioned within the interior cabin space to achieve an optical effect of increased cabin width or height in dependence upon viewing direction of the cabin space, wherein the headliner modules are defined by alternating segments between a pair of opposite hand spirals emanating from a common perspective focal point coincident with a cross-sectional center of the interior cabin space.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the optical effect of increased cabin width or height is inverse in dependence upon a viewing direction within the passenger cabin.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the headliner modules create an optical effect of increased cabin width when viewed from a forward part of the cabin space looking aft, and an optical effect of increased cabin height when viewed from an aft part of the cabin space looking forward.

7. An aircraft comprising a substantially circular cross-sectional fuselage defining a passenger cabin which establishes an interior cabin space, and a system to provide optical enlargement of the passenger cabin which comprises a cabin headliner, and a series of headliner modules sized and positioned within the interior cabin space to achieve an optical effect of increased cabin width or height in dependence upon viewing direction of the cabin space, wherein the headliner modules include a series of alternating interdigitated trapezoidal starboard and port headliner modules disposed adjacent to the cabin headliner.

8. The aircraft of claim 7 , wherein the headliner modules create an optical effect of increased cabin width when viewed from a forward part of the cabin space looking aft, and an optical effect of increased cabin height when viewed from an aft part of the cabin space looking forward.

9. The aircraft of claim 7 , wherein the starboard and port headliner modules are arcuately curved about a central elongate axis of the passenger cabin.

10. An aircraft comprising a substantially circular cross-sectional fuselage defining a passenger cabin which establishes an interior cabin space, and a system to provide optical enlargement of the passenger cabin which comprises a series of headliner modules sized and positioned within the interior cabin space to achieve an optical effect of increased cabin width or height in dependence upon viewing direction of the cabin space, wherein the headliner modules are defined by alternating segments between a pair of opposite hand spirals emanating from a common perspective focal point coincident with a cross-sectional center of the aircraft fuselage.

11. The aircraft of claim 10 , wherein the optical effect of increased cabin width or height is inverse in dependence upon a viewing direction within the passenger cabin.

12. The aircraft of claim 11 , wherein the headliner modules create an optical effect of increased cabin width when viewed from a forward part of the cabin space looking aft, and an optical effect of increased cabin height when viewed from an aft part of the cabin space looking forward.

13. A method to provide optical enlargement of an interior cabin space of a passenger vehicle comprising positioning within the interior cabin space a series of alternating interdigitated trapezoidal starboard and port headliner modules adjacent to a cabin headliner to achieve an optical effect of increased cabin width or height in dependence upon viewing direction of the cabin space.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the headliner modules are positioned to create an optical effect of increased cabin width when viewed from a forward part of the cabin space looking aft, and an optical effect of increased cabin height when viewed from an aft part of the cabin space looking forward.

15. The method of claim 13 , comprising positioning the starboard and port headliner modules so as to be arcuately curved about a central elongate axis of the interior cabin space.

16. A method to provide optical enlargement of an interior cabin space of a passenger vehicle comprising positioning in the interior cabin space a series of headliner modules which are defined by alternating segments between a pair of opposite hand spirals emanating from a common perspective focal point coincident with a cross-sectional center of the interior cabin space to achieve an optical effect of increased cabin width or height in dependence upon viewing direction of the cabin space.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the headliner modules create an optical effect of increased cabin width or height which is inverse in dependence upon a viewing direction within the passenger cabin.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the headliner modules create an optical effect of increased cabin width when viewed from a forward part of the cabin space looking aft, and an optical effect of increased cabin height when viewed from an aft part of the cabin space looking forward.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 12, 2012
From: EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONAUTICA S.A.
To: EMBRAER S.A.
Reel/Frame 028363/0062 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 29, 2008
From: DE CARVALHO, CARLOS EDUARDO
To: EMBRAER - EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONAUTICA S.A.
Reel/Frame 021602/0055 →
Continuity (1)
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