DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to vehicles. Particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a public transport vehicle. Further embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an interior configuration of a passenger compartment of the public transport vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Transportation forms a fundamental part of logistics and planning. It covers movement of passengers or goods from one place to other place, by means including land, sea and air. Transportation is essential for people to commute from one place to other place for work, entertainment etc.

The challenges in the transportation is to manage movement of vehicles in preferred routes. When put into practice, transportation try to ease transport costs as well. The use of public transport system mainly eases or reduces cost incurred for travelling.

Public transport system is transportation of passengers by group travel systems available for use of general public, managed and operated on established routes. With increase in population and depleting renewable resources, the requirement of public transport is on the rise. Due to ease and affordability of travel and also, due to increase in number of private transport vehicles, there is a steep increase in the traffic. Due to the increasing traffic, commuters prefer public transport more than the private transport system. Public transport system generally includes mass transit vehicles such as buses, intercity and intracity trains. Developing countries are also banking on public transportation to promote mass transportation and thereby reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. Generally, people tend to depend on public transports such as buses and trains for long distance travels. However, trains are the most preferred means of transport for long distance travel, due to easy affordability and also flexibility. Since trains are one of the most preferred public transport systems used for long distance travels, usually train compartments are equipped with basic facilities such as toilets, wash basins etc. Further, the train compartments are provided with seating or sleeping arrangements in the form of berths.

One common challenge in the public transport may include space constraints in the passenger compartment. This may cause major setback for the usage of the public transport such as trains, buses and other similar public transports. The passenger compartments in the public transport are equipped with various assemblies including seating assembly, footrest, ventilation assembly, and various supporting assemblies to provide comfort to the passengers. However, due to limited availability of space in the passenger compartment accommodating all the features may not be feasible which may lead to discomfort to the passengers. Also, lights the lights are used by minimal passengers’ in the night to move around the passageway. The lights in conventional compartments of public transport vehicle are adhered to the roof which causes discomfort for the passengers who are sleeping. Further, in the conventional passenger compartments duct may be provided for air circulation, such a configuration mat reduce the flow condition of the air. Also, the duct configuration may reduce the efficiency of the air conditioning systems and thus the energy required for running the air conditioning system may be more, and thereby there may be a wastage of energy.

For example, the public transport such as a train may be provided with seating arrangement in the form of berths, like lower berth, middle berth, and upper berth. The middle berth may be converted either as a back rest for the passengers seating on the lower berth and can be converted as a flat floor based on the requirement. The passenger compartment in the trains are employed with a vertical ladder arrangement to access middle and upper berths. The vertical ladders that are provided in the conventional trains poses a very stressful challenge to the passenger accessing the upper levels or berths of the train and also making the space congested. Also the conventional trains have their ladders only from the mid-way of the lower berth to reach the upper berth. This also makes it a very difficult task for the passenger to access the upper berths. Additionally, in such interior of the conventional trains, the passageways are congested making it difficult for the passengers to move around. Therefore, in these conventional arrangement of compartments of train, there has always been a question for passengers in terms of comfort and ease of moving.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or similar limitations associated with the conventional arts.

SUMMARY

The shortcomings of the conventional mechanisms are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of mechanism as disclosed in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a stairway arrangement for a passenger vehicle comprising a composite wall extending from a floor to an upper portion of the compartment to divide the compartment into plurality of cabins, and at least one lower berth and one or more upper berths supported by the at least one composite wall. The arrangement comprises a support member extending from a floor to the one or more upper berths parallel to the composite wall. The arrangement further includes a plurality of steps extending laterally and fixed between the partition wall and the support member to access the one or more upper berths. The at least one of the one or more upper berths is divided into a first portion and a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion. The second portion is configured to be operated between a first position and a second position, such that the second portion of at least one of the one or more upper berths is configured to act as one of the steps of the plurality of steps in the second position.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the stairway arrangement includes a cut-out defined in the second portion of the one or more upper berths, wherein the cut-out is configured to act as a step.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second portion of the one or more upper berths at the first position is configured to act as at least one of a headrest or a footrest.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a lever arm is coupled to the second portion of the one or more upper berths, wherein the lever arm is configured to secure the second portion of the at least one of the one or more upper berths in the first position.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the lever arm includes a lock pin and wherein the lock pin is receivable by a hole is defined on the at least one of composite wall to secure the lever arm to the at least one composite wall.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the one or more upper berths is pivotally connected to the composite wall.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of steps is made of a polymeric material. The plurality of steps is inclined at a predefined angle with respect to the floor of the compartment.

In another non-embodiment of the present disclosure, a compartment for a passenger vehicle is disclosed. The compartment of the passenger vehicle includes a composite wall extending from a floor to an upper portion of the compartment. The composite wall is configured to divide the compartment into plurality of cabins. The compartment includes at least one lower berth and one or more upper berths supported by the at least one composite wall. A stairway arrangement for accessing one or more upper berth s of a transverse cabin of the compartment. The stairway arrangement includes a support member extending from a floor to the one or more upper berths parallel to the composite wall. A plurality of steps extending laterally and fixed between the partition wall and the support member to access the one or more upper berths. The at least one or more upper berths is divided into a first portion and a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion. The second portion is configured to be operated between the first position and second position, such that the second portion of at least one of the one or more upper berths is configured to act as one of the steps of the plurality of steps in the second position. Further, the compartment includes a stairway arrangement for accessing one or more upper berths of a longitudinal cabin of the compartment. The stairway arrangement for accessing the one or more upper berths of longitudinal cabin includes a ladder frame extending from floor of the compartment to the one or more upper berths. The ladder frame is pivotally connected to a partition wall of the longitudinal cabin. A plurality of steps are connected to the ladder frame to access the one or more upper berths. The ladder frame is configured to be operated between a folded position and an unfolded position. The unfolded position of the ladder frame is configured to act as a stairway to access the one or more upper berths.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the compartment comprises a support structure secured to the at least one lower berth and one or more upper berths on a side opposite to the at least one composite wall, wherein the support structure is configured to be operated between an open position and a closed position.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lower edges of each of the at least one lower berth is provisioned with a light arrangement.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the compartment comprises an air flow duct defined in a substantially upper end of the compartment, wherein the air flow duct is defined with a plurality of air-vents to facilitate flow of air within the compartment.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the compartment comprises a support block extending from a substantially upper end of the longitudinal cabin to a substantially upper end of the transverse cabin. The support block is configured to support the ladder frame in the unfolded position.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The above-mentioned aspects, other features and advantages of the disclosure will be better understood and will become more apparent by referring to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG.1 illustrates a schematic front view of an interior configuration of a passenger compartment of a public transport vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a transverse cabin of the passenger compartment of the public transport vehicle of FIG.1.

FIG.3 illustrates an anatomical view of the transverse cabin as shown in FIG.2.

FIG.4a and FIG.4b respectively illustrates an anatomical top view of an upper berth and middle berth configuration of the passenger compartment of a public transport vehicle of FIG.1 respectively.

FIG.5 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a longitudinal cabin of the passenger compartment of a public transport vehicle of FIG.1.

FIG.6 illustrates an anatomical view of the longitudinal cabin as shown in FIG.5.

FIG.7 illustrates schematic view of a ladder arrangement for the longitudinal cabin of FIG.5.

FIG.8a and FIG.8b illustrates the sequence of steps for accessing the upper berths of transverse and longitudinal cabins respectively by the passengers of a public transport vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the mechanism illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent processes do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a stairway arrangement for a compartment of
a passenger vehicle. The stairway arrangement of the present disclosure improves the ergonomics and aesthetics of the passenger vehicle. The stairway arrangement includes use of minimum components with mechanical movements. Also, the arrangement facilitates easy access to the one or more upper berths in the compartment.

The stairway arrangement according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a composite wall extending from a floor to an upper portion of the compartment. In an embodiment, the composite wall may divide the compartment into plurality of cabins. In another embodiment, each of the composite wall may be made of but not limiting to a composite material. Further, each of the cabins includes lower berth and one or more upper berths. In another embodiment, at least one of the one or more upper berths is pivotally connected to the composite wall.

In an embodiment, the stairway arrangement may include a support member. The support member may extend from the floor to one or more upper berths. In an embodiment, the support member may extend parallel to the composite wall. Further, a plurality of steps may extend laterally and fixed between the composite wall and the support member. The plurality of steps may be used to access the one or more upper berths. In an embodiment, the plurality of steps may be made of a polymeric material. Also, the plurality of steps may be inclined at pre-defined angle with respect to the floor of the compartment. In an embodiment, the one or more upper berths may be divided into a first portion and a second portion. The second portion may be pivotally connected to the first portion. In an embodiment, the second portion of the one or more upper berths may be configured to be operated between a first position and a second position. The second portion in the second position may be configured to act as one of the step of plurality of steps for accessing the one or more upper berths. Also, the second portion may be configured to act as at least one of a head rest or a footrest in a first portion.

In an embodiment, a lever arm may be coupled to the second portion of the one or more upper berths. The lever arm is configured to secure the second portion of the at least one of the one or more upper berths in the first position. In another embodiment, the lever may include a lock pin. Further, a hole may be defined in the adjacent composite wall. The hole defined in the composite wall may be configured to receive the lock pin of the lever arm, thereby securely locking the second portion of the one or more upper berths in the first position.

The compartment further includes a stairway arrangement for accessing one or more upper berths of a longitudinal cabin of the compartment. The stairway arrangement for the longitudinal cabin includes a ladder frame. the ladder frame may extend from the floor of the compartment to the one or more upper berths. The ladder frame may be pivotally connected to a partition wall (the composite wall) of the longitudinal cabin. A plurality of steps may be connected to the ladder frame to access the one or more upper berths. In an embodiment, the ladder frame may be configured to be operated between a folded position and an unfolded position. In the unfolded position of the ladder frame, it may act as a stairway to access the one or more upper berths of the longitudinal cabin. A support block may extend from a substantially upper end of the longitudinal cabin to a substantially upper end of the transverse cabin. The support block may be configured to support the ladder frame in the unfolded position. In an embodiment, a support structure may be secured to the at least one lower berth and one or more upper berths. The support structures may be secured on a side opposite to the at least one composite wall. The support structure may be configured to be operated between an open position and a closed position. In an embodiment, the support structures may be configured to safeguard the passengers from falling of the one or more upper berths when in a state of being not aware (i.e during sleeping). Further, the compartment may include a light arrangement provided on the sides of the at least one of the lower berths to guide the passengers along the pathway without disturbing the passengers accommodated in the berths above. Also, the compartment includes an air flow duct defined in a substantially upper end of the compartment. The air flow duct may be defined with plurality of air vents to facilitate flow of air within the compartment.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the specification, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or method. In other words, one or more elements in an assembly proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly.

Henceforth, the present disclosure is explained with the help of one or more figures of exemplary embodiments. However, such exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limitation of the present disclosure. In the figures neither the vehicle nor the complete firewall structure are depicted for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the firewall structure may be employed in any vehicle including but not limiting to passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and the like.

The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to FIGS.1-8b. In the figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

A passenger compartment (100) of a public transport vehicle as shown in FIG.1 comprises of a floor (106) and an enclosure (701) extending from the floor (106) to form the compartment (100). The compartment (100) may be segregated into a plurality of transverse cabins (200) and longitudinal cabins (500). Each of the transverse cabins (200) may be configured as lower berth (204), middle berth (202) and upper berth (201) and longitudinal (500) which may have an Upper berth and a lower Berth [herein referred to as berths]. Also, the passenger compartment (100) comprises of a composite wall (107), an air flow duct (101), a lighting arrangement (105), a guard rail (108) to bear the weight exerted on the upper berth and tapered ladder arrangement (102 and 103) to access upper berths of the transverse and longitudinal cabins (200 and 500 respectively). The composite wall (107) panels may be affixed to the inner body of the passenger compartment (109) and these composite wall panels (107) may help in dividing the passenger compartments into separate cabins (not shown). The airflow ducts (101) with improved duct geometry may be provided to accommodate at least one of but not limiting to air vents and fans. The air vents and fans may be equally spaced and may be arranged at a substantially central portion at an upper end in transverse and longitudinal direction. The said arrangement in the airflow ducts may improve the flow condition of the air and at a higher efficiency. Also, as shown in FIG.1 light arrangement (105) may be provided at the edges of the lower berth. The light arrangement (105) assist the passengers during the night time thereby eliminating the use of roof lights. The light arrangement (105) may act as night vision and guidance of the passengers around the compartment.

FIG.2 and FIG.3 gives a detailed view of the transverse cabin (200) which comprises of the plurality of berths (201, 202 and 204). FIG.3 further gives an anatomical view of the transverse cabin (200) as shown in FIG.2. The composite wall (107) structure as shown in FIG.2 may have an internal metal support as shown in FIG.3. The berths (201, 202 and 204) may be secured to the composite wall (107) by mechanical methods such as fastening but not limiting to this particular method. The lower berth (204) of the transverse cabin (200) may be secured and rigidly fixed to the composite wall (107). The middle berth (202) may be secured to the composite wall at a pre-defined distance from the lower berth (204).

FIG.4b shows the portion of the middle berth (202) that may be hinged (401) to the composite wall (107) structure. The hinged portion (401) of the middle berth (202) allows it to operate in two positions as shown in FIG.2. In the first position, the middle berth (202) may be used by the passengers to take rest. The second position of the middle berth (202), may be used as a back rest for the passengers sitting on the lower berth (204). In an embodiment, the upper berth (201) may be split into two portions i.e. first portion (201a) and second portion (201b). The first portion (201a) of the upper berth (201) of the transverse cabin like the lower berth (204) may be rigidly secured to the composite wall (107). The second portion (201b) of the upper berth (201) may be pivotally connected to the first portion (201a) of the upper berth (201). The second portion (201b) may be hinged to the first portion (201a) as shown in FIG.4a and the hinge portion is represented by 301c. The hinge (301c) allows the second portion (201b) of the upper berth (201b) to operate in two positions. At the first position (201c), the second portion (201b) of the upper berth (201b) may coincide with the first portion (201a). Further, the first position (201a) of the second portion (201b) may be locked to the composite wall (107) structure with the lever arm (302). The lever arm (302) latches the second portion (201b) of the upper berth (201) to the composite wall (107) and may aid in maintaining a horizontal surface with the first portion (201a). When the lever arm (302) is unlatched from the composite wall (107) the second portion (201b) of the upper berth (201) may be brought to the second position (201d). The second portion (201b) may act as a step in the second position (201d) for the passenger to access the upper berth (201). A provision [as shown by 206] is provided in the second portion (201b) of the upper berth (201) which may enable the passenger to use it as a step. The guard rail (108) may be provided to support the weight of the passenger accessing the upper berth (201). The guard rail (108) may be adhered to both the roof (110) of the compartment (100) and the upper berth (201).

Further, as shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3 a tapered ladder arrangement (102) is provided in the transverse cabin (200) from the floor (106) to the upper berth (201). The steps (205) in the ladder arrangement (102) may be provided only to the middle berth (202) of the transverse cabin (200). In an embodiment, the second portion (201b) in the second position (201d) acts as one of the step (206b) of plurality of steps (205) to access the upper berth (201), thereby eliminating the need for an extra step and hence reducing the use of material. When the passenger has accessed the upper berth (201), the second portion (201b) which was used as a step (206b) may be brought back to the first position (201c) with the usage of a lever arm (302). The second portion (201b) once brought to the first position (302) is latched to the composite wall (107) locking the hinge movement. In the first position, the second portion (201b) coincides with the first portion (201a). In the first position (201c), the second portion (201b) acts as a support for the legs of the passenger resting on the upper berth (201). The breadth of the tapered ladder varies from the floor (106) to the upper berth (201) in order to accommodate the breadth of the second portion of upper berth (201b).

FIG.5 and FIG.6 gives a detailed view of the longitudinal cabin (500) of the compartment (100) of a passenger vehicle. The longitudinal cabin (500) comprises of a lower berth (502), an upper berth (501) and a tapered ladder arrangement (103). The lower berth (502) in the longitudinal cabin (500) may be supported by a support block (503) on the side opposite to the inner body (109) of the compartment. The support block (503) assists the lower berth (502) to sustain the weight of the passenger accessing it. In an embodiment, the lower berth may be foldable to convert it as a seat when it is not being used. The upper berth of the longitudinal cabin (500) is rigidly fixed between the supporting pillar (505) and the inner body of the compartment (109). A tapered ladder arrangement (103) may be included in the longitudinal cabin to access the upper berth (501). The ladder arrangement (103) starts from the floor (106) of the compartment (100) to the upper berth (501). The ladder arrangement (103) may be hinged to the composite wall vertically as shown in FIG.7 [the hinged portion is denoted by 700]. The hinged portion (700) may allow the ladder to oscillate between two positions. In an embodiment, the ladder (103) may be operated to a folded position (705a) when it is not being used or when the passengers do not need to access the upper berth (501) of the longitudinal cabin (500). This folded position (705a) may be regarded as the first position of the ladder. The passenger may be able to access the upper berth (501) using the ladder (103) when it is in the unfolded position (705b). The ladder may partially block the passageway (112) of the compartment (100) when it is in unfolded position (705b) and aids the passenger to access the upper berth (501), but again open the access when passenger get seated on upper berth by returning the ladder in folded position (705a). The ladder is supported by the support arm (504) where, the support arm (504) extends from the longitudinal berth (500) to the transverse berth (300). The support arm (504) bears the force exerted on the ladder by the passenger accessing the upper berth (501) of the longitudinal cabin (500).

Further, the lower berths (204 and 502) of transverse and longitudinal cabins are equipped with light arrangements (105). The light arrangement is positioned at the sides of the lower berths as shown in FIG.1. The light arrangement (105) has a non-translucent lid (111) covering it from the top. This lid (111) allows the light to illuminate only the floor (106) of the compartment (100) and stop the light to spread to the upper berths of the transverse and longitudinal cabins. The light arrangement (111) acts as night vision and guidance to the passengers moving around the passageway (112) of the compartment (100). The compartment further includes an improved duct geometry (101) which increases the efficiency of the air flow or the flow condition of the air. The roof is provided with circular air vents which may be equally spaced in order to maintain better air management in the compartments. Further, the foldable side protectors (203) are fixed to the berths in each cabins as shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2 to protect the passengers from tumbling down to floor when in the state of being not aware.

Further, FIG.8a and FIG.8b are exemplary embodiments of the tapered ladder arrangement (102 and 103) in transverse (300) and longitudinal (500) cabins respectively. FIG.8a depicts the sequence of accessing the upper berths (201) of the transverse cabin (300). The figure shows a passenger accessing the upper berth (201) using the tapered ladder arrangement (102). FIG.8b depicts the sequence of accessing the upper berth (501) of the longitudinal cabin (500), wherein, the figure shows the passenger accessing the upper berth (501) using the tapered ladder arrangement (103).

In an embodiment and as shown in Figure. 9, which illustrates perspective view of a foldable table (1000), in accordance to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As seen in Figure. 9, the foldable table (1000) comprises a first tabletop (1001) and a second tabletop (102). The first tabletop (1001) and the second tabletop (1002) may be connected by a hinge member (not shown in figures). In an embodiment, the hinge member may facilitate in providing pivotal movement of the second tabletop (1002) with respect to the first tabletop (1001) or vice-versa. Further, the foldable table (100) may comprise a supporting link (1003), which may be configured to support the first tabletop (1001), in retracted condition or operative condition of the foldable table (100). One end of the supporting link (1003) may be pivotally connected to the first tabletop (1001), while the other end of the supporting link (1003) may be pivotally connected to a wall of the vehicle compartment. In an embodiment, an end of the supporting link (1003) is pivotally connected to a bottom portion of the first tabletop (1001).

The tapered ladder in the present disclosure is ergonomic tapered ladder system for easy ingress and egress of upper berth and middle berth passengers. Due to the provision of the light system at lower berth it will act as a night vision and the guidance for passengers moving around the passageway of the compartment. Also, it doesn’t disturb passengers sleeping on the upper berths. The foldable side protectors protects the passengers. The air distribution system of the present discloser may be more effective due to the improved duct geometry of the present disclosure.

Equivalents:

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding the description may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated in the description.

Table of Referral Numerals:

Reference Number Description
100 Compartment
101 Air flow duct
102 Tapered stairway arrangement to access the upper berth of transverse cabin
103 Tapered ladder arrangement to access upper berth of longitudinal cabin
105 Lighting arrangement
106 Floor
107 Composite wall
108 Guard rail
109 Inner body of passenger compartment
110 Roof
111 Non-translucent lid
112 passageway
200 Transverse cabin
201 Upper berth of transverse cabin
201a First portion of the upper berth of the transverse cabin
201b Second portion of the upper berth of the transverse cabin
201c First position
201d Second position
202 Middle berth
203 support structure
204 Lower berth
205 Plurality of steps
206a Cut-out for step on the upper berth
206b Step in the upper berth
207 Support member
300 anatomical view of the transverse cabin
301 Hinge between two sections of the upper berth
302 Lever arm
303 Lock pin
401 Hinge provided between composite wall and middle berth
500 Longitudinal cabin
501 Upper berth of longitudinal cabin
502 Lower foldable berth of longitudinal cabin
503 Support block
504 Support arm
505 Support pillar
700 Hinges provided between composite wall of the longitudinal cabin and the tapered ladder
701 Enclosure
702 Ladder frame
703 Plurality of steps
704 Partition wall of the longitudinal cabin
705a Folded position of the stairway arrangement
705b Unfolded position of the stairway arrangement
1000 Foldable table
1001 First table top
1002 Second table top
1003 Supporting link
1003a First support member
1003b Second support member
1005 Locking member of supporting link
1006 Support bracket
1007 Guide way
1008 Apertures
1009 Locking unit of support bracket
1010 Groove
1011 Cut out portion
1012 Knob
,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A stairway arrangement (102) for a compartment of a passenger vehicle comprising a composite wall (107) extending from a floor (106) to an upper portion of the compartment (100) to divide the compartment into plurality of cabins, and at least one lower berth (204) and one or more upper berths (201 and 202) supported by the at least one composite wall (107), the arrangement comprising:
a support member (207) extending from a floor (106) to the one or more upper berths (201 and 202) parallel to the composite wall (107); and
a plurality of steps (205) extending laterally and fixed between the partition wall and the support member (207) to access the one or more upper berths (201 and 202), wherein the at least one of the one or more upper berths (201 and 202) is divided into a first portion (201a) and a second portion (201b) pivotally connected to the first portion (201a), and
wherein, the second portion (201b) is configured to be operated between a first position (201c) and a second position (201d), such that the second portion (201b) of at least one of the one or more upper berths (201 and 202) is configured to act as one of the steps (206b) of the plurality of steps (205) in the second position (201d).

2. The arrangement (102) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a cut-out (206) defined in the second portion (201b) of the one or more upper berths (201 and 202), wherein the cut-out (206) is configured to act as the step.

3. The arrangement (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second portion (201a) of the one or more upper berths (201 and 202) at the first position (201c) is configured to act as headrest.

4. The arrangement (102) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a lever arm (302) coupled to the second portion (201a) of the one or more upper berths (201 and 202), wherein, the lever arm (302) is configured to secure the second portion of the at least one of the one or more upper berths in the first position.

5. The arrangement (102) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lever arm (302) includes a lock pin (303) and wherein the lock pin is receivable by a hole is defined on the at least one of the composite wall (107) to secure the lever arm (302) to the at least one composite wall (107).

6. The arrangement (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more upper berths (201 and 202) is pivotally connected to the composite wall (107).

7. The arrangement (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of steps (205) is made of a polymeric material.

8. The arrangement (102) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of steps (205) is inclined at a predefined angle with respect to the floor (106) of the compartment (100).

9. A compartment (100) of a passenger vehicle, the compartment (100) comprising:
a composite wall (107) extending from a floor (106) to an upper portion of the compartment (100), wherein the composite wall (107) is configured to divide the compartment into plurality of cabins;
at least one lower berth (204) and one or more upper berths (201 and 202) supported by the at least one composite wall (107);
a stairway arrangement for accessing one more one or more upper berths (201 and 202) of a transverse cabin (200) of the compartment (100), the arrangement comprising:
a support member (207) extending from a floor (106) to the one or more upper berths (201 and 202) parallel to the composite wall (107); and
a plurality of steps (205) extending laterally and fixed between the partition wall and the support member (207) to access the one or more upper berths (201 and 202), wherein the at least one or more upper berths (201 and 202) is divided into a first portion (201a) and a second portion (201b) pivotally connected to the first portion (201a), and
wherein, the second portion (201b) is configured to be operated between the first position (201c) and second position (201d), such that the second portion (201b) of at least one of the one or more upper berths (201 and 202) is configured to act as one of the steps (206b) of the plurality of steps (205) in the second position (201d); and
a stairway arrangement for accessing one or more upper berths (501 and 502) of a longitudinal cabin (500) of the compartment (100), the arrangement comprising:
a ladder frame (702) extending from floor of the compartment (106) to one or more upper berths (501 and 502), wherein the ladder frame (702) is pivotally connected to a partition wall (704) of the longitudinal cabin (500);
a plurality of steps (703) connected to the ladder frame (702) to access the one or more upper berths (501 and 502),
wherein, the ladder frame (702) is configured to be operated between a folded position (705a) and an unfolded position (705b), such that the unfolded position (705b) of the ladder frame (702) is configured to act as stairway to access the one or more upper berths (501 and 502).

10. The compartment (100) as claimed in claim 9 comprises a support structure (203) secured to the at least one lower berth (204) and one or more upper berths (201 and 202) on a side opposite to the at least one composite wall (107), wherein the support structure (203) is configured to be operated between an open position and a closed position.

11. The compartment (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein lower edges of each of the at least one lower berth (204) is provisioned with a light arrangement (105).

12. The compartment (100) as claimed in claim 9 comprises an air flow duct (101) defined in a substantially upper end of the compartment (100), wherein the air flow duct (101) is defined with a plurality of air-vents to facilitate flow of air within the compartment (100).

13. The compartment (100) as claimed in claim 9 comprises a support block (505) extending from a substantially upper end of the longitudinal cabin (500) to a substantially upper end of the transverse cabin (200), wherein the support block (503) is configured to support the ladder frame (702) in the unfolded position (705b).

14. The compartment (100) as claimed in claim 9 comprises an foldable table (1000) connectable to the housing of the compartment (100), wherein the foldable table (1000) comprises a first table top (1001) and second table top (1002) connected by a hinge.