DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure generally relates to a vehicle. Particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a public transport vehicle. Further, embodiments of the 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, and for supplying the goods.

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

Public transport system is transportation of passengers in groups and is available for use of general public, managed and operated in established routes. With increase in population and depleting of the renewable resources, the requirement of public transport is on the rise. Due to ease and affordability and also, due to increase in number of private transports there is a steep increase in the traffic. Due to the increase in traffic, many commuters prefer public transport more than the private transport. Public transport system generally includes mass transit vehicles such as buses, inter-city and intra-city 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. However, trains are the most preferred means of transport for long distance travel, due to ease of 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 and other basic facilities. Further, the train compartments are provided with seating arrangements in form of berths, for convenient seating provision for the commuters.

The major problems in the public transportation vehicle arises when it comes to communication and space. In terms of communication, these problems are being addressed by information technology and applications that provide suitable information for the user.
Regarding space constraint in the passenger compartment of a public transport vehicle, this has been a major set- back for the usage of the public transport such as trains, and buses. The passenger compartments in the public transport vehicles 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. For example, the public transport vehicles such as trains may be provided with seating arrangement in the form of berths, like lower berth, middle berth, and upper berth. The passenger compartment in the trains may be employed with stair arrangement to access middle and upper berths. The conventional compartment in the train may have vertical ladders connecting to different berths of the train. However, such a configuration puts on high stress over a passenger in accessing the upper berths of the train and also makes the space congested. The vertical ladders that are provided in the conventional passenger vehicles poses difficulties to the passenger accessing the upper levels of the passenger vehicle. Also the conventional trains have their ladders only from the mid-way of the lower berth and the upper berth, this also makes it a very difficult task for the passenger to access the upper berths. Additionally, the passageways are congested in the conventional trains making it difficult for the passengers to move around. Due to these problems in conventional arrangement of compartments of train, it has always been a issue 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 arrangement 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 compartment of a passenger vehicle is disclosed. The stairway arrangement comprises at least one composite wall configured to divide the compartment into plurality of cabins, wherein the at least one composite wall extends from a floor to an upper portion of the compartment defining an inclination. A plurality of steps are connected along the inclination of the at least one composite wall, wherein the plurality of steps form a stairway to access one or more upper berths in the compartment.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of steps is made of a polymeric material. The polymeric material is a fiber reinforced plastics.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a portion of each of the plurality of steps are fixedly connected to the at least one composite wall using metal inserts.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of steps extends along either sides of the composite wall.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of steps are configured to selectively extend and retract away and towards the composite wall respectively.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a compartment of a passenger vehicle is disclosed. The compartment comprises a floor and an enclosure extending from one end of the floor to another end. The compartment comprises at least one composite wall extending from the floor to an upper portion of the enclosure defining an inclination, wherein the at least one composite wall divides the compartment into plurality of cabins. The compartment comprises at least one lower berth and one or more upper berths supported by the at least one composite wall. A plurality of steps connected along the inclination of the at least one composite wall, wherein the plurality of steps forms a stairway to access the one or more upper berths in the compartment.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the compartment comprises a cut-out of predefined radius on a substantially upper portion of the at least one composite wall. The predefined radius ranges between 200mm to 300mm.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the compartment comprises ventilation cut-outs defined on the at least one composite wall towards a substantially upper end of the at least one composite wall.

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 configuration of the passenger compartment 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 arrangement 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 methods or arrangements 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 ease of accessing the one or more upper berths in the compartment is also improved in the present disclosure.

The stairway arrangement according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be made up of a polymeric material. The polymeric material used may be a fiber reinforced plastics. The stairway arrangement comprises or makes use of the at least one composite wall of the compartment. The at least one composite wall may extend from a floor to an upper portion of the compartment defining an inclination. In an embodiment, the inclination defined on the at least one composite wall may range from 98° to 103°, however, the inclination is not limited to this range alone and may include other ranges around the aforementioned range. In an embodiment, the at least one composite wall may divide the compartment into plurality of cabins. The plurality of cabins may comprise at least one lower berth and one or more upper berths. The at least one lower berth and the one or more upper berths may be supported by the at least one composite wall. The composite wall may be defined with a cut-out of predefined radius towards a substantially upper portion of the at least one composite wall. In an embodiment, the predefined radius may be range between 200mm – 300mm. The cut-out improves the aesthetic appeal of the interior of the compartment and also making the interior of the compartment spacious.

The stairway arrangement further includes a plurality of steps connected to the support member along the inclination of the at least one composite wall. In an embodiment, a cut-out may be defined in the at least one composite wall. The cut-outs may be provided in the at least one composite wall to accommodate the plurality of steps provided in the stairway arrangement. Further, the plurality of stairs are positioned and secured along the inclination defined on the at least one composite wall. In an embodiment, the plurality of steps may be connected to the composite wall by at least one of a mechanical joining means, such as but not limiting to fastening. In an embodiment, the plurality of steps may be pivotally connected to the at least one composite wall, with the steps extendable along either sides of the composite wall. Also, the plurality of steps may be configured to selectively extend and retract away and towards the composite wall based on the requirement of the passenger to access the one or more upper berths in the compartment. When the passenger needs to access the one or more upper berths or while egressing from the one or more upper berths of the compartment, the passenger may extend it away from the composite wall for accessing the upper berths. Further, when the plurality of steps are not in use, the passenger may retract the plurality of steps towards the composite wall. In an embodiment, the passenger may easily access the access the one or more upper berths of the compartment of the passenger vehicle.

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 compartment structure are depicted for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the compartment structure may be employed in any vehicle including but not limiting to passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and the like.

FIG.1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating a schematic front view of a passenger compartment (100) of a public transport vehicle. In an embodiment, the passenger compartment (100) may be railway or train compartment. The vertical ladders that are provided in the conventional passenger vehicle compartments may be stressful to the passenger for accessing the upper berths of the passenger compartments. The present disclosure discloses an optimized integrated stair arrangement which may be provided in the passenger compartment of the public transport vehicle.

The passenger compartment (100) as shown in FIG.1 comprises of a floor (204) [shown in FIG.2] and an enclosure extending from the floor (204) to form the compartment (100). The passenger compartment (100) further includes a composite wall (104), air-conditioning vents (101), lighting arrangement (102), steps (103), lower berth (105), middle berth (106), upper berth (107), a guard rail (108) and ventilation cut-outs (109). The composite wall (104) may be affixed to the passenger compartment (203) and this composite wall (104) divides the passenger compartment (100) into a plurality of cabins (208). Ventilation cut-outs (109) may be provided in the composite wall (104) to facilitate flow of air throughout the passenger compartment (100). Also, these cut-outs (109) being a structural modification to the composite wall (104) reduces the weight of the compartment (100).

In an embodiment, the one or more upper berths that need to be accessed in the passenger compartment (100) may be the lower berth (105), the middle berth (106) and the upper berth (107), hereinafter referred to as berths (105, 106 and 107). The berths (105, 106 and 107) that need to be accessed by the passenger are secured to the composite wall (104) and the inner body of the passenger compartment (203) as shown in FIG.1. Also, FIG.2 illustrates detailed picture of the berths (105, 106 and 107) being secured to the composite wall (104) and the inner body of the passenger compartment (203). The berths (105, 106, and 107) are secured by mechanical joining process or thermal joining process such as but not limiting to fastening or welding. In an embodiment, these berths (105, 106 and 107) are supported by the guard rails (108) on the end opposite to the composite wall (104). The guard rails (108) act as a safety measure to protect the passenger from tumbling down from the middle berth (106) or the upper berth (107) on the floor (204) of the passenger compartment (100). Also, the compartment (100) is provided with air-conditioning vents (101) affixed to the roof (205), wherein, the air-conditioning vents (101) are provided in the passenger compartment (100) to circulate the air around the passenger compartment (100). Further, the lighting apparatus (102) may be fixed to the roof (205). The lighting apparatus (102) is provided to all the compartments (100) as it is a basic necessity required by the users.

Further, the composite wall (104) configured to hold the berths (105, 106 and 107) as shown in both FIG.1 and FIG.2 is provided with cut-outs (209) of predefined radius of curvature (towards the top berth) towards the side of the passage way (201) of the compartment (100). This radius of curvature towards the substantially upper end of the compartment (100) may be formed due to the inclination provided to the composite wall (104). This radius of curvature adheres the composite wall (104) to the roof (205) of the compartment (100). In an embodiment, the composite wall (104) is cut at a predefined angle ranging between 98° to 103° on the side towards the passageway (201). In the present disclosure the angle at which the composite wall is cut with respect to the floor (204) is 100.12°. The angle of composite wall (104) on the side towards the passageway (201) acts as the profile for the stair arrangement (202). The composite wall (104) is configured to secure the steps (103) as shown in the FIG.1. The steps (103) are secured to the profile of composite wall (104) with respect to the inclination angle defined therein. These steps (103) may be secured to the composite wall (104) using metal inserts or may be provided with a hinge (not shown). The hinge may be provided to the steps (103) to secure them to the composite wall (104). The hinge may help in extending the steps (103) when required to be used. Also, these steps (103) may be retracted towards the composite wall (104) when it is not being used. In an embodiment, the steps (103) are made of composite materials. The composite materials may be fiber reinforced plastics but not limiting to a particular composite material. The use of composite materials reduce the maintenance of the stair arrangement (202) over a period of time and also to reduce the weight. The composite material used to make the steps (103) reduces the refurbishing, repainting or other such maintenance related problems which may arise due to the steps used in the conventional passenger compartment. The conventional compartments in which the staircase arrangement (103) as a whole is made of metal components.

In an embodiment, providing the inclination to the composite wall (104) doesn’t affect the length of the berths (105, 106 and 107) that is provided in the passenger compartment (100). The stair arrangement (202) may help the passenger to have an ease of ingress and egress without being stressed and the passenger need not face the difficulties that were posed by the conventional method of accessing the different levels or berths (105, 106 and 107) of the passenger compartment (100). In addition to the comfort provided to the passenger and the overall weight of the passenger compartment (100) may be reduced by five percent when compared to the conventional passenger compartment weight. The present disclosure provides a system that improves the ergonomics and also the aesthetics of the passenger compartment (100) interior without disturbing the other areas. This may have a lead over the conventional methods used in the trains by reducing the use of mechanical movements hence reducing the mechanical failure that may occur in the due course of the usage of the passenger compartments (100). The present disclosure may be used in various passenger compartments (100) of vehicles such as trains, aircrafts, buses, ships, caravan but not limited to the above said vehicles.

FIG.2 shows a front perspective view of the passenger compartment (100). It shows a detailed view of the stair arrangement (202) configured with the composite wall (104). The stair arrangement (202) starting from the floor of the compartment (204) extends till the upper berth (107) of the one or more upper berths. The steps (103) as shown in FIG.2 are secured to the composite wall (104) on the side of the passageway (201). The profile of the steps (103) are inclined to the composite wall (104) till the upper berth (107). For example it can be implemented in the compartments of a train, where the compartments of train has main cabin and the side cabin. The main cabin and the side cabin are separated by a passageway (201) and each cabin comprises of berths. To access these berths a stair arrangement is provided on either side of the passageway (201). The profile of the stairs on either side of the passageway (201) extend from the floor (204) of the compartment (100) to the at least one of the upper berth (106 and 107). In an embodiment, either sides of the cabin (208) may include the profile of the stairs. The inclination of steps along with the profile of the composite wall makes the passageway spacious, thereby enabling easy access to the plurality of cabins (208) and also increases the aesthetic appeal of the interior of the compartment. Further, the inclination of steps along with the profile of the each of the composite wall enables passengers to access the at least one or more upper berths with ease i.e. with minimum effort.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a stairway arrangement (202) for accessing one or more upper berths in the compartment (100) of the passenger vehicle. The stairway arrangement (202) offers advantages, including but not limited to, providing an improved ergonomics and aesthetics of the compartment (100) of the passenger vehicle. The stairway arrangement (202) also enables passengers to easily access the one or more upper berths (106 and 107) with minimum effort. Also, the stairway arrangement (202) requires no or minimum components with mechanical movements to avoid mechanical failure.

It may be noted that, one skilled in the art would modify the configuration of the stairway arrangement (202) for accessing one or more upper berths to suit different vehicles without deviating from scope of the disclosure. Such modifications should be considered as a part 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 Passenger compartment
101 Air conditioning vent
102 Lighting
103 Plurality of steps
104 Composite wall
105 Lower berth
106 Middle berth
107 Upper berth
108 Guard rails
109 Ventilation cut-outs
200 outer body of the passenger compartment
201 Passageway
202 Stairway arrangement
203 Interior portion of the passenger compartment
204 Floor of the compartment
205 Roof
206 First end
207 Second end
208 Plurality of cabins
209 Cut-out
,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A stairway arrangement (202) for a compartment (100) of a passenger vehicle, the arrangement (202) comprising:
at least one composite wall (104) configured to divide the compartment into plurality of cabins (208), wherein the at least one composite wall (104) extends from a floor (204) to an upper portion of the compartment (100) defining an inclination; and
a plurality of steps (103) connected along the inclination of the at least one composite wall (104), wherein the plurality of steps (103) form a stairway to access one or more upper berths (106 and 107) in the compartment.

2. The arrangement (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of steps (103) is made of a polymeric material.

3. The arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the polymeric material is fiber reinforced plastics.

4. The arrangement (103) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of each of the plurality of steps (103) are fixedly connected to the at least one composite wall (104) using metal inserts.

5. The arrangement (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inclination of the at least one composite wall (104) ranges between 98° to 103°.

6. The arrangement (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of steps (103) extends along either sides of the composite wall (104).

7. The arrangement (202) as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of steps (103) are configured to selectively extend and retract away and towards the composite wall (104) respectively.

8. A compartment (100) of a passenger vehicle, the compartment (100) comprising:
a floor (204);
an enclosure extending from one end of the floor to another end defining a compartment (100);
at least one composite wall (104) extending from the floor to an upper portion of the enclosure defining an inclination, wherein the at least one composite wall (104) divides the compartment into plurality of cabins (208);
at least one lower berth and one or more upper berths supported by the at least one composite wall; and
a plurality of steps (103) connected along the inclination of the at least one composite wall (104), wherein the plurality of steps forms a stairway to access the one or more upper berths in the compartment.

9. The compartment (100) as claimed in claim 8 comprises a cut-out (209) of predefined radius on a substantially upper portion of the at least one composite wall (104).

10. The compartment (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the predefined radius ranges between 200mm to 300mm.

11. The compartment (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises ventilation cut-outs (109) defined on the at least one composite wall (104) towards a substantially upper end of the at least one composite wall (104).

12. A train comprising a compartment (100) as claimed in claim 8.