Deployable partition systems and methods for seat assemblies

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10479506-B1
Application number	US-201815989274-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	May 25, 2018
Priority date	May 25, 2018
Publication date	Nov 19, 2019
Grant date	Nov 19, 2019

Abstract

A partition system (and method of forming the same) that is configured to be secured to a seat assembly. The partition system includes a barrier that is configured to be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position. The barrier is moveably coupled to an armrest of the seat assembly. The stowed position is proximate to a rear end of the armrest. The deployed position extends towards a front end of the armrest.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A partition system that is configured to be secured to a seat assembly, the partition system comprising:
a barrier that is configured to be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position, the barrier being moveably coupled to an armrest of the seat assembly, wherein the stowed position is proximate to a rear end of the armrest, and wherein the deployed position extends towards a front end of the armrest, wherein the barrier comprises:
a first panel;
a second panel, wherein the first panel is moveably coupled to the second panel, and
a third panel, wherein the third panel is moveably coupled to the second panel,
wherein the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel are configured to linearly translate over a length of the armrest between the stowed position and the deployed position.

2. The partition system of claim 1 , wherein the armrest is common to the seat assembly and an adjacent seat assembly.

3. The partition system of claim 1 , wherein the barrier is mounted to the armrest in a space between the seat assembly and an adjacent seat assembly.

4. The partition system of claim 1 , further comprising a housing defining an internal chamber, wherein the barrier is in the internal chamber in the stowed position.

5. The partition system of claim 1 , wherein the armrest comprises a guide track that is configured to receive and moveably retain a portion of the barrier.

6. The partition system of claim 1 , wherein the first panel comprises a first rail that is slidably retained within a first groove of the second panel, and wherein the third panel comprises a second rail that is slidably retained within a second groove of the second panel.

7. The partition system of claim 6 , wherein the first groove is formed in a first side of the panel, and wherein the second groove is formed in a second side of the panel that is opposite from the first side.

8. The partition system of claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises an engagement member that is configured to be grasped by an individual.

9. The partition system of claim 1 , wherein the barrier extends to a height of a top of an upright backrest of the seat assembly.

10. The partition system of claim 1 , wherein the barrier further includes a flexible structure formed of one or more of a fabric, cloth, or mesh.

11. A vehicle comprising:
an interior cabin;
a first seat assembly within the interior cabin;
a second seat assembly within the interior cabin, the first seat assembly being adjacent to the second seat assembly, wherein the first seat assembly and the second seat assembly share an armrest; and
a partition system secured to the armrest in a space between the first seat assembly and the second seat assembly, the partition system comprising a barrier that is configured to be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the stowed position is proximate to a rear end of the armrest, wherein the deployed position extends towards a front end of the armrest, wherein the barrier comprises:
a first panel;
a second panel, wherein the first panel is moveably coupled to the second panel; and
a third panel, wherein the third panel is moveably coupled to the second panel,
wherein the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel are configured to linearly translate over a length of the armrest between the stowed position and the deployed position.

12. The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the partition system further comprises a housing defining an internal chamber, wherein the barrier is in the internal chamber in the stowed position.

13. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the
first panel includes a first rail and an engagement member that is configured to be grasped by an individual,
wherein the second panel includes a first groove on a first side and a second groove on a second side that is opposite the first side, wherein the first rail is slidably retained within the first groove, and
wherein the third panel includes a second rail slidably retained with the second groove.

14. A partition system that is configured to be secured to a seat assembly, the partition system comprising:
a barrier that is configured to be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position, the barrier being moveably coupled to an armrest of the seat assembly, wherein the stowed position is proximate to a rear end of the armrest, and wherein the deployed position extends towards a front end of the armrest, wherein the barrier comprises:
a first panel including a first rail;
a second panel including a first groove and second groove, wherein the first groove slidably retains the first rail, wherein the first panel is moveably coupled to the second panel; and
a third panel including a second rail that is slidably retained within the second groove, wherein the third panel is moveably coupled to the second panel.

15. The partition system of claim 14 , wherein the armrest is common to the seat assembly and an adjacent seat assembly.

16. The partition system of claim 14 , wherein the barrier is mounted to the armrest in a space between the seat assembly and an adjacent seat assembly.

17. The partition system of claim 14 , further comprising a housing defining an internal chamber, wherein the barrier is in the internal chamber in the stowed position.

18. The partition system of claim 14 , wherein the armrest comprises a guide track that is configured to receive and moveably retain a portion of the barrier.

19. The partition system of claim 14 , wherein the first groove is formed in a first side of the panel, and wherein the second groove is formed in a second side of the panel that is opposite from the first side.

20. The partition system of claim 14 , wherein the barrier comprises an engagement member that is configured to be grasped by an individual.

21. The partition system of claim 14 , wherein the barrier extends to a height of a top of an upright backrest of the seat assembly.

22. The partition system of claim 14 , wherein the barrier includes a flexible structure formed of one or more of a fabric, cloth, or mesh.

23. A partition system that is configured to be secured to a seat assembly, the partition system comprising:
a barrier that is configured to be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position, the barrier being moveably coupled to an armrest of the seat assembly, wherein the stowed position is proximate to a rear end of the armrest, and wherein the deployed position extends towards a front end of the armrest;
a rotatable anchor member; and
a moveable member moveably secured to the armrest, wherein the barrier is connected to the rotatable anchor member and the moveable member, and wherein the barrier wraps around the rotatable anchor member in the stowed position.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Colletti Brian

Classifications

• B64D11/0606 Primary

  with privacy shells, screens, separators or the like (class dividers B64D11/0023) · CPC title

• B64D11/0644

  Adjustable arm rests · CPC title

• B60N2/90

  Details or parts not otherwise provided for · CPC title