Passenger seat entertainment system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10974833-B2
Application number	US-201716348479-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 11, 2017
Priority date	Nov 10, 2016
Publication date	Apr 13, 2021
Grant date	Apr 13, 2021

Abstract

A passenger seat, such as an aircraft passenger seat, includes a seat base and an entertainment system. The seat base includes a cushioning member and a cover covering the cushioning member. The entertainment system is positioned between the cushioning member and the cover and is removably connected to the cushioning member. The entertainment system is configured to determine a force caused by a passenger's legs in at least two locations on an upper surface of the seat base when used.

First claim

That which is claimed:

1. An entertainment system for a passenger seat comprising:
a base comprising:
a first side edge;
a second side edge;
an upper surface; and
a lower surface;

a first sensor secured to the upper surface of the base between the first side edge and the second side edge; and
a second sensor secured to the upper surface of the base between the first sensor and the second side edge,
at least one connector on the lower surface of the base and adjacent one of the first side edge and the second side edge;
wherein the at least one connector is configured to removably connect the entertainment system to a cushioning member;
wherein the at least one connector comprises a first connector on the lower surface of the base and adjacent to the first side edge, a second connector on the lower surface of the base and adjacent to the second side edge;
wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are each configured to detect a force applied to the entertainment system; and
wherein the base is configured to be positioned between the cushioning member and a cover of a base of the passenger seat.

2. The entertainment system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a controller secured to the base, wherein the controller is configured to:
communicate with the first sensor and the second sensor to receive sensed force data; and
communicate the sensed force data with an In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) device.

3. The entertainment system of claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises:
a center section between the first side edge and the second side edge;
a first flexible section between the center section and the first side edge; and
a second flexible section between the center section and the second side edge,
wherein the first flexible section and the second flexible section comprise a first fabric material,
wherein the center section comprises a second fabric material different from the first fabric material,
wherein the first fabric material is more elastic than the second fabric material, and
wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are secured on the center section.

4. The entertainment system of claim 3 , wherein the first fabric material comprises knitted nylon, and wherein the second fabric material comprises woven nylon.

5. The entertainment system of claim 1 , further comprising a base cushion fastener on the lower surface of the base and a cover fastener on the upper surface of the base.

6. The entertainment system of claim 1 , wherein a distance between the first sensor and the second sensor is from about 170 mm to about 210 mm.

7. An entertainment system for a passenger seat comprising:
a base comprising:
a first side edge;
a second side edge;
an upper surface having a cover fastener; and
a lower surface having a base cushion fastener;

a first sensor secured to the upper surface of the base between the first side edge and the second side edge; and
a second sensor secured to the upper surface of the base between the first sensor and the second side edge,
wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are each configured to detect a force applied to the entertainment system, and
wherein the base is configured to be positioned between a cushioning member and a cover of a base of the passenger seat.

8. The entertainment system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a controller secured to the base, wherein the controller is configured to:
communicate with the first sensor and the second sensor to receive sensed force data; and
communicate the sensed force data with an In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) device.

9. The entertainment system of claim 7 , wherein the base further comprises:
a center section between the first side edge and the second side edge;
a first flexible section between the center section and the first side edge; and
a second flexible section between the center section and the second side edge,
wherein the first flexible section and the second flexible section comprise a first fabric material,
wherein the center section comprises a second fabric material different from the first fabric material,
wherein the first fabric material is more elastic than the second fabric material, and
wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are secured on the center section.

10. The entertainment system of claim 9 , wherein the first fabric material comprises knitted nylon, and wherein the second fabric material comprises woven nylon.

11. The entertainment system of claim 9 , wherein a distance between the first sensor and the second sensor is from about 170 mm to about 210 mm.

12. The entertainment system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a first connector on the lower surface of the base and adjacent to the first side edge; and
a second connector on the lower surface of the base and adjacent to the second side edge.

Assignees

• Safran Seats Usa Llc

Inventors

• Riedel Lukas
• Iacoviello Domenico
• Erkelens Emma
• Wisse Emma
• Randles David
• Kersten Max

Classifications

• B64D11/0015 Primary

  Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television · CPC title

• A47C7/72

  Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like · CPC title