End bay assembly with deployable step and deployable step constructions

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11407514-B2
Application number	US-201916545178-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 20, 2019
Priority date	Aug 20, 2019
Publication date	Aug 9, 2022
Grant date	Aug 9, 2022

Abstract

A step assembly installable in a structure such as a housing of an armrest assembly, the step assembly including a base attachable to the structure including a mounting plate having a low profile and a fixed receptacle to be received in the structure, a step plate pivotally attached along a first end to the base along a lower end of the receptacle, the step plate pivotable between a stowed position in which the step plate is housed within the fixed receptacle and a deployed position in which the step plate is outside of the fixed receptacle, the step plate having a first side for supporting a foot, and a release mechanism for releasing the step plate from the stowed position to the deployed position. The step plate deployed for use and concealed from view between uses.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An armrest assembly, comprising:
a fixed housing having opposing sides, opposing ends, a top opening, and an interior space;
an armrest disposed in the interior space through the top opening, the armrest vertically moveable relative to the fixed housing to adjust a height of the armrest; and
a step assembly attached to one of the opposing ends the fixed housing, the step assembly comprising:
i) a base attached to the fixed housing and including a mounting plate having a low profile and a fixed receptacle received in the interior space;
ii) a step plate pivotally attached along a first end to the base along a lower end of the receptacle, the step plate pivotable between a stowed position in which the step plate is housed within the fixed receptacle and a deployed position in which the step plate is outside of the fixed receptacle, the step plate having a first side for supporting a foot; and
iii) a release mechanism for releasing the step plate from the stowed position to the deployed position, the release mechanism attached to the fixed housing and positioned above the base, the release mechanism comprising a clip retaining the step plate in the stowed position until released, the clip mounted in an upper end of the receptacle above the step plate and engaging a second end of the step plate in the stowed position, the clip user actuated to release the step plate from the stowed position.

2. The armrest assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a user actuatable button operably coupled to the clip and positioned on one of the opposing sides of the fixed housing and apart from the step assembly.

3. The armrest assembly of claim 1 , wherein the release mechanism comprises a magnetic locking device releasable by a magnetic key.

4. The armrest assembly of claim 1 , wherein the release mechanism comprises a pivoting lever pivotally attached to the fixed housing, the pivoting lever moveable between a latching position at which the second end of the step plate is retained by the clip when the step plate is pivoted upward to the stowed position and an unlatching position at which the step plate is released by the clip to pivot from the stowed position to the deployed position, wherein the pivoting lever automatically pivots to the latching position as the step plate is returned to the stowed position thereby automatically engaging the second end of the step plate with the clip.

5. The armrest assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a ridge positioned along a second end of the step plate atop the first side.

6. The armrest assembly of claim 1 , wherein movement of the step plate is spring biased toward at least one of the stowed and deployed positions.

7. The armrest assembly of claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the base is attached to one of the opposing sides of the fixed housing, a second portion of the base wraps around a corner junction between the one of the opposing sides and an adjacent one of the opposing ends of the fixed housing, and a third portion of the base is attached to the adjacent one of the opposing ends of the fixed housing.

Assignees

• Be Aerospace Inc

Inventors

• Puglisi Stephen A
• Udriste Daniel I
• Lin Horng Jaan
• Suhre Ryan J
• Kearns Jason M

Classifications

• B64D11/0644 Primary

  Adjustable arm rests · CPC title

• B64D11/0648 Primary

  Lower frame constructions · CPC title

• B64D11/0693 Primary

  Width modification of seat assemblies, e.g. for class modification · CPC title

• E06C1/005

  Ladders in use as furniture or ladders in relation to furniture, e.g. in cupboards (step-stools, chairs or benches requiring conversion between the step and seat functions A47C12/02) · CPC title