Aircraft sleep systems including laterally positioned moveable headrests

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11447253-B2
Application number	US-202017131111-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 22, 2020
Priority date	May 21, 2018
Publication date	Sep 20, 2022
Grant date	Sep 20, 2022

Abstract

Sleep systems for aircraft are disclosed. An example sleep system includes a divider having a plurality of panels, each panel defining a pocket, and a lateral sleep apparatus positioned adjacent a seat, the lateral sleep apparatus to be positioned at least partially in the pocket of the panel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A lateral sleep system for use with aircraft, the lateral sleep system comprising:
a divider including a panel that defines a support ledge and a pocket;
a headrest; and
a cradle positioned at least partially in the pocket, the cradle including a panel mounting interface configured to couple the headrest to the support ledge, the panel mounting interface including a first track coupled to the support ledge and a first slider coupled to the cradle, the first track configured to slidably receive the first slider between a first end of the first track and a second end of the first track opposite the first end of the first track.

2. A lateral sleep system for use with aircraft, the lateral sleep system comprising:
a divider including a panel that defines a support ledge;
a headrest; and
a cradle including a panel mounting interface configured to couple the headrest to the support ledge, the panel mounting interface including a first track coupled to the support ledge and a first slider coupled to the cradle, the first track configured to slidably receive the first slider between a first end of the first track and a second end of the first track opposite the first end of the first track.

3. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 2 , wherein the cradle includes a seat mounting interface configured to couple the headrest to a seat, the seat mounting interface configured to enable the cradle to move relative to the first track in response to the seat moving between an upright position and a reclined position.

4. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 3 , wherein the seat mounting interface includes a second track and a second slider, the second track configured to slidably receive the second slider between a first end of the second track and a second end of the second track opposite the first end of the second track, the second slider configured to move relative to the second track when the seat moves between the upright position and the reclined position.

5. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 4 , wherein the seat mounting interface includes a pivot coupled to the second slider, the pivot configured to rotate relative to the second slider between a first rotational position and a second rotational position when the seat moves between the upright position and the reclined position.

6. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 3 , wherein the seat mounting interface is positioned within a slot formed in the cradle.

7. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 6 , wherein the slot has a longitudinal axis that is at an angle relative to vertical.

8. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 2 , wherein the panel includes a first panel portion, a second panel portion, and a transition panel portion, the first panel portion offset relative to the second panel portion, the transition panel portion extending between the first panel portion and the second panel portion to define a stepped profile that defines the support ledge.

9. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 8 , wherein the transition panel portion has a tapered or angled profile.

10. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 9 , wherein the transition panel portion has an angle relative to normal that is between approximately 30 degrees and 60 degrees.

11. A lateral sleep system for use with an aircraft, the lateral sleep system comprising:
a divider including a first panel that defines a first support ledge;
a first lateral sleep apparatus positioned adjacent a first seat, the first lateral sleep apparatus including:
a headrest;
a cradle configured to support the headrest;
a first attachment assembly configured to couple the cradle to the first support ledge, the first attachment assembly including a first track and a first slider, the first track coupled to a channel of the first support ledge, the first slider coupled to a rear surface of the cradle such that the first slider engages the first track when the cradle is supported by the first support ledge; and
a second attachment assembly configured to couple the cradle to the first seat, the second attachment assembly including a second track, a second slider, and a pivot, the second track coupled to a slot formed in a seat mounting interface of the cradle, the second slider coupled to the second track, the pivot coupled to the second slider, the pivot configured to attach to a side surface of the first seat, the first attachment assembly and the second attachment assembly configured to enable the first lateral sleep apparatus to translate relative to the first support ledge when the first seat moves between an upright position and a reclined position.

12. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 11 , wherein the divider includes a second panel defining a second support ledge, the lateral sleep system further comprising a second lateral sleep apparatus positioned adjacent a second seat, the first panel arranged relative to the second panel in an alternating pattern such that the first lateral sleep apparatus is positioned on a first side of the divider and the second lateral sleep apparatus is positioned on a second side of the divider opposite the first side.

13. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the cradle includes a seat mounting interface configured to couple the headrest to a seat, the seat mounting interface configured to enable the cradle to move relative to the first track in response to the seat moving between an upright position and a reclined position.

14. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 13 , wherein the seat mounting interface includes a second track and a second slider, the second track configured to slidably receive the second slider between a first end of the second track and a second end of the second track opposite the first end of the second track, the second slider configured to move relative to the second track when the seat moves between the upright position and the reclined position.

15. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 14 , wherein the seat mounting interface includes a pivot coupled to the second slider, the pivot configured to rotate relative to the second slider between a first rotational position and a second rotational position when the seat moves between the upright position and the reclined position.

16. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 13 , wherein the seat mounting interface is positioned within a slot formed in the cradle.

17. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 16 , wherein the slot has a longitudinal axis that is at an angle relative to vertical.

18. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the panel includes a first panel portion, a second panel portion, and a transition panel portion, the first panel portion offset relative to the second panel portion, the transition panel portion extending between the first panel portion and the second panel portion to define a stepped profile that defines the support ledge.

19. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 18 , wherein the transition panel portion has a tapered or angled profile.

20. The lateral sleep system as defined in claim 19 , wherein the transition panel portion has an angle relative to normal that is between approximately 30 degrees and 60 degrees.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Aung Nyein Chan
• Armstrong Mark
• De Bono Arthur
• Napper Robbie

Classifications

• B64D11/0639 Primary

  with features for adjustment or converting of seats · CPC title

• B64D11/0642 Primary

  Adjustable headrests · CPC title

• B60N2/885

  provided with side-rests · CPC title

• B64D11/0606 Primary

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

• B64D11/0604 Primary

  including a bed, e.g. cocoon type passenger seat modules · CPC title