Adjustable seat pan articulation mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11958613-B2
Application number	US-202217591110-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 2, 2022
Priority date	Feb 2, 2022
Publication date	Apr 16, 2024
Grant date	Apr 16, 2024

Abstract

A clockable articulation insert for a seat is disclosed. The clockable articulation insert includes a base portion that inserts into a cavity within the frame or spreader bar of the seat. The clockable articulation insert further includes a face that comprises a guide slot that couples to a cross piece of the seat that is itself coupled to a seat pan. Movement of the cross piece within the guide slot changes the tilt, extension, and/or rake of the seat pan. Clocking the clockable articulation insert to a different position alters the articulation profile of the clockable articulation insert, resulting in a different set of ranges of tilt, extension, and/or rake that can be accomplished by sliding the cross piece within the guide slot. The set of articulation profiles may be further changed by replacing the clockable articulation insert with another clockable articulation insert configured with a differently designed guide slot.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a first clockable articulation insert for a seat, wherein the first clockable articulation insert is configured to be rotated and removably inserted into any particular rotated position of two or more rotated positions, wherein the seat comprises:
a seat pan;
a cross piece coupled to the seat pan, the cross piece configured with two terminal ends; and
a seat frame comprising two spreader bars each configured to receive the first clockable articulation insert, wherein the first clockable articulation insert comprises comprising:
a base portion configured to insert within a cavity of each of the spreader bars at the two or more rotated positions, the base portion comprising an outer wall configured to physically engage with side walls of the cavity and configured to restrict rotation between the base and the cavity; and
a face portion comprising a guide slot configured to receive a terminal end of the cross piece, p 2 wherein the guide slot is configured to guide a movement of the cross piece, wherein the movement comprises a rake, a tilt, or a translation of the seat pan relative to the seat frame and is determined by the position of the terminal end of the cross piece within the guide slot, wherein an articulation profile is determined by a rotated position of the base portion, wherein the articulation profile includes at least one of a range of tilt, a range of rake, or a range of extension of the seat pan relative to the seat frame; and
wherein the two or more rotated positions determine a first articulation profile set that comprises a set of articulation profiles,
wherein the outer walls are configured as a polygon having three or more sides.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the seat.

3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a second clockable articulation insert configured with a second articulation profile set, wherein the second clockable articulation insert is configured to replace the first clockable articulation insert.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the second clockable articulation insert is configured with a guide slot that does not cross a center of the face portion.

5. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a seatback mechanically coupled to the seat pan, wherein a position of the seatback is determined by the position of the terminal end of the cross piece within the guide slot.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the seatback comprises a back pivot.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the back pivot is configured to receive a third clockable articulation insert.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cavity is rotatable.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the outer walls are configured as a gear.

10. A method for modifying an articulation profile of a seat comprising:
decoupling a cross piece from a guide slot of a first clockable articulation insert, the first clockable articulation insert configured in a first rotated position within a cavity of a spreader bar of a seat frame, wherein the first clockable articulation insert is configured to be rotated and removably inserted into any particular rotated position of two or more rotated positions, wherein the cross piece is coupled to a seat pan,
wherein the first clockable articulation insert comprises:
a base portion configured to insert within the cavity of the spreader bar at the two or more rotated positions, the base portion comprising an outer wall configured to physically engage with side walls of the cavity and configured to restrict rotation between the base and the cavity; and
a face portion comprising the guide slot configured to receive a terminal end of the cross piece,
wherein the guide slot is configured to guide a movement of the cross piece, wherein the movement comprises a rake, a tilt, or a translation of the seat pan relative to the seat frame and is determined by the position of the terminal end of the cross piece within the guide slot, wherein an articulation profile is determined by a rotated position of the base portion, wherein the articulation profile includes at least one of a range of tilt, a range of rake, or a range of extension of the seat pan relative to the seat frame,
wherein the outer walls are configured as a polygon having three or more sides;

removing the first clockable articulation insert from the cavity;
inserting at least one of the first clockable articulation insert or a second clockable articulation insert into the cavity, wherein the first clockable articulation insert is configured in a second rotated position; and
coupling the cross piece to the guide slot.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first clockable articulation insert is configured with a first articulation profile set.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the seat further includes the seat pan coupled to the cross piece, wherein the insertion of at least one of the first clockable articulation insert into the cavity or the second clockable articulation insert into the cavity changes the articulation profile of the seat.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the seat further includes a seatback coupled to the seat pan, wherein the insertion of at least one of the first clockable articulation insert into the cavity or the second clockable articulation insert into the cavity changes an articulation profile of the seatback.

14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising unlocking the first clockable articulation insert.

Assignees

• Be Aerospace Inc

Inventors

• Finlay Travis

Classifications

• B64D11/064 Primary

  Adjustable inclination or position of seats · CPC title