Converting economy seat to full flat bed by dropping seat back frame

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12459650-B2
Application number	US-202318370674-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 20, 2023
Priority date	Jun 23, 2023
Publication date	Nov 4, 2025
Grant date	Nov 4, 2025

Abstract

A seat row including a plurality of seats supported by a seat frame. Each seat includes a seat pan, a backrest, and a backrest frame positioned in surrounding relation to the backrest. The backrest frame reclines with the backrest and deploys away from the backrest to a position overlaying the seat pan to provide a substantially horizontal surface for overlaying a mattress on the deployed backrest frames. In embodiments, the mattress stows in a folded condition in one of the seats and is retrieved from, fills, and expands to cover the deployed backrest frames to form a flat bed. In some embodiments, the seat row provides a provision for sleeping in an economy class cabin of an airliner.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A seat row, comprising:
a plurality of seats supported by a seat frame; each seat comprising a seat pan, a backrest, and a backrest frame positioned in surrounding relation to the backrest, the backrest frame movable between a stowed position with the backrest and a deployed position overlaying the seat pan, and the backrest frame comprising a diaphragm subassembly movable with the backrest frame; and a mattress configured to be installed overlaying the backrest frames of the seats when the backrest frames are in their respective deployed positions.

2 . The seat row according to claim 1 , wherein:
the diaphragm subassembly includes a first part and a second part; the second part is folded against the first part when the backrest frame is in the stowed position; the second part is configured to be unfolded from against the first part when the backrest frame is in the deployed position; and the first part and the second part together, when the second part is unfolded from against the first part, substantially fill an opening defined by the backrest frame.

3 . The seat row according to claim 1 , wherein the backrest and the backrest frame of each seat have a same axis of rotation.

4 . The seat row according to claim 1 , wherein the mattress is an air mattress configured to, when in a deflated state, fold and stow within an interior space positioned behind the diaphragm subassembly of one of the seats.

5 . The seat row according to claim 1 , wherein each seat further comprises an additional diaphragm covering a portion of the backrest and a gap formed between a bottom end of the backrest and the seat pan, and wherein the additional diaphragm is separate from and does not move with the backrest frame.

6 . The seat row according to claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable passenger restraint webbing configured to attach at one end to a forward seat frame and attach at an opposing end to a passenger restraint of one of the seats.

7 . The seat row according to claim 1 , wherein, when the backrest frame is in the stowed position, the diaphragm subassembly leaves uncovered a headrest portion of the backrest and covers a portion of the backrest positioned below the headrest portion.

8 . The seat row according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of seats supported by a seat frame comprises at least three seats.

9 . The seat row according to claim 1 , wherein the backrest frame carries a spring-loaded release pin configured to engage in the backrest when the backrest frame is in the stowed position, and disengage from the backrest to allow the backrest frame to be moved toward the deployed position.

10 . The seat row according to claim 1 , further comprising fasteners for securing the mattress in place atop the deployed backrest frames.

11 . The seat row according to claim 1 , wherein the backrest and the backrest frame, when the backrest frame is in the stowed position, are configured to recline together as a single unit.

12 . The seat row according to claim 1 , wherein the seat frame comprises:
spreaders positioned at the ends of the seat row and between the seats; spaced transverse beam tubes; and legs.

13 . A seat row for installation in an economy class cabin of an aircraft, the seat row configured to convert from a seat row to a bed, the seat row comprising:
three seats supported by a seat frame; each seat comprising a seat pan, a backrest, and a backrest frame positioned in surrounding relation to the backrest, the backrest frame rotatable between a stowed position with the backrest and a deployed position overlaying the seat pan; and a mattress configured to be installed overlaying the backrest frames of the seats when the seats are each in their respective deployed position.

14 . The seat row according to claim 13 , wherein:
each seat further comprises a diaphragm assembly including a first part and a second part; the second part is folded against the first part when the backrest is in the stowed position; the second part is configured to be unfolded from against the first part when the backrest frame is in the deployed position; and the first part and the second part together, when the second part is unfolded from against the first part, substantially fill an opening defined by the backrest frame.

15 . The seat row according to claim 14 , wherein each seat further comprises an additional diaphragm covering a portion of the backrest and a gap formed between a bottom end of the backrest and the seat pan, and wherein the additional diaphragm is separate from and does not move with the backrest frame.

16 . The seat row according to claim 14 , wherein, when the backrest frame is in the stowed position, the diaphragm subassembly leaves uncovered a headrest portion of the backrest and covers a portion of the backrest positioned below the headrest portion of the backrest.

17 . The seat row according to claim 13 , wherein, for each seat, the backrest and the backrest frame have a same axis of rotation.

18 . The seat row according to claim 13 , wherein the mattress is an air mattress configured to, when in a deflated state, fold and stow within an interior space formed behind one of the backrests.

19 . The seat row according to claim 13 , wherein for each seat, the backrest frame carries a spring-loaded release pin configured to engage in the backrest when the backrest frame is in the stowed position, and disengage from the backrest to allow the backrest frame to be rotated toward the deployed position.

20 . The seat row according to claim 13 , wherein the backrest and the backrest frame, when the backrest frame is in the stowed position, are configured to recline together as a single unit.

Assignees

• Be Aerospace Inc

Inventors

• Prathipati Krishna Chaitanya
• Kandukuri Ravindra Ramulu
• Bawaskar Ganesh Pralhad

Classifications

• B64D11/0647 Primary

  Seats characterised by special upholstery or cushioning features · CPC title

• B64D11/06

  Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats (crew seat constructions for emergency purposes B64D25/04) · CPC title

• B64D11/0641 Primary

  Seats convertible into beds · CPC title