Exit row table for an aircraft

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016083096-A1
Application number	US-201414890960-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 29, 2014
Priority date	May 15, 2013
Publication date	Mar 24, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A table ( 30 ) for an aircraft includes a table surface ( 56 ) deployable between a retracted position and a deployed position, an arm ( 50 ) having a first end and a second end, the arm ( 50 ) supporting the table ( 66 ) surface at the first end, a support connected to the arm ( 50 ) at the second end, the support connecting the arm to a structure interior to the aircraft, a sensor ( 136 ) within the aircraft to detect if a seat adjacent to the table surface is occupied, and a mechanism ( 120 ) for retracting the table surface to the retracted position if the sensor ( 136 ) detects at least one of that the seat is not occupied and that the aircraft flight mode meets predetermined criteria.

First claim

1 . A table for an aircraft, comprising:
a table surface deployable between a retracted position and a deployed position; an arm having a first end and a second end, the arm supporting the table surface at the first end; a support connected to the arm at the second end, the support connecting the arm to a structure interior to the aircraft; a sensor within the aircraft to detect if a seat adjacent to the table surface is occupied; and a mechanism for retracting the table surface to the retracted position if the sensor detects at least one of that the seat is not occupied and that the aircraft flight mode meets predetermined criteria.

2 . The exit row table of claim 1 , wherein the mechanism holds the table surface in a predetermined position if the seat is occupied.

3 . The exit row table of claim 1 , further comprising:
a locking mechanism for locking the table surface in a predetermined position between the retracted position and the deployed position if the sensor detects that the seat is occupied and the aircraft flight mode meets predetermined criteria.

4 . The exit row table of claim 1 , wherein the table surface includes at least a first leaf and a second leaf that pivotally connected to one another.

5 . The exit row table of claim 1 , further comprising:
a table support pivot disposed at the first end of the arm, permitting rotation of the table surface about the table support pivot.

6 . The exit row table of claim 1 , further comprising:
an arm pivot disposed at the second end of the arm, permitting rotation of the arm about the arm pivot.

7 . The exit row table of claim 1 , further comprising:
an extension disposed at the first end of the arm, permitting the table surface to be moved between the retracted position and the deployed position.

8 . The exit row table of claim 7 , wherein the extension is parallel to the arm.

9 . The exit row table of claim 7 , wherein the extension is disposed at an angle with respect to the arm.

10 . The exit row table of claim 1 , wherein the structure is a sideboard.

11 . The exit row table of claim 1 , wherein the structure is an arm rest.

12 . The exit row table of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is disposed in the seat and detects if a weight on the seat exceeds a predetermined amount.

13 . The exit row table of claim 1 , wherein the retraction mechanism comprises at least one of a pneumatic damper, a hydraulic damper, a spring, and a servo motor.

14 . The exit row table of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one of an electrical lock and a mechanical lock.

15 . The exit row table of claim 1 , wherein the aircraft flight mode excludes conditions associated with taxi, takeoff, and landing.

16 . A method of operation of an exit row table for an aircraft comprising a table surface deployable between a retracted position and a deployed position, an arm having a first end and a second end, the arm supporting the table surface at the first end, a support connected to the arm at the second end, the support connecting the arm to a structure interior to the aircraft, a sensor within the aircraft to detect if a seat adjacent to the table surface is occupied, a mechanism for retracting the table surface to the retracted position if the sensor detects at least one of that the seat is not occupied and that the aircraft flight mode meets predetermined criteria, the method comprising:
determining if predetermined flight conditions exist; determining if the seat is occupied; and retracting the table surface to the retracted position if the sensor detects at least one of that the seat is not occupied and that the aircraft flight mode meets predetermined criteria.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the exit row table further comprises a locking mechanism for locking the table surface in a predetermined position between the retracted position and the deployed position if the sensor detects that the seat is occupied and the aircraft flight mode meets predetermined criteria, the method further comprising:
generating an unlock command if the seat is not occupied and predetermined flight conditions exist, wherein an unlock command unlocks the locking mechanism.

18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the predetermined flight conditions comprise:
a flight mode excluding taxi, takeoff, and landing.

19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the predetermined flight conditions comprise:
a flight mode excluding an emergency condition.

20 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
retracting the table surface in response to the unlock command.

21 .- 25 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Bombardier Inc

Inventors

• Gagnon Pierre
• Roy Jordan
• Deka Tom
• Mageau Christian
• Monardo Michele
• Huber Stefan
• Haselberger Christoph

Classifications

• B64D11/0638 Primary

  with foldable tables, trays or cup holders · CPC title

• B64D11/06 Primary

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

• B64D11/0605

  including tables or desks · CPC title