Passenger seat

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016280378-A1
Application number	US-201415037363-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 19, 2014
Priority date	Nov 19, 2013
Publication date	Sep 29, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Described are seat units having a lower support structure with at least two leg supports, each leg support integrally formed into an arcuate shape, and an upper support structure having a seat pan and seat back integrally formed into a single component. Each leg support is coupled to at least two base frame tubes by insertion of each base frame tube through an aperture in each of the leg supports, wherein the aperture is shaped to prevent rotation of the leg support about a longitudinal axis of each of the at least two base frame tubes. Each seat support is coupled to the base frame tubes by insertion of each base frame tube through a slot in each of the upper support structure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A seat unit comprising:
a lower support structure comprising at least two leg supports, each leg support integrally formed into an arcuate shape; and an upper support structure comprising a seat pan and seat back integrally formed into a single component.

2 . The seat unit of claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two leg supports is coupled to at least two base frame tubes by insertion of each of the at least two base frame tubes through at least two apertures in each of the at least two leg supports, wherein each of the at least two apertures is shaped to prevent rotation of the leg support about a longitudinal axis of each of the at least two base frame tubes.

3 . The seat unit of claim 2 , wherein the upper support structure further comprises at least two seat supports integrally formed with the seat pan and the seat back, wherein each seat support is coupled to the at least two base frame tubes via at least two slots, wherein each of the at least two slots is shaped to slidingly engage with each of the at least two base frame tubes.

4 . The seat unit of claim 3 , wherein the at least two slots are shaped to allow the upper support structure to rotate along a path that is defined by a shape of the at least two slots.

5 . The seat unit of claim 4 , wherein a first end of each of the at least two slots corresponds to a reclined position of the seat unit, and a second end of each of the at least two slots corresponds to an upright position of the seat unit.

6 . The seat unit of claim 5 , further comprising at least two arm rests, wherein each of the at least two arm rests is pivotally coupled to a rear portion of each of the at least two seat supports and is configured to remain substantially horizontal as the seat unit rotates between reclined and upright positions.

7 . The seat unit of claim 5 , wherein the seat pan further comprises a front portion that is configured to bend downward in the reclined position of the seat unit when pressure is applied by legs of a passenger seated in the seat unit in the reclined position.

8 . The seat unit of claim 5 , wherein the seat back comprises a headrest that is configured to slide away from the seat back to support a head of a passenger seated in the seat unit in the reclined position.

9 . The seat unit of claim 1 , wherein the seat back comprises a curved design that is configured to contour to a shape of a back of a passenger seated in the seat unit.

10 . A seat unit comprising:
a lower support structure comprising at least two leg supports, each leg support comprising a central portion, a front portion, and a rear portion, wherein the front portion and the rear portion extend downward from the central portion and are configured to couple to a seat track; an upper support structure comprising at least two seat supports, each seat support comprising a central portion, a front portion, and a rear portion, wherein the front portion and the rear portion extend upward from the central portion; and at least two base frame tubes, wherein each of the at least two base frame tubes is coupled to the lower support structure and the upper support structure by passing through one of at least two apertures in the central portion of each of the at least two leg supports, and by passing through one of at least two slots in the central portion of each of the at least two seat supports.

11 . The seat unit of claim 10 , wherein each of the at least two leg supports is integrally formed into an arcuate shape.

12 . The seat unit of claim 10 , wherein the upper support structure further comprises a seat pan and a seat back integrally formed into a single component.

13 . The seat unit of claim 12 , wherein each of the at least two slots is shaped to allow the upper support structure to rotate along a path that is defined by a shape of each of the at least two slots.

14 . The seat unit of claim 13 , wherein a first end of each of the at least two slots corresponds to a reclined position of the seat unit, and a second end of each of the at least two slots corresponds to an upright position of the seat unit.

15 . The seat unit of claim 14 , further comprising at least two arm rests, wherein each of the at least two arm rests is pivotally coupled to the rear portion of each of the at least two seat supports and is configured to remain substantially horizontal as the seat unit rotates between reclined and upright positions.

16 . The seat unit of claim 12 , wherein the seat back comprises a curved design that is configured to contour to a shape of a back of a passenger seated in the seat unit.

17 . A method of operating a seat unit, the seat unit comprising an upper support structure comprising at least two seat supports, a seat pan, and a seat back integrally formed into a single component, each seat support coupled to at least two base frame tubes via at least two slots, the method comprising:
actuating a recline mechanism; rotating the upper support structure so that each of the at least two base frame tubes is positioned adjacent a first end of each of the at least two slots and the seat back is in a reclined position.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the seat pan further comprises a front portion that is configured to bend downward in the reclined position of the seat unit when pressure is applied by legs of a passenger seated in the seat unit in the reclined position.

19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising a step of actuating the recline mechanism, and rotating the upper support structure so that each of the at least two base frame tubes is positioned adjacent a second end of each of the at least two slots and the seat back is in an upright position.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising at least two arm rests, wherein each of the at least two arm rests is pivotally coupled to a rear portion of each of the at least two seat supports and is configured to remain substantially horizontal as the seat unit rotates between reclined and upright positions.

Assignees

• Zodiac Seats Us Llc

Inventors

• Le Foek (Phuc) Nguyen Tien

Classifications

• B64D11/0643

  Adjustable foot or leg rests · CPC title

• B64D11/0647

  Seats characterised by special upholstery or cushioning features · CPC title

• B64D11/0644

  Adjustable arm rests · CPC title

• B64D11/064 Primary

  Adjustable inclination or position of seats · CPC title

• B64D11/0642

  Adjustable headrests · CPC title