Monocoque and semi-monocoque passenger seats with ergonomic design

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017158104-A1
Application number	US-201515317527-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 10, 2015
Priority date	Jun 10, 2014
Publication date	Jun 8, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Described are ergonomic passenger seats that may include monocoque or semi-monocoque seat backs, cellular suspension cushions, and tray tables with support arms that may be located within the interior volume of the monocoque or semi-monocoque seat backs when in their stowed positions. The passenger seats offer enhanced passenger comfort and space while providing a lightweight, simple to manufacture design. Monocoque and semi-monocoque seat backs may form integral parts of passenger seats to support additional loads without need for heavy, complex structures. The space within the monocoque or semi-monocoque seat back may then be used for storage or suspension cushions that offer improved comfort with a lighter seat frame. Monocoque and semi-monocoque seat backs may also facilitate the adoption of several other seating mechanisms, such as new seat mounts that allow for improved seat motion that allows for passenger recline with reduced impingement on other passengers' space.

First claim

1 . A monocoque seat back comprising:
a forward panel, wherein the forward panel comprises a forward concave face and a forward convex face; an aft panel, wherein the aft panel comprises an aft concave face and an aft convex face; a forward panel mating perimeter; and an aft panel mating perimeter, wherein the forward panel mating perimeter comprises complementary geometry to the aft panel mating perimeter; wherein the forward panel mating perimeter is affixed to the aft panel mating perimeter such that the forward concave face and the aft concave face substantially enclose a volume.

2 . The monocoque seat back of claim 1 , wherein the forward panel mating perimeter and the aft panel mating perimeter form a butt joint.

3 . The monocoque seat back of claim 2 , further comprising a backing member, wherein the backing member reinforces the butt joint of the forward panel mating perimeter and the aft panel mating perimeter.

4 . The monocoque seat back of claim 1 , wherein the forward panel mating perimeter and the aft panel mating perimeter form a lap joint.

5 . The monocoque seat back of claim 1 , wherein the forward panel mating perimeter and the aft panel mating perimeter form a splice joint.

6 . The monocoque seat back of claim 1 , wherein the forward panel mating perimeter and the aft panel mating perimeter form a scarf joint.

7 . The monocoque seat back of claim 1 , further comprising an internal baffle.

8 . The monocoque seat back of claim 1 , further comprising an integrated stowage pocket.

9 . The monocoque seat back of claim 1 , further comprising at least one integrated armrest mounting point.

10 . The monocoque seat back of claim 1 , wherein the forward panel comprises a composite.

11 . The monocoque seat back of claim 10 , wherein the composite comprises carbon fiber.

12 . The monocoque seat back of claim 1 , wherein the aft panel comprises a composite.

13 . The monocoque seat back of claim 12 , wherein the composite comprises carbon fiber.

14 . The monocoque seat back of claim 1 , further comprising a foam fill within the volume.

15 . A monocoque seat back comprising:
a structural skin comprising exterior surface and an interior surface; the interior surface of the structural skin defining a substantially enclosed volume; and the exterior surface of the structural skin configured to provide the surface geometry of the monocoque seat back; wherein the structural skin substantially supports any loads imposed on the monocoque seat back.

16 . The monocoque seat back of claim 15 , wherein the structural skin comprises a composite.

17 . The monocoque seat back of claim 16 , wherein the composite comprises carbon fiber.

18 . The monocoque seat back of claim 15 , further comprising an internal baffle.

19 . The monocoque seat back of claim 15 , further comprising an integrated stowage pocket.

20 . The monocoque seat back of claim 15 , further comprising a foam fill within the substantially enclosed volume.

21 . The monocoque seat back of claim 15 , further comprising at least one integrated armrest mounting point.

22 .- 73 . (canceled)

74 . A passenger seat back comprising:
a monocoque structure comprising a forward panel, an aft panel, and a suspension cushion retaining member; a suspension cushion comprising a honeycomb cellular structure; wherein the forward panel comprises an aperture configured such that a person falling within the fifth to ninety-fifth statistical percentile for body size or shape is at least partially supported by the suspension cushion; and wherein the monocoque structure and the suspension cushion comprise a compound curve configured to support a passenger falling within the fifth to ninety-fifth statistical percentile for body size or shape.

Assignees

• Zodiac Seats Us Llc

Inventors

• Le Nguyen Tien Phuc
• Mansouri Reza
• Parker C Michael
• Sikorski Jeffrey L

Classifications

• B60N2/682

  Joining means · CPC title

• B64D11/0638

  with foldable tables, trays or cup holders · CPC title

• B60N3/004

  of foldable trays mounted on the back-rest · CPC title

• B60N2/686

  Panel like structures · CPC title

• B64D11/0649

  Seats characterised by special features for reducing weight · CPC title