Seat Assembly Using J-Track Seats

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018290751-A1
Application number	US-201715484724-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 11, 2017
Priority date	Apr 11, 2017
Publication date	Oct 11, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present invention includes a movable seat assembly for a vehicle, comprising: first and second predetermined paths located on the floor of the vehicle, each path having an operational location at a first end and an ingress/egress location at a second end, the paths having a substantially straight portion and a curved portion; a seat slidably connected to the paths and capable of translation between the first and the second position; two or more openings on the floor of the vehicle on or about the first and second predetermined paths that provide a locking position for the seat, wherein the two or more opening are connected via a conduit below the surface of the floor; and at least one locking pin/plunger connected to the seat and capable of engaging the two or more openings to lock the seat in place along the first and second predetermined paths.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A moveable seat assembly comprising:
first and second predetermined paths located on a floor of a vehicle, each path having an operational location at a first end and an ingress/egress location at a second end, the first and second predetermined paths having a substantially straight portion and a curved portion; a seat slidably connected to the first and second predetermined paths and capable of translation between the first and second end; two or more openings on the floor of the vehicle on or about the first and second predetermined paths that provide a locking position for the seat, wherein the two or more openings are connected via a conduit below a surface of the floor; and at least one locking pin/plunger connected to the seat and capable of engaging the two or more openings to lock the seat in place at the first end.

2 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 1 , wherein the seat is coupled to the first and second predetermined paths by a plurality of couplers, free orientation type couplers, or limited rotation type couplers.

3 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 1 , wherein the locking pin/plunger is selectively operated by a handle connected to the locking pin/plunger, wherein the handle is located below the seat, adjacent the seat, above the seat, on a side of the seat or a seat back, on arm rests of the seat, or behind the seat.

4 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a travel assistance mechanism to assist in translating the seat between the operational location and the ingress/egress location.

5 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 1 , wherein the locking pin/plunger is selected from the group consisting of: a mechanical mechanism, a spring-type mechanism, an electric mechanism, a hydraulic mechanism, a pneumatic mechanism, a magnetic mechanism, an electro-hydraulic mechanism, an electro-pneumatic mechanism, or an electro-magnetic mechanism.

6 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a positive catch is positioned to releasably restrain the seat at the ingress/egress location.

7 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 1 , further comprising two or more glides or wear plates that at least one of: support at least part of a weight of the seat to reduce wear on the first and second predetermined paths or add stability to the seat while traveling along the predetermined path.

8 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 1 , further comprising one or more bumpers or catches attached to the floor that at least one of: prevent derailment of the seat on the first and second predetermined paths at a transition between the substantially straight portion and a curved portion, or an ingress/egress striker catch that stabilizes the seat at the ingress/egress location.

9 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a scuff plate that extends around at least one edge of the floor adjacent the seat to prevent damage to the floor during operation of the vehicle or during ingress/egress form the seat.

10 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 1 , wherein the conduit is removable.

11 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 1 , wherein the locking pin/plunger further comprises indicia that show if the locking pin/plunger is in a locked or an unlocked position.

12 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 1 , wherein the locking pin/plunger is spring-loaded, and the locking pin/plunger is operated with a Bowden cable or push-pull-rod.

13 . A rotorcraft comprising a moveable seat assembly comprising:
an operator cabin having a floor; and a mounting plate for a seat comprising: first and second predetermined paths located on the floor of the rotorcraft, each path having an operational location at a first end and an ingress/egress location at a second end, the first and second predetermined paths having a substantially straight portion and a curved portion; the seat slidably connected to the first and second predetermined paths and capable of translation between a first and a second position; two or more openings on the floor of the rotorcraft on or about the first and second predetermined paths that provide a locking position for the seat, wherein the two or more opening are connected via a conduit below a surface of the floor; and at least one locking pin/plunger connected to the seat and capable of engaging the two or more openings to lock the seat in place along the first and second predetermined paths.

14 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 13 , wherein the locking pin/plunger is selectively operated by a handle connected to the locking pin/plunger, wherein the handle is located below the seat, a location adjacent the seat, a location above the seat, a location on a side of the seat or a seat back, on arm rests of the seat, or a location behind each seat.

15 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 13 , further comprising a travel assistance mechanism to assist in translating the seat between the operational location and the ingress/egress location.

16 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 13 , wherein the locking pin/plunger is selected from the group consisting of: a mechanical mechanism, a spring-type mechanism, an electric mechanism, a hydraulic mechanism, a pneumatic mechanism, a magnetic mechanism, an electro-hydraulic mechanism, an electro-pneumatic mechanism, or an electro-magnetic mechanism.

17 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 13 , further comprising a positive catch is positioned to releasably restrain the seat at the ingress/egress location.

18 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 13 , further comprising two or more glides or wear plates that at least one of: support at least part of a weight of the seat to reduce wear on the first and second predetermined paths or add stability to the seat while traveling along the predetermined path.

19 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 13 , further comprising one or more bumpers or catches attached to the floor that at least one of: prevent derailment of the seat on the first and second predetermined paths at a transition between the substantially straight portion and a curved portion, or an ingress/egress striker catch that stabilizes the seat at the ingress/egress location.

20 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 13 , further comprising a scuff plate that extends around at least one edge of the floor adjacent the seat to prevent damage to the floor during operation of the rotorcraft or during ingress/egress form the seat.

21 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 13 , wherein the conduit is removable.

22 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 13 , wherein the locking pin/plunger further comprises indicia that shows if the locking pin/plunger is in a locked or an unlocked position, wherein the locking pin/plunger.

23 . The moveable seat assembly of claim 13 , wherein the locking pin/plunger is spring-loaded, and the locking pin/plunger is operated with a Bowden cable or push-pull-rod.

24 . A kit for a moveable seat assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a mounting plate for a seat comprising: first and second predetermined paths located on a floor of the vehicle, each path having an operational location at a first end and an ingress/egress location at a second end, the first and second predetermined paths having a substantially straight portion and a curved portion; two or more openings on the floor of the vehicle on or about the first and second predetermined paths that pr

Assignees

• Bell Helicopter Textron Inc

Inventors

• Emrich Joshua Andrew
• Noiseux Boucher Guillaume

Classifications

• B64D11/0689

  specially adapted for pilots · CPC title

• B60N2/01525

  with locking elements expanding inside or under the vehicle floor or rail · CPC title

• B60N2/14 Primary

  rotatable, e.g. to permit easy access (B60N2/10 {, B60N2/2869} take precedence) · CPC title

• B64D11/0696

  Means for fastening seats to floors, e.g. to floor rails · CPC title

• B64D11/064 Primary

  Adjustable inclination or position of seats · CPC title