Modular seat

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019071182-A1
Application number	US-201816055339-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 6, 2018
Priority date	Sep 5, 2017
Publication date	Mar 7, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

Disclosed is a modular seat for aircraft. The system has a frame that is able to be interconnected with other frames laterally. Since each lateral frame has the same pivot points (when viewed from the side), the linked seats rotate together. The seats also include buckle lugs which enable a particular seat to be used on either side of the aircraft.

First claim

1 . A system comprising:
a first seat frame and a second seat frame each including a base which is configured to be selectively securable to an aircraft floor; a removable common linking member spanning across and fixed to each of the first and second frames; the first and second frames being configured to move together between a first mode and a second mode upon the administration of a force applied to only the first frame, the linking member causing the second frame to move in concert with the first frame when transitioning between the first and second modes.

2 . The system of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second frames include a translatable seat portion supported by each base, and the common linking member is secured across the front of each of the translatable seat portions for the first and second frames.

3 . The system of claim 2 wherein the common linking member is a bar that is receivable into receptacles formed into each of the first and second translatable seat portions, the bar, when secured, causing the seat portions to solely connect the first and second frame members.

4 . The system of claim 2 wherein the first translatable seat portion includes a release system comprising:
a handle mechanically connected to a pin, actuation of the handle resulting in the pin being unseated from an aperture created in the first seat base enabling a forward translation of the first translatable seat portion.

5 . The system of claim 4 wherein the first and second seat portions each have a glide-guiding arrangement comprising front and rear glide tracks created between the first and second seat portions and first and second frames respectively, the glide-guiding arrangement terminating forward movement of the first and second seat portions using one of a forward track end and a rear track end.

6 . The system of claim 2 , wherein each of the first and second frames have a seat back, the seat back comprising:
an upper pair of laterally opposed seat-back beams interconnected by some transversely-extending members; a lower pair of laterally opposed seat-back beams interconnected by other transversely-extending members, a lower portion of each of the lower beams being pivotally connected to a rear portion of the translatable seat portion; a first pair of laterally opposed arms together presenting: (i) a first pivot point at a back upper fixed point on the chair base; (ii) a second pivot point near a middle area of each lower beam; and (iii) a third pivot point at a lower portion of the upper beams; and a second pair of laterally opposed arms creating a lower pivot between an upper portion of each of the upper beam members, and an upper pivot between an upper portion of the upper beam and an upper portion of the lower beam.

7 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first mode enables the first and second frames to support one or more cushions in a seating position, and the second mode enables the first and second frames to support the one or more cushions such that they present a substantially horizontal resting surface for a bed.

8 . A seat for aircraft, the seat comprising:
a frame removably attachable from a floor of the aircraft; a first set of seat belt lugs on the frame, each including an aperture, the apertures configured to receive the pins of a set of seat belts; a second set of seat belt lugs on the frame, each including an aperture for receiving the set of seat belts; the first set of seat belt lugs being oriented at a first angle accommodating the use of the set of seat belts when the seat is installed on a first side of the aircraft, and the second set of seat belt lugs being oriented at a second angle accommodating the set of seat belts when the seat is installed on a second side of the aircraft.

9 . The seat of claim 8 wherein the seat is transformable between a first upright mode and a second collapsed bed mode.

10 . The seat of claim 9 wherein the lugs are located such that when the seat is transformed into bed mode an attached seat-belt set is stowable underneath a cushion system existing above the frame.

11 . A system for supporting an aircraft occupant, the system including a frame, the frame being convertible from an upright seat mode into a bed mode, the frame comprising:
a base which is configured to be secured to an aircraft floor; a translatable seat portion configured to be moved in and out; and a seat back portion mechanically connected to the translatable seat portion and configured to collapse on a plurality of hinge points when the translatable seat portion is moved out.

12 . The system of claim 11 comprising:
a linking member which, when installed, spans between and connects the frame to a second substantially similar frame.

13 . The system of claim 12 wherein the frame and the substantially similar frame are both actuated by a release system coupled with an administration of a force applied to the translatable seat portion of one of the frame and the substantially similar frame.

14 . The system of claim 13 , and the linking member, after actuating the release system, causes the substantially similar frame to move in concert with the first frame when transitioning between the seat and bed modes.

15 . The system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of hinge points of the frame are substantially axially in line with the plurality of hinge points of the substantially similar frame, allowing the frame and substantially similar frame to move together in a cross sectional frame.

16 . The system of claim 12 wherein each of the frame and substantially similar frame have a seat back, the seat back comprising:
an upper pair of laterally opposed seat-back beams interconnected by some transversely-extending members;
a lower pair of laterally opposed seat-back beams interconnected by other transversely-extending members, a lower portion of each of the lower beams being pivotally connected to a rear portion of the translatable seat portion;
a first pair of laterally opposed arms together presenting: (i) a first pivot point at a back upper fixed point on the chair base; (ii) a second pivot point near a middle area of each lower beam; and (iii) a third pivot point at a lower portion of the upper beams; and
a second pair of laterally opposed arms creating a lower pivot between an upper portion of each of the upper beam members, and an upper pivot between an upper portion of the upper beam and an upper portion of the lower beam.

17 . The system of claim 11 , the frame configured to, when introduced into bed mode, support a cushion arrangement such that a substantially horizontal resting area is presented.

Assignees

• Textron Aviation Inc

Inventors

• Ward Barry John

Classifications

• A47C17/16

  {Seating furniture} changeable to beds by tilting or pivoting the back-rest · CPC title

• A47C17/34

  Joining seats, chairs, or couches to form beds · CPC title

• B64D11/0639

  with features for adjustment or converting of seats · CPC title

• B64D2011/0076

  for crew members, e.g. for sleeping during flight · CPC title

• A47C11/005

  having multiple separate seats · CPC title