Vehicle armrest with cup holder

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019210732-A1
Application number	US-201815864432-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 8, 2018
Priority date	Jan 8, 2018
Publication date	Jul 11, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

An armrest with cup holder for a vehicle seat that includes an elongate armrest can of the armrest adapted to be carried by the seat. An elongate storage area is formed in the armrest can, and the cup holder is mounted for movement along a longitudinal axis of the armrest between a stowed position within the storage area of the armrest can and a deployed position forward of and to the exterior of the armrest. When stowed, the cup holder is positioned fully within the armrest can. The tray table of the seat can therefore be used for purposes other than supporting a beverage container, and can be used when the tray table is stowed.

First claim

We claim:

1 . An armrest with cup holder, comprising:
(a) an elongate armrest can adapted to be carried by the seat; (b) an elongate storage area formed in the armrest can; and (c) the cup holder mounted for movement along a longitudinal axis of the armrest between a stowed position within the storage area of the armrest can and a deployed position forward of and to the exterior of the armrest.

2 . An armrest according to claim 1 , wherein the cup holder includes a stationary arm fixed in orientation to the longitudinal axis of the armrest and a pivot arm mounted for lateral movement relative to the stationary arm to form a space within which a cup is adapted to be held by the stationary arm and the pivot arm.

3 . An armrest according to claim 2 , wherein the stationary arm and pivot arm of the cup holder in the deployed position collectively define a width greater than a width of the armrest.

4 . An armrest according to claim 2 , wherein the stationary arm and the pivot arm in, the deployed position define an arcuate segment.

5 . An armrest according to claim 2 , wherein the stationary arm is mounted on a rail positioned in the armrest can, and that moves relative to the armrest between the stowed position and deployed position.

6 . An armrest according to claim 2 , and including a latch mounted in the armrest can for retaining the cup holder in the armrest when in the stowed position.

7 . An armrest according to claim 6 , wherein the latch includes a push-to-release switch for releasing the cup holder from the stowed position when the push-to-release switch is pushed.

8 . An armrest according to claim 7 , wherein the push-to-release switch is actuated by pushing a forward edge of the stationary arm inwardly from a position flush with a forward surface of the armrest.

9 . An armrest according to claim 6 , wherein the latch includes a magnet mounted in the armrest can for retaining the cup holder in the stowed position.

10 . An armrest according to claim 2 , wherein the pivot arm is mounted on the stationary arm for pivoting movement relative to the stationary arm, and includes a spring connecting the stationary arm and pivot arm for pivoting the pivot arm laterally away from the stationary arm to define the space between the stationary arm and the pivot arm.

11 . An armrest with cup holder for a vehicle seat, comprising:
(a) an elongate armrest can adapted to be carried by the seat; (b) an elongate storage area formed in the armrest can; and (c) the cup holder mounted for movement along a longitudinal axis of the armrest between a stowed position within the storage area of the armrest can and a deployed position forward of and to the exterior of the armrest, the cup holder including a stationary arm fixed in orientation to the longitudinal axis of the armrest and a pivot arm mounted for lateral movement relative to the stationary arm to form a space within which a cup is adapted to be held by the stationary arm and the pivot arm when in the deployed position.

12 . An armrest according to claim 11 , wherein the stationary arm and the pivot arm of the cup holder in the deployed position collectively define an arcuate segment with a width greater than a width of the armrest.

13 . An armrest according to claim 11 , wherein the stationary arm is mounted on a rail positioned in the armrest can that moves relative to the armrest can between the stowed position and deployed position and includes a latch mounted in the armrest can for retaining the cup holder in the armrest when in the stowed position.

14 . An armrest according to claim 13 , wherein the latch includes a push-to-release switch actuated by pushing a forward edge of the stationary arm inwardly from a position flush with a forward surface of the armrest can.

15 . An armrest according to claim 13 , wherein the latch includes a magnet mounted in the armrest can for retaining the cup holder in the stowed position.

16 . An armrest according to claim 11 , wherein the pivot arm is mounted on the stationary arm for pivoting movement relative to the stationary arm, and including a spring connecting the stationary arm and pivot arm for pivoting the pivot arm laterally away from the stationary arm to define the cup-holding space between the stationary arm and the pivot arm.

17 . An aircraft passenger seat, comprising:
(a) a seat base for attaching the seat to an aircraft deck; (b) a seat frame mounted on the seat base, and a seat pan and seat back mounted on the seat frame; and (c) at least one armrest mounted on the seat frame, and including a cup holder for passenger use, comprising:
(i) an elongate armrest can adapted to be carried by the seat;
(ii) an elongate storage area formed in the armrest can; and
(iii) the cup holder mounted for movement along a longitudinal axis of the armrest between a stowed position within the storage area of the armrest can and a deployed position forward of and to the exterior of the armrest.

18 . An aircraft passenger seat according to claim 17 , the cup holder including a stationary arm fixed in orientation to the longitudinal axis of the armrest and a pivot arm mounted for lateral movement relative to the stationary arm to form a space within which a cup is adapted to be held by the stationary arm and the pivot arm.

19 . An aircraft passenger seat wherein the stationary arm is mounted on a rail that is positioned in the armrest can and moves relative to the armrest between the stowed position and deployed position and includes a latch mounted in the armrest can for retaining the cup holder in the armrest when in the stowed position.

20 . An aircraft passenger seat according to claim 19 , wherein the latch includes a push-to-release switch actuated by pushing a forward edge of the stationary arm inwardly from a position flush with a forward surface of the armrest.

Assignees

• Be Aerospace Inc

Inventors

• Green John E
• Crumpler Thomas C
• Greninger Matthew T

Classifications

• B60N3/102

  storable or foldable in a non-use position · CPC title

• B64D11/0638 Primary

  with foldable tables, trays or cup holders · CPC title

• A47C7/624

  located on side of seat, e.g. on armrest · CPC title

• B60N2/79

  Adaptations for additional use of the arm-rests · CPC title

• B64D11/0644

  Adjustable arm rests · CPC title