End bay assembly with deployable step and deployable step constructions

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021053686-A1
Application number	US-201916545178-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 20, 2019
Priority date	Aug 20, 2019
Publication date	Feb 25, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A step assembly installable in a structure such as a housing of an armrest assembly, the step assembly including a base attachable to the structure including a mounting plate having a low profile and a fixed receptacle to be received in the structure, a step plate pivotally attached along a first end to the base along a lower end of the receptacle, the step plate pivotable between a stowed position in which the step plate is housed within the fixed receptacle and a deployed position in which the step plate is outside of the fixed receptacle, the step plate having a first side for supporting a foot, and a release mechanism for releasing the step plate from the stowed position to the deployed position. The step plate deployed for use and concealed from view between uses.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A step assembly, comprising:
a base attachable to a fixed assembly and including a mounting plate having a low profile and a fixed receptacle to be received in the fixed assembly; a step plate pivotally attached along a first end to the base along a lower end of the receptacle, the step plate pivotable between a stowed position in which the step plate is housed within the fixed receptacle and a deployed position in which the step plate is outside of the fixed receptacle, the step plate having a first side for supporting a foot; and a release mechanism for releasing the step plate from the stowed position to the deployed position.

2 . The step assembly of claim 1 , wherein the release mechanism comprises a clip retaining the step plate in the stowed position until released, the clip mounted in an upper end of the receptacle to engage a second end of the step plate in the stowed position, the clip user actuated to release the step plate from the stowed position.

3 . The step assembly of claim 2 , wherein the release mechanism comprises a user actuatable release button locatable along a side of the fixed assembly.

4 . The step assembly of claim 2 , wherein the release mechanism comprises a magnetic locking device releasable by a magnetic key.

5 . The step assembly of claim 2 , wherein the release mechanism comprises a pivoting lever pivotally attachable to the fixed assembly, the pivoting lever moveable between a latching position at which the second end of the step plate is retained by the clip when the step plate is pivoted upward to the stowed position and an unlatching position at which the step plate is released by the clip to pivot from the stowed position to the deployed position, wherein the pivoting lever automatically pivots to the latching position as the step plate is returned to the stowed position thereby automatically engaging the second end of the step plate with the clip.

6 . The step assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a ridge positioned along a second end of the step plate atop the first side.

7 . The step assembly of claim 1 , wherein movement of the step plate is spring biased toward at least one of the stowed and deployed positions.

8 . An armrest assembly, comprising:
a fixed housing; an armrest moveable relative to the fixed housing; and a step assembly attached to the fixed housing, the step assembly comprising:
i) a base attached to the fixed housing and including a mounting plate having a low profile and a fixed receptacle to be received in the fixed housing;
ii) a step plate pivotally attached along a first end to the base along a lower end of the receptacle, the step plate pivotable between a stowed position in which the step plate is housed within the fixed receptacle and a deployed position in which the step plate is outside of the fixed receptacle, the step plate having a first side for supporting a foot; and
iii) a release mechanism for releasing the step plate from the stowed position to the deployed position.

9 . The armrest assembly of claim 8 , wherein the fixed housing comprises a first side positionable facing an aisle, a second side positionable facing away from the aisle, a first end, and a second end, wherein the step assembly is attached to the first side or the first end.

10 . The armrest assembly of claim 8 , wherein the release mechanism comprises a clip retaining the step plate in the stowed position until released, the clip mounted in an upper end of the receptacle to engage a second end of the step plate in the stowed position, the clip user actuated to release the step plate from the stowed position.

11 . The armrest assembly of claim 10 , wherein the release mechanism comprises a user actuatable release button located the first side of the fixed housing.

12 . The armrest assembly of claim 10 , wherein the release mechanism comprises a magnetic locking device releasable by a magnetic key.

13 . The armrest assembly of claim 10 , wherein the release mechanism comprises a pivoting lever pivotally attached to the fixed housing, the pivoting lever moveable between a latching position at which the second end of the step plate is retained by the clip when the step plate is pivoted upward to the stowed position and an unlatching position at which the step plate is released by the clip to pivot from the stowed position to the deployed position, wherein the pivoting lever automatically pivots to the latching position as the step plate is returned to the stowed position thereby automatically engaging the second end of the step plate with the clip.

14 . The armrest assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a ridge positioned along a second end of the step plate atop the first side.

15 . The armrest assembly of claim 8 , wherein movement of the step plate is spring biased toward at least one of the stowed and deployed positions.

16 . The armrest assembly of claim 9 , wherein a first portion of the base is attached to the first side of the fixed housing, a second portion of the base wraps around a corner junction between the first side and the first end of the fixed housing, and a third portion of the base is attached to the first end of the fixed housing.

17 . A step assembly, comprising:
a base attachable to a fixed assembly, the base having a fixed receptacle to be received in the fixed assembly and a step provided along a lower end of the fixed receptacle; and a door pivotally attached along one end to the base along an upper end of the receptacle, the door pivotable between a closed position covering an opening to the receptable and concealing the step, and an open position within the receptacle and revealing the step, wherein the door is spring biased toward the closed position and moved to the open position by pressing the door toward the open position.

18 . The step assembly of claim 17 , further comprising a lock for locking the door in the closed position and a release mechanism for unlocking the lock.

19 . The step assembly of claim 17 , wherein the fixed assembly is an armrest assembly comprising a fixed housing and an armrest moveable relative to the fixed housing, the fixed housing having a first side positionable facing an aisle, a second side positionable facing away from the aisle, a first end, and a second end, wherein the step assembly is installed in the first side with the door facing the aisle.

20 . The step assembly of claim 19 , further comprising a release mechanism located in the first side for releasing the door to allow the door to be moved toward the open position.

Assignees

• Be Aerospace Inc

Inventors

• Puglisi Stephen A
• Udriste Daniel I
• Lin Horng Jaan
• Suhre Ryan J
• Kearns Jason M

Classifications

• B64D11/0644 Primary

  Adjustable arm rests · CPC title

• B64D11/0693 Primary

  Width modification of seat assemblies, e.g. for class modification · CPC title

• E06C1/005

  Ladders in use as furniture or ladders in relation to furniture, e.g. in cupboards (step-stools, chairs or benches requiring conversion between the step and seat functions A47C12/02) · CPC title

• B64D11/0648 Primary

  Lower frame constructions · CPC title