Tray table tuning mechanism for passenger seat

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023073445-A1
Application number	US-202117466885-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 3, 2021
Priority date	Sep 3, 2021
Publication date	Mar 9, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

Described are tray table tuning mechanisms for a passenger seat. The tray table tuning mechanisms can include a pivot limiting member, a paddle arm deployment member, an adjustment plate, and a paddle arm. The paddle arm deployment member and the adjustment plate may be pivoted relative to the pivot limiting member. The paddle arm can include at least one stop member and may be pivotably coupled to the paddle arm deployment member. Additionally, the paddle arm may be pivoted between a stowed state and a deployed state. In the deployed state, the stop member can abut a portion of the adjustment plate to limit rotation of the paddle arm deployment member in a first direction.

First claim

1 . A tray table tuning mechanism comprising:
a pivot limiting member; a paddle arm deployment member pivotable relative to the pivot limiting member; an adjustment plate pivotable relative to the pivot limiting member; and a paddle arm pivotably coupled to the paddle arm deployment member, pivotable between a stowed state and a deployed state, and comprising at least one stop member; wherein, in the deployed state, the at least one stop member abuts a portion of the adjustment plate to limit rotation of the paddle arm deployment member in a first direction; and wherein the pivot limiting member comprises at least one of a first screw that limits a maximum rotation of the paddle arm deployment member, a second screw that limits a maximum rotation of the adjustment plate, or a third screw that limits a maximum rotation of the paddle arm.

2 . The tray table tuning mechanism of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the paddle arm deployment member or the adjustment plate is pivotable about a first axis.

3 . The tray table tuning mechanism of claim 2 , wherein the paddle arm is pivotable about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

4 . The tray table tuning mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment plate comprises at least one slot and the paddle arm deployment member comprises at least one slot member extending from the paddle arm deployment member and at least partially through the at least one slot.

5 . The tray table tuning mechanism of claim 4 , wherein the at least one slot member is moveable along the at least one slot as the paddle arm deployment member pivots.

6 . (canceled)

7 . The tray table tuning mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the third screw determines an angle of deployment of the paddle arm.

8 . The tray table tuning mechanism of claim 1 , wherein, in the deployed state, the at least one stop member also abuts a portion of the pivot limiting member to limit rotation of the paddle arm in a second direction.

9 . A method for using a tray table tuning mechanism comprising a pivot limiting member, a paddle arm deployment member, an adjustment plate, and a paddle arm, the method comprising:
rotating the paddle arm deployment member relative to the adjustment plate; and rotating the paddle arm relative to the paddle arm deployment member to a deployed state; wherein, in the deployed state, at least one stop member extending from the paddle arm abuts a portion of the adjustment plate to limit rotation of the paddle arm deployment member in a first direction; and wherein at least one of a maximum rotation of the paddle arm deployment member is determined by a first screw extending from the pivot limiting member, a maximum rotation of the adjustment plate is determined by a second screw extending from the pivot limiting member, or a maximum rotation of the paddle arm is determined by a third screw extending from the pivot limiting member.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein, in the deployed state, the at least one stop member extending from the paddle arm also abuts a portion of the pivot limiting member to limit rotation of the paddle arm in a second direction.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein rotating the paddle arm deployment member comprises rotating the paddle arm deployment member about a first axis and rotating the paddle arm comprises rotating the paddle arm about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein rotating the paddle arm deployment member comprises moving at least one slot member extending from the paddle arm deployment member and at least partially through at least one slot defined by the adjustment plate.

13 . (canceled)

14 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising rotating the adjustment plate.

15 . (canceled)

16 . A passenger seat comprising:
an arm rest; and a tray table tuning mechanism coupled to the arm rest, the tray table tuning mechanism comprising:
a pivot limiting member;
a paddle arm deployment member pivotable relative to the pivot limiting member;
an adjustment plate pivotable relative to the pivot limiting member; and
a paddle arm pivotably coupled to the paddle arm deployment member, pivotable between a stowed state and a deployed state, and comprising at least one stop member;
wherein, in the deployed state, the at least one stop member abuts a portion of the adjustment plate to limit rotation of the paddle arm deployment member in a first direction; and
wherein the pivot limiting member comprises at least one of a first screw that limits a maximum rotation of the paddle arm deployment member, a second screw that limits a maximum rotation of the adjustment plate, or a third screw that limits a maximum rotation of the paddle arm.

17 . The passenger seat of claim 16 , wherein the pivot limiting member is fixed relative to the arm rest.

18 . The passenger seat of claim 16 , wherein:
at least one of the paddle arm deployment member or the adjustment plate is pivotable about a first axis; and the paddle arm is pivotable about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

19 . The passenger seat of claim 16 , wherein:
the adjustment plate comprises at least one slot and the paddle arm deployment member comprises at least one slot member extending from the paddle arm deployment member and at least partially through the at least one slot; and the at least one slot member is moveable along the at least one slot as the paddle arm deployment member pivots.

20 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Safran Seats Usa Llc

Inventors

• Newbold Tyler

Classifications

• B60N3/002 Primary

  of trays · CPC title

• B64D11/0638

  with foldable tables, trays or cup holders · CPC title

• B61D37/00

  Other furniture or furnishings · CPC title