Modular monocoque backrest

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9868374-B2
Application number	US-201615074797-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 18, 2016
Priority date	Mar 18, 2016
Publication date	Jan 16, 2018
Grant date	Jan 16, 2018

Abstract

A modular monocoque backrest is provided. The modular monocoque backrest may comprise a front shroud, a back shroud, and an at least one back spar. The front shroud may be coupled to the back shroud, and the back spar may be configured as a mounting point, enabling the modular monocoque backrest to mount to an aircraft floor. The front shroud and the back shroud may comprise a carbon fiber composite material, allowing the modular monocoque backrest to be modular in nature. The carbon fiber composite material may enable the modular monocoque backrest to have a lightweight design while also maintaining resistance to dynamic crash loads.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A seat backrest, comprising:
a front shroud formed from a first molded carbon fiber composite material and comprising upper and lower lumbar support mounting brackets, each bracket comprising a pocket that is elongate in a width direction, protrudes rearwardly of a rear face of the front shroud, opens forwardly through a front face of the front shroud, and is formed as one-piece with the front shroud;
a back shroud coupled to the front shroud and formed from a second molded carbon fiber composite material;
an at least one back spar disposed between and coupled to the front shroud and the back shroud, wherein the at least one back spar extends in a direction away from the front shroud and the back shroud, and a lumbar support mechanism coupled to the front face of the front shroud via the lumbar support mounting brackets.

2. The seat backrest of claim 1 , further comprising a headrest bracket coupled at a first end to the back shroud and coupled at a second end to the front shroud.

3. The seat backrest of claim 1 , further comprising a restraint exit coupled to the back shroud, wherein the restraint exit defines a void on the back shroud, and wherein the void is configured to allow passage of a shoulder restraint belt.

4. The seat backrest of claim 3 , further comprising a restraint inertia reel coupled to the back shroud, wherein the restraint inertia reel is configured to deploy and retract the shoulder restraint belt through the restraint exit.

5. The seat backrest of claim 3 , wherein the restraint exit comprises a restraint support having a top surface opposite of a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is coupled to the back shroud, and wherein a restraint bezel is coupled to the top surface.

6. The seat backrest of claim 3 , wherein the restraint exit comprises the second carbon fiber composite material, and wherein the restraint exit is molded with the back shroud such that the back shroud and the restraint exit comprise a single continuous part.

7. The seat backrest of claim 1 , wherein the at least one back spar comprises an aluminum material.

8. The seat backrest of claim 7 , wherein the at least one back spar comprises a plurality of cross bracings.

9. A modular monocoque backrest, comprising:
a front shroud having a cushion support surface opposite of a first connecting surface, the front shroud comprising upper and lower lumbar support mounting brackets, each bracket comprising a pocket that is elongate in a width direction, protrudes rearwardly of the first connecting surface of the front shroud, opens forwardly through the cushion support surface of the front shroud, and is formed as one-piece with the front shroud, wherein the front shroud comprises a first carbon fiber composite material;
a back shroud having a second connecting surface opposite of a back surface, wherein the back shroud comprises a second carbon fiber composite material, and wherein the second connecting surface of the back shroud is integrally coupled to the first connecting surface of the front shroud such that the front shroud and the back shroud form a single integrated object;
an at least one back spar having a top end opposite of a bottom end, wherein the top end comprises first and second edges and is coupled at the first edge to the first connecting surface of the front shroud and coupled at the second edge to the second connecting surface of the back shroud, and wherein the bottom end extends in a direction away from the front shroud and the back shroud; and a lumbar support mechanism coupled to the cushion support surface of the front shroud via the lumbar support mounting brackets.

10. The modular monocoque backrest of claim 9 , further comprising a headrest bracket comprising first and second ends, the headrest bracket coupled at the first end to the second connecting surface of the back shroud and coupled at the second end to the first connecting surface of the front shroud.

11. The modular monocoque backrest of claim 9 , further comprising a restraint exit coupled to a top of the back shroud, wherein the restraint exit defines a void on the top of the back shroud, configured to allow passage of a shoulder restraint belt.

12. The modular monocoque backrest of claim 11 , further comprising a restraint inertia reel coupled to the second connecting surface of the back shroud, wherein the restraint inertia reel is configured to deploy and retract the shoulder restraint belt through the restraint exit.

13. The modular monocoque backrest of claim 11 , wherein the restraint exit comprises a restraint support coupled to the top of the back shroud, and a restraint bezel coupled to the top of the restraint support.

14. The modular monocoque backrest of claim 11 , wherein the restraint exit comprises the second carbon fiber composite material, and wherein the restraint exit is molded with the back shroud such that the back shroud and the restraint exit comprise a single continuous part.

15. The modular monocoque backrest of claim 9 , wherein the at least one back spar comprises an aluminum material.

16. The modular monocoque backrest of claim 15 , wherein the at least one back spar comprises a plurality of cross bracings.

Assignees

• Ami Ind Inc

Inventors

• Ferguson Keith M
• Hoover Douglas E

Classifications

• B64D11/0649 Primary

  Seats characterised by special features for reducing weight · CPC title

• B64D11/0647

  Seats characterised by special upholstery or cushioning features · CPC title

• B64D11/062

  Belts or other passenger restraint means for passenger seats · CPC title

• B60N2/64 Primary

  Back-rests {or cushions (B60N2/2222 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60N2/22

  the back-rest being adjustable {(B60N2/2878 takes precedence)} · CPC title