Abstract: Described are seating arrangements having at least one set of columns that include an aisle column of seating units positioned adjacent a wall column of seating units. The aisle column is positioned adjacent an aisle, and the wall column is positioned adjacent an exterior wall. Each seating unit has a bed position having a head end and a foot end, wherein at least a height-limited portion of the foot end is less than a delineating height that separates a lower portion of the aisle from a upper portion of the aisle. The seating units in the adjacent columns are longitudinally aligned and positioned adjacent one another, as well as being angled with respect to each other. The height-limited portion of the foot ends in the aisle column is positioned adjacent the aisle, and the height-limited portion of the foot ends in the wall column is positioned within a concave portion of the exterior wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a divider screen assembly for an aircraft seating arrangement, the divider screen assembly comprising a divider screen moveable between a lower height in a stowed configuration, and an upper height in a deployed configuration, a first actuation mechanism being actuable to allow movement of the divider screen between the upper height and an intermediate height in between the upper height and the lower height, a second actuation mechanism being actuable to allow movement of the divider screen between the intermediate height and the lower height, wherein the second actuation mechanism is actuable only when the screen has been lowered to the intermediate height. The present invention also provides an aircraft accommodation arrangement, a method of stowing a divider screen and a method of deploying a divider screen.

Abstract: A passenger seat (10) with a sitting area (40), a side ottoman (42), an open space (44) that may be enclosed via use of a bed extension (50), and a backrest (14). The backrest may be divided into an upper portion and a lower portion. The seat may also be provided with one or more storage areas and/or a side console.

Abstract: Described are passenger seat headrest assemblies and seats including headrest assemblies having a semi-rigid flap fixedly connected with an upper portion of the seat back or headrest assembly at a first location and movably connected with the seat back or headrest assembly at a receiving element separated from the first location. The distance of the movable connection from the first location can be adjusted to cause the flexible headrest assembly to flex outward from the seat to provide a greater or lesser degree of support for a passenger.

Abstract: A passenger seat voice communication system (100) for a passenger seat of a passenger vehicle includes a first communication device (102A) that supports voice communication. The first communication (102A) device includes a receiver (108) and a video monitor (110). The system includes a second communication device (102B) configured to support voice communication at a second passenger seat. The system also includes a controller (104) that receives from the first communication device (102A) a selection and request to establish voice communication with the second passenger seat, and sends the request to the second communication device (102B). If the request is accepted by the second communication device (102B), the controller (104) establishes voice communication between the first communication device (102A) and the second communication device (102B).

Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly for a passenger seat that includes a crushable energy absorbing element for safely capturing kinetic energy during an impact event. The energy absorbing assembly comprises a linkage which is mechanically connected with moving parts of the seat back or seat pan by a first attachment element and a second attachment element, and the linkage includes an extended portion that extends beyond one of the attachment elements. A crushable energy absorbing element is mounted around the extended portion of the linkage and connected thereto, so that the crushable energy absorbing element receives and absorbs energy by deformation when the seat back is pushed forward with sufficiently high energy.

Abstract: Described are examples of a seating arrangement for an aircraft with a first seat in a first accommodation space and a second seat in a second accommodation space, wherein the first and second accommodation spaces are configured to share a common floor space at a floor level of the aircraft. One seating arrangement includes a divider screen located between the first and second accommodation spaces, moveable, by sliding in a direction along the common floor space, between a stowed position permitting passenger egress between the first and second accommodation spaces across the common floor space, and a deployed position preventing passenger egress between the first and second accommodation spaces across the common floor space.

Abstract: A passenger seat assembly includes a seat support and an immobile seat shell mounted on the seat support. The seat shell can include a bench and a backrest. The bench includes a forward edge, an aft edge, and a top surface extending between the forward edge and the aft edge. The backrest can be connected to the aft edge of the bench and can extend in an upward direction from the top surface of the bench. In some cases, the backrest includes an upright portion connected to the bench and angled at a first angle with respect to the top surface of the bench, and a resting portion connected to the bench and angled at a second angle with respect to the top surface of the bench.

Abstract: A passenger seat headrest includes a frame and a support band. The frame includes a main portion, a first side wing connected to the main portion, and a second side wing connected to the main portion distal from the first side wing. The support band is connected to the frame and extends from the first side wing to the second side wing.

Abstract: Seat assemblies (200) including structural components (212, 222, 232) made of foam are described. A seat sub-assembly (210, 220, 230) can include a frame (214, 224, 234) and a foam support (212, 222, 232). The foam support (212, 222, 232) can be coupled to the frame (214, 224, 234) for receiving a load on the seat sub-assembly (210, 220, 230), dissipating at least half of the load, and dispersing the load through the frame (214, 224, 234).

Abstract: A variable section bench for a vehicle seat includes: an upper layer, a middle layer, and a lower layer. The variable section bench also includes at least one frame interface portion comprising a fore-aft section, at least one cantilevered portion comprising a fore-aft section, and a seating surface that extends along a full length of the vehicle seat in a lateral direction for a plurality of passengers. The at least one frame interface portion of the variable section bench includes increased thickness compared to the at least one cantilevered portion.

Abstract: Passenger seat assemblies including thermoelectric devices are described herein. An example passenger seat assembly may include a seat shell configured to receive a passenger seat. The seat shell (20) may include a plurality of surfaces. The passenger seat assembly may also include a thermoelectric device (78) disposed below or within at least one of the surfaces to define a thermal zone. The thermoelectric device may include a first side and a second side. The first side may be adjacent to the at least one surface. The thermoelectric device may be configured such that application of a first current having a first polarity causes a temperature of the thermal zone to increase, and application of a second current having a second polarity causes the temperature of the thermal zone to decrease.

Abstract: A passenger seat with a recliner sofa system includes a passenger seatback with a seatback frame and a seatback cushion. The seatback cushion is rotatable relative to the seatback frame between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. In some examples, in the deployed configuration, the seatback cushion extends through the seatback frame. In various examples, in the deployed configuration, the seatback cushion of a forward passenger seat abuts a seat base of an aft passenger seat. In certain examples, a method of reclining a passenger seat with a recliner sofa system includes rotating a seatback cushion of a seatback of a passenger seat relative to a seatback frame of the seatback of the passenger seat, and positioning the seatback cushion relative to the seatback frame such that a portion of the seatback cushion extends through the seatback frame.

Abstract: The invention relates mainly to a seat comprising a backrest carrying on a rear face side a tray table that can be moved between a deployed position and a stowed position, said tray table comprising a latch that can be moved between an unlocked position and a locked position, characterized in that said tray table further comprises a locking system configured to hold the tray table in a stowed position following the deformation of said seat during an impact.

Abstract: Described are headrests with a structural support surface and a torque hinge. The torque hinge includes a rotatable portion, a ball joint, and a plate assembly. The ball joint has a ball portion connected to a shaft. The ball portion is positioned within the rotatable portion, and the plate assembly is fitted over the shaft. The shaft is coupled to the structural support surface, and the plate assembly limits a rotational arc of the rotatable portion relative to the shaft.

Abstract: A boarding guidance system includes a beacon (202A) associated with a passenger seat (400A). The beacon is configured to communicate (506) with a passenger guiding device (102) and determine a distance between the passenger guiding device and the passenger seat. When the passenger guiding device is a predetermined distance from the passenger seat, the beacon provides an indication. The beacon further alter at least one characteristic of the indication based on the distance between the passenger guiding device and the passenger seat.

Abstract: Described are thermoplastic composite parts (30, 110) made up of resin-based fiber composites for use in aircraft furnishings. The thermoplastic composite parts (30, 110) can be formed into various shapes including bends so as to be suitable for replacing heavier sheet-metal components (100), particularly in aircraft furnishings.

Abstract: Described are mounting assemblies for securing aircraft passenger seats, including a beam, an adaptor, and fasteners. The beam can include holes spaced along a flat upper surface. The adaptor can be supported by the beam and include a channel, a bottom thickness, and apertures extending through the bottom thickness. The fasteners can extend through the adaptor's apertures and the beam's holes to secure the adaptor to the beam. The adaptor can receive a fitting of a passenger seat in the channel to secure the passenger seat relative to the beam.