Patents Assigned to Safran Seats USA LLC
  • Publication number: 20200070691
    Abstract: A passenger seat having improved backrest comfort features. The passenger seat has a backrest with a movable portion. In one example, the movable portion is defined by an upper backrest portion that can slide up and away from a lower backrest portion to provide a gap between the two portions. The gap 5 may provide an arm or elbow rest for a seat occupant. The movability of the backrest can also provide enhanced comfort for the seat occupant by allowing adjustability of the head rest portion. In other examples, the movable portion comprises the entire backrest of the seat. When in a raised position, the backrest may also provide enhanced privacy to the seat occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Arthur K. Glain, Victor Carlioz
  • Patent number: 10576856
    Abstract: Passenger seat assemblies including net backrests are described. An example passenger seat assembly can include a lower frame (14) configured to support a seat bottom (36) of the passenger seat. The passenger seat assembly can also include a backrest frame (18) attached to the lower frame (14) and configured to support a backrest assembly. The backrest assembly can include a backplate (16) disposed adjacent an aft side of the backrest frame (18). The backrest assembly can also include a net material (22) attached to the backplate (16) at a first attachment location (46a) on an aft surface of the backplate (16), extending around a forward side of the backrest frame (18), and attached to the backplate (16) at a second attachment location (46b) on the aft surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Paulien Klap, Odette Elise van Meurs, Thomas Emanuel Frans Schalkwijk, Anne-marieke Küppers, Piet Hans de Vries, Olmo Merijn Meijs
  • Publication number: 20200062152
    Abstract: Described are ergonomic passenger seats that may include monocoque or semi-monocoque seat backs, cellular suspension cushions, and tray tables with support arms that may be located within the interior volume of the monocoque or semi-monocoque seat backs when in their stowed positions. The passenger seats offer enhanced passenger comfort and space while providing a lightweight, simple to manufacture design. Monocoque and semi-monocoque seat backs may form integral parts of passenger seats to support additional loads without need for heavy, complex structures. The space within the monocoque or semi-monocoque seat back may then be used for storage or suspension cushions that offer improved comfort with a lighter seat frame. Monocoque and semi-monocoque seat backs may also facilitate the adoption of several other seating mechanisms, such as new seat mounts that allow for improved seat motion that allows for passenger recline with reduced impingement on other passengers' space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Nguyen Tien Phuc Le, Reza Mansouri, C. Michael Parker, Jeffrey L. Sikorski
  • Patent number: 10556688
    Abstract: A latch assembly (110) can include a latch rail (314), a latch body (312), and a biasing mechanism (322). The latch rail can include a first end (318) and a second end. The first end can couple to a back portion of a seat that includes a table body. The latch body (312) can couple to the second end of the latch rail (314) such that the latch body can move between a first position and a second position relative to the latch rail. The latch body can prevent the table body from moving between a stowed position and a stowed position while in the first position. The latch body can allow the table body to move between the stowed position and the deployed position in the second position. The biasing mechanism (322) can couple to the latch body (312) and can bias the latch body into the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Vishwanath Bhat, Christopher M. Gumbleton, Mark Carpenter
  • Patent number: 10532816
    Abstract: A passenger seat includes a tray table and an amenities module. The passenger seat has at least one first configuration where the amenities module is concealed by the tray table and at least one second configuration where the amenities module is exposed. The tray table is approximately parallel to a seatback surface of the passenger seat in the at least one first configuration and in the at least one second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Raul Daniel Flores Aguirre, Nguyen Foek Le, Dafne Diaz, Mario Herrera, Jean-Christophe Gaudeau, Jose Ramon Madrigal
  • Publication number: 20200002023
    Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle seat includes a visual indicator having a lighting mechanism configured to display a plurality of colors, a control portion electrically connected to the visual indicator, and a plurality of modes. Each mode may be associated with one of the plurality of Selection of one of the plurality of modes causes the control portion to signal the lighting mechanism to display the color associated with the selected mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Oscar Ruiz, Jean-Christophe Gaudeau, Brian Simone, Kevin Waters, Nahum Madrid, Laurent Stritter
  • Publication number: 20190389583
    Abstract: A passenger seat assembly includes a riser attached to an upper surface of a floor of the vehicle, a seat attached to an upper surface of the riser, and at least one shell portion attached to the upper surface of the riser. The riser includes at least one door for accessing an interior volume of the riser. At least a portion of the interior volume of the riser is a luggage storage volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Yves Constantin
  • Patent number: 10501189
    Abstract: Described are baseframe tube clamps having fulcrum elements at one end, contact surfaces for contacting a baseframe tube, and a securement element at a second end. The fulcrum elements can contact a contact surface of a seat row assembly component, such that, when a baseframe tube clamp is assembled with a seat row assembly component and a baseframe tube, the baseframe tube clamp can press on the seat row assembly component via the fulcrum elements and press on the baseframe tube so as to restrict motion of the baseframe tube relative to the seat row assembly component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Girish J. Malligere, Michael Willey
  • Publication number: 20190367170
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Victor Carlioz, Matthew Cleary, Hugo Jamson, Lito Karatsoli, Felix Lorsignol, Luke Miles
  • Publication number: 20190366897
    Abstract: A passenger seat headrest includes a body and a side wing. The body includes a forward side, an aft side distal from the forward side, a first side extending between the forward side and the aft side, and a second side distal from the first side and extending between the forward side and the aft side. The side wing is pivotably connected to the first side of the body and is pivotable between a stowed position, at which the side wing is positioned against the forward side of the body, and a deployed position, at which the side wing is spaced apart from the forward side of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventor: Manon Kühne
  • Publication number: 20190359334
    Abstract: A passenger seat, such as an aircraft passenger seat, includes a seat base and an entertainment system. The seat base includes a cushioning member and a cover covering the cushioning member. The entertainment system is positioned between the cushioning member and the cover and is removably connected to the cushioning member. The entertainment system is configured to determine a force caused by a passenger's legs in at least two locations on an upper surface of the seat base when used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Lukas Riedel, Domenico Iacoviello, Emma Erkelens, Emma Wisse, David Randles, Max Kersten
  • Patent number: 10464445
    Abstract: Track fitting assembly having a base frame (12) comprising a pivot shaft (44) arranged so that the pivot shaft substantially aligns with an upper surface of a track when the base frame is coupled to the track and at least one pivotable insert (14) pivotally coupled to the pivot shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Robert W. Trimble, Armando Valdes
  • Publication number: 20190329891
    Abstract: Passenger seats having improved comfort emergency egress solutions for mini suites or other types of passenger seats that have a privacy screen, wall, or sliding door that divides the passenger seat from the aisle area or other common area. Specific embodiments find particular use on-board passenger transportation vehicles, such as aircraft, where comfort and privacy must be balanced with safety and federal regulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicants: Safran Seats USA LLC, Safran Seats
    Inventors: Bastien Bonnefoy, Arthur K. Glain, Victor Carlioz, Matthew Cleary, Eric O. Freienmuth, Patrick Herault, Christopher La Montagna
  • Publication number: 20190323649
    Abstract: An articulating arm assembly for a passenger seat includes a static portion attached to the passenger seat, a rotation portion attached to the static portion such that the rotation portion pivots about a rotation axis, an arm body attached to the rotation portion, the rotation portion and the arm body include a stowed position and a deployed position, and a wiring portion disposed inside the arm body and extending from the arm body into the rotation portion. The wiring portion may be disposed such that it extends parallel to the rotation axis from the rotation portion toward and into the static portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Eric O. Freienmuth, Matthew K. Zemler
  • Patent number: 10442330
    Abstract: Described are ergonomic passenger seats that may include monocoque or semi-monocoque seat backs, cellular suspension cushions, and tray tables with support arms that may be located within the interior volume of the monocoque or semi-monocoque seat backs when in their stowed positions. The passenger seats offer enhanced passenger comfort and space while providing a lightweight, simple to manufacture design. Monocoque and semi-monocoque seat backs may form integral parts of passenger seats to support additional loads without need for heavy, complex structures. The space within the monocoque or semi-monocoque seat back may then be used for storage or suspension cushions that offer improved comfort with a lighter seat frame. Monocoque and semi-monocoque seat backs may also facilitate the adoption of several other seating mechanisms, such as new seat mounts that allow for improved seat motion that allows for passenger recline with reduced impingement on other passengers' space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Nguyen Tien Phuc Le, Reza Mansouri, C. Michael Parker, Jeffrey L. Sikorski
  • Patent number: 10435157
    Abstract: Described are headrests with integrated entertainment systems. The headrest includes a shell that is coupled to a seat through a headrest mount that has at least one degree of freedom of movement. The headrest shell also supports a visor with at least one side arm and a display span that may rotate between stowed and deployed positions. A neutral position mechanism supports the headrest in a neutral position and provides resistance to movement between the headrest and the passenger seat. The attachment of the visor to the headrest shell may also include an adjustment slot to allow fore and aft translation of the visor with respect to the headrest shell. The fore and aft translation of the visor allows for positioning the visor at different focal lengths, and provides extra clearance for the visor as it moves between stowed and deployed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Kenzie van der Klooster, Michael Parker
  • Publication number: 20190300176
    Abstract: Described are aircraft passenger seat assemblies with a passenger seat, a component with an outer surface attached the passenger seat. An inductive wireless power unit with a coil assembly is included with the aircraft passenger seat assembly, and the coil assembly is positioned within the component. A portion of the outer surface of the component covers the coil assembly. Wires connecting the coil assembly to a power supply are hidden from view within the aircraft passenger seat assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Mark E. Noske, C. Michael Parker
  • Publication number: 20190299827
    Abstract: Composite components (22, 32) are described herein. An example composite component (22, 32) includes a fill material sandwiched between a first shell and a second shell. The first shell can include a cavity for receiving the fill material. The second shell can include a recessed portion extending into the cavity. The recessed portion can be configured to receive a separate component (16a, 30) of a passenger seat (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Marc W. Kinard, Joshua T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190299922
    Abstract: An adaptive belt is attached to a vehicle seat and includes a first section (101), a second section (102), and a third section (103). The adaptive belt includes a retracted configuration and a fully extended configuration. In the retracted configuration, the adaptive belt is folded between the first section and the second section such that a first attachment attaches the first section to a first portion of the second section. In the retracted configuration, the adaptive belt is also folded between the second section and the third section such that a second attachment attaches a second portion of the second section to a first portion of the third section. In the fully extended configuration, all of the attachments fail thereby increasing a length of the adaptive belt. In response to a threshold loading condition, the adaptive belt changes from the retracted configuration to the fully extended configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventor: Aamir F. Jafri
  • Patent number: 10426258
    Abstract: A tray table assembly includes a lateral member, at least one pivot arm attached to the lateral member, a sliding mechanism attached to the lateral member, and a tray base attached to the sliding mechanism. The sliding mechanism may include at least one outboard link, at least one pivot link, and at least one rear link. The tray table assembly may include a retracted configuration and an extended configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Charles M. Parker, Romain Tranier, Reza Mansouri