Patents Assigned to Zodiac Seats US LLC
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Patent number: 9682643Abstract: Described are passenger seat assemblies including spreaders (18) with a transitional region having a forward surface with a radius of curvature of about 3.5 to 3.7 inches and an aft surface with an angular profile configured so that the aft surface is located forward of a plane formed by a surface of the at least one seat back (12) in a fully upright position. The passenger seat assemblies also include leg assemblies (22 with a forward leg portion having a forward surface that is substantially aligned with a forward base frame tube, and an aft surface with an angular profile having a shape of an “r.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2013Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Jeffrey P. Wegenka, Allen Shirey, Aram Krikorian, Shreyas Krishna
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Publication number: 20170158104Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2015Publication date: June 8, 2017Applicant: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Nguyen Tien Phuc Le, Reza Mansouri, C. Michael Parker, Jeffrey L. Sikorski
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Patent number: 9669933Abstract: Detailed are head rest mechanisms and assemblies containing a flexible collar. Portions of the collar may be moved independently from other portions and may pivot or otherwise move both forward of the seat back and vertically under passenger control. Also described are slide assemblies containing deformable projections for use with vertically-adjustable head rests.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventor: Alexander N. Pozzi
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Patent number: 9656583Abstract: Describes are passenger seats including a seat pan assembly with a reclining mechanism, a seat back pivotally coupled to the aft end of the seat pan assembly, and a lumbar mechanism coupled to the seat back and/or the seat pan assembly. As examples, the seat pan assembly includes at least one track having a reclining path and a sleeper path, and a sleeper selection control configured to pull a diverter into a position substantially blocking the opening to the reclining path and to push the diverter into a position substantially blocking the opening to the sleeper path. In certain cases, the seat pan assembly also includes a tilting mechanism with a fixed component and a variable component adjustably engaged with each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Larry Richard Gaither, Timothy W. Terleski, Chirag Patel
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Patent number: 9656752Abstract: A safety belt (104) is secured to a seat structure (102) using movable anchor points (114, 116, 406). In an embodiment, a y-belt (104) is attached to left and right pivotable anchor plates (110). The anchor plates (110) pivot when a load is applied to the safety belt (104), thus allowing the anchor points to self-align to maintain an equal amount of tension across the lower and higher portion of the seat belt. In a different embodiment, a 2-point safety belt (708) is attached to slidable anchors (406) that move within channels (404) in response to load applied to the safety belt, allowing the anchor points to self-align to maintain proper tension and positioning of the safety belt (708).Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Armando Valdes, Aamir Jafri, Robert W. Trimble
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Publication number: 20170101187Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2015Publication date: April 13, 2017Applicants: Zodiac Seats US LLC, Zodiac Seat Shells US LLCInventors: Mark E. Noske, C. Michael Parker
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Publication number: 20170096225Abstract: Described are reclining passenger seats having deployable leg rests coupled to the seat bottom. An actuator, which may be a gas cylinder, spring, or electric motor, moves the deployable leg rest between stowed and deployed positions. A locking mechanism may be used to stabilize the deployable leg rest in the stowed position, the deployed position, or any intermediate position. The coupling of the deployable leg rest to the seat bottom allows for a greater range of movement with a lighter, more compact mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2015Publication date: April 6, 2017Applicant: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Josh T. Smith, Justin K. Murnan, Ty Parker, Raul G. Reyes
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Publication number: 20170096226Abstract: A passenger seat (100) that includes at least one back rest frame (191-194) with at least one through-hole, at least one lateral structural member (101,102) that is perpendicular to the at least one back rest frame (191-194) and is disposed in the at least one through-hole, and at least one floor attachment frame (195,196) with at least one through-hole that is coaxial with the at least one through-hole of the at least one back rest frame (191-194). Each lateral structural member include an internal composite tube (101,102) that extends a full lateral width of the passenger seat and a plurality of outer tubes (151-162) disposed on an outer surface of the internal composite tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2015Publication date: April 6, 2017Applicant: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Reza Mansouri, Guillaume R. Thomas, Jeremy Green
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Publication number: 20170088268Abstract: Described are passenger seat armrests and consoles (1) having laterally translating armrest doors (200) that open and close to allow for deployment and stowage of tray tables (300). The armrest doors may be guided through their translation by slides or a linkage that controls their motion. The armrest doors may also translate in two-dimensions, incorporating a vertical translation as well as a lateral translation. The resulting motion allows for better placement of the deployable tray tables within the armrest or console and a reduction in wasted space. The passenger seat armrests may also incorporate cocktail trays (100) that can be integrated into the armrest doors or the armrest or console itself.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Applicant: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Marc W. Kinard, Ty Parker, Raul G. Reyes, John D. Allen
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Patent number: 9586686Abstract: The present invention generally relates to passenger aircraft seats. Some examples provide systems for providing side support to seated passengers. Some examples include a passenger seat backrest having an extendable side support. An extendable side support may be integrated with a seat backrest and may be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position. When in a deployed position, the expandable side support may then provide additional side support to a seated passenger's body.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventor: Ali Mohiti Asli
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Patent number: 9573506Abstract: Described are tray table assemblies that include an upper cover, a lower cover, and a support structure disposed between the upper cover and the lower cover. The support structure may include a plurality of upper protrusions extending toward an inner surface of the upper cover and a plurality of lower protrusions extending toward an inner surface of the lower cover such that the support structure provides structural rigidity to the tray table assembly. The plurality of upper protrusions may contact the inner surface of the upper cover, the plurality of lower protrusions may contact the inner surface of the lower cover, and the support structure may dissipate heat.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Juan Hernandez, Raul Daniel Flores
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Publication number: 20170045068Abstract: Described are channel joints (1) for bonding a tube or tubular member (30) to an end fitting (20) in double shear. The channel joint may include a receiving channel (25) in the end fitting (20) that is complementary in shape to the tube, tubular member, or other hollow member (30) that is to be fitted and bonded with the end fitting. The use of a channel joint allows for simplified assembly because the receiving channel acts as a reservoir for the bonding agent or adhesive (50). Upon insertion of the tube, tubular member, or other hollow member into the adhesive-loaded receiving channel, the adhesive will backflow to fill the voids in the joint and expel the excess adhesive. The resulting joint is less likely to have voids, has additional bonding area compared to lap joints, and prevents the adhesive or bonding agent from experiencing tensile loads.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Applicant: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventor: Jeffrey L. Sikorski
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Patent number: 9555726Abstract: Described are video monitor assemblies (10) including a bezel assembly (16) coupled to a passenger seatback (12), wherein the bezel assembly includes a monitor (30) and a bezel (28), the monitor coupled to the bezel via low load fasteners (44) and high load fasteners (46), wherein the low load fasteners (44) are configured to fail or shear from a force applied to the monitor (30) during a head impact, and the high load fasteners (46) are configured to withstand the force applied to the monitor during the head impact.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Aamir Jafri, Roberto Cervantes, David Tripp
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Patent number: 9499083Abstract: Described are tray table assemblies comprising a table body including a frame. The frame is formed of an upper bar and a lower bar that connect a pair of slide guides, wherein the upper bar, the lower bar, and the pair of slide guides are integrally formed as a single piece.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Christopher Stewart, John D. Allen, Guorong Zhu
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Patent number: 9481273Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a device for maintaining a cable in place or otherwise securing, capping, shielding, or guarding a cable. In one embodiment, the cable retention unit is used to secure or guard a cable in place in a seat actuator or other cable-containing component.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2013Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventor: Clifton Ellis
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Patent number: 9421919Abstract: Described are display assemblies having a display coupled to a passenger seat back, a video shroud coupled to the passenger seat back and with an inner opening positioned adjacent the display, wherein a gap is positioned between an outer edge of the display and an edge of the inner opening, and an adaptor having a lip and coupled to the video shroud, wherein the lip is positioned adjacent the gap. A portion of the lip may surround at least the outer edge of the display and/or may overlap a portion of the video shroud.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Rik Westerink, Timothy W. Terleski, Per Magnus Skold, Alexander Gerard Saucier, Armando Valdes
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Patent number: 9398805Abstract: An anti-binding slide is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the slide includes a bar having a pin hole adjacent the distal end of the bar. A rolling assembly includes rollers connected by a pin along a roller axis, the pin being positionable in the pin hole. A casing accepts the distal end of the bar. The rollers are positionable within tracks of the casing. The rollers, and thus the distal end of the bar, are able to move within the casing between a compressed position and an extended position. The pin hole provides a clearance fit for the pin, such that small movements of the bar do not interfere with the orientation of the roller axis with respect to the casing.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Yogesh V. Khankal, Jeffery A. Napier, Juan Hernandez
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Publication number: 20160155544Abstract: Described is an adaptive manufacturing table (100) including a structural frame assembly (300), a moveable table assembly (400) including a table surface (130), and a projector (101) such that the projector (101) is rigidly mounted to the structural frame assembly (300). The projector (101) may be configured to directly project an image onto the table surface (130).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2014Publication date: June 2, 2016Applicant: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Travis D. Doolittle, Daniel Garcia, Mathew D. Oliver, Andrew J. Baker
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Patent number: 9352840Abstract: A tray table for use with a passenger seat of a transportation vehicle is provided. The tray table may be moveable between a deployed position and a stowed position relative to a seat. The tray table may include a storage compartment for storing belongings of a passenger. A lid may be provided for covering an opening of the storage compartment. A portion of the lid may be transparent such that contents of the storage compartment may be readily viewed by a passenger when the tray table is in the deployed position. A portion of a storage compartment bottom may be transparent such that contents of the storage compartment may be readily viewed by a passenger when the tray table is in the stowed position. The tray table may have any number of storage compartments and a single lid or multiple lids may be used to cover the storage compartment openings.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventor: Udo W. Schultheis
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Patent number: 9227535Abstract: The present invention generally relates to passenger aircraft seats. Some examples provide systems for integrating a child seat into a certified aircraft seat. Some examples include a passenger seat backrest having an integrated child seat. An integrated child seat base may be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position. When in the stowed position, the integrated child seat base may fit within a recessed surface of the seat backrest and the seat may then accommodate an adult passenger. When in a deployed position, the integrated child seat may then accommodate a child passenger. The integrated seat may include a harness system that extends through the seat backrest and couples with an internal support structure of seat backrest. In some embodiments the mounting points of the harness system may be reinforced with stiff brackets attached to the internal support structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Sorin Coman, Michael Romano, Aamir Jafri, Dianna Sabo, Rik Westerink, Armando Valdes