Patents Assigned to Zodiac Seats US LLC
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Publication number: 20140138991Abstract: The present invention generally relates to passenger aircraft seats. In some embodiments of the present invention, a passenger seat is provided that utilizes existing standard pitch dimensions for multiple seating classes, in combination with a proprietary reconfiguration mechanism that allows passengers to maintain an acceptable knee clearance regardless of the seat's orientation. According to some embodiments, a passenger seat may reverse position of the backrest in a way that maintains passenger density (number of passengers per class), while providing appropriate levels of comfort and respect for current social norms related to personal space. In some embodiments, a reversible tray table is provided for use with the reversible seat. In some embodiments, the tray table may couple with an adjacent tray table with engagement features.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: ZODIAC SEATS US LLCInventors: Michael L. Deimen, Raul Daniel Flores Aguirre, Jose Madrigal, Oscar Ruiz
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Patent number: 8714647Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a seat back pivotally coupled to a seat frame via a pivot shaft, wherein a lower end of the seat back does not extend below the pivot shaft, a seat pan fixedly coupled to the seat frame, at least one quadrant arm fixedly coupled to the seat back and pivotally coupled to the pivot shaft, and a recline lock coupled to the one quadrant arm and the seat frame. The pivot shaft is coupled to the seat frame at a high pivot location, wherein the seat back is configured to pivot adjacent a lumbar region of a passenger's back. The seat pan may optionally include an extension from the seat pan that is configured to couple to the pivot shaft and fill a seat back aperture located between the lower end of the seat back and the seat pan.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Rik Westerink, Jeffrey P. Wegenka
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Publication number: 20140117172Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: ZODIAC SEATS US LLCInventor: Clifton Ellis
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Publication number: 20140117731Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: ZODIAC SEATS US LLCInventor: Ali Mohiti Asli
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Patent number: 8702163Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a seat back assembly comprising a seat back with a recess and a tray table assembly. The table body is configured to substantially fit within the recess. An amenity compartment may also be coupled to the seat back above the tray table assembly and may be configured to also substantially fit within the recess. The amenity compartment may be a bezel or an upper literature pocket. A latching mechanism releasably engages the tray table assembly with the amenity compartment. The amenity compartment may be coupled to the seat back via a hook that engages a slotted bracket on the seat back and projections that engage receptacles on the seat back. A protective covering may be inserted between the seat back and the amenity compartment and coupled to the seat back without additional fasteners. The protective covering may be a full shroud, a partial shroud, or a dress cover.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Rik Westerink, Jeffrey P. Wegenka, Brad Grunwald, Elias Cardozo
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Publication number: 20140084651Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: ZODIAC SEATS US LLCInventors: Sorin Coman, Michael Romano, Aamir Jafri, Dianna Sabo, Rik Westerink, Armando Valdes
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Patent number: 8616637Abstract: Described are seat support assemblies comprising at least one of a pitch reducer assembly, a fitting assembly, an energy absorption assembly, and an integrated leg assembly. The pitch reducer assembly may include a pitch reducer housing, at least one pitch riser, and at least one pitch stop. The integrated leg assembly may include a forward leg and an aft leg, where the forward leg is coupled to the pitch reducer assembly. The fitting assembly may include a pair of forward housing mating components and a pair of aft housing mating components, where the pairs of mating components are coupled to the forward and aft legs, respectively. The energy absorption assembly may include a tubular member, a die slidingly coupled to the tubular member, and a die holder coupled to the die, wherein the die holder has a hemispherical outer surface that is configured to pivotally mate with a passenger seat housing and rotate about an arc of rotation relative to the tubular member.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Robert W. Trimble, Rakibul Islam
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Patent number: 8616631Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a passenger seat with a seat frame having at least one coupling projection and a seat pan assembly having at least one coupling retainer. The coupling retainer is configured to releasably engage the coupling projection via at least one locking device. The seat pan assembly is disengaged from the passenger seat by removing the locking device, disengaging the coupling retainer, and rotating the seat pan assembly to an open position.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Rik Westerink, Armando Valdes, Brad Grunwald
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Patent number: 8602499Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a leg-rest assembly comprising a leg-rest pan, a first frame, a slider bar, a second frame, and at least one deployment link. In some embodiments, the first frame includes at least two slides that are coupled to the slider bar. In other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes at least two seat diaphragm mounts, wherein the at least two seat diaphragm mounts are coupled the leg-rest assembly to a seat diaphragm. In some embodiments, a cushion is coupled to the leg-rest pan exterior surface. In yet other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes a foot-rest pan and a single frame with at least two foot-rest slides, where the foot-rest pan is coupled to the foot-rest slides. In these embodiments, the leg-rest assembly may also include a foot-rest bar.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2013Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Peter Driessen, Rik Westerink
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Patent number: 8602702Abstract: Described are track fitting assemblies having a main body with at least one plunger aperture, at least one button aperture intersecting the at least one plunger aperture, and at least one disengagement recess, at least one shear plunger assembly having a plunger, a shear pin, a plunger-spring, and a button comprising a recess, and a track with a pair of lips having at least one opening. The shear plunger assembly is configured to have a disengaged position, wherein the button is extended from the main body and the shear pin is positioned within the main body, and an engaged position, wherein the button is positioned substantially flush with the main body, the recess of the button is positioned substantially flush with the disengagement recess of the main body, and the shear pin is extended from the main body and within the at least one opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2012Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Philippe Roy, Peter Driessen, Vishwanath Bhat
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Publication number: 20130234492Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a leg-rest assembly comprising a leg-rest pan, a first frame, a slider bar, a second frame, and at least one deployment link. In some embodiments, the first frame includes at least two slides that are coupled to the slider bar. In other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes at least two seat diaphragm mounts, wherein the at least two seat diaphragm mounts are coupled the leg-rest assembly to a seat diaphragm. In some embodiments, a cushion is coupled to the leg-rest pan exterior surface. In yet other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes a foot-rest pan and a single frame with at least two foot-rest slides, where the foot-rest pan is coupled to the foot-rest slides. In these embodiments, the leg-rest assembly may also include a foot-rest bar.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: ZODIAC SEATS US LLCInventors: Peter Driessen, Rik Westerink
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Patent number: 8523130Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a deployment apparatus comprising a deployment object, a deployment arm, a deployment link, a pivot housing, at least two linear guides, and a gas spring. The deployment object is coupled to the deployment arm, which is pivotally coupled to the deployment link. An opposing end of the deployment link is fixedly coupled to a structure. The pivot housing is adjacent the connection between the deployment link and the deployment arm. The pivot housing is slidingly engaged with the at least two linear guides. The gas spring is coupled to the pivot housing, which pushes the pivot housing to an upper end of the at least two linear guides and causes the deployment link to rotate the deployment arm from a stowed angle to a released angle and results in a displaced vertical distance.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventor: Rik Westerink
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Patent number: 8517464Abstract: Described are tray table stop assemblies comprising a housing comprising at least one deployment track, a force-receiving mechanism comprising at least one protuberance, wherein the at least one protuberance is slidingly coupled to the at least one deployment track, and a biasing mechanism positioned between the force-receiving mechanism and the housing. In some embodiments, the tray table stop assembly is coupled to a passenger seat assembly adjacent a tray table assembly having at least one arm. In these versions, the arm of the tray table assembly is positioned to apply pressure to the force-receiving mechanism when the tray table assembly travels between a stowed position and a deployed position. When the tray table assembly moves forward beyond the stowed position, the force-receiving mechanism is positioned within the travel path of the arm.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Macario Ruiz, Robert W. Trimble, Girish Malligere
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Patent number: 8444226Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a leg-rest assembly comprising a leg-rest pan, a first frame, a slider bar, a second frame, and at least one deployment link. In some embodiments, the first frame includes at least two slides that are coupled to the slider bar. In other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes at least two seat diaphragm mounts, wherein the at least two seat diaphragm mounts are coupled the leg-rest assembly to a seat diaphragm. In some embodiments, a cushion is coupled to the leg-rest pan exterior surface. In yet other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes a foot-rest pan and a single frame with at least two foot-rest slides, where the foot-rest pan is coupled to the foot-rest slides. In these embodiments, the leg-rest assembly may also include a foot-rest bar.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Peter Driessen, Rik Westerink
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Patent number: 8439435Abstract: Described are passenger seats having a seat pan assembly with reclining and tilting mechanisms, a seat back pivotally coupled to the aft end of the seat pan assembly, and a lumbar mechanism coupled to the seat back and the seat pan assembly. The reclining mechanism is configured to adjust a forward position of the seat pan assembly and the rotation of the seat back between upright and reclining positions. The tilting mechanism is configured to rotate an aft end of the seat pan relative to the pan frame and deploy the lumbar mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Larry Richard Gaither, Timothy W. Terleski, Chirag Patel
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Patent number: 8382036Abstract: Seating arrangements for passenger aircraft or other vehicles are detailed. Some arrangements position seats at offsets from a longitudinal axis of a vehicle cabin in either āVā shapes or herringbone patterns. Other arrangements include seats that are staggered within the cabin. Further arrangements include pairs of seat that are both parallel and offset from the longitudinal axis, but are placed so that feet of the port and starboard passengers point away from the fuselage. All embodiments contemplate providing seats that are convertible to beds, although this conversion is not required.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2012Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Adrianus W. N. Ruiter, Paul Bentley
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Patent number: D682568Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Franghie Rubio Khalil, Raul Daniel Flores Aguirre, Sahira Villalobos Gonzalez, Carla Cristina Gonzalez Salitrero, Jose Angel Vilchis Dominguez
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Patent number: D682569Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Franghie Rubio Khalil, Raul Daniel Flores Aguirre, Sahira Villalobos Gonzalez, Carla Cristina Gonzalez Salitrero, Jose Angel Vilchis Dominguez
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Patent number: D682570Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Franghie Rubio Khalil, Raul Daniel Flores Aguirre, Sahira Villalobos Gonzalez, Carla Cristina Gonzalez Salitrero, Jose Angel Vilchis Dominguez
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Patent number: D692246Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Robert Funk, Rebeca Rubio Trevizo, Fernando Luis Bencomo Arvizo, Gabriela Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez, Raul Daniel Flores Aguirre