Abstract: A passenger seat rear-mounted meal tray assembly with a low-profile inline latch includes a meal tray substantially contoured to the seatback surface and a latch pin assembly mounted within the meal tray beneath the seatback surface, the latch assembly including a latch pin for engaging with the seatback to hold the meal tray in the stowed configuration. The meal tray includes a handle likewise contoured to the exterior surface of the tray, the handle having an outer face articulable by a passenger to pivot the handle and disengage the latch pin from the seatback. Disengaging the latch pin via the handle releases the meal tray by the handle into the hand of the passenger, who may manually pivot the tray into a substantially horizontal deployed configuration. The meal tray may similarly be restowed to the seatback (e.g., by pushing the tray back into stowed position) without engaging the handle.

Abstract: A passenger seat rear-mounted meal tray assembly with a low-profile inline latch includes a meal tray substantially contoured to the seatback surface and a latch pin assembly mounted within the meal tray beneath the seatback surface, the latch assembly including a latch pin for engaging with the seatback to hold the meal tray in the stowed configuration. The meal tray includes a handle likewise contoured to the exterior surface of the tray, the handle having an outer face articulable by a passenger to pivot the handle and disengage the latch pin from the seatback. Disengaging the latch pin via the handle releases the meal tray by the handle into the hand of the passenger, who may manually pivot the tray into a substantially horizontal deployed configuration. The meal tray may similarly be restowed to the seatback (e.g., by pushing the tray back into stowed position) without engaging the handle.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for detecting a presence or absence of an antimicrobial surface coating including applying at least one detectable fluorophoric dye compound to a substrate, irradiating the surface of the substrate with ultraviolet radiation in the 100-415 nm wavelength range to excite the detectable fluorophoric dye compound, observing fluorescence of the excited fluorophoric dye compound, and determining the presence or absence of the antimicrobial surface coating based on the observed fluorescence. Further disclosed are antimicrobial surface coating solutions, methods for their application, and methods for confirming the presence and coverage of antimicrobial surface coatings.

Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat assembly and backrest unit attachable to a seat assembly, the backrest being pivotally attached or fixed, and the backrest unit including at least one frame member having adjacent weakened and intact sections provided along a peripheral edge, the weakened section having a first failure load and the intact section having a second failure load greater than the first failure load such that, when a load on a backside of the backrest unit exceeds the first failure load, the weakened section fails and the intact section deforms allowing a portion of the backrest unit to tilt forward beyond an upright sitting position to absorb impact energy.

Abstract: In-aircraft seats include plastic components having anti-microbial, metallic reinforcing fibers such as copper or silver. Copper or silver wires are embedded into the plastic at the time or molding to provide both structural reinforcement and anti-microbial properties. At the time of molding, copper or silver wires are disposed in a plastic mold prior to plastic application to ensure the metallic wires are generally disposed toward the surface of the molded part.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for detecting a presence or absence of an antimicrobial surface coating including applying at least one detectable fluorophoric dye compound to a substrate, irradiating the surface of the substrate with ultraviolet radiation in the 100-415 nm wavelength range to excite the detectable fluorophoric dye compound, observing fluorescence of the excited fluorophoric dye compound, and determining the presence or absence of the antimicrobial surface coating based on the observed fluorescence. Further disclosed are antimicrobial surface coating solutions, methods for their application, and methods for confirming the presence and coverage of antimicrobial surface coatings.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for detecting an antimicrobial surface coating on a substrate including the steps of applying an anionic agent to a surface of the substrate, allowing the anionic agent to bond to antimicrobial surface coating present on the substrate, removing unbonded anionic agent, subjecting the surface of the substrate to a predetermined process to effect a change in the bonded anionic agent, observing the change, and verifying, based on the observed change, the presence of antimicrobial surface coating on the substrate. Further disclosed are antimicrobial surface coating solutions, methods for their application, and methods for reactivated antimicrobial surface coatings.

Abstract: An aircraft seating system includes spreaders having restricted channels to receive a portion of diaphragm wrapped around a cord to hold the diaphragm in place at each side. The diaphragm includes a second or core layer of fabric within the diaphragm to increase the strength of the diaphragm, provide ventilation, and/or provide cushioning. The spreaders may include restricted channels to receive a diaphragm and cord for a seat back portion. The seat back portion and seat bottom portion may be a single piece or separate pieces.

Abstract: A system may include an aircraft seat bottom cushion assembly having a front portion and two side portions. The aircraft seat bottom cushion assembly may include a power providing device positioned at the front portion or one of the two side portions of the aircraft seat bottom cushion assembly. The aircraft seat bottom cushion assembly may further include electrical wiring extending through the aircraft seat bottom cushion assembly to the power providing device. The electrical wiring electrically may be coupled to the power providing device.

Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat assembly and backrest unit attachable to a seat assembly, the backrest being pivotally attached or fixed, and the backrest unit including at least one frame member having adjacent weakened and intact sections provided along a peripheral edge, the weakened section having a first failure load and the intact section having a second failure load greater than the first failure load such that, when a load on a backside of the backrest unit exceeds the first failure load, the weakened section fails and the intact section deforms allowing a portion of the backrest unit to tilt forward beyond an upright sitting position to absorb impact energy.

Abstract: An aircraft seating system includes spreaders having restricted channels to receive a portion of diaphragm wrapped around a cord to hold the diaphragm in place at each side. The diaphragm includes a second or core layer of fabric within the diaphragm to increase the strength of the diaphragm, provide ventilation, and/or provide cushioning. The spreaders may include restricted channels to receive a diaphragm and cord for a seat back portion. The seat back portion and seat bottom portion may be a single piece or separate pieces.