Abstract: Described are energy absorbing assemblies for a passenger seat. The energy absorbing assemblies can include one or more auxetic energy absorbing elements (130), each element including a crushable matrix formed of cells having an auxetic cell geometry that are crushable in a direction of energy capture.

Abstract: Described are support assemblies for a passenger seat, that can include a supportive surface configured to connect with a frame of a passenger seat, and shaped to support a passenger. Supportive surfaces can include a first portion formed of a first plurality of cells having an auxetic cell geometry that can deform to adopt a synclastic curvature under stress, and a second portion formed of a second plurality of cells having a non-auxetic cell geometry that can deform to adopt an anticlastic or cylindrical curvature under stress. The regions having respective auxetic and non-auxetic cell geometries can be arranged to form a supportive surface that can flex to follow contours of a seated passenger.

Abstract: Described are modular folding shelves configured for removably connecting with a passenger seat back to support small items. The modular folding shelves can include an attachment portion configured to removably connect with a passenger seat back, a platform portion, and a folding support element connected between the attachment portion and the platform portion. The folding support element can be configured to fold between the attachment portion and platform portion when the platform portion is stowed, and to extend when the platform portion is deployed such that the folding support element supports the platform portion and prevents it from extending beyond the deployed configuration. The platform portion is pivotally connected with the attachment portion to allow the platform portion to fold upward and rest against or proximate to the passenger seat back when the modular shelf is installed and in a stowed configuration, and to extend away from the passenger seat back in a deployed configuration.

Abstract: Described are modular folding shelves configured for removably connecting with a passenger seat back to support small items. The modular folding shelves can include an attachment portion configured to removably connect with a passenger seat back, a platform portion, and a folding support element connected between the attachment portion and the platform portion. The folding support element can be configured to fold between the attachment portion and platform portion when the platform portion is stowed, and to extend when the platform portion is deployed such that the folding support element supports the platform portion and prevents it from extending beyond the deployed configuration. The platform portion is pivotally connected with the attachment portion to allow the platform portion to fold upward and rest against or proximate to the passenger seat back when the modular shelf is installed and in a stowed configuration, and to extend away from the passenger seat back in a deployed configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aircraft cabin comprising an aisle defining an aisle axis, a plurality of aircraft passenger seats arranged in a seat column adjacent the aisle, and accessible from the aisle, each aircraft passenger seat comprising a seat pan and a backrest with a front face defining a seat facing direction and a rear face, and each aircraft passenger seat being convertible between a seat configuration and a bed configuration, wherein each aircraft passenger seat in the seat column is able to be angled away from the aisle such that the seat facing direction is at an angle of at least degrees from the aisle axis and wherein each aircraft passenger seat can be in the bed configuration when at that angle. The invention also provides an aircraft passenger accommodation unit, an aircraft, a kit of parts and a method of providing enhanced passenger access to an aircraft passenger accommodation unit.

Abstract: Described are support assemblies for a passenger seat, that can include a supportive surface configured to connect with a frame of a passenger seat, and shaped to support a passenger. Supportive surfaces can include a first portion formed of a first plurality of cells having an auxetic cell geometry that can deform to adopt a synclastic curvature under stress, and a second portion formed of a second plurality of cells having a non-auxetic cell geometry that can deform to adopt an anticlastic or cylindrical curvature under stress. The regions having respective auxetic and non-auxetic cell geometries can be arranged to form a supportive surface that can flex to follow contours of a seated passenger.

Abstract: Described are energy absorbing assemblies for a passenger seat. The energy absorbing assemblies can include one or more auxetic energy absorbing elements (130), each element including a crushable matrix formed of cells having an auxetic cell geometry that are crushable in a direction of energy capture.

Abstract: Described are extended display devices for a passenger compartment including a first display device and a second display device, the first display device positioned in an outer frame to face a passenger seat and the a second display connected with and positioned laterally relative to the first display, wherein the first and second displays are configured to simultaneously display information from two different sources. One or both display devices can be attached modularly within a void through the outer frame and within an insert that matches the inner boundary of the outer frame and matches the exterior boundary of the display device.

Abstract: Described are extended display devices for a passenger compartment including a first display device and a second display device, the first display device positioned in an outer frame to face a passenger seat and the a second display connected with and positioned laterally relative to the first display, wherein the first and second displays are configured to simultaneously display information from two different sources. One or both display devices can be attached modularly within a void through the outer frame and within an insert that matches the inner boundary of the outer frame and matches the exterior boundary of the display device.

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: 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: 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: 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: Described are recliner sofa systems for a passenger seat. The passenger seat includes a seat back assembly and a seat base assembly. The seat back assembly includes an upper back support and a lower back support, and the lower back support is movable relative to the upper back support between a stowed position and a deployed position. The seat base assembly includes a support and a seat base, and the seat base is movable relative to the support between a stowed position and a deployed position. The seat base in the deployed position and the lower back support in the deployed position together define a foot cavity configured to receive a foot of a passenger.

Abstract: Described are recliner sofa systems for a passenger seat. The passenger seat includes a seat back assembly and a seat base assembly. The seat back assembly includes an upper back support and a lower back support, and the lower back support is movable relative to the upper back support between a stowed position and a deployed position. The seat base assembly includes a support and a seat base, and the seat base is movable relative to the support between a stowed position and a deployed position. The seat base in the deployed position and the lower back support in the deployed position together define a foot cavity configured to receive a foot of a passenger.

Abstract: Described are lightweight headrests with a perimeter frame 200 with an open central region. The open central region is spanned by a suspension membrane 100 held in tension. The suspension membrane provides support and cushioning functions to a passenger head without the need for internal structures or compression cushions. The perimeter frame of the headrest may have additional cross members spanning the rear portion of the headrest. These cross members may provide additional structure or locate attachment points for the headrest onto the seat.

Abstract: Described are lightweight headrests with a perimeter frame 200 with an open central region. The open central region is spanned by a suspension membrane 100 held in tension. The suspension membrane provides support and cushioning functions to a passenger head without the need for internal structures or compression cushions. The perimeter frame of the headrest may have additional cross members spanning the rear portion of the headrest. These cross members may provide additional structure or locate attachment points for the headrest onto the seat.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.