Abstract: An arm rest assembly and aircraft passenger seat including the same. The arm rest includes a friction mechanism for resisting abrupt rotational movements of the arm rest. A rotationally fixed frame member defining a rotational axis and receives a rotational member of the arm rest configured to rotate around the rotational axis. A groove formed in an outer circumferential surface of the rotational member seats a O-ring disposed between the groove and an inner circumferential surface of the frame member. Tolerance between the frame member and arm rest is such that the O-ring is held in the groove in a compressed state and frictionally engagement each of the rotational member and the frame member.

Abstract: A springless lower closeout system for a passenger seat includes left-side and right-side seat spreaders defining a lower aft portion of the passenger seat between them. Each seat spreader includes a restrictive channel extending along the left and right sides of the seat spreader, oriented toward the lower aft portion of the passenger seat. A dress cover extends in a taut state between the left-side and right-side seat spreaders. The dress cover includes cord elements on its left and right edges, the cord elements insertable into the left-side restrictive channels to directly connect the dress cover to the seat spreaders, closing out the lower aft portion of the passenger seat. A zipper or fastener connecting the dress cover and either edge may be partially unfastened to adjust the tension of the dress cover and facilitate attachment or removal of the cord elements to or from the restrictive channels.

Abstract: An aircraft cushion includes a lower portion, upper portion, and forward portion of foam. The lower portion is configured to be located by a forward frame element (e.g., tube) and to be supported by the forward frame element and a seat diaphragm (e.g., stretched fabric). The upper portion and forward portion are softer for user comfort. The lower portion, using a shape of the foam (e.g., structural foam), may removably snap onto the forward frame element, and rotate down into place for ease of installation.

Abstract: An aircraft seat diaphragm includes a pre-stretched elastomeric fabric. The elastomeric fabric is bonded to a composite frame with features to insert the diaphragm into aircraft seat spreaders. The composite frame defines a rear extension that extends up along the rear of the seat for added support. The rear extension may correspond to a fabric portion that releasably attaches to the seat back of the aircraft seat. Rear attachment features on the composite frame engage clips on the rear of a seat cushion to hold the seat cushion in place.

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: An arm rest assembly and aircraft passenger seat including the same. The arm rest includes a friction mechanism for resisting abrupt rotational movements of the arm rest. A rotationally fixed frame member defining a rotational axis and receives a rotational member of the arm rest configured to rotate around the rotational axis. A groove formed in an outer circumferential surface of the rotational member seats a O-ring disposed between the groove and an inner circumferential surface of the frame member. Tolerance between the frame member and arm rest is such that the O-ring is held in the groove in a compressed state and frictionally engagement each of the rotational member and the frame member.

Abstract: A springless lower closeout system for a passenger seat includes left-side and right-side seat spreaders defining a lower aft portion of the passenger seat between them. Each seat spreader includes a restrictive channel extending along the left and right sides of the seat spreader, oriented toward the lower aft portion of the passenger seat. A dress cover extends in a taut state between the left-side and right-side seat spreaders. The dress cover includes cord elements on its left and right edges, the cord elements insertable into the left-side restrictive channels to directly connect the dress cover to the seat spreaders, closing out the lower aft portion of the passenger seat. A zipper or fastener connecting the dress cover and either edge may be partially unfastened to adjust the tension of the dress cover and facilitate attachment or removal of the cord elements to or from the restrictive channels.

Abstract: A head impact criteria (HIC) device for a controlling a breakover rate of a seatback of an aircraft seat, and a method of manufacturing the same, are disclosed. A first energy absorbing member is coupled to the seatback of the aircraft seat. A second energy absorbing member is coupled to a frame of the aircraft seat. A fuse link is encapsulated by the first energy absorbing member and the second energy absorbing member. In response to the HIC device being subjected to a threshold load associated with a dynamic event, the fuse link breaks and the first energy absorbing member and the second energy absorbing member rotate around the axis.

Abstract: An aircraft seat diaphragm includes a pre-stretched elastomeric fabric. The elastomeric fabric is bonded to a composite frame with features to insert the diaphragm into aircraft seat spreaders. The composite frame defines a rear extension that extends up along the rear of the seat for added support. The rear extension may correspond to a fabric portion that releasably attaches to the seat back of the aircraft seat. Rear attachment features on the composite frame engage clips on the rear of a seat cushion to hold the seat cushion in place.

Abstract: A device for securing passenger seat frame structures (e.g., seat spreaders, legs) to a lateral crossbeam includes a wedged clamping device insertable into a pocket directly adjacent to a passage allowing the crossbeam to pass through the seat frame structure. The wedged clamping device has an upper face providing a locking taper angle and a lower arcuate face opposite the upper face and in contact with the crossbeam. When inserted into the pocket, the wedged clamping device provides a clamping force securing the seat frame structure to the crossbeam without driving a bolt through, deforming, or otherwise compromising the integrity of the crossbeam. The wedged clamping device accepts a tuning bolt through a lateral face; tightening the tuning bolt can more precisely control the amount of clamping force provided on the crossbeam.

Abstract: A seat assembly configured to be employed in vehicle seats such as aircraft passenger seats. The seat assembly includes a seat frame having first and second spaced frame members and first and second spaced transverse beams. A plurality of springs positioned proximate an aft end of the seat frame generally above the second transverse beam span between the first and second frame members. A support member is attached to the plurality of springs and to a seat back attachable to the seat frame. A cushion assembly mounts on the seat frame such that the aft end rests on the plurality of springs while the forward end rests on the front transverse beam. In use, as the aft end of the cushion assembly deflects downward toward the second transverse beam the forward end simultaneously rotates around the first transverse beam.

Abstract: A step assembly installable in a structure such as a housing of an armrest assembly, the step assembly including a base attachable to the structure including a mounting plate having a low profile and a fixed receptacle to be received in the structure, a step plate pivotally attached along a first end to the base along a lower end of the receptacle, the step plate pivotable between a stowed position in which the step plate is housed within the fixed receptacle and a deployed position in which the step plate is outside of the fixed receptacle, the step plate having a first side for supporting a foot, and a release mechanism for releasing the step plate from the stowed position to the deployed position. The step plate deployed for use and concealed from view between uses.

Abstract: A seat assembly configured to be employed in vehicle seats such as aircraft passenger seats. The seat assembly includes a seat frame having first and second spaced frame members and first and second spaced transverse beams. A plurality of springs positioned proximate an aft end of the seat frame generally above the second transverse beam span between the first and second frame members. A support member is attached to the plurality of springs and to a seat back attachable to the seat frame. A cushion assembly mounts on the seat frame such that the aft end rests on the plurality of springs while the forward end rests on the front transverse beam. In use, as the aft end of the cushion assembly deflects downward toward the second transverse beam the forward end simultaneously rotates around the first transverse beam.

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 upholstery cover retention assembly is disclosed. In embodiments, the upholstery cover retention assembly includes an upholstered article including an upholstered surface, a bezel including a bezel lip proximate to the upholstered article, and a retention flange disposed on a peripheral surface of the upholstered article. In embodiments, the upholstery cover retention assembly further includes a dress cover assembly including a dress cover configured to at least partially cover the upholstered surface of the upholstered article, and an assembled edge configured to be disposed within a groove formed between the peripheral surface of the upholstered article and the bezel. In embodiments, assembled edge is configured to be secured within the groove by engaging a lower engagement surface of the retention flange and a lower surface of the bezel lip with the assembled edge.

Abstract: A backrest recline mechanism including a first shaft attachable to a first seat assembly component and a second shaft attachable to a second seat assembly component. The first shaft has a slotted ring defining capture slots and an interior annular space. A control ring has a first end disposed in the annular space. The second shaft is engaged with a second end of the control ring. A first collar, having a plurality of release recesses, is rotatably disposed around the slotted ring. First bearings respectively retained within the capture slots are beneath the first collar. In a first rotational position of the first collar, the plurality of release recesses align with the capture slots to rotationally disengage the first and second components. In a second rotational position, the release recesses misalign with the capture slots to rotationally engage the first and second seat assembly components.

Abstract: An aircraft seating unit includes a base, a seat coupled to the base, a housing coupled to the base and enclosing frame elements of at least one of the base or the seat, and an ottoman. The housing defines a recess at a location below and to a rear of the seat. The ottoman is disposed within the recess. The ottoman includes a guide coupled to at least one of the frame elements, a slide translatable along the guide, a foot platform coupled to the slide, and an actuator positioned to facilitate selectively translating the slide along the guide to reposition the foot platform between a stowed position and a deployed position. The guide defines a translation axis that is angled relative to a vertical axis such that the foot platform moves both vertically and horizontally as the slide translates along the guide.