Abstract: A tray table assembly and a passenger seat arrangement including a tray table assembly. The tray table assembly includes a tray table coupled to a motion path element determining a motion path of the tray table between stowed and deployed positions. In embodiments, the motion path element may be implemented as at least one of a helical shaft, helical slot, and helical ramp. The motion path combines rotational and vertical motion such that an angular change of the table caused by rotational movement simultaneously causes an elevation change of the tray table. In some embodiments, the tray table may lower when rotated toward the deployed position and raise when rotated toward the stowed position.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a cushion material is disclosed. The cushion material is configured to be 3D-printable. The cushion material includes a plurality of gyroid lattice structures configured to be 3D-printable. The plurality of gyroid lattice structures are aligned along, and with respect to, a surface of the cushion material. In some embodiments, a method for providing a cushion material that is capable of being 3D printed is disclosed. The method includes generating a design of the cushion material comprising a variable mechanical stiffness across a surface of the cushion material. The method further includes producing the cushion material via additive manufacturing based on the design. Generating the design includes generating a layout design of a plurality of tube-like shaped gyroid lattice structures of the cushion material aligned with the surface of the cushion material.

Abstract: A seat usage prevention device is disclosed. The seat usage prevention deice includes at least one device component being configured to interact with one or more seat components of a first seat. The device component is configured to prevent usage of at least one of a seat pan or seatback of the first seat. The device component further separates a second seat from at least a third seat, wherein the third seat is proximate to at least one of the first seat or the second seat. The seat usage prevention device may include a device component that further includes a cushion, a base, an amenity console, or a vertical separator, or combination thereof.

Abstract: A seat usage prevention device is disclosed. The seat usage prevention deice includes at least one device component being configured to interact with one or more seat components of a first seat. The device component is configured to prevent usage of at least one of a seat pan or seatback of the first seat. The device component further separates a second seat from at least a third seat, wherein the third seat is proximate to at least one of the first seat or the second seat. The seat usage prevention device may include a device component that further includes a cushion, a base, an amenity console, or a vertical separator, or combination thereof.

Abstract: An externally replaceable friction mechanism for a pivoting assembly such as an armrest assembly, the friction mechanism including a first spacer configured to non-rotationally engage a fixed element and frictionally engage a pivoting element pivotable relative to the fixed element, a first friction ring configured to non-rotationally engage the first spacer, the first friction ring including fingers configured to frictionally engage the pivoting element, and wherein the first friction ring is configured to permit pivoting movement of the pivoting element relative to the fixed element and provide friction against the pivoting movement.

Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat with dynamic seat back breakover including a pivotally-attached seat back element and a seat back breakover mechanism including an articulating weighted inertia linkage operable for coupling the seat back element in a first operating condition in which the seat back element is movable between an upright taxi takeoff and landing (TTOL) position and a reclined position, and decoupling the seat back element in a second operating condition to allow the seat back element to move forward past the upright position, the first operating condition corresponding to inertial loading below a predetermined threshold value and the second operating condition corresponding to inertial loading above the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An articulation mechanism for coupling a pivoting backrest to a traveling seat pan frame includes a first link having a first end section attachable to a pivoting backrest, and a second end section connected to the first end section, the second end section having multiple holes. A second link has a first end section and a second end section connected together, the first end section of the second link having at least one hole aligned with one of the multiple holes of the second section of the first link, the second end section of the second link is pivotally attachable to a seat pan frame. A fastener pivotally attaches the second link to the first link via the at least one hole of the second link and the selected aligned one of the multiple holes of the second end section of the first link based on a hole combination chosen to achieve a predetermined ratio of backrest recline to seat pan travel.

Abstract: An externally replaceable friction mechanism for a pivoting assembly such as an armrest assembly, the friction mechanism including a first spacer configured to non-rotationally engage a fixed element and frictionally engage a pivoting element pivotable relative to the fixed element, a first friction ring configured to non-rotationally engage the first spacer, the first friction ring including fingers configured to frictionally engage the pivoting element, and wherein the first friction ring is configured to permit pivoting movement of the pivoting element relative to the fixed element and provide friction against the pivoting movement.

Abstract: An articulation mechanism for coupling a pivoting backrest to a traveling seat pan frame includes a first link having a first end section attachable to a pivoting backrest, and a second end section connected to the first end section, the second end section having multiple holes. A second link has a first end section and a second end section connected together, the first end section of the second link having at least one hole aligned with one of the multiple holes of the second section of the first link, the second end section of the second link is pivotally attachable to a seat pan frame. A fastener pivotally attaches the second link to the first link via the at least one hole of the second link and the selected aligned one of the multiple holes of the second end section of the first link based on a hole combination chosen to achieve a predetermined ratio of backrest recline to seat pan travel.

Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat with dynamic seat back breakover including a pivotally-attached seat back element and a seat back breakover mechanism including an articulating weighted inertia linkage operable for coupling the seat back element in a first operating condition in which the seat back element is movable between an upright taxi takeoff and landing (TTOL) position and a reclined position, and decoupling the seat back element in a second operating condition to allow the seat back element to move forward past the upright position, the first operating condition corresponding to inertial loading below a predetermined threshold value and the second operating condition corresponding to inertial loading above the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat that includes a seat frame including a seat back and at least one armrest, a seat bottom that includes a seat pan and a foam seat cushion positioned on the seat bottom above the seat pan, a pneumatic cushion positioned on the seat bottom between the seat pan and the foam seat cushion and adapted to maintain a predetermined level of inflation determined by air pressure within the pneumatic cushion, and a pneumatic inflation device communicating with the pneumatic cushion for permitting the air pressure within the pneumatic cushion to be varied as desired to provide additional comfort to the seat occupant. The pneumatic cushion may include at least first and second laterally-separated cushion chambers providing lateral articulation of the first and second cushion chambers relative to each other.

Abstract: A solar window shade for a window seat in an airliner for supplying electrical energy to charge a personal electronic device, including a window shade configured to cover a window, a solar panel attached to an outside face of the window shade, the solar panel facing outward to receive light from outside a passenger cabin, and a charging port incorporated into the window shade, the charging port electrically connected to the solar panel.

Abstract: A solar window shade for a window seat in an airliner for supplying electrical energy to charge a personal electronic device, including a window shade configured to cover a window, a solar panel attached to an outside face of the window shade, the solar panel facing outward to receive light from outside a passenger cabin, and a charging port incorporated into the window shade, the charging port electrically connected to the solar panel.

Abstract: A passenger seat assembly for permitting adjustment of the spacing of a passenger seat row relative to a fore or aft passenger seat row that includes first and second seat tracks for being positioned on the deck of an aircraft and extended along a longitudinal axis of an aircraft passenger area of the aircraft. Seat legs support a seat bottom and seat back of a plurality of seats in the seat row. First and second slides are provided for being affixed to respective ones of the first and second tracks. The first and second pairs of seat legs are adapted for being mounted on the slides and positioned for sliding movement on the tracks. First and second drive assemblies are provided for being positioned intermediate the seats and tracks and adapted to move the seats carried by the seat legs fore and aft in the tracks. A related method is also disclosed.