Seating Arrangement: Berth Or Berthage Patents (Class 244/118.6)
  • Patent number: 11376172
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a patient transporting device having a docking member at one end of the patient transporting device that allows to attach to and detach from a receiving portion of the patient loading systems in an emergency vehicle. The device includes a moveable base member that a patient lies down on, a pathway member for the base member to slidably move along tracks of the pathway member, and a docking member at one end of the pathway member that fits and mates with the receiving portion of the vehicle. In operation, the docking member docks with the receiving portion and establishes an extended bridge formed of the pathway member and the docking member of the device and the receiving portion of the vehicle. The extended bridge has a substantially coplanar surface so that the patient lying down on the base member may be easily loaded to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Dan Bacon, IV
  • Patent number: 11370547
    Abstract: A mobile class divider transversely partitions the interior space of a cabin of an aircraft. The divider is delimited by ceiling trim panels, at least two lateral rows of overhead luggage compartments extending longitudinally near to the ceiling trim panels, lateral walls and a floor. The divider slidably mountable to guide rails arranged between the overhead luggage compartments and the ceiling trim panels. The divider includes a transverse main framework extending on either side of the lateral walls, at least two guide blocks supported by the framework, and an adjustment feature. The length of the divider is adjustable to adapt to the distance, in the transverse direction, that separates said guide rails of said cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: SAFRAN CABIN FRANCE SASU
    Inventors: Jérôme Verbeque, Romain Breyne, Jean-Claude Bourgade
  • Patent number: 11332249
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a privacy divider configured to separate a first side of the aircraft passenger compartment suite including a first aircraft seat and a second side of the aircraft passenger compartment suite including a second aircraft seat. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a collapsible display device positioned proximate to the privacy divider of the aircraft passenger compartment suite. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a first display device and a first plate configured to be an extension of a horizontal surface in the first side when the first display device is in a first display device stowed position. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a second display device and a second plate configured to be an extension of a horizontal surface in the second side when the second display device is in a second display device stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn A. Johnson, Robert D. Wilkey, Mark B. Dowty, Lyle T. Davis, Dennis M. Heuer
  • Patent number: 11319072
    Abstract: A travel suite arrangement for an aircraft cabin, such as a business class cabin, including at least one longitudinal aisle dividing sections, with each section including at least one four-suite unit. Each four-suite unit generally includes an angled first seat positioned directly adjacent the longitudinal aisle forward-facing, a second angled seat positioned directly adjacent the longitudinal aisle rearward-facing, a third angled seat positioned apart from the longitudinal aisle, to one side of the first seat and rearward-facing, and a fourth angled seat positioned apart from the longitudinal aisle, to one side of the second seat and forward-facing. Aisle seats are accessed directly from the aisle while outboard seats share access passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Henshaw, Edward W. Morgan, Horng Jaan Lin, Tracy N. Pence, Benjamin T. Bailey, Jae Hun Gu, Robert D. Wilkey
  • Patent number: 11312496
    Abstract: A seat assembly is configured to be positioned within an interior cabin of a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat support structure that is configured to connect to a floor structure within the interior cabin of the vehicle. The seat support structure includes a seat base and a front end opposite from a rear end. Arm rests are pivotally coupled to the seat support structure. A seat back is pivotally coupled to the seat support structure proximate to pivotal coupling of the arm rests to the seat support structure. In at least one other embodiment, a seat back coupling upwardly and rearwardly extends from a middle portion of the rear cross beam. A seat back includes a narrowed mounting portion that pivotally couples to the seat back coupling without interfering with knee space formed in a back side of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Mithra Sankrithi
  • Patent number: 11305886
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for displaying information for an aircraft on a display device in a flight deck of the aircraft. A computer system in the aircraft displays a dynamic home page in a graphical user interface on the display device in the flight deck of the aircraft. The information in the dynamic home page is based on the information used to operate the aircraft during a current phase of flight. The computer system changes the information in the dynamic home page as the current phase of flight changes or non-normal conditions occur during operation of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brian David Gilbert, Alireza Majd, Paul D. Burkhead, Alessandro Edward Galli, John Wiedemann
  • Patent number: 11230382
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger compartment suite may include at least one single passenger compartment including at least one single aircraft seat. The at least one single aircraft seat may be configured to seat a single passenger. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a combined divan passenger compartment with a combined divan aircraft seat. The combined divan aircraft seat may be configured to seat at least one passenger. The combined divan aircraft seat may have a width greater than a width of the at least one single aircraft seat. The combined divan passenger compartment may include a stowage compartment configured to stow large passenger amenities in a substantially vertical orientation. The aircraft passenger compartment suite may include a privacy divider separating the combined divan passenger compartment and the at least one single passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Robert J. Henshaw, Suzuko Hisata, Robert D. Wilkey, Glenn A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11195034
    Abstract: A seat configuration verification system and method for an internal cabin of a vehicle include a verification control unit that receives position data regarding positions of seat assemblies within the internal cabin. The verification control unit compares the position data with seat configuration data representative of the seat configuration to determine if the positions of the seat assemblies within the internal cabin conform to the seat configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Amy L. Wisch
  • Patent number: 11161614
    Abstract: An aircraft that includes a fuselage having a floor, first and second outboard walls and an aisle, and a first seat and storage system that is positioned between the first outboard wall and the aisle. The first seat and storage system includes a seat that includes a seat back and a seat portion, and a storage assembly that includes a storage portion and an extension portion. The storage portion defines a storage interior and a storage opening and includes a cover that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The storage opening faces the aisle. The extension portion extends from the storage portion toward the first outboard wall. The storage assembly defines a top surface to which the seat is secured. The storage assembly defines an under seat cavity below a bottom surface of the extension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN CABIN INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Schuttera, Mark Lyle Shurtleff, Bruce Tsukasa Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11147383
    Abstract: A seat (10) comprises a frame (12), a backrest (14) fixed relative to the frame (12), a movable seat squab (16) and a movable screen (18), the screen (18) being movable between a lowered position and a raised position for providing privacy to a person sitting on the seat (10), in which downward motion of the movable seat squab (16) causes upward motion of the movable screen (18) from the lowered position to the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: James Lucas
  • Patent number: 11120173
    Abstract: An aircraft reconfigurator for reconfiguring an aircraft configuration includes a storage unit that stores aircraft specific data of a predetermined initial configuration, and an input unit for inputting a mission specific reconfiguration parameter. The aircraft reconfigurator includes a processing unit for reconfiguring the initial aircraft configuration based on the stored aircraft specific data of the predetermined initial aircraft configuration and the predetermined mission specific reconfiguration parameter so as to design several alternative aircraft configurations, each of which has a different variant of a cabin layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Johannes Gonnsen
  • Patent number: 11117668
    Abstract: In an example, a seating system includes a seat comprising a chamber, a wall structure adjacent to the seat and defining a compartment, a door insert configured to move within the compartment between a starting position and a retracted position, wherein in the starting position, the door is adjacent to the seat and blocks access to the compartment, and in the retracted position, the door is retracted into the wall structure and provides access to the compartment, a closed channel extending from the chamber and operably connected to the door, and a piston operably coupled to the seat and positioned within the chamber, wherein when a load is applied to the seat, the piston is compressed, moving the door from the starting position to the retracted position, and when the load is removed, the piston is decompressed, causing the door to move from the retracted position to the starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher B. Singleton, Joshua Y. Lee
  • Patent number: 11091269
    Abstract: A fastening system for a seat includes a base associated with the rest of the seat and including a grip for attachment by gripping of the seat on the rail, movable between a free position and an active attachment position of the seat, via a maneuvering lever movable between a free position and an active position for blocking in the active position of the grip. The system includes a lock for locking the lever in the active blocking position. The lock includes an axle that is rotatable relative to one of the lever and the base between an unlocked position and a locked position. The axle is provided with an indexing element provided to engage with a complementary portion of the other of the lever and the base in the locked position of the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: ATTAX
    Inventor: Elie Stanislas Guillet
  • Patent number: 11084587
    Abstract: Passenger seating comprises rows of seats with a door assembly at the end of each row for improving a seat occupant's privacy. The door assembly includes a door that slides into and out of a base in a primary mode of operation, and which supports a secondary mode of opening. The secondary mode may involve pivoting on hinges. A latch is provided to prevent the door from being opened routinely in the secondary mode. The door assembly is also capable of retracting with respect to the adjacent seat to improve access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventor: Aaron Robinson
  • Patent number: 11066173
    Abstract: A multi-function credenza includes at least one cabinet with a first top surface and a seat adjacent the cabinet. The seat has a convertible seat back for converting to a second top surface adjacent to the first top surface when the seat is stowed. A multi-function credenza in an aircraft cabin includes a first cabinet that has a first inboard panel and a first top surface, a second cabinet that has a second inboard panel and a second top surface, and a stowable seat located between the first cabinet and the second cabinet. A stowable seat includes a seat back that has a first side adapted for seating in a first mode and a second side adapted as a working surface in a second mode. The seat back articulates between the first mode and the second mode for deploying and stowing the seat, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wayne Davis, Frank Joseph Rowe, Jason Michael Decker, Matthew Robert Harrell
  • Patent number: 11059589
    Abstract: A three-place aircraft divan configured to be installed side-facing in an aircraft and track between an upright sitting position and a berth position. Seat bottom and backrest portions of the divan are movably supported on a static frame and track together. The divan includes inflatable passenger restraints at each seat place and a leg flail prevention device at one end of the frame triggered to actuate in response to an event sensed by a mechanical crash sensor. The inboard leg arrangement of the divan accommodates the installation of two containers for containing high-capacity life rafts under the seat bottom frame, among other equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Oleson, Hau Phuc Ho
  • Patent number: 11052820
    Abstract: Interior panels for an interior of a vehicle, vehicles, and methods for making interior panels for an interior of a vehicle are provided. In one example, the interior panel includes a first trim section having a first exposed surface configured to face towards the interior. A second trim section that has a second exposed surface configured to face towards the interior is disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the first trim section to define a gap. A first lighting array that includes light sources is configured to be disposed proximate the gap hidden from the interior by the second trim section. A controller is configured to be in communication with the first lighting array to independently direct each of the light sources to generate light that passes through the gap into the interior and illuminates the first exposed surface to define an illumination pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew Wallace, Stephen Spencer, Timothy O'Hara
  • Patent number: 11046437
    Abstract: Passenger seating groups positionable in a column in an aircraft between a longitudinal aisle and a fuselage wall. Each passenger seating group includes a first passenger seat positioned along an aisle side and facing a first direction, a first footwell positioned along the aisle side and facing the first passenger seat, a second passenger seat positioned along the wall side and facing the first direction, and a second footwell positioned along the wall side and facing the second direction to serve a second passenger seat in an adjacent like seating group. Each seat has its own dedicated entry from the longitudinal aisle and seats within the same seating group are physically separated by privacy walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Javier Valdes De La Garza, Glenn A. Johnson, Daniel I. Udriste, Alexander N. Pozzi, Mark B. Dowty
  • Patent number: 11008105
    Abstract: A seat is disclosed. The seat comprises a moveable seat carriage having a seat pan and a seat back supported thereon. The seat also comprises a seat base supporting the moveable seat carriage thereupon and a support member moveable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, wherein a first end of the support member is coupled to the moveable seat carriage and a second end of the support member is coupled to the seat base. The seat also comprises an actuator to move the moveable seat carriage relative to the seat base to thereby transition the seat between an upright and a reclined position, with the movement of the seat carriage driving the support member between the retracted configuration and the extended configuration, wherein the support member stiffens the seat as the seat transitions away from the upright to the reclined position and while in the reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: SINGAPORE AIRLINES LIMITED
    Inventor: Yung Han Ng
  • Patent number: 10994862
    Abstract: A modular element for an electrical power distribution network of an aircraft comprises a section of a bus comprising connection points at different locations distributed along its length. The bus section comprises interconnection points making it possible to link the modular element to other modular elements arranged longitudinally in series with the modular element. Electrical conductors of the bus section are housed in an enclosure corresponding to a structural part of the aircraft. This enclosure comprises openings facing the connection points of the bus section, so as to allow the connection of at least one electrical equipment item of the aircraft to the bus section by means of a local electrical link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Jonathan Jacquemoud-Collet, Philippe Chapoulie, Gilles Millet, Philippe Pedoussaut, Damien Aguera
  • Patent number: 10988260
    Abstract: For a seat group arrangement for a passenger cabin of an aircraft it is proposed to realize a temporary enlargement of the circulation area by widening the longitudinal aisle of the aircraft for the entry and exit period. For this purpose, a passenger seat group has a supporting frame which is provided with seat legs for fastening to the aircraft floor. At least one first fixedly secured seat having in each case a seat part and in each case a backrest and a further seat which is movable in the transverse direction and has a seat part and a backrest is provided on the supporting frame. The further seat is connected to the supporting frame via a folding device, and the folding device is configured to realize a change in width of the further seat in relation to the seat legs of the supporting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Claus-Peter Gross
  • Patent number: 10974833
    Abstract: A passenger seat, such as an aircraft passenger seat, includes a seat base and an entertainment system. The seat base includes a cushioning member and a cover covering the cushioning member. The entertainment system is positioned between the cushioning member and the cover and is removably connected to the cushioning member. The entertainment system is configured to determine a force caused by a passenger's legs in at least two locations on an upper surface of the seat base when used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Lukas Riedel, Domenico Iacoviello, Emma Erkelens, Emma Wisse, David Randles, Max Kersten
  • Patent number: 10953780
    Abstract: A deployable infill assembly and passenger seat construction. The infill assembly includes a cushion element deployable laterally along a low trajectory from a stowed position to a deployed position. The cushion assembly is coupled to a frame carrying guide tracks for guiding movement of the cushion assembly between the stowed and deployed positions. The cushion assembly is selectively deployable for use as a leg support, table or to complete a continuous bed. The infill assembly is packaged in a compact footprint well-suited for aircraft applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Javier Valdes De La Garza, Benji S. Meadows, Ryan J. Suhre
  • Patent number: 10934003
    Abstract: Described is a connector for securing an aircraft seat to the floor of an aircraft cabin. The connector comprises a head for securing the connector to an aircraft seat and a foot for being held within a securing means on the floor of an aircraft cabin, said head and foot being provided on a body, wherein the head comprises a first screw thread for engagement with a screw thread of an aircraft seat and a second screw thread in engagement with a screw thread on the body, the connector comprising a stop for restricting rotational movement of the body relative to an aircraft seat, wherein the screw threads are configured such that rotation of the head into engagement with a screw thread of an aircraft seat causes movement of the body into engagement with the head. Also described is a seat or row of seats for receiving the connector and seat or row of seats comprising one or more of the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Acro Aircraft Seating Limited
    Inventors: James Bowker, Andrew Lawler
  • Patent number: 10934001
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media storing instructions for utilizing space associated with unoccupied seats in organized seating arrangements are disclosed herein. The disclosed techniques identify unoccupied seats within an organized seating arrangement, such as seats on an aircraft. Upgradable seats within the organized seating arrangement are determined based upon the unoccupied seats and the transformation capabilities of the seats. Upgradable seats are directly in front of or behind unoccupied seats, such that either the upgradable seat or the associated unoccupied seat is transformable to enable an upgrade. An occupant of a seat is selected for an upgrade associated with an upgradable seat and assigned the upgrade to enable the occupant to utilize a portion of the space associated with the unoccupied seat while sitting in the upgradable seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Haftom Y. Dessalegn, John G. Schultz
  • Patent number: 10913536
    Abstract: This linear movement guide device is provided with a track rail, a slider block attached to the track rail so as to be capable of movement relative thereto via a plurality of rolling bodies, and a position-determining pin which restricts the relative movement between the slider block and the track rail, wherein: the track rail is provided with a securing hole for securing the track rail to a base member, and a position-determining hole into which the position-determining pin is inserted; the slider block is provided with a rocker bearing part having an attachment hole into which a rocker shaft is inserted, and also provided with a connecting hole into which the position-determining pin is inserted; and the attachment hole and the connecting hole are each positioned in a location that avoids the center of the slider block in the lengthwise direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Mochizuki, Eiji Hosaka, Hiroomi Kuribayashi, Toshiro Minami, Akito Kaneko
  • Patent number: 10906650
    Abstract: The dynamic retention system may include at least one plunger assembly including a plunger base coupled to a base assembly of an aircraft seat and a spring-loaded plunger coupled to a seat frame. The spring-loaded plunger may be configured to contact the plunger base. The dynamic retention system may include at least one hook receptacle coupled to the base assembly, and at least one structural hook coupled to the seat frame. The at least one hook receptacle may be configured to receive the at least one structural hook responsive to the spring-loaded plunger contacting the plunger base. The seat frame may be coupled to the base assembly via an actuation assembly. The aircraft seat may be actuatable between a first position and at least a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfredo Suarez, Moises Perez, Michael L. Oleson
  • Patent number: 10899455
    Abstract: A seat arrangement for a vehicle has: parallel aisles in a longitudinal direction of a cabin; cabin walls arranged parallel to the aisles; a central region enclosed by the aisles; and two outer regions neighboring the central region and separated from the central region through the aisles. Seat rows having two inner seat modules and two outer seat modules, are arranged in the central region behind each other. Additional seat rows having an inner seat module facing the respective aisle and an outer seat module wall facing the respective cabin wall, are arranged behind each other in the outer regions. Each seat module has a seat and an ottoman. The seat modules of the central region have a use direction aligned parallel to a main extension direction of the bordering aisle or enclose a maximum angle such that the ottoman reaches further into the aisle than the assigned seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventors: Martin Sieben, Thomas Sütthoff, Tobias Schmidt-Schäffer
  • Patent number: 10899459
    Abstract: A linear guide mechanism for a passenger seat includes a movable carriage and a guide rail. The linear guide mechanism further includes a guide unit for positioning the movable carriage on the guide rail. The guide unit includes at least one guide element and a fastening element. Moreover, the guide unit is substantially fixed to the movable carriage by the fastening element. The guide unit and the movable carriage are displaceably mounted on the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventor: Claus-Peter Gross
  • Patent number: 10814986
    Abstract: An aircraft seat device includes at least one seat bottom unit, a mounting unit, and at least one carrier element. The at least one seat bottom unit at least partly implements a seat surface. The at least one carrier element couples the seat bottom unit with the mounting unit and transfers force from the seat bottom unit to the mounting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alfons Stachel, Klaus Steinmeyer, Zoltan Jussli
  • Patent number: 10807717
    Abstract: An aircraft that includes a body that defines a cabin interior and a longitudinal axis, and a front row positioned in the cabin interior. The front row includes a first front seat and a second front seat. The first and second front seats are angled away from one another. The first front seat is angled outwardly such that it forms a first acute angle with the longitudinal axis and the second front seat is angled outwardly such that it forms a second acute angle with the longitudinal axis. The first and second acute angles are approximately the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN CABIN INC.
    Inventors: Eric Heimbach, Christopher Schuttera, Scott Savian, Ian Geoffrey Scoley
  • Patent number: 10773804
    Abstract: A seating arrangement for a cabin of a passenger aircraft that includes 5-abreast passenger accommodation suites, each including a privacy wall and a seat movable between a seating position and a lie-flat bed position, and adapted to be laterally positioned in the aircraft cabin in respective adjacent outboard, middle and inboard positions. Three of the suites are adapted to be positioned in a longitudinally-offset position in relation to each other and defining respective ingress/egress paths to a cabin aisle extending along a longitudinal axis of the aircraft cabin adjacent the third suite. Two of the suites are positioned in a longitudinally-offset position in relation to each other and defining respective ingress/egress paths on the opposite side of the cabin aisle. At least some of the suites define an angular offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the cabin aisle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Javier Valdes De La Garza, Glenn A. Johnson, Daniel I. Udriste, Alexander N. Pozzi, Mark B. Dowty
  • Patent number: 10773805
    Abstract: Described is a breakover mechanism for a passenger seat that includes a frame member with a rear portion attached to two opposing sides of a seat back of the passenger seat wherein the frame member is at least partially disposed under a seat pan of the passenger seat, at least one moving portion attached to a forward portion of the frame member, a carriage portion fixedly attached to the seat pan; and a single point mechanism attached to the carriage portion. Once a threshold loading condition occurs, the single point mechanism changes states to facilitate movement of the moving portion relative to the carriage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Girish J. Malligere, Nahum Madrid, Michael T. Murray, Michael Willey
  • Patent number: 10773611
    Abstract: A decentralized seat control system for seats, each seat having several linearly or angularly movable seat elements. The control system includes a serial data bus; a power supply; smart devices with drives connected to the serial data bus and the power supply, each smart device having a basic function and selectably functioning as an active system master; non-smart devices lacking a control function; a smart control device for controlling the non-smart devices; and a program control unit, wherein the active system master provides control commands to the other smart devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: BÜHLER MOTOR GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Schlosser, Stefan Gröllich
  • Patent number: 10745135
    Abstract: A seating arrangement for use in a cabin of a vehicle includes a first column set, a second column set, and an aisle between the first and second column sets. The first column set includes a first column of seats, a second column of seats, and a third column of seats. The first column set additionally includes an egress path of a first seat of the first column defined between a first seat and a second seat of the second column and between a first seat and a second seat of the third column. The egress path allows for direct unimpeded access from the first seat of the first column to the aisle, and the egress path is perpendicular to the aisle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Mark E. Eakins
  • Patent number: 10730444
    Abstract: A vehicle seating arrangement includes first and second seating assemblies that are each equipped with a seat and a seatback. A surface of the seat of the first seating assembly is vertically above a surface of the seat of the second seating assembly. A forward extreme of the first seating assembly is displaced rearward of a forward extreme of the second seating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Welch
  • Patent number: 10730628
    Abstract: Described are seat backs (102) for aircraft passenger seats (100). Such a seat back (102) can include a unitary structural core (112) formed as a single piece that includes a body (138) and a flange (140). The body (138) and the flange (140) can each include carbon fiber composite material. The flange (140) can include portions extending from the rearward-facing side (132) of the body respectively along a left lateral side edge, a top (134) side edge, and a right lateral side edge of the unitary structural core (112). The flange (140) can be non-tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Donald M. Lasell, Justin K. Murnan, Ali Mohiti Asli, Jeffrey L. Sikorski
  • Patent number: 10703483
    Abstract: A passenger seat/bed arrangement in a tiered architecture in an aircraft cabin with limited height, wherein headroom and egress/ingress provisions are enhanced without constraining the positions of adjoining passenger's seat/beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Inventor: Arjuna Indraeswaran Rajasingham
  • Patent number: 10661903
    Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a premium class seating arrangement for an aircraft cabin includes at least three passenger suites, each passenger suite including a seat movable between an upright position and a horizontal bed position and an ottoman which expands a surface area of the bed position. The passenger suites may cooperatively form a nested arrangement capable of nesting with identical passenger suite arrangements longitudinally within the cabin area. At least two of the ottomans of the passenger suites may be longitudinally offset in installation position. Each passenger suite in the arrangement is afforded direct aisle access without interference by another passenger suite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace Inc.
    Inventor: Mark B. Dowty
  • Patent number: 10654573
    Abstract: Provided is a seating-system kit for a vehicle that comprises floor beams, a primary pair of seat tracks, attached to the floor beams, and a first seat assembly, comprising a first seat support and a first plurality of seats, attached to the first seat support. The first seat support is attached to the primary pair of seat tracks and the floor beams support floor panels that define a floor surface. The vehicle has a virtual longitudinal plane, perpendicular to the floor surface, and a virtual longitudinal axis, parallel to the floor surface and lying in the virtual longitudinal plane. The seating-system kit comprises a secondary pair of seat tracks and a second seat assembly, comprising a second seat support and a second plurality of seats, attached to the second seat support, and wherein the second seat support is configured to be attached to the secondary pair of seat tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Sami Movsesian, Jun Chen
  • Patent number: 10618658
    Abstract: The invention relates to a floor connection assembly for the mechanical connection of an aircraft seat to a floor structure of an aircraft, comprising at least three fastening points, wherein the floor connection assembly can be fastened on at least three fastening points with in each case one fastening element to the floor structure. The floor connection assembly comprises an adapter plate, wherein the mechanical connection between the adapter plate and the fastening elements is supported about at least one axis in a substantially torque-free manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: LUFTHANSA TECHNIK AG
    Inventor: Oliver Thomaschewski
  • Patent number: 10604262
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: a floor panel for a rotorcraft; one or more puck fasteners in the floor panel, wherein each puck fastener comprises an attachment fitting and a plurality of internal flanges, wherein the plurality of internal flanges within each puck fastener are adjacent; and one or more seating fixtures coupled to the floor panel using the one or more puck fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Brian Carr, Richard Theodore Perryman, Darrell W. Wilkerson, Bobby Howard Mosier, Joseph Daniel Leachman, Ernest Edward Senn, Jr., William D. Dennison
  • Patent number: 10597161
    Abstract: In illustrative embodiments, apparatus and associated methods relate to an aircraft cabin with an elevated zone along a centerline, and a main deck with passenger seating space located under the elevated zone. In an illustrative example, the elevated zone may include an elevated walkway between, for example, one or more cabins on either lateral side of the walkway. Access between the elevated zone and the main cabin may be via a stairway oriented, for example, along the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The elevated zone may be advantageously retrofit or provided as original equipment that may increase passenger density, for example, and may further provide for enhanced amenities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: B/E AEROSPACE, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Charles, Peter A. Hoeft, Arthur Y. Wu, Alexander Nicholas Pozzi
  • Patent number: 10569884
    Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment of an aircraft cabin passenger seating arrangement, first and second adjacent passenger seats are positioned at different angles with reference to a longitudinal axis of an aircraft, and longitudinally offset from each other such that the first seat is positioned forward of the second seat by an amount less than a length of the second passenger seat when in the lie-flat position. The first and second adjacent passenger seats may be longitudinally offset from a third passenger seat separated from the second passenger seat by an aisle, the third passenger seat disposed proximate a fourth passenger seat, such that a row of passenger seats includes two staggered groups of passenger seating. The first passenger seat may be vertically offset from the second passenger seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward William Morgan
  • Patent number: 10556692
    Abstract: A vehicle cabin seat rail system includes a seat rail having a top side having a plurality of raster openings and mechanically couplable with a cabin floor, a plurality of holding devices positionable on the top side, each being selectively engageable with at least one first raster opening or at least one second raster opening for arresting the holding device and configured for holding an object on the seat rail, and a plurality of marking devices couplable with the seat rail, and configured for optically or mechanically indicating approaching of a first position on the seat rail corresponding to the first raster opening of a respective holding device and of a second position of the same holding device corresponding to the second raster opening, in relation to another object arrested on the seat rail, to prevent an arresting of the holding device on the seat rail on other positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Malte Fuerstenberg
  • Patent number: 10532817
    Abstract: A passenger seating arrangement including pairings of first and second laterally-adjacent seats, wherein the first and second seats are positioned at different angles relative to a longitudinal aircraft axis and the first and second seats recline to different vertical elevations such that a bed surface of the first seat in a lay flat configuration can overlap a portion of a bed surface of the second seat in a lay flat configuration to maximize seating density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventor: Edward William Morgan
  • Patent number: 10525851
    Abstract: A seatback-seat linkage mechanism includes two connecting rod assemblies and a seat. The connecting rod assemblies are connected between the seat and the seatback. The seat is mounted on the seat pipes and includes two seat supports, two rear pin support assemblies and two front pin support assemblies. Each of seat supports is provided with a first slide slot and a second slide slot. The rear and front pin support assemblies are mounted on the seat pipes in such a manner that the first pin portion of each of the rear pin support assemblies is inserted in the first slide slot, the second pin portion of each of the front pin assemblies is inserted in the second slide slot, so that, when the connecting rod assemblies drive the seat to move, the seat is able to reciprocate stably along the extending directions of the first and second slide slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AEROSPACE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORP.
    Inventors: Chung-Li Huang, Chi-Heng Lai, Jinn-Biau Sheu
  • Patent number: 10518885
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat pan and a backrest. The seat pan and the backrest are positionable with respect to one another such that the seat is configurable into at least one of a taxi, takeoff and landing position, a napping position, and a sleeping position. A swivel is disposed beneath and supporting the seat, permitting the seat to rotate about a pivotal axis. Base tracking is disposed beneath and supporting the seat, permitting the seat to move in a lateral and a longitudinal direction. A first control is provided to lock and unlock movement of the seat in at least one of the lateral and the longitudinal directions. A second control is provided to lock and unlock the swivel. The swivel is permitted to be unlocked while movement of the seat in the lateral and the longitudinal direction is locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventor: Philippe Erhel
  • Patent number: 10480908
    Abstract: There is disclosed an energy absorption device comprising a plurality of pillars mountable to a ceiling of a hull, each pillar having a fixed portion and a movable portion, the movable portion slidable relative to the fixed portion; a deformable material disposed between the fixed portion and movable portion such that the deformable material resist the sliding movement of the movable portion in one direction; the deformable material further adapted to permanently deform when a blast energy is directed towards the ceiling; and a seat assembly attached to the movable portion, the seat assembly adapted for an occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ST ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS LTD
    Inventors: Junlin Huang, Chen Nam Sim
  • Patent number: RE47872
    Abstract: An aircraft seat set is provided that allows for providing extra room for passengers and/or allow for selectively increasing the width of an aircraft aisle during enplaning and deplaning and/or increasing the width of some seats during flight. In one embodiment, the aisle seat of the seat set is movably connected to the seat frame of the seat set to allow the aisle seat to be disposed above and in front of the middle seat of the seat set for enplaning and deplaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventors: Frank Matthew Scott, Kevin Lee Van Liere