From Back Patents (Class 297/146)
  • Patent number: 12109918
    Abstract: A vehicle seat and storage system includes a vehicle seat having a seat base and a seat back extending from the seat base. A storage apparatus is connected to the seat back and is movable from a stowed position against the seat back to an extended position away from the seat back. The storage apparatus is configured to position and secure one or more cargo items. A seat motor is operably connected to the seat. The seat motor is configured to move the seat back from a first position extending upward from the seat base to a second position where the seat back is disposed flat against the seat base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Minjeur, David M. Aller, Christopher Stephen Flemming, Lisa M. Simms, John Joseph Katona, Owen Rauch, Siddhant Kansal, Zachariah Smith, Paul W. Alexander
  • Patent number: 12071057
    Abstract: Comfort equipment includes a table support frame extending in a cantilevered manner in a transverse direction between a connecting end connected to a structure of the passenger cabin, and a free end. A support frame includes a first upright at its connecting end, a support crossbar connected to the first upright and extending parallel to the transverse direction, and a grip bar borne by the first upright and extending parallel to the transverse direction and above the support crossbar. The first upright includes at least one first upper fastener for fastening the first upright to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Inventor: Nicolas Leyendecker
  • Patent number: 11952125
    Abstract: A movable close-out shroud suitably configured to substantially cover, partially block, or otherwise close out an articulating opening to a cavity, void, etc., of a first part, such as a passenger seat section. The close-out shroud is configured to move between a stored position and a close-out position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: SAFRAN SEATS USA LLC
    Inventor: Juan Francisco Lopez
  • Patent number: 11904789
    Abstract: A body structure defines a passenger cabin. An interior portion is located in the passenger cabin, and a support portion that includes a surface and an adjustable support assembly is located in the passenger cabin. The surface is located adjacent to the interior portion, the adjustable support assembly includes actuators, and the adjustable support assembly is configured to move the surface with respect to the interior portion. Sensors are configured to generate sensor outputs, and a controller detects an event based on the sensor outputs. In response to the detection of the event, the controller outputs a control signal that controls the adjustable support assembly so that the adjustable support assembly moves at least part of the surface away from the interior portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Arturo Llamazares Domper, Nicholas A. White, Alexander M. Zoellner
  • Patent number: 11865959
    Abstract: Described are tray table assemblies for a passenger seat, such as an aircraft passenger seat. The tray table assembly includes a tray table with a top surface and a holder assembly. The holder assembly includes a first holder pivotably attached to the tray table and a second holder pivotably attached to the first holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Reza Mansouri, Charles Michael Parker
  • Patent number: 11865958
    Abstract: A storage device for a vehicle has a guide unit and a hinge element which can be guided on the guide unit and is moveably guided along the guide unit in a drawer-type manner. The hinge element has a contact surface and two lateral walls at an angle to same. The lateral walls have a plurality of fold regions, such that a first hinge part and a second hinge part are formed between the fold lines in such a way that, in a use position, the storage device forms a stable support for objects and, in the folded state, same can be used for storing the objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hannes Berg, Julia Schiller
  • Patent number: 11801942
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil M. Ralph, Gianpaolo Malatrasi, Ryan J. Suhre, Stephen A. Puglisi, Bradford D'Alessio
  • Patent number: 11794904
    Abstract: A rotorcraft seating assembly includes a seat base supporting a seat bucket, the seat base having left- and right-side panel portions. Each side panel portion has a linear bucket guide channel set into its inside face (including an upper portion for adjusting the seat bucket relative to the seat base for pilots of varying heights, and a lower portion for energy attenuation (EA) stroking in response to a crash event) and a bucket guide slot set into its outside face (including a linear upper portion corresponding to the range of adjustment of the seat bucket and a curved lower portion allowing the seat bucket to translate forward and away from the seat base during EA stroking). The curved outer bucket guide slot allows for the required EA stroking distance within a minimal vertical space between the seat bucket and the flight deck floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Pacheco, Moises Perez, Douglas E. Hoover
  • Patent number: 11695174
    Abstract: Systems, methods and a cooling module are described. The cooling module is configured to directly cool the plurality of battery cell tabs. The cooling module includes a generally prismatic isolation sheet contacting the battery cell tabs along a common plane and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a metallic portion defining an open cavity and a lightweight portion joined to the metallic portion to define a unitary flow assembly. The metallic portion includes an outer planar surface engaging the second planar surface. The lightweight portion is formed from a thermally conductive plastic material and includes baffles integrally formed with and extending therefrom. The plurality of baffles engage an interior surface of the metallic portion to thereby define a serpentine path for the cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahesh A. Mummigatti, Tejas R. Bhavsar, Pablo Valencia, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11654807
    Abstract: Described are ergonomic passenger seats that may include monocoque or semi-monocoque seat backs, cellular suspension cushions, and tray tables with support arms that may be located within the interior volume of the monocoque or semi-monocoque seat backs when in their stowed positions. The passenger seats offer enhanced passenger comfort and space while providing a lightweight, simple to manufacture design. Monocoque and semi-monocoque seat backs may form integral parts of passenger seats to support additional loads without need for heavy, complex structures. The space within the monocoque or semi-monocoque seat back may then be used for storage or suspension cushions that offer improved comfort with a lighter seat frame. Monocoque and semi-monocoque seat backs may also facilitate the adoption of several other seating mechanisms, such as new seat mounts that allow for improved seat motion that allows for passenger recline with reduced impingement on other passengers' space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Nguyen Tien Phuc Le, Reza Mansouri, C. Michael Parker, Jeffrey L. Sikorski
  • Patent number: 11465749
    Abstract: An actuatable tray assembly for an aircraft passenger compartment may include a tray configured to stow underneath a first component positioned a select distance from an aircraft seat in the aircraft passenger compartment, and an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly may include an extension rail assembly. The extension rail assembly may include an extension rail coupled to the first component and coupled to the tray. The actuatable tray assembly may include a linear rail assembly. The linear rail assembly may include at least one linear rail coupled to a second component positioned proximate to the aircraft seat in the aircraft passenger compartment. The linear rail assembly may include a carriage configured to actuate along the at least one linear rail. The carriage may be coupled to the tray. The extension rail assembly and the carriage may be configured to actuate the tray from a stowed position to an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Bobby Lawson
  • Patent number: 11208048
    Abstract: A shelf system that may be used with a vehicle is described. The shelf system may have a shelf member that selectively pivots between a raised position and a lowered position. The shelf system may have a frame system as well as a sub-frame system to support it within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Adrian Steel Company
    Inventors: Elizabeth Herriman, Mark Anthoney Henry, Jr., Richard Norman Beauleaux, Jr., Timothy Alan Mouch, Thomas Michael Willis, William Wood, III, Mark Alan Mohr
  • Patent number: 11208020
    Abstract: A seat including a backrest defining a first surface and a second surface, the second surface including an opening, the backrest including a table movable between a folded position in which the table closes off the opening, and a deployed position in which the opening is clear, the backrest including a locking device operable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, the locking device being configured, in the locked configuration, to keep the table in its folded position, and, in the unlocked configuration, to allow a movement of the table toward its deployed position, wherein the locking device includes a lock that can be actuated in order to operate the locking device between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: SPEEDINNOV
    Inventors: Christophe Pailler, Christophe Beauseigneur
  • Patent number: 11186372
    Abstract: A table device for a seat, in particular for an aircraft seat, includes a table unit which is configured for being adjustable at least between a use position and a stowage position, and has at least one locking module which has at least one attachment unit which is configured for being at least in part fixedly connected to a seat component, wherein the table unit at least in the stowage position is lockable to the attachment unit. The locking module has at least two force-fit and/or form-fit elements, by means of which the table unit in a locked state is coupled in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner to the attachment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Drenzeck, Patrick Dern, Andreas Erb, Oliver Schweizer, Tim Schreyer, Maik Thiele, Simon Weisenberger, Michael Müller, Michael Wagner, Marcel Fröbel, Stefan Lakeit, Jan Reichert
  • Patent number: 11142935
    Abstract: A sliding stop switch may include a first rod extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, a second rod coupled to the first rod such that one end portion thereof is slidable in the longitudinal direction of the first rod, and a switch member coupled to the first rod to slide in the longitudinal direction of the first rod and to be fixed at a plurality of points on the first rod to stop the sliding of one end portion of the second rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ki Hyeon Bae, Kyung Mo Jung, Kyu Jung Kim, Ju Young Yoon, Dong Jin Hyun
  • Patent number: 11008103
    Abstract: An aircraft cabin apparatus may include a top section, a bottom section, and at least one linkage assembly configured to support the top section in an open position following a rotation of the top section between a closed position and the open position. The top section may include a top surface configured to engage a first edge or surface of a laptop and a support structure proximate to the top surface and configured to engage a second edge or surface of the laptop. The bottom section may include two raised portions along each short edge of the bottom section and a cavity defined by the two raised portions. The top section may be configured to fit within the cavity defined within the bottom section when in the closed position, and may be set at an angle relative to the bottom section when in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy F. Malecha
  • Patent number: 10973335
    Abstract: A furniture object includes a load-bearing support assembly, a seating assembly, and a seal assembly. The load-bearing support assembly may support a structural load. The load-bearing support assembly includes a plurality of load-bearing beams. The seating assembly may receive the structural load such that the seating assembly conducts the structural load to the load-bearing support assembly. The seal assembly includes a partition structure configured to define a sealable aperture into an interior of the furniture object. The load-bearing beams, the seating assembly, and the seal assembly collectively define a sealable enclosure within an interior of the furniture object, such that the furniture object may hold a plurality of separate pieces of a separate furniture object within the enclosure, and the partition structure may detach from a remainder structure of the seal assembly to enable removal of the plurality of separate pieces from the enclosure through the opened aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Abedan Kanthasamy
  • Patent number: 10766620
    Abstract: The invention relates mainly to a seat intended to be installed in an aeroplane, having: a backrest having a front face against which a passenger is intended to lean, and a rear face on the opposite side from the front face, a tray, notably a retractable tray, known as a meal tray, positioned on the rear face of the backrest, characterized in that said seat also has a device for supporting a portable screen, comprising a support element that is positioned on the rear face of the backrest and movable between a folded position and a deployed position in which it is able to support a portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Seats
    Inventors: Nathalie Castaing, Bastien Bonnefoy, Sébastien Ménard, Thierry Thavanaud, Jean-Pierre Monteiro
  • Patent number: 10486573
    Abstract: The elastic immobilizing device allows a passenger on a seat, positioned behind the seat carrying the tray and the device according to the invention, to use the tray (3) in an easy and practical manner and to avoid accidental breakage of the strap (17) which holds the tray (3), if the strap (17) is pulled accidentally or excessively. The strap (4) holding the tray (3) comprises a part that has low resistance to stretching (17) along the entire length thereof and comprises, along at least a part of the length thereof, a part that is highly resistant to stretching (18), mounted in series or in parallel with the part that has low resistance to stretching (17), the part that is highly resistant to stretching (18) being able to come into action when the part that has low resistance to stretching (17) has been stretched. Application to the seats of aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: EXPLISEAT
    Inventors: Vincent Tejedor, Benjamin Jacob Saada, Gilles Duval, Stéphane Goset, Jean-Charles Samuelian
  • Patent number: 10449882
    Abstract: Travel sleeping aids for assisting a seated traveler to sleep in a forward leaning seated position toward a passenger seat in front of the seated traveler, the passenger seat having a headrest. In one implementation, a travel sleeping aid includes a U-shaped head support having a face contoured aperture for supporting the seated traveler's head in a forward leaning seated position and a support structure rotatable with respect to the U-shaped head support between a storage position flush with the U-shaped head support and a head support position generally perpendicular to the U-shaped head support. In another embodiment, a hanging travel sleeping aid includes a generally rectangular shaped head support having a passenger seat headrest pocket for being snugly placed on a passenger seat's headrest in front of a seated traveler and a head support panel for supporting the seated traveler's head in his forward leaning seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Inventor: Nimrod Lev
  • Patent number: 10384784
    Abstract: A table leg has a first connector for connecting the table leg in pivotable engagement with a seat such that the table leg is pivotable between first and second leg positions, and a mating part for restricting movement of the table leg relative to the seat. The mating part is for allowing removal of the table leg from the seat when the table leg is in the first leg position and for preventing removal of the table leg from the seat when the table leg is in the second leg position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Acro Aircraft Seating Limited
    Inventors: Adam Challenor, Toby Hugh
  • Patent number: 10278496
    Abstract: A modular furniture set having three parts: two side parts configured as sitting furniture units; and at least one middle part, wherein all parts are configured such as to allow connecting each part to another part to build different furniture units and sets thereby, where the furniture units and sets comprise at least a bed with at least two different sizes and two sitting units which are formed by the two side parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: M&J SROUR PROPERTIES LLC
    Inventor: Mark Serure
  • Patent number: 10220948
    Abstract: A tray table for use with a passenger seat of a transportation vehicle is provided. The tray table may be moveable between a deployed position and a stowed position relative to a seat. The tray table may include a storage compartment for storing belongings of a passenger. A lid may be provided for covering an opening of the storage compartment. A portion of the lid may be transparent such that contents of the storage compartment may be readily viewed by a passenger when the tray table is in the deployed position. A portion of a storage compartment bottom may be transparent such that contents of the storage compartment may be readily viewed by a passenger when the tray table is in the stowed position. The tray table may have any number of storage compartments and a single lid or multiple lids may be used to cover the storage compartment openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventor: Udo W. Schultheis
  • Patent number: 10137991
    Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a tray table for mounting to a lower seatback region of an aircraft passenger seat includes a tray table support bracket stowable to a position approximately parallel with the lower seatback region, and pivotably deployable to provide access to a tray table slideably coupled to the support bracket and configured to provide a substantially horizontal work surface when in a deployed state. In the stowed position, the tray table may be substantially positioned below a tray table deployment height such that additional clearance is provided on the seatback above the tray table for one or more accessory items such as a larger monitor in portrait orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Darbyshire, Vien McArthur Nguyen, Cameron Baker, Lucas Tretout
  • Patent number: 9930977
    Abstract: An inflatable pillow, having a predetermined shape when inflated, such that the bottom face of the pillow sits securely on an airplane table tray, the pillow's back face, above the arm space, leans fully against the seat back that the table tray is mounted on, providing lateral stability for the upper region of the pillow, unique over the prior art, and an angled front face upon which the confined traveler can lean forward from their seated position and get full support for their upper torso and head so they can comfortably rest or sleep. The pillow is composed of flexible, air-retentive material and has a valve for inflating and deflating the pillow. In its deflated state the pillow is compact enough to fit in most carry-on bags for ease of transport and storage. A simple bellows is provided with the pillow for inflating the pillow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Jeffrey Lorrin Jennings
  • Patent number: 9873381
    Abstract: A holder assembly includes a vertically translatable article holder operatively associated with a substantially vertically-oriented washboard frame. The article holder includes at least one retainer for releasably engaging a plurality of vertically stacked steps of the frame. The at least one retainer further includes at least one tab for slidingly engaging at least one cooperating slot associated with the frame and at least one actuable latch for releasably engaging the plurality of vertically stacked steps. The article holder further includes a holder bar having a pivoting gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Alejandro Juarez Corona
  • Patent number: 9527590
    Abstract: A cradle device of the present disclosure includes a tray, a main body, a pop-up mechanism, and a magnet. The pop-up mechanism is disposed on the main body and moves the tray from a stowing position to a taking-out position. The magnet is disposed in the main body at a side opposite to a mounting face of the tray. In a case of taking out the handset is, the magnet attracts the handset toward the tray from the stowing position to the taking-out position and moves to a predetermined retracting position when the handset is taken out of the tray. In a case of returning the handset to the tray, the magnet moves from the retracting position to an attracting position at which the handset is attracted toward the tray when the handset is pushed into the stowing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaharu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9457905
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest, a recess made in the backrest, a holder base fitted to a rear wall of the recess, an upper holder clip which is movably and resiliently mounted in a clip rail extending vertically from top to bottom in the holder base, and a fold-out tray which can be folded out from the recess by two folding hinges which are fitted to the inner side walls of the recess inside the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Felske, Lars Schomacker, Carsten Wolgast, Gerd Dueser, Erwin Ilias, Peter Miehlke, Horst Pohlenz, Dino Miler
  • Patent number: 9380863
    Abstract: A folding table includes: a table body provided with a pair of hinge pins and a pair of lock pins, each of the pairs protruding oppositely in left-right direction; and a pair of left and right brackets having shaft holes in which the hinge pins are inserted and movable holes in which the lock pins are inserted. Spring members mounted in the movable holes press the lock pins. The table body is rotatably supported by the brackets affixed to a wall surface. The folding table has closing plates having through-holes respectively through which the hinge pins and the lock pins are penetrated. The closing plates are sandwiched between the table body and the brackets to close the movable holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignees: NIPPON SHARYO, LTD., CENTRAL JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY
    Inventors: Kei Sakanoue, Hajime Ito, Tadashi Fujii, Hiroaki Isogai, Kenichi Tanaka, Takehiro Ishigami, Toshihiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9376047
    Abstract: A tray arrangement is provided. The tray arrangement includes a tray element with a first side and a second side. The tray arrangement also includes a bearing arrangement for the tray element. The tray element is supported on the bearing arrangement and the second side comprises a holding arrangement for a mobile device. The bearing arrangement is configured to pivot the tray element about at least an axis which lies in a plane of the tray element or parallel thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Jovan Ulbrich-Gasparevic, Michael Mosler
  • Patent number: 9352840
    Abstract: A tray table for use with a passenger seat of a transportation vehicle is provided. The tray table may be moveable between a deployed position and a stowed position relative to a seat. The tray table may include a storage compartment for storing belongings of a passenger. A lid may be provided for covering an opening of the storage compartment. A portion of the lid may be transparent such that contents of the storage compartment may be readily viewed by a passenger when the tray table is in the deployed position. A portion of a storage compartment bottom may be transparent such that contents of the storage compartment may be readily viewed by a passenger when the tray table is in the stowed position. The tray table may have any number of storage compartments and a single lid or multiple lids may be used to cover the storage compartment openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventor: Udo W. Schultheis
  • Patent number: 9283881
    Abstract: A fitting part for a vehicle seat includes a flap element that is rotatably secured to a backrest of the vehicle seat and can be pivoted between a substantially horizontal use position and a non-use position, as well as a retainer element (11) for locking the flap element in the use position. A first region (10) of the retainer element is rotatably secured to the backrest and a second region (13) of the retainer element is rotatably secured to a slide (7) that is mounted so as to be displaceable in a rail (6) of the flap element and that can be fixed relative to the rail by a securing element. The fitting part includes a plurality of securing elements for locking the flap element in a plurality of use positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Evels, Marco Leber, Ralf Rappen, Frank Gerhardt, Ahmed Oualkadi
  • Patent number: 9199739
    Abstract: A passenger seat device, particularly an airplane passenger seat device, including a visible surface body having a receiving region, which is provided for receiving a replaceable information carrier, and a fastening unit for fastening the information carrier in the receiving region. The fastening unit is provided for uncovered fastening of the information carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Satoshi Hasegawa, Patrick Barron Sesma
  • Patent number: 9168876
    Abstract: A support for portable electronic devices increases passenger convenience and comfort. The support may comprise an elongated cavity or slot configured to accept one or more portable electronic devices. The portable electronic devices may be held at various viewing angles relative to the passenger. In some embodiments, the support may be rotatable. In this manner, a passenger may be permitted to adjust the angle at which his or her portable electronic device is positioned. Likewise, an operator or the like may rotate the support for cleaning or other maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Inventor: Nick Pajic
  • Patent number: 9158185
    Abstract: In a personal interactive overhead projection IFE system, an overhead projector associated with a passenger's seat projects video onto a passive substrate attached to the seat. The passive substrate may be a tray table or a dedicated video projection screen. The passenger sitting in the seat controls the projected video by positioning his or her finger or making hand gestures proximate the passive substrate. An overhead camera records the hand actions. An overhead processor interprets the hand actions and controls the projected video based on the hand actions. The system provides highly desirable personal and interactive features while obviating the need for seatback video display units or passenger control units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Lumexis Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory C. Petrisor
  • Patent number: 8997660
    Abstract: A table assembly is provided. The table assembly includes a lower table portion, and an upper table portion operationally engaging the lower table portion. The upper and lower table portions are slidably movable relative to each other between a generally parallel configuration wherein the lower and upper table portions are vertically stacked and a generally co-planar configuration wherein the lower and upper table portions are generally horizontally aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Johnny A. Satterfield
  • Patent number: 8936307
    Abstract: Described are multipurpose tray table systems including a passenger seat back, at least one tray table arm pivotally coupled to the passenger seat back, and a tray table pivotally coupled to the at least one tray table arm, comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the tray table may be deployed away from the passenger seat back via rotation of the at least one tray table arm about the passenger seat back to a first deployed position, and the tray table may be rotated about the at least one tray table arm into an adjusted deployed position such that the first surface of the tray table faces generally toward the passenger seat back and the second surface of the tray table faces generally away from the passenger seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventor: Homero Heredia
  • Patent number: 8936308
    Abstract: A seat back tray for being pivotally mounted an aircraft seat, and including a frame mounted on the aircraft seat and movable between a stowed position against a seat back of the aircraft seat and a deployed, generally horizontal position for use by an aft-seated occupant and a fabric sleeve formed of top and bottom panels for being removably positioned in a tensioned condition on and supported by the frame for providing a support surface for use items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal Gordon Petersen, Gregory Michael Molaro, Brian James Lasley, Joel Brent Bowman, Jason Edward Epley, David Micheal Cekuta, Andrew Edward Kerman
  • Patent number: 8934063
    Abstract: An in-flight entertainment (IFE) system that integrates a touch screen display device with a tray table (e.g., an airplane tray table or a train tray table) to provide a superior media experience. The IFE system is configured to be situated in an active use position wherein a user may interact with the touch screen and also use a tray table. The IFE system may be moved into a stowed position wherein it is positioned adjacent to a back of a passenger seat and operated in a passive viewing mode. The IFE system may include a bottom panel or tray portion having a window pane so that the display device is viewable when the IFE system is in the stowed position. A portable IFE system comprising a foldable clamp that clamps to an edge of a conventional table and folds into a stowed position is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Skycast Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Boyer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8905470
    Abstract: A seat unit includes a seat and a dining board is slidably and pivotably connected to the back of the backrest of the seat. A display device such as a flat-board computer, a table PC, or an In-Flight Entertainment device, is connected to the bottom face of the dining board. The dining board is connected with two links which are pivotably connected to the legs of the backrest so that the dining board is pivoted and positioned horizontally. The dining board has operation members on two sides thereof so as to be slidably engaged with grooves in the reception member on the backrest. The dining board can be slid and stored in the reception member and the passenger behind the backrest can operate and enjoy the In-Flight Entertainment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Super Alloy Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Henry Shih, Wen-Ping Tsai, Chang-Hsien Lee
  • Patent number: 8833847
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a seat back in which a seat body is supported by a seat frame; a backboard provided on a rear surface of the seat back; and a cloth member covering a surface of the backboard, wherein the backboard is attached to the seat frame to have a convex shape in which a center part of a surface thereof protrudes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kunio Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 8801095
    Abstract: A chair including a fold down seat which is closed against the side or rear of a stroller or wheelchair for transit or storage, but which is deployable to rotate outwardly therefrom for sitting upon when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Philip D Moody
  • Patent number: 8702163
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a seat back assembly comprising a seat back with a recess and a tray table assembly. The table body is configured to substantially fit within the recess. An amenity compartment may also be coupled to the seat back above the tray table assembly and may be configured to also substantially fit within the recess. The amenity compartment may be a bezel or an upper literature pocket. A latching mechanism releasably engages the tray table assembly with the amenity compartment. The amenity compartment may be coupled to the seat back via a hook that engages a slotted bracket on the seat back and projections that engage receptacles on the seat back. A protective covering may be inserted between the seat back and the amenity compartment and coupled to the seat back without additional fasteners. The protective covering may be a full shroud, a partial shroud, or a dress cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Rik Westerink, Jeffrey P. Wegenka, Brad Grunwald, Elias Cardozo
  • Patent number: 8667904
    Abstract: A tray table having a support for portable electronic devices increases passenger convenience and comfort on flights. The support may comprise an elongated cavity configured to accept one or more portable electronic devices. The portable electronic devices may be held at various viewing angles relative to the passenger. In some embodiments, the passenger may be permitted to adjust the angle at which his or her portable electronic device is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Nick Pajic
  • Patent number: 8590965
    Abstract: A folding table is provided for a vehicle. The folding table includes, but is not limited to a tabletop that can be fastened to a vehicle seat so that it can be pivoted from a pivoted-in non-usage position into a pivoted-out usage position. At substantially the same time, at least one connection point is provided at which accessory parts can be detachably fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Beyer, Holger Weyer, Jong Hyuk Park, Gregory Hill-Young
  • Patent number: 8517464
    Abstract: Described are tray table stop assemblies comprising a housing comprising at least one deployment track, a force-receiving mechanism comprising at least one protuberance, wherein the at least one protuberance is slidingly coupled to the at least one deployment track, and a biasing mechanism positioned between the force-receiving mechanism and the housing. In some embodiments, the tray table stop assembly is coupled to a passenger seat assembly adjacent a tray table assembly having at least one arm. In these versions, the arm of the tray table assembly is positioned to apply pressure to the force-receiving mechanism when the tray table assembly travels between a stowed position and a deployed position. When the tray table assembly moves forward beyond the stowed position, the force-receiving mechanism is positioned within the travel path of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Macario Ruiz, Robert W. Trimble, Girish Malligere
  • Patent number: 8434415
    Abstract: Disclosed is a combination furniture article and table support. The device comprises an article of furniture having an upstanding seatback and a flush-mounted frame therealong. The frame supports a hingeable tabletop that is flush with the seatback when in a stowed state. When deployed, the table is pulled away from the frame, rotated outward and secured within a cavity along the upper interior portion of the frame. This cavity secures over the upper edge of the table and supports the table in a horizontal configuration. The preferred embodiment utilizes a spring and damper element to draw the table into the cavity; however several embodiments are contemplated. The lower underside of the table includes a magnet or ferric material that aligns with a magnet within the lower portion of the frame to retain the table within the frame when stowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventors: Betsy Federici, Jamie Hathaway
  • Patent number: 8096612
    Abstract: A releasing device for a table part of a seat system for passenger vehicles. In a releasing device for a table part of a seat system for passenger vehicles, in particular for aircraft, comprising seat components such as a seat structure, a seat part, a seat back and an armrest, the position of at least one of these seat components being adjustable, wherein the table part is arranged on the seat structure to be tiltable between an operative position and a stowed position, the table part can be secured in the stowed position by means of a locking device which, for releasing the table part into its operative position, can be actuated by the adjustment movement of at least one armrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Schumm, Gerhard Klein, Branislav Miskovic, Oliver Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8052208
    Abstract: An apparatus for locking a table of a seat back to selectively secure the table in multiple stages, may include a base, a shaft coupled to the base and the table, an actuating arm fastened to the shaft and rotatable with the shaft, the actuating arm having actuating gear teeth, a locking arm rotatably provided on the base, wherein the locking arm includes locking gear teeth and the locking gear teeth is selectively engaged with the actuating gear teeth by the actuating arm such that when the actuating arm is rotated in a forward direction, the actuating gear teeth is engaged with the locking gear teeth or pass over the locking gear teeth according to rotational degree of the actuating arm, and a locking arm holding unit co-axially coupled with the actuating arm to the base and selectively activated by the actuating arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Dymos Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Ho Kim, Hyun Ko, Chae Hoon Ma, Sung Ah Kim, Seung Hyock Tak, Jong Kweon Pyun, Jin Ho Seo
  • Patent number: 7971929
    Abstract: A meal tray assembly for being carried by an aft-facing side of a seat back for use by a person seated aft of the seat back is provided. The assembly includes a tray mountable to the seat back and including a first shell having a forward facing surface when in the stowed position and a second shell for mating with the first shell and having a rearward facing surface towards the aft-seated person when in the stowed position. A major recess is defined in the rearward facing surface of the second shell and an inwardly facing elongate flanged is carried by the rearward facing surface of the second shell and extending towards the major recess. A flexible screen is provided for being positioned in the recess by an interference fit between the inwardly facing flange and an engaging surface of the major recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Kennard, Gary Osborne