Abstract: An aircraft seat assembly (12) is convertible between a first, narrower configuration of three seats (RA, RN, RW) and a second, widened seat configuration which adds an even increase in space between armrests (18, 22, 24). A seat assembly (12) includes a tube-in-tube support frame for the seats which allows the conversion to be accomplished by a simple sliding movement of the aisle and middle seat frames (RA, RM) toward and away from the window seat frame (RW) which is fixed in position. Movement of the aisle and middle seat frames (RA, RM) automatically centers the middle seat frame (RM) between the aisle and window seat frames (RA, RW) and automatically changes the position of the two inside armrests (22, 24) to provide even spacing therebetween. A lock mechanism (124, 130) locks the seat frame parts together, both in the first, narrower configuration and in the second, widened configuration.

Abstract: In a motor car of the type with three front seats side by side the central front seat is set further back than the other two front seats in order to provide adequate lateral restraint for the occupant of that seat when travelling. The passenger compartment of the car also has two separate rear seats whose median planes are slightly inclined to the vertical median plane of the car so that they diverge forwardly. The rear seats are spaced apart so as to leave space between them which is partially occupied by the central front seat. Maximum comfort and a large amount of available space are thus afforded for all five passengers, while the body can have quite small external dimensions. Preferably, the rear seats can be folded down in order to provide a large loading surface accessible through the rear hatch of the car.

Abstract: A unit of household furniture has two chairs and a console permanently joined together with the console between the two chairs. Each of the chairs is a reclining chair that is individually adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position, and the two chairs and console are movable as a unit relative to a supporting surface.

Abstract: Two seat assemblies are provided side-by-side, in a row, on opposite sides of an aisle (16). A first seat assembly comprises window, middle and aisle seats (RW, RM, RA) which are movable between a first narrow seat spacing and a second wider seat spacing (FIGS. 7 and 8). The second seat assembly is convertible between three seats (LA, LM, LW) with the first spacing and two seats with the larger spacing (FIGS. 7 and 8). Each seat assembly includes a tube-in-tube support frame for the seats which allows the conversion and seat size to be accomplished by a simple sliding of movement of the aisle and middle seat frames towards and away from the window seat frame which is fixed in position (FIGS. 9 and 10).

Abstract: A detachable anchoring device for a seat assembly which is attached through a support member to a substantially planar sled support base having a quick release connector assembly capable of releasably connecting the planar base in a desired position with respect to a fixed station. The quick release connector assembly includes a bracket connected to a machine or service counter and a connecting member for releasably connecting a first portion of the planar base to the bracket, the planar base remaining substantially in contact with a portion of a planar floor surface during connecting to the bracket. Locking means may be included to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the anchoring device.

Abstract: In a double passenger seat support arrangement for use in land, water or air transports which comprises a seat support frame with spaced support legs interconnected by a support beam structure having spaced sets of box spar and mounting track structures, each such set has at least two mounting track structures arranged side-by-side and firmly connected to, or integral with, the associated box spar structure with one of the mounting track structures defining a downwardly open channel for mounting the support beam structure onto the legs and the other having an upwardly open channel for mounting the seats onto the support beam structure.

Abstract: A seating cluster for airport and similar seating areas, comprising a table positioned on a supporting surface, with six seats attached to and supported by the table adjacent each other in spaced-apart relation above the supporting surface. Each of the seats have a seat bottom having a front edge, opposed sides and a seat back. Each of the six seats are attached to the table with the front of its seat bottom positioned at an oblique angle to the front of a seat bottom of a first adjacent seat whereby each seat and its respective first adjacent seat are angled slightly to each other to facilitate conversation by occupants. Each of the six seats are positioned seat back-to-seat back with a second adjacent seat whereby occupants of each seat and the second adjacent seat are seated substantially back-to-back.

Abstract: A storable seating unit for access by an individual in a wheelchair to seating in a stadium or arena. The storable seating unit includes a pedestal, a seat bottom pivotally connected to the pedestal, and a seat back pivotally mounted to one end of the seat back and the pedestal. The pedestal includes a mechanism for pivoting the seat bottom and the seat back so as to define an open area for positioning of the wheelchair in a position occupied by the seat bottom and the seat back prior to pivoting. The pedestal may include a longitudinal slot and a slide pivotally and slidably positioned therein and connected to the seat bottom and the seat back for pivoting of the seat bottom and the seat back and lowering thereof along the length of the slide.

Abstract: The invention divulges a seat support of the cantilever type for public transport vehicles. This seat support has, in section through a vertical plane, a general upturned L shape with a horizontal part (16) which serves for fixing at least one seat and a vertical part or foot (18) which rests on the floor (12) of the vehicle or on an element fixed to the sidewall (14) thereof, one of said parts of the seat support being provided with a projection or spur (20) which engages in a housing (24) of corresponding shape formed in the sidewall (14).

Abstract: A vehicle seat, especially an air passenger seat, has a front (1) and a rear (2) foot, at least on one side. These feet are connected together, in the area of their upper end, by means of a longitudinal strut (5). The longitudinal strut (5) has a fastening point (6) for a safety belt. The connection between the front foot (1) and the longitudinal strut (5) is designed to prevent rotation, and the connection between the rear foot (2) and the longitudinal strut (5) is designed as a rotary connection which permits motion about an axis that extends perpendicular to the direction of the seat. The rear foot (2) is curved against the front foot (1), between an upper and lower end region, and has a U-profile that is open towards the side.

Abstract: A wire rod type stacking office furniture chair comprising, including a separate chair seat and back for same, a pair of endless rodding members each defining along the left and right sides of a chair a lower quadrilaterally contoured base frame having lower floor engaging runners that may be glide equipped and upper runners above the chair lower runners that support the chair seat between them, with the rodding members adjacent the rear of the chair each defining a similar vertically oriented upright, chair shoulder forming loop, between which shoulders the chair back is supported; the chair back comprises an assembly including a mounting pan fixed between the chair right and left side shoulder forming loops, an inner opaque back member, and an outer opaque back member, with such back members being secured together in opposed relation on either side of the mounting pan and in encapsulating relation to such pan, by interfitting devices that are also concealed, and with the chair seat also comprising an assemb

Abstract: Seats for a bus attached to a structure that is directly supported from the understructure, and not attached to the side structures of a vehicle, thus avoiding the placing of the seated passenger load on the conventional side structure.

Abstract: A device for attachment of appliances to a vehicle cargo bed. The device has a main body that is attached to the cargo bed side walls and has an elongated portion on the top and side of the side walls, respectively. Each portion has an element that engages with an appliance having a complementary configuration and an element for stationary attachment of the appliance.

Abstract: Upholstered seating units include a frame, a plurality of removable, reversible, upholstered members including at least one back cushion, one seat cushion and one or more panels, and a plurality of support members which extend from the frame and which slidingly receive and are at least partially received in each of the upholstered members. The upholstered seat and back cushions include internal, biased movable latch members which automatically engage their support members. The upholstered panels may include a front panel, a rear panel, a pair of side panels, or, preferably all such panels. The upholstered panels either are provided with an internal, biased movable latch member to automatically and removably secure those panels to the support members receiving them or lack such a latch. Latchless panels are positioned to be retained on a support member by interference with other, latched upholstered members whereby all upholstered members are removably secured to the frame.

Abstract: A mechanism for a wall proximity-type of recliner chair, in which the chair-back reclining and erecting action is separate from the ottoman thrusting and retracting action, in which the forward-upward travel of the upholstered seat and arm frame unit as the chair back reclines feels as smooth as if it were produced by support wheels riding up an inclined ramp (although no wheels and ramp are used, thus avoiding the potential problem of a debris-obstructed ramp). The back end chair movement is synchronized by travel linkage to provide the desired upward and forward translation. Further, the locking linkage function and driving linkage function are provided by the same linkages. The mechanism can also be used in a modular sofa having a reclining unit, or in an armless chair, as the mechanism need not rise into a chair arm while the back is reclined and erected or the ottoman is thrust or retracted.

Abstract: A seating element adapted to be arranged in rows of like seating elements for seating in halls, stadiums, stands, etc., consists of a seat section, which may be mounted to a support structure by way of a joint row attachment device, and a back-rest section movably linked to the seat section such that it can be laid down on the seat section in a covering position. The back-rest section is attached to the seat section in such a way that it falls back automatically into the covering position in the absence of counter lifting forces and rests on the seat section. This arrangement is compact, prevents the seat back-rests from being obstructions which would hamper evacuation in a panic situation, and is readily cleanable.

Abstract: The seat comprises a cushion foldable about its front edge and two side-by-side backrests. The two backrests (1 and 2) are carried by a horizontal rod (16) connected by an articulated link (18) to a fixed support (20). One of the backrests (2) is connected in its lower part to a rotative element (28) rotatable about the pivot axis of the horizontal rod. The other backrest (1) is free to pivot about the rod so that it may be folded over alone onto the cushion of the seat by this pivoting while it is capable of being folded over with the other backrest (2) onto the floor by pivoting therewith about the pivot axis X--X of the rod carrying the backrests.

Abstract: A coupled chair unit for conversion to a desk mode of use and to a chair mode of use comprises a plurality of legs, a beam member bridged over the legs, a plurality of armrests fixed on the beam member in a longitudinal direction of the beam member, a plurality of support posts uprightly fixed on the beam member and having first and second support portions provided in the upper and lower positions, respectively, a plurality of chair seats tiltably supported between the adjacent armrests, a plurality of chair backrests including upper and lower backrest segments, movable and fixed, which are situated above the respective chair seats, an upper backrest segment-equipped table panel which is held erect behind the support post and chair backrest in an ordinary chair mode of use and a link mechanism converting the coupled chair unit to the ordinary chair mode of use in which the table panel is held erect and to a desk mode of use in which the table panel is held substantially horizontal.

Abstract: In combination with a horizontal deck arrangement supported above ground level and having a facia member attached to and extending below the deck along at least a portion of the periphery thereof, a seat and safety rail assembly comprises a plurality of brackets spaced along and attached in upstanding relationship to the facia member.

Abstract: An adjustable-width seating unit for a passenger-carrying vehicle has a pillar pivotally connected to its support frame to swing about a first axis substantially longitudinally disposed with respect to the seating unit, an armrest mounted on the pillar and rotatable relative to the pillar about a second axis, fixed relative to the pillar and substantially longitudinally disposed with respect to the seating unit. On swinging the pillar about the first axis the armrest may be moved between laterally-spaced positions and by rotating the armrest about the second axis its angular disposition relative to the seating unit may be maintained.A detent adjacent to the pivotal connection of the pillar to the frame locates the pillar positively but releasably in its respective positions and a detent adjacent to the rotational mounting of the armrest similarly locates the armrest in different angular positions relative to the pillar. The arrangement can be such that both detents may be released in a single action.

Abstract: A device for varying the distance between the seats in commercial aircraft, comprising longitudinal rails provided in their upper horizontal flanges with dovetail grooves and holes pierced in the two inner lips of the rail defining this groove, comprises a driving seat and mobile seats disposed in front of and/or behind the driving seat. A transmission mechanism is provided between the driving seat and the mobile seat. The driving seat bears a drive mechanism moved by a motor, this drive mechanism being coupled with elongated connecting members movable in translation, located on each rail and being able to be displaced forwardly or rearwardly by a predetermined distance as a function of the desired change in distance. The transmission mechanism comprises a set of metal slats connecting the feet of the mobile seats together, at rail level, the slats closest to the driving seat being coupled to the elongated connecting members.

Abstract: A seat for an inflatable boat is disclosed characterized by use of an elongate beam member adapted to support a user thereon and a pair arcuate end panels sized to extend about the tubular side walls of the inflatable boat and securely affix the seat at any desired position within the interior of the inflatable boat. The end panels are formed having an arcuate configuration generally complimentary to the interior portion of the tubular side walls of the inflatable boat to frictionally engage the same and may be removeably mounted to the elongate beam portion to allow compact stowage of the seat with the inflatable boat as desired.

Abstract: To make the passenger seat for the airplane as light as possible while satisfying safety requirements, some or all the essential components are made with a sandwich-like structure, especially from sandwich panels. These sandwich panels can be made from a plurality of covering layers with a light but strong supporting core (e.g. with a honeycomb structure) interposed between pairs of covering layers.

Abstract: A support for a cantilevered object comprises support member having an X-shaped configuration defined by a central portion and a pair of a spaced apart lower arms attached to the support from which the cantilevered object extends and a pair of spaced apart upper arms constructed and arranged to be secured to the cantilevered object intermediate its ends. The member extends upwardly and outwardly from the support and is curvilinear from its lower to its upper end.

Abstract: Modularly arranged seat frameworks supporting of custom upholstered seat cushions and mountable in a variety of makes, models and years of automboiles. Cable-actuated, spring release means coupled between the backrest and bench frame portions to at least one hinge member facilitate a recliner adjustment of one to the other. Included mounting brackets support a seat belt retractor to the backrest framework with the extreme ends of the belt coupling to the automotive frame.

Abstract: Aircraft passenger seat frames (60, 62, 220, 222 and 224) having legs (54, 56, 210, 212) fixed in place in the aircraft and with the seat frames. Each seat frame has generally horizontal supporting members (66, 68, 74, 76) having their opposite ends secured in seat end webs (70, 72, 78, 80). Tubes (84, 86) are associated with each of the seat end webs of the plurality of seat frames in a supporting relationship, the legs (54, 56) being connected to the tubes to support the seat frames. The tubes have a tube-in-tube slip joint (88, 90) at least at one outside end of the one seat frame on which the seat can be moved toward or away from an adjacent seat frame to change the fare class size of the set frames.

Abstract: A structure which resists dynamic forces, forming a mounting for a seat of an air transport craft and a seat having such a structure comprising front and rear feet, a front anchorage, an energy absorption device, and a stop mechanism. The front and rear feet are articulated at their upper ends on the seat framework, so that each can pivot about a horizontal and transverse pivot axle. The front anchorage comprises a joint having a traverse horizontal pivot axle, which allows the front foot to pivot forwards from its normal position about the joint pivot axle. The energy absorption device extends between the lower front anchorage and the upper part of the rear foot, but at a distance from the upper rear joint. The energy absorption device includes a stop mechanism for preventing the forward pivoting of the rear foot about its lower rear anchorage on the fixed structure of the craft.

Abstract: Modular seating comprises flat side frame members including chair frames and bench and table frames, with each frame including means to bolt seats and tables to the sides thereof, the units being constructable as free-standing components or as interconnected seats, tables, and benches. The frames are formed of laminations having overlapping laminated joints wherein laminations of intersecting members extend all the way through the joints. The back rest has a frame without a rigid frame member at the top of the back rest.

Abstract: An improved multiple seat chair structure is disclosed which includes a pair of longitudinally spaced, vertically oriented, end support members; a longitudinally extending brace member fixed to and interconnecting the end support members; at least one intermediate support member positioned between the end support members, each of the intermediate support members including a vertically extending leg member thereon having an upper end portion; first and second seat sections carried by the various support members, the seat sections each including first and second side rail members thereon and a seat member extending between and supported by the side rail members; and at least one generally wedge-shaped fitting rigidly interconnecting the leg member, the brace member and at least one of the side rail members from each of two of the seat sections.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to furniture of the chair, loveseat and couch type which includes a frame, first and second members linked with one another and generally parallel to one another, one or more spring members coupling the first and second members with the frame and permitting partial rotation of the first and second members about an axis perpendicular to the first and second members and biasing the members back to an initial orientation when rotated, a cushion received by and supported by the first pair of members, a latch mechanism within the cushion for latching the cushion to at least one of the first and second members receiving the cushion, a mating element on at least one of the members for engaging with the latch and an actuator within the cushion coupled with the latch for disengaging the latch mechanism from the mating element of the members.

Abstract: A rotation mechanism for a rotatable seat, in 5 which four rollers are arranged at the seat such that they are disposed equidistant at 90-degree angle from one another, and a substantially isosceles triangle shaped guide member is provided at the floor side of a vehicle such that its vertex extends towards the window-side wall of the vehicle. One of the four rollers is in a rolling contact with the vertex of the guide member when the seat is set in a normal seating position. Thus, with a small rotative force, the seat can be rotated without contact with the windowside wall of the vehicle so as to orient the seat towards a desired seating direction.

Abstract: A reclining bench having a pair of elongated platform members and a pair of pivotally attached upright members having a seat and back attached thereto. A pair of cams disposed between the seat and the platforms make the reclining bench adjustable from and between a reclined position wherein it is tipped back against a stop member attached to the platform members to a forward position resting upon a flat top of the cam members.

Abstract: In a seat support arrangement for passenger vehicles wherein a number of seats with backrests are mounted on a seat support structure including a transverse frame supported by legs and consisting of two spaced struts and for each seat a support frame mounted on the struts, the struts are flat tubular profile spars having two partial box spar sections and two C-shaped track sections arranged in opposite corner areas and in such a manner that the C-shaped track sections are open in opposite directions and each slidably receives slot bolts for engagement with the seat legs beneath and, respectively, the support frames above.

Abstract: Cushioned components are arranged to fit together in laterally immobilized fashion to form a furnished interior for the bed of a pick-up truck. The assembly is constructed of modular pieces which, when assembled, form a pair of seats above the wheel wells of the truck bed and a storage compartment extending across the width of the truck at the forward end of the truck bed. All surfaces of the assembly that are directed toward the truck bed interior are cushioned with carpeting, fabric, or padding. The modular components may be quickly assembled and disassembled, so that the bed of the pick-up truck may be utilized for heavy duty work within the furnished interior assembly, and then transformed into a luxurious den within the space of a few minutes.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for a reclining chair or sofa module allows the backrest to be placed virtually against a nearby wall in a room without offering any obstruction when the chair is placed into reclining position. The mechanism may incorporate a backrest of an average of conventional length and, in the preferred embodiment, the mechanism is driven to TV position by the weight of the chair occupant upon release of a locking means which holds the mechanism in the normal or closed position. Preferably, a manually-operable handle positioned on one side of the chair in accordance with conventional practice, is utilized to release the lock mechanism. Once in TV position, the chair may be moved to advanced reclining positions by the occupant exerting pressure on the backrest during which time the backrest will not strike the adjacent wall.

Abstract: In a one-piece seat shell which consists of at least two individual seats and which, on every outer seating edge, has a closed channel which runs from the front side of the seat up to the upper side of the seat back and is set back from the rear side of the seat shell and which is provided on the channel base side with reinforcing portions for accommodating fastening means, a further channel, formed like the outer lying channel, is also located in the transition area between the two individual seats and is likewise closed on the front side.

Abstract: Sitting bench for public facilities, such as parks, street, waiting rooms and lounges on subways, airports or the like, having two or more interconnected stands exhibiting the approximate configuration of seats, equipped with floor or wall fastening elements and serving to support the seat slats, which together form the seating surface. The seat slats are triangular in cross section. The stands are equipped with corresponding acutely angled, V-shaped supports or receiving grooves to which the slats are fastened by screws penetrating the supports in the area of their points. A bead is provided on the outer edge of the stands and the floor or wall fastening elements are half-shells divided in their longitudinal center plane and equipped with a clamping groove to grip the bead.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in seat construction for seating at least two passengers which includes a seat frame having front and back sides running the length of the frame and left and right sides running transverse of the frame, and is adapted to support at least two passenger seats. In particular, the present invention includes independent thigh support devices for each of the passengers, and a cushion member for each of the passengers which extend from the back of the seat frame and are arranged on each of the thigh support devices for simultaneous movement therewith and each of which have a perimeter dimension for supporting a passenger. Each of the thigh support devices, in turn, includes a thigh support frame pivotally fixed to the back of the seat frame for upward and downward rotation each thigh support frame formed so that it is substantially coextensive with the perimeter of each cushion member.

Abstract: A high chair bench assembly simultaneously accommodates several children side-by-side on a horizontal bench bottom pivotally connected to a vertical bench back which is attached to a wall. The bench bottom is held in the horizontal position by a support bar pivotally connected at the top of the side of the bench back and which has a keyhole slot brought over a stud located at the front of the side edge of the bench bottom. The bottom is lowered to a vertical stowage position by removing the keyhole slot from the stud. Each seating place is provided with back and bottom cushions as well as a safety belt. Trays are attached at independently selectable heights above the brackets into vertical perforated tracks located at the sides of each seating place. The trays are secured by an adjustable tension tie releasably connecting the front of each tray to an adjacent bench bottom location.

Abstract: The seat consists essentially of a seat frame and a back rest frame, which are screwed to each other by way of plates which are welded thereto. The seat frame and back rest frame each consist of a curved sectional member, whereof the ends are constructed as skid-type feet. The seat frame and back rest frame are each strengthened by a transverse reinforcement and, when the surface of the seat or back rest includes a lattice, is welded to the frame, when the surface of the seat or back rest includes a plastic shell, it is attached to the frame by clamping.

Abstract: An auxiliary seat (10) for use in motor vehicles is disclosed. The seat includes a seat base (12), a seat back (14), and a lid (16) hingedly connected to the seat base to form a console. The seat (10) further includes a pivoting armrest (22) and a seat belt (50). The auxiliary seat of this invention also includes a steel-like frame (40) to provide an exceptionally safe car seat.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a plurality of power seats in a vehicle includes a plurality of power seats, each having adjusting mechanisms for configuring the power seat in a number of different operational states. Operational state detectors then detect the operational state of each power seat. A switching device is provided for adjusting the adjustment mechanisms of the power seats to a desired operational state. Control apparatus is responsive to signals output from the operation state detection devices and the switching device for controlling the adjustment mechanisms of the power seats. The control apparatus causes each power seat to reach its desired operational state in response to the detected operational state of that seat and other power seats to prevent interference among the plurality of moving power seats.

Abstract: A tandem infant carrier apparatus (10) comprising the combination of a wheeled stroller unit (11) an infant carrier unit (13) and an articulated framework unit (16) operatively connected to the wheeled stroller unit (11) and the infant carrier unit (13); wherein, the articulated framework unit (16) is provided with a brake element (32) that may be deployed into ground engaging contact by manipulation of the articulated framework unit (16).

Abstract: A lounge construction is disclosed for grouping a plurality of furniture units, such as chairs, together. The chairs or other furniture units have frames supported by a plurality of generally vertical leg posts, which extend laterally of either side of the frame. A central lounge frame is included for connecting two furniture units, and the lounge frame is adapted to receive one of several types of furniture pieces, including a table top or chair seat and back. The central lounge frame has a support structure with front and rear transverse members connected by a crossbrace. A socket is attached at each end of the respective transverse members, and each socket receives an upper end of one of the leg posts whereby the central frame shares the inner legs of the neighboring furniture units. Each of the sockets has a slot therein which is aligned with a transverse support member of the furniture unit when the central frame is in place.

Abstract: A seat back of a vehicular seat is movably supportable in the fore and aft direction relative to a seat cushion and lockable in its forward and rearward positions. The back side of the seat back serves as a part of a seat for a child in the forward position in which the child is restrained relative to the seat back by a seat belt assembly, while the front side of the seat back serves as a part of a usual passenger seat in the rearward position, thereby providing a sufficient comfortableness to the seated child without deteriorating the function of the usual passenger seat.

Abstract: A passenger seat constructed of rectangular tube sections, which is stiffened by a beam disposed at the intersection of the seat backs with the seat, which beam consists of a rear frame piece connected to the rear frame structure and having upwardly pointing joint supports, which in turn are firmly located by stiffening rods. The lower ends of the seat back side frame members are reinforced by stiffening members mounted to their front side and at the same time forming lugs for pivotally supporting the seat backs on the joint supports, so as to provide for lowest possible weight together with the necessary strength.

Abstract: A lightweight aircraft seat based on resin preimpregnated carbon fibre comprises a bluff rectangular spar (20) integrally secured to J-tubes (26) and a diaphragm (31) spanning between the J-tubes. The spar (20) is located in a recess (16) in a leg (22) of I-section also of carbon fibre. A curvilinar front portion (24) of the seat of core and skin construction and of constant profile is cantilevered forwardly and upwardly from the spar (20). The J-tubes (26) are formed with attachment points (27), (28), (30) for seat belts, a seat back (41) and armrests.

Abstract: A stacking element comprising interconnectable panels, each consisting of at least two wires or bars bent in the plane of the panel, said wires or bars being interconnected with interposition of at least one wire or bar bent in the shape of a U, substantially projecting at the bottom from the two wires or bars bent in the plane of the panel. On the upper elements there may be provided set and/or floor portions which may be fitted at the top with recesses or the like for mounting chairs thereon.

Abstract: Convertible aircraft passenger seat can be quickly changed from a three-seating position configuration to a more spacious two-seating position configuration without the use of tools. Such a seat permits the seating capacity of an aircraft to be altered to match the expected passenger load in different classes, such as tourist and business class. In the three-position configuration, a pair of relatively narrow width armrests, which may contain recline lock control cables or audio cables, project vertically out of the lower seat cushion on either side of the center seating position but are pivotally mounted so that they will overlie the center position in a generally horizontal fashion in the two-position configuration, thus adding several inches of width to the adjacent end seating positions.

Abstract: Improved, lightweight multi-passenger aircraft seating unit utilizes an elongated, generally S-shaped, composite panel to provide the sole support for the seat cushions, the seat back and seat back tray table, the seat belt anchors and the armrests. Front legs and rear legs made of thin sheet metal can be attached directly to the panel by bolts passing through the panel. A downwardly projecting front portion of the panel and an upwardly projecting rear portion, in cooperation with channel-shaped members bonded to the panel's peripheral edges, enhance the rigidity of the panel. The unit provides cantilever support without the necessity for the front and rear tubular stretcher members and the fore and aft support members used in conventional seats. The composite panel has a honeycomb core and its top and bottom skin surfaces are formed of continuous layers of resin-impregnated fibrous material such as graphite fibers, with additional swatches of such material overlying and integrally bonded into the skin.