Abstract:
Described are pivoting and sliding tray tables ( 10 ) that move through a substantially constant plane from a stowed position to a deployed position for use with passenger seats. The tray table ( 10 ) rides on two elements ( 14, 18 ) that themselves ride along guide tracks or guide rails ( 21, 22, 23 ) to provide a combination rotating and translating motion during deployment. In the deployed position, the tray table may be displaced linearly but is restricted from rotation. The tray table may be moved to accommodate passengers of differing size or to allow ingress and egress from the passenger seat with a reduced risk of unintentional rotation.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/976,056 (“the &#39;056 application”), filed on Apr. 7, 2014, entitled “Sliding Rotating Traytable”. The &#39;056 application is hereby incorporated in its entirety by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of the invention relates to passenger seats or the like, and more particularly to deployable tray tables for use with passenger seats. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many passenger seats, such as those on passenger aircraft, busses, trains, and the like, are designed with deployable tray tables to allow a passenger to rest a drink, meal, computer, or other items during travel. In some instances, the tray table may be stowed in a compartment on one side of the passenger seat that deploys in a horizontal plane. 
         [0004]    In some instances, these tray tables may be mounted on linkages, arms, or other motion works that allow for concurrent rotational and translational movement throughout the range of motion of the tray table. Current tray tables that allow for concurrent translation and rotation in the deployed position can be difficult to move because a passenger must not only move the tray table but also stabilize it to prevent unintended rotation. If the tray table rotates or translates into a partially stowed position it may lead to spills or items on the tray table being knocked off the tray table. As a result, a passenger may have difficulty adjusting the tray table for comfort or during ingress and egress from the seat while the tray table is in use. 
         [0005]    The present invention provides, among other things, a deployable tray table that may have two distinct regimes of movement. The tray table may have a deployment motion that combines translation and rotation to allow the tray table to pivot and rotate as it moves into and out of a stowage space. The tray table may also have a deployed motion where the tray table is limited to a fore and aft translation without a rotational component to the motion. The restriction of rotational movement may allow a passenger to adjust the tray without the need to stabilize rotational movement. The tray table with a stabilized rotational movement in the deployed position accommodates different passenger seating positions and ingress and egress from the seat while the tray table is deployed with a reduced risk of unintentional motion. In certain embodiments, the separation of deployed adjustment motion and deployment motion may also provide a more natural movement to the passenger. Some embodiments of the present invention may also provide for a simplified, lighter, and more compact motion works and may present opportunities for installation of thinner tray tables. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim. 
         [0007]    According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a passenger seat may comprise a deployable tray table and a tray table stowage space. The deployable tray table may move between a stowed position and a deployed position in a substantially constant plane. One portion of the deployable tray table motion may comprise a linear motion in combination with a rotational motion in the substantially constant plane and a second portion of the deployable tray table motion may comprise only a linear motion in the substantially constant plane. 
         [0008]    According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a deployable tray table system may comprise a tray table, a guide track that comprises a curved portion, a transition portion, and a linear portion, a first guide element, and a second guide element. The first guide element may follow the curved portion, transition portion, and linear portion of the guide track and the second guide element may follow only the linear portion of the guide track. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the transition portion of the guide track may be disposed between the curved portion of the guide track and the linear portion of the guide track. 
         [0010]    In certain embodiments, the transition portion of the guide track may comprise an apex of the guide track. 
         [0011]    In certain embodiments, the apex may comprise the closest portion of the guide track to a passenger. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the apex may comprise the furthest portion of the guide track to a passenger. 
         [0013]    In certain embodiments, the second guide element may comprise a carriage. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, a pivot may be disposed between the carriage and the tray table. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the deployable tray table system may include a guide rail may linearly guide the carriage 
         [0016]    In certain embodiments, the deployable tray table system may include a powered actuator that drives the tray table through a range of motion. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the tray table may deploy and stow in a substantially constant plane. 
         [0018]    In certain embodiments, the tray table may comprise a single-fold tray table. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the tray table may comprise a multiple-fold tray table. 
         [0020]    According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a passenger seat may comprise a deployable tray table, a guide track that comprises a curved portion, a transition portion, and a linear portion, a first guide element, and a second guide element. The first guide element may follow the curved portion, transition portion, and linear portion of the guide track and the second guide element may follow only the linear portion of the guide track. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the transition portion of the guide track may be disposed between the curved portion of the guide track and the linear portion of the guide track. 
         [0022]    In certain embodiments, the transition portion of the guide track may comprise an apex of the guide track. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the apex may comprise the closest portion of the guide track to a passenger. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the apex may comprise the furthest portion of the guide track to a passenger. 
         [0025]    In certain embodiments, the second guide element may comprise a carriage. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, a pivot may be disposed between the carriage and the deployable tray table. 
         [0027]    In certain embodiments, the passenger seat may include at least one guide rail that may linearly guide the carriage. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the passenger seat may include a powered actuator that drives the deployable tray table through a range of motion. 
         [0029]    In certain embodiments, the deployable tray table may comprise a single-fold tray table. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the deployable tray table may comprise a multiple-fold tray table. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a deployable tray table in a stowed position, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a deployable tray table during deployment, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a deployable tray table in a forward deployed position, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a deployable tray table in an aft deployed position, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a passenger seat with a deployable tray table in a deployed position. 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a passenger seat with a deployable tray table in a deployed position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]    The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. 
         [0038]    The described embodiments of the invention provide, among other things, a sliding and pivoting deployable tray table for passenger seats. While the tray tables are discussed for use with aircraft seats, they are by no means so limited. Rather, embodiments of the tray table may be used in passenger seats or other seats of any type or otherwise as desired. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , a tray table assembly  1  may include a tray table  10  and a support plate  20 . The tray table  10  may be attached to a guide element  18  and a carriage  14  through a table carrier  12 . The table carrier  12  and tray table  10  may rotate about the carriage  14  via a pivot  16 . In certain embodiments, the tray table  10  may attach directly to the guide element  18  and carriage  14  without use of a table carrier  12 . The support plate  20 , which may be an integral part of the larger passenger seat assembly or passenger seat frame (not shown) or a separate part, may comprise a guide track  21 . In certain embodiments, the support plate  20  may be attached or integrated into the wall or side of a passenger vehicle, or attached or integrated into any other suitable structure selected for its position and ease of use relative to a passenger. 
         [0040]    The guide track  21  or other components of the tray table assembly  1  may be configured to confine the lateral motion of the tray table  10  to a substantially constant plane with respect to the passenger compartment floor. Said differently and by way of example, the guide track  21 , guide element  18 , carriage  14 , or any other components of the tray table assembly  1  may be formed or configured to minimize any lateral movement outside the plane of rotation of the tray table  10 . A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that to maintain motion in a substantially constant plane, the tray table assembly  1  may, in certain embodiments, limit out of plane lateral motion of the tray table  10  to less than approximately ten degrees of variation, and more particularly to less than approximately five degrees of variation, and more particularly to less than approximately one degree of variation. In certain embodiments, the substantially constant plane of motion of the tray table  10  should be horizontal or quasi-horizontal with respect to gravity to securely hold drinks or other items and prevent them sliding during use. For example, in the case of a passenger seat on an aircraft, certain embodiments may place the substantially constant plane of motion of the tray table  10  and the angle of the tray table  10  in its deployed position at positive or negative three degrees relative to the aircraft floor in a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal angle of the substantially constant plane of motion and tray table  10  would compensate for the angle of flight of the aircraft and the orientation direction of the passenger seat to place the tray table  10  at a horizontal or quasi-horizontal longitudinal angle relative to gravity and securely support items on the tray table  10  during flight. 
         [0041]    The guide track  21  may generally comprise three sections including a curved portion  22 , a linear portion  23 , and a transition portion  24 . The transition portion  24  of the guide track  21  may be positioned between the curved portion  22  and linear portion  23  of the guide track  21 . An outer guide rail  25  and inner guide rail  26  may also be included to direct and/or carry the carriage  14  through its range of motion. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 1-4  depict the progression of movement of the tray table  10  from a stowed position ( FIG. 1 ) and a deployed position ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). In  FIG. 1 , the tray table  10  is shown in a stowed position. In this position, the tray table  10  may initially move in a fore-aft direction as depicted by the motion arrow  30 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  depicts the tray table  10  in the deployment phase of motion. In the deployment phase of motion, the carriage  14  translates in a fore-aft direction as it moves along outer guide rail  25  and inner guide rail  26 . Concurrently, the guide element  18  is translating along the curved portion  22  of the guide track  21 . As the carriage  14  and guide element  18  move towards the transition portion  24  of the guide track  21 , the distance between the portion of the carriage  14  that engages the guide rails  25 ,  26  and the portion of guide element  18  that engages the curved portion  22  decreases. As a result, the table carrier  12  and tray table  10  rotate about pivot  16  on carriage  14 . The aggregate motion of the tray table  10  is a combination of a fore-aft translation depicted by the motion arrow  30  and a rotation depicted by the motion arrow  31 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  depicts the tray table  10  as it has completed the deployment phase of motion and moved into a deployed position. The guide element  18  has moved around the transition portion  24  of the guide track  21  and entered the linear portion  23  of the guide track  21 . The motion of the guide element  18  through the transition portion  24  of the guide track  21  provides the final rotation of the tray table into a deployed position as depicted by the motion arrow  31 . The tray table  10  is now in a forward deployed position. The guide element  18  and carriage  14  are now restrained and guided by the linear portion  23  of the guide track  21  and/or the outer guide rail  25  and inner guide rail  26 . In this position, the tray table  10  may translate fore and aft but it cannot rotate about pivot  16  unless pushed forward to an extent that guide element  18  re-engages with the transition portion  24  of the guide track  21 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  depicts the tray table  10  in an aft deployed position. The guide element  18  and carriage  14 , and thus tray table  10 , may move forward or aft as depicted by the motion arrow  30 . In the deployed position, the tray table  10  may not rotate or pivot. 
         [0046]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a number of alterations or modifications of the above described structures and hardware may be made while still achieving the same functionality. In some embodiments, the guide track  21  may be a channel in the support plate  20  that the guide element  18  fits within. In other embodiments, the guide track  21  may comprise a rail or other projection that the guide element  18  rides along or on. The guide track  21  may be positioned above or below the tray table  10 . For example, the tray table  10  and its associated hardware may rest on the guide track  21  or it may hang down from a guide track  21  and support plate  20  located above the tray table  10 . In certain embodiments, the tray table assembly  1  may not include the outer guide rail  25 , inner guide rail  26 , or both. In some embodiments, the carriage  14  may ride on or in the guide track  21  as with the guide element  18 . In embodiments without the outer and inner guide rails  25 ,  26 , the carriage  14  and transition portion  24  may be configured to prevent the carriage  14  from passing through the transition portion  24 . For example, the radius of curvature of the transition portion  24  may be sufficiently small, or the carriage  14  sufficiently large, such that the carriage  14  may not pass through the transition portion  24  of the guide track  21 . In certain embodiments, the guide element  18  and/or carriage  14  may comprise sliders or rolling elements to provide smooth motion through or around the guide track  21  and/or outer and inner guide rails  25 ,  26 . In other embodiments, the carriage  14  may be replaced with a second guide element similar or identical in function to guide element  18 . 
         [0047]    The guide track  21  may be arranged or configured in any number of ways to provide a specific tray table  10  motion as desired or required by a particular application. In certain embodiments, the transition portion  24  of the guide track  21  may be located between the curved portion  22  and linear portion  23 . The transition portion  24  of the guide track  21  may provide several functionalities. In some embodiments, the transition portion  24  of the guide track  21  may comprise an apex to the contour of the guide track  21 . Said differently and by way of example, the transition portion  24  of the guide track may comprise the forward-most or aft-most extension of the guide track. The transition portion  24  of the guide track  21  may be contoured to provide a directional change for the guide element  18 . During the deployment phase of motion, for example, the guide element  18  may move forward, reach the transition portion  24 , and be directed in an aft direction for the deployed phase of motion or vice versa. The transition portion  24  also provides a contour to transition the guide element  18  from the curved portion  22  to the linear portion  23  of the guide track  21 . The contour of the transition portion  24  may be configured to adjust the difficulty or ease of moving the tray table from the deployment phase of motion into a deployed position or from a deployed position back into the deployment phase. The radius of curvature of the transition portion  24  may be increased or decreased to alter the amount of force required to move the tray table between different phases of movement. In certain embodiments, the guide track  21  may be reversed such that the curved portion  22  is located closer to the passenger than the linear portion  23 , or such that the transition portion  24  is the portion of the guide track  21  is the closest portion of the guide track  21  to a passenger rather than the furthest portion. 
         [0048]    The tray table assembly  1  and its associated hardware may be combined with other mechanisms or devices to provide additional functionality or convenience. For example, the tray table assembly  1  may integrate a powered actuator, such as an electric motor, solenoid, or other mechanism to provide automated movement of the tray table  10 . It is also possible to integrate a braking mechanism such as a latch or friction lock to hold the tray table  10  in a stowed, deployed, or intermediate position. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a passenger seat  2  with an integrated sliding and pivoting tray table  10  in a deployed position. The tray table  10  may be stowed in the console  3 , which contains a stowage area (not shown) and space for the motion works and hardware required to control and direct the motion of the tray table  10  from a stowed position to a deployed position. In some embodiments, to provide more efficient stowage and/or offer a larger tray table, the tray table  10  may be of single- or multiple-fold type. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the tray table  10  is a single-fold type tray table and may be folded in half to allow a larger tray table  10  to be stored in the console  3 . 
         [0050]    Any of the above described components, parts, or embodiments may take on a range of shapes, sizes, or materials as necessary for a particular application of the described invention. The components, parts, or mechanisms of the described invention may be made of any materials selected for the suitability in use, cost, or ease of manufacturing. Materials including, but not limited to aluminum, stainless steel, fiber reinforced plastics, composites, polycarbonate, polypropylene, other metallic materials, or other polymers may be used to form any of the above described components. 
         [0051]    Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.