Abstract:
Embodiments herein provide an interface that adjusts for distance changes between mobile seats. One embodiment comprises an elongated housing having a bottom side that mounts to a seat track, an opposing top side having an opening, and side walls between the bottom side and the top side. The housing has a front side that receives an end of a seat track cover within an interior space of the housing. The surfaces of the side walls within the interior space include pairs of slots in opposition that extend from the top side toward the bottom side. The pairs of slots receive an electrical connector of the seat, and mate it to an electrical connector of the seat track cover. A spacing of the pairs of slots along a length of the housing defines a variable distance between the end of the seat track cover and a leg of the seat.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to the field of aircraft seat track systems, and in particular, to interfaces used to connect electrical systems in a seat to electrical wiring in seat track covers that span the distances along the tracks between seats. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Rows of seats on modern aircraft are often mounted to seat tracks that run along the floor of the passenger cabin. The rows of seats are secured to the tracks and allow for the spacing between the rows to be adjusted as desired. For instance, an airline may decide after initial delivery of the aircraft to reduce the spacing between the rows and enable more seats to be installed in the aircraft, to increase the spacing between the rows and enable fewer seats to be installed in the aircraft, etc. The spacing between the rows is sometimes referred to as the seat pitch. Reconfiguring the seat pitch can be referred to in the aircraft industry as a seat re-pitch or simply, a re-pitch. 
         [0003]    Seats in modern aircraft include a number of electrical and/or electronic systems that are used by passengers. For instance, the seats may include displays, headphone connections, controls to adjust channels for audio/video, etc. Power and/or data are typically provided to the seats utilizing electrical wiring that runs along the tracks or alongside the tracks. The wiring is often daisy-chained from one row to the next row along the tracks for simplicity. 
         [0004]    A seat track cover is used to cover the exposed tracks between the rows as well as the row-to-row wiring. The track cover is mounted on the track, and is either wide enough to cover wiring that runs alongside the track, or is sized to cover the track and allow electrical wiring to run inside of the track cover. 
         [0005]    If an airline makes a decision to re-pitch the seats on the aircraft and their track system contains electrical wiring in the track cover, then the track covers are often either too short or too long to accommodate the new seat pitch. The track covers are often discarded in this case, and new track covers are fabricated based on the new seat pitch. However, this process is expensive and time consuming 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Embodiments herein provide an interface between the seats and the track covers that allows for distance changes between seats that may arise during a re-pitch. 
         [0007]    One embodiment comprises an apparatus that is configured to couple an electrical connector of a seat to an electrical connector that is disposed on an end of a seat track cover. The apparatus comprises an elongated housing having a bottom side that mounts to a seat track, an opposing top side having an opening, and side walls between the bottom side and the top side. The housing has a front side that receives the end of the seat track cover within an interior space of the housing, and a back side proximate to a leg of the seat. The surfaces of the side walls within the interior space include pairs of slots in opposition across the interior space that extend from the top side toward the bottom side and have a spacing along a length of the housing. The pairs of slots receive the electrical connector of the seat, and mate the electrical connector of the seat to the electrical connector of the seat track cover. The spacing of the pairs of slots along the length of the housing defines a variable distance between the end of the seat track cover and the leg of the seat. 
         [0008]    Another embodiment comprises an apparatus for communicating electrical signals between spaced apart mobile seats. The apparatus comprises a seat track, a seat track cover, and a pair of interfaces. The seats are affixed to the track utilizing seat legs. The seat track cover is mounted to the seat track between the seat legs, and the seat track cover includes wiring that electrically couples connectors at apposing ends of the seat track cover. Each of the seat track interfaces is disposed between one of the seat legs and one of the ends of the seat track cover. Each of the interfaces includes an elongated housing having a bottom side that mounts to the seat track, an opposing top side having an opening, and side walls between the bottom side and the top side. The housing has a front side that receives one of the ends of the seat track cover within an interior space of the housing, and a back side proximate to one of the seat legs. Surfaces of the side walls within the interior space include pairs of slots in opposition across the interior space that extend from the top side toward the bottom side and have a spacing along a length of the housing. The pairs of slots receive an electrical connector from one of the seats, and mate it to one of the connectors of the seat track cover. The spacing of the pairs of slots along the length of the housing defines a variable distance between one of the ends of the seat track cover and one of the seat legs. 
         [0009]    Another embodiment comprises a system that includes a seat track, a first seat removably coupled to the seat track at a first seat leg, and a second seat spaced apart from the first seat along the seat track that is removably coupled to the seat track at a second seat leg. The system further includes a seat track cover mounted to the seat track between the first seat leg and the second seat leg. The seat track cover includes an electrical connector at a first end that is proximate to the first seat leg and an electrical connector at a second end that is proximate to the second seat leg. The system further includes a first interface mounted to the seat track between the first seat leg and the first end of the seat track cover, and a second interface mounted to the seat track between the second seat leg and the second end of the seat track cover. The first interface receives the first end of the seat track cover within an interior space that includes pairs of slots in opposition across the interior space. The pairs of slots receive an electrical connector of the first seat, and mate it to the electrical connector at the first end of the seat track cover. The second interface receives an electrical connector of the second seat, and mates it to the electrical connector at the second end of the seat track cover. Spacing for the pairs of slots along a length of the first interface defines a variable distance between the first end of the seat track cover and the first seat leg. 
         [0010]    The above summary provides a basic understanding of some aspects of the specification. This summary is not an extensive overview of the specification. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the specification or delineate any scope of particular embodiments of the specification, or any scope of the claims. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the specification in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Some embodiments are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference number represents the same element or the same type of element on all drawings. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of an aircraft implementing a seat track system in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic representation of a portion of a seat track system that may be utilized onboard an aircraft in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic representation of an interface and a seat track cover for a seat track system in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic representation of a seat track cover in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic representation of an interface in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic representation of the interface of  FIG. 5  with a lid removed in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic representation of another view of the interface of  FIG. 6  with a lid removed in an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic representation of an electrical connector for a row of seats that is configured to removably mount to slots in the interface of  FIG. 5  in an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The figures and the following description illustrate specific exemplary embodiments. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the embodiments and are included within the scope of the embodiments. Furthermore, any examples described herein are intended to aid in understanding the principles of the embodiments, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. As a result, the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments or examples described below, but by the claims and their equivalents. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of an aircraft  100  implementing a seat track system (not shown) in an exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, the seat track system is used to secure seats and/or rows of seats to the floor of a passenger cabin onboard aircraft  100 , and allows for electrical connections (e.g., data and/or electrical power) to be routed between rows onboard aircraft  100 . In the embodiments described, the track system onboard aircraft  100  includes a specialized interface that allows for distance changes between rows of seats that may arise during a re-pitch. How the interface enables this functionality will become more readily apparent upon reviewing the following discussion and associated figures. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic representation of a portion of a seat track system  200  that may be utilized onboard aircraft  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) in an exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, adjacent rows of seats  202 - 203  are mounted to a pair of seat tracks  204 - 205  that run along a floor of the passenger cabin of aircraft  100 . Although only two seat tracks  204 - 205  are illustrated in  FIG. 2 , seat track system  200  may utilize more or fewer seat tracks  204 - 205  as desired. Further, each of rows of seats  202 - 203  may include more or fewer seats as desired. 
         [0023]    In this embodiment, seat tracks  204 - 205  include a plurality of openings  206  that are fabricated into a top planar surface of seat tracks  204 - 205 . Openings  206  in seat tracks  204 - 205  are capable of securing a number of different elements to seat tracks  204 - 205 , such as rows  202 - 203 . Although a particular type of seat tracks  204 - 205  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a number of different track configurations are used in modern mobile seating options onboard aircraft. Thus, seat track system  200  is not limited to only the configuration of seat tracks  204 - 205  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0024]    In this embodiment, seat track system  200  includes a number of interfaces  208  that are mounted to seat tracks  204 - 205  proximate to legs  210 . Interfaces  208  are capable of receiving electrical connections from rows of seats  202 - 203  (not shown in this view), and mating the electrical connections to electrical wiring in seat track covers  212  that mount to seat tracks  204 - 205 . Seat track covers  212  span the majority of space between rows of seats  202 - 203 . Seat track covers  212  protect seat tracks  204 - 205  from debris and also provide electrical connections along seat tracks  204 - 205  between rows of seats  202 - 203 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic representation of interface  208  and seat track cover  212  for seat track system  200  in an exemplary embodiment. In  FIG. 3 , interface  208  is more clearly visible, and includes a lid  302  that is secured to a housing  304 . Lid  302  is capable of being rotated into an open position, which will expose an opening through a top surface of housing  304  and allow an electrical connector from rows of seats  202 - 203  to mate to electrical wiring in seat track cover  212  Lid  302  is also removable in some embodiments. Interface  208  will be discussed later with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic representation of seat track cover  212  in an exemplary embodiment. Seat track cover  212  has a long axis  402  that runs perpendicular to seat tracks  204 - 205 , with electrical connectors  404 - 405  disposed on opposing ends  406 - 407  of seat track cover  212 . Not visible in  FIG. 4  is electrical wiring that runs inside of seat track cover  212  between electrical connectors  404 - 405 . 
         [0027]    Seat track cover  212  in this embodiment includes a plurality of engagement features  408  that are spaced along long axis  402 , and are capable of being snapped or pressed into openings  206  of seat tracks  204 - 205  to secure seat track cover  212  to seat tracks  204 - 205  (see  FIG. 3 ). For instance, engagement features  408  may include a snap joint or some other type of deformable plastic or metal protrusion that enables seat track cover  212  to be removably secured to seat tracks  204 - 205 . During a re-pitch, seat track covers  212  may be removed from seat tracks  204 - 205  and re-positioned on seat tracks  204 - 205  depending on how the spacing between rows of seats  202 - 203  changes (see  FIG. 2 ). Although engagement feature  408  is illustrated in  FIG. 4  as a protrusion-type snap joint, engagement feature  408  may be modified as desired to correspond to different types of seat tracks that may be used in seat track system  200 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic representation of interface  208  in an exemplary embodiment. In this view, interface  208  is shown with lid  302  in the closed position. In this embodiment, housing  304  of interface  208  includes a bottom side  502  that is configured to mount to seat tracks  204 - 205  and a front side  506  that faces an end of seat track cover  212 . Disposed away from front side  506  along a length  508  of housing  304  is a back side  510 , which is located proximate to legs  210  of rows of seats  202 - 203  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, an engagement feature  504  is located along bottom side  502  of housing  304 . Engagement feature  504  may comprise a snap-joint that allows interface  208  to be removably secured to seat tracks  204 - 205  (see  FIG. 3 ). During a re-pitch, interface  208  may be removed from seat tracks  204 - 205  and re-positioned on seat tracks  204 - 205  depending on how the spacing between rows of seats  202 - 203  changes (see  FIG. 2 ). Although engagement feature  504  is illustrated in  FIG. 5  as a protrusion-type snap-joint, engagement feature  504  may be modified as desired to correspond to different types of seat tracks that may be used in seat track system  200 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic representation of interface  208  with lid  302  removed in an exemplary embodiment. With lid  302  removed in  FIG. 6 , more details of interface  208  are visible. Housing  304  of interface  208  includes side walls  602 - 603  that are disposed between a top side  610  of housing  304  and bottom side  502  of housing  304 . In previous views, lid  302  covered top side  610  of housing  304 . With lid  302  removed from interface  208 , pairs of slots  606 - 607  and  608 - 609  are visible within an interior space of housing  304 . Slot  607  and slot  609  are fabricated into interior surface  604  of side wall  602 , and slot  606  and slot  608  are fabricated into interior surface  605  of side wall  603 . Slots  606 - 609  extend from top side  610  of housing  304  toward bottom side  502  of housing  304 , and are organized in pairs that are located across from each other within the interior space of housing  304 . For instance, slot  606  at interior surface  605  of side wall  603  has a corresponding slot  607  at interior surface  604  of side wall  602 . Slot  607  is not visible in this view, and is indicated as dashed lines in  FIG. 6 . In a similar manner, slot  608  at interior surface  605  of side wall  603  has a corresponding slot  609  at interior surface  604  of side wall  602 . Slot  609  is not visible in this view, and is indicated as dashed lines in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0031]    Slots  606 - 607  and slots  608 - 609  have a spacing  612  apart from each other along length  508  of housing  304 . For example, slots  606 - 607  may be spaced apart from slots  608 - 609  by about an inch, which allows for movement along length  508  of an electrical connector for rows of seats  202 - 203  to compensate for changes in a distance between seat track cover  212  and leg  210  (see  FIG. 2 ). This will be discussed in more detail later. 
         [0032]    Also illustrated in  FIG. 6  near back side  510  of housing  304  is an engagement feature  614  that is configured to secure housing  304  of interface  208  to leg  210  (see  FIG. 3 ). Engagement feature  614  may allow a retainer  616  (e.g., a screw, bolt, or some other type of removable securement) to affix housing  304  to leg  210 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic representation of another view of interface  208  with lid  302  removed in an exemplary embodiment. In  FIG. 7 , slot  607  and slot  609  are now visible, and slot  606  and slot  608  are now hidden.  FIG. 7  illustrates that slot  607  and slot  609  are located along interior surface  604  of side wall  602 , and are separated along interior surface  604  by spacing  612 . 
         [0034]    Also illustrated in  FIG. 7  is a pair of engagement features  702 - 703  near back side  510  that are configured to couple to lid  302 . Engagement features  702 - 703  secure lid  302  to housing  304 , and allow lid  302  to rotate into an up position relative to housing  304 . This exposes top side  610  of housing  304  and the interior space within housing  304 . 
         [0035]    As discussed previously, a re-pitch may result in a spacing change between rows of seats  202 - 203  onboard aircraft  100 . In prior seat track systems, a re-pitch may result in the seat track covers being either too long or too short to fit between the rows of seats. Interface  208  of seat track system  200  allows for an adjustment to the spacing between rows of seats  202 - 203  without discarding the seat track covers  212  (see  FIG. 2 ). This adjustment is based on spacing  612  between slots  606 - 607  and slots  608 - 609 . 
         [0036]    For instance, if interface  208  proximate to row of seats  202  is removed, and row of seats  202  is moved towards row of seats  203 , then a decreased spacing would exist between leg  210  and the closest end of track cover  212  (see  FIG. 3 ). In prior seat track systems, this spacing change would require discarding the seat track covers and refabricating new, shorter, seat track covers. 
         [0037]    However, interface  208  is able to compensate for this spacing change utilizing two features. One feature is that an opening  704  in front side  506  of interface  208  is sized to allow a portion of seat track cover  212  to slide within the interior space of housing  304 . For instance, end  406  of seat track cover  212  (see  FIG. 4 ) is able to slide within the interior space of housing  304  to compensate for the shorter distance between leg  210  of row of seats  202  and seat track cover  212  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0038]    Another feature that allows interface  208  to compensate for the spacing change is provided by slots  606 - 609  that are present along interior surfaces  604 - 605  of housing  304 . As end  406  of seat track cover  212  (see  FIG. 4 ) moves within the interior space of housing  304  towards leg  210  of row of seats  202  (see  FIG. 2 ), electrical connector  404  at end  406  moves closer to leg  210  of row of seats  202 . Slots  606 - 609  allows an electrical connector for row of seats  202  (not shown) to be positioned at either slots  606 - 607  or at slots  608 - 609  to enable an electrical connection to be made between row of seats  202  and seat track cover  212 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic representation of an electrical connector  802  for a row of seats (e.g., rows of seats  202 - 203 ) that is configured to removably mount to slots  606 -  607  or slots  608 - 609  of interface  208  in an exemplary embodiment (see  FIGS. 6-7 ). In this embodiment, electrical connector  802  includes a pair of projections  804 - 805  that are configured to slide within either slots  606 - 607  or slots  608 - 609  depending on the spacing change that is made between leg  210  of row of seats  202  and seat track cover  212  (see  FIG. 2 ). Electrical connector  802  is configured to electrically connect to electrical connector  404  at end  406  and/or electrical connector  405  at end  407  of seat track cover  212  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0040]    If the distance decreases between leg  210  of row of seats  202  and seat track cover  212  (see  FIG. 2 ), then electrical connector  802  may be moved to a pair of slots that is located closer to leg  210  within interface  208  (e.g., slots  608 - 609  of  FIGS. 6-7 ). If the distance increases between leg  210  of row of seats  202  and seat track cover  212 , then electrical connector  802  may be moved to a pair of slots that are located farther away from leg  210  within interface  208  (e.g., slots  606 - 607 ). This type of adjustment allows for distance changes between rows of seats  202 - 203  to occur without discarding seat track covers  212 . The adjustment capability depends upon spacing  612  between the pairs of slots  606 - 607  and  608 - 609  along length  508  of housing  304  (see  FIGS. 6-7 ), and the number of pairs of slots that are located along length  508  of housing  304 . For instance, although only two pairs of slots are illustrated in  FIGS. 6-7 ; interface  208  may include three, four, or more pairs of slots as desired. Further, the distances between the pairs of slots may be constant or vary over length  508  of housing  304  as desired. 
         [0041]    Since interface  208  is located on both sides of seat track cover  212  along seat tracks  204 - 205  (see  FIG. 3 ), adjustments at both ends  406 - 407  of seat track cover  212  are possible (see  FIG. 4 ). For instance, rows of seats  202 - 203  (see  FIG. 2 ) may move toward or away from each other and adjustments would be available in either case. 
         [0042]    During a re-pitch, rows of seats  202 - 203  onboard aircraft  100  may be repositioned along seat tracks  204 - 205  (see  FIG. 2 ). Interface  208  allows for the re-use of the existing seat track covers (e.g., seat track covers  212 ) utilizing the adjustable nature of interface  208 . This reduces both the time and costs associated with a re-pitch. 
         [0043]    Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope is not limited to those specific embodiments. Rather, the scope is defined by the following claims and any equivalents thereof.