Office Action 4: Notice of Allowance (2025-02-20)

CLAIMS:
AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS

1\. (currently amended) An aircraft seat, comprising:- a seat chassis;
\- a seat assembly comprising a seat pan, a seat back, and a leg rest;
\- the seat pan being mounted to the seat chassis by a first pivoting connection defining a seat pan pivot axis about which the seat pan pivots, the location of the seat pan pivot axis being fixed relative to the seat chassis;
\- the leg rest being mounted to said seat pan by a pivoting connection defining a leg rest pivot axis about which the leg rest pivots;
\- at least one seat pan link for controlling pivoting of the seat pan about said seat pan pivot axis;
\- at least one lea rest track:
\-at least one lea rest follower adapted to travel in said at least one lea rest track, the at least one lea rest follower being connected to said at least one lea rest link:
\- at least one leg rest link connected to the leg rest and the at least one seat pan link;
and - wherein the at least one seat pan link is coupled to the seat pan in front of the seat pan pivot axis.

2-58. (canceled).357

59\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat chassis comprises:- at least one seat pan track; and
\- at least one seat pan follower adapted to travel in said at least one seat pan track, the at least one seat pan follower being connected to the at least one seat pan link.

60\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat back is mounted to said seat pan by a second pivoting connection, the second pivoting connection defining a seat back pivot axis about which the seat back pivots.

61\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat as claimed in claim 60, wherein said seat pan pivot axis is located in front of the seat back pivot axis; and the seat pan pivot axis is located between the seat back pivot axis and a mid-point of the seat pan.

62\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat as claimed in claim 60, comprising at least one recline link coupled to the seat back.

63\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat as claimed in claim 62, wherein the at least one recline link is connected to the at least one seat pan link.

64\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat as claimed in claim 63, wherein the at least one aircraft seat pan link, the at least one recline link, and the at least one leg rest link connect the seat pan, the seat back and the leg rest such that adjusting an incline angle of the seat pan changes a recline angle of the seat back and a deployment angle of the leg rest.

65\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the leg rest is extendible.

66\. (canceled).

67\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat as claimed in claim 1, comprising a leg rest decoupling mechanism operable selectively to decouple the leg rest link from the leg rest.

68\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat as claimed in claim 65, wherein the leg rest comprises a base portion and an extending portion, the extending portion being movable relative to the base portion to extend the leg rest.

69\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat as claimed in claim 68, wherein the leg rest comprises a cam track and a cam follower for controlling movement of the extending portion.

70\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat as claimed in claim 69, wherein the cam follower is disposed on a pivotally mounted arm.

71\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat as claimed in claim 69, wherein the cam track comprises at least one recess for retaining the extending portion in an extended position, wherein each recess comprises an aperture for receiving the cam follower to retain the extending portion in the extended position.

72\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat as claimed in claim 71, comprising cam follower biasing means for biasing the cam follower into the aperture.

73\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat as claimed in claim 68, comprising extending portion biasing means for biasing the extending portion towards the base portion.

74\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat as claimed in claim 73, wherein the extending portion biasing means comprises at least one tension gas spring.

75\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat as claimed in claim 65, wherein the at least one leg rest link coupled to the leg rest controls extension of the leg rest.

76\. (previously presented) An aircraft comprising one or more aircraft seat as claimed in claim 1.

77\. (previously presented) An aircraft seat, comprising:- a seat chassis;
\- a seat assembly comprising a seat pan and a seat back;
\- the seat pan being mounted to the seat chassis by a first pivoting connection defining a seat pan pivot axis about which the seat pan pivots, the location of the seat pan pivot axis being fixed relative to the seat chassis, the first pivoting connection being configured such that the seat pan can pivot about the seat pan pivot axis without undergoing a related translational movement;
\- the seat back being mounted to the seat pan by a second pivoting connection, the second pivoting connection defining a seat back pivot axis about which the seat back pivots, the seat pan pivot axis being positioned in front of the seat back pivot axis; and
\- at least one seat pan link for controlling pivoting of the seat pan about said seat pan pivot axis; wherein the at least one seat pan link is coupled to the seat pan in front of the seat pan pivot axis;
\- a recline link connected to the seat back and the at least one seat pan link; and
\- wherein the seat pan pivot axis is positioned between the seat back pivot axis and a mid-point of the seat pan.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Specification
The title of the invention is not descriptive.  A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed. Per MPEP §606.01, if a satisfactory title is not supplied by the applicant, the examiner may, at the time of allowance, change the title by an examiner’s amendment. Therefore, the title is hereby amended via an Examiner’s Amendment as detailed hereinbelow.
EXAMINER’S AMENDMENT
An examiner’s amendment to the record appears below. Should the changes and/or additions be unacceptable to applicant, an amendment may be filed as provided by 37 CFR 1.312. To ensure consideration of such an amendment, it MUST be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee. The application has been amended as follows:
TITLE
The application has been amended as follows:
SEATING APPARATUS COMPRISING A LEG REST TRACK AND FOLLOWER
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1, 59-65, and 67-77 filed 1/22/2025 are allowed.
The following is an examiner's statement of reasons for allowance:
The prior art of record fails to disclose or make obvious the combined limitations of applicants claimed invention. Specifically, Dowty et al. (US 2010/0253129 A1), hereinafter Dowty.
Regarding claim 1, Dowty discloses an aircraft seat (passenger seat 100, Fig. 3) comprising:
- a seat chassis (rigid frame 110, Fig. 3);
- a seat assembly (Examiner notes the assembly in Fig. 3) comprising a seat pan (seat pan 20, Fig. 3), a seat back (seat back 40, Fig. 3), and a leg rest (leg rest 30, Fig. 3);
- the seat pan being mounted to the seat chassis by a first pivoting connection (seat pan link 26, Fig. 3) defining a seat pan pivot axis about which the seat pan pivots (Examiner notes a seat pan pivot axis defined at the bottom pivot pin point of 26, see Fig. 3; §[0022]), the location of the seat pan pivot axis being fixed relative to the seat chassis (Examiner notes the pivot point is defined by a link fixed with respect to the stationary frame 110, see §[0022]);
-the leg rest being mounted to said seat pan by a pivoting connection defining a leg rest pivot axis about which the leg rest pivots (Examiner notes connection at 38, Fig. 3 and associated pivot axis);
- at least one seat pan link (Examiner notes y-shaped leg rest pivot yoke 32 Fig. 3) for controlling pivoting of the seat pan about said seat pan pivot axis (§[0019]); and
-at least one leg rest link (leg support link 36, Fig. 3) connected to the leg rest and the at least one seat pan link (Fig. 3);
- wherein the at least one seat pan link is coupled to the seat pan in front of the seat pan pivot axis (Examiner notes the at least one seat pan link 32 is coupled to the seat pan 20 via leg support link 36 and leg rest 30, specifically a leg support link 36 is pivotally attached at its opposing ends to the distal end 34 of the yoke and the leg rest 30 respectively… [and] the leg rest 30 is pivotally attached at its upper end 38 to the forward end of the seat pan 20 per §[0019], a connection of which is in front of the seat pan pivot axis defined at 26, Fig. 3).
However, the prior art does not teach the combined limitations of the claimed invention, specifically at least one leg rest track; and at least one leg rest follower adapted to travel in said at least one leg rest track, the at least one leg rest follower being connected to said at least one leg rest link.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled Comments on Statements of Reasons for Allowance.
Conclusion

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
Applicant appreciates the thorough examination of the present application. Claims 1 and 59-77 are pending in the application. By this amendment, claim 1 has been amended to incorporate the subject matter of allowable claim 66, and claim 66 has been canceled.
The Examiner has allowed claim 77 and indicated that claim 66 contains allowable subject matter. Applicant thanks the Examiner for these determinations.
Claim 1 has been amended to incorporate the allowable subject matter of claim 66. Specifically, claim 1 now includes "at least one leg rest track; and at least one leg rest follower adapted to travel in said at least one leg rest track, the at least one leg rest follower being connected to said at least one leg rest link." As noted by the Examiner, the prior art of record fails to disclose or make obvious these limitations.
Therefore, claim 1 and its dependent claims 59-65 and 67-76 are now allowable over the prior art of record. Claim 77 was previously indicated as allowable.
In light of the foregoing, Applicant respectfully submits that the Application is in prima facie condition for allowance at the present time. Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests reconsideration of the present application and passage toward issuance thereof.
If any other charges or fees must be paid or credited in connection with this communication, they may be paid out of Deposit Account No. 50-2131.
Should the Examiner have any questions regarding the present application, a telephone call to the undersigned is respectfully solicited.
Respectfully submitted, KING & PARTNERS, PLC


CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20100253129A1: Claims:
A passenger seat comprising: (a) a rigid frame; (b) a seat pan supported by the frame and movable relative to the frame; (c) a leg rest pivotally attached to a forward end of the seat pan; (d) a seat back pivotally attached to a rearward end of the seat pan; (e) a single actuator linked to the leg rest such that extension of the actuator causes the leg rest to pivot forward, the seat pan to move forward, and the seat back to recline.
(a) a rigid frame;
(b) a seat pan supported by the frame and movable relative to the frame;
(c) a leg rest pivotally attached to a forward end of the seat pan;
(d) a seat back pivotally attached to a rearward end of the seat pan;
(e) a single actuator linked to the leg rest such that extension of the actuator causes the leg rest to pivot forward, the seat pan to move forward, and the seat back to recline.
A passenger seat according to claim 1 , further comprising a y-shaped yoke having three pivotal attachment points by which the yoke is pivotally attached to the rigid frame, linked to the actuator, and linked to the leg rest, respectively.
A passenger seat according to claim 2 , further comprising a leg rest support link having a first end pivotally attached to the yoke and a second end pivotally attached to the leg rest such that the leg rest support link forces the leg rest to pivot forward as the actuator extends.
A passenger seat according to claim 1 , further comprising a lever rigidly attached to the seat back and pivotally attached to the rearward end of the seat pan such that the lever forces the lower end of the seat back to move forward with the seat pan as the actuator extends.
A passenger seat according to claim 4 , further comprising a seat back link having a first end pivotally attached to the lever and a second end pivotally attached to a rearward end of the rigid frame such that the lower end of seat back moves forward as the actuator extends.
A passenger seat according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator is an electrically powered linear actuator.
A method of adjusting a passenger seat comprising: (a) providing a passenger seat including: (i) a rigid frame; (ii) a seat pan supported by the frame and movable relative to the frame; (iii) a leg rest pivotally attached to a forward end of the seat pan; (iv) a seat back pivotally attached to a rearward end of the seat pan; (v) a single actuator linked to the leg rest; and (b) activating the actuator such that extension of the actuator causes the leg rest to pivot forward, the seat pan to move forward, and the seat back to recline.
(a) providing a passenger seat including: (i) a rigid frame; (ii) a seat pan supported by the frame and movable relative to the frame; (iii) a leg rest pivotally attached to a forward end of the seat pan; (iv) a seat back pivotally attached to a rearward end of the seat pan; (v) a single actuator linked to the leg rest; and
(i) a rigid frame;
(ii) a seat pan supported by the frame and movable relative to the frame;
(iii) a leg rest pivotally attached to a forward end of the seat pan;
(iv) a seat back pivotally attached to a rearward end of the seat pan;
(v) a single actuator linked to the leg rest; and
(b) activating the actuator such that extension of the actuator causes the leg rest to pivot forward, the seat pan to move forward, and the seat back to recline.
A method according to claim 7 , wherein the passenger seat comprises a y-shaped yoke having three pivotal attachment points by which the yoke is pivotally attached to the rigid frame, linked to the actuator, and linked to the leg rest, respectively.
A method according to claim 8 , wherein the passenger seat comprises a leg rest support link having a first end pivotally attached to the yoke and a second end pivotally attached to the leg rest such that the leg rest support link forces the leg rest to pivot forward as the actuator extends.
A method according to claim 7 , wherein the passenger seat comprises a lever rigidly attached to the seat back and pivotally attached to the rearward end of the seat pan such that the lever forces the lower end of the seat back to move forward with the seat pan as the actuator extends.
A method according to claim 10 , wherein the passenger seat comprises a seat back link having a first end pivotally attached to the lever and a second end pivotally attached to a rearward end of the rigid frame such that the lower end of seat back moves forward as the actuator extends.
A method according to claim 7 , wherein the actuator is an electrically powered linear actuator.