Mounting arm assembly

A mounting arm assembly movable between stowed and deployed configurations, includes a pivot arm pivotally engaging an armrest of a seat; a tilt arm engaging the pivot arm; and a mount engaging the tilt arm for supporting a personal electronic device.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to support arms. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mounting arm for a personal electronic device (PED).

Commercial airline companies strive to provide improved services for their customers as well as improving passenger comfort and convenience. Today, it is common for both private and commercial passenger aircraft to have an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. An IFE system generally comprises an entertainment content source, such as a computer server having entertainment and/or information media (e.g., Internet access, movies, music, television shows and/or other entertainment media content) stored in digital format; and a wired or wireless (e.g., WIFI) networking system communicating entertainment media throughout the aircraft in response to passenger communications. On many airlines, it is standard for each passenger to have their own personal video display monitor associated with their chair or seat to provide the passenger with in-flight entertainment and/or information. The video display monitor can include a user interface wherein the passenger may provide touch-screen input to the IFE. However, although an airline may provide at least one video display monitor associated with one or more seats to provide passengers with entertainment and/or information, airlines are also aware that passengers use their own PEDs (e.g., notebook computer, media player, smartphone, tablet-style device, etc.) during a flight. An airline can offer passengers WIFI access in order to connect their PEDs to the IFE. Each passenger seat may include or be associated with a table tray providing a generally horizontal surface upon which the passenger places their PED. These table trays can be deployed from a seatback in front of a user or from an armrest of a passenger seat. However, some PEDs, such as smartphones and tablets, need to be held by the user in a position that allows the display screen on the PED to be seen by the passenger using it. If a PED is placed flat on a tray table with the display screen facing upwards, a passenger may have difficulty seeing the display screen due to the relative angle between the passenger's line of sight and the display screen. Images on the display screen may also be difficult to see due to light reflecting off the surface of the display screen.

Accordingly, there is a need for a mounting arm for holding a PED so that the display of the PED is clearly visible to a user during a flight aboard an aircraft. There is a further need for a mounting arm movable between stowed and deployed positions. There is also a need for a mounting arm that can be stowed within a seat. There is a further need for a mounting arm that can be stowed within a seat armrest. There is an additional need for a mounting arm that can be retro-fitted onto an existing armrest. There is an additional need for a mounting arm that is easier to manufacture, assemble, adjust, and maintain. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY

The present invention comprises a PED mounting arm (i.e., a mechanical deployment arm) that supports at least one PED (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet device, etc.).

An improved PED mounting arm assembly has been developed for personal electronic device mounting arm that holds a PED so that the display of the PED is visible to a user during a flight. The PED mounting arm assembly is movable between stowed and deployed positions. The PED mounting arm assembly can be stowed within an armrest of a seat. The mounting arm can be retro-fitted onto an existing armrest. The PED mounting arm is easier to manufacture, assemble, adjust, and maintain.

In an illustrative embodiment, a mounting arm assembly movable between stowed and deployed configurations, comprises a pivot arm pivotally engaging an armrest of a seat. A tilt arm engages the pivot arm; and a mount engages the tilt arm for supporting a PED. The mount rotates relative to the tilt arm between stowed and deployed positions, the tilt arm rotates relative to the pivot arm between stowed and deployed positions, and the pivot arm rotates relative to the armrest between stowed and deployed positions.

The pivot arm includes a track, the tilt arm engages the track, and the track limits rotation of the tilt arm relative to the pivot arm. The tilt arm includes a pin engaging the track. The pivot arm limits rotation of the mounting arm assembly between stowed and deployed configurations.

The armrest includes a recess formed therein into which the pivot arm is rotated from an at least partially deployed configuration and from which the pivot arm is rotated from the stowed configuration. The pivot arm pivotally engages an armrest cap of the armrest, wherein the armrest cap includes a recess formed therein into which the pivot arm is rotated from an at least partially deployed configuration and from which the pivot arm is rotated from the stowed configuration.

The mounting arm assembly is stowed generally within a recess of the armrest when the mounting arm assembly is in the stowed configuration, the recess sized and shaped to receive the mounting arm assembly, wherein a side of the mounting arm assembly faces outward from the recess and forms at least a portion of an upper, exterior surface of the armrest generally conforming with a remaining portion of the upper, exterior surface of the armrest.

The tilt arm includes a recess formed therein, generally sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the mount when the mount is in the stowed position. The tilt arm includes a notch, and the mount includes a notch, wherein the notches of the tilt arm and mount are aligned when the mount is in the stowed position.

The mount includes a generally L-shaped shelf extending away from a generally planar surface of the mount, defining a channel for receiving a portion of the personal electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description describes present embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, reference numbers label elements of present embodiments. These reference numbers are reproduced below in connection with the discussion of the corresponding drawing features.

As shown inFIGS. 1-10Cfor purposes of illustration, an embodiment of the present invention resides in a mounting arm assembly20for a personal electronic device (PED)22. The PED22can be in the form of various types of electronic devices including, but not limited to, a notebook computer, a media player, a smartphone, a tablet-style device, or other portable electronic devices containing music, video, and other content and/or capable of WIFI and/or BLUETOOTH access. The mounting arm assembly20is movable between stowed and deployed configurations. The assembly20includes a pivot arm24pivotally engaging an armrest26of a seat (not shown). A tilt arm28is pivotally connected to the pivot arm24, and a mount30is pivotally connected to the tilt arm28. The mount30supports the PED22when the mounting arm assembly20is in its deployed configuration.

The pivot arm24is pivotally connected to an armrest cap32of the armrest26. The pivot arm24is pivotally connected to the armrest26generally at an end34of the armrest26. The pivot arm24and the armrest cap32cooperate such that the pivot arm24, along with the rest of the mounting arm assembly20, rotates relative to the armrest26about a pivot axis36between stowed and deployed positions of the pivot arm24itself. The armrest cap32is removably attachable to the armrest26in a variety of conventional ways that include, without limitation, mechanical fasteners (e.g., nuts and bolts, screws, snap-detent fit, etc.), chemical fasteners (e.g., glue) and the like, either alone or in combination. For example, when retro-fitting an existing passenger seat on an aircraft, instead of replacing an entire armrest to allow for PEDs, only the armcap needs to be replaced, and this makes it easier to service and/or replace a mounting arm assembly. A USB port could be installed in the closeout cap to allow for charging of a PED while in use, with the USB port connected to the aircraft's electrical system. The armcap is used on every passenger seat and replacing the entire armrest is more costly than simply replacing the armcap.

Alternatively, the pivot arm24may be pivotally connected to a base which may come in various forms including, without limitation, a bracket, housing or the like. The base may comprise multiple components or be of single-piece construction. The base is attachable to a surface (not shown) that may be a surface on a vehicle (e.g., aircraft) bulkhead, an exterior side of a vehicle chair or a side of a console housing or compartment located next to or part of a vehicle passenger seat or chair. The base is attachable to the surface using mechanical fasteners (e.g., screws, nuts and bolts, etc.), chemical fasteners (e.g., glue, adhesive, etc.) or the like. In the alternative, the base (or at least a portion thereof) may be formed of single-piece construction with the surface (e.g., formed as part of a seating console in a passenger aircraft).

The armrest cap32includes a recess38formed therein. The pivot arm24(with the tilt arm28in its stowed position relative to the pivot arm24) is rotated about the pivot axis36and moved into the recess38when the mounting arm assembly20is moved from an at least partially deployed configuration into the stowed configuration. Similarly, the pivot arm24(with the tilt arm28in its stowed position relative to the pivot arm24) is rotated about the pivot axis36and moved outward from the recess38when the mounting arm assembly20is moved from the stowed configuration to an at least partially deployed configuration. A flange39extending from a side of the recess38acts as a hard stop to the rotation of the pivot arm24, when the flange39engages a lower portion of the pivot arm24near where the pivot arm24pivotally engages the armrest cap32, and therefore limits rotation of the pivot arm24as the pivot arm24moves from its stowed position to its deployed position. This, in turn, limits rotation of the overall mounting arm assembly20about the pivot axis36as the assembly20moves from its stowed configuration to its deployed configuration. In the alternative, an armrest does not have a separate armrest cap32, and a recess is formed on a top surface thereof from which the mounting arm assembly20may be deployed and into which the mounting arm assembly20may be stowed.

The mounting arm assembly20is stowed generally within the recess38of the armrest26when the mounting arm assembly20is in the stowed configuration. The recess38is sized and shaped to receive the mounting arm assembly20. A side40of the mounting arm assembly20faces outward from the recess38and forms at least a portion of an upper, exterior surface42of the armrest26generally conforming with a remaining portion of the upper, exterior surface42of the armrest26. The side40of the mounting arm assembly20is comprised of a side44of the pivot arm24and a side45of the tilt arm28.

The pivot arm24includes a track46and a rotation receptacle48. The track46may come in various forms including, but not limited to, a slot extending through the body of the pivot arm24, a channel recessed a depth within the body of the pivot arm24, or the like. The length and shape (e.g., generally arcuate) of the track46controls the amount by which the tilt arm28can rotate relative to the pivot arm24between the stowed and deployed positions of the tilt arm28. The tilt arm28includes a rotation pin50and a pin52that engage, respectively, the rotation receptacle48and the track46. The rotation pin50snaps into and engages the rotation receptacle48. When the rotation pin50engages the rotation receptacle48, the pin52slides into and engages the track46, such that the track46limits rotation of the tilt arm28relative to the pivot arm24. The track46includes a notch47to aid in receiving the pin52in order to snap engage the track46. The receptacle48includes a notch49to aid in the pin50engaging the receptacle48with a neck51of the pin50engaging the notch49and an upper, outwardly extending circular flange53of the pin50engaging a retaining lip55of the receptacle48.

The tilt arm28rotates about a tilt axis58(running generally through a center of the rotation pin50engaged to the rotation receptacle48) as the tilt arm28is moved between its stowed and deployed positions. The length and shape of the track46limits rotation of the tilt arm28about the tilt axis58between about zero (0) degrees from a longitudinal axis60of the pivot arm24in the tilt arm's28stowed position to about thirty (30) degrees from the longitudinal axis60of the pivot arm24in the tilt arm's28deployed position. The rotation of the tilt arm28relative to the pivot arm24is limited in order to allow the PED22to be more centered and, in the situation where the mounting arm assembly20is deployed from the armrest26of an airline seat, positioned above a tray table associated with the airline seat. There is sufficient frictional engagement between the tilt arm28and the pivot arm24such that the weight of the PED22does not move the tilt arm28relative to the pivot arm24.

The tilt arm28includes a rotation receptacle62, an indent or notch64, and a stop66. The notch64and position of the stop66define the amount by which the mount30can rotate relative to the tilt arm28between the stowed and deployed positions of the mount30. The mount30includes a rotation pin68and a notch70that engage, respectively, the rotation receptacle62and the notch64. The rotation pin68snaps into and engages the rotation receptacle62. The rotation receptacle62includes a notch63to aid in the pin68snap engaging the receptacle62with a neck69of the pin68engaging the notch63and an upper, outwardly extending circular flange71of the pin68engaging a retaining lip65of the receptacle62. The mount30includes a holder72for receiving a portion of the PED22. The holder72may be sized and shaped so as to frictionally engage the PED22so as to hold the PED22in place. The holder72includes a base74, where the base74, a first wall76, and an opposite second wall78spaced apart by a space from the first wall76define a generally L-shaped shelf extending away from a generally planar surface of the mount30) that in turn defines an elongated channel, slot or groove of the holder72such that a PED22can be positioned on the base74, between the first and second walls76,78. The first wall76extends away from the base74. The second wall78is the generally planar surface of the mount30. In an embodiment, the channel may be lined with a material, such as silicon, foam, rubber or the like in order to provide a shock-absorbing, resilient surface between the PED22and the mount30when the PED22is positioned in the holder72, that also frictionally engages the PED22to hold the PED22in engagement with the mount30when positioned on the mount30.

The tilt arm28includes a recess80formed therein, generally sized and shaped to receive the mount30such that a main body portion82of the mount30is nestled within the recess80when the mount30is rotated into its stowed position. The notches64,70of the tilt arm28and mount30are generally aligned and co-axial when the mount30is in its stowed position. A curved portion of a sidewall84of the recess80(e.g., a curved portion of the sidewall80generally following the general contour of the notch64) engages a curved side86of notch70when the mount30is in its stowed position. In the instant example, the notches64,70are shown as being arcuate in shape but the notches64,70could be a variety of shapes including, but not limited to generally V-shaped, generally C-shaped, generally U-shaped, etc.

The mount30rotates about a mount axis88(running generally through a center of the rotation pin68engaged to the rotation receptacle62) as the mount30is moved between its stowed and deployed positions. The mount30may include indicia in the form of an arrow (see, e.g.,FIGS. 4 and 10C) that may be accompanied by indicia in the form of words (e.g., “TO DEPLOY” or “OPEN”) that indicate the direction the mount30should be rotated about the mount axis88towards a deployed position. The position of the stop66limits rotation of the tilt arm28about the mount axis88in the direction of deployment when an angled surface89of the stop66engages a bottom side90of the mount30. The mount30is about sixty (60) degrees from a longitudinal axis92of the tilt arm28when the mount30is rotated into the mount's30fully deployed position (about ninety (90) degrees from the longitudinal axis60of the pivot arm24in the mount's30fully deployed position). The total rotation of the mount30from its stowed position to its deployed position is about two hundred forty (240) degrees about the mount axis88. The rotation of the mount30relative to the tilt arm28is limited in order to allow the PED22to be more centered and, in the situation where the mounting arm assembly20is deployed from the armrest26of an airline seat, positioned above a tray table associated with the airline seat. There is sufficient frictional engagement between the mount30and the tilt arm28such that the weight of the PED22does not move the mount30relative to the tilt arm28. In its deployed position, the mount30extends outwardly away from the tilt arm28and is oriented generally perpendicular to the pivot arm24. In an alternative, the mount30is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the mount30such that the PED22can be tilted up to about fifteen degrees towards or away from the user (about a thirty degree range of rotation).

In the alternative, the pivot arm24is constructed so that the pivot arm24can rotate about its longitudinal axis, the tilt arm28is constructed so that the tilt arm28can rotate about its longitudinal axis, and the mount30is constructed so that the mount30can rotate about its longitudinal axis, with there being sufficient rotational resistance to the weight of a PED22so as to maintain the various components of the mount arm assembly20in position when the mount arm assembly20holds a PED22.

Alternatively, the recess38also includes an aperture (not shown) though which a user/passenger can access a USB port or the like in order to re-charge a battery of the PED or connect the PED to the IFE system via an adapter cord/cable having a connector compatible with and engaging the PED on one end and a connector compatible with and engaging the USB port in the recess38on the other end. In a further alternative, an adapter cord/cable connected to a wire harness (e.g., a wire harness connected to the IFE system or the like, where the wire harness can be in the form of a bundle of electrical wires with specialized connectors at each end) can be extended from the aperture in the recess38and operationally connected to the PED, with the adapter cord/cable automatically retracting to the aperture in the recess38when disengaged from the PED.

In a further alternative, the wire harness could be routed through or along the exterior of the mounting arm assembly. The wire harness could have a connector at one end extending through an aperture on the shelf of the mount where the connector electro-mechanically engages a PED positioned on the mount. The wire harness could be routed through or along the mount, tilt arm, and pivot into the armrest where the wire harness connects to the sources of IFE content and power. In another alternative, PEDs containing music, video, and other content, could be similarly attached, and in some cases, could be integrated into the IFE system in such a way as to permit cooperative use of a video monitor integrated into an airline seat (e.g., integrated into the seatback of an airline seat facing a passenger or attached to a video arm deployable from a seat console, etc.) and related controls (i.e., effectively running the stored music and videos through the embedded IFE system).

Upon full deployment, the mounting arm assembly20must firmly hold the PED22in place while the aircraft (or other vehicle) moves and/or vibrates. Therefore, to prevent unwanted upward or downward motion of the mounting arm assembly20, there is sufficient frictional engagement between the pivot arm24, tilt arm28, and mount30to counteract the weight of the mounting arm assembly20and PED22, plus any additional amount of grip needed to account for turbulence in flight and/or other sources of vibration. The frictional engagement of the components of the mounting arm assembly20must not only support the PED22, holding the PED22firmly in place, but also allow the mounting arm assembly20to be easily adjusted manually by the passenger and it must maintain that adjustment once made.

In use, the deployment stages required to bring the mounting arm assembly20to a proper viewing position of a PED22held by the assembly20are as follows: stowed position, initial deployment, secondary deployment, and final deployment. In the stowed position, the mounting arm assembly20is contained in the recess38of the armrest26(for purposes of illustration only, the armrest26is the passenger's left armrest, and the following steps can be adopted and modified for the situation where the mounting arm assembly20is stowed within a passenger's right armrest, with the goal that the assembly20be deployed generally in front of the passenger). Alternatively, the assembly20may be stowed within a recess of a space within a housing or console, in a space between passenger chairs, or in a space between a passenger chair and a bulkhead, and so on. In any event, in the stowed position, the mounting arm assembly20is out of sight of the passenger except for the side40of the mounting arm assembly20facing outwardly from the recess38and forming at least a portion of the upper, exterior surface42of the armrest26. In the initial deployment stage, the mounting arm assembly20is pivoted vertically from within the recess38in which it is stowed. This initial deployment is accomplished by the user inserting one or more fingers into the recess38through the respective, aligned notches64,70of the tilt arm28and mount30(which are in their stowed positions) and allows the user to then manually pull the assembly20further pivotally upwards about the pivot axis36so that the pivot arm24is fully pivotally extended from its stowed position. The flange39extending from the side of the recess38acts as a hard stop to the rotation of the pivot arm24, when the flange39engages a portion of the pivot arm24shaped and positioned to engage the flange39, and thereby limits outward rotation of the pivot arm24. The pivot arm24rotates about one hundred twenty five (125) degrees between its fully stowed and fully deployed positions.

In the alternative, the mounting arm assembly20includes a latch mechanism used to hold the assembly20in a stowed configuration and release the assembly20from the stowed position when a user desires to move the assembly20into a deployed configuration. The user could actuate the latch mechanism either by pushing a mechanical button associated with the latch mechanism operationally connected to the assembly20, or by pressing against the side40of the assembly20, activating a release mechanism, or by any other means that will disengage the latch holding the assembly20in place in the stowed position. Pushing the button or the side40releases the latch mechanism and allows the user to then manually pull the assembly20further pivotally upwards about the pivot axis36so that the pivot arm24is fully pivotally extended from the stowed position.

In secondary deployment, the passenger rotates the tilt arm28clockwise about the tilt axis58. As discussed above, the length and shape of the track46limits rotation of the tilt arm28about the tilt axis58between about zero (0) degrees from a longitudinal axis60of the pivot arm24in the tilt arm's28stowed position to about thirty (30) degrees from the longitudinal axis60of the pivot arm24in the tilt arm's28deployed position. This allows any PED22eventually mounted on the mount30to be more centered in front of the passenger and brings the PED22into a viewing plane of the passenger. This also positions the PED22above a tray table, if any, in front of the passenger.

In the final deployment stage, the passenger rotates the mount30clockwise about the mount axis84until the angled surface89of the stop66engages the bottom side90of the mount30. A PED22can be placed within the holder92. In general, the mounting arm assembly20may be stowed by adapting the deployment steps, described above, to be executed in reverse order.

As shown inFIGS. 11-22Cfor purposes of illustration, another embodiment of the present invention resides in a mounting arm assembly120, similar to mounting arm assembly20described above, for a personal electronic device (PED)22. As described above, the PED22can be in the form of various types of electronic devices including, but not limited to, a notebook computer, a media player, a smartphone, a tablet-style device, or other portable electronic devices containing music, video, and other content and/or capable of WIFI and/or BLUETOOTH access. The mounting arm assembly120is movable between stowed and deployed configurations. The assembly120includes a base122, a pivot arm124pivotally engaging the base122. The base122is removably connected to an armrest126of a seat (not shown) such that the base122secures the mounting arm assembly120to the armrest126. A tilt arm128is pivotally connected to the pivot arm124, and a mount130is pivotally connected to the tilt arm128. The mount130supports the PED22when the mounting arm assembly120is in its deployed configuration.

The pivot arm124is pivotally connected to the base122, which is itself removably connected to an armrest cap132of the armrest126such that the base122is stationary relative to the armrest cap132. The base122is removably connected to the armrest126generally at an end134of the armrest126. The pivot arm124and the base122cooperate such that the pivot arm124, along with the rest of the mounting arm assembly120, rotates relative to the base122/armrest126about a pivot axis136between stowed and deployed positions of the pivot arm124itself. The armrest cap132is removably attachable to the armrest126in a variety of conventional ways that include, without limitation, mechanical fasteners (e.g., nuts and bolts, screws, snap-detent fit, etc.), chemical fasteners (e.g., glue) and the like, either alone or in combination. For example, when retro-fitting an existing passenger seat on an aircraft, instead of replacing an entire armrest to allow for PEDs, only the armcap needs to be replaced, and this makes it easier to service and/or replace a mounting arm assembly. A USB port could be installed in the closeout cap to allow for charging of a PED while in use, with the USB port connected to the aircraft's electrical system. The armcap is used on every passenger seat and replacing the entire armrest is more costly than simply replacing the armcap.

In the alternative, the base122may comprise multiple components. In a further alternative, the base122is attachable to a surface (not shown) that may be a surface on a vehicle (e.g., aircraft) bulkhead, an exterior side of a vehicle chair or a side of a console housing or compartment located next to or part of a vehicle passenger seat or chair. As seen inFIG. 18, the base122is attachable to the armrest cap132using mechanical fasteners (e.g., screws, nuts and bolts, etc.), the base122may alternatively be attached using chemical fasteners (e.g., glue, adhesive, etc.) or the like. In the alternative, the base122(or at least a portion thereof) may be formed of single-piece construction with the armrest cap132or another surface (e.g., formed as part of a seating console in a passenger aircraft).

The armrest cap132includes a recess138formed therein. The pivot arm124is rotated about the pivot axis136and moved into the recess138when the mounting arm assembly120is moved from an at least partially deployed configuration into the stowed configuration. Similarly, the pivot arm124is rotated about the pivot axis136and moved outward from the recess138when the mounting arm assembly120is moved from the stowed configuration to an at least partially deployed configuration. The base122includes a stop139which prevents further rotation of the pivot arm124when the stop139engages a lower portion of the pivot arm124, and therefore limits rotation of the pivot arm124as the pivot arm124moves from its stowed position to its deployed position. This, in turn, limits rotation of the overall mounting arm assembly120about the pivot axis136as the assembly120moves from its stowed configuration to its deployed configuration. In the alternative, an armrest does not have a separate armrest cap132, and a recess is formed on a top surface thereof from which the mounting arm assembly120may be deployed and into which the mounting arm assembly120may be stowed.

The mounting arm assembly120is stowed generally within the recess138of the armrest126when the mounting arm assembly120is in the stowed configuration. The recess138is sized and shaped to receive the mounting arm assembly120. A side140of the mounting arm assembly120faces outward from the recess138and forms at least a portion of an upper, exterior surface142of the armrest126generally conforming with a remaining portion of the upper, exterior surface142of the armrest126when the mounting arm assembly120is in the stowed configuration. The side140of the mounting arm assembly120is comprised of a side144of the pivot arm24and a side143of the tilt arm128. Sides145,147of the mounting arm assembly120face outward from the recess138such that the sides145,147each form at least a portion of a respective side, exterior surface154,156of the armrest126generally conforming with respective remaining portions of the side, exterior surfaces155,157of the armrest126when the mounting arm assembly120is in the stowed configuration.

The pivot arm124includes a track146and a rotation receptacle148. The track146may come in various forms including, but not limited to, a slot extending through the body of the pivot arm124, a channel recessed a depth within the body of the pivot arm124, or the like. The length and shape (e.g., generally arcuate) of the track146controls the amount by which the tilt arm128can rotate relative to the pivot arm124between the stowed and deployed positions of the tilt arm128. The tilt arm128includes a rotation pin150and a pin152that engage, respectively, the rotation receptacle148and the track146.FIGS. 20I-Jillustrates a snap method used to engage the pivot arm124and the tilt arm128whereFIG. 20Ishows initial positioning of the pins150,152relative to the rotation receptacle148and track146andFIG. 20Jshows positioning of the pins150,152relative to the rotation receptacle148and track146after the tilt arm128is moved into snap engagement with the pivot arm124. This snap method is shown in relation to the pivot arm124and the tilt arm128but is similar to/same as the snap method used for engagement of the tilt arm128and the mount130(this snap method may also be adapted for engaging the pivot arm24and tilt arm28, as well as the tilt arm28and the mount30, of mounting arm assembly20). The rotation pin150snaps into and engages the rotation receptacle148. When the rotation pin150engages the rotation receptacle148, the pin152slides into and engages the track146, such that the track146limits rotation of the tilt arm128relative to the pivot arm124. The tilt arm128includes a rotation pin150and a pin152that engage, respectively, the rotation receptacle148and the track146. The rotation pin150snaps into and engages the rotation receptacle148. When the rotation pin150engages the rotation receptacle148, the pin152slides into and engages the track146, such that the track146limits rotation of the tilt arm128relative to the pivot arm124. The track46is open to the rotation receptacle148to aid in receiving the pin152in order to engage the track46. The receptacle148includes a notch149to aid in the pin150engaging the receptacle148with a neck151of the pin150engaging the notch149and an upper, outwardly extending circular flange153of the pin150engaging a retaining lip155of the receptacle148.

The tilt arm128rotates about a tilt axis158(running generally through a center of the rotation pin150engaged to the rotation receptacle148) as the tilt arm128is moved between its stowed and deployed positions. The length and shape of the track146limits rotation of the tilt arm128about the tilt axis158between about zero (0) degrees from a longitudinal axis160of the pivot arm124in the tilt arm's128stowed position to about thirty (30) degrees from the longitudinal axis160of the pivot arm124in the tilt arm's128deployed position. The rotation of the tilt arm128relative to the pivot arm124is limited in order to allow the PED22to be more centered and, in the situation where the mounting arm assembly120is deployed from the armrest126of an airline seat, positioned above a tray table associated with the airline seat. There is sufficient frictional engagement between the tilt arm128and the pivot arm124such that the weight of the PED22does not move the tilt arm128relative to the pivot arm124.

The tilt arm128includes a rotation receptacle162, and a flange164having a stop166. The flange164and position of the stop166define the amount by which the mount130can rotate relative to the tilt arm128between the stowed and deployed positions of the mount130. The mount130includes a rotation pin168and a stop surface170that engage, respectively, the rotation receptacle162and the stop166. The rotation pin168snaps into and engages the rotation receptacle162. The rotation receptacle162includes a notch163to aid in the pin168snap engaging the receptacle162with a neck169of the pin168engaging the notch163and an upper, outwardly extending circular flange171of the pin168engaging a retaining lip165of the receptacle162. The mount130includes a holder172for receiving a portion of the PED22. The holder172may be sized and shaped so as to frictionally engage the PED22so as to hold the PED22in place. The holder172includes a base174, where the base174, a first wall176, and an opposite second wall178spaced apart by a space from the first wall176define a generally L-shaped shelf extending away from a generally planar surface of the mount130) that in turn defines an elongated channel, slot or groove of the holder172such that a PED22can be positioned on the base174, between the first and second walls176,178. The first wall176extends away from the base174. The second wall178is the generally planar surface of the mount130. The channel may be lined with a material, such as silicon, foam, rubber or the like in order to provide a shock-absorbing, resilient surface between the PED22and the mount130when the PED22is positioned in the holder172, that also frictionally engages the PED22to hold the PED22in engagement with the mount130when positioned on the mount130.

The tilt arm128includes a recess180formed therein, generally sized and shaped to receive the mount130such that a main body portion182of the mount130is nestled within the recess180when the mount130is rotated into its stowed position.

The mount130rotates about a mount axis188(running generally through a center of the rotation pin168engaged to the rotation receptacle162) as the mount130is moved between its stowed and deployed positions. The mount130may include indicia in the form of an arrow (see, e.g.,FIGS. 18 and 20G) that may be accompanied by indicia in the form of words (e.g., “TO DEPLOY” or “OPEN”) that indicate the direction the mount130should be rotated about the mount axis188towards a deployed position. The position of the stop166limits rotation of the tilt arm128about the mount axis188in the direction of deployment when the stop166engages a bottom side190of the mount130. The mount130is about sixty (60) degrees from a longitudinal axis192of the tilt arm128when the mount130is rotated into the mount's130fully deployed position (about ninety (90) degrees from the longitudinal axis160of the pivot arm124in the mount's130fully deployed position). The total rotation of the mount130from its stowed position to its deployed position is about two hundred forty (240) degrees about the mount axis188. The rotation of the mount130relative to the tilt arm128is limited in order to allow the PED22to be more centered and, in the situation where the mounting arm assembly120is deployed from the armrest126of an airline seat, positioned above a tray table associated with the airline seat. There is sufficient frictional engagement between the mount130and the tilt arm128such that the weight of the PED22does not move the mount130relative to the tilt arm128. In its deployed position, the mount130extends outwardly away from the tilt arm128and is oriented generally perpendicular to the pivot arm124. In an alternative, the mount130is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the mount130such that the PED22can be tilted up to about fifteen degrees towards or away from the user (about a thirty degree range of rotation).

In the alternative, the pivot arm124is constructed so that the pivot arm124can rotate about its longitudinal axis, the tilt arm128is constructed so that the tilt arm128can rotate about its longitudinal axis, and the mount130is constructed so that the mount130can rotate about its longitudinal axis, with there being sufficient rotational resistance to the weight of a PED22so as to maintain the various components of the mount arm assembly120in position when the mount arm assembly120holds a PED22.

Alternatively, the recess138also includes an aperture (not shown) though which a user/passenger can access a USB port or the like in order to re-charge a battery of the PED or connect the PED to the IFE system via an adapter cord/cable having a connector compatible with and engaging the PED on one end and a connector compatible with and engaging the USB port in the recess138on the other end. In a further alternative, an adapter cord/cable connected to a wire harness (e.g., a wire harness connected to the IFE system or the like, where the wire harness can be in the form of a bundle of electrical wires with specialized connectors at each end) can be extended from the aperture in the recess138and operationally connected to the PED, with the adapter cord/cable automatically retracting to the aperture in the recess138when disengaged from the PED.

In a further alternative, the wire harness could be routed through or along the exterior of the mounting arm assembly. The wire harness could have a connector at one end extending through an aperture on the shelf of the mount where the connector electro-mechanically engages a PED positioned on the mount. The wire harness could be routed through or along the mount, tilt arm, and pivot into the armrest where the wire harness connects to the sources of IFE content and power. In another alternative, PEDs containing music, video, and other content, could be similarly attached, and in some cases, could be integrated into the IFE system in such a way as to permit cooperative use of a video monitor integrated into an airline seat (e.g., integrated into the seatback of an airline seat facing a passenger or attached to a video arm deployable from a seat console, etc.) and related controls (i.e., effectively running the stored music and videos through the embedded IFE system).

Upon full deployment, the mounting arm assembly120must firmly hold the PED22in place while the aircraft (or other vehicle) moves and/or vibrates. Therefore, to prevent unwanted upward or downward motion of the mounting arm assembly120, there is sufficient frictional engagement between the pivot arm124, tilt arm128, and mount130to counteract the weight of the mounting arm assembly120and PED22, plus any additional amount of grip needed to account for turbulence in flight and/or other sources of vibration. The frictional engagement of the components of the mounting arm assembly120must not only support the PED22, holding the PED22firmly in place, but also allow the mounting arm assembly120to be easily adjusted manually by the passenger and it must maintain that adjustment once made.

As discussed above, the base122is removably connected to the armrest cap132of the armrest126such that the base122is stationary relative to the armrest cap132. A mounting plate196is secured to the armrest126. When the armrest cap132is secured to the armrest126(e.g., snap-fit attachment, mechanical fasteners or the like), an attachment screw198is inserted through an aperture200in the armrest cap132and into removable engagement with a bore202on the mounting plate196. A pair of attachment screws204are inserted through respective apertures206in the base122(previously positioned in place on the armrest132) and into removable engagement with respective bores208in the armrest cap132. The pivot arm124is mounted to the base122by aligning bores210on each side of the pivot arm124with a bore212extending through the base. A pair of dowel pins214are used to secure the pivot arm124to the base122by inserting the dowel pins214through the aligned bores210,212on each side of the pivot arm124. The above described process of securing the pivot arm124of mounting arm assembly120, described above with respect toFIGS. 11-20D, to the armrest cap132can adapted to secure the mounting arm assembly20, described above with respect toFIGS. 1-10C, to the armrest cap32.

In use, the deployment stages required to bring the mounting arm assembly120to a proper viewing position of a PED22held by the assembly120are as follows: stowed position, initial deployment, secondary deployment, and final deployment. In the stowed position, the mounting arm assembly120is contained in the recess138of the armrest126(for purposes of illustration only, the armrest126is the passenger's left armrest, and the following steps can be adopted and modified for the situation where the mounting arm assembly120is stowed within a passenger's right armrest, with the goal that the assembly120be deployed generally in front of the passenger). Alternatively, the assembly120may be stowed within a recess of a space within a housing or console, in a space between passenger chairs, or in a space between a passenger chair and a bulkhead, and so on. In any event, in the stowed position, the mounting arm assembly120is out of sight of the passenger except for the sides140,154,156of the mounting arm assembly120facing outwardly from the recess138and forming at least a portion of the upper, exterior surface142and side exterior surfaces155,157of the armrest126. In the initial deployment stage, the mounting arm assembly120is pivoted vertically from within the recess138in which it is stowed. This initial deployment is accomplished by one or more fingers of a user engaging the flange164and allows the user to then manually pull the assembly120further pivotally upwards about the pivot axis136so that the pivot arm124is fully pivotally extended from its stowed position. The flange164may releasably engage the armrest cap132(e.g., by snap-fit/detent engagement of the flange164and the armrest cap132). The stop139of the base122acts as a hard stop to the rotation of the pivot arm124, when the stop139engages a portion of the pivot arm124shaped and positioned to engage the stop139, and thereby limits outward rotation of the pivot arm124. The pivot arm124rotates about one hundred twenty five (125) degrees between its fully stowed and fully deployed positions.

In the alternative, the mounting arm assembly120also includes a latch mechanism used to hold the assembly20in a stowed configuration and release the assembly120from the stowed position when a user desires to move the assembly120into a deployed configuration. The user could actuate the latch mechanism either by pushing a mechanical button associated with the latch mechanism operationally connected to the assembly120, or by pressing against the side140of the assembly120, activating a release mechanism, or by any other means that will disengage the latch holding the assembly120in place in the stowed position. Pushing the button or the side140releases the latch mechanism and allows the user to then manually pull the assembly120further pivotally upwards about the pivot axis136so that the pivot arm124is fully pivotally extended from the stowed position.

In secondary deployment, the passenger rotates the tilt arm128clockwise about the tilt axis1158. As discussed above, the length and shape of the track146limits rotation of the tilt arm128about the tilt axis158between about zero (0) degrees from a longitudinal axis160of the pivot arm124in the tilt arm's128stowed position to about thirty (30) degrees from the longitudinal axis160of the pivot arm124in the tilt arm's128deployed position. This allows any PED22eventually mounted on the mount130to be more centered in front of the passenger and brings the PED22into a viewing plane of the passenger. This also positions the PED22above a tray table, if any, in front of the passenger.

In the final deployment stage, the passenger rotates the mount130clockwise about the mount axis184until the stop166engages the bottom side190of the mount130. A PED22can be placed within the holder192. In general, the mounting arm assembly120may be stowed by adapting the deployment steps, described above, to be executed in reverse order.

As shown inFIGS. 23-26for purposes of illustration, yet another embodiment of the present invention resides in a mounting arm assembly220, similar to mounting arm assemblies20,120described above, for a personal electronic device (PED)22. As described above, the PED22can be in the form of various types of electronic devices including, but not limited to, a notebook computer, a media player, a smartphone, a tablet-style device, or other portable electronic devices containing music, video, and other content and/or capable of WIFI and/or BLUETOOTH access. The mounting arm assembly220is movable between stowed and deployed configurations. The assembly220includes a base222, a pivot arm224pivotally engaging the base222. The base222is removably connected to an armrest226of a seat (not shown) such that the base222secures the mounting arm assembly220to the armrest226. A tilt arm228is pivotally connected to the pivot arm224, and a mount230is pivotally connected to the tilt arm228. The mount230supports the PED22when the mounting arm assembly220is in its deployed configuration. As seen inFIG. 24, the tilt arm228rotates about a longitudinal axis of the pivot arm224.

A PED holder240may be removably connected to the mount230. The PED holder240may be stowed with the mount230or attached to the mount230upon at least partial deployment of the mounting arm assembly220. The PED22may be pre-attached to the holder240. For example, where the PED22is an airline-supplied PED, the PED22may be provided free to a passenger by the airline for the duration of the flight or provided as a rental to the passenger by the airline for the duration of the flight. Either way, the PED22is attached to the holder240when provided to the aircraft passenger(s). The holder240is subsequently removably, snap-fit engaged to the mount230. In another alternative, the airline could provide a passenger with a selection of a variety of alternatively shaped holders (e.g., a holder for a tablet-type device, a holder for a smartphone device, a holder for any one of a variety of other types of PEDs, etc.), with the actual holder to be used depending on the holder which is most compatible with the passenger's own PED (i.e., the type of holder depending on the type of device), and the selected holder removably, snap-fit engaged to the mount230.

Upon full deployment, the mounting arm assembly220must firmly hold the PED22in place while the aircraft (or other vehicle) moves and/or vibrates. Therefore, to prevent unwanted upward or downward motion of the mounting arm assembly220, there is sufficient frictional engagement between the pivot arm224, tilt arm228, and mount230to counteract the weight of the mounting arm assembly220and PED22, plus any additional amount of grip needed to account for turbulence in flight and/or other sources of vibration. The frictional engagement of the components of the mounting arm assembly220must not only support the PED22, holding the PED22firmly in place, but also allow the mounting arm assembly220to be easily adjusted manually by the passenger and it must maintain that adjustment once made.

In use, the deployment stages required to bring the mounting arm assembly220to a proper viewing position of a PED22held by the assembly220are as follows: stowed position, initial deployment, secondary deployment, and final deployment. In the stowed position, the mounting arm assembly220is positioned on a side of the armrest126(as seen inFIG. 25with regard to the mounting arm assembly220(seen without a holder240attached to the mount230) on the right side of the armrest226). Alternatively, the assembly220may be stowed within a recess on the side of the armrest226, a recess of a space within a housing or console, in a space between passenger chairs, or in a space between a passenger chair and a bulkhead, and so on. In the initial deployment stage, the mounting arm assembly220is pivoted vertically about ninety (90) to one hundred twenty five (125) degrees from the orientation in which it is stowed between its fully stowed and fully deployed positions. This initial deployment is accomplished by one or more fingers of a user manually pulling the assembly220pivotally upwards about a pivot axis of the base222so that the pivot arm224is fully pivotally extended from its stowed position.

In secondary deployment, the passenger rotates the tilt arm228approximately ninety (90) degrees about a longitudinal axis of the pivot arm224. This allows any PED22mounted on the holder240of the mount230to be more centered in front of the passenger and brings the PED22into a viewing plane of the passenger. This also positions the PED22above a tray table, if any, in front of the passenger.

In the final deployment stage, the passenger rotates the mount230about a mount axis to adjust tilt of the PED22. The PED22can be placed within the holder240. In general, the mounting arm assembly220may be stowed by adapting the deployment steps, described above, to be executed in reverse order.

The mounting arm assembly20,120,220may be generally made from various materials including, without limitation, plastic (e.g., polycarbonate), metal (e.g., aluminum), etc. The mounting arm assembly20,120,220as shown may in the alternative include any of various features not shown. For example, a reading light (not shown) could be attached to an underside of the mount30,130,230, powered separately or by batteries or as connected to the wire harness, so that the passenger could read (e.g., magazines, newspapers, books, or the like), or write down information while also viewing the display screen of the PED22.

Although the present invention has been discussed above in connection with use on a passenger aircraft, the present invention is not limited to that environment and may also be used on passenger trains, cars, buses and other vehicles including, but not limited to, carts, carriages, and means of transportation mounted on rails.

Likewise, the present invention is also not to be limited to use in vehicles and may be used in non-vehicle or stationary environments where there is seating, and it is desirable to stow and deploy mounting arms for holding personal electronic devices, such as restrooms, sports stadiums, film sets, schools, hospitals, factories, garages, offices, shipyards, construction sites and the like. Furthermore, the present invention is also not to be limited to use in connection with seating, and may be used in any environment where the device may be stowed within and deployed from a recess formed in a surface (e.g., a wall, a desktop, a table), or attached to a flat surface (e.g., a wall, a desktop, a table) that does not have a recess into which the device may be stowed.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to use with personal electronic devices, and may be used with a wide variety of electronic, mechanical, electro-mechanical, or other devices or objects, such as books, magazines, photographs, paper pads, keypads, illumination sources, cameras, or any other kind of screen display, tool, or other component requiring or benefitting from single- or multi-axis articulation, with or without internal wiring, fiber-optics, or other items running through the center of the arm.

In addition, the claimed invention is not limited in size and may be constructed in miniature versions or for use in very large-scale applications in which the same or similar principles of motion and friction control as described above would apply. Furthermore, the figures (and various components shown therein) of the specification are not to be construed as drawn to scale.

The above description presents the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above that are fully equivalent. Consequently, this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, this invention covers all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention.