Stowable seat with pivoting seat pan for advanced comfort

A stowable seat is provided. The stowable seat may comprise a housing and a first track coupled to the housing. A backrest may be slidably coupled to the first track. A seat pan may be rotatable relative to the backrest. A second track may be in operable communication with the seat pan. An angle between the seat pan and the second track may increase as the seat pan translates away from the housing.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to stowable seats, and, more specifically, to a stowable seat with a pivoting seat pan for advanced comfort.

BACKGROUND

Aircraft cabin seats (also referred to as stowable seats) are used for flight attendant safety and comfort during taxi, takeoff, landing, and inflight rest periods. Aircraft cabin seats may be used for long periods of time depending on flight duration. Traditional cabin seats may cause pain and/or discomfort for the crew member occupying the seat due to the non-ergonomic geometry of the seat. Furthermore, the space available for extending a cabin seat into a more comfortable position may be minimal, as useable volumetric space on an aircraft tends to be limited, and the cabin seats should not hinder ingress and egress for passengers in the event of an emergency.

SUMMARY

A stowable seat may comprise a housing and a first track coupled to the housing. A backrest may be in operable communication to the first track. A seat pan may be rotatable relative to the backrest. A second track may be in operable communication with the seat pan. A first angle between the seat pan and the second track may increase as the seat pan translates away from the housing.

In various embodiments, a footrest may be pivotably coupled to the seat pan, and a cushion may be slidably coupled to the footrest. In various embodiment, translation of the backrest along the first track may cause the seat pan to translate along the second track. A second angle of the backrest relative to vertical is at least 40° when the stowable seat is in a fully reclined position. In various embodiments, a crossbar may be disposed within the housing. The crossbar may limit rotation of the second track. In various embodiments, a damper may be coupled to the backrest.

In various embodiments, a plurality of apertures may be located along the second track. A pin may be coupled to the seat pan. The pin being located within a first aperture of the plurality of apertures may restrict translation of the seat pan along the second track. A lever may be coupled to the seat pan. The lever may be in operably communication with the pin.

In various embodiments, pivoting the seat pan away from the backrest may translate the backrest along the first track. In various embodiments, increasing a second angle formed by the backrest and the first track may increase the first angle formed by the seat pan and the second track.

A seat for an aircraft may comprise a backrest and a seat pan rotatable relative to the backrest. A track may be in operable communication with the seat pan. A first angle formed by the seat pan and the track may change as the seat pan translates along the track.

In various embodiments, a plurality of apertures may be located along the track, and a pin may be coupled to the seat pan. The pin being located within a first aperture of the plurality of apertures may restrict translation of the seat pan along the track. A lever may be coupled to the seat pan. The lever may be operable communication with the pin. In various embodiments, a damper may be coupled to the backrest.

In various embodiments, pivoting the seat pan away from the backrest may cause a second angle of the backrest relative to vertical to increase. A dual wheel may be coupled to the seat pan. The dual wheel may be located within a guide path defined by the track.

A method of making a stowable seat may comprise slidably coupling a backrest to a first track, pivotably coupling a seat pan to the backrest, and slidably coupling the seat pan to a second track such that a first angle seat pan relative to horizontal changes as the seat pan translates along the second track.

In various embodiments, the method may further comprise locating a plurality of apertures along the second track, and configuring the plurality of apertures and a pin coupled to the seat pan to regulate translation of the seat pan along the second track. The method may further comprise coupling a lever to the seat pan. The lever may be in operable communication with the pin. In various embodiments, a second angle formed by the backrest and the vertical track may change as the seat pan translates along the second track.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in accordance with this disclosure and the teachings herein. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not limitation. The steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented.

Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. Surface cross hatching lines may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.

Throughout the present disclosure, like reference numbers denote like elements. Accordingly, elements with like element numbering may be shown in the figures, but may not be necessarily repeated herein for the sake of clarity. As used herein, “distal” refers to the direction outward, or generally, away from a reference component. As used herein, “proximal” and/or “proximate” refers to a direction inward, or generally, towards the reference component.

Stowable seats of the present disclosure may include a seat pan configured to rotate and/or pivot as the stowable seat transitions to a reclined position. The seat pan may be slidably coupled to a track that allows the seat pan to translate laterally. As the seat pan translates laterally, an angle of seat backrest relative to vertical and an angle of the seat pan relative to horizontal may both increase, thereby elevating the knees of the seat's occupant as the seat reclines. Elevating the knees and reclining the back may place the occupant in a more comfortable position and/or may reduce a load on the occupant's legs, spine, and/or buttocks.

With reference toFIG. 1, a stowable seat100is shown in a stowed position with a backrest110and a seat pan112of stowable seat100stored, at least partially, within a housing102of stowable seat100. Housing102may provide structural support for stowable seat100. Housing102may comprise a depth D1. In various embodiments, depth D1may be less than or equal to 1 foot (30.5 cm). In various embodiments, depth D1may be 11.5 inches (29.2 cm).

In various embodiments, arm rests108may be pivotably coupled to housing102such that arm rests108may pivot towards housing102when in the stowed position. Backrest110may include a head rest114. In the stowed position, seat pan112may fold toward backrest110so that seat pan112is disposed at least partially in housing102. A retractable footrest116may pivotably couple to seat pan112and fold against seat pan112in response to stowable seat100being the stowed position.

With reference toFIG. 2, a perspective view of stowable seat100in a fully reclined position is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. As seat100goes from a stowed position (FIG. 1) to a reclined, an upper portion115of backrest110, proximate head rest114and opposite seat pan112, translates downward in the direction of arrow120. Upper portion115of backrest110may be in operable communication with a first set of tracks122(also referred to as vertical tracks) coupled to opposing sides of housing102. Backrest110may be slidably coupled to tracks122such that upper portion115of backrest110may translate vertically along tracks122. As backrest110translates downward (i.e., in the negative y-direction) along tracks122, an inboard portion117of seat pan112that is proximate backrest110translates laterally away from housing102along a second set of tracks140(also referred to as lateral tracks). Tracks140may be located on opposing sides of seat pan112. Tracks140may be in operable communication with seat pan112. Seat pan112may be slidably coupled to tracks140such that an inboard portion117of seat pan112may translate laterally along tracks140. As seat pan112translates laterally away from housing102and along tracks140, seat pan112pivots upwards such that an angle alpha (α) (with monetary reference toFIG. 4F) of seat pan112relative to horizontal (i.e., relative to the x-axis) increases. In various embodiments, a cushion109may be attached to seat pan112.

With reference toFIG. 3A, further detail of one of the vertical tracks122is illustrated, according to various embodiments. Each of the vertical tracks122may define a groove or guide path124for a wheel126attached to backrest110(FIG. 2). With combined reference toFIG. 3AandFIG. 2, wheel126may be coupled to upper portion115of backrest110via a boss or wheel support structure128. Backrest110may include two wheels126and two wheel support structures128extending from opposing sides of upper portion115. Stated another way, a first wheel support structure128and first wheel126may extend from a first side of upper portion115of backrest110and engage a first vertical track122, and a second wheel support structure128and second wheel126may extend from a second side of upper portion115of backrest110opposite the first side of upper portion115and engage a second vertical track122.

With reference toFIG. 3B, further detail of one the lateral tracks140is illustrated, according to various embodiments. Each of the lateral tracks140may define a groove or guide path144for a dual wheel146attached to seat pan112(FIG. 2). Dual wheel146may comprise a first wheel148and a second wheel149coupled to an axle142. With combined reference toFIG. 3BandFIG. 2, dual wheel146may be coupled to inboard portion117of backrest110via a boss or wheel support structure152. Seat pan112may include two dual wheels146and two wheel support structures152located at opposing sides of inboard portion117. Stated another way, a first wheel support structure152and first dual wheel146may be located proximate a first side of inboard portion117of seat pan112and engage a first lateral track140, and a second wheel support structure152and second dual wheel146may be located proximate a second side of inboard portion117of seat pan112opposite the first side of inboard portion117and engage a second lateral track140.

Returning toFIG. 2, in various embodiments, a damper130may be coupled between backrest110and housing102. Damper130may control the speed of movement of backrest110. Stated another way, damper130may control the speed at which wheels126slide along vertical tracks122. Stated yet another way, damper130may control the speed at which seat100transitions into a reclined position. Damper130may comprise a gas spring damper or other suitable shock absorber.

Arm rests108may be manually pivoted away from housing102such that arm rests are positioned 90 degrees from vertical. Arm rests108may include a first portion108athat is slidably coupled to a second portion108bof arm rests108. First portion108amay be configured to translate (i.e., slide) laterally along second portion108baway from housing102. Arm rests108being configured to slide away from housing102may allow arm rests108to provide continued arm support to the occupant of seat100as backrest110moves away from housing102(i.e., as the angle of backrest110relative to vertical increases).

Footrest116may be manually pivoted away from underside surface113of seat pan112to provide lower leg and foot support to an occupant of seat100. In various embodiments, footrest116may be deployed by pivoting footrest116approximately 180° about an end of seat pan112. In various embodiments, a cushion118may be slidably coupled to footrest116. Cushion118may be configured to slide along footrest116, away from seat pan112to provide additional lower leg and/or foot support length.

In various embodiments, housing102may include a crossbar150. Crossbar150may extend between opposing sides of housing102. Crossbar150may limit rotation of lateral tracks140. For example, when seat100transitions from the stowed position (FIG. 1) to a taxi-takeoff-landing (TTL) position (FIG. 4C) and/or to a reclined position, lateral tracks140may rotate away from housing102. Lateral tracks140may continue to rotate away from housing102until they abut against crossbar150. In various embodiments, the location of crossbar150may be selected to prevent lateral tracks140from extending beyond about 90 degrees from vertical (i.e., from extending beyond about 90 degrees relative to the positive y-axis). As used herein only, “about” means±10 degrees. In various embodiments, crossbar150may comprise a metal. For example, crossbar150may comprise aluminum, nickel, copper, steel, titanium, and/or one or more alloys of the same. In various embodiments, crossbar150may comprise a non-metal. For example, crossbar150may comprise plastic, wood, ceramic, or carbon composite.

With reference toFIG. 4A, a side view of stowable seat100in a stowed position is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. InFIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, and 4Farm rests108and cushion118(FIG. 2) have been removed for clarity. Backrest110may comprise a rigid L-shaped structure including a back support portion162and a lateral portion164extending from the back support portion162. In various embodiments, an angle theta (θ) between back support portion162and a lateral portion164may be about 90 degrees. As used herein only, “about” means±10 degrees. In the stowed position, back support portion162and lateral portion164may be located within housing102. Seat pan112may be pivotably coupled to lateral portion164of backrest110at pivot joint156.

With reference toFIG. 4B, a side view of stowable seat100between the stowed position and the TTL position is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. As seat100transitions from the stowed position (FIG. 1) to the TTL position (FIG. 4C), seat pan112and lateral tracks140may rotate away from housing102. In various embodiments, seat pan112may be rotated away from housing102by pivoting lateral tracks140, which are in operable communication with and may be coupled to seat pan112, around an axle166. Stated differently, as seat100transitions from the stowed position to the TTL position, seat pan112and lateral tracks140may rotate from a relatively vertical orientation toward a relatively horizontal orientation. As seat pan112translates toward the TTL position, seat pan112may also rotate around pivot joint156and away from back support portion162of backrest110. As lateral tracks140rotate around axle166and away from housing102, pivot joint156translates away from housing102which causes the lower portion121of lateral portion164of backrest110to translate laterally away from housing102. As lower portion121of lateral portion164translates away from housing102(i.e., moves in the positive x-direction) upper portion115of backrest110translates downward (i.e., moves in the negative y-direction) along vertical tracks122. As lower portion121translates away from housing102and upper portion115moves downward, an angle beta (β) of back support portion162relative to vertical increases.

With reference toFIG. 4C, a side view of stowable seat100in the TTL position is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. In the TTL position, lateral tracks140may contact crossbar150and further rotation of lateral tracks140and seat pan112away from housing102is prevented. Additionally, rotation of seat pan112around pivot joint156may cease due to lateral portion164of backrest110contacting (or “bottoming out” against) seat pan112. In various embodiments, in the TTL position, seat pan112may be oriented at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to back support portion162of backrest110. As used herein only, “about” means±10 degrees. Stated differently, in the TTL position, seat pan112and lateral tracks140may be oriented substantially parallel to lateral portion164of backrest110. As used herein only, “substantially parallel” means±10 degrees from parallel. Rotation of lateral tracks140about axle166may cause pivot joint156to translate away from housing102and upper portion115of backrest110to translate downward in the negative y-direction. In various embodiments, upper portion115of backrest110may move between 3.0 inches and 10.0 inches (i.e., between 7.62 cm and 25.4 cm) when translating from the stowed position (FIG. 4A) to the TTL position. In various embodiments, upper portion115of backrest110may move between 6.0 inches and 8.0 inches (i.e., between 15.24 cm and 20.32 cm) when translating from the stowed position (FIG. 4A) to the TTL position. As upper portion115of backrest110slides down vertical tracks122and lateral portion164of backrest110translates laterally away from housing102, the angle β of back support portion162relative to vertical may increase.

With reference toFIGS. 4D and 4E, a side view of stowable seat100in a partially reclined position is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. When transitioning from the TTL position (FIG. 4C) to a reclined position, seat pan112may translate (i.e., slide) laterally away from housing102. In various embodiments, actuation of a lever160coupled to seat pan112may allow seat pan112to translate along lateral tracks140. Lever160may be in operable communication with one or more pin(s)171coupled to seat pan112. Pin171may be configured to rest within a plurality of openings or apertures170located along lateral tracks140. In other words, lateral tracks140may define a plurality of apertures170configured to engage pin171. Pin171being located within an aperture170may restrain or block dual wheels146from moving along lateral tracks140. Actuation of lever160may cause a translation of pin171that locates pin171outside of apertures170and allows dual wheel146to slide along lateral track140. Stated differently, actuation of lever160may cause pin171to go from a “locked” position, wherein movement of dual wheels146is restricted, to an “unlocked” position, wherein dual wheels146are allowed to translate along lateral tracks140. Release of lever160may cause pin171to return to the locked position with pin171located within an aperture170, thereby restricting movement of dual wheel146.

Apertures170may be disposed at various locations along lateral tracks140. An occupant of seat100may select a desired positioning of seat100by actuating lever160, sliding seat pan112along lateral tracks140until a desired angle α of seat pan112and/or a desired angle β of backrest110is reached, and then releasing lever160, thereby locking dual wheels146in place and preventing the angle α of seat pan112and/or the angle β of backrest110from changing. In various embodiments, a number of apertures170and a distance between adjacent apertures170are selected such that the angle α of seat pan112relative to horizontal (i.e., the angle formed by seat pan112and lateral tracks140) increases/decreases in increments of between 2 degrees and 10 degrees per aperture170. In various embodiments, the number of apertures170and the distance between adjacent apertures170are selected such that the angle α of seat pan112relative to horizontal (i.e., the angle formed by seat pan112and lateral tracks140) increases/decreases in increments of between 4 degrees and 6 degrees per aperture170.

Lever160may also be in operable communication with a latch176. Latch176may be configured to engage lateral tracks140and prevent rotation of lateral tracks140in the upward direction (i.e., in the direction of arrow180), when seat100is in a reclined position. Stated differently, actuation of lever160may cause a translation of latch176that prevents lateral tracks140from moving toward the stowed position, while seat pan112is pivoted away from lateral tracks140. In various embodiments, returning seat pan112to the TTL position (FIG. 4C), where inboard portion117of seat pan112is located proximate latch176, may cause latch176to release and allow lateral tracks140to rotate in the direction of arrow180.

With reference toFIG. 4F, a side view of stowable seat100in a fully reclined position is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. A stopper172, for example, a bolt, pin, or other structure capable of preventing movement of dual wheel146may be located at an end of lateral tracks140that is distal to axle166. Stopper172may prevent dual wheels146from sliding out of lateral tracks140. In various embodiments, upper portion115of backrest110may move between 10.0 inches and 20.0 inches (i.e., between 25.4 cm and 50.8 cm) when translating from the stowed position (FIG. 4A) to the fully reclined position. In various embodiments, upper portion115of backrest110may move between 14.0 inches and 18.0 inches (i.e., between 35.56 cm and 45.72 cm) when translating from the stowed position (FIG. 4A) to the fully reclined position.

In various embodiments, in the fully reclined position, the angle α of seat pan112relative to lateral tracks140may be between 20 degrees and 75 degrees. In various embodiments, in the fully reclined position, the angle α of seat pan112relative to lateral tracks140may be between 40 degrees and 50 degrees. In the fully reclined position, the angle β of back support portion162of backrest110relative to vertical tracks122may be at least 40 degrees. In various embodiments, in the fully reclined position, the angle β of back support portion162of backrest110relative to vertical tracks122may be between 40 degrees and 75 degrees. In various embodiments, in the fully reclined position, the angle β of back support portion162of backrest110relative to vertical tracks122may be between 45 degrees and 55 degrees. The angle β of backrest110and the angel α of seat pan112, in the fully reclined position, may allow an occupant of seat100to be in a more comfortable position. The angle β of backrest110and the angel α of seat pan112, in the fully reclined position, may reduce a load on the occupant's legs, spine, and/or buttocks.

With reference toFIG. 5, a method300of making a stowable seat is illustrated, according to various embodiments. Method300may comprise slidably coupling a backrest to a first track (step302), pivotably coupling a seat pan to the backrest (step304), and slidably coupling the seat pan to a second track (step306). The seat pan may be coupled to the second track such that a first angle of the seat pan relative to horizontal changes as the seat pan translates along the second track.

In various embodiments, method300may further comprise locating a plurality of apertures along the second track (step308), and configuring the plurality of apertures and a pin coupled to the seat pan to regulate translation of the seat pan along the second track (step310). Method300may further comprise coupling a lever to the seat pan (step312). The lever may be in operable communication with the pin.

In various embodiments, with combined reference toFIG. 5andFIGS. 4D and 4E, step302may comprise slidably coupling backrest110to a track122. Step304may comprise pivotably coupling seat pan112to backrest110. Step306may comprise slidably coupling seat pan112to track140. Seat pan112may be coupled to track140such that angle α of seat pan112relative to horizontal changes as seat pan112translates along track140. In various embodiments, the angle β formed by backrest110and track122changes as seat pan112translates along track140. Step308may comprise locating a plurality of apertures170along track140. Step310may comprise configuring the plurality of apertures170and pin171coupled to seat pan112to regulate translation of seat pan112along track140. Step312may comprise coupling lever160to seat pan112. Lever160may be in operable communication with pin171.