Abstract:
Structures and assemblies for stowable tables and similar objects are detailed. Versions of the assemblies may cooperate with pivoting covers mounted to vehicle seats for purposes of deploying and retaining the tables. Other versions may include tables biased to fit snugly in recessed portions of backrests of seats, with compression of the biasing mechanism occurring sometimes when backrests are reclined and expansion of the mechanism occurring sometimes when the tables are deployed. Yet other versions may include tables latching to bars or other objects protruding rearward from the backrests.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/865,841, filed May 25, 2001, entitled “Adjustable Seats” (the “Bentley Application”), the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by this reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to stowable tables and associated storage assemblies and more particularly (although not exclusively) to tray tables used for food service and other functions aboard vehicles such as (although again not exclusively) passenger aircraft and trains. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,552 to Harris discloses stowable table systems for commercial vehicles including aircraft. Designed for stowage in a compartment within an armrest of a seat, the table of the Harris patent is adapted “to be angularly displaced to a degree sufficient to permit the user to leave the seat obstructed by the table” when the table is “in its horizontally disposed position of use.” See Harris, col. 1, ll. 10-13. Because storage of the table occurs within the armrest of a seat, no latching mechanism is necessary to retain the table in its stowed position. 
     Recently-issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,994 to Bentley, et al., also commonly-owned with this application, describes multi-function seats for aircraft and other vehicles. Discussed in the Bentley, et al. patent are table assemblies again often (although not necessarily) stowed in compartments within armrests of seats. Among features of these assemblies are that the upper surfaces of the tables may function as non-horizontal rests for, e.g., books, magazines, or computers and the tables themselves may be adjustable vertically for passenger comfort. 
     Illustrated in the Bentley Application are tables that may be latched, or otherwise connected, to rear portions of backrests of seats. As described in the Bentley Application, pins present in a table may engage slot-containing members connected directly or indirectly to a backrest to retain the table in an undeployed condition (as is frequently required at least during taxi, take-off, and landing of commercial aircraft). In some embodiments of the invention, by rotating a knob or similar structure, a passenger may retract the pins from the slots to deploy the table for use. 
     Unlike most existing commercial vehicle chairs, seats detailed in the Bentley Application are adapted for both rotational and linear movement. Accordingly, the slots mentioned in the preceding paragraph may be elongated with respect to the pins, thus permitting the backrest to move substantially before mandating any corresponding movement of the (undeployed) table. Such substantial movement may occur, for example, when the backrest reclines upon passenger demand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides alternative structures and assemblies for stowable tables and similar objects. Typically connected directly or indirectly to backrests of seats, tables of the invention may be latched, or otherwise retained in stowed positions, in numerous ways. In some embodiments, tables may cooperate with pivoting covers for retention and deployment purposes. In other embodiments, tables may be biased to fit snugly in a recessed portion of a backrest when stowed, with the biasing mechanism also permitting extension of the table toward a passenger when the table is deployed. In yet other embodiments, both of these features may be utilized (or combined with any of the structure of the Bentley Application) if appropriate or desired. Similarly, any of these embodiments may include conventional or other latching mechanisms for added retention assurance. Further embodiments, alternatively or additionally, may permit tables to latch to bars or other objects protruding rearward from backrests of seats. 
     Versions of the innovative assemblies incorporating covers typically include a cover attached to a portion of the rear or sides of a backrest. The cover defines a space between its surface and the rear of the backrest into which a portion of a tray table may be stowed. Assuming the cover is sufficiently rigid as not to deform when contacted by the table, its presence can help prevent undesired deployment of the table. Likewise, if used with the seats and tables of the Bentley Application, the cover effectively can shield passengers from any gap that might be present between an undeployed table and the rear of the backrest of a reclinable seat. Preferably the cover is mounted to the backrest so as to be able to pivot about the mounting to facilitate deployment and stowage of the associated table. 
     Biasable versions of the assemblies may include one or more springs cooperating with the mechanism used to extend and retract the table respectively toward and away from a passenger. In their uncompressed state, the springs may extend the table toward the passenger when deployed. To return a table to its stowed position within a recess in the seatback, the passenger need merely push the table so as to compress the spring and fit the table within the recess. Because once the table is so fitted the spring will attempt to return to its uncompressed state, it can cause the distal end of the table to fit snugly against the corresponding end of the recess, thereby assisting retention of the table. 
     It thus is an object of the present invention to provide structures and assemblies for stowable tables and similar objects. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide mechanisms for retaining tables in stowed positions. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide assemblies in which a stowable table cooperates with a cover connected directly or indirectly to the backrest of a seat. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide assemblies in which the cover is adapted to pivot to facilitate deployment and stowage of an associated table. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide assemblies in which a table is biased to fit snugly in a recessed portion of a backrest when stowed. 
     It is too an object of the present invention to provide assemblies in which tables latch to bars or other objects or members protruding rearward of backrests of seats. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide assemblies in which a table-biasing mechanism may be used to extend a deployed table toward an associated passenger. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art with reference to the remainder of the text and drawings of this application. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a seat illustrating an exemplary table and cover of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the seat of FIG. 1 showing the pivotable nature of the cover. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a seat illustrating another exemplary table of the present invention shown as deployed for use. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the table of FIG. 3 shown in process of being deployed or stowed. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the table of FIG. 3 shown as stowed. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of other exemplary tables of the present invention shown as deployed for use. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tables of FIG. 6 shown as stowed. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Detailed in FIGS. 1-2 is a portion of a seat  10  typically (but not necessarily) intended for use in a vehicle such as a commercial aircraft. Seat  10  comprises generally a frame and seat bottom (not depicted in FIGS. 1-2) as well as backrest  14 . The seat  10  is adapted to receive a sitting passenger when in use, with backrest  14  typically being moveable upon demand of the passenger between an upright-most position and any of a variety of reclined positions. If seat  10  is of a type consistent with seats of the Bentley Application, both backrest  14  and the seat bottom may translate, hence having both linear and rotational movement. 
     Extending from the rear  18  of backrest  14  may be table assembly  22 , designed for use by a passenger in a seat positioned immediately behind seat  10 . Assembly  22  comprises at least tray table  26  and means for connecting table  26  to seat  10 . An exemplary such means may be the attached arms shown in the Bentley Application, although those skilled in the relevant fields will understand that other means may be utilized instead. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates table  26  in its stowed position. As so positioned, table  26  usually abuts rear  18  so as not to extend appreciably therefrom. Depending upon its connection to seat  10 , table  26  may either move identically with backrest  14  (in which event there would be no relative movement between the two) or differently therefrom (in which case relative movement between the two would occur). The latter circumstance admits the possibility of table  26  no longer abutting rear  18  even when stowed, the result being formation of a gap between stowed table  26  and the rear  18  of backrest  14 . 
     Although useful even when no gap exists, cover  30  is especially advantageous in counteracting certain potential issues associated with the presence of a gap between stowed table  26  and rear  18 . As depicted in FIGS. 1-2, cover  30  may be mounted to sides  34  of backrest  14  and span some or all of width W of rear  18 , defining a space S between its major surface  36  and rear  18 . Length L of cover  30  is such that major surface  36  overlaps at least a portion of table  26  when the table  26  is stowed (as in FIG.  1 ), thus covering the mouth of any gap that might exist between stowed table  26  and rear  18 . To deploy table  26 , a passenger need merely pivot cover  30  upward about its mounting point M—as shown in FIG.  2 —to expose end  38  of table  26 . Depending on how table  26  is connected to seat  10 , pivoting cover  30  upward may also expose a latching mechanism actuatable by the passenger. Alternatively, if cover  30  itself either latches in place or is sufficiently rigid, it alone may be used to retain table  26  in its stowed position. 
     Notwithstanding its depiction as being pivotally-connected to backrest  14 , cover  30  need not necessarily be adapted to pivot. Instead, cover  30  could be extendable and retractable or otherwise configured so as to interact with or engage table  26  when appropriate for stowage yet permit deployment of the table  26 . Likewise, such interaction or engagement need not necessarily be with end  38 , but rather could be with any portion of table  26 . 
     FIGS. 3-5 depict seat  100  to which table assembly  104  may be connected. Like seat  10 , seat  100  may comprise at least a frame and seat bottom together with backrest  108 . Present in rear  112  of backrest  108  is a recessed area  114  into which tray table  116  may be fitted when stowed. In addition to table  116 , assembly  104  may include at least one or more moveable arms  120 , by which table  116  may be connected to seat  100  in conventional manner. Although other means of connecting table  116  to seat  100  may be utilized, using two arms  120  is preferred for certain embodiments of the invention. 
     Versions of assembly  104  additionally may comprise rod  124  spanning the distance between arms  120 . Rod  124  defines an axis about which table  116  may pivot from its substantially horizontal position in use (see FIG. 3) to its more vertical position when stowed (see FIG. 5) and vice-versa. When table  116  is stowed, rod  124  preferably is received by an elongated recess  128  in end  132  of the table  116 , although it need not necessarily be so received. Likewise, when table  116  is deployed but in its retracted position, rod  124  preferably is received within recess  128 . 
     FIG. 3, however, illustrates table  116  in a deployed position extended toward the passenger intended to use it. In this position rod  124 , rather than being received by recess  128 , is remote from the recess  128 . FIG. 3 shows one manner of achieving this extension, using one or more minor arms  136  to connect table  116  to rod  124 . Such arms  136  are able to travel in bores, slots, or other appropriate devices at least partially within table  116  to permit extension of table  116  (and retraction of the table  116 ) to occur. Each arm  136  typically includes an opening  140  though which rod  124  passes (so as to enable pivoting of table  116  about rod  124 ) and a pin  144  engaging an arcuate slot  146  within an arm  120  (so as to limit the angle through which such pivoting can occur). 
     Also depicted in FIG. 3 positioned between table  116  and rod  124  and about at least one arm  136  is coil spring  148 . Spring  148  is an exemplary means for biasing a deployed table  116  toward the extended position of FIG.  3 . Those skilled in the art will, of course, recognize that other biasing mechanisms may be used instead. Additionally, spring  148  need not necessarily be positioned about the exterior of an arm  136 , but rather may be embedded within a sleeve or within arm  136  so as not to be readily accessible or visible to passengers. Furthermore, although only one spring  148  is detailed in FIG. 3, more than one such spring  148  may be utilized when appropriate or desired. Indeed, preferred embodiments of assembly  104  use two springs  148 , one associated with each arm  136 . 
     The bias provided by the one or more springs  148  also facilitates retention of table  116  when stowed in recessed area  114 . FIG. 4 illustrates table  116  in the process of being stowed, having been pivoted about rod  124  into a substantially vertical position. Apparent from FIG. 4 is that table  116  does not automatically fit within recessed area  114 ; unlike as in certain existing table assemblies, merely pivoting table  116  about rod  124  does not necessarily permit table  116  to fit within area  114 . Instead, as shown in FIG. 5, a passenger may depress end  152  of table  116  so as to compress springs  148 , thereby allowing table  116  to fit within recess  114 . Depending on the strength of springs  148 , gravitational force may also cause some or complete compression of springs  148  as table  116  is rotated up from its horizontal position. 
     Once table  116  is fitted within recess  114 , some expansion of springs  148  likely will enhance retention of the table  116  within the recess  114 . If desired, more positive latching mechanisms (including, but not limited to, the knob and pin structure described in the Bentley Application) may also be employed, however, to ensure stowed tables  116  are retained within areas  114 . If table  116  does not move identically with backrest  108 , springs  148  also may compress some as backrest  108  is reclined, and in some circumstances portions of arms  136  may extend further out from their associated slots or bores as the backrest is returned more upright. 
     FIGS. 6-7 illustrate seats  200  to which table assemblies  204  may be connected. Seats  200  generally may be similar to seats  10  and  100 , and assemblies  204  generally may be similar to assemblies  104  or to other such table assemblies. However, as depicted in FIGS. 6-7, seats  200  may also include bar  208  to which assemblies  204  may latch for storage. Shown in the general form of a bracket connected to sides  212  of backrest  216 , bar  208  typically protrudes rearward from rear  220  of the backrest  216 . Bar  208  preferably is rigid and fixed in its connection to backrest  216 , so as not to change position relative to backrest  216  regardless of whether seat  200  is upright (see, e.g., seat  200 A) or reclined (see, e.g., seat  200 B). Bar  208  need not necessarily be so configured, however, and objects or members other than bars and brackets may be employed instead. 
     As shown principally in FIG. 7, part of assemblies  204  may be stowed within the gap or space SP between each bar  208  and its corresponding rear  220  of backrest  216 . Any suitable latching or other mechanism may be used to connect assemblies  204  to bars  208 . Alternatively, bars  208  could be configured so that assemblies are fitted therein and retained in that manner. 
     The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. Further modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, bars  208  may be omitted in some versions otherwise generally consistent with FIGS. 6-7, with table assemblies  204  reconfigured to latch or connect to backrests  216  instead. This is particularly (but not exclusively) possible when the internal sliding mechanisms within table assemblies  204  are connected to the (fixed) frames of seats  200 , hence allowing the tables themselves to move together with the back rests  216  as the backrests are reclined or made more upright. Reclining backrests  216  additionally may compress any springs within the trays, although preferably the force provided by any such springs is low (but sufficient to balance the trays in these circumstances). The springs, if present, further may be installed so that they will not push the deployed tables toward passengers, but rather will either be neutral in such situations or reverse the direction of force in conjunction with an over-counter or other device. Numerous other modifications and adaptations are possible as well.