Abstract:
A seat track system for conducting electricity between spaced apart seatst, such as between passenger seats of an aircraft passenger cabin, comprising a conductive tube assembly and a housing. The conductive tube assembly includes a conductive inner layer having a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion that is structurally independent of the first conductive portion. The first and the second portions define a socket. The tube assembly further includes a dielectric outer layer that is elastic so as to exert a biasing force on the conductive inner layer to urge the first portion and the second portion together. The housing is operable to receive the conductive tube assembly and support the tube assembly between the first and the second seats. The socket is operable to receive a conductive member that mates with the conductive inner layer to conduct electricity to and from the conductive tube assembly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/557,044 filed on Mar. 27, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0002]     The following applications are also incorporated by reference herein: provisional application Ser. No. 60/556,826 filed on Mar. 27, 2004; provisional application Ser. No. 60/556,823 filed on Mar. 27, 2004; provisional application Ser. No. 60/556,747 filed on Mar. 27, 2004; provisional application Ser. No. 60/556,748, filed on Mar. 27, 2004; U.S. application Ser. No. 10/810,324 filed on Mar. 27, 2004; U.S. application Ser. No. 10/898,729 filed on Jul. 23, 2004; U.S. application Ser. No. 10/936,004 filed on Sep. 8, 2004; U.S. application Ser. No. 10/983,906 filed on Nov. 8, 2004; and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/943,035 filed on Sep. 16, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates to seat track systems used in mobile platforms. In particular, the present invention relates to a seat track apparatus and method for providing power and/or data to spaced apart passenger seats mounted on a seat track in a mobile platform, such as an aircraft.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Commercial aircraft passengers are increasingly demanding in-flight entertainment (IFE) and electrical power outlets to operate various electronic devices, such as laptop computers, at their seats. To provide the passenger with such features, electrical power and data must be delivered to each seat. Conventionally, power and data are delivered to aircraft passenger seats via numerous cables that, during aircraft assembly, are laid out in position on the floor of the aircraft passenger cabin. A portion of the cables is positioned beneath a covering, such as the seat track cover, and a portion that includes connectors to the seats is left exposed to connect with the yet to be installed seat groups containing each passenger seat.  
         [0005]     During installation of the seat groups, the seat groups must be carried in over the exposed wires. Taking care to avoid the exposed wires increases both the complexity of the operation and the amount of time required to install the seats. Once the seats are installed, installers must crawl along the floor of the aircraft to manually attach each wire to each seat group. This process is cumbersome and time consuming. Further, in order to change the configuration of the seats or to replace the seats, an installer must again crawl along the floor, disconnect the wiring from each group, and maneuver the seats around the exposed wiring. Still further, in order to change the position of the seat groups, the aircraft must be re-wired so that the wiring will reach the seats in their new positions. As would be expected, re-wiring an aircraft is a costly and time consuming process.  
         [0006]     In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide an improved device for delivering power to aircraft passenger seat groups that will eliminate the need to separately connect each seat group to an individual power or data cable and the need to re-wire the power cables when the seat configuration is changed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     A seat track system and method operable to distribute power/data to ports associated with spaced apart seats mounted to a seat track within a mobile platform. The seat track system delivers power/data to any number of select locations within the mobile platform, such as to seats. In particular, the seat track system transfers power/data between adjacent seat groups by engaging connectors provided at the base of adjacent seat legs.  
         [0008]     In one embodiment, the present invention provides for a system for conducting electricity between a first point and a second point, such as between passenger seats of an aircraft passenger cabin, comprising a conductive tube assembly and a housing. The conductive tube assembly includes a conductive inner layer having a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion that is structurally independent of the first conductive portion. The first and the second portions define a socket. The tube assembly further includes a dielectric outer layer that is elastic so as to exert a biasing force on the conductive inner layer to urge the first portion and the second portion together. The housing is operable to receive the conductive tube assembly and support the tube assembly between the first and the second points. The socket is operable to receive a conductive member that mates with the conductive inner layer to conduct electricity to and from the conductive tube assembly.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, the present invention provides for a system for conducting electricity between seats of a mobile platform. The system generally comprises a cover and a conductive tube assembly. The cover is operable to extend between a first receptacle of a first seat and a second receptacle of a second seat. The conductive tube assembly is mounted to the cover and extends at least substantially an entire length of the cover. The conductive tube assembly has a conductive inner layer having a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion that is structurally independent of the first conductive portion, the first and second portions define a socket. The tube assembly also include a dielectric outer layer that is elastic so as to exert a biasing force on the conductive inner layer to urge the first portion and the second portion together. The socket is operable to receive a first conductive member of the first receptacle and a second conductive member of the second receptacle to conduct electricity between the first seat and the second seat.  
         [0010]     In a further embodiment the present invention provides for a method for distributing electricity between a first point and a second point. The method includes the following steps: securing a conductive tube assembly within a housing; positioning the housing between the first point and the second point such that a first end of the conductive tube assembly is at least proximate to the first point and a second end of the conductive tube assembly is at least proximate to the second point, the conductive tube assembly having a conductive inner layer having a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion that is structurally independent of the first conductive portion, the first and the second portions defining a socket, and a dielectric outer layer that is elastic so as to exert a biasing force on the conductive inner layer to urge the first portion and the second portion together; inserting a first conductive member of the first point within the socket at the first end of the conductive tube assembly; and inserting a second conductive member of the second point within the socket at the second end of the conductive tube assembly to provide an electrical connection between the first point and the second point using the conductive tube assembly.  
         [0011]     The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present inventions or may be combined in yet other embodiments. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a partially cut-away view of an aircraft showing the aircraft passenger cabin outfitted with the seat track cover of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the connection between the seat track cover and a seat leg;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an end portion of a connector foot;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a side view of a connector pin having a first engagement feature;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of a connector pin having a second engagement feature;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0019]      FIGS. 6A through 6D  are cross-sectional views of various different embodiments of conduit assemblies of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the seat track cover according to an additional embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are perspective views of two spacer blocks used to support the conduit assemblies; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing use of the spacer blocks to support a conduit assembly within a receiver of the seat track cover. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]     The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.  
         [0024]     With initial reference to  FIG. 1 , a mobile platform in the form of a passenger aircraft equipped with a power distribution system according to the present invention is illustrated at reference numeral  10 . It will be appreciated, however, that the present invention is not limited to use only in commercial aircraft and can be implemented in any platform, mobile or stationary, such as an automobile, ship, train, bus, motor craft, theatre, stadium, etc.  
         [0025]     The aircraft  10  generally includes a fuselage  12 , wings  14 , and a tail fin  16 . The fuselage  12  includes a passenger cabin  18  having a floor  20 . At the floor  20  are numerous passenger seats  22 . Two more passenger seats  22  are grouped together as a seat group  24 . One or more seat tracks  26  extend along the floor  20  to secure the seat groups  24  into position. The seat track  26  is covered by a seat track cover  28 , which, as set forth below, contains electrical connectors that extend between the seats  22 .  
         [0026]     With continued reference to  FIG. 1  and additional reference to  FIG. 2 , the seat groups  24  include at least two legs  30 . Each seat leg  30  is secured to the seat track using a suitable fastening device, such as a bolt  32 . Secured to one or more of the legs  30  is a seat foot  34 . The seat foot  34  is secured to the seat leg  30  in any suitable manner, such as by using a bolt  36  to permit rotation of the foot  34  between an operable position ( FIG. 2 ) and a transport or inoperable position (not shown) in which the foot  34  is rotated upward away from the track  26  where it is at least substantially aligned with the seat leg  30 . The foot  34  can also be secured to the leg  30  to permit movement about the leg  30  in any number of various other directions.  
         [0027]     With additional reference to  FIG. 3 , the foot  34  generally includes a receptacle  38  at the end of the foot  34  for receiving the seat track cover  28 . Within the receptacle  38  is at least one conductor member, which can comprise a conductor pin  40 . The conductor pin  40  is at least partially secured within the receptacle  38  by a gasket or a boot  42 . The pin  40  can be used to conduct electricity between one or more wires  44  that extend through the foot  34 , up the seat leg  30 , and to the seats  22  to deliver electricity and/or data to the seats  22 . The boot  42  can be made of any suitable material operable to create a moisture resistant seal around the pin  40 . At the boot  34  near the pin  40  are reference marks  45  on an exterior surface of the foot  34 . These reference marks  45  are positioned on the foot  34  such that when a seat track cover  28  is cut to length, it can be positioned between adjacent seat legs  30  and, if the ends of the seat track cover  28  are within the reference marks  45  of both seat feet  34 , the pins  40  will be engaged in the tube assemblies  70 , discussed further below. The receptacle  38  can further include one or more guide rods (not shown) to guide the cover  28  into cooperation with the receptacle  38 .  
         [0028]     With additional reference to  FIG. 4 , the pin  40  can be any suitable conductive device, such as a banana plug having spring-like features  50  formed within the pin  40  ( FIG. 4A ). Further, the pin  40  can include conductive springs  52  secured to the pin  40  ( FIG. 4B ), such as by rivets (not shown).  
         [0029]     With additional reference to  FIG. 5 , the cover  28  generally includes a top portion  60 , a body  62 , receivers  64  formed within the body  62  and a locking clamp  66 . The receivers  64  are generally circular and include locking details  68 . The cover  28  can be made from any resilient polymeric material, such as plastic.  
         [0030]     With additional reference to  FIG. 6 , the cover  28  further includes one or more conductive conduits or tube assemblies  70  that extend through one or more of the receivers  64  of the body  62 . The tube assembly  70  generally includes a dielectric outer layer  72  and a conductive inner layer  74 . The outer layer  72  is typically a waterproof, stretched elastic material or electrical shrink wrap. The inner layer  74  is any suitable conductive material, such as copper. The inner layer  74  can be solid or have at least two sections: a first section  76 A and a second section  76 B. The elastic outer layer  72  applies pressure to the two sections  76 A and  76 B to maintain the two sections  76 A and  76 B in a contracted position to decrease the inner circumference of the inner layer  74 . The shape and configuration of the outer layer  72  and the inner layer  74  can vary depending on the application.  FIGS. 6A through 6D  illustrate a plurality of different configurations that can be used.  
         [0031]     Again referring to  FIG. 5 , the tube assembly  70  is seated within the body  62  of the cover  28 . Specifically, the tube assembly  70  is inserted within the receivers  64  and is secured within the receivers by the locking details  68 . The tube assembly  70  extends through approximately the entire length of the cover  28 . While three tube assemblies  70  and three receivers  64  are illustrated, virtually any number of tube assemblies  70  and receivers  64  can be provided depending upon the application.  
         [0032]     The assembly and operation of one preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , any number of seat groups  24  are secured to the seat track  26  by a suitable fastening device, such as the bolt  32 . The foot  34  is secured to the legs  30  of any number of seat groups to provide connections to internal wiring  44  of the seat groups  24 . The wiring  44  can be connected to, for example, a power outlet or in-flight entertainment system.  
         [0033]     To provide a power/data connection between neighboring seat groups  24  each equipped with the foot  34 , the cover  28  outfitted with the tube assembly  70  is inserted at the seat track  26  between the feet  34  of the neighboring seat groups  24 . Specifically, the cover  28  is pre-cut such that it has a length equal to the distance between the feet  34  of neighboring seat groups  24  desired by the operator of the aircraft  10 . The reference marks  45 , which indicate the position of the pin  40 , provide a guide to ensure that the cover  28  is cut to a proper length. The cover  28  can be wedged or “inch-wormed” over the seat track  26  between the neighboring feet  34  to provide an electrical/data connection between the neighboring seat groups  24 . In particular, the cover  28  is positioned so that the pin  40  is inserted within the inner conductive inner layer  74  of the tube assembly  70  and an end portion of the cover  28  is received by the receptacle  38 . The pin  40  is locked within the tube assembly  70  by the force exerted by the outer layer  72  upon both the inner layer  74  and the pin  40 . The pin  40  is further locked in place through interaction between the spring features  50  and/or the conductive spring  52  of the pin  40 . The cover is secured to the seat track  26  through interaction between the locking clamp  66  of the cover  28  and tabs  80  of the seat track  26 .  
         [0034]     With the cover  28  in position between two seat legs  30 , a power/data connection is provided between two seat groups  24 . Using numerous covers  28  connected to the feet  34  of numerous different seat groups  24  and at least one cover  28  connected to a power/data source  82 , numerous seat groups  24  can be provided with a connection to the data/power source  82 .  
         [0035]      FIGS. 7 through 9  illustrate an additional embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the receivers  64  can be filled with a dielectric  84 , such as urethane, that provides elastic and dielectric properties that are similar to the outer layer  72  of the tube assembly  70 . It is through this dielectric layer  84  that the conductive inner layer  74  having the first section  76 A and the second section  76 B extends. To space the layer  74  within the receivers  64 , one or more spacer blocks  86  (Figures and  9 ) can be positioned within the receivers  64  to support the inner layer  74  at various intervals.  FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate two different embodiments of the spacer blocks  86 A and  86 B having different shapes. In addition to the spacer blocks  86 A and  86 B, numerous other spacer blocks of various different shapes and configurations can be used. Therefore, the embodiment of  FIG. 7  is similar to the embodiments described above except that the dielectric outer layer  72  described above is replaced by the dielectric  84 .  
         [0036]     While various preferred embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications or variations which might be made without departing from the inventive concept. The examples illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit it. Therefore, the description and claims should be interpreted liberally with only such limitation as is necessary in view of the pertinent prior art.