Abstract:
An aircraft passenger seat swivel assembly for an aircraft seating unit that includes a pair of transversely spaced-apart base rails, each including fore and aft fittings for connecting the base rails to an aircraft deck. The base rails define a transversely-extending horizontal plane extending between the pair of base rails. A swivel assembly is mounted between the pair of base rails in the laterally-extending horizontal plane. The swivel assembly provides a low profile seat with a spar that forms a part of the swivel assembly and transfers loads from the seat efficiently to the aircraft deck. A slide assembly enables the seat occupant to slide the seat fore-and-aft and side-to-side independent of the rotation of the seat on the swivel.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an aircraft passenger seat and seat swivel assembly. The seat is adapted to be mounted on the deck of an aircraft seat and permit rotations of the seat when desired, relative to the aircraft. The swivel assembly design provides swiveling capability to passenger seats without increasing the overall seat height, and is particularly useful in aircraft configurations providing limited passenger headroom. The swivel design also permits seating loads to be transferred laterally directly to the seat base rails and to the aircraft seat tracks and deck. 
         [0002]    Many private aircraft passenger seats have comfort features such as the ability to swivel the seat from side to side and slide the seat fore and aft that are not typically found in commercial passenger aircraft. Typically, swiveling seats have a seat pan that is mounted on a swivel assembly that in turn is mounted on top of laterally-extending spars that extend transversely between a pair of base rails mounted by track fittings to tracks in the aircraft deck. These seats are specifically constructed for aircraft use in compliance with FAA-mandated safety requirements. In addition to being able to swivel smoothly and comfortably, this type of seat must also be capable of being locked into a fixed position for taxi, take-off, landing and flight turbulence, and to withstand substantial, specified impact forces. 
         [0003]    In comparison with commercial aircraft, most general aviation aircraft have smaller fuselages with less passenger headroom. For this reason, most general aviation passenger seats sit closer to the aircraft deck to provide as much headroom as is possible to the seated passenger within the design and engineering requirements of the seat. Prior art swiveling aircraft seats provide reduced headroom for the seated passenger because the swivel is mounted on top of the seat base—usually on the base spars—and thus add to the overall height of the seat above the aircraft deck. 
         [0004]    This type of design also applies seat loading to the spars which extend transversely between the seat base rails rather than directly to the seat base rails. This is an inefficient means of transferring seating loads to the aircraft deck. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an aircraft passenger seat swivel assembly and aircraft passenger seat that provides the same overall seating height as non-swiveling aircraft passenger seats, particularly passenger seats of the type found in general aviation aircraft. 
         [0006]    It is a further object of the invention to provide an aircraft passenger seat swivel assembly and aircraft passenger seat that efficiently transfers seat loading directly to the base rails of the seat. 
         [0007]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by providing an aircraft passenger seat swivel assembly for an aircraft seating unit that includes a pair of transversely spaced-apart base rails, each including fore and aft fittings for connecting the base rails to an aircraft deck. The base rails define a transversely-extending horizontal plane extending between the pair of base rails. A swivel assembly is mounted between the pair of base rails in the laterally-extending horizontal plane. 
         [0008]    According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the swivel assembly defines a transversely extending spar connected to and bridging the space between the base rails in the transversely-extending horizontal plane extending between the pair of base rails. 
         [0009]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the swivel assembly includes a swivel plate having a generally annular recess and an exterior lock flange formed therein. 
         [0010]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the transversely extending spar is integrally-formed with the swivel plate. 
         [0011]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the transversely extending spar includes elongate connecting members for being positioned in complementary locking apertures formed in the base rails. 
         [0012]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking apertures comprise bolt holes extending through top and bottom surfaces of the base rails and aligned with aligned bolt holes in the connecting members for receiving bolts therethrough. 
         [0013]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking apertures are first and second vertically-extending spaced-apart bolt holes extending through top and bottom surfaces of the base rails and aligned with first and second spaced-apart bolt holes in the connecting members for receiving bolts therethrough. 
         [0014]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the fore and aft fittings of the base rails are adapted to position the base rails in spaced-apart relation to the aircraft deck. 
         [0015]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, an aircraft passenger seat with a low-profile swivel assembly is provided and includes a pair of transversely spaced-apart base rails, each including fore and aft fittings for connecting the base rails to an aircraft deck. The base rails define a transversely-extending horizontal plane extending between them. A swivel assembly is mounted between the pair of base rails in the laterally-extending horizontal plane. A seat pan is mounted on the swivel assembly for rotational movement on a vertical axis defined by the swivel assembly, and a seat back is mounted on a rear side of the seat pan. 
         [0016]    According to one preferred embodiment of the aircraft seat, the swivel assembly of the seat defines a transversely extending spar connected to and bridging the space between the base rails in the transversely-extending horizontal plane extending between the pair of base rails. 
         [0017]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the aircraft seat, the swivel assembly includes a swivel plate having a generally annular recess and an exterior lock flange formed therein. 
         [0018]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the aircraft seat, the transversely extending spar is integrally-formed with the swivel plate and provides direct transfer of seat loading to the base rails. 
         [0019]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the aircraft seat, the transversely extending spar includes elongate connecting members for being positioned in complementary locking apertures formed in the base rails. 
         [0020]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the aircraft seat, the locking apertures comprise boll 
         [0021]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the aircraft seat, the locking apertures are first and second vertically-extending spaced-apart bolt holes extending through top and bottom surfaces of the base rails and aligned with first and second spaced-apart bolt holes in the connecting members for receiving bolts therethrough. 
         [0022]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the aircraft seat, the fore and aft fittings of the base rails are adapted to position the base rails in spaced-apart relation to the aircraft deck. 
         [0023]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the aircraft seat, a swivel assembly is mounted between the pair of base rails in the laterally-extending horizontal plane and a slide assembly is mounted on the swivel assembly for permitting side-to-side and fore-and-aft movement of the seat independent of the swivel assembly. A seat pan is mounted on the swivel assembly for rotational movement on a vertical axis defined by the swivel assembly and on at least one translational axis defined by the slide assembly. A seat back is mounted on a rear side of the seat pan. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description of the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a typical prior art swiveling aircraft passenger seat; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a swiveling aircraft passenger seat according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of a seat base rail and attached swivel assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the swivel assembly; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the swivel assembly shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the seat base and attached swivel assembly; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view with parts broken away illustrating an alternative preferred embodiment having a swivel, side-to-side and fore-and-aft seat motion available to the passenger; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 7  but without parts broken away; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the swivel and slide mechanisms of the seat shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the swivel and slide mechanism shown in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    Referring now to the drawings, a typical prior art swiveling aircraft passenger seat is illustrated in  FIG. 1  and generally indicated at reference numeral  10 . The prior art seat  10  includes a pair of base rails  12 ,  14  attached to an aircraft deck by track fittings  16 ,  18  that are locked into a seat track secured to the aircraft deck, not shown. A spar  20  extends transversely between the base rails  12 ,  14 . A swivel assembly  22  is mounted to the top of the spar  20 , and a seat pan assembly  24  is mounted to the top of the swivel assembly  22 . A seat back assembly  26  is carried by the seat pan assembly  24 . Suitable cushion members, not shown, are positioned in place on the seat pan assembly  24  and seat back assembly  26 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the swivel assembly  22  sits atop the spar  20  and thus adds the vertical dimension of the swivel assembly  22  to the overall height of the seat  10 . Within the environment of a general aviation aircraft, even a few inches of additional seat height can significantly reduce passenger headroom, particularly in smaller general aviation aircraft that do not provide “stand up” room but require the passengers to stoop as they ingress and egress the aircraft. This reduced headroom is an important disadvantage not only while sitting, but can also impose further restraint and discomfort to a passenger when rising from or lowering into the seat. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an aircraft passenger seat  30  in accordance with the invention is illustrated and includes a pair of base rails  32 ,  34  that includes track fittings  36 ,  38  that lock the base rails  32 ,  34  into a seat track secured to the deck, not shown. A swivel assembly  40 , which includes both a swivel mechanism  42  itself and a transversely-extending spar  44 , is mounted between the base rails  32 ,  34  in the same horizontal plane as base rails  32 ,  34  and thus does not add to the overall height of the seat  30 . As is best shown in  FIG. 3 , the swivel mechanism  42  is preferably integrally-formed with and forms the spar  44 , otherwise known as a “sparvel.” 
         [0037]    The particular design of the swivel mechanism  42  may vary widely insofar as the specifics of operation are concerned. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the swivel mechanism  42  includes a stationary swivel plate  46  in which is mounted a rotatable swivel ring  48  that is mounted to the seat pan  50 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0038]    As also shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  swivel plate  46  includes integrally-formed connecting members  56 ,  58  by which the swivel assembly  40  is mounted to the base rails  32 ,  34 . Bolt holes  60 ,  62  in connecting members  56 ,  58  are positioned in the swivel assembly  40  to align with locking apertures  64 ,  66  in the base rails  32 ,  34 . The swivel assembly  40  thus becomes the spar  44 , mounting the seat pan  50  and the attached seat back  52  to the base rails  32 ,  34  without adding height to the seat  30 . The swivel  42  is attached to the seat pan  50  by a series of threaded bushings  54  extending upward from the rotatable swivel ring  48 . 
         [0039]    In addition, seat loading is transferred directly to the base rails  32 ,  34 . Weight is reduced by combining the spar and swivel assembly into a single structure. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7-10 , a passenger seat  80  is illustrated and includes in accordance with the invention is illustrated and includes a pair of base rails  82 ,  84  that includes track fittings  86 ,  88  that lock the base rails  82 ,  84  into a seat track secured to the deck, not shown. A swivel assembly  90 , which includes both a swivel mechanism  92  itself and a transversely-extending spar  94 , is mounted between the base rails  82 ,  84  in the same horizontal plane as base rails  82 ,  84  and thus does not add to the overall height of the seat  80 . As is best shown in  FIG. 9 , the swivel mechanism  92  is preferably integrally-formed with and forms the spar  94 , the unified structure otherwise known as a “sparvel.” 
         [0041]    The particular design of the swivel mechanism  92  may vary widely insofar as the specifics of operation are concerned. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the swivel mechanism  92  includes a stationary swivel plate  96  in which is mounted a rotatable swivel ring  98  that is mounted to a slide assembly  100 , also as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . The swivel plate  96  includes integrally-formed connecting members  99  (see also elements  58  in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) by which the swivel assembly  90  is mounted to the base rails  82 ,  84 . 
         [0042]    The slide assembly  100  includes a slide plate  102  that is mounted to the swivel plate  96  by bolts, not shown, that extend through bolt holes  104  and mate with threaded bushings  97  in the rotatable swivel ring  98 . 
         [0043]    As is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a seat pan  106  is mounted to a first pair of slide tubes  110 ,  112  for side-to-side translating movement. The slide tubes  110 ,  112  are mounted in a first plurality of slide bushings  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 , and the seat pan  106  is mounted to the opposing ends of the slide tubes  110 ,  102 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  best show that the seat pan  106  includes side frames  122 ,  124  that extend along opposite sides and which are bolted to the opposing ends of the slide tubes  110 ,  112  by bolts that are threaded into the ends of the slide  110 ,  112 . 
         [0044]    The slide tubes  130 ,  132  are mounted in slide bushings  134 ,  136 ,  138 ,  140  for fore-and-aft sliding movement. In this manner the seat pan  106  and the attached seat back  144  is permitted to slide side-to-side and fore-and-aft within the range of motion provided by the length of the slide tubes  110 ,  112  and  130 ,  132 , while simultaneously swiveling on the swivel assembly  90 . This permits a seated passenger a wide range of seat adjustment during travel, as well as the ability to slide the seat  80  away from the fuselage and aft while swiveling and comfortably stand up and leave the seat. The placement of the swivel assembly  90  within the lateral plane of the base rails  82 ,  84  provides more headroom to the seated passenger without the need to reduce the height of the seat pan  106  above the aircraft deck. The slide assembly  100  has a very shallow profile and thus adds only slightly to the overall seat height. The lateral spacing of the base rails in both disclosed embodiments is controlled by the width of the seating tracks mounted in the aircraft deck. As is best shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the width of the seat  80  may be significantly wider than the base rail spacing. 
         [0045]    As noted from the above discussion, seats having only the disclosed swivel feature as well as seats having both a swivel feature and a sliding feature are within the scope of the invention, as are seats that slide only fore-and aft, as well as seats that slide only side-to-side or that slide in both fore-and aft and side-to-side directions. 
         [0046]    Low profile, swiveling and/or sliding aircraft passenger seats and aircraft passenger seat swivel and/or slide assemblies are described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.