Abstract:
The present invention provides a cover for a seat in an aircraft or spacecraft, including a receiver which is configured to receive in an exchangeable manner an electronic device which is fitted with a screen, at least one recess being provided in the region of the receiver such that the screen of the electronic device is exposed for viewing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority to International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2012/069202 filed Sep. 28, 2012, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/540,267 filed Sep. 28, 2011, and German Patent Application No. 10 2011 083 626.8, filed Sep. 28, 2011, the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a cover for a seat in an aircraft or spacecraft. Although the present invention can be applied to any seat covers in an aircraft or spacecraft, the invention and the problem it addresses will be described in detail in respect of an aircraft. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Seat covers in aircraft are usually arranged in the region of the headrests of the seats and are placed over the headrest. The general purpose of seat covers is to physically separate a contact region of the passenger with the headrest from the surface of the headrest, thereby avoiding direct contact between the passenger and the headrest for reasons of hygiene. This is particularly in view of the fact that during long-haul flights, the headrest is preferably used for supporting the passenger&#39;s head while he/she sleeps, and the use of the seat cover is to prevent the headrest from becoming soiled by the passenger. 
     From the prior art, US 2004/0182485 A1 discloses a removable cover for a seat, which cover offers a large selection of motifs printed on the surface. The cover is joined to the headrest of the seat by a plurality of Velcro® fastenings. If a display device, for example a screen, is present in the region of the seat cover, individual Velcro® fastenings can be selectively undone and the corresponding portion of the seat cover is thereby removed from the region of the display device. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the seat cover does not afford any possibility of attaching a display device if such a device is not provided on the headrest. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is therefore an idea of the present invention to provide a cover for a seat in an aircraft or spacecraft, which cover can be used with a display device and can be easily retrofit for existing seats in an aircraft or spacecraft. 
     According thereto, a seat cover with a recess is provided which has a receiver to receive an electronic device fitted with a screen, a receiver for receiving the screen of the electronic device being provided in the region of the recess. 
     One fundamental idea of the present invention is that the seat cover acquires an additional functionality by receiving the electronic device, the seat cover having a recess so that the electronic device can be observed, and the electronic device can be attached onto the seat by the seat cover. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that the airline is now able to offer electronic entertainment devices in the seat cover, the use of which is not subject to strict approval tests, as is the case for head impact situations. Furthermore, by the present seat cover, the airline can use so-called COTS devices (commercial-off-the-shelf devices, i.e. commercially available devices) with a substantially more favourable cost price compared to monitors of the in-flight entertainment system, which hitherto have been fixedly installed in the rearward region of the aircraft seat. 
     Furthermore, with the present seat cover it is possible to provide the passenger with an electronic device, and no modifications whatsoever have to be made to the aircraft seat in order to attach the device to said seat. Consequently, the present seat cover can easily be retrofit to existing aircraft seats which have a headrest. Moreover, the seat cover can be secured by a fastening mechanism (for example by Velcro® fastenings) to the headrest of the seat such that the seat cover can invariably be adapted to different sizes of headrest. 
     In addition thereto, advantageously the electronic device can easily be adapted to the respective state of the art by the exchange thereof, so that the airline can react within the shortest possible time to the relatively short innovation cycles of an electronic device of this type. 
     The present seat cover should generally consist of a non-rigid material, i.e. no bending moments can be transferred by the material. Thus, the seat cover can consist of a cloth material or of a woven fabric, for example. 
     Advantageous configurations and improvements of the invention are set out in the subclaims. 
     According to a configuration, the receiver is arranged inside the seat cover. This measure advantageously prevents the unauthorised removal of the device by the passenger. 
     According to a further configuration, the receiver is arranged on the outside of the seat cover. This makes it possible for the passenger to accommodate an electronic device which he/she has brought on board, or to accommodate a so-called personal electronic device (PED) in the receiver and to use the functions thereof as well as the content located thereon during the flight. 
     According to a further configuration, the receiver is configured such that the electronic device is received in the receiver in an exchangeable manner. Thus, the electronic device accommodated in the present seat cover can be exchanged for any newer model. 
     According to a further configuration, the receiver is configured to receive an electronic device in the form of a tablet PC or a PDA. The use of a tablet PC or of a PDA for the electronic device quite substantially reduces the cost price thereof compared to a screen and the components of a conventional IFE system, because these are products which are manufactured for the mass market and hence can be supplied cheaply. Furthermore, by now the screens of entertainment devices of this type are large enough to allow films to be presented thereon in an appropriately high resolution. Due to the continuous development and the strong competition of electronic devices of this type, relatively short innovation cycles exist for these products, so that while sitting in the aircraft seat, the passenger can avail himself/herself in each case of the additional facilities of the relatively new devices. 
     According to a further configuration, the receiver is configured in the manner of a pocket for holding the electronic device. Consequently, the receiver can be configured in a constructively simple manner and can be arranged in the region of the inside as well as in the region of the outside of the seat cover. Furthermore, the pocket configuration makes it particularly easy for a PED device to be accommodated in an additional receiver, thereby enhancing the use for the passenger. 
     According to a further configuration, the pocket has a closing means which is configured such that it protects the electronic device accommodated in the pocket against theft. A closing means of this type can be realised, for example, by a strap with a lock arranged on the inside to join the closing means to the seat cover. 
     According to a further configuration, the receiver is arranged on the side remote from the contact region between the seat cover and a passenger. The device is thus arranged in the rearward region of the headrest of the aircraft seat, so that it can easily be seen by the respective passenger. 
     According to a further configuration, the receiver is configured to provide a plurality of inserts for receiving the electronic device. Each individual insert is preferably configured to be able to receive a respective electronic device with predetermined dimensions. The inserts are each arranged such that they adjoin one another and are staggered in one direction, in particular in the depth direction and they preferably allow the electronic device to be removed from and inserted into the receiver in each case in one direction, preferably in a vertical direction or sideways. 
     According to a further configuration, the seat cover has fastening elements for joining the cover to the seat, which fastening elements are configured and shaped such that they are used to attach the cover to seats which have differing dimensions. In particular, these fastening elements are used to join the seat cover to headrests with differing dimensions. 
     According to a further configuration, the receiver is joined to the seat cover such that the receiver is configured to be adjustable with respect to the seat cover. Thus, a hinge arrangement can preferably be arranged on the receiver which joins together the receiver and the seat cover so that, during operation, the electronic device can be swivelled along a swivel axis. As a result, the electronic device can be swivelled within a specific swivel angle range towards or away from the passenger, which is particularly advantageous in a situation in which the seat belonging to the cover is adjusted. 
     According to a further configuration, the receiver is configured to provide an adapter for receiving the electronic device. The receiver is thereby able to receive electronic devices with differing dimensions. An adapter of this type can be realised, for example as a casing which bridges a distance between the outer surface of the electronic device and the receiver in a vertical and/or horizontal direction. In an equivalent alternative, a plurality of separate components can also be used for receiving and securing the electronic device in the receiver. 
     According to a further configuration, the seat cover can be connected to an electrical power supply of the seat and the receiver is configured such that it has an electric interface to the electrical energy supply of the electronic device. Consequently, during the flight, the electronic device can advantageously be supplied with electrical energy for the operation thereof and for charging the energy storage thereof. The interface used for charging the electronic device is preferably a standardised interface, for example a USB interface. 
     According to a further configuration, the seat cover realises an enlarged presentation of the screen of the electronic device. Advantageously, this makes it possible for the passenger to view an enlarged picture presented by the electronic device, thereby enhancing passenger comfort. 
     According to a further configuration, the receiver can comprise a protective element which is to protect the screen of the electronic device and is arranged in the region of the outside of the receiver or in the region of the inside of the seat cover. In this respect, the protective element can be, for example, a safety screen which consists of Plexiglas® or of a transparent plastics material. Furthermore, the surface of the protective element can be substantially reflection-free. 
     Furthermore, a seat having at least one cover according to the present invention is disclosed. An aircraft or spacecraft having a seat according to the present invention is also disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following, the invention will be described in more detail on the basis of embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures of the drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a seat cover according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of the seat cover according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective view of a further seat cover; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of a seat with a respective cover according to  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic drawing of a receiver and interface connection; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic drawing of a seat cover and electrical power supply connection. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a seat cover  10  according to the invention which can be joined to the region of a headrest (not shown) of an aircraft seat (not shown). The seat cover  10  is preferably joined to the aircraft seat by being placed over the headrest. The seat cover  10  has a body  20  as a thin flat body which is substantially rectangular in shape. The cover body  20  consists of a non-rigid material so that it can easily adapt to the shape of the headrest. 
     Provided in the region of the sides of the cover body  20  are respective closing tapes  60  which are configured to form with the cover body  20  a closed periphery around the peripheral region of the headrest. When the seat cover  10  is joined to the headrest, the lateral regions of the headrest are not covered by the seat cover  10 , except for the region of the closing tapes  60  arranged on the sides in each case. However, in an equivalent alternative, the lateral regions of the headrest can also be covered by the seat cover  10 . 
     In the region of one side, the cover body  20  has a recess  30  which is substantially rectangular in shape. The recess  30  extends in the longitudinal direction of the cover body  20  starting from the central region thereof towards the respective longitudinal edges of the seat cover  10  over a predetermined length. Arranged in the inner surface region of the cover body  20 , in the region of the recess  30  is a receiver  40  which is provided for receiving an electronic video or entertainment device (not shown). 
     When the seat cover  10  is joined as intended to the headrest, the recess  30  and the receiver  40  are located in the rearward region of the aircraft seat. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of the seat cover according to  FIG. 1  from the opposite side, part of an electronic device  50  having been received by the receiver  40 . An arrow indicates the insertion direction of the electronic device  50  into the receiver  40 . 
     The electronic device  50  is preferably a so-called commercial-off-the-shelf device (COTS device), i.e. a commercially available device. The distance between the receiver  40  and the electronic device  50  in a vertical direction during the introduction of the electronic device  50  is selected such that the electronic device  50  can be inserted without difficulty. The receiver  40  also has an interface  110  for charging the electronic device  50  as soon as the electronic device  50  has been fully inserted into the receiver  40  ( FIG. 5 ). Furthermore, a display (not shown) can be provided which indicates to the passenger the prevailing electrical charge of the electronic device  50 . The seat cover  10  can be connected to an electrical power supply  120  of the seat ( FIG. 6 ). 
     The receiver  40  receives the front and back of the electronic device  50  in each case via a contact region, so that the electronic device  50  is received in a substantially clearance-free manner in the transverse direction when it is being received by the receiver  40 . 
     The receiver  40  has two window-shaped elements  70  which are arranged parallel to one another and at a distance from one another, the distance thereof substantially corresponding to the thickness of the electronic device  50 . The receiver  40  is formed in the region of the upper side and lower side thereof in each case by parallel u-shaped elements (not shown), the distance of which substantially corresponds to the height of the electronic device  50 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective view of a further seat cover according to the present invention, which can be joined to the region of a headrest (not shown) of an aircraft seat (not shown). The seat cover  10  is preferably joined to the aircraft seat by being placed over the headrest. The seat cover  10  has a body  20  as a thin flat body which is substantially rectangular in shape. The cover body  20  consists of a non-rigid material so that it can easily adapt to the shape of the headrest. 
     Provided in the region of the sides of the cover body  20  are respective closing tapes  60  which are configured to form with the cover body  20  a closed periphery around the peripheral region of the headrest. When the seat cover  10  is joined to the headrest, the lateral regions of the headrest are not covered by the seat cover  10 , except for the region of the closing tapes  60  arranged on the sides in each case. However, in an equivalent alternative, the lateral regions of the headrest can also be covered by the seat cover  10 . 
     In the region of one side, the seat cover  20  has a receiver in the manner of a pocket  80  which has an interior for receiving an electronic device (not shown). The outside of the pocket  80  also has a recess  30  which is substantially rectangular in shape. The recess  30  extends in the longitudinal direction of the pocket  80  starting from the central region thereof towards the respective longitudinal ends of the pocket  80  over a predetermined length which substantially corresponds to the size of the screen of the electronic device. 
     The pocket  80  and the seat cover body  20  are joined together by a swivel means  81  which is arranged in the region of the upper end of the pocket  80 . The pocket  80  can thereby be swivelled with respect to the seat cover  10 , as a result of which the passenger always has an optimum view of the recess  30 . Arranged in the region of the upper side of the pocket  80 , in the central region thereof, is a strap  82  which is used to secure the electronic device which can be received in the pocket  80 . 
     When the seat cover  10  is joined as intended to the headrest, the recess  30  and the pocket  80  are located in the rearward region of the aircraft seat. 
     In the region below the first pocket  80 , the seat cover body  20  has a receiver in the manner of a second pocket  90  which has an interior for receiving a further electronic device (not shown). The further electronic device is preferably a PED device, such as an iPhone or a device configured for the playback of multimedia content. 
     The outside of the second pocket  90  also has a second recess  91  which is substantially rectangular in shape. The second recess  91  extends in the longitudinal direction of the second pocket  90  starting from the central region thereof towards the respective longitudinal edges of the second pocket  90  over a predetermined length which substantially corresponds to the size of the screen of the further electronic device. 
     The second pocket  90  and the seat cover body  20  are joined together by a second swivel means  92  which is arranged in the region of the upper end of the second pocket  90 . The second pocket  90  can thereby swivel with respect to the seat cover  10 , so that the passenger has an optimum view of the second recess  91  at all times. 
     The dimensions both in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction of the second pocket  90  amount to only a fraction of the respective longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the first pocket  80 . 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of a seat  100  which comprises three aircraft seats arranged next to and adjoining one another. Each aircraft seat has a respective cover  10  according to the present invention. The seat cover  10  has a receiver  40  which is joined to the body of the seat cover  10  such that the receiver  40  is configured to be adjustable with respect to the seat cover body. The receiver  40  thus has a hinge device (not shown), by which the electronic device  50  can be swivelled relative to the seat cover  10  towards or away from the passenger (not shown), as respectively indicated by the arrows. 
     Although the present invention has been described above on the basis of preferred embodiments, it is not restricted thereto, but rather can be modified in many different ways. 
     For example, the receiver  40  can have on the outside a protective element formed from a transparent material. Furthermore, the surface of the protective element can be configured such that it is substantially reflection-free.