Abstract:
A power supply system operable to supply power and/or data to aircraft passenger seats that eliminates the need to extend individual cables to each seat and eliminates the need to rewire the passenger cabin when the seats are moved. The system includes a first connector housing secured to a first seat leg and a second connector housing secured to at least one of the first seat leg and the second leg. A first connector of a seat electronic subsystem is mounted to the first housing. A second connector of the seat electronic subsystem is mounted to the second housing. A conductor is operable to mate with at least one of the first connector and the second connector for conducting at least one of data and electricity to or from the seat.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/556,747 filed 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. 60/557,044 filed on Mar. 27, 2004; provisional application Ser. No. 60/556,823 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; U.S. application Ser. No. 10/943,035 filed on Sep. 16, 2004; and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/921,553 filed on Aug. 19, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates to aircraft electronic systems. In particular, the present invention relates to an extendible power strip which functions to cover a seat track. The extendible power strip provides electrical signals or power to passenger seats 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 power supply system operable to supply power and/or data to aircraft passenger seats that eliminates the need to extend individual cables to each seat and eliminates the need to rewire the passenger cabin when the seats are moved.  
         [0008]     In one embodiment, the system includes a first connector housing secured to a first seat leg and a second connector housing secured to at least one of the first seat leg and the second leg. A first connector of a seat electronic subsystem is mounted to the first housing. A second connector of the seat electronic subsystem is mounted to the second housing. A conductor is operable to mate with at least one of the first connector and the second connector for conducting at least one of data and electricity to or from the seat.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, the present invention provides for a system for providing at least one of data and electricity to passenger seats of an aircraft passenger cabin. The system includes a seat track and a seat secured to the seat track. A first connector housing is proximate to the seat track at a first end of a passenger seat. A second connector housing is proximate to the seat track at a second end of the passenger seat. A first connector of the seat electronic subsystem is mounted to said first housing. A second connector of the seat electronic subsystem is mounted to the second housing. A conductor is positioned at the seat track and is operable to mate with at least one of the first connector and the second connector to conduct at least one of data and electricity to and from the seat.  
         [0010]     In a further embodiment, the present invention provides for a method for distributing at least one of data and electricity throughout an aircraft passenger cabin. The method includes installing a passenger seat within a seat track of a passenger cabin. A first connector housing of the passenger seat is rotated from a position in which the first connector housing is approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal length of the seat track to a position in which the first connector housing is approximately parallel to a longitudinal length of the seat track. A second connector housing of the passenger seat is rotated from a position in which the second connector housing is approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal length of the seat track to a position in which the second connector housing is approximately parallel to a longitudinal length of the seat track. A conductor seated at the seat track is connected to a connector of one of the first and second connector housings to conduct at least one of data and electricity to and from the seat.  
         [0011]     In still another embodiment, the present invention provides for a system for transferring at least one of data and electricity to or from an aircraft passenger seat mounted to a seat track of an aircraft passenger cabin. The system includes a first connector housing rotatably secured to a first seat leg of the aircraft passenger seat. A second connector housing is rotatably secured to a second seat leg of the aircraft passenger seat. A first connector of a seat subsystem is mounted to the first housing, the seat subsystem is operable to provide at least one of current and data throughout the seat. A second connector of the seat subsystem is mounted to the second housing. A conductor is operable to mate with at least one of the first connector and the second connector for conducting at least one of data and electricity to and from the seat. The first housing and the second housing are pivotally rotated to a raised position when the seat is moved, installed, or removed from the passenger cabin to protect the first and second housing. The first housing and the second housing are rotated to a lowered position when the seat is secured to the seat track so that the first housing and second housing are substantially parallel with the seat track.  
         [0012]     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  
       [0013]     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  represents an aircraft utilizing a power distribution system according to the teachings of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  represents a row of electrically coupled seats shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  represents a cross-sectional view of one of the seat rows in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0017]      FIGS. 4A-4D  represent various wiring schemes for the seats shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
         [0018]      FIGS. 5A-5C  represent extendable cords usable in the system shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  represents a detailed view of the insertion of an extendable cord and its use within the system;  
         [0020]      FIGS. 7A-7C  represent the track covers according to the teachings of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIGS. 8A-9H  represent various seat track covers according to the teachings of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIGS. 10-11B  represent coupling mechanisms between the seats shown in  FIG. 1  and the extendable wires shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C ; and  
         [0023]      FIGS. 12-15  represent cross-sectional views of alternate seat to seat track couplings shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]     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.  
         [0025]     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 form of mobile platform, such as a ship, train, bus, motor craft, etc.  
         [0026]     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 or 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. As described below, a power system  28  for delivering power or electrical signals to the seats  22  extends within, or closely adjacent to, one or more of the seat tracks  26 . The power system  28  connects to a power source  30 . The seat tracks  26  and the power system  28  are typically covered by a seat track cover  32 . In some applications the power source  30  can also be configured to transmit data signals. The data signals can be in the form of current signals or fiber optic signals.  
         [0027]     With continued reference to  FIG. 1  and  3  and additional reference to  FIG. 2 , each seat group  24  includes a frame  34 . The frame  34  includes legs  40 . The legs  40  provide support to the different passenger seats  22 . The legs  40  include an upper portion  42  and a lower portion  44 . The upper portion  42  mates with or can be integrated with the seats  22 . The lower portion  44  includes a fastening surface  46 . The fastening surface  46  can be any conventional fastening device capable of securing the seat group  24  to the seat track  26 . For example, the fastening surface  46  can include a tab  48  for cooperating with the seat track  26 , as described in further detail below. The tab  48  can be, for example, round, square, or rectangular, to be securely received by the seat track  26 .  
         [0028]     The seat track  26  has a base portion  50 , a floor support  52 , and a seat engagement portion  54 . The base portion  50  includes one or more extensions  56  to support the seat track  26  on a fuselage floor beam  58 . The floor support  52  includes one or more protrusions  60  that protrude from the seat engagement portion  54 . The protrusions  60  provide support to the floor  20  in the area proximate to the seat track  26 . The seat engagement portion  54  includes two arms  62  for cooperating with and securing the legs  40 .  
         [0029]     With additional reference to  FIG. 3 , the seat track cover  32  is an elongated strip for covering the seat track  26  which is a component of the power system  28 . The seat track cover  32  is somewhat semicircular in shape with a first sidewall  64 , a second sidewall  66 , and a top portion  68 . The first sidewall  64  and the second sidewall  66  extend from the top portion  68  generally at an angle, such that when the cover  32  is placed on a flat surface, such as the floor  20  or carpeting of the floor  20 , the cover  32  partially defines a cavity  70  between the flat surface and the cover  32 .  
         [0030]     As best seen in  FIGS. 4   a - 4   d,  the seats  22  include a wire harness  55  which brings electrical signals to a predetermined position of the seat  22 . As seen the wire harness  55  is configured to bring the signal from a first position adjacent the rear leg, to a second position a front leg. At a first position is a wire harness connector  59 , which is used to couple the wire harness  55  to a source of power. Additionally, at the second position is a second connector  61 , which couples the wire harness  55  to the next seat  22 , in the series.  
         [0031]     The power system  28  includes a extendable cable  72  with electrical outlets or connectors  74  are used to couple the seat groups  24 . The outlets or connectors  74  can be used to both accept and transmit signals. The extendable cable  72  generally includes an elongated housing  76  having one or more open connectors  78 . In this regard, the expandable cable  72  may have a single or multiple retractable loops. The extendable cables  72  are configured to span the multiple lengths which are possible between the variable locations of the seats along the seat track. The connectors include a conductor  80 , such as copper, which extends the entire length of the extendable cable  72 . The connectors  78  can be numerous different shapes and sizes and can include a locking detail  82 . The housing  76  can be made of numerous conventional materials, but is typically made of a resilient material, such as rubber. The connectors  78  can be formed within the housing  76  itself or can be formed as a separate component that is inserted within the housing  76 .  
         [0032]     Referring briefly to  FIG. 6 , the rear leg of the first seat and a forward legs of the second seat are shown coupled to the seat track  26 . Disposed within the seat track  26  is the extendible cable  72 . The extendable cable  72  is coupled to the first and second wire harness connectors  59  and  61 . The seat track cover  32  is snapped into the seat track  26 . Seen in  FIG. 7   a  through  7   c,  the seat track cover  32  can have a plurality of locking flanges configured to couple the seat track cover  32  to the seat track  26 .  
         [0033]     As best seen in  FIGS. 8   a - 8   c,  the seat cover  32  is formed of multiple components, which are telescopically coupled together. In this regard, the seat track cover  32  is extendable at intervals from a first through a second length to cover the varying distances between the movable seat groups  24 . The extendible seat track covers  32  define a through passage  70  configure to at least partially encapsulate the extendible cable  72 . The seat track cover  32  can be formed of slidably coupled box sections. Incorporated into the ends of the extendable seat track cover  32  can be a pair of coupling electrical connectors connected to the extendible cover.  
         [0034]      FIGS. 9   a  through  9   h  represent an alternate seat track cover  32 ′ the seat track cover is formed of three telescopically coupled cover members  80   a - c.  Disposed through the center member  80   b  is a locking member  82 . The locking member  82  and associated pair of locking flanges  83  are configured to be rotated to lock the seat track cover  32 ′ to the seat track  26 . As with the other seat track covers  32  previously disclosed, the seat track cover  32 ′ defines an internal passage  70  which encapsulates the extendable cable  72 .  
         [0035]     The connectors  74  of the extendable cable  72  include a body  84  and one or more contacts  86 . The body  84  is typically a generally rectangular foundation upon which the contacts  86  are mounted. The contacts  86  can be directly mounted to the body  84  or can be mounted upon spring supports to bias the contacts  86  such that the contacts  86  extend outward from the body  84 . The contacts  86  can be of any suitable shape or size and of any suitable material, such as copper. To cooperate with the connectors  78 , the contacts  86  are typically shaped and sized in a manner that mirrors the shape and size of the connectors  78 .  
         [0036]     As shown in  FIGS. 10 through 13 , the connector  74  can be can be secured to the seat leg  40  via a hinged fastening device  94 . The hinged fastening device  94  is pivotally coupled to the seat leg  40  to allow rotation of the connector  74  to protection of the connector  74 . The hinge fastening device  94  defines an interior cavity  96  configured to be rotated to cover the mechanism used to couple the seat to the seat track. The seat leg  40  additionally can be manufactured to include an incorporated connector  74 . Alternatively, the connector can be coupled to the seat wire harness and fixed to the hinged fastening device  94 .  
         [0037]     Conventional seat legs  40  without the wire harnesses  55  can be retrofitted to include the connector  74  secured to the leg  40 . The hinged fastening device  94  permits the connector  74  to pivot between a retracted position in which the connector  74  is vertical and parallel to the seat leg  40 , and an extended position in which the connector  74  extends from the seat leg  40  at approximately a right angle to a vertical portion of the leg  40 . In addition to the hinged fastening device  94 , any other suitable fastening device can be used, such as a rotational fastening device (not shown) in which the connector  74  rotates from the seat leg  40  in the same plane as the floor  20  as it is moved from the retracted position to the extended position.  
         [0038]     The cooperation of the above components and their operation will now be described in detail. The seat track  26  is generally positioned just beneath or at the surface of the floor  20  and extends the length of, or at least a portion of the length of, the passenger cabin  18 . Portions of the floor  20  are removed just above the seat track  26  to permit access to the seat track from the passenger cabin  18 . The aircraft can include any number of seat tracks  26  depending on the application. In some applications, two seat tracks  26  are provided to support each seat group  24  at the floor  20 .  
         [0039]     The seat track  26  is typically held in position by securing the extensions  56  to the floor beam  58  of the fuselage  12 . The extensions  56  are secured to the floor beam  58  in any suitable manner, such as using an adhesive or a fastener, such as a bolt  96  extending through the extensions  56 , at numerous positions along the length of the seat track  26 . With the seat track  26  secured into position below the floor  20 , the floor support  52  provides support to the portions of the floor proximate to the seat track  26 .  
         [0040]     To further secure the seat tracks  26  into position, additional fasteners can be used along the length of the seat track  26 , such as a flush mounted screw, to secure the protrusions  60  of the floor support  52  to the floor  20 . Specifically, an insert can be positioned within the floor  20  to receive the flush mounted screw, which further extends through the protrusions  60 . With the seat tracks  26  secured in position, the seat groups  24  containing the passenger seats  22  are be installed. The seat groups  24  are positioned above the seat tracks  26  such that the legs  40  of each seat group are aligned with the seat tracks  26 . Generally, the fastening tab  48  of the seat legs  40  is, at its widest point, wider than the distance between the arms  62  of the seat engagement portion  54  of the seat track. However, at various apertures along the length of the seat track  26 , the distance between the arms  62  increases to permit passage the tab  48 . It is at these regions that the fastening tab  48  is inserted past the arms  62  to within the seat engagement portion  54 . The seat group  24  is then moved along the seat track  26  such that the tab  48  is moved to a point in the seat track  26  where the distance between the arms  62  is less than the width of the tab  48  to lock the tab  48 , and thus the seat group  24 , to the seat track  26 . To insure that the tab  48  does not return to the area of the seat track  26  where the distance between the arms  62  is widened, the seat leg  40  is be secured into position along the seat track  26  in any conventional manner, such as by a bolt.  
         [0041]     The connector  74  is positioned at or proximate to the leg  40  either before the legs  40  of the seat groups  24  are secured to the seat tracks  26 . If the seat leg  40  is manufactured to include the connector  74 , the connector  74  can be rotated, for example, via the hinged fastening device  94  to an extended position in which the connector  74  extends from the leg  40  approximately parallel to the floor  20  and approximately perpendicular to the leg  40 . In this extended position the connector  74  places the contacts  86  in a position in which they are operable to make electrical contact with the extendable cable  72 .  
         [0042]     The extendable cable  72  is extended between the connector  74  of different seat groups  24 . Specifically, the connector  74  is positioned within the seat track  26  such that the connector  74  connects to the extendable cable  72  to the wire harness  55 . Finally, the seat track cover  32  is inserted over the seat track  26  and the extendable cable  72 . To accommodate the seat legs  40 , a section of the top portion  68  of the seat track cover  32  insertable or retractable to vary the length. The seat track cover  32  is secured to the floor  20  using an snap coupling mechanism as previously described.  
         [0043]     It must be noted that while the power system  28  are described as distributing power to the passenger seats  22 , the systems can also be used to distribute data to the passenger seats  22 . For example, data distribution can be performed using conventional communication over power line systems.  
         [0044]     It must also be noted that the passenger cabin  18  can be outfitted with multiple power systems at each seat group  24 . The multiple power system(s) can be provided at the same seat track  26  or different seat tracks  26 . The use of multiple power systems is useful to provide separate power systems for both power and data. Further, a first power system at the seat track  26  can be used for current delivery and a second power system can be used as a current return.  
         [0045]     The power systems can further include a data strip (not shown) that carries both optical data and electrical current. For example, a clear plastic with sufficiently high dielectric to insulate a power conductor, such as, can be co-extruded around one or more of the conductors with a clear plastic interior and an opaque plastic exterior.  
         [0046]     The present invention, while being especially well suited and advantageous for use on mobile platforms, could also just as easily be implemented in a fixed structure having a plurality of seats. Such an implement would also significantly reduce the complexity of the cabling and connectors needed to supply power and or data lines to the seats.  
         [0047]     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.