Abstract:
A seat track cover for transferring at least one of electrical power and data between two seats. The cover has a housing and a cable. The housing is sized to extend between a first seat leg assembly of a first seat and a second seat leg assembly of a second seat. The housing comprises a channel forming a first aperture at one end and a second aperture at a second end opposite the first aperture. The cable is seated within the housing and has a length at least equal to the length of the housing. The cable comprises a first connector and a second connector. The cable is seated within the housing such that the first connector is at the first aperture of the housing and the second connector is at the second aperture of the housing. The first connector couples with the first seat leg assembly and the second connector couples with the second seat leg assembly when the housing is positioned between the first seat leg and the second seat leg. In this manner, the cover provides a simple and economical connection between two seats using a cable having a standard length.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to mobile platform passenger seats. In particular, the present invention relates to a seat track cover that houses a cable for providing an electrical or optical connection between one or more passenger seats. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Commercial aircraft operators and passengers are increasingly requesting in-flight entertainment (IFE) and electrical power outlets to enable passengers and/or crew members to operate various personal electronic devices, such as laptop computers, at their seats. To provide passengers and/or crew members with such features, electrical power and data communications capability must be delivered to each seat. Power and data are delivered to aircraft passenger seats via one or more cables that extend from a power or data source to the passenger seats. The cables typically extend up through a floor access panel and along one or more seat tracks recessed within the floor of the aircraft passenger cabin. The seat track is covered by a seat track cover. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is desirable to eliminate the need to run individual power and/or data cables to each aircraft passenger seat or seat group. The present invention provides for a seat track cover that includes one or more cables to transfer electrical power and/or data between two seats and eliminates the need to run individual cables in addition to the seat track cover to each seat or seat group. During assembly, the cover is cut to match the approximate length between the seats. At least one cable having a standard length equal to or greater than the length of the cover is inserted within the cover. 
   In one preferred form, the present invention provides for a seat track cover for transferring at least one of power and data between two seats comprising a housing and a cable. The housing is sized to extend between a first seat leg assembly of a first seat and a second seat leg assembly of a second seat. The housing comprises a first aperture and a second aperture opposite the first aperture. The cable is seated within the housing and has a length at least equal to the length of the housing. The cable comprises a first connector and a second connector. The cable is seated within the housing such that the first connector is at the first aperture of the housing and the second connector is at the second aperture of the housing. The first connector cooperates with the first seat leg assembly and the second connector cooperates with the second seat leg assembly when the housing is positioned between the first seat leg and the second seat leg. 
   The invention further provides for a device for transferring power and data between a first seat and a second seat comprising a seat track cover and a cable. The seat track cover is sized to extend between the first seat and the second seat. The cable is supported by the seat track cover. The cable has a length at least equal to a length of the seat track cover. The cable provides a connection between the first seat and the second seat. 
   The invention still further provides for a method for providing an electrical or optical connection between a first seat and a second seat. The method includes the steps of sizing a housing to a length that approximates a distance between the first seat and the second seat, selecting a cable from a plurality of cables each having a standard length that is independent of the distance between the first seat and the second seat, which is greater than the length of the housing, mounting the cable to the housing, and positioning the housing between the first seat leg and the second seat leg such that the cable makes an electrical or optical connection with both the first seat and the second seat. 
   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 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of aircraft passenger seat groups each connected by a seat track cover according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the seat track cover of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of a cable used with the seat track cover of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an assembled view of the seat track cover of  FIG. 1  including the cable of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a connector mount used to secure the cable within the cover; 
       FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a seat track cover according to an additional embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 B— 6 B of  FIG. 6A ; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a cable according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the cable of  FIG. 7  installed within the seat track cover of  FIG. 6A ; 
       FIG. 9  is a side cross-sectional view of a front connector assembly of one of the seat groups of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a pre-installation side view, in partial cross-section, of the seat track cover of  FIG. 2  between the front connector assembly of  FIG. 9  according to an additional embodiment and a rear connector assembly; 
       FIG. 11  is a side view, in partial cross-section, of the seat track cover of  FIG. 2  installed between the front connector assembly of  FIG. 9  and a rear connector assembly; 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of a rear connector assembly of one of the seat groups of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a side cross-sectional view of the seat track cover of  FIG. 2  being secured to the rear connector assembly; and 
       FIG. 14  is a pre-installation side view of a flexible seat track cover. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   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. 
   With initial reference to  FIG. 1 , a number of seat track covers according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention are illustrated at  10 . The seat track covers  10  are illustrated as extending along a seat track  12 . The seat track  12  is recessed within an aircraft passenger cabin floor  14  between aircraft passenger seat groups  16 . However, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to use in an aircraft passenger cabin, but can be implemented in any form of mobile platform, such as a ship, train, bus, motor-craft, etc. as well as on any stationary platform, such as in theatre seats and stadium seats. 
   With additional reference to  FIG. 2 , the seat track cover  10  is generally an elongated strip having a length that is greater than its width. The seat track cover  10  generally includes a top portion  18 , a housing  20 , and first and second flanges  22 A and  22 B. The top portion  18  is located above the housing  20  and the flanges  22  extend from a bottom of the housing  20 . The top portion  18  is wider than the width of the housing  20  and preferably has an arcuate surface contour. 
   The housing  20  extends the length of the top portion  18 . The housing  20  defines a channel or through hole  24  that extends the entire length of the cover  10 . The through hole  24  terminates to form a first opening  26  at a first end  28  of the housing  20  and a second opening (not shown) at a second end  30  of the housing  20 , the first opening  26  being substantially similar to the second opening. The channel  24  can also take the form of a tube. 
   The flanges  22 A and  22 B extend downward from the housing  20 . The flanges  22  terminate in a first tab  32 A and a second tab  32 B respectively. Each of the tabs  32 A and  32 B are slightly wider than the flanges  22 . At least a portion of the flanges  22  are flexible to permit movement of the flanges  22  during installation. 
   With additional reference to  FIG. 3 , an electrical and/or optical cable according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated at  34 . The cable  34  is illustrated as a ribbon cable having a flexible wire portion  36 . The wire portion  36  terminates in a first connector  38  at a first end and a second connector  40  at a second end. While the cable  34  is illustrated and described as a flat wire cable, the cable  34  can be any type of suitable conductor for conducting power and/or data. For example, the cable  34  can be a flat wire cable, a fiber optic cable, or one or more coaxial cables. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , both the first and second connectors  38  and  40  include a body  42  and one or more electrical/optical contacts  44  (not shown for the second connector  40 ) disposed within the body  42 . The contacts  44  permit electrical and/or optical coupling between the cable  34  and other devices. The first and second connectors  38  and  40  include one or more mounting details  46 . The first and second connectors  38  and  40  further include annular recesses  47  that are proximate to the contacts  44 . The first and second connectors  38  and  40  also each include locking receptacles  49 . The receptacles  49  are illustrated as “U” shaped trays, but can be any suitable shape or device to cooperate with a corresponding locking tab, as described below. The receptacles  49  each include locking surfaces  51  that cooperate with the locking tab to lock the receptacle  49  and the locking tab together. The locking surface  51  can protrude from the receptacles  49 , can be recessed within the receptacles  49 , or can be of any suitable shape or configuration to effectuate a locking relationship between the receptacle  49  and the locking tabs. The first and second connectors  38  and  40  can be substantially identical, as illustrated, or can be of various different sizes and shapes. 
   With additional reference to  FIG. 4 , the cover  10  is shown assembled with the cable  34  extending through the cover  10 . The cable  34  is seated within the housing  20  such that the first connector  38  is seated at the first end  28  of the housing  20  and the second connector  40  is seated at the second end  30  of the housing. Both the first connector  38  and the second connector  40  are mounted to the first end  28  and the second end  30  respectively by a connector mount  48 , described in greater detail below. The wire portion  36  of the cable  34  is at least the length of the cover  10  and may be substantially greater than the length of the cover  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , excess length of the wire portion  36  is coiled or folded upon itself within the housing  20 . Therefore, the cable  34  can be of any reasonable length equal to or greater than the cover  10  and the length of the cable  34  does not need to be limited to the length of the cover  10 . 
   With additional reference to  FIG. 5 , the connector mount  48  includes a base  50 , two sidewalls  52 A and  52 B extending vertically from the base  50 , a pair of notches  54 A and  54 B located in each of the sidewalls  52  and sized to receive the mounting details  46  of the first and second connectors  38  and  40 , and an end flange  56 . The base  50  includes a gap portion  53  to accommodate the receptacle  49 . 
   Installation of the cable  34  within the cover  10  will now be described. The cable  34  is inserted within the through hole  24  through either the first opening  26  or the second opening. Because the first and second connectors  38  and  40  are smaller then both the first end  28  and the second end  30 , they can easily pass through both the first and second end  28  and  30 . With the flexible wire portion  36  of the cable  34  within the through hole  24 , the first and second connectors  38  and  40  are extended out from within the first end  28  and the second end  30  respectively so that they can each mate with one of the connector mounts  48 . 
   The first connector  38  mates with the connector mount  48  in the same way that the second connector  40  does. Therefore, the below description of the installation of the first connector  38  at the first end  28  also applies to the installation of the second connector  40  at the second end. The first connector  38  mates with the connector mount  48  such that the first connector  38  is seated on the base with the mounting details  46  seated within the notches  54  to secure the first connector  38  to the connector mount  48  and with the receptacle  49  seated within the gap portion  53 . The connector mount  48  is next seated at the first end  28  such that the sidewalls  52  are positioned within the first end  28  of the housing  20  and the end flange  56  abuts an outer portion of the first end  28  of the housing  20 . The connector mount  48  is secured in position using any suitable mechanical and/or chemical fastening device or system. For example, the sidewalls  52  can be glued within the housing  20 . Further, if the size of the housing  20  is smaller than the size of the connector mount  48 , the connector mount  48  can be wedged within the housing  20  with the friction between the housing and the connector mount  48  securing the connector mount  48  in place. 
     FIGS. 6A  and B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the cover  10  at  10 ′. Because the cover  10 ′ includes many of the same features of the cover  10 , the common features are designated with the same reference numbers as those in  FIG. 2  but include the prime (′) symbol. The above description of these common features equally applies to the cover  10 ′. Unlike the cover  10 , the cover  10 ′ includes a slot  60 . The slot  60  is formed within a base  62  of the through hole  24 ′ and extends the entire length of the through hole  24 ′. The through hole  24 ′ of the cover  10 ′ further includes openings  64  at both the first end  28 ′ and the second end  30 ′. 
   With additional reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a cable  34 ′ is illustrated apart from and installed within the cover  10 ′. The cable  34 ′ is substantially similar to the cable  34  and therefore, the above description of the cable  34  equally applies to the cable  34 ′ and the common features are illustrated using the same reference numbers, but with the prime (′) symbol. The only difference between the cable  34 ′ and the cable  34  is that the first and second connectors  38 ′ and  40 ′ of the cable  34 ′ are slightly larger so that the details  46 ′ can mate with the openings  64  and so the connectors  38  and  40  substantially fill the through hole. Further, although the cable  34 ′ as illustrated does not include the receptacle  49 , the cable  34 ′ can also include the receptacles  49 . 
   During installation of the cable  34 ′ within the cover  10 ′, the wired portion  36 ′ is inserted through the slot  60 . The first and second connectors  38 ′ and  40 ′ are then inserted within the first and second ends  28 ′ and  30 ′. The details  46 ′ cooperate with the openings  64  to lock the first and second connectors  38 ′ and  40 ′ into position at the first and second ends  28 ′ and  30 ′ respectively. Use of the connector mount  48  is not necessary with the cover  10 ′ and the cable  34 ′. The assembled cover  10 ′ including the cable  34 ′ is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
   With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , each of the seat groups  16  include at least one seat leg assembly  70 . Each seat leg assembly  70  includes a front seat leg  72  and a rear seat leg  73 . The front seat leg  72  includes a front connector assembly  74  and the rear seat leg  73  includes a rear connector assembly  76 . 
   With additional reference to  FIG. 9 , the front connector assembly  74  according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. The front connector assembly  74  is generally secured to the front leg  72  at one end and includes a coupler portion  78  at another end. The coupler portion  78  can potentially be configured to rotate about a pivot point A ( FIG. 10 ), slide, or actuate in any other manner to facilitate connection with the cover  10 . 
   The front connector assembly  74  is secured to the front leg  72  using a fastener  80 , which allows the front connector assembly  74  to rotate or pivot about the front leg  72  between an upward position ( FIG. 9 ) and a downward or operable position ( FIG. 11 ). The coupler portion  78  includes a connector  82  designed to mate with the contacts  44  of the cable  34 . The connector  82  communicates power and/or data to and from the seat group  16  where such power and/or data can be utilized by passengers and crew using various electronic systems such as laptop computers, audio and video systems, and various other personal electronic devices. 
   The coupler portion  78  of the front connector assembly  74  further includes a seal  84 . The seal  84  extends around the inner circumference of the coupler portion  78 . The seal  84  can be made of any suitable material, such as a rubber or polymeric material. In many applications the seal  84  is impermeable to water. The seal  84  is seated within a depression that is formed within the coupler portion  78 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 12 , the rear connector assembly  76  is illustrated in greater detail. The rear connector assembly  76  includes numerous features that are in common with the front connector assembly  74 . The features of the rear connector assembly  76  that are also included in the front connector assembly  74  are designated by the same reference numerals, but also include the prime (′) symbol. The above description of these common elements in relation to the front connector assembly  74  also applies to the rear connector assembly  76 . Unlike the coupler portion  78  of the front connector assembly  74 , the coupler portion  78 ′ of the rear connector assembly  76  includes a tab  86  having a boss  87 . As illustrated, the tab  86  is a flexible tab that extends from the coupler portion  78 ′ towards the front seat leg  72 . The tab  86  is sized to mate with the receptacle  49  ( FIG. 3 ) of the cable  34  so that cooperation between the boss  87  and the locking surface  51 , as described below, secures the cable  34  to the rear connector assembly  76 . 
   With additional reference to  FIG. 13 , installation of the cover  10  between two of the aircraft passenger seat groups  16  to provide a connection between the front connector assembly  74  of one of the seat groups  16  and the rear connector assembly  76  of another one of the seat groups is illustrated. Installation of the cover  10 ′ is substantially similar to installation of the cover  10  and the description of the installation of the cover  10  also applies to the cover  10 ′. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 10 ,  11 , and  13 , installation of the cover  10  between two of the seat groups  16  in which one of the coupler portions  78  rotates is illustrated. As illustrated, in this embodiment the second connector  40  is first inserted into the rear connector assembly  76  with the rear connector assembly  76  in the upward position as described above. The second connector  40  is inserted within the coupler portion  78 ′ such that connector  82 ′ mates with the contact  44 , the tab  86  mates with the receptacle  49 , and the boss  87  passes over the locking surface  51  to secure the second connector  40  to the coupler portion  78 ′. The seal  84 ′ mates with the recess  47  to provide a water tight connection. 
   Next, with the front connector assembly  74  in the upward position, the rotating coupler  78  is rotated down toward the seat track  12  to mate with the first connector  38  and to bring the connector  82  into contact with the contacts  44 . The seal  84  mates with the recess  47  to provide a water-tight connection between the first connector  38  and the rotating coupler  78 . The front connector assembly  74  is then rotated down toward the seat track  12  to cause further engagement between the rotating coupler  78  and the first connector  38 . With reference to  FIG. 11 , once the front and rear connector assemblies  74  and  76  are moved to their lowered positions, the tabs  32  of the cover  10  are snapped into engagement with the seat track  12  to secure the cover  10  to the seat track  12 . The absence of a feature similar to the tab  86  at the first connector  38  provides a less rigid connection between the first connector  38  and the coupler portion  78  than the connection between the coupler portion  78 ′ and the second connector  40 . Therefore, the connection between the first connector  38  and the coupler portion  78  can be made even if the cover  10  is slightly longer or shorter than the distance between the neighboring seat groups  16 , thus providing a reasonable manufacturing tolerance. 
   With reference to  FIG. 14 , installation of the flexible cover  10  between two of the seat groups  16  is illustrated. Because the cover  10  is flexible in this embodiment, the cover  10  can be brought into contact with the front and rear connector assemblies  74  and  76  while the connector assemblies  74  and  76  are in the downward operable position by “inch-worming” the cover  10  between the connector assemblies  74  and  76  whereby the first connector  38  and the second connector  40  are bent downward to engage the connector assemblies  74  and  76  and then the middle portion of the cover  10  is pushed downward to contact the seat track  12 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 11 , once the cover  10  is in contact with the front and rear connector assemblies  74  and  76 , the tabs  32  of the cover  10  are locked to the seat track  12  to secure the cover  10  in position. Once installed, the cover  10  provides an electrical power and/or data connection between the front connector assembly  74  and the rear connector assembly  76  to transfer data and/or power from one seat group  16  to another. One of the seat groups  16  is typically in contact with a data and/or power source (not shown) using one of the covers  10  or any other suitable connection. Therefore, by connecting additional seat groups  16  to the seat group  16  that receives data and/or power from the data/power source using the cover  10 , all of the connected seat groups  10  can be serially coupled to receive and/or transmit data and/or power between each other and the data/power source. 
   One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that installation of the cover  10  can be performed in a variety of different ways in addition to the manner described above. For example, instead of inserting the first connector  38  into the front connector assembly  74  first, the second connector  40  can be inserted within the rear connector assembly  76  first. Also, the orientation of the cover  10  can be reversed so that the second connector  40  mates with the front connector assembly  74 . Still further, the cover  10  can be brought into contact with the front and rear connector assemblies  74  and  76  at the same time. Even further, the coupler portion  78  within front connector assembly  74  can be fixed while the coupler portion  78 ′ within rear connector assembly  76  can pivot. Still further, top portion  18  may be substantially the same width as housing  20  and may have a flat shape to allow the top surface of the cover  10  to be flush with the floor  14  to allow, for example, carpet to cover the cover  10 . Also, the coupler portion  78 ′ of the front connector assembly  74  may also include a feature similar to the tab  86  to allow the first connector  38  to lock into the coupler portion  78 , thus allowing both the first and second connectors  38  and  40  to both be locked to their respective connector assemblies. 
   Therefore, the present invention provides for a seat track cover that houses a cable  34  that is greater than or approximately equal to the length of the cover  10 . The cover  10  has a length approximately equal to the distance between the two seat groups  16  and the cable  34  is chosen from a variety of different cables that typically have the same length, thereby eliminating the need to manufacture or store a plurality of wires of different lengths to accommodate different applications. 
   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.