Abstract:
Described are passenger seat armrests and consoles ( 1 ) having laterally translating armrest doors ( 200 ) that open and close to allow for deployment and stowage of tray tables ( 300 ). The armrest doors may be guided through their translation by slides or a linkage that controls their motion. The armrest doors may also translate in two-dimensions, incorporating a vertical translation as well as a lateral translation. The resulting motion allows for better placement of the deployable tray tables within the armrest or console and a reduction in wasted space. The passenger seat armrests may also incorporate cocktail trays ( 100 ) that can be integrated into the armrest doors or the armrest or console itself.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/974,496 (“the &#39;496 application”), filed on Apr. 3, 2014, entitled Center Console with Side Opening Doors, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/974,476 (“the &#39;476 application”), filed on Apr. 3, 2014, entitled Center Console Armrest Doors with Integrated Cocktail Trays. The &#39;496 and &#39;476 applications are hereby incorporated in their entirety by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of the invention relates to passenger seats or the like, and more particularly to tray tables and console doors for use with passenger seats. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many passenger seats such as those on passenger aircraft, buses, trains, and the like are designed to incorporate trays to allow a passenger to rest a drink, meal, computer, or other items during travel. In some instances, a tray table may be stowed in the passenger seat armrest or console and be deployable for use by a passenger. The tray table is deployed by the passenger to provide a relatively flat surface for eating, working, recreation, or other uses. 
         [0004]    In order to save space, many tray tables and cocktail trays are mounted on articulating or rotating arms that allow them to be stowed in the armrest or console of the passenger seat. An armrest or console door is generally used to cover the tray table or cocktail tray when it is stowed and to close the space in the armrest or console when the tray table or cocktail tray is deployed. The door is generally hinged on the side of the armrest or console that is farther away from the passenger to allow the door to pivot up and away from the passenger so he or she may deploy the tray table. In some instances, a tray table and a cocktail table may both be present on the passenger seat. 
         [0005]    Conventional deployable tray table designs with hinged doors that pivot up and away from the passenger suffer from a number of disadvantages. The hinge for the door, which is often concealed within the passenger seat arm or console, provides an obstruction to the deployable tray table that compromises its stowed position and its movement into and out of the console or armrest. The presence of the door hinge pushes the deployable table closer to the center of the seat, resulting in wasted space inside the console or armrest. In addition to the obstruction caused by the hinge, the movement of the door during deployment or stowage of the tray table can be problematic. Because the door pivots up, it can impede on the movement of the tray table as it is being deployed. Oftentimes a passenger is required to open the door, partially deploy the tray table, close the door, and then finish deploying the tray table. In other words, the movement of the tray table is not wholly separate from the movement of the door during deployment or stowage. 
         [0006]    Many conventional tray table designs also include a separate, moveable cocktail tray to hold drinks or other small items separately from the main tray table. The cocktail tray generally requires additional mechanisms to rotate or pivot the tray into and out of position, increasing the complexity, cost, and weight of the passenger seat. Also, the presence of a cocktail tray in addition to a tray table can result in compromised packaging and/or design of the cocktail tray and/or tray table. 
         [0007]    Recently, there has been a movement in the carrier industries to provide more stowage space for personal items, especially personal electronics devices like cellular phones, tablet computers, or laptop computers. As a result, there is movement among common carriers to reduce wasted space and increase storage options. In particular, the elimination of unused space in the passenger seat armrest and console can provide opportunities for new storage areas or increased passenger space. 
         [0008]    The present invention discloses, among other things, a console or armrest door that opens laterally or to the side with an optional integrated cocktail tray. A side opening door offers a number of advantages over the traditional console or armrest doors that pivot up on a hinge. First, since the side opening door opens away from the outer edge of the console or armrest, relative to the passenger, the tray may be stowed and deployed in a position further outboard than is possible with a traditional console or armrest door. The tray can be moved into a space that was previously unoccupied and open up space in the armrest or console that is closer to the passenger. This newly opened space closer to the passenger can be converted into a console or armrest pocket to provide storage options for the passenger. In particular, this new console or armrest storage pocket may be ideally suited to the storage of personal electronic devices, such as cellular phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, or the like. Alternatively, this extra space could be utilized to provide additional hip room for increased passenger comfort. 
         [0009]    A side opening console or armrest door also simplifies the deployment and stowage of the tray table for a passenger. Unlike pivoting doors that open upwards, the side opening door provides enhanced clearance to allow a passenger to fully deploy the tray table while the console or armrest door is in the open position. 
         [0010]    Thus, in some instances it may be desirable to provide a cocktail tray that is integrated into the armrest or console doors. An integrated cocktail tray may reduce weight, complexity, and prevent interference between two deploying trays and tray deployment mechanisms on a single passenger seat. Also, a cocktail tray integrated into an armrest or console door does need to be deployed or stowed, so it is always available to the passenger. This is especially useful for passenger aircraft, where most trays must be stowed during taxi, takeoff, and landing. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim. 
         [0012]    According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a passenger seat may comprise an armrest or console with an armrest door and an armrest door opening mechanism. The armrest door opening mechanism may guide the armrest door through a lateral translation. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the armrest door opening mechanism comprises a slide. 
         [0014]    In certain embodiments, the armrest door opening mechanism may also guide the armrest door through a vertical translation. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the armrest door opening mechanism may comprise a parallelogram linkage. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the armrest door opening mechanism may comprise a spring. 
         [0017]    In certain embodiments, the armrest door opening mechanism may comprise a spring loaded release mechanism. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the armrest door opening mechanism may comprise a damper. 
         [0019]    In certain embodiments, the armrest door opening mechanism may comprise an electric actuator. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the passenger seat may comprise an integrated cocktail tray. The integrated cocktail tray may comprise a cocktail tray depression and a cocktail tray lip. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the armrest door may comprise an integrated cocktail tray. The integrated cocktail tray may comprise a cocktail tray depression and a cocktail tray lip. 
         [0022]    In certain embodiments, the armrest door may comprise a finger aperture. 
         [0023]    According to certain embodiments of the present invention, an armrest or console may comprise an armrest door and an armrest door opening mechanism. The armrest door opening mechanism may guide the armrest door through a lateral translation. 
         [0024]    In certain embodiments, the armrest door opening mechanism may comprise a slide. 
         [0025]    In certain embodiments, the armrest door opening mechanism may also guide the armrest door through a vertical translation. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the armrest door opening mechanism may comprise a parallelogram linkage. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the armrest door opening mechanism may comprise a spring. 
         [0028]    In certain embodiments, the armrest door may comprise a finger aperture. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the armrest door opening mechanism may comprise an electric actuator. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the armrest or console may comprise an integrated cocktail tray. The integrated cocktail tray may comprise a cocktail tray depression and a cocktail tray lip. 
         [0031]    In certain embodiments, the armrest door may comprise an integrated cocktail tray. The integrated cocktail tray may comprise a cocktail tray depression and a cocktail tray lip. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a console or armrest with integrated cocktail trays, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is plan view of a console or armrest with integrated cocktail trays and a deployed tray table, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a console or armrest with integrated cocktail trays and a deployed tray table, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a console or armrest with integrated cocktail trays and a deployed tray table, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a console or armrest with integrated cocktail trays, a deployed tray table, and an armrest door in a partially open position, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is a front elevation view of console or armrest with a deployed tray table and an armrest door in an open position, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of a console or armrest with two deployed tray tables and an armrest door in an open position, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of a console or armrest with two deployed tray tables and an armrest door in an open position, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a console or armrest with two deployed tray tables and an armrest door in an open position, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an armrest opening mechanism in an open position, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an armrest opening mechanism in a closed position, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0043]    The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. 
         [0044]    The described embodiments of the invention provide an armrest or console with a laterally translating armrest door and an optional integrated cocktail tray for passenger seats. While the armrest door and integrated cocktail tray are discussed for use with aircraft seats, they are by no means so limited. Rather, embodiments of the armrest door and integrated cocktail tray may be used in passenger seats or other seats of any type or otherwise as desired. 
         [0045]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , an armrest or console  1  comprises an integrated cocktail tray  100  which is integrated into the armrest or console  1  or an armrest door  200 . The integrated cocktail tray  100  may have a cocktail tray depression  102  and a cocktail tray lip  104  that are configured to provide a retaining surface for a drinking glass or other small items. The integrated cocktail tray  100  may comprise a part of the armrest door  200 , the armrest or console  1 , or be constructed as its own individual part, either moveable or stationary. The integrated cocktail tray  100  may also have a finger slot  202  to allow a passenger to grip and move the integrated cocktail tray  100 , particularly when the integrated cocktail tray  100  is formed as part of the armrest door  200 . The finger slot  202  of the integrated cocktail tray  100  can be used to open and close the armrest door  200  to facilitate the stowage or deployment of a tray table  300 . A knuckle cut out  204  may also be included with the integrated cocktail tray  100  to provide clearance for a tray knuckle  302  that forms part of the articulation mechanism for the tray table  300 . 
         [0046]    The integrated cocktail tray  100  may take on any number of shapes including, but not limited to, a rectangle, oval, circle, square, or any other shape as desired or required for functional or aesthetic purposes. Furthermore, the cocktail tray depression  102  may be sloped or flat with respect to either the passenger compartment floor or the upper surface of the armrest door  200 . The integrated cocktail tray  100  may also have a cocktail tray lip  104  that extends forward in addition to the aft and side lip as illustrated. To form the integrated cocktail tray  100 , the cocktail tray depression  102  may be a surface that is lower than the top surface of the armrest door  200 , or, alternatively, the top surface of the armrest door  200  may be curved, extended, or otherwise raised to create the cocktail tray depression  102  and cocktail tray lip  104 . 
         [0047]    In certain embodiments, the integrated cocktail tray  100  may take on a number of variations or additional features as necessary to meet the requirements of a particular application. For example, the cocktail tray depression  102  or cocktail tray lip  104  may incorporate a coating or other method for achieving a high grip surface. A rubber coating, soft touch paint, or other friction enhancing coating may be applied to the cocktail tray depression  102  or cocktail tray lip  104  to improve retention of small items. The integrated cocktail tray  100  may also incorporate patterned or roughened finishes to enhance grip and frictional properties. In some embodiments, the integrated cocktail tray  100  may also incorporate other locking mechanisms to hold or retain items. Magnets, slots, hook and loop fasteners, and/or other fixtures may be used, particularly with a cup or other device with a complementary locking mechanism. 
         [0048]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the integrated cocktail tray  100  should be positioned or otherwise configured to work in conjunction with a tray table  300  when it is in the deployed position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The passenger should have access to, and the ability to retain small items in, the integrated cocktail tray  100  while the tray table  300  is also in use. In some embodiments, the integrated cocktail tray  100  will always be available to the passenger and does not need to be put in a stowed position. The fact that the integrated cocktail tray  100  is always exposed or in a position for use is particularly useful for use on air carriers where most trays must be stowed during taxi, takeoff, and landing procedures. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 5-9 , an armrest or console  1  may comprise one or more armrest doors  200  with integrated cocktail trays  100 . Each integrated cocktail tray  100  may comprise a cocktail tray depression  102  and a cocktail tray lip  104 . In  FIGS. 5-9 , one of the armrest doors  200  is shown in an open position, while the other armrest door  200  is shown in a closed position. Each armrest door  200  may include a finger slot  202  to allow a passenger to grip and move the armrest door  200 , and a knuckle cut out  204  to provide clearance for a tray knuckle  302  that is part of the articulation mechanism for a tray table  300 . In certain embodiments, the finger slot  202  and/or knuckle cut out  204  may comprise spring-loaded doors to cover any openings for aesthetic purposes or to eliminate pinch points. 
         [0050]    Still referring to  FIGS. 5-9 , the armrest door  200  is mounted on an armrest door opening mechanism (not shown) that guides or moves the armrest door  200  through a lateral translation to an open position. The lateral translation of the armrest door  200  into an open position provides clearance for a tray table  300  to move from a deployed position to a stowed position and vice versa. The lateral motion of the armrest door  200  away from the center of the armrest or console  1  and towards the passenger (not shown) eliminates the hinge that would normally be associated with a pivoting armrest door and provides clearance for the tray table  300  to be deployed through a space closer to the center of the armrest or console  1 . As a result, the tray table  300  may be moved into a position closer towards the center of the armrest or console  1  and away from the seating location of the passenger. Relocating the tray table away from the passenger seating position allows space traditionally occupied by the tray table  300  in its stowed position within the armrest or console  1  to be repurposed for a storage pocket  304 , or alternatively for additional passenger hip room. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 6-8  show the motion of the tray table  300  from a stowed position to a deployed position while the armrest door  200  is in an open position.  FIG. 6  shows the armrest or console  1  with one tray table  300  deployed and another in a stowed position. The armrest door  200  corresponding to the stowed tray table has translated laterally into an open position as shown by the motion arrow  400 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the armrest door  200  may translate vertically as well as laterally as it moves from a closed position to an open position or vice versa. In  FIG. 7 , the previously stowed tray table  300  has been moved up through the space opened up by the lateral translation of the armrest door  200 . The tray table  300  is now in a vertical position and is partially deployed.  FIG. 8  shows the tray table  300  in a fully deployed position while the armrest door  200  is still in an open position. Because of the lateral translation of the armrest door  200 , the tray table  300  may move throughout its entire range of motion from a stowed position to a deployed position without impinging on the armrest door  200 . The full range of motion of the tray table  300  is possible because, among other things, of the clearance between the armrest door  200  and tray table  300  in the deployed position as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The lateral translation of the armrest door  200  is at least partially responsible for providing adequate clearance to allow the tray table  300  to move throughout its full range of motion while the armrest door  200  is in the open position. 
         [0052]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the armrest door opening mechanism may comprise a parallelogram linkage  210 .  FIGS. 10 and 11  show the parallelogram linkage  210  and the armrest door  200  in open and closed positions, respectively. The parallelogram linkage  210  may comprise an upper link  211 , a first vertical link  212 , a second vertical link  213 , and a lower link  214 . The parallelogram linkage  210  may be assembled with any number of components that allow for rotation of the respective links around their joints. For example, each of the links of the parallelogram linkage  210  may be assembled using screws, pins, bolts, rivets, or other fasteners which support rotational movement. 
         [0053]    Still referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the upper link  211  is coupled to the armrest door  200  and the lower link  214  is coupled to the seat frame  216  or other stable structure. In the closed position of  FIG. 11 , the first and second vertical links  212 ,  213  are rotated away from their vertical orientation. The rotation of the first and second vertical links  212 ,  213  cause the armrest door  200  to be displaced laterally and vertically downward to close the armrest door  200 . In other words, the parallelogram is substantially rectangular-shaped in the open position, and substantially angled in the closed position, where the vertical links  212 ,  213  may form an angle of approximately 57 degrees with the upper and lower links  211 ,  214 . In certain embodiments, the vertical links  212 ,  213  may form an angle within the range of 45-65 degrees, or within the range of 50-60 degrees with the upper and lower links  211 ,  214  in the closed position. In yet other embodiments, the angle formed by the vertical links  212 ,  213  and the upper and lower links  211 ,  214  in the closed position may be any suitable angle. Said differently and by way of non-limiting example, in the open position, the angles of the joints or pivots of the parallelogram linkage  210  are substantially right angles in the open position and substantially acute or obtuse in the closed position. Throughout the range of motion, the upper link  211  and lower link  214  of the parallelogram linkage  210  remain substantially horizontal in orientation. 
         [0054]    In the open position of  FIG. 10 , the first and second vertical links  212 ,  213  have been rotated into a vertical orientation. The rotation of the first and second vertical links  212 ,  213  displaces the upper link  211  in a lateral direction to translate the armrest door  200  laterally towards the open position. Simultaneously, the full length of the first and second vertical links  212 ,  213  are substantially aligned with the vertical direction, displacing the upper link  211  into a relatively higher position. This displacement provides some vertical movement to the armrest door  200  as it moves into the open position. The additional vertical displacement of the armrest door  200  may allow for extra clearance between the armrest door  200  and the console or armrest  1  ( FIGS. 1-9 ), while also allowing for clearance between the armrest door  200  and the movement of the tray table as it moves from a stowed to a deployed position or vice versa. In some embodiments, the parallelogram linkage  210  may include bearings to provide smooth operation of the parallelogram linkage  210 . In certain embodiments, the parallelogram linkage  210  may include spherical bearings at any joint of the parallelogram linkage  210  to allow rotation about multiple axes and provide some amount of extra articulation to the armrest door  200  as it moves from a closed to an open position or vice versa. In some embodiments, the parallelogram linkage  210  may be configured to provide a cam or cam-like locking action to retain the armrest door  200  in a closed position while not in use. 
         [0055]    The parallelogram linkage  210  of  FIGS. 10 and 11  provides one example of an armrest door opening mechanism. However, certain embodiments of the present invention may incorporate other components or armrest door opening mechanisms in combination with, or substitution of, the parallelogram linkage  210 . For example, the armrest door  200  may use a slide or a roller and channel mechanism to provide the lateral translation of the armrest door  200 . In some embodiments, the armrest door opening mechanism may incorporate a spring or spring-loaded components to retain, guide, or provide motion to the armrest door  200 . In certain embodiments, the armrest door opening mechanism may include detents to provide stability to the armrest door  200  in its closed position, open position, or at any point along the motion of the armrest door between the open and closed positions. Some embodiments of the present invention may use electrical actuators, such as electric motors, solenoids, or other components, to open and close the armrest door  200 . Furthermore, any number of latches or release mechanisms may be used to retain the armrest door  200  in a specified position, and then release it to allow the armrest door to move between the open and closed positions. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the armrest door  200  may incorporate a pop-out release mechanism wherein pressing the armrest door  200  causes the mechanism to release and push the armrest door  200  into an unlocked position so that it may move between the open and closed positions. Similarly, the armrest door opening mechanism may comprise a spring which translates the armrest door  200  in a vertical direction while a slide guides the armrest door  200  along a lateral translation. In certain embodiments, the armrest door opening mechanism may include rubber bushings, bump stops, or other damping mechanisms to prevent noise, wear, or impact and slow the motion of the armrest door  200  as it nears open or closed positions. The armrest door opening mechanism may include any of the above described mechanisms or components separately or in combination with one another to move or guide the armrest door  200  between open and closed positions wherein the motion includes a lateral translation or a lateral translation in combination with a vertical translation. 
         [0056]    Any of the above described components, parts, or embodiments may take on a range of shapes, sizes, or materials as necessary for a particular application of the described invention. The components, parts, or mechanisms of the described invention may be made of any materials selected for the suitability in use, cost, or ease of manufacturing. Materials including, but not limited to aluminum, stainless steel, fiber reinforced plastics, composites, polycarbonate, polypropylene, other metallic materials, or other polymers may be used to form any of the above described components. 
         [0057]    Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.