Abstract:
Described are tray table assemblies having a table body ( 114 ) and a biasing mechanism ( 144 ). The table body can be movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. The table body in the stowed configuration can be positioned so that at least a portion of the table body can be situated within a cavity ( 142 ) defined along a downwardly projecting lip ( 140 ). The table body in the deployed configuration can extend transverse to the orientation of the table in the stowed configuration. The biasing mechanism can bias the table body into the cavity in the stowed configuration.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/085,840, filed on Dec. 1, 2014, entitled LATCHLESS FOOD TABLE, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of the invention relates to tray table assemblies for passenger vehicles such as aircrafts. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Tray tables are widely used in most aircraft seat assemblies. The tray table sub-assembly is typically pivoted on a pair of arms which allows the tray table to swivel between deployed and stowed positions, for example, relative to the back of the aircraft seat. This can provide a convenient table for a person sitting in a position facing the rear of the seat, such as a passenger situated aft of a forward-facing seat. When deployed, tray tables may be used as a surface for supporting food, drink, or other items, such as for work or entertainment during travel. The pivoting nature of the tray table may be useful in allowing the tray table to be readily deployed when desired by a seated passenger or readily stowed, such as to facilitate egress or ingress relative to the seat. 
         [0004]    Different latch assemblies exist for retaining tray table assemblies in an upright stowed position when not in use. Various latch assemblies include either a lever (e.g., which may be rotated around an axis) or a slider (e.g., which may move linearly) that may be moved over a portion of a tray table assembly in the upright stowed position. In such a configuration, the lever or the slider can obstruct the pivoting motion of the tray table assembly. In many cases, the lever or slider can stop the tray table assembly from further movement after the tray table assembly has been pivoted to an upright stowed position against the rear of the seat. 
         [0005]    Various issues, however, may arise with such latch assemblies. A lever or slider, for example, may protrude a sufficient amount as to be easily bumped by passengers during ingress or egress from the seat. This incidental contact may trigger inadvertent release and sudden movement of the tray assembly table, which may result in injury to passengers or damage to passengers&#39; belongings or other items. Inadvertent release and corresponding harm may similarly occur due to forces or contact encountered during a crash scenario. Additionally, a lever or slider may be a projecting feature that poses an increased risk of injury for a passenger in a crash scenario. Furthermore, a lever or slider may also add additional weight to an aircraft, which is desirably avoided. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The terms “disclosure,” “the disclosure,” “this disclosure” and “the present disclosure” 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 disclosure 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 disclosure 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. 
         [0007]    According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, tray table assemblies can include a table body and a biasing mechanism. The table body can be movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. The table body in the stowed configuration can be positioned so that at least a portion of the table body can be situated within a cavity defined along a downwardly projecting lip. The biasing mechanism can be configured to bias the table body into the cavity when the table body is in or approaching the stowed configuration. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the biasing mechanism may include a spring. The table body in the deployed configuration may extend transverse to the orientation of the table in the stowed configuration. The table body may include a first leaf hinged with a second leaf. The table body may include a single panel. 
         [0009]    According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a passenger seat can include a seat back, a lip, a cavity, a table body, and a biasing mechanism. The seat back can have a front and a rear. The lip can project downwardly along the rear of the seat back. The cavity can be defined at least partially by the lip, for example, between the lip and the front of the seat back. The table body can be movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. The table body in the stowed configuration can be positioned so that at least a portion of the table body is situated within the cavity. The biasing mechanism can bias the table body into the cavity when the table body is in the stowed configuration. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the table body of the passenger seat includes a first leaf and a second leaf The first leaf may include a tab and the second leaf may include a notch. The notch can be sized to receive the tab in the deployed configuration. The notch can be sized to receive one or more fingers of a person in the stowed position so as to facilitate pulling the table body from the stowed configuration. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the table body of the passenger seat includes a single leaf The single leaf may include a groove in a side of the single leaf facing away from the front of the seat back. The groove can be sized to receive one or more fingers of a person in the stowed position so as to facilitate pulling the table body from the stowed position. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the biasing mechanism of the passenger seat includes a spring. The biasing mechanism may be located at least partially within the table body. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the table body of the passenger seat may be pivotally coupled with the seat back so as to at least partially rotate in moving between the deployed and stowed configurations. The table body in the deployed configuration may extend transverse to the seat back. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the passenger seat also includes a shroud coupled with the seat back. The shroud may include the lip. 
         [0015]    According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method can include receiving, along a seat back, a table body rotated into an aligned position beneath a cavity defined by a downwardly projecting lip. The method can also include biasing by a biasing mechanism, from the aligned position beneath the cavity, at least a portion of the table body upward into the cavity. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the biasing mechanism referenced in the method includes a spring. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the method can include receiving, along the seat back, the table body translated from at least partially within the cavity into a disengaged position beneath the cavity in response to a downward force exerted on the table body with sufficient magnitude to overcome a biasing force provided by the biasing mechanism. The method may also include providing, in a position transverse to the seat back, the table body rotated from the disengaged position. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the method can include providing a flat surface of the table body by a first leaf of the table body rotating about hinges coupling the first leaf of the table body with a second leaf of the table body. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the method can include receiving the table body translated toward the seat back into a ready configuration in response to a pushing force exerted on the table body with sufficient magnitude to overcome a biasing force provided by the biasing mechanism. Receiving the table body rotated into the aligned position may include receiving the table body rotated from the ready configuration. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the table body referenced in the method includes a first leaf and a second leaf. In some embodiments, the table body referenced in the method includes a single leaf. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective rear view of seat with a tray table in a stowed configuration, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective rear view of the seat of  FIG. 1  with the tray table in a deployed configuration. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of the tray table assembly of the seat of  FIGS. 1-2 , showing the tray table in the stowed configuration. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of the tray table assembly of the seat of  FIGS. 1-3 , showing the tray table disengaged from the stowed configuration. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of the tray table assembly of the seat of  FIGS. 1-4 , showing the tray table being deployed. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional view of the tray table assembly of the seat of  FIGS. 1-5 , showing the tray table in the deployed configuration. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a perspective rear view of a seat with a tray table movable between stowed and deployed configurations, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a perspective rear view of the seat of  FIG. 7 , showing the tray table in a deployed configuration in greater detail. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    The subject matter of embodiments of the present disclosure is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not 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 requirement of 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. 
         [0030]    This disclosure provides table assemblies for passenger seats. While the table assemblies are discussed for use with aircraft seats, they are by no means so limited. Rather, embodiments of the table assemblies may be used in passenger seats or other seats of any type or otherwise as desired. For example, embodiments may be used on trains, buses, movie theaters, student seating, or any other instance when a tray table on a forward structure may be useful. 
         [0031]    In various embodiments, the table assemblies may include elements which allow passengers to move the table assemblies between deployed configurations and stowed configurations without also manipulating a distinct latching mechanism. For example, in various embodiments, a passenger or other user may deploy a table by merely pulling the table downward and outward from a seat back. This may vertically remove the table from a secured position behind a downward lip of the seat back and allow the table to rotate away from the seat back toward the deployed configuration. Similarly, in various embodiments, a passenger may stow the table by merely pushing the table toward supporting arms of the table, rotating the table upward toward the seat back, and releasing the table upon alignment with the seat back. This may allow the table to be pushed by springs or other biasing mechanisms upward behind the downward lip into a secured position. Thus, in various embodiments, additional sliding or rotating of a latching mechanism that is distinct from the table may be avoided when deploying and/or stowing the table. This may render such latch mechanisms redundant, and allow such latch mechanisms to be omitted. In many cases, omitting such latch mechanisms may provide safety improvements, weight reduction, and/or cost savings. 
         [0032]    According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , a seat  100  may be provided with a tray table assembly  112 . Generally,  FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views showing the tray table assembly  112  in a stowed configuration ( FIG. 1 ) and a deployed configuration ( FIG. 2 ), and  FIGS. 3-6  are cross-sectional views showing elements of the tray table assembly  112  in greater detail during transition between the stowed and deployed configurations. The illustrated seat  100  includes a seat back  102 , a seat pan  104 , spreaders  130 , armrests  131 , and a shroud  110 . The illustrated tray table assembly  112  includes a table body  114 , arms  128 , a biasing mechanism  144 , a lip  140 , and a cavity  142 . 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the seat back  102  and seat pan  104  form the primary surfaces for supporting a passenger in the seat  100 . The seat pan  104  may be oriented substantially horizontally, for example, to provide a suitable surface for receiving the thighs and buttocks of a seated passenger. The seat back  102  may be oriented substantially vertically, for example, to provide a suitable surface for receiving a back, neck, and head of a seated passenger. The seat back  102  may recline in various embodiments, for example, to allow different options for supporting passengers in seated, prone, or other positions. 
         [0034]    The seat back  102  has a front  106  and a rear  108 . In various embodiments, the seat pan  104  and the front  106  of the seat back  102  include non-rigid or pliable materials (e.g., fabric, textiles, foam, or other cushioning material) for the comfort of passengers when supported in the seat  100 . Other more rigid materials may also be included, such as to reinforce pliable materials, or to provide components for other functions. For example, the shroud  110  may correspond to a component that is formed from rigid material and that is coupled with cushioning material of the seat back  102 . Suitable examples of rigid material that may be used for the shroud  110  and/or other components described herein include, but are not limited to, aluminum, stainless steel, aramid fibers, polycarbonate, polypropylene, other metallic materials, composite materials, or other similar materials. 
         [0035]    The spreaders  130  may support the armrests  131  relative to the seat  100 . The armrests  131  may provide structure for supporting arms of a passenger when supported by the seat  100 . In various embodiments, the spreaders  130  and/or armrests  131  provide a physical lateral boundary for the seat  100 , for example, providing a physical distinction between multiple seats  100  positioned laterally adjacent one another, such as in rows in an aircraft. Multiple seats  100  may also be arranged fore or aft of one another, e.g., such that a passenger supported by the front  106  of one seat back  102  may face the rear  108  of another seat back  102 . The rear  108  of the seat back  102  may include features accessible to a passenger facing the rear  108  of the seat back  102 . For example, the shroud  110  (or seat back  102 ) may include a screen, telephone, or other form of interface  111  for communication, entertainment, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the rear  108  of the seat back  102  may include a tray table assembly  112 , such as to provide a table body  114  that can function as a flat surface for a passenger when desired (e.g.,  FIGS. 2 and 6 ). 
         [0036]    The illustrated table body  114  may be formed from a first leaf  116  and a second leaf  118 . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the first leaf  116  and second leaf  118  are illustrated as generally rectangular in shape, although other geometries may be used as well. In the embodiment depicted in the drawings (e.g.,  FIG. 1 ), a tab  148  may project out from a rectangular profile of the second leaf  118 . A corresponding notch  150  may project into a rectangular profile of the illustrated top leaf  116 , for example, at a location at which the second leaf  118  and the first leaf  116  interface or otherwise cooperate with one another. The notch  150  and tab  148  can correspond in size to one another such that the tab  148  can be received in the notch  150  when the tray table assembly  112  is deployed (e.g.,  FIG. 2 ). For example, this may allow the first leaf  116  and the second leaf  118  to fit together to form a substantially continuous surface, such as within a substantially rectangular or square profile of the table body  114 . 
         [0037]    The arms  128  can support the table body  114  relative to the seat  100 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment (e.g.,  FIG. 1 ), each arm is  128  coupled with the seat  100  between the spreader  130  and the seat back  102 . In various embodiments, the arms  128  can pivot and at least partially adjust a position of the table body  114 . In the illustrated embodiment, the arms  128  support the table body  114  via a stiffener rod  126 , pivot blocks  124 , and guide rods  122 . The stiffener rod  126  can extend laterally between the arms  128 . The pivot blocks  124  can rotate relative to the arms  128 , e.g., about the stiffener rod  126 . The guide rods  122  can extend from the pivot blocks  124  to the table body  114 , such as into the second leaf  118 . In various embodiments, a rectangular profile of a part of the table body  114  (e.g., the second leaf  118 ) can have corners or other edges that are contoured to match the pivot blocks  124 . For example, in the embodiment depicted in the drawings (e.g.,  FIG. 1 ), the second leaf  118  has jogging, notched, or stair-stepping corners  125  along a bottom surface  168  that can allow the bottom surface  168  to be positioned at least partially between the pivot blocks  124 , such as in response to movement along the guide rods  122 . 
         [0038]    Turning to  FIGS. 3-6 , the seat back  102  may have a tray table receiving portion  134  (e.g.,  FIG. 4 ). The tray table receiving portion  134  may have a receiving surface  136  and a securement surface  138 . The securement surface  138  may be formed as a lip  140  that can extend along the rear  108  of the seat  100 , for example, in a downward direction such as generally toward the seat pan  104 . In various embodiments, the lip  140  may be formed in the shroud  110 . The lip  140  can define a cavity  142  (e.g.,  FIG. 4 ). The cavity  142  may be positioned between the lip  140  and the front  106  of the seat back  102  (e.g.,  FIG. 2 ). The cavity  142  may be sized to receive at least a portion of the table body  114 . For example, in the stowed configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , the tab  148  of the first leaf  116  may be received in the cavity  142 . 
         [0039]    A biasing mechanism  144  can bias the table body  114  into the cavity  142  in the stowed configuration. For example, the biasing mechanism  144  shown in  FIG. 3  is a spring  146  located within a bore  154  in the second leaf  118  for receiving the guide rod  122 . In use, the guide rod  122  may slide within the bore  154  to permit movement of the table body  114 . Any suitable mechanism (not shown) may be used to prevent the guide rod  122  from exiting the bore  154  at the end of the course of travel, including, but not limited to spring pins, changes in diameter of the guide rod  122 , or any other appropriate mechanism. The arrangement depicted in  FIG. 3  also includes an aligning pin  156  positioned within the spring  146  and the guide rod  122 . The aligning pin  156  may concentrically align the spring  146  and the guide rod  122 . However, other options are also possible for the biasing mechanism  144 . For example, the biasing mechanism  144  may be located elsewhere than within the depicted bore  154 . Options include, but are not limited to, other positions along the guide rods  122 , the arms  128 , or the pivot blocks  124 . Also, other types of biasing mechanisms  144  may additionally or alternatively be used, including, but not limited to, pneumatic assemblies or hydraulic assemblies (e.g., such as those with push-buttons typically used to control reclining of seats in aircraft). 
         [0040]    An example sequence of operations for transitioning the tray table assembly  112  from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration will now be described, primarily with reference to  FIGS. 3-6 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , in the stowed configuration, a top surface  176  of the first leaf  116  (e.g., of the tab  148 ) may contact or be in close proximity to a bottom surface  162  of the cavity  142 . Similarly, in the stowed configuration, a top surface  178  of the second leaf  118  may contact or be in close proximity to a bottom surface  160  of the lip  140 . The biasing mechanism  144  may provide an upwardly oriented biasing force that urges the tray table assembly  112  into such engagement. Such engagement may effectively reduce or eliminate a gap  158  (e.g.,  FIG. 4 ) between the top surface  178  of the second leaf  118  and the bottom surface  160  of the lip  140 , for example, providing a tight and aesthetically pleasing seam when viewed from the rear  108  of the seat back  102 , such as in  FIG. 1 . However, the notch  150  in the second leaf  118  may provide a gripping surface  152  (e.g.,  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) that is located sufficiently below the lip  140  in the stowed configuration to permit a passenger to insert fingers into the notch  150  and reach the gripping surface  152 . The passenger may thus grip the second leaf  118  at the gripping surface  152  and pull downward (e.g., in the direction of the arrow  182 ). Such downward pulling may move both parts of the table body  114  downward, for example, moving both a bottom surface  166  of the first leaf  116  and a bottom surface  168  of the second leaf  118  toward the pivot blocks  124 . Such downward pulling may also exert a sufficient force on the tray table assembly  112  to compress the spring  146  (or otherwise overcome the biasing force provided by the biasing mechanism  144 ) and move the tray table assembly  112  out of the cavity  142 , such as into a disengaged position shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0041]    In the disengaged position shown  FIG. 4 , the top surface  178  of the first leaf  116  is positioned below the bottom surface  160  of the lip  140 . Such positioning may allow the first leaf  116  to be rotated past the lip  140 , e.g., in the direction depicted by the arrow  184 . Such movement may be achieved by pulling outwardly away from the seat back  102 , for example, by the passenger gripping the gripping surface  152 . This outward pulling represented by arrow  184  may be performed as a distinct motion from the downward pulling represented by arrow  182  in  FIG. 3 , or both may be performed in a combined downward and outward motion. 
         [0042]    As best seen in  FIG. 5 , upon rotating the table body  114  past the lip  140 , the passenger may cease pushing against the gripping surface  152 . As depicted by the arrow  186 , this may allow the biasing mechanism  144  to bias the table body  114  away from the pivot blocks  124 , e.g., allowing the spring  146  to decompress to a neutral state. As depicted by the arrow  188 , the first leaf  116  may also be rotated relative to the second leaf  118  (e.g., via hinges  120 ) to transition the table body  114  toward the deployed state shown in  FIG. 6 . For example, prior to such rotation, the pieces of the table body  114  may be stacked such that the first leaf  116  corresponds to a top leaf and the second leaf  118  corresponds to a bottom leaf in the stack. The motions represented in  FIG. 5  by the arrows  186  and  188  may be performed in any order, including simultaneously. 
         [0043]    In the deployed state shown in  FIG. 6 , the table body  114  extends transverse to the seat back  102 . To return the tray table assembly  112  to the stowed state, motions described in  FIGS. 3-5  can be reversed. For example, the first leaf  116  can be folded to stack on top of the second leaf  118  (opposite of the arrow  188  of  FIG. 5 ), the force of the biasing mechanism  144  can be overcome (e.g., the spring  146  can be compressed by pushing the table body  114  toward the pivot blocks  124 , such as in a direction opposite of that shown by arrow  186  of  FIG. 5 ), the table body  114  can be rotated toward the seat back  102  into an aligned position below the lip  140  (e.g., pushing inwardly in a direction opposite that shown by arrow  184  to reach a position such as shown in  FIG. 4 ), and the table body  114  can be released to allow the biasing mechanism  144  to move the table body  114  into engagement with the cavity  142  behind the lip  140  (e.g., moving in a direction opposite of the arrow  182  shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0044]    According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in  FIGS. 7-8 , a seat  200  may be provided with a tray table assembly  212 . The seat  200  and tray table assembly  212  may include features that are similar to features of like name and number described above with respect to the seat  100  and tray table assembly  212  shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . Accordingly, description of many features will not be repeated. A stowed configuration is shown in solid lines in  FIG. 7 , and a deployed configuration is shown in phantom lines in  FIG. 7  and in greater detail in solid lines in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0045]    The depicted tray table assembly  212  features a table body  214  formed from a single panel  292 . A ridge  294  is formed along a length of a top edge of the single panel  292 . For example, a depression  296  may be formed along the top edge of the single panel  292  so that the ridge  294  corresponds to a portion of the single panel  292  that is not as thick as the remainder of the single panel  292 . A lip  240  defines a cavity  242  extending across a width of the seat  200 . 
         [0046]    The ridge  294  of the single panel  292  is biased into the cavity  242  by biasing mechanisms  244  when the tray table assembly  212  is in a stowed configuration. The biasing mechanisms  244  are depicted as springs  246  located externally to the single panel  292  and between the single panel  292  and pivot blocks  224 . However, the biasing mechanisms  244  may vary in location or type in any of the ways described above for the biasing mechanisms  144 . 
         [0047]    A bottom side of the single panel  292  includes grooves  290 . The grooves  290  may be sized to receive fingers of passengers or otherwise provide appropriate gripping surfaces for manipulating the tray table assembly  212  between stowed and deployed configurations. Although two oval-shaped grooves  290  are shown, any number of grooves  290  may be provided (including one, two, three, or more than three) of any suitable shape. Additionally or alternatively, the grooves  290  may be replaced with or supplemented by gripping features of any suitable shape, including, but not limited to tabs or other projections. The single panel  292  may be moved between stowed and deployed configurations in a similar manner to the motions described above, e.g., with respect to arrows  182 ,  184 , and  186 . 
         [0048]    In various embodiments, features from the seat  200  or tray table assembly  212  may be incorporated into the seat  100  or tray table assembly  112  or vice versa. As one example, the grooves  290  or like features may be included on the second leaf  118  of  FIGS. 1-6  to facilitate passenger manipulation between stowed and deployed configurations. Including the grooves  290  or other features may allow the notch  150  and/or tab  148  to be omitted or shaped differently, for example, so that the table body  114  when stowed is flush with the shroud  110  along a full width of the table body  114 . In some embodiments, ridges  294  and depressions  296  may be included in either or both of the second leaf  118  and the first leaf  116 , for example to facilitate engagement between the second leaf  118  and the first leaf  116  when deployed and to respectively engage contours of the lip  140  and the cavity  142  when stowed. 
         [0049]    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 disclosure 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.