Patent Publication Number: US-2023148757-A1

Title: Seat usage prevention device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/317,497, filed May 11, 2021, which is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/025,100, filed May 14, 2020, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Social distancing is a method to prevent or reduce transmission of disease by creating space between people who have the disease from people that do not, whether the people with disease realize that they have the disease or not. Social distancing within a vehicle is difficult, as there is a limited area or volume within the vehicle by which to create space between each passenger. Both passengers and commercial transportation companies desire some form of physical barrier that creates separation between individual travelers during epidemics, particularly epidemics of airborne diseases. 
     Reduced seating arrangements within a vehicle is one method to increase social distancing within a vehicle. For example, removal of seats within a vehicle may create extra space between passengers, however, removal of seats is labor intensive, and storage of removed seats may be cost prohibitive. In another example, posting of signs or warnings on seats that the seats are not to be used may increase social distancing, however, passengers may still decide to sit upon the seat regardless of the sign or warning. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a system or method that avoids the shortcomings of conventional approaches. 
     SUMMARY 
     A seat usage prevention device is disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the seat usage prevention device includes at least one device component being configured to interact with one or more seat components of a first seat. In one or more components, the at least one device component configured to prevent usage of at least one of a seat pan or a seatback of the first seat. In one or more embodiments, the at least one device component is further configured to separate a second seat from at least a third seat. In one or more embodiments, the at least the third seat is proximate to at least one of the first seat or the second seat. 
     In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the seat usage prevention device the first seat further includes a seat belt. 
     In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the at least one device component further includes a cushion and a surrounding enclosure. In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the surrounding enclosure is configured to couple to the seat belt via at least one coupling point. 
     In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the at least one device component further includes an amenity console configured to rest on a seat pan cushion of the first seat. In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the amenity console is configured to couple to the seat belt of the first seat. 
     In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the at least one device component further includes an amenity console configured to rest on a seatback cushion of the first seat. In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the amenity console is further configured to couple to the seat belt of the first seat. 
     In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device of the first seat further includes a headrest. 
     In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, of the at least one device component further includes a first portion configured to extend outward from the seatback and a second portion configured to couple to the headrest. 
     In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the at least one device component further includes a cushion and a surrounding enclosure. In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the surrounding enclosure is configured to couple to the headrest via at least one coupling point. 
     In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the at least one device component further includes a base and a vertical separator. In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the base is configured to rest on a seat pan cushion of the first seat. 
     In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the at least one device component further includes a base and a vertical separator. In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the base is configured to couple to a seat pan cushion of the first seat. 
     In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the at least one device component further includes a base and a vertical separator. In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the base is configured to couple to a seat base of the first seat. 
     In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the at least one device component further includes a body with an upward facing surface and at least one support structure coupled to the body. In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the at least one support structure is configured to couple to a seat base of the first seat. 
     In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the at least one device component includes a body with an upward facing surface and at least one support structure coupled to the body. In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the at least one support structure is configured to rest on a seat pan cushion of the first seat. 
     In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the at least one device component includes a body with an upward facing surface and at least one support structure coupled to the body, the at least one support structure configured to rest on a seat pan cushion of the first seat. 
     In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the seat usage prevention device further includes a hinge coupled to the body and one of the at least one of the at least one support structures. In some embodiments of the seat usage prevention device, the body is configured to fold up against the one or the at least one support structure via the hinge. 
     This Summary is provided solely as an introduction to subject matter that is fully described in the Detailed Description and Drawings. The Summary should not be considered to describe essential features nor be used to determine the scope of the Claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description are example and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the subject matter claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments or examples (“examples”) of the present disclosure are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In general, operations of disclosed processes may be performed in an arbitrary order, unless otherwise provided in the claims. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram illustrating three passenger seats with a seat usage prevention device, in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a diagram illustrating three passenger seats with a seat usage prevention device, in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a diagram illustrating three passenger seats with a seat usage prevention device, in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram illustrating three passenger seats with a seat usage prevention device, in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a diagram illustrating three passenger seats with a seat usage prevention device, in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is a diagram illustrating three passenger seats with a seat usage prevention device, in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure; 
         FIG.  7 A  is a diagram illustrating three passenger seats with a seat usage prevention device, in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure; 
         FIG.  7 B  is a diagram of a seat usage prevention device, in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure; 
         FIG.  8 A  is a diagram illustrating three passenger seats with a seat usage prevention device, in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure; and 
         FIG.  8 B  is a diagram illustrating three passenger seats with a seat usage prevention device, in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before explaining one or more embodiments of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components or steps or methodologies set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. In the following detailed description of embodiments, numerous specific details may be set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure. 
     As used herein a letter following a reference numeral is intended to reference an embodiment of the feature or element that may be similar, but not necessarily identical, to a previously described element or feature bearing the same reference numeral (e.g.,  1 ,  1   a ,  1   b ). Such shorthand notations are used for purposes of convenience only and should not be construed to limit the disclosure in any way unless expressly stated to the contrary. 
     Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). 
     In addition, use of “a” or “an” may be employed to describe elements and components of embodiments disclosed herein. This is done merely for convenience and “a” and “an” are intended to include “one” or “at least one,” and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. 
     Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “some embodiments” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment disclosed herein. The appearances of the phrase “in some embodiments” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and embodiments may include one or more of the features expressly described or inherently present herein, or any combination of or sub-combination of two or more such features, along with any other features which may not necessarily be expressly described or inherently present in the instant disclosure. 
     A seat usage prevention device is disclosed. The seat usage prevention device attaches or is disposed upon a passenger seat, and prevents a passenger from comfortably sitting on the passenger seat (e.g., sitting on the seat pan, or laying against the seatback). The seat usage prevention device may be used on any seat designated as a non-sitting seat, resulting in separation and/or increased space between passengers. For example, the middle seat in a row of three aircraft seats may be designated as a seat that is not to be sat upon by a passenger. Along with designating a seat in such manner, a seat usage prevention device may be used to further designate that the seat is not to be sat upon, and to potentially block a passenger from sitting on the seat. Furthermore, the seat usage prevention device may be used as a block to shield passengers sitting within the same row of seats from each other (e.g., to inhibit communication of viral particles from a cough). 
     Referring generally to  FIGS.  1 - 8 B , in embodiments, the seat prevention device includes at least one device component being configured to interact with one or more seat components of a first seat. For purposes of the present disclosure, the term “interact” refers to coupling, resting, or the like with respect to the one or more components of the first seat. In embodiments, the seat usage prevention device is configured to prevent usage of at least one of a seat pan or a seatback of the first seat. In some embodiments, the at least one device component is configured to separate a second seat from at least a third seat, the at least the third seat being proximate to at least one of the first seat or the second seat. For instance, at least one of the first seat may be proximate to a third seat across an aisle. By way of another instance, at least one of the first seat may be proximate to a third seat within a row of seats. By way of another instance, at least one of the first seat may be proximate to a third seat diagonal from the first seat. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a row of three passenger seats with the middle passenger seat (e.g., a first seat  100 ) configured with a seat usage prevention device  110  that includes a device component  120 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The first seat  100  may be configured as flanked on one side by a second seat  102  and flanked on another side by a third seat  104  (e.g., the first seat  100 , is configured between the second seat  102  and the third seat). The seat usage prevention device  110  prevents a passenger from sitting on the first seat  100  (e.g., sitting on a seat pan  140  or seatback  145  of the first seat), augmenting social distancing between passengers. 
     In some embodiments, the device component  120  is configured to interact with a first seat  100 . For example, the at least one device component may interact with a seat pan  140  and/or seatback  145  of the first seat  100 . The seat pan  140  may include a seat pan cushion. In some embodiment, the at least one device component  120  includes a cushion  130  and a surrounding enclosure  135 . The surrounding enclosure  135  may be configured to couple to a portion of the first seat  100 . For example, the surrounding enclosure  135  may be configured to couple to a seat belt  137  of the first seat  100  via at least one coupling point (e.g., one or more loops, hooks, or the like). The cushion  130  may be any type of cushion  130  known in the art including, but not limited to, a plush cushion (e.g., a pillow), or the like). The surrounding enclosure  135  may be formed of any material known in the art including, but not limited to, plastic, foam, or the like. 
     The device component  130  may be configured as the entirety of the seat usage prevention device  110  or a component of the seat usage prevention device  110 . The device component  120  may be configured to interact directly with one or more seat components (e.g., the seat pan  140 , seatback  145 ), or may interact indirectly with one or more seat components. For example, the cushion  120  may be coupled to a coupling that is itself coupled to the seat belt  137 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a row of three passenger seats with the first seat  100  configured with the seat usage prevention device component  120 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the surrounding enclosure  135  may be configured to couple to the seatback  145  or a headrest  147  headrest of the first seat  100  via a coupling point (e.g., one or more hooks, loops, or the like). For instance, a sash  220  may be configured to couple the cushion  130  to the headrest  147  and/or seatback  145  of the first seat  100 . In particular, the sash may be coupled (e.g., sewn, or attached via a hook-and-loop mechanism) to both the top and bottom and bottom of the seatback  145 , wherein the device component  120  is then attached directly or slidably attached to the sash  220 . The sash  220  may be any type of sash  220  or sash-like object known in the art. 
       FIG.  3    is a diagram illustrating a first seat configured with a seat usage prevention device  300 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure. In some embodiment, the seat usage prevention device  300  includes at least one device component  305  configured as an amenity console  310 . The amenity console  310  is configured to rest upon the seat pan  140  and/or seatback  145 . For example, the amenity console  310  may be configured to couple to the first seat  100  via a seat belt  137 . In some embodiments, the amenity console  310  may further be coupled to the headrest  147  of the first seat  100 . In some embodiments, the amenity console  310  contains one or more storage pockets  320 . For example, in some embodiments, one or more storage pockets  320  may be used for trash. In some embodiments, the amenity console  310  may be collapsible. For example, the amenity console may be configured to fold flat for storage. 
       FIG.  4    is a diagram illustrating a first seat  100  with a seat usage prevention device  400 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the seat usage prevention device includes at least one device component  405 . The at least one device component  405  may include an amenity console  410 . In some embodiment, the amenity console is configured to rest on a seat pan cushion of the first seat. In some embodiments, the amenity console  410  is configured to couple to a seat belt  137  of the first seat  100 . In some embodiments, the amenity console  410  includes one or more compartments  420  for one or more amenities (e.g., disinfectant wipes and/or hand sanitizer). For example, the amenity console  410  may include one or more pockets  430 . For instance, the one or more pockets  430  may be used to hold trash. By way of another example, the amenity console  410  may include one or more receptacles specific for holding hand. In another example, the amenity console  410  includes one or more tissue holders and/or wipe holders. 
       FIG.  5    is a diagram illustrating one or more seats  100  with a seat usage prevention device  500 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure. In some embodiment, the seat usage prevention device  500  includes at least one device component  505 . For example, the at least one device component  505  may include the amenity console  410  and a vertical separator  510  configured to block airflow from passengers sitting on either side of the first seat  100 . In some embodiments, the amenity console  410  is configured to rest on the seat pan  140  of the first seat. In some embodiment, the amenity console  410  is configured to couple to the first seat via a seat belt  137  of the first seat  100 . The vertical separator  510  may be configured as any height. For example, the vertical separator  510  may reach from the amenity console  410  to approximately halfway up the seatback  145 . In another example, the vertical separator  510  may reach to the top of the seatback  145 . Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as a limitation of the present disclosure, but merely an illustration. 
       FIG.  6    is a diagram illustrating one or more seats  100  with a seat usage prevention device  600 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure. In some embodiment, the device  600  includes at least one device component  605 . In some embodiments, the at least one device component  605  includes a vertical separator  510  and a base  610 . In some embodiments, the base  610  and the vertical separator  510  are coupled. In some embodiments, the base  610  is configured to rest upon the seat pan  140  and/or couple to the seat belt  137 . In some embodiment, the base  610  is configured to couple to a portion of a seat pan cushion of the seat pan  140 . The base  610  may couple to the seat pan cushion of the seat pan  140  and/or the seatback  145  via any fastening mechanism known in the art. The vertical separator  510  may be coupled to the seatback  145  via any fastening mechanism known in the art. 
     In some embodiments, the base  610  is coupled to the frame of the seat pan  140  (e.g., the seat usage prevention device  600  and/or the base  610  replaces one or more seat cushions). The seat usage prevention device  600  may be secured to the passenger seat by any means known in the art including but not limited to a seat belt (e.g., via at least one coupling point). In some embodiments, the base is configured with cup-holders  620 . The cup-holders  620  may be configured to hold any type of beverage or personal item including but not limited to an aluminum can, a water bottle, a mobile device, or a bottle of sanitizer. 
       FIG.  7 A  is a diagram illustrating one or more seats  100  with a seat usage prevention device  700 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the seat prevention device  700  includes a device component  705 . The device component  705  includes a first portion  710  configured to extend outward from the seatback  145  and a second portion  720  configured to couple to the headrest  147  of the first seat. For example, the device component  705  may clamp onto a top portion of the passenger seat (e.g., the headrest  147 ) via an interference fit. In another example, the device component  705  attaches to the seatback  145  and/or headrest  147  of the passenger seat  100  (e.g., the device component  705  clamps on to a contour of the headrest  330  or other component of the passenger seat  100 ). In some embodiments, the device component  705  may be added on to other interfaces (e.g., the device component  705  may be added to other seat usage prevention devices  300 , 400 , 500 , 600 ). The device component  705  may be uncoupled from the passenger seat  100 , as shown in  FIG.  7 B . 
       FIG.  8 A- 8 B  is a diagram illustrating one or more seats with a seat usage prevention device  800  that includes at least one device component  805 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the device component  805  includes a body  807  (e.g., table) that further includes an upward facing surface  810  and at least one support structure  820  coupled to the body  807 . In some embodiments, the at least one support structure  820  is configured to couple to the seat pan  140  and/or seat pan cushion of the first seat  100 . In some embodiment, the at least one support structure  820  is configured to rest on the seat pan  140  of the first seat  100 . In some embodiments, the at least one support structure  820  is configured to couple to a seat base and/or frame of the first seat. The upward facing surface  810  may including any surface known in the art including, but not limited to, a tray table, a table surface, or the like. The seat usage prevention device  800  may be secured to the passenger seat  100  by any means known in the art including but not limited to a seat belt  137  or clamps. In some embodiments, the upward facing surface may be configured to have cupholder  830  and/or other devices to hold one or more objects (e.g., one or more compartments, tissue holders, electronic holders, or the like). The seat usage prevention device  800  may be configured to collapse into a smaller dimension when not in use and/or put into storage. For example, the body  807  and one or more of the support structures  820  may be coupled via a hinge configured to allow the seat usage prevention device to fold the one or more support structures up against the body  807 . 
     It is noted that any of the seat usage prevention devices  120 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800  may be placed on any passenger seat  100  with a row of passenger seats. For example, the seat usage prevention devices  120 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800  may be coupled to an aisle passenger seat  100 . Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as a limitation of the present disclosure, but merely an illustration. 
     It is noted that any seat usage prevention device  110 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800  may be configured to include the entirety of, or one or more components of, any other seat usage prevention devices  110 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800  and vice-versa. Similarly, it is noted that any device component  120 ,  305 ,  405 ,  505 ,  605 ,  705 ,  805  may be configured to include the entirety or, or one or more components of, any other device component  120 ,  305 ,  405 ,  505 ,  605 ,  705 ,  805 . Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as a limitation of the present disclosure, but merely an illustration. 
     Although inventive concepts have been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the claims. Components illustrated and described herein are merely examples of a system/device and components that may be used to implement embodiments of the inventive concepts and may be replaced with other devices and components without departing from the scope of the claims. Furthermore, any dimensions, degrees, and/or numerical ranges provided herein are to be understood as non-limiting examples unless otherwise specified in the claims.