Patent Abstract:
A passenger seat includes a frame, a bottom, a back, and a headrest, and incorporates a cylindrical motion support member. The support member includes a stationary member carried by the passenger seat, including a concave surface having a cylindrical curvature. A moveable member has a convex surface with a cylindrical curvature disposed in contact with the concave surface, and a support surface for supporting at least a part of a passenger&#39;s body The moveable member is selectively positionable along the concave surface. In another variation, the seat back and/or seat bottom is moveable in a conical motion.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/529,686 filed Dec. 15, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/589,297, filed Jul. 20, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to vehicle seating and more particularly to a tourist/coach class aircraft seating arrangement. Aircraft seating is typically divided into various classes, for example first class, business class, and coach or tourist class. For each class of seating, an individual passenger is allotted a preselected amount of space (both area and volume). First-class seats provide the most individual space, and also may include features to improve comfort, such as fully reclining sleeper functions. In contrast, the tourist/coach class is provided with a relatively small amount of space, in order to provide the most efficient transportation and lowest cost. However, this space limitation can produce passenger discomfort or possibly even physical ailments, and also makes it difficult for a passenger to find a comfortable position in which to sleep on long flights.  
         [0003]     To alleviate discomfort, it is advantageous for a passenger to sit or lie in various non-conventional positions during a flight. Unfortunately, prior art coach class seats do not readily accommodate these varied seating positions.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a passenger seat having accommodating varied seating positions.  
         [0005]     It is another object of the invention to provide a passenger seat having a support member which moves in a cylindrical pivoting motion.  
         [0006]     These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a cylindrical motion support member for a passenger seat including: a stationary member for being carried by the passenger seat, the stationary member including a concave surface having a cylindrical curvature; and a moveable member having: a convex surface with a cylindrical curvature disposed in contact with the concave surface, and an opposed support surface for supporting at least a part of a passenger&#39;s body. The moveable member is selectively positionable along the concave surface.  
         [0007]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical motion support member further includes means for selectively moving the moveable member in an arcuate motion along the concave surface.  
         [0008]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical motion support member further includes means for releaseably attaching the moveable member to the concave surface at a desired position.  
         [0009]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical motion support member further includes a fabric dress cover disposed over the moveable and stationary members.  
         [0010]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a passenger seat for a vehicle includes: a frame for being attached to a floor of a vehicle; a seat bottom carried by the frame for supporting a passenger; an upwardly-extending seat back carried by the frame; and a headrest disposed above the seatback. At least one of the seat bottom, the seat back or the headrest includes a cylindrical motion support including: a stationary member for carried by the passenger seat, the stationary member including a concave surface having a cylindrical curvature; and a moveable member. The moveable member has a convex surface with a cylindrical curvature disposed in contact with the concave surface, and a support surface for supporting at least a part of a passenger&#39;s body. The moveable member is selectively positionable along the concave surface.  
         [0011]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a fabric dress cover is disposed over the seat bottom, the seat back, and the headrest.  
         [0012]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the passenger seat includes means for selectively moving the moveable member in an arcuate motion along the concave surface.  
         [0013]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical motion support member further includes means for releasably attaching the moveable member to the concave surface at a desired position.  
         [0014]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the seat bottom includes: at least one stationary bottom member carried by the passenger seat, the stationary bottom member defining a concave surface having a cylindrical curvature; and a moveable bottom member having: a lower surface with a cylindrical curvature disposed in contact with the concave surface, and an upper surface for supporting a passenger&#39;s body. The moveable bottom member is selectively positionable along the concave surface.  
         [0015]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the seat back includes: at least one stationary back member carried by the passenger seat, the stationary back member defining a concave surface having a cylindrical curvature; and a moveable back member having: a rear surface with a cylindrical curvature disposed in contact with the concave surface, and a forward surface for supporting a passenger&#39;s body. The moveable back member is selectively positionable along the concave surface.  
         [0016]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the headrest includes: at least one stationary headrest member for carried by the passenger seat, the stationary headrest member defining a concave surface having a cylindrical curvature; and a moveable headrest member having: a rear surface with a cylindrical curvature disposed in contact with the concave surface, and a forward surface for supporting a passenger&#39;s head. The moveable headrest member is selectively positionable along the concave surface.  
         [0017]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a passenger seat for a vehicle includes a frame for being attached to a floor of a vehicle; a seat bottom carried by the frame for supporting a passenger; and an upwardly-extending seat back carried by the frame, wherein the seat back is pivotable in an arcuate motion about an upwardly-extending first axis which is not parallel to a long axis of the seat back.  
         [0018]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first axis passes through an upper end of the seat back and through a rear portion of the seat bottom.  
         [0019]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the passenger seat further includes means for selectively locking the seat back in a desired orientation.  
         [0020]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the seat bottom is pivotable in an arcuate motion about a generally longitudinally-extending second axis which is not parallel to a long axis of the seat bottom.  
         [0021]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the second axis passes through a forward end of the seat bottom and through a lower portion of the seat back.  
         [0022]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the passenger seat further includes means for selectively locking the seat back in a desired orientation. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]     The subject matter that is regarded as the invention may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a seat set incorporating a cylindrical motion back and bottom;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one of the seats shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the seat shown in  FIG. 1 , showing the details of its internal construction;  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the seat shown in  FIG. 1 , showing a passenger seated thereon;  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a seat set having a pivotable seat back;  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is another perspective view of the seat set of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of the seat set of  FIG. 5 , showing one of the seat backs thereof;  
         [0031]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the seat back shown in  FIG. 7  in a rotated position;  
         [0032]      FIG. 9  is another partial perspective view of the seat set of  FIG. 5 , showing one of the seat bottoms thereof; and  
         [0033]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the seat bottom shown in  FIG. 8  in a rotated position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]     Referring to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views,  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a passenger seat set  10  incorporating one or more cylindrical motion pivoting supports. The seat set  10  includes two seats  12  and  14  which are collectively provided with three arm rests  16 ,  18 , and  20 , each shown in the lowered passenger use position. The seats include seat backs  22  and  22 ′, and seat bottoms  24  and  24 ′, respectively. The seats  12  and  14  are supported by a frame  26 . The frame  26  is mounted on legs  28  and  30  which are in turn mounted to the deck of the aircraft by track fittings of a known type. For illustrative purposes, the pivoting supports are only shown in detail with respect to the seat  14 , however it will be understood that the same type of supports may also be implemented on the other seat  12 .  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the seat bottom  24 ′ has an internal structure which includes one or more stationary bottom members  32   a  and  32   b , and a movable bottom member  34 . The stationary bottom members  32  cooperate to define an upper surface  36  having a cylindrical curvature with the axis of the defining cylinder aligned generally parallel to a longitudinal direction “A” of the aircraft. The movable bottom member  34  has an upper surface  38  for supporting a passenger&#39;s weight, and a lower surface  40  having a cylindrical curvature with the axis of the defining cylinder aligned generally parallel to a longitudinal direction “A” of the aircraft. The stationary and movable bottom members  32  and  34  may both be constructed of any material which will support the required weight and will remain sufficiently rigid to move relative to each other. One example of a suitable material is molded plastic.  
         [0036]     The upper surface  38  of the stationary bottom member  32  and the lower surface  40  of the movable bottom member  34  may be made smooth to minimize the friction therebetween. In operation, the movable bottom member  34  can be slid or pivoted laterally relative to the stationary bottom member  32  so that its upper surface  40  lies in a tilted position, as shown in  FIG. 4 . This movement could be effected manually, or the movable bottom member  34  could be connected to an actuator of a known type (not shown) for pivoting the movable bottom member  34  under power. Alternatively, the moveable bottom member  34  and the and the stationary bottom members  32  may be provided with suitable fasteners or connectors such that the moveable back member  34  may be physically disconnected from the stationary bottom member  32  and then reconnected in a different position. For example the stationary bottom member  32  and the moveable bottom member  34  may be provided with complementary hook-and-loop fasteners of a known type (not shown).  
         [0037]     The seat back  22 ′ has an internal structure which includes a stationary back member  42  and a movable back member  44 . The stationary back member  42  defines a forward surface  46  having a cylindrical curvature with the axis of the defining cylinder aligned generally upright or vertical relative to the aircraft. The movable back member  44  has a forward surface  48  for supporting a passenger&#39;s weight, and a rear surface  50  having a cylindrical curvature with the axis of the defining cylinder aligned generally upright or vertical relative to the aircraft. The stationary and movable back members  42  and  44  may both be constructed of any material which will support the required weight and will remain sufficiently rigid to move relative to each other. One example of a suitable material is molded plastic. As shown, the movable back member  44  is relatively narrow and is designed to provided support for a seated passenger&#39;s spine without extending too far past the sides of the seat back  24 ′ even in a deflected position. However, the movable back member  44  could be made wider or of a different shape as required to suit a particular application.  
         [0038]     The forward surface  46  of the stationary back member  42  and the rear surface  50  of the movable back member  44  may be made smooth to minimize the friction therebetween. In operation, the movable back member  44  can move in an arcuate motion relative to the stationary back member  42  so that its forward surface  48  lies in a tilted position, as shown in  FIG. 4 . This movement could be effected manually, or the movable back member  44  could be connected to an actuator of a known type (not shown) for pivoting the movable back member  44  under power. Alternatively, the moveable back member  44  and the and the stationary back member  42  may be provided with suitable fasteners or connectors such that the moveable back member  44  may be physically disconnected from the stationary back member  42  and then reconnected in a different position. For example the stationary back member  42  and the moveable back member  44  may be provided with complementary hook-and-loop fasteners of a known type (not shown).  
         [0039]     The seat  14  has a headrest  52  with an internal structure which includes a stationary headrest member  54  and a movable headrest member  56 . The stationary headrest member  54  defines a forward surface  58  having a cylindrical curvature with the axis of the defining cylinder aligned generally upright or vertical relative to the aircraft. The movable headrest member  56  has a forward surface  60  for supporting a passenger&#39;s weight, and a rear surface  62  having a cylindrical curvature with the axis of the defining cylinder aligned generally upright or vertical relative to the aircraft. The stationary and movable headrest members  54  and  56  may both be constructed of any material which will support the required weight and will remain sufficiently rigid to move relative to each other. One example of a suitable material is molded plastic. As shown, the movable headrest member  56  is relatively narrow and is designed to provided support for a seated passenger&#39;s spine without extending too far past the sides of the seat back  22 ′. However, the movable back member  56  could be made wider or of a different shape as required to suit a particular application.  
         [0040]     The forward surface  58  of the stationary headrest member  54  and the rear surface  62  of the movable headrest member  56  are smooth to minimize the friction therebetween. In operation, the movable headrest member  56  can move in an arcuate motion relative to the stationary headrest member  54  so that its forward surface  60  lies in a tilted position, as shown in  FIG. 4 . This movement could be effected manually, or the movable headrest member  56  could be connected to an actuator of a known type (not shown) for pivoting the movable headrest member  56  under power. Alternatively, the moveable headrest member  56  and the and the stationary headrest member  54  may be provided with suitable fasteners or connectors such that the headrest member  56  may be physically disconnected from the stationary headrest member  54  and then reconnected in a different position. For example the stationary headrest member  54  and the headrest member  56  may be provided with complementary hook-and-loop fasteners of a known type (not shown).  
         [0041]     In the illustrated example, the seat back  22 ′ and seat bottom  24 ′ are covered with respective dress covers  64  and  66  which provide a unified appearance to the seat  14  and prevent debris from falling into the working parts of the seat  14 .  
         [0042]      FIGS. 1 and 4  illustrate a representative passenger “P” seated on the seat  14  in a “side sleeping” posture in which his hips and shoulders are turned sideways, roughly 90° to a conventional seated position. The movable headrest, back, and bottom members  54 ,  44  and  34  are positioned such that they provide lateral support and assist the passenger in comfortably maintaining this posture without muscular activity by the passenger. When the passenger wishes to return to a conventional seating posture the movable members are simply moved back to their centered positions.  
         [0043]      FIGS. 5-10  illustrate a passenger seat set including a rotatable seat back and seat bottom, shown generally at reference numeral  110 . The seat set  110  includes two seats  112  and  114  which are collectively provided with three arm rests  116 ,  118 , and  120 , each shown in the lowered passenger use position. The seats  112  and  114  are supported by a frame  122 . The frame  122  is mounted on legs  124  and  126 , which are in turn mounted to the deck of the aircraft by track fittings of a known type. For illustrative purposes, the rotatable seat back is only shown with respect to the seat  114 , however it will be understood that this feature may also be implemented on the other seat  112 . The seat  114  includes a seat back  128  and a seat bottom  130 .  
         [0044]     The seat back  128  has an upper end  132  and a lower end  134 . The seat back  128  is able to rotate about an axis “A” (see  FIG. 5 ) which passes through the center of the upper end  132  of the seat back  128 , at a pivot point “B”. The axis “A” is not parallel to the long axis “C” of the seat back  128 , and in this example it passes approximately through the center of the seat bottom  130 . The lower end  134  of the seat back  128  is provided with appropriate means to allow it to translate in an arc, such as a track or a rub strip (not shown), as well as means for locking the seat back  128  in the desired position. The seat back  128  is able to move left or right in a “conical” type motion to a deflected position, shown in solid lines in  FIG. 7 , where it provides support for the back of a passenger who is seated in a “side sleep” position, helping the passenger to remain rotated relative to a normal sitting position.  
         [0045]     The seat bottom  130  may also be able to rotate about an axis “D” (see  FIG. 8 ) which passes through the center of the front end  136  of the seat bottom  130 , at a pivot point “E”. The axis “D” is not parallel to the long axis “F” of the seat bottom  130 , and in this example it passes approximately through the lower third of the seat back  128 . The rear end  138  of the seat bottom  130  is provided with appropriate means to allow it to translate in an arc, such as a track or a rub strip (not shown), as well as means for locking the seat bottom  130  in the desired position. The seat bottom  130  is able to move left or right in a “conical” type motion to a deflected position, shown in solid lines in  FIG. 10 , where it provides support for a passenger who is seated in a “side sleep” position, helping the passenger to remain rotated relative to a normal sitting position. The motion of the seat bottom  130  may be independent, or it may be coordinated with the motion of the seat back  126 .  
         [0046]     The foregoing has described a seating arrangement having a flexible seat back and bottom. These seat features may be combined with each other as desired to produce a seat having multiple comfort features. While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications thereto can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1