Patent Description:
Business class airline passenger seats are typically adjustable between upright and lie-flat positions to provide passenger comfort and comply with taxi, take-off and landing seating position requirements. Such passenger seats typically include a seatback and seat pan, often linked in motion, supported by a frame and angularly adjustable by way of a seat recline mechanism. Conventional passenger seats typically include an adjustable or fixed armrest. The trend in commercial business class is seats that articulate to form a full flat bed. In the vast majority of the business class seats, as the seat translates forward from upright to a bed mode the armrest does not follow this motion and remains in the same location. This creates a problem because as the seat is moving forward the usable portion of the armrest gets smaller and smaller. Ideally, you want to have armrests that are part of the seat and move with the seat pan. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a device, system, and method that cures the shortcomings described above. <CIT> describes an aircraft seat including a seat pan, a seat back and an armrest. The seat pan is mounted to a seat chassis by a pivoting connection about which the seat pan pivots. The seat back and armrest follow a guided movement of the seat pan between a reclined and an upright position.

A passenger seat in accordance with claim <NUM> is disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, the passenger seat includes a seat pan including a housing and bracket fixed to the housing. The passenger seat includes a seatback. The seat pan and the seatback including a first pivot joint by which the seatback is pivotally connected to the seat pan. The passenger seat includes an armrest. The armrest includes a brace fixed to the armrest. The brace and the seatback including a second pivot joint by which the armrest is pivotally connected to the seatback. The passenger seat includes a linkage connected between the seat pan and the armrest. The bracket and the linkage including a third pivot joint by which the linkage is pivotally connected to the seat pan. The brace and the linkage including a fourth joint by which the linkage is pivotally connected to the armrest. The passenger seat is configurable between an upright position and a bed position. The linkage is disposed within the housing. An angle of the seat pan is adjusted as the passenger seat is configured between the upright position and the bed position. The armrest follows the seat pan by the linkage wherein the armrest is automatically raised and lowered by the linkage as the passenger seat is transitioned between the upright position and the bed position. The bracket includes a first end and a second end connected to form a u-shape, wherein the first end of the bracket is fixed to the seat pan and wherein the second end of the bracket includes the third pivot joint.

An aircraft is disclosed, in accordance with claim <NUM>.

Implementations of the concepts disclosed herein may be better understood when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. In the drawings:.

In some instances, well-known features may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to a passenger seat including an armrest recline mechanism that causes the armrests to follow the seat pan. The armrest recline mechanism includes a linkage connecting the armrest with the seat pan, thereby causing the armrest to follow the motion of the seat pan. The linkage is constructed such that the armrest is aligned with the seat pan when the passenger seat is in a bed position (also referred to as a lie-flat position). By keeping the armrest aligned with the seat pan, such component may be parallel or substantially parallel (e.g., as parallel as possible) through positions in the translation. The linkage also provides smooth kinematic motion for the armrest as the seat transitions between the bed position and an upright position (also referred to as a taxi, takeoff, and landing (TTOL) position). The armrest may also maintain an aligned relationship (e.g., substantially parallel) to the seat pan over a portion of the followed motion.

An aircraft passenger seat is described in <CIT>, titled "PASSENGER SEAT ARMREST RECLINE MECHANISM.

Referring now to <FIG>, a perspective view of a passenger seat <NUM> in an upright position is described, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. One or more of the passenger seats <NUM> may be coupled to a floor <NUM> of an aircraft <NUM>. The passenger seat <NUM> includes a seatback <NUM> and a seat pan <NUM>. The seatback <NUM> may include an upper portion and a lower portion. The passenger seat <NUM> also includes a spreader <NUM> (also referred to as a seat support structure, a seat chassis, and the like) that is configured to mount to a floor <NUM> of the aircraft <NUM> for providing structural support to various components of the passenger seat <NUM>, such as the seat pan <NUM> and the seatback <NUM>. The spreader <NUM> may be coupled to the floor <NUM> by a track (e.g., an anti-rattle track), or the like. Multiple of the spreaders <NUM> (e.g., a left spreader and a right spreader) may be connected by a transverse tube (not depicted). In embodiments, the seatback <NUM> and the seat pan <NUM> may be separate structures and/or may include one or more shared components. For example, the seatback <NUM> and the seat pan <NUM> can have a shared cushion or covering. The seatback <NUM> and the seat pan <NUM> are configured to move. The seatback <NUM> and the seat pan <NUM> can be actuated such that the passenger seat <NUM> is configurable between an upright position and a bed position. The passenger seat <NUM> also includes one or more armrests <NUM> (e.g., a left armrest and a right armrest). The armrest <NUM> is pivotally connected to the seatback <NUM>. The armrest <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> which protects a passenger from interacting with components disposed therein. The housing <NUM> of the armrest <NUM> may include a padded top surface on which the passenger may rest their arms. The housing <NUM> of the armrest <NUM> may also include a flat face on the interior sides of the passenger seat <NUM>, and may be covered by a number of materials.

Referring now to <FIG>, a partial side view showing internal components of the passenger seat <NUM> as the passenger seat <NUM> transitions between an upright position and a bed position is described, in accordance with the present disclosure. The passenger seat <NUM> includes a brace <NUM>, a linkage <NUM>, a bracket <NUM>, and pivot joints (e.g., a pivot joint <NUM>, a pivot joint <NUM>, a pivot joint <NUM>, a pivot joint <NUM>). The term pivot joint may also be referred to herein as a pin joint, a revolute joint, or the like. Such pivot joints may generally be understood to include one degree of freedom allowing rotation about an axis. The pivot joints permit relative rotational motion of the linkage <NUM> relative to the brace <NUM>, the linkage <NUM> relative to the bracket <NUM>, and the seat pan <NUM> relative to the seatback <NUM>. The brace <NUM> may be provided in a rigid arrangement with the armrest <NUM> and the bracket <NUM> may be provided in a rigid arrangement with the seat pan <NUM>. The seat pan <NUM> and the seatback <NUM> including a pivot joint <NUM> by which the seatback <NUM> is pivotally connected to the seat pan <NUM>. Thus, as the seatback <NUM> pivots with respect to the seat pan <NUM> about the pivot joint <NUM> (e.g., when being configured between a bed position and an upright position), the linkage <NUM> pivots about the pivot joint <NUM> with respect to the brace <NUM> and pivots about the pivot joint <NUM> with respect to the bracket <NUM>, thereby causing movement of the armrest <NUM>. The armrest <NUM> then pivots with respect to the seatback <NUM> about the pivot joint <NUM>. In embodiments, the relative movements of the rigid bodies about the pivot joint <NUM>, the pivot joint <NUM>, the pivot joint <NUM>, and the pivot joint <NUM> may be kinematically represented as a four-bar linkage, which may be further coupled to a camming mechanism on the spreader <NUM> and a recline mechanism between the seat pan <NUM> and the seatback <NUM>. Advantageously, the arrangement of the brace <NUM>, the linkage <NUM>, and the bracket <NUM> may provide for sufficient rotational motion in combination with the camming mechanism on the spreader <NUM> and the recline mechanism between the seat pan <NUM> and the seatback <NUM>, to achieve the upright position and the bed position.

The armrest <NUM> includes the brace <NUM> fixed to the armrest <NUM>. For example, the brace <NUM> may be fixed to the housing <NUM> of the armrest <NUM> by a fastener, adhesive, and the like. The brace <NUM> may then reinforce the armrest <NUM>. The brace <NUM> may be fixed within the armrest <NUM> such that rotational motion of the brace <NUM> is imparted to the armrest <NUM>. The brace <NUM> may also include one or more features for coupling the armrest <NUM> to other components of the passenger seat <NUM>. The brace includes a pivot joint <NUM>. The pivot joint <NUM> is provided between the brace <NUM> and the seatback <NUM>. In this regard, the brace <NUM> may pivot about the pivot joint <NUM> relative to the seatback <NUM>. The brace <NUM> may also include a truss member <NUM> extending downwards from the pivot joint <NUM>. The truss member <NUM> may be joined with the brace <NUM>. The truss member <NUM> may be joined with the brace <NUM> during fabrication of the truss member <NUM>, such as by injection molding, thermo forming, compression molding, or the like. In this regard, the truss member <NUM> may be formed as a constituent member of the brace <NUM>. The truss member <NUM> may also be joined with the brace <NUM> by a fastener or the like. As depicted, the truss member <NUM> includes a triangular shape. The triangular shape of the truss member <NUM> may include a vertex. The truss member <NUM> may also include a pivot joint <NUM> disposed proximal to the vertex (e.g., at or offset to the side). The pivot joint <NUM> is provided between the brace <NUM> and the linkage <NUM>. In this regard, the brace <NUM> may pivot about the pivot joint <NUM> relative to the linkage <NUM>. Although the brace <NUM> has been described as including the truss member <NUM> with the triangular shape, this is not intended as a limitation of the present disclosure. The brace <NUM> may include a number of shapes suitable for the pivot joint <NUM> and the pivot joint <NUM>. However, the use of the truss member <NUM> may be advantageous in both providing sufficient strength for pivot joint <NUM> while also reducing a weight associated with brace <NUM>.

The passenger seat <NUM> includes the linkage <NUM>. The linkage <NUM> is connected between the seat pan <NUM> and the armrest <NUM>. The linkage <NUM> is pivotably connected to the brace <NUM> at the pivot joint <NUM>, such that the linkage <NUM> is pivotally connected to the armrest <NUM>. The linkage <NUM> is also be pivotably connected to the bracket <NUM> at the pivot joint <NUM>, such that the linkage <NUM> is pivotally connected to the seat pan <NUM>. By such couplings, the linkage <NUM> may transmit motion between the seat pan <NUM> and the armrest <NUM> for causing the armrest <NUM> to rotate and be vertically displaced. The linkage <NUM> may generally include a rigid member for transmitting the motion with minimal bending.

The passenger seat <NUM> includes the bracket <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> includes a first end and a second end connected to form a u-shape, such that the bracket <NUM> may be considered a u-shaped bracket. The first end of the bracket <NUM> is fixed to the seat pan <NUM>. Thus, the bracket <NUM> and the seat pan <NUM> may be considered a rigid body. The second end of the bracket <NUM> includes the pivot joint <NUM>. In this regard, the linkage <NUM> is pivotably coupled to the seat pan <NUM> by way of the pivot joint <NUM> and the bracket <NUM>. The use of the u-shape for the bracket <NUM> may be advantageous for providing the bracket <NUM> with the ability to receive one or more components of the passenger seat <NUM>, such as, but not limited to, the housing <NUM> of the armrest <NUM>. In this regard, the bracket <NUM> may be provided within a hole of the housing <NUM>, reducing a likelihood a passenger accessing the linkage <NUM> (e.g., a pinch point).

The spreader <NUM> may include a guide path <NUM> which acts as a linear cam. As may be understood, the term linear cam is meant to refer to a cam element which moves in a linear fashion along a slotted hole, a cammed surface, a guide path, or the like. The seat pan <NUM> may include a component, such as a roller, which interfaces with the guide path <NUM> to follow the guide path <NUM>. Such roller may be in a fixed relation with the pivot joint <NUM>. In some instances, the motive force which configures the passenger seat <NUM> between the upright position and the bed position may be provided by the guide path <NUM>. For example, the guide path <NUM> may include a first end point and a second end point. The first end point of the guide path <NUM> may correspond to the upright position of the passenger seat <NUM>, such that passenger seat <NUM> may be in the upright position when the follower of the seat pan <NUM> is disposed at the first end point, as depicted in <FIG>. Similarly, the second end point may correspond to the bed position of the passenger seat <NUM>, such that passenger seat <NUM> may be in the bed position when the follower of the seat pan <NUM> is disposed at the second end point, as depicted in <FIG>. Thus, the seat pan <NUM> is configured to follow the guide path <NUM> between the first end point and the second end point as the passenger seat <NUM> is configured between the upright position and the bed position. The seat pan <NUM> may also configured to follow the guide path <NUM> between the second end point and the first end point as the passenger seat <NUM> is configured between the bed position and the seat position.

The guide path may include one or more angles. For example, the guide path may include a first angle, a second angle, and a third angle such that the guide path <NUM> includes a substantially arcuate shape. The first end point of the guide path may be disposed at the first angle and the second end point of the guide path may be disposed at the third angle, with the second angle joining the first angle and the third angle. The ends of the guide path <NUM> may be at a highest vertical point (i.e., the guide path opens upward) with the forward end being slightly higher than the rear ward end. In this arrangement, the rear end of the seat pan <NUM> is lowest at mid recline to provide a cradling sitting position. A passenger seat is described in <CIT>, titled "AIRCRAFT SEAT WITH TRANSLATING SEATBACK LINKAGE PIVOT.

In embodiments, the arrangement, position, and lengths of the brace <NUM>, the linkage <NUM>, and the bracket <NUM> is selected to control the surfaces of one or more of the armrest <NUM>, the seatback <NUM>, or the seat pan <NUM> in one or more of the upright position, the bed position, and/or while translating between the upright position and the bed position. For example, <FIG> depicts, the top surface of the armrest being aligned with the floor when the passenger seat is configured in the upright position. By way of another example, <FIG> depicts the top surface of the armrest including an offset angle from the top surface of the seat pan as the seat pan follows along the first angle and the second angle of the guide path. <FIG> further depicts the top surface of the armrest aligned with the top surface of the seat pan as the seat pan. By way of another example, <FIG> depicts the top surface of the armrest <NUM> aligned with the top surface of the seat pan <NUM> as the seat pan <NUM> follows along the third angle of the guide path <NUM>. Such alignment may be due to the linkage <NUM> keeping parallelism between the seat pan <NUM> and armrest <NUM>. By way of another example, <FIG> depicts the top surface of the armrest <NUM> and the top surface of the seat pan <NUM> at an offset angle from the floor <NUM> for a portion of the guide path <NUM> as the seat pan follows along the third angle of the guide path <NUM>. <FIG> further depicts the top surface of the armrest <NUM> and the top surface of the seat pan <NUM> aligned when the passenger seat is configured in the bed position. This arrangement may be beneficial in providing a flat surface on which a passenger may sleep.

The arrangement described above thus provides for a smooth transition from the upright position, where the top surface of the seat pan <NUM> is offset from the armrest <NUM>, to the bed position, where the top surface of the seat pan <NUM> is aligned with the top surface of the armrest <NUM>. Advantageously, the armrest <NUM> is automatically raised and lowered by the linkage <NUM> as the passenger seat <NUM> is transitioned between the upright position and the bed position. Thus, the passenger does not need to manually raise or lower the armrest <NUM>. Furthermore, the armrest <NUM> may be raised and lowered without requiring an electrical actuator, a hydraulic actuator, or the like. The linkage <NUM> may also be relatively light weight and include minimal translating components.

In these figures, the brace <NUM>, the linkage <NUM>, the bracket <NUM>, and a camming surface of the spreader <NUM> are highlighted for clarity and emphasis, while some portions of the passenger seat <NUM>, e.g., the seatback <NUM>, the seat pan <NUM>, or the armrest <NUM> are deemphasized. Other portions of the passenger seat <NUM>, e.g., the recline mechanism for the seatback <NUM>, are not shown to avoid confusion and unnecessary detail. The recline mechanism for the seatback <NUM> a linkage coupled between the seat pan <NUM> and the seatback <NUM>, which motivates the seatback <NUM> into the bed position as the angle of the seat pan <NUM> is adjusted. Such linkage may include a pivot point in common with the seat pan <NUM>, pivotably coupling the linkage to the seat pan <NUM>. The linkage may also include a guide path which the seatback is configured to follow. For example, a recline mechanism for a seatback is described in <CIT>, titled "SEATBACK ARTICULATION ASSEMBLY AND METHOD.

Referring now to <FIG>, the aircraft <NUM> including a perspective view of the passenger seat <NUM> in the bed position is described, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As the passenger seat <NUM> is configured into the bed position, the top surface (e.g., the arm pad) of the housing <NUM> of the armrest <NUM> may be made to be in substantially the same plane as the top surface (e.g., the seat cushion) of the seat pan <NUM>. The top surface of the housing <NUM> of the armrest <NUM> may also be made to be in substantially the same plane as the seatback <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a partial front view of the passenger seat <NUM> is described, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As depicted, the bracket <NUM> is formed as a u-shape with a first end of the bracket <NUM> fixed to the seat pan at a location <NUM> and with a second end including the pivot joint <NUM>. The arrangement of the bracket <NUM> is advantageous in pivotally coupling the linkage <NUM> to the seat pan <NUM>, while avoiding interference with the housing <NUM>. In this regard, the housing <NUM> may maintain a flush interior surface, thereby preventing pinching. Furthermore, the linkage <NUM> may be maintained within the housing <NUM> as the passenger seat <NUM> transitions between the upright position and the bed position. Thus, the linkage <NUM> may be provided within the armrest <NUM> and cause the armrest to move with the seat pan <NUM>, achieving a desired kinematic motion.

Referring generally again to <FIG>, although not depicted, one or more of the aircraft <NUM> and the passenger seat <NUM> may include a passenger control panel. The passenger control panel may include a switch (or the like) which may re-position or configure the passenger seat <NUM> into the bed position. Similarly, the passenger control panel may include a switch (or the like) which may re-position or configure the passenger seat <NUM> into the upright position. It is further noted that the passenger seat <NUM> may be actuated by engaging a handle that activates one or more mechanical assemblies for configuring the aircraft in the upright position and the bed position. Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope of the disclosure but merely an illustration.

As used throughout the specification, the term "upright" seating position is used to describe a taxi, take-off and landing compliant seatback configuration, the term "reclined" seating position is used to describe a seating position in which the seatback is reclined relative to the upright seatback configuration, and the term "lie-flat" position is used to describe a configuration in which the seatback and seat bottom form a substantially flat and continuous surface.

It is noted that where the passenger seat <NUM> is installed within the aircraft <NUM>, the passenger seat <NUM> may be configured in accordance with aviation guidelines and/or standards put forth by, but not limited to: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), or any other flight certification agency or organization; the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or any other standards setting organization or company; and the like.

Although much of the present disclosure is directed to the passenger seat <NUM> being installed within the aircraft <NUM> or aircraft cabin, it is noted herein the passenger seat <NUM> may be installed within any number of environments. For example, the environment may include any type of vehicle known in the art. For instance, the vehicle may be any air, land, or water-based personal equipment or vehicle; any air, land, or water-based commercial equipment or vehicle; any air, land, or water-based military equipment or vehicle known in the art. By way of another example, the environment may include a commercial or industrial establishment (e.g., a home or a business).

Although one or more of the figures herein are shown and described with reference to a single side of the passenger seat <NUM> for purposes of clarity, it is understood that the passenger seat includes the various components described herein on each side of the seat which work in cooperation to adjust the seating position and the armrest position.

Claim 1:
A passenger seat (<NUM>) comprising:
a seat pan (<NUM>) including a bracket (<NUM>) fixed to the seat pan (<NUM>);
a seatback (<NUM>), the seat pan (<NUM>) and the seatback (<NUM>) including a first pivot joint (<NUM>) by which the seatback (<NUM>) is pivotally connected to the seat pan (<NUM>);
an armrest (<NUM>) including a housing (<NUM>) and a brace (<NUM>) fixed to the housing (<NUM>), the brace (<NUM>) and the seatback (<NUM>) including a second pivot joint (<NUM>) by which the armrest (<NUM>) is pivotally connected to the seatback (<NUM>); and
a linkage (<NUM>) connected between the seat pan (<NUM>) and the armrest (<NUM>), the bracket (<NUM>) and the linkage (<NUM>) including a third pivot joint (<NUM>) by which the linkage (<NUM>) is pivotally connected to the seat pan (<NUM>), the brace (<NUM>) and the linkage (<NUM>) including a fourth pivot joint (<NUM>) by which the linkage (<NUM>) is pivotally connected to the armrest (<NUM>), wherein the linkage (<NUM>) is disposed within the housing (<NUM>);
wherein the passenger seat (<NUM>) is configurable between an upright position and a bed position; wherein an angle of the seat pan (<NUM>) is adjusted as the passenger seat (<NUM>) is configured between the upright position and the bed position;
wherein the armrest follows the seat pan by the linkage;
wherein the armrest (<NUM>) is automatically raised and lowered by the linkage (<NUM>) as the passenger seat (<NUM>) is transitioned between the upright position and the bed position;
characterized in that the bracket (<NUM>) includes a first end and a second end connected to form a u-shape, wherein the first end of the bracket is fixed to the seat pan (<NUM>), wherein the second end of the bracket includes the third pivot joint.