Patent Description:
Passenger vehicles, such as aircraft, buses, trains, ships, and automobiles, include passenger seats for passengers to sit in and utilize during travel. Sometimes, it may be preferable or necessary to reach some area above the passenger seat. For example, aircraft, buses, trains, and other vehicles sometimes include overhead stowage compartments that a passenger may use to stow his or her luggage during travel. Most passenger seats do not include any mechanism to facilitate reaching such areas. Moreover, in the limited circumstances where a passenger seat might include a step, such steps are fixed, thereby reducing the functionality of other components and taking up valuable space within the passenger vehicle.

Document <CIT> describes a step assembly installable in a structure such as a housing of an armrest assembly. The step assembly includes a base attachable to the structure including a mounting plate having a low profile and a fixed receptacle to be received in the structure. A step plate is pivotally attached along a first end to the base along a lower end of the receptacle. The step plate is pivotable between a stowed position in which the step plate is housed within the fixed receptacle and a deployed position in which the step plate is outside of the fixed receptacle.

Document <CIT> describes an aisle seat having a receiver for attaching a seat slide and step to a seat element in various use positions. For example, the seat slide and step may stow under the seat in a first position corresponding to a stowed position, attach alongside the seat to a seat element in a second position corresponding to a step position for the flight crew to access overhead items, and may attach alongside the side to a seat element in a third position corresponding to a seat slide position for helping transfer a limited mobility passenger into the passenger seat.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, an armrest assembly for a passenger seat includes an armrest and an attendant step. The armrest may include a top side and a bottom side. The attendant step may be connected to the bottom side of the armrest. The attendant step may include a step that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the bottom side of the armrest.

In some embodiments, the attendant step assembly may include a first support leg and a second support leg. The first support leg and the second support leg may each be connected to the step and pivotably connected to the bottom side of the armrest. The step may be movable between the stowed position and the deployed position.

In various embodiments, the first support leg and the second support leg may each be pivotable and slidable relative to the step.

In certain embodiments, in the stowed position, the first support leg may extend at a <NUM>° angle relative to the bottom side of the armrest, and, in the deployed position, the first support leg may extend at a <NUM>° angle relative to the bottom side of the armrest.

In some embodiments, both in the stowed position and in the deployed position, the step may be vertically below the bottom side of the armrest.

In certain embodiments, in the stowed position, the step may be a first distance below the bottom side of the armrest, and, in the deployed position, the step may be a second distance below the bottom side of the armrest that is greater than the first distance.

In various embodiments, the armrest assembly may be vertically movable between a lowered position and a raised position, and, in the lowered position, the step may be in the stowed position.

In certain embodiments, the attendant step assembly may include at least one support connecting the step to the bottom side of the armrest. The at least one support may include a first end and a second end opposite from the first end. The first end may be pivotably connected to the bottom side of the armrest.

In some embodiments, the second end is at least one of pivotable relative to the step or slidable relative to the step.

In various embodiments, the step may define at least one guide channel. The second end of the at least one support may be at least partially received within the at least one guide channel and may be linearly movable along the at least one guide channel.

In some embodiments, the at least one guide channel may be elongated and may include a first end and a second end opposite from the first end. The first end may include a first stabilizing pocket, and the second end may include a second stabilizing pocket.

In some embodiments, in the stowed position, the second end of the at least one support may engage the second stabilizing pocket of the at least one guide channel, and, in the deployed position, the second end of the at least one support may engage the first stabilizing pocket of the at least one guide channel.

In some embodiments, the first end of the support may include a stopper slot. The armrest assembly may include a stopper pin retained within the stopper slot, and the stopper pin may be fixed relative to the at least one support.

In certain embodiments, the stopper pin may engage a first end of the stopper slot when the step is in the stowed position and may engage a second end of the stopper slot when the step is in the deployed position.

In some embodiments, the step may be biased towards the deployed position.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which can not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

The described embodiments of the invention provide step assemblies for passenger seats. While the step assemblies are discussed for use with aircraft seats, they are by no means so limited. Rather, embodiments of the step assemblies may be used in passenger seats or other seats of any type or otherwise as desired.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an armrest assembly <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the present invention. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, may include an armrest <NUM> and an attendant step assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, the armrest assembly <NUM> may be an armrest assembly for a handicap passenger seat area on an aircraft, although it need not be in other embodiments. The particular armrest <NUM> illustrated should not be considered limiting on the disclosure. Moreover, while the attendant step assembly <NUM> is illustrated on the armrest assembly <NUM>, in other embodiments, the attendant step assembly <NUM> may be provided on other structures and/or other locations associated with a passenger seat as desired. Optionally, the attendant step assembly <NUM> may be provided with various structures that are movable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

The armrest <NUM> includes a top side <NUM> and a bottom side <NUM>. Optionally, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the armrest <NUM> may include a pocket <NUM> that is provided between the top side <NUM> and the bottom side <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the pocket <NUM> may be used by the passenger. The armrest <NUM> may be formed of materials including but not limited to aluminum, stainless steel, aramid fibers, polycarbonate, polypropylene, other metallic materials, composite materials, or other similar materials. In other embodiments, the armrest <NUM> may include various other combinations or sub-combinations of components that may provide support for a passenger and/or may otherwise be used by the passenger.

In certain embodiments, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the armrest <NUM> is movable between a raised (or deployed) position (<FIG>) and a lowered (or stowed) position relative to a floor <NUM>, which may be a cabin floor of an aircraft or other support surface as desired. In various embodiments, the movement between the raised position and the deployed position may optionally facilitate access to a passenger seat associated with the armrest <NUM>. In certain embodiments, a distance between the floor <NUM> and the bottom side <NUM> of the armrest <NUM> in the raised position (<FIG>) is greater than a distance between the floor <NUM> and the bottom side <NUM> of the armrest <NUM> in the stowed position (<FIG>).

The attendant step assembly <NUM> is connected to the bottom side <NUM> of the armrest <NUM> and includes support legs <NUM> and a step <NUM>. As illustrated, the support legs <NUM> support and connect the step <NUM> relative to the bottom side <NUM> of the armrest <NUM>. In certain embodiments, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the attendant step assembly <NUM> is connected to the bottom side <NUM> of the armrest <NUM> such that the step <NUM> is below the bottom side <NUM> of the armrest <NUM> in both the raised position and the lowered position. Stated differently, the step <NUM> may be outside of the armrest <NUM> in both the raised position and the lowered position. Such positioning may allow for an inner area or cavity of the armrest <NUM> to be utilized for other features or components, including but not limited to the including the pocket <NUM>. In certain embodiments, and as discussed in detail below, the attendant step assembly <NUM> is adjustable between a stowed position (<FIG>) and a deployed position (<FIG>). In various embodiments, the attendant step assembly <NUM> is in the stowed position when the armrest is in the lowered position and the attendant step assembly <NUM> is in the deployed position when the armrest <NUM> is in the raised position. In certain embodiments, the armrest assembly <NUM> may optionally be biased towards the deployed position.

Referring to <FIG>, the attendant step assembly <NUM> is illustrated in detail. In certain embodiments, the components of the attendant step assembly <NUM> may be formed of materials including, but not limited to, aluminum, stainless steel, aramid fibers, polycarbonate, polypropylene, other metallic materials, composite materials, other similar materials, combinations thereof, or other materials as desired. In the embodiment illustrated, the support legs <NUM> and step <NUM> are constructed from metal.

As best illustrated in <FIG>, each support leg <NUM> of the attendant step assembly <NUM> includes a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM> opposite the first end <NUM>. The first end <NUM> is connected to the bottom side <NUM> of the armrest <NUM>, and the second end <NUM> is connected to the step <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first end <NUM> of each support leg <NUM> may be connected to the bottom side <NUM> of the armrest <NUM> using one or more brackets <NUM>. While two brackets <NUM> are illustrated, any number of brackets <NUM> and/or other support structures may be utilized as desired to connect the support legs <NUM> to the armrest <NUM>. In certain embodiments, and as best illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, movement mechanisms <NUM> are provided such that the first end <NUM> is pivotably connected to the brackets <NUM> and thus is pivotable relative to the armrest <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated, the movement mechanism <NUM> includes a pin <NUM> and a biasing member <NUM>, including but not limited to a torsion spring. Optionally, the biasing member <NUM> may bias the attendant step assembly <NUM> towards the deployed position. As best illustrated in <FIG>, the first end <NUM> of each support leg <NUM> may be supported on the pin <NUM> such that the support leg <NUM> is rotatable about the pin.

Optionally, and as best illustrated in <FIG>, a stopper pin <NUM> and a stopper slot <NUM> may be provided to limit rotation of the support leg <NUM> relative to the brackets <NUM> and thus relative to the armrest <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the stopper pin <NUM> is received within an aperture <NUM> in the first end <NUM> of the support leg <NUM> such that the stopper pin <NUM> is fixed relative to the support leg <NUM>, and the stopper slot <NUM> is provided in one or more of the brackets <NUM>. In other embodiments, the stopper pin <NUM> may be monolithically or integrally formed with the support leg <NUM>. Moreover, in other embodiments, the stopper pin <NUM> may be provided on the bracket(s) <NUM> and/or fixed relative to the bracket(s) <NUM>, and the stopper slot <NUM> is provided on the support leg <NUM>.

The stopper pin <NUM> is at least partially received in the stopper slot <NUM> and is movable within the stopper slot <NUM> (or vice versa) such that the stopper pin <NUM> can selectively engage a first end <NUM> or a second end <NUM> of the stopper slot <NUM> depending on rotation of the support leg <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the stopper pin <NUM> engages the first end <NUM> of the stopper slot <NUM> when the attendant step assembly <NUM> is in the deployed position and engages the second end <NUM> of the stopper slot <NUM> when the attendant step assembly <NUM> is in the stowed position. In some embodiments, the orientation and configuration of the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> may define a maximum angle and a minimum angle of the support leg <NUM> relative to the bottom side <NUM> of the armrest <NUM>. In one non-limiting example, the support leg <NUM> in the stowed position (e.g., where the stopper pin <NUM> engages the second end <NUM> of the stopper slot <NUM>), the support leg <NUM> may extend at an angle of <NUM>° relative to the bottom side <NUM>, and in the deployed position (e.g., where the stopper pin <NUM> engages the first end <NUM> of the stopper slot <NUM>), the support leg <NUM> may extend at an angle of <NUM>° relative to the bottom side <NUM>. In other embodiments, the support leg <NUM> may be adjusted to extend at other angles as desired in either the deployed position or the stowed position, and the support leg <NUM> may further be adjusted such that a length of the stopper slot <NUM> (and thus the range of motion of the support leg <NUM>) is adjusted to any range of angles as desired relative to the bottom side <NUM>. While a stopper pin and stopper slot are illustrated as movement limiters, in other embodiments, or devices or components may be utilized to control movement of the support legs <NUM> relative to the armrest <NUM>.

The second end <NUM> of each support leg <NUM> is connected to the step <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the second end <NUM> of each support leg <NUM> is pivotably connected to the step <NUM> such that an angle of the support legs <NUM> relative to the step <NUM> is adjustable. In various embodiments, the first end <NUM> of each support leg <NUM> pivotably connected to the armrest <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of each support leg <NUM> pivotably connected to the step <NUM> may allow for the attendant step assembly <NUM> to be movable between the stowed position and the deployed position. The second end <NUM> may be pivotably connected to the step <NUM> using various suitable devices or mechanisms as desired.

In some embodiments, in addition to being pivotably connected to the step <NUM>, the second end <NUM> of each support leg <NUM> may also be linearly movable relative to the step <NUM>. In these embodiments, the support legs <NUM> and/or the step <NUM> may include various devices or mechanisms such that the second ends <NUM> are linearly movable and pivotable relative to the step <NUM>. As best illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the support legs <NUM> include rollers <NUM>, and the step <NUM> includes guide channels <NUM> that receive the respective rollers <NUM>. The number of guide channels <NUM> illustrated should not be considered limiting on the disclosure. Optionally, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the step <NUM> may include openings <NUM> that may facilitate linear movement of the support legs <NUM> relative to the step <NUM>.

As best illustrated in <FIG>, each guide channel <NUM> includes a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. In some embodiments, the guide channels <NUM> may extend substantially horizontally, although in other embodiments the guide channels <NUM> may extend in various directions as desired and/or may have various shapes or sizes as desired. In certain embodiments, the roller <NUM> (and/or second end <NUM>) of a particular support leg <NUM> may engage the first end <NUM> when the attendant step assembly <NUM> is in the deployed position and may engage the second end <NUM> when the attendant step assembly <NUM> is in the stowed position. Optionally, and as best illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, one or both of the ends <NUM>, <NUM> may include a stabilizing pocket <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated, the first ends <NUM> are illustrated as having stabilizing pockets <NUM> while the second ends <NUM> do not; however, in other embodiments, the second ends <NUM> may include stabilizing pockets <NUM>. When included, the stabilizing pockets <NUM> may facilitate temporary positioning of the support legs <NUM> in the stowed position or the deployed position. In other words, some minimal force may optionally be required to move the rollers <NUM> from the stabilizing pockets <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the step <NUM> may optionally include a gripping feature <NUM> on a top side of the step <NUM> and may provide grip for a user engaging the step <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the gripping feature <NUM> is anti-slip tape, although other suitable gripping features may be utilized as desired.

As mentioned, the attendant step assembly <NUM> is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In various embodiments, the attendant step assembly <NUM> is biased towards the deployed position. In certain embodiments, attendant step assembly <NUM> may be in the deployed position while the armrest is in the raised position as illustrated in <FIG>. In some aspects, as the armrest <NUM> is moved from the lowered position to the raised position, the attendant step assembly <NUM> may automatically move from the stowed position to the deployed position (e.g., because it is biased towards the deployed position). In various embodiments, the attendant step assembly <NUM> is in the stowed position when the armrest <NUM> is in the lowered position. In certain aspects, moving the armrest <NUM> from the raised position to the lowered position may automatically move the attendant step assembly <NUM> from the deployed position to the stowed position.

In the deployed position, the attendant step assembly <NUM> may be utilized by a person as a step, for example to reach an overhead compartment or other location as desired. In these embodiments, the user may step on the step <NUM>, and the gripping feature <NUM> may improve the engagement between the user's foot and the step <NUM>. In the stowed position, the attendant step assembly <NUM> may have a minimized or reduced profile, even though the attendant step assembly <NUM> is not housed within the armrest <NUM>. In certain examples, the rotational and linear movement of the support legs <NUM> relative to the step <NUM> may allow for the attendant step assembly <NUM> to have the reduced profile in the stowed position. In some optional examples, the reduced profile of the stowed attendant step assembly <NUM> may have a height of less than or equal to <NUM> (<NUM> inches), such as less than or equal to <NUM> (<NUM> inches), such as less than or equal to <NUM> (<NUM> inch). In other embodiments, the stowed attendant step assembly <NUM> may have other heights as desired.

The attendant step assembly <NUM> may have reduced manufacturing costs, reduced manufacturing waste, and/or improved optimization for loads that a fixed step assembly may experience.

Claim 1:
An armrest assembly (<NUM>) for a passenger seat, the armrest assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
an armrest (<NUM>) comprising a top side (<NUM>) and a bottom side (<NUM>); and
an attendant step assembly (<NUM>) connected to the bottom side (<NUM>) of the armrest (<NUM>), wherein the attendant step assembly (<NUM>) comprises a step (<NUM>) that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the bottom side (<NUM>) of the armrest (<NUM>),
characterized in that the attendant step assembly (<NUM>) further comprises a first support leg (<NUM>) and a second support leg (<NUM>), wherein the first support leg (<NUM>) and the second support leg (<NUM>) are each connected to the step (<NUM>) and pivotably connected to the bottom side (<NUM>) of the armrest (<NUM>) such that the step (<NUM>) is movable between the stowed position and the deployed position, and
wherein the first support leg (<NUM>) and the second support leg (<NUM>) are each pivotable and slidable relative to the step (<NUM>).