Patent Description:
The field of the invention relates to structural assemblies that including at least one bent tube for passenger seats in aircraft or the like.

Passenger seats, and particularly vehicle or aircraft passenger seats, are designed based on numerous factors including, for example, enhancing comfort, aesthetics, and convenience. In addition, passenger seats and arrays thereof are designed to maximize the number of seats within the cabin of the vehicle while conforming to the constraints defined by the structural layout for attaching the passenger seats. Due to such efficiencies, conventional seats may be designed with minimal space available for each individual passenger.

In certain situations, it may be desirable to design structural attachment assemblies for passenger seats and arrays thereof to interface with aircraft floor structure and to maximize the available living space for passengers while simultaneously minimizing weight and minimizing costs associated with manufacturing the seat.

Document <CIT> describes a vehicle seat module comprising a support frame and two supports extending substantially in the vehicle transverse direction, at which multiple seat rails are arranged. The seat rails are provided for retaining the vehicle seat. The longitudinal ends of the supports are connected to an outer seat rail.

Document <CIT> describes a set including two blocks each of two seats convertible for lying down. The two blocks are arranged with the seats of one block face-to-face with the seats of the other block inside a circumscribed rectangle. Each block includes a first seat and a second seat. The first seats of the two blocks are arranged along a first diagonal of the circumscribed rectangle and the longitudinal axes of the first seats are oriented so that their directions are close to the first diagonal and the first seats are substantially face-to-face.

Document <CIT> describes a base frame assembly for a passenger seat including a main frame with a seat support structure and a lateral support structure. The lateral support structure includes two seat fittings, and the seat support structure includes one seat fitting, and a secondary frame pivotally coupled to the main frame.

Document <CIT> describes an interlocking assembly system including a seat track, a floor beam and a clip for connecting the seat track to the underlying floor beam. The clip includes first and second clip members that cooperate to engage the opposed edges of the floor beam. Each clip member has a beam attachment portion for engaging the respective beam edge once the clip members have been slidably engaged.

According to the invention as defined in claim <NUM>, an arrangement of passenger seats for a vehicle is provided, with further embodiments being defined in the dependent claims.

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims.

This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

<FIG> illustrate arrays <NUM> of passenger seats in vehicles such as an aircraft where each passenger seat includes a structural attachment assembly <NUM> for attaching to the structure of the vehicle. In some examples, the structural attachment assemblies <NUM> attach to a floor structure of the vehicle, which includes multiple attachment rails (e.g., rails <NUM>, <NUM>). The structural attachment assembly <NUM> may include an aft tube <NUM>, a forward tube <NUM>, two or more attachment fittings (e.g., floor attachments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and any other appropriate component. The structural attachment assembly <NUM> may include any number of tubes.

<FIG> shows an example of an array of passenger seats that includes four columns of seats (columns A, B, C, and D) with two aisles <NUM>. The outboard columns A and D each include five seats (A1-A5 and D1-D5). The inboard columns B and C each include four seats (B1-B4 and C1-C4). In some embodiments, the array of seats may include six different configurations based on the orientation of the various seats. For example, each column may have a different angle relative to the common axis X and the forwardmost seat in each of the outboard columns may have a different orientation compared to the other seats in the respective column. In other words, seat A1 may have a different angle relative to axis X compared to at least one of seats A2-A5. Similarly, seat D1 may have a different angle relative to axis X compared to at least one of seats D2-D5. To accommodate such a configuration, conventional seats include intricate custom parts for each configuration. For example, as shown in <FIG>, a conventional seat would include one or more frame leg members <NUM> that are specific to each configuration and/or a custom machined plate for attaching the seat to the floor structure. The conventional seat shown in <FIG> includes lateral members <NUM>, <NUM> that are common to multiple configurations of passenger seats. In other words, conventional seats designed for the array of seats shown in <FIG> would require six different configurations of frame leg members <NUM> (where each configuration would necessitate <NUM>-<NUM> custom machined frame leg members <NUM>).

To address these issues and to allow a common frame leg member for all orientations of passenger seats, each passenger seat comprises a structural attachment assembly <NUM> with at least one tube attached to a lower end of at least one of the plurality of legs where the at least one tube is designed to adapt the seat (in a desired orientation and/or position) to attach to the floor structure of the vehicle. The array of passenger seats shown in <FIG> includes various orientations relative to the common axis X and differing lateral locations for the seats (i.e., based on width of the cabin and distance from the exterior dimensions of available space within the cabin). In other embodiments, the structural attachment assemblies <NUM> may accommodate staggered arrangements of the seats (e.g., see <FIG>). In addition to simplifying assembly and manufacturing for seat arrays by allowing further modularity (common frame legs for multiple seat configurations), the structural attachment assembly <NUM> may also increase available living space for passengers and reduce weight. The structural attachment assemblies <NUM> may be appropriate for arrays of business or first class seats. In some embodiments, the structural attachment assemblies <NUM> may be appropriate for arrays of economy or coach passenger seats.

<FIG> show various configurations of seat tubes for structural attachment assemblies <NUM> of passenger seats in various orientations including, for example, the orientations required for the array of seats shown in <FIG>. a passenger seat <NUM> includes a structural attachment assembly <NUM> to arrange a sitting position of the seat <NUM> proximal to aisle <NUM> where the structural attachment assembly <NUM> includes an aft tube <NUM> and a forward tube <NUM>. The aft tube <NUM> includes a first bent portion <NUM>, a second bent portion <NUM>, a first floor attachment <NUM>, and a second floor attachment <NUM>. The forward tube <NUM> includes a first floor attachment <NUM> and a second floor attachment <NUM>. The seat on the forward side of passenger seat <NUM> includes a structural attachment assembly 100a that differs from structural attachment assembly <NUM>. Structural attachment assembly 100a arranges a sitting position of a seat (not shown) distal from aisle <NUM> and includes an aft tube 101a and a forward tube 201a. The aft tube 101a includes a first bent portion 102a, a second bent portion 103a, a first floor attachment 111a, and a second floor attachment 112a. The forward tube 201a includes a first floor attachment 211a and a second floor attachment 212a.

In the staggered arrangement of the seats shown in <FIG>, the configuration of structural attachment assembly 100a creates additional living space for the passenger in seat <NUM>. In particular, the aft tube 101a and the first and second bent portions 102a, 103a allow for more legroom for a passenger seated in passenger seat <NUM>. A conventional seat would include a straight lateral member extending from second floor attachment 112a toward aisle <NUM> (e.g., see lateral members <NUM>, <NUM> in <FIG>). The increased living space for the passenger in seat <NUM> is shown in <FIG> as area Z. Moreover, to modify a conventional seat (e.g., the conventional seat shown in <FIG>) to try to replicate the arrangement shown in <FIG> would require specifically designed machined leg members <NUM> and/or a complex machined plate. The configuration of structural attachment assembly <NUM>, 100a (including the aft tubes <NUM>, 101a and the forward tubes <NUM>, 201a) are significantly lighter than designed based on machined leg members <NUM> and/or a complex machined plate. Similarly, the structural attachment assembly <NUM> creates additional living space for a passenger seated behind passenger seat <NUM>. A conventional seat would include a straight lateral member extending from first floor attachment <NUM> away from aisle <NUM> (e.g., see lateral members <NUM>, <NUM> in <FIG>). The increased living space for the passenger seated behind passenger seat <NUM> is shown in <FIG> as area Y.

The bent portions <NUM>, <NUM>, 102a, 103a shown in <FIG> are illustrative examples. However, the aft tubes <NUM>, 101a and/or the forward tubes <NUM>, 201a may each include various types and quantities of bent portions. Although <FIG> and <FIG> show examples where the forward tube <NUM> does not include any bent portions, the forward tube <NUM> may include any number of bent portions. In some embodiments, the bent portions are continuous curved portions of the respective tubes that form oblique angles relative to the remaining portions of the respective tube. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a tube may include a straight (non-curved) segment adjacent to a bent portion. For example, aft tube <NUM> includes a straight segment between the first floor attachment <NUM> and the first bent portion <NUM>, a straight segment between the first bent portion <NUM> and the second bent portion <NUM>, and a straight segment between the second bent portion <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM>. As one non-limiting example of an oblique angle, the bent portions each form an angle of approximately <NUM>° with the respective tube (see <FIG>). In some cases, the angle formed by the bent portion may be approximately <NUM>° such that tube includes a portion that is perpendicular relative to the respective tube (see <FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, the aft tube <NUM> may include at least one bent portion (bent portion <NUM>) and may intersect and/or attach to forward tube <NUM>, which eliminates the need for the second floor attachment <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the material for the various aft and forward tubes may include at least one of aluminum, magnesium, titanium, steel, plastic, composite, or any other appropriate material. These tubes may have any appropriate cross-section including, for example, circular, box, I-beam, C-beam, oval, etc. The tubes may be manufactured by extrusion, drawing, molding, or any other appropriate method. The tubes (in a straight or bent configuration) may have a total length of approximately <NUM> (<NUM> inches) to approximately <NUM> (<NUM> inches). In some cases, the bend radius for the bent portion may be approximately <NUM> (<NUM> inch) to approximately <NUM> (<NUM> inches).

<FIG> show other exemplary configurations for structural attachment assembly <NUM>. Rails <NUM> and <NUM> (part of the floor structure of the vehicle) locate the floor attachments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example where a seat frame <NUM> is attached to a conventional straight aft tube <NUM> and a conventional straight forward tube <NUM>. Although not illustrated in <FIG>, each seat frame <NUM>-<NUM> includes multiple leg members (similar to leg members <NUM> shown in <FIG>) to attach the respective frame to one or more seat tubes (e.g., aft tube <NUM> and forward tube <NUM>). The varying configurations of the seat tubes allow a single common configuration for the seat frame and the multiple leg members. In other words, all four of the configurations shown in <FIG> share a common design for the seat frame and the multiple leg members. The variation in the seat tubes (e.g., aft tube <NUM> and forward tube <NUM>) allows the structural attachment assembly <NUM> to accommodate and to be adapted for various positions and orientations without modifying the seat frame or the leg members.

The seat frame <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, is attached to an aft tube <NUM> with multiple bent portions and a forward tube <NUM> with multiple bent portions. The aft tube <NUM>, unlike the examples illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, does not include discernable straight segments. The aft tube <NUM> includes a first bent portion <NUM> and a second bent portion <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first bent portion <NUM> and the second bent portion <NUM> span the entire width between the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM> and meet one another at an inflection point <NUM>. Although the tubes <NUM>, <NUM> are each illustrated with two curved portions with one inflection point between the curved portions, the tubes may have any number of curved portions and inflection points including, for example, three curved portions and two inflection points. As shown in <FIG>, the curvature of the first bent portion <NUM> is more gradual than the curvature of the second bent portion <NUM>. The first bent portion <NUM> extends aft from a line connecting the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM> while the second bent portion <NUM> extends forward from the line connecting the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM>. In some cases, the forwardmost point <NUM> of the second bent portion <NUM> extends a greater distance from the line connecting the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM> compared to the aftmost point <NUM> of the first bent portion <NUM> (comparing absolute distance regardless of direction). The forward tube <NUM> for seat frame <NUM> also does not include discernable straight segments. The forward tube <NUM> includes a first bent portion <NUM> and a second bent portion <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first bent portion <NUM> and the second bent portion <NUM> span the entire width between the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM> and meet one another at an inflection point <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the curvature of the second bent portion <NUM> is more gradual than the curvature of the first bent portion <NUM>. The first bent portion <NUM> extends aft from a line connecting the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM> while the second bent portion <NUM> extends forward from the line connecting the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM>. In some cases, the aftmost point <NUM> of the first bent portion <NUM> extends a greater distance from the line connecting the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM> compared to the forwardmost point <NUM> of the second bent portion <NUM> (comparing absolute distance regardless of direction).

In some embodiments, the seat frame <NUM> is located approximately halfway between the rails <NUM> and <NUM>, but is rotated relative to seats that face forward (e.g., seat frame <NUM>). The seat frame <NUM> may be rotated between approximately <NUM>° and approximately <NUM>° relative to the forward/aft direction. In other cases, the seat frame may be rotated to any appropriate orientation.

The seat frame <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, is attached to an aft tube <NUM> with multiple bent portions and a forward tube <NUM> with multiple bent portions. The aft tube <NUM> may include a straight segment between the first bent portion <NUM> and the second bent portion <NUM>. The curvature of the first bent portion <NUM> may be more gradual than the curvature of the second bent portion <NUM>. Similarly, the forward tube <NUM> may include a straight segment between the first bent portion <NUM> and the second bent portion <NUM>. The curvature of the first bent portion <NUM> may be more gradual than the curvature of the second bent portion <NUM>. In some embodiments, the aft tube <NUM> and the forward tube <NUM> are configured such that the seat frame <NUM> is offset in at least one direction relative to a conventional position (e.g., seat frame <NUM> in <FIG> is one example of a conventional position). As shown in <FIG>, the seat frame <NUM> may be oriented in a typical direction (similar/parallel to seat frame <NUM>) while in other cases, a seat frame may be both offset in at least one direction and rotated. The seat frame <NUM> may be offset in a lateral direction such that the seat frame <NUM> is closer to right side rail <NUM> compared to left side rail <NUM>. In some cases, a seat frame may be offset in the opposite direction such that the seat is closer to left side rail <NUM> compared to right side rail <NUM>. In some embodiments, the seat frame <NUM> is offset in the aft direction such that the center of the seat frame is closer to the line connecting the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM> compared to the line connecting the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM>. The seat frame may also be offset in the opposite direction such that the center of the seat frame is closer to the line connecting the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM> compared to the line connecting the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM>.

The seat frame <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, is attached to an aft tube <NUM> with multiple bent portions and a forward tube <NUM> with multiple bent portions. For the aft tube <NUM>, the curvature of the first bent portion <NUM> may be more gradual than the curvature of the second bent portion <NUM>. Similarly, for the forward tube <NUM>, the curvature of the first bent portion <NUM> may be more gradual than the curvature of the second bent portion <NUM>. In some embodiments, the tubes for seat frame <NUM> combine features from the tubes for seat frames <NUM> and <NUM>. For the aft tube <NUM>, the first bent portion <NUM> and the second bent portion <NUM> may span the entire width between the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM> and meet one another at an inflection point <NUM>. Similarly, for the forward tube <NUM>, the first bent portion <NUM> and the second bent portion <NUM> may span the entire width between the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM> and meet one another at an inflection point <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first bent portion <NUM> may include a forwardmost point <NUM> and the second bent portion <NUM> may include an aftmost point <NUM>. For the forward tube <NUM>, the first bent portion <NUM> may include a forwardmost point <NUM> and the second bent portion <NUM> may include an aftmost point <NUM>. Based on the configuration of the aft tube <NUM> and the forward tube <NUM>, the seat frame <NUM> may be rotated between approximately <NUM>° and approximately <NUM>° relative to the forward/aft direction. In other cases, the seat frame may be rotated to any appropriate orientation.

In addition to the rotated orientation, in some embodiments, the aft tube <NUM> and the forward tube <NUM> are configured such that the seat frame <NUM> is offset in at least one direction relative to a conventional position (e.g., seat frame <NUM> in <FIG> is one example of a conventional position). The seat frame <NUM> may be offset in a lateral direction such that the seat frame <NUM> is closer to right side rail <NUM> compared to left side rail <NUM>. In some cases, a seat frame may be offset in the opposite direction such that the seat is closer to left side rail <NUM> compared to right side rail <NUM>. In some embodiments, the seat frame <NUM> is offset in the aft direction such that the center of the seat frame is closer to the line connecting the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM> compared to the line connecting the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM>. The seat frame may also be offset in the opposite direction such that the center of the seat frame is closer to the line connecting the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM> compared to the line connecting the first floor attachment <NUM> and the second floor attachment <NUM>.

The components of the structural attachment assembly <NUM> may be formed of materials including, but not limited to, aluminum, steel, titanium, carbon composite, graphite composite, polyester, nylon, plastic, thermoplastic, other fabric materials, stainless steel, other plastic or polymer materials, other metallic materials, other composite materials, or other similar materials. Moreover, the components of the structural attachment assembly <NUM> may be attached to one another via suitable fasteners, which include, but are not limited to, screws, bolts, rivets, or other mechanical or chemical fasteners.

Claim 1:
An arrangement of passenger seats for a vehicle, comprising:
an array (<NUM>) of passenger seats (<NUM>), at least one passenger seat (<NUM>) comprising:
a seat frame (<NUM>-<NUM>);
a plurality of legs (<NUM>) extending down from the seat frame (<NUM>-<NUM>), wherein each of the plurality of legs (<NUM>) comprises an upper end attached to the seat frame (<NUM>-<NUM>) and a lower end; and
at least one tube (<NUM>, <NUM>) attached to the lower end of at least one of the plurality of legs (<NUM>), wherein:
the at least one tube (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises at least two attachments (<NUM>, <NUM>) to a floor structure comprising two rails (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
the at least one tube (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises at least one bent portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) for extending between the two rails in a plane parallel to the floor;
wherein a configuration of the at least one bent portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) defines an orientation of one of the passenger seats (<NUM>) such that the one passenger seat (<NUM>) is non-parallel with at least one other passenger seat (<NUM>) in the array (<NUM>) of passenger seats (<NUM>).