Patent Description:
Modern aircraft are typically equipped with cabin attendant seats for use by the cabin crew during taxi, takeoff and landing of the aircraft. Cabin attendant seats are typically located near the aircraft exits to position the cabin crew to assist passengers exiting the aircraft during an emergency event. Most cabin attendant seats include a fixed backrest and a pivoting seat pan coupled to a frame, wherein the seat pan is configured to stow against the backrest between uses to position the seat pan out of the aisle ways.

While most vehicle seats have provisions for adjustability for improving seat comfort (e.g., backrest angle, seat pan tilt, headrest level, lumbar, etc.), conventional cabin attendant seats implementing a hinged seat pan have a fixed seat pan height accommodating a general physique of a particular demographic. Considering an ergonomic seating posture requires the occupant's knees to be either at the same level as their hips or slightly lower, a fixed seat pan height can cause discomfort to an occupant of either very tall or very short stature.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a repositionable seat pan that overcomes the aforementioned and other disadvantages associated with hinged seat pans. <CIT> describes a flight attendant seat with a height adjustable seat pan. <CIT> describes a compact aircraft cabin attendant seat.

A cabin attendant seat (CAS) for an aircraft is defined in claim <NUM>. Spaced frame members include parallel guide tracks each having a linear portion and successive pivot positions formed at one end of the linear portion. Each of the successive pivot positions corresponds to a different seat pan height. A backrest is coupled to the spaced frame elements above the parallel guide tracks. A seat pan movably coupled to the parallel guide tracks is configured to translate along the linear portions of the guide tracks when the seat pan is in a stowed condition and configured to pivot between the stowed condition and a deployed condition when aligned with one of the successive pivot positions, wherein the seat pan pivots toward the deployed condition to lock the seat pan in the aligned one of the successive pivot positions and pivots toward the stowed condition to unlock the seat pan from engagement in the aligned one of the successive pivot positions. In the fully stowed condition the seat pan resides below the backrest to provide a low profile CAS.

Each of the successive pivot positions is a circular opening having a diameter which is greater than a width of the linear portion.

In some embodiments, the seat pan on each opposing side therefore includes a hinge pin engaged in one of the parallel guide tracks having a first portion for maintaining the hinge pin in the guide track and a second portion extending from the first portion and defining a feature that interacts in a first orientation with the linear portion to permit vertical translation of the hinge pin along the linear portion, and interacts in a second orientation with one of the successive pivot positions to prevent vertical translation of the hinge pin. A lever is coupled to the hinge pin such that pivoting motion of the lever arm rotates the feature between the first and second orientations.

In some embodiments, the feature includes first and second pairs of diagonally opposed parallel faces wherein the first pair of parallel faces interacts with the linear portion when the seat pan is in the fully stowed condition, the second pair of diagonally opposed faces interacts with the linear portion when the seat pan is in the stowed condition, the seat pan is most vertical when in the fully stowed condition, and the feature is longer than the width of the linear portion.

In some embodiments, the seat pan on each opposing side thereof includes a hinge pin slidable along a length of one of the guide tracks, a barrel lock positioned over a cylindrical portion of the hinge pin and defining a longitudinally extending helical slot, a pin received through the helical slot and received in an opening formed in the cylindrical portion, and a lever arm coupled to the barrel lock. In use, when the seat pan is aligned with one of the successive pivot positions, pivoting motion of the lever arm toward the deployed condition drives the barrel lock horizontally into engagement with the aligned one of the successive pivot positions and pivoting motion of the lever arm toward the stowed condition drives the barrel lock horizontally out of engagement with the alignment one of the successive pivot positions, wherein driving motion is driven by movement of the pin along the length of the longitudinally extending helical slot.

In some embodiments, the pin is operable for converting the pivoting motion of the lever arm into helical motion of the barrel lock.

In some embodiments, the barrel lock and the lever arm are slidably coupled to permit horizontal translation of the barrel lock relative to the lever arm as the lever arm pivots between the stowed condition and the deployed condition of the seat pan.

In some embodiments, the barrel lock includes diametrically opposed longitudinal slots formed along an exterior surface of the barrel lock, wherein barrel screws threaded through the lever arm engage in the diametrically opposed longitudinal slots to guide the horizontal translation of the barrel lock relative to the lever arm.

In some embodiments, the assembly further includes a biasing mechanism coupled to the seat pan for urging the seat pan toward the fully stowed condition.

This brief summary is provided solely as an introduction to subject matter that is fully described in the detailed description and illustrated in the drawings. This brief 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 exemplary and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the subject matter claimed.

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 set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.

The present disclosure describes an aircraft cabin attendant seat including a stowable and repositionable seat pan for varying the seat pan height.

With reference to <FIG>, a cabin attendant seat (CAS) <NUM> is shown conceptually to illustrate the general working of the seat. As used herein, the term CAS is intended to refer to any auxiliary seat type implemented in an aircraft, other conveyance type, or elsewhere. The CAS <NUM> generally includes a structural frame <NUM> configured for attachment to a wall, monument, floor, seating unit, or elsewhere. A backrest <NUM> is coupled to and supported by the frame <NUM>. In some embodiments, the backrest is fixed. A seat pan <NUM> is mounted separate from the backrest <NUM> and is movably coupled to the frame <NUM>, and according to the present disclosure, is movable between a stowed condition shown in <FIG> in which the seat pan is vertical or substantially vertical, and a deployed conditions at a different height shown in each of <FIG> in which the seat pan is horizontal or at a slight angle to horizontal (e.g., tilted) to provide an ergonomic sitting position. As used herein, the term "deployed condition" refers to the usable state of the seat pan for sitting (e.g., "open"), the term "fully stowed condition" refers to the seat pan state when positioned vertically below the backrest (e.g., "closed"), and the term "stowed condition" refers to any intermediate state between the deployed condition and the fully stowed condition (e.g., partially open or closed). As such, movement toward the deployed conditioned is referred to herein as "opening" the seat pan, and movement toward the stowed conditions is referred to herein as "closing" the seat pan.

The seat pan <NUM> is selectively repositionable along certain portions of the frame <NUM> to vary or adjust the seat pan height according to occupant preference. When not in use, the seat pan <NUM> closes (e.g., pivots) and descends (e.g., translates) down the frame into position below the backrest <NUM>, thus providing a stowed seat having a very thin profile. As discussed further below, direct motion of deploying the seat pan <NUM> locks the seat pan in place at a chosen height, and direction motion of stowing the seat pan allows the seat pan to move to a different chosen height or to be stowed. The same mechanism operable for locking the seat pan <NUM> in the deployed condition prevents the seat pan from deploying inadvertently when not in use.

With reference to <FIG>, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a portion of a first mechanism for stowing the seat pan and enabling height adjustment is shown generally at <NUM>. While only one-half of the mechanism <NUM> is shown and without the seat pan for clarity of the disclosure, it is understood that the mechanism includes like elements symmetrically positioned in spaced apart relation supporting a seat pan therebetween. The mechanism <NUM> includes frame elements <NUM> positioned in spaced apart relation which may be implemented as elongate vertical members supporting both the coupled backrest and the movably coupled seat pan. Each frame element <NUM> incorporates, defines or forms a vertical guide track <NUM> or slot along a portion of the length of its inboard facing side <NUM>. In the complete mechanism, the guide tracks <NUM> face each other and are parallel and horizontally aligned.

Each guide track <NUM> includes an elongate linear portion <NUM> and successive pivot positions <NUM> formed at the upper end of the linear portion. In some embodiments, the guide track <NUM> may include a T-shaped slot within which a portion of the mechanism can slide. Each successive pivot position <NUM> corresponds to a different seat pan deployment height. As shown, each successive pivot position <NUM> may be a metered circular opening or profile formed through the face of the frame element <NUM>. The successive pivot positions <NUM> are interconnected such that the seat pan can translate vertically along the entire length of the guide track <NUM> when in the stowed condition. A hinge pin <NUM> interacts with the guide track <NUM> by way of rotational and translational motion. For example, the hinge pin <NUM> translates relative to the guide track <NUM> when the seat pan is in the stowed condition or fully stowed condition, and rotates relative to the guide track when horizontally aligned with one of the successive pivot positions <NUM>.

The hinge pin <NUM> defines a first portion <NUM> formed, for example, as an enlarged circular head dimensioned diametrically larger than the successive pivot positions <NUM> and width of the linear portion <NUM> to maintain engagement in the guide track <NUM>. The hinge pin <NUM> further defines or includes a second portion <NUM> formed, for example, as a profiled feature <NUM> extending from the first portion <NUM>. The profiled feature <NUM> interacts in a first orientation with the linear portion <NUM> of the guide track <NUM> to permit vertical translation of the hinge pin <NUM> along the linear portion, and interacts in a second orientation, different from the first orientation, when engaged in one of the successive pivot positions <NUM> to prevent vertical translation of the hinge pin and to lock the seat in place at its chosen vertical height. As shown, the profile includes opposed angled sides forming first and second pairs of diagonally opposed parallel faces <NUM>.

The mechanism <NUM> further includes a lever arm <NUM> directly fixed to the hinge pin <NUM>, for example, using a pair of set screws <NUM> that allow the lever arm and hinge pin to move as a single unit. The lever arm <NUM> couples to the seat pan, for example, by direct attachment to the side of the seat pan or incorporation into the seat pan construction.

With reference to <FIG>, the seat pan adjustment mechanism is shown in various positions and orientations. With specific reference to <FIG>, the hinge pin <NUM> and lever arm <NUM> are shown positioned along the linear portion <NUM> of the guide track <NUM> corresponding to the closed or stowed condition of the seat pan. In some embodiments, the diagonally opposed parallel faces <NUM> provide a limited amount of pivotal motion or "play" in the mechanism when in the stowed condition to allow the "top" of the seat pan to clear the bottom of the backrest during initial vertical movement of the seat pan upward. In some embodiments, one pair of the diagonally opposed parallel faces <NUM> interacts with the linear portion <NUM> of the guide track <NUM> when the seat pan is in the fully stowed condition, and the other pair of the diagonally opposed parallel faces <NUM> interacts with the linear portion <NUM> of the guide track <NUM> when the seat pan is opened slightly to be translated vertically upward. The profiled feature <NUM> has a longitudinal dimension greater than the width of the linear portion <NUM> of the guide track <NUM> to prevent hinge pin rotation, beyond that between the fully stowed and stowed conditions, when the profiled feature <NUM> is substantially vertical, and has a length substantially equal to the diameter of the successive pivot positions <NUM> to prevent vertical translation when the seat pan is in the deployed condition or near the deployed condition when the profiled feature <NUM> is substantially horizontal. The diameter of each successive pivot position <NUM> is equal and is greater than the width of the linear portion <NUM> of the guide track <NUM> to prevent vertical translation when the profiled feature is substantially horizontal.

With specific reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the hinge pin <NUM> and attached lever arm <NUM> are shown raised into alignment with the uppermost successive pivot position to allow seat pan rotation. With specific reference to <FIG>, the seat pan is opened to the deployed condition such that the profiled feature <NUM> of the hinge pin <NUM> is substantially horizontal, thereby locking the seat pan in the deployed condition. The seat pan can be repositioned to a different successive pivot position <NUM> to lower the seat pan height by reversing the seat pan movement sequence, i.e., closing the seat pan, vertically translating the hinge pin lower into horizontal alignment with a different successive pivot position, and opening the seat pan to lock the seat pan in place.

With reference to <FIG>, seat pan over rotation past the deployed condition, the deployed condition corresponding to the sitting position, can be prevented using mechanical stops and/or profiled features of the hinge pin. As shown, in some embodiments the profiled features <NUM> may be shaped to interact with portions of the guide tracks <NUM> to prevent over rotation in one or more directions. For example, the width of the profiled feature <NUM> may be sized to permit vertical translation along the track <NUM> while the length may be dimensioned to prevent rotation to a certain point, at which point rotation is stopped via engagement of the profiled feature with portions of the guide track <NUM>, and in which rotation occurs when the profiled feature is aligned with one of the successive pivot positions. Thus, in some embodiments, a first portion of the hinge pin may interact with the successive pivot positions to permit rotation when the first portion and one of the successive pivot positions are aligned, while a second portion of the hinge pin may interact with part of the guide track to prevent over rotation past the sitting position. As shown, opposite sides of the profiled feature simultaneously engage opposing sides of the guide track <NUM> for stability. While control of over rotation past the deployed condition may be more critical, the profiled feature may also prevent over rotation past the stowed condition through an opposite interaction. With specific reference to <FIG>, the profiled feature <NUM> is shown aligned to permit vertical translation and/or rotation with an aligned one of the pivot positions. With specific reference to <FIG>, the profiled feature <NUM> is shown rotated to its maximum rotational position, to achieve the sitting position, and interacting with facing portions of the guide track <NUM> to prevent any further rotation past the sitting position. Other configurations of mechanical stops may include features coupled to or defined in the frame elements, or other features interacting with the lever arms or directly with the seat pan.

In use, with the seat pan initially in the fully stowed condition, the lever arms are substantially vertically oriented and below the backrest. The hinge pin profile allows the lever arms to tilt forward slightly so as not to interfere with the backrest when raising the seat pan. Once tilted slightly forward, the seat pan can be raised by translating (e.g., sliding) the seat pan hinge pins along the respective T-slots provided in the frame element. Once the hinge pins align with any of the successive pivot positions (e.g., two, three, four or more metering circular profiles) at the top of the slots, the seat pan is permitted to open freely. If the seat pan hinges are not aligned with one of the successive pivot positions the seat pan will not open. A hard stop feature, such as that shown in <FIG>, stops the rotation of the seat pan lever arms after about a quarter turn of the seat pan lever arms or when the seat pan becomes substantially horizontal to allow the occupant to be seated. Since the outer circular profiles of the seat pan hinges engage with the circular profiles of the metering openings, the seat pan lever arms will not descend down within the slots provided in the frame element when the load acts on the seat pan. The same procedure can be applied in the reverse order to stow the seat pan. After the seat pan descends completely it can be stowed in a vertical orientation in the vertical plane of the backrest. The load on the seat pan is transferred directly from the seat pan to the seat pan lever arms, then to the seat pin hinge pins, and ultimately to the metered openings in the frame elements.

With reference to <FIG>, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a portion of a second mechanism for stowing the seat pan and enabling height adjustment is shown generally at <NUM>. As with the first embodiment, only one-half of the mechanism <NUM> is shown and without the seat pan for clarity of the disclosure; however, it is understood that the mechanism includes like elements symmetrically positioned in spaced apart relation supporting a seat pan therebetween. The mechanism <NUM> again includes frame elements <NUM> positioned in spaced apart relation which may be implemented as elongate vertical members supporting both the coupled backrest and the movably coupled seat pan. Each frame element <NUM> is provided with a vertical guide track <NUM> positioned along its inboard facing side <NUM>. In the complete mechanism, the guide tracks <NUM> face each other and are parallel and horizontally aligned.

Each guide track <NUM> includes an elongate slot having a linear portion <NUM> and successive pivot positions <NUM>, for example implements as circular metered openings, provided at the upper end of the linear portion <NUM>. The guide tracks <NUM> may include any predetermined number of pivot positions, for instance two, three, or four or more, depending on the desired number of possible height adjustments. Each successive pivot position <NUM> corresponds to a different seat pan deployment height. As shown, the metered circular openings are formed at a shallow depth in the slot such that the seat pan hinge pin can travel along the full length of the slot and the barrel lock can be driven in or out of engagement with one of the aligned circular openings, as discussed further below.

The hinge pin <NUM> interacts with the guide track <NUM> by sliding vertically up or down along the length of the slot. The hinge pin <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM> which is elongate to prevent rotation of the hinge pin within the slot, and a second portion <NUM> having a cylindrical profile. A barrel lock <NUM> is assembled over the cylindrical profile of the hinge pin <NUM>. The barrel lock <NUM> is provided with a longitudinally extending helical slot <NUM>. A barrel lock pin <NUM> is inserted through the helical slot <NUM> and is received in an opening <NUM> provided in the cylindrical profile of the hinge pin <NUM> such that the barrel lock pin <NUM> is fixed relative to the hinge pin <NUM> and the barrel lock pin <NUM> is operable for converting the rotational motion of the lever arm <NUM> into helical motion of the barrel lock <NUM>.

The barrel lock <NUM> and the lever arm <NUM> are slidably coupled to allow horizontal translation of the barrel lock <NUM> relative to the lever arm <NUM> while rotational motion therebetween is prevented. Linear slots <NUM> provided along diametrically opposed sides of the outer circumference of the barrel lock <NUM> receive a set of barrel screws <NUM> that engage in the linear slots <NUM>. The set of screws <NUM>, or similar feature(s), are operable for transferring rotational motion from the lever arm <NUM> to the barrel lock <NUM> and the screw/slot arrangement permits the barrel lock <NUM> to slide horizontally in and out of engagement with the pivot positions.

With reference to <FIG>, the seat pan adjustment mechanism is shown in various positions and configurations. With specific reference to <FIG>, the mechanism <NUM> is shown positioned along the linear portion <NUM> of the guide track <NUM> corresponding to the closed or stowed condition of the seat pan. The seat pan is pivoted by means of the lever arms <NUM>. Rotation of the lever arm <NUM> toward the closed or stowed condition drives the barrel lock <NUM> out of engagement with the slot according to the helical motion of the barrel lock <NUM>, and further into the lever arm <NUM> according to the translational coupling of the barrel lock <NUM> and the lever arm <NUM>. With specific reference to <FIG>, in the closed or stowed condition the mechanism <NUM> can be translated vertically upward into alignment with a chosen one of the metered circular openings <NUM> formed in the face of the slot. With specific reference to <FIG>, rotational (e.g., pivoting) motion of the lever arm <NUM> toward the open or deployed condition drives the barrel lock <NUM> away from the lever arm <NUM> and into engagement within the chosen and aligned metered opening according to the helical motion of the barrel lock <NUM>.

In use, with the seat pan initially in the fully stowed condition, the lever arms are substantially vertically oriented and below the backrest. Spacing between the outboard face of the barrel lock and the face of the slot permits the lever arm to rotate slightly to open the seat pan to clear the bottom end of the backrest during initial seat pan translation. Once tilted slightly forward the seat pan can be raised into alignment with any one of the metered openings provided on the frame such that the lever arm can rotate to open the seat pan to the deployed condition. The hinge pin holds the barrel lock pin which drives the barrel lock through the helical slot. When the barrel lock is rotated by the seat pan lever arm, due to the presence of the barrel lock pin held in the hinge pin and the helical slot formed in the barrel, the barrel lock is driven outwards (i.e., toward the frame element) by helical motion into the aligned one of the circular metering profiles provided in the frame element. The rotation of the lever arm and the barrel lock pin are operable for converting the rotational motion of the lever arm into helical motion of the barrel lock to lock or unlock the barrel lock relative to the slot. If the mechanism is not aligned with one of the metered openings the seat pan will not open to the deployed condition.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, an exemplary implementation of one of the mechanisms according to the first or second embodiment is shown at <NUM>. As shown, the frame elements <NUM> positioned in parallel spaced apart relation extend vertically upward to support the backrest <NUM> separate from the repositionable seat pan <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, the mechanisms according to the present disclosure may further include a biasing mechanism <NUM> for biasing the seat pan toward the closed or stowed condition to provide a self-stowing function. In an exemplary embodiment, the biasing mechanism <NUM> may be implemented as spiral torsion spring <NUM> including spring steel having a first end coupled to the frame or other static element and a second end coupled to the seat pan assembly, for instance to an implementation of the hinge pin <NUM>, such that opening the seat pan winds the spring. Other spring configuration known to those skilled in the art can be implemented.

Benefits of the mechanisms according to the present disclosure include a thin profile when the seat pan is in the fully stowed condition and lighter weight as compared to conventional auxiliary seats. Further, the locking and unlocking of the seat pan is achieved by the opening and closing motion of the seat pan, thereby obviating the need for separate links or components with dedicated locking functions. In addition, the mechanisms include a provision for inadvertent seat pan deployment when stowed. Lastly, unlike convention auxiliary seats having a fixed seat pan height, the mechanisms according to the present disclosure provide adjustability to accommodate occupants of a larger demographic of the population while improving seat comfort.

Claim 1:
A cabin attendant seat for an aircraft, comprising:
spaced frame elements (<NUM>, <NUM>) including parallel guide tracks (<NUM>, <NUM>) each having a linear portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) and successive pivot positions (<NUM>, <NUM>) formed at one end of the linear portion, each of the successive pivot positions corresponding to a different seat pan height;
a backrest (<NUM>) coupled to the spaced frame elements (<NUM>, <NUM>) above the parallel guide tracks (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
a seat pan (<NUM>) movably coupled to the parallel guide tracks (<NUM>, <NUM>), the seat pan (<NUM>) configured to pivot between the stowed condition and a deployed condition when aligned with one of the successive pivot positions, and wherein the seat pan (<NUM>) when in a fully stowed condition is positioned below the backrest (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the seat pan is configured to translate along the linear portions of the guide tracks when the seat pan is in a stowed condition, in that the seat pan is configured to pivot toward the deployed condition to lock the seat pan in the aligned one of the successive pivot positions and in that the seat pan is configured to pivot toward the stowed condition to unlock the seat pan from engagement in the aligned one of the successive pivot positions, and in that each of the successive pivot positions (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a circular opening having a diameter which is greater than a width of the linear portion (<NUM>, <NUM>).