Patent Description:
Passenger comfort can be an important consideration in carrier industries, particularly with air carriers. To this end, most seats in commercial passenger aircraft are able to recline, thereby providing a passenger some ability to adjust comfort. The recline motion can contribute to a passenger's comfort since the recline motion may influence both the passenger's posture and "living space" (e.g., amount of space between the passenger's seat and adjacent seats).

In a typical passenger aircraft seat, the recline motion allows the backrest to pivot backward, creating a <NUM>-<NUM> degree angle. This customarily causes <NUM>-<NUM> inches (<NUM>-<NUM>) of flat recline travel (e.g., a horizontal distance between the rear-most portion of the top of the seat back in the fully reclined state and in the fully non-reclined or upright state). The flat recline travel of the seat back is typically accompanied by a forward shift of the seat pan by about <NUM>-<NUM> inches (<NUM>-<NUM>) forward. Thus, a reclining passenger will typically perceive that reclining provides an increase in living space because the space between the passenger's face and the seat in front of the passenger is greater when the passenger's seat is reclined than when upright.

However, while reclining may provide a perceived increase in living space for the passenger initiating the recline, the seat back's <NUM>-<NUM> inches (<NUM>-<NUM>) of flat recline travel may intrude on the living space of a passenger seated immediately behind. Thus, a passenger seated behind another may often be frustrated at the loss of living space sacrificed by the choice made by the passenger in front to recline.

Document <CIT> describes a passenger seat including a seat base for being mounted on a support surface. A seat frame is carried by the seat base, and includes a seat bottom frame member and a seat back frame member positioned in a fixed angular relation to each other and the seat base.

Document <CIT> describes adjustable seats and components thereof. The seats, particularly (although not exclusively) useful in commercial aircraft, permit substantial angular recline without the corresponding rearward linear movement necessarily occurring in conventional seats.

Document <CIT> discloses a seat which does not occupy much more room in the inclined position than in the vertical position and the rear edge of which remains, in both of these positions, substantially in the same vertical plane. The seat is connected to a pedestal by a slideway / guide and a link.

A passenger seat is provided according to claim <NUM>.

Optional embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

The described embodiments of the invention provide reclining systems for passenger seats. While the reclining systems are discussed for use with aircraft seats, they are by no means so limited. Rather, embodiments of the reclining systems may be used in passenger seats or other seats of any type or otherwise as desired. For example, embodiments may be used on trains, buses, movie theaters, student seating, or any other instance when reclining capability for a seat may be useful.

In various embodiments, the reclining systems can allow reclining of a passenger seat in a manner that is non-intrusive to a passenger seated directly behind the seat. A body of the seat formed by the seat back fixed relative to the seat pan swings forward and/or downward during recline, e.g., so that a rearmost portion of the seat translates directly downward or otherwise does not pivot at all toward the passenger seated behind. Thus, for such a seat installed into a pre-existing row that is constrained to a particular amount of space between seats, the reclining motion may in effect allow the reclining passenger to eliminate rearward reclining travel in exchange for forward motion affecting his or her own legroom without affecting the head-level living space of the passenger behind. Yet, the reclining passenger may also be untroubled by the additional forward motion since the body of the seat being formed by the seat back fixed relative to the seat pan may cause the seat during recline to cradle the passenger in a manner that at least partially lifts a forward portion of the passenger's legs and reduces an overall horizontal distance needed to accommodate the passenger's legs. Accordingly, a passenger choosing to recline may do so with without significant sacrifice of the head-level living space for another passenger behind and also without experiencing a significant sacrifice in his or her own legroom. In various unclaimed examples, the rearmost portion of the seat rather than translating directly downward may still exhibit some minor degree of rearward recline travel, yet a passenger behind the seat may still deem the recline to be non-intrusive on account of that rearward recline travel amount being less than the <NUM> inches (<NUM>) already accepted as the low end of the norm for rearward recline travel in passenger seats.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in <FIG>, a reclining system <NUM> can be implemented relative to a passenger seat <NUM> and include a seat body <NUM> and at least one spreader <NUM>. The reclining system <NUM> may allow the passenger seat <NUM> to be reclinable. The at least one spreader <NUM> supports the seat body <NUM> and constrains motion of the seat body <NUM> between different positions within a range of recline motion, e.g., between a fully upright or maximum upright position (such as depicted in <FIG>) and a fully reclined or maximum reclined position (such as depicted in <FIG>).

The seat body <NUM> includes a seat back <NUM> and a seat pan <NUM>. The seat back <NUM> and the seat pan <NUM> are fixed relative to one another. For example, the seat back <NUM> and the seat pan <NUM> may be single load-bearing structure. The seat pan <NUM> being fixed relative to the seat back <NUM> may be useful in allowing the seat body <NUM> to cradle a passenger during recline in the manner described herein.

Respective elements of the seat body <NUM> may include suitable materials and/or features to facilitate various functions. For example, in various embodiments, the seat pan <NUM> and the front of the seat back <NUM> include non-rigid or pliable materials (e.g., fabric, textiles, foam, or other cushioning material) for the comfort of passengers when supported in the passenger seat <NUM>. Other more rigid materials may also be included, such as to reinforce pliable materials, or to provide components for other functions. For example, the seat back <NUM> on a rear side may include a shroud that is formed from rigid material and that is coupled with cushioning material of the seat back <NUM>. Suitable examples of rigid material that may be used for the shroud and/or other components described herein include, but are not limited to, aluminum, stainless steel, aramid fibers, polycarbonate, polypropylene, other metallic materials, composite materials, or other similar materials.

The seat back <NUM> can include suitable contouring or other features for facilitating passenger comfort. For example, the seat back <NUM> may include a headrest <NUM>. The headrest may be of a fixed shape or may be adjustable to accommodate differences in preference and/or sizes of passengers.

The seat pan <NUM> can include suitable contouring or other features for facilitating passenger comfort. For example, in <FIG>, the seat pan <NUM> is shown including or coupled with a flexible bullnose <NUM> at a forward end of the seat pan <NUM>. The bullnose <NUM> may include a flexible member comprised of a elastomer, polymer, rubber, silicone, spring metal, or other material, which may deflect and repeatedly return to its original position or otherwise provide adequate flexibility and resilience to avoid permanent deformation. In various embodiments, the bullnose <NUM> may move between a static position (e.g., <FIG>) and a flexed position (e.g., <FIG>) along a motion path. In use, the bullnose <NUM> may provide varying support to the thighs of a passenger, particularly when the passenger reclines the passenger seat <NUM>. For example, the bullnose <NUM> may flex between the static position and the flexed position to provide support and comfort to the passenger as the passenger moves, adjusts his or her seat, or changes position. In certain embodiments, the bullnose <NUM> may be adapted to flex so that a passenger's feet remain in contact with the ground even when the seat <NUM> is reclined and the forward portion of the seat pan <NUM> may be angled away from the passenger compartment floor. The bullnose <NUM>, similar to the seat pan <NUM>, may be upholstered with additional fabric, cushioning, or other supports to provide a more aesthetically pleasing look and feel, and to improve passenger comfort.

The at least one spreader <NUM> supports the seat body <NUM>. The at least one spreader <NUM> may correspond to multiple spreaders <NUM> (such as in an arrangement that includes one the left side and another on the right side of a passenger seat <NUM>), although for simplicity herein, discussion will primarily focus on a single spreader <NUM>.

The spreader <NUM> may separate the passenger seat <NUM> from a laterally adjacent seat, such as to the left or right. The spreader <NUM> can provide the attachment and structural connection between the seat body <NUM> and seat tubes (not shown) or other structure of the vehicle or mode of transport. Although not shown, the spreader <NUM> may have a portion (e.g., L-shaped or other shape) that extends above the seat pan <NUM> to provide structure for the armrests of the passenger seat <NUM>. In some examples, armrests may be instead directly mounted to the seat back <NUM>. The spreader <NUM> may provide structure to hold other parts of the seat, such as the seat back <NUM>, seat pan <NUM>, seat body <NUM>, armrests, and/or seatbelt attachment.

In <FIG>, the spreader <NUM> is depicted in place relative to the seat body <NUM>, while in <FIG>, the spreader <NUM> is shown in isolation and with additional features shown. As may be best appreciated with reference to <FIG>, the spreader <NUM> can include a spreader body <NUM>. In various embodiments, the spreader body <NUM> is formed of a single piece of material with appropriate cut-outs or other features formed therein, although the spreader body <NUM> may be formed of any combination of materials or parts by any suitable construction process. Features shown formed in the spreader body <NUM> in <FIG> include seat tube apertures <NUM>, motion track segments <NUM> (e.g., front motion track segment 121A and rear motion track segment 121B), light-weighting openings <NUM>, and a seatbelt attachment point <NUM>, although different combinations and/or configurations than the specific arrangement shown in <FIG> are also possible. For example, the seatbelt attachment point may be located on the seat body <NUM> in some examples.

As noted, motion track segments <NUM> are provided by the at least one spreader <NUM>. In <FIG>, two motion track segments <NUM> are shown in one spreader <NUM>, with the front motion track segment 121A in a front portion of the spreader body <NUM> and the rear motion track segment 121B in a rear portion of the spreader body <NUM>. In some unclaimed examples, motion track segments <NUM> may be distributed among different spreaders <NUM>, for example, with one of the front motion track segment 121A or the rear motion track segment 121B being in a spreader <NUM> on a left side of the passenger seat <NUM>, and the other being in a spreader <NUM> on the a right side of the passenger seat <NUM>.

The motion track segments <NUM> may be configured to accept rollers or other sliding members <NUM> from the seat body <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the motion track segments <NUM> will be disposed on the inside surface of the spreader <NUM> to eliminate or reduce potential pinch points. For example, the front motion track segment 121A and the rear motion track segment 121B may correspond to indentations that are formed on an inside face of the spreader body <NUM> and do not penetrate through an outside face of the spreader body <NUM> or through a cover that may be joined to or for part of the spreader body <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG>, the seat body <NUM> may be coupled with the spreader <NUM> by rollers or other sliding members <NUM> received in the motion track segments <NUM>. For example, the sliding members <NUM> may extend out from the seat body <NUM> and into the motion track segments <NUM>. The sliding members <NUM> may be capable of moving within the motion track segments <NUM> to allow the seat body <NUM> to move relative to the spreader <NUM>. For example, referring first <FIG>, a particular sliding member 127A positioned at the rearward end of its respective motion track segment 121A when the seat body <NUM> is in a maximum upright position may move along the motion track segment 121A for reclining until reaching a point (e.g., shown in <FIG>) of being positioned at the forward end of its motion track segment 121A, which may constrain the seat body <NUM> from moving past a maximum reclined position. When returning the seat body <NUM> toward upright, the sliding member 127A may move along its motion track segment 121A in the opposite direction and reach the rearward end of its motion track segment 121A to constrain the seat body <NUM> from moving past a maximum upright position.

The motion track segments <NUM> may constrain the motion of the seat body <NUM> along a certain path of travel and/or between particular points. For example, whereas use of only a single sliding member <NUM> in a single motion track segment <NUM> might allow rotation about the respective sliding member <NUM> during movement along the motion track segment <NUM>, including two sliding members <NUM> within two motion track segments <NUM> may restrict or constrain two degrees of freedom of the seat body <NUM> and allow one degree of freedom to allow the seat body <NUM> to move in a stable predetermined path for recline. Moreover, although the motion track segments <NUM> are depicted in <FIG> as distinct grooves that are unconnected to one another, in some embodiments, the motion track segments <NUM> may be connected to one another by an intervening portion (such as illustrated in dashed lines at 127C) or otherwise form sub-portions of a larger groove.

The motion track segments <NUM> may be configured to displace the passenger seat <NUM> in a rocking or cradling motion in which the passenger seat <NUM> is displaced downward and forward for recline. Although the front motion track segment 121A and the rear motion track segment 121B are respectively depicted as straight and curved, any suitable combination of straight or curved shapes may be used to obtain a desired motion profile between endpoints of the recline motion. While unpowered recline of the passenger seat <NUM> may be preferable in certain applications, in some embodiments the rocking or cradling motion of the passenger seat may be assisted or accomplished through the use of springs, gas springs, or electric motors.

As noted, the spreader <NUM> may constrain the seat body <NUM> to certain types of motion. For ease of explanation of various options of such motion, various reference lines are shown throughout the figures.

For example, for the passenger seat <NUM> in the upright state depicted in in <FIG>, the reference line RU is aligned with a vertical direction and coincides with a rearmost portion of the seat <NUM> in the upright position. The reference line SB represents a straight line aligned along the seat back <NUM> and may be useful for identifying an upright seat back angle αU at which the seat back <NUM> is aligned in the upright position relative to the vertical direction represented by RU. Similarly, the reference line SP represents a straight line aligned along the seat pan <NUM> and may be useful for identifying an upright seat pan angle βU at which the seat pan <NUM> is aligned in the upright position relative to the horizontal direction H.

Similar reference lines are identified for the passenger seat <NUM> in the reclined state depicted in <FIG>. For example, in <FIG>, the reference line RR is aligned with a vertical direction and coincides with a rearmost portion of the seat <NUM> in the reclined position. The reference line SB again represents a straight line aligned along the seat back <NUM> and may be useful for identifying a reclined seat back angle αR at which the seat back <NUM> is aligned in the reclined position relative to the vertical direction represented by RR. Similarly, the reference line SP again represents a straight line aligned along the seat pan <NUM> and may be useful for identifying a reclined seat pan angle PR at which the seat pan <NUM> is aligned in the reclined position relative to the horizontal direction H.

For comparison, <FIG> shows a first vertical reference line R1 and a second vertical reference line R2. A distance between the first vertical reference line R1 and the second vertical reference line R2 is graphically identified as RT in <FIG> and may correspond to an amount of flat recline travel. However, it is also to be noted that although the first vertical reference line R1 and the second vertical reference line R2 are shown spaced apart in <FIG> (e.g., corresponding to a non-zero amount of recline travel RT), this is for ease of viewing the relative location of the relevant dimension and does not preclude the possibility of the recline travel RT having a value of zero. For example, on the one hand, in some unclaimed examples, <FIG>'s vertical reference lines R1 and R2 may respectively correspond to the vertical reference lines RU and RR of <FIG> and <FIG> such that there is a non-zero recline travel RT distance between the rearmost portion of the seat <NUM> in the upright position and the reclined position. On the other hand, the vertical reference lines RU and RR of <FIG> and <FIG> each maps to <FIG>'s vertical reference line R1 such that there is zero recline travel RT distance between the rearmost portion of the seat <NUM> in the upright position and the reclined position.

In some embodiments, the motion track segments <NUM> (e.g., the front motion track segment 121A and the rear motion track segment 121B) are sized and arranged to cause a reclining motion in which the passenger seat <NUM> rotates (e.g., as illustrated by arrow <NUM>) about an axis AR located adjacent the headrest <NUM> of the passenger seat <NUM>. The portion of the seat body <NUM> that is below the axis AR may accordingly rotate away from vertical, for example, such that the reclined seat back angle αR in <FIG> is greater than the upright seat back angle αU in <FIG>. Such rotation may also cause a forward end of seat pan <NUM> to rotate upward from horizontal <NUM>, for example, such that the reclined seat pan angle βR in <FIG> is greater the upright seat pan angle βU in <FIG>. Rotating the seat pan <NUM> upward can reduce a horizontal distance occupied by the legs of the passenger, and/or cause the bullnose <NUM> to flex downward, if present.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, the axis AR is depicted located at a position coinciding with a rearmost part of the passenger seat <NUM>. Such positioning may allow the seat <NUM> to recline without any portion of the seat <NUM> moving rearwardly into living space behind the seat <NUM>. In some embodiments, the location of the axis AR may be varied without incurring an intrusive amount of rearward motion of the seat <NUM>. One such alternate location AL for the axis AR is shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, although alternate placement is not limited to the depicted alternate location AL. In some embodiments, the axis AR is positioned at or below a base of the headrest <NUM>. In some embodiments, the seat back <NUM> is configured to receive a passenger and to support shoulders of the passenger at a shoulder level, and the axis AR is positioned above that shoulder level.

In some embodiments, the axis AR may undergo a vertical translation downward as part of the recline motion from the upright position to the reclined position. For example, as shown in <FIG>, this may correspond to a downward translation represented by downward arrow <NUM>, such as from reference point A in the upright position to reference point B in the reclined position.

In some embodiments, the motion track segments <NUM> (e.g., the front motion track segment 121A and the rear motion track segment 121B) are sized and arranged such that the seat back <NUM> is constrained to move from a maximum upright position (e.g., in solid lines in <FIG>) to a maximum reclined position (e.g., in dashed lines in <FIG>) in a manner that prevents the seat back <NUM> from crossing a vertical reference plane (e.g., R1) that intersects a rear-most point on the seat back <NUM> in the maximum upright position.

In some embodiments, a portion of the seat back <NUM><NUM> is permitted to cross the vertical reference plane (e.g., R1) that intersects a rear-most point on the seat back <NUM> in the maximum upright position. For example, with reference to <FIG>, the seat <NUM> may be allowed to pivot backwards so that the rearmost portion of the seat <NUM> in the maximum reclined position is coincident with a second reference plane R2 that differs from and is spaced apart by a recline travel distance RT from a first reference plane R1 that intersects a rear-most point on the seat back <NUM> in the maximum upright position. A variety of different ranges may be non-intrusive to a passenger and/or provide other advantages.

The seat back <NUM> is constrained to move without rearward translation in recline travel RT. Such motion may have the benefit of allowing a reclining passenger to recline without sacrificing any head-level living space for another passenger seated behind.

The seat back <NUM> is constrained to move without rearward translation in recline travel RT or in some unclaimed examples, the seat back <NUM> is constrained to move without forward translation in recline travel RT. Such motion may allow the seat <NUM> to recline without negatively impacting a forward or backward amount of head-level living space for either the reclining passenger or a passenger seated directly behind.

In some unclaimed examples, the rearmost portion of the seat back <NUM> is additionally or alternatively constrained to move straight downward without forward translation in recline travel when the passenger seat <NUM> transitions from the upright position to the reclined position. The rearmost portion of the seat back <NUM> is constrained to move straight downward without rearward translation in recline travel when the passenger seat <NUM> transitions from the upright position to the reclined position. Such motion may allow the seat pan <NUM> to tilt up and facilitate a rocking or cradling motion of the seat <NUM> without negatively impacting a forward or backward amount of head-level living space for either the reclining passenger or a passenger seated directly behind.

The motion track segments <NUM> (e.g., the front motion track segment 121A and the rear motion track segment 121B) are sized and arranged to cause a reclining motion in which the passenger seat <NUM> undergoes motion that may be recognized by respective motion of sub-components. The passenger seat <NUM> transitioning from the upright position to the reclined position causes the passenger seat <NUM> to move so that the seat pan <NUM> translates down and forward (e.g., such as indicated in <FIG> by downward arrow <NUM> and leftward arrow <NUM> relative to a reference point <NUM> shown on both the upright position of the seat body <NUM> in solid lines and the reclined position of the seat body <NUM> in dashed lines). In an unclaimed example, the passenger seat <NUM> further may move so that the seat back <NUM> is constrained to undergo less than a particular threshold described herein of rearward translation in recline travel RT when the passenger seat <NUM> transitions from the upright position to the reclined position. The passenger seat <NUM> further moves so that the seat back <NUM> moves at least partially downward (e.g., as illustrated by downward arrow <NUM>) when the passenger seat <NUM> transitions from the upright position to the reclined position.

Claim 1:
A passenger seat (<NUM>), comprising:
a seat pan (<NUM>); a seat body (<NUM>) formed by a seat back (<NUM>) fixed relative to the seat pan (<NUM>); and
at least one spreader (<NUM>),
wherein the at least one spreader (<NUM>) comprises two motion track segments (<NUM>) configured to constrain movement of the seat body (<NUM>) such that:
the seat body (<NUM>) swings forward relative to the spreader (<NUM>) to increase an angle of the seat back (<NUM>) relative to vertical when the passenger seat (<NUM>) transitions from an upright position to a reclined position;
the seat pan (<NUM>) at a reference point of the seat pan (<NUM>) translates down and forward when the passenger seat (<NUM>) transitions from the upright position to the reclined position; and
the seat back (<NUM>) is constrained to move without rearward translation in recline travel when the passenger seat (<NUM>) transitions from the upright position to the reclined position.