Patent Description:
Passenger aircraft typically include different seating classes. Economy classes are characterized by rows of attached seats and a seat pitch that allows for a minimal amount of backrest recline. Premium classes are characterized by separate seats and a greater seat pitch that allows for maximum seat adjustability. For instance, some super premium seats are configured to achieve a horizontal bed during flight.

In the case of long-haul flights, a passenger may desire to purchase an entire economy class seat row for privacy and comfort. In other cases, when a flight is not full, passengers may redistribute throughout the cabin to maximize spacing between passengers. In either case, economy class passenger seat rows do not include a provision to sleep.

Therefore, what is needed is a passenger seat row configured with an in-flight bed mode. <CIT> discloses an aircraft seat comprising a seat pan and a backrest. The backrest includes a movable element which is detachable from the backrest and attachable to the seat pan to extend the seat pan surface in order to form an extended bed-like surface. <CIT> discloses a vehicle seat comprising a frame, a backrest, coupled to the frame, and a seating unit. The seating unit comprises a seating base that is movable between a withdrawn position, wherein a side of the seating base is substantially adjacent to the backrest and an extended position, wherein the seating base is positioned at a distance from the backrest so as to allow the passenger to rest their legs on the seating element.

Broadly speaking, the present disclosure provides economy class passenger seat rows configured with an in-flight bed mode.

To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, the inventive aspects disclosed herein are directed to a passenger seat row according to claim <NUM>. The passenger seat row includes at least two passenger seats attached to a common frame. Each passenger seat includes a backrest forming a recess on a front of the backrest, a cushion removably disposed in the recess, and a seat pan including a fixed frame and a moving frame movably coupled to the fixed frame. In a taxi, takeoff and landing (TTOL) mode of the passenger seat row the moving frame of each of the at least two passenger seats is retracted relative to its respective fixed frame and the cushion is disposed in the recess, and in a bed mode of the passenger seat row the moving frame of each of the at least two passenger seats is extended relative to its fixed frame and the cushion is positioned atop its respective fixed frame.

In some embodiments, a length dimension of the cushion is substantially equal to an amount of travel of the moving frame relative to the fixed frame.

In some embodiments, the moving frame translates relative to the fixed frame as the moving frame extends and retracts.

The fixed frame comprises spaced frame members interconnected by spaced beams and a foraminous plate attached atop the spaced beams, at least one of the spaced frame members defining a rack on an inboard side thereof, and the moving frame comprises spaced frame members interconnected by spaced beams and a foraminous plate attached atop the spaced beams, each of the spaced frame members defining an elongate slot. A forward beam of the spaced beams of the fixed frame is disposed in the elongate slot of each of the spaced frame members of the moving frame for guiding movement of the moving frame relative to the fixed frame.

In some embodiments, the seat row further includes a locking mechanism associated with each of the at least two passenger seats for locking relative motion between the moving frame and the fixed frame.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism includes a lock configured to interact with the rack on at least one of the frame members of the fixed frame to lock a position of the moving frame relative to the fixed frame, a lever positioned on the moving frame, and a Bowden cable coupled to each of the lock and the lever. In use, pulling the lever causes an inner cable of the Bowden cable to disengage the lock from the rack to permit movement of the moving frame relative to the fixed frame.

In some embodiments, the seat row further includes hook and loop fasteners positioned in the recess, on a bottom side of the cushion, and atop the foraminous plate of at least one of the fixed frame and the moving frame, wherein in use, the hook and loop fasteners secure the cushion in the recess and atop at least one of the fixed frame and the moving frame.

In some embodiments, when in the TTOL mode the moving frame is positioned above the common frame and when in the bed mode the moving frame is positioned forward of the common frame.

In some embodiments, the common frame includes spaced beam tubes supporting the fixed frame of the at least two passenger seats, spreaders forming legs for attachment to a floor, and at least one armrest.

In some embodiments, the passenger seat row includes at least three passenger seats.

In some embodiments, the lever is positioned under a forward end of the moving frame.

The inventive aspects disclosed herein are further directed to an aircraft passenger seat including a frame, a backrest attached to the frame and forming a recess on a front of the backrest, a cushion removably disposed in the recess, and a seat pan attached to the frame and including a fixed frame and a moving frame movably coupled to the fixed frame. In a TTOL mode of the aircraft passenger seat the moving frame is retracted relative to the fixed frame and the cushion is disposed in the recess, and in a bed mode of the aircraft passenger seat the moving frame is extended relative to the fixed frame and the cushion is positioned atop the fixed frame.

Such description makes reference to the included drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, and in which some features may be exaggerated, and some features may be omitted or may be represented schematically in the interest of clarity. Like reference numbers in the drawings may represent and refer to the same or similar element, feature, or function. In the drawings:.

Broadly speaking, the present disclosure provides embodiments of passenger seats and passenger seat rows configured to adjust between an upright sitting mode and a bed mode. When implemented in an aircraft, the upright sitting mode may correspond to a taxi, takeoff and landing mode in which the seat pan is retracted and the backrest is fully upright or reclined. When the seat embodiments are equipped with backrest recline, the seat pan motions described herein may be independent of the backrest recline mechanism and other mechanisms of the seat. The passenger seat row includes at least two, and preferably at least three laterally adjacent passenger seats to provide an adequate bed length.

Referring to <FIG>, the passenger seat row <NUM> shown includes three laterally adjacent passenger seats <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> attached to a common frame <NUM>. As used herein, the term "common" means shared and not ordinary, and common may mean at least one of the elements of the frame <NUM> is shared by at least two of the seats. The frame <NUM> generally includes spaced beam tubes <NUM> extending the length of the seat row, spreaders <NUM> positioned at the lateral extents of the seat row and between adjacent seats, backrest frames <NUM> pivotally attached to the spreaders or another frame element, and armrests <NUM> positioned at the lateral extents of the seat row and between adjacent seats. The armrests <NUM> are preferably configured to pivot between stowed and deployed positions to be stowed during boarding, deplaning, and when the seat row is configured for bed mode. The spreaders may form or be attached to legs <NUM> for attachment to the floor, such as by way of track fasteners <NUM>. In some embodiments, the frame <NUM> includes a luggage retention bar <NUM>.

Each passenger seat <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> includes a backrest <NUM> and a seat pan assembly <NUM>, also referred to herein as the seat pan. Each seat within the passenger seat row <NUM> is configurable, separately or together, between the upright sitting mode shown in <FIG> and the bed mode shown in <FIG> through an intermediate mode shown in <FIG>. In the upright sitting or TTOL mode, the seat pan <NUM> is retracted to position the seat pan above the frame <NUM>. In the bed mode, the seat pan <NUM> is extended to position the seat pan forward of the frame <NUM>. The seat pan <NUM> may be inclined toward the forward end for cradling comfort and the seat pan translates between the retracted and extended conditions of the seat pan.

With specific reference to <FIG>, the seat pan <NUM> attaches to the spaced beam tubes <NUM>. As discussed in detail below, the seat pan <NUM> includes a fixed frame <NUM> that attaches to the beam tubes and a moving frame <NUM> that translates relative to the fixed frame, and more particularly, extends forward to achieve the in-flight bed mode and retracts to achieve the TTOL mode. The mechanism for attaching the fixed frame <NUM> to the beam tubes <NUM> is not limiting, so long as the fixed frame is maintained fixed relative to the seat frame.

Referring to <FIG>, a recess <NUM> is formed in a front of the backrest <NUM> and a cushion <NUM> is removably disposed in the recess <NUM>. When in the TTOL mode, the cushion <NUM> is positioned in the recess and serves to support the lower back of the seat occupant. When in bed mode, the cushion <NUM> is removed from the recess <NUM> and positioned atop the fixed frame <NUM>. In some embodiments, the length dimension of the cushion <NUM> is approximately equal to the maximum amount of forward travel of the moving frame <NUM> or is less than the maximum amount of forward travel. As such, when the moving frame <NUM> is extended to achieve bed mode, the cushion <NUM> is removed from the backrest and positioned atop the fixed frame <NUM> to form a continuous bed formed by the repositioned backrest cushion <NUM> and the seat pan cushion <NUM> translated forward with the moving frame <NUM>. Thus, the cushion in the backrest is used to form part of the bed cushion. In some embodiments, the cushion <NUM> can be detached from the backrest and in other embodiments the cushion is pivotally attached to the backrest.

<FIG> shows the conversion from TTOL mode on the left to the bed mode on the right. When in the TTOL mode the moving frame <NUM> is positioned above the frame <NUM>. When in the bed mode, the moving frame <NUM> is positioned forward of the frame <NUM>, for instance cantilevered. The maximum forward travel of the moving frame <NUM> may be limited by the seat pitch and interference with a forward row or monument.

Referring to <FIG>, the seat pan <NUM> includes the fixed frame <NUM> and the moving frame <NUM>, and the removable backrest cushion <NUM> attached atop the fixed frame when the moving frame is moved forward to the extended condition shown in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the moving frame <NUM> translates horizontally or along its angle of inclination relative to the fixed frame <NUM>. Fasteners <NUM>, for instance hook and loop fasteners pairings, function to secure the cushions in place on their respective frame members. A hook and loop fastener pairing may also be used to maintain the cushion in the backrest recess.

Referring to <FIG>, the fixed frame <NUM> includes spaced frame members <NUM> and interconnecting spaced beams <NUM>. A foraminous plate <NUM> for weight savings, is attached atop the spaced beams <NUM>. A rack <NUM> or racks are formed on the inboard side of at least one of the frame members <NUM> and serves to lock the position of the moving frame relative to the fixed frame <NUM>. In some embodiments, the rack or racks allow for indexing of the moving frame at discrete positions and at predetermined intervals, for example <NUM>-centimeter intervals, less than <NUM>-centimeter intervals, and greater than <NUM>-centimeter intervals.

Referring to <FIG>, the moving frame <NUM> includes spaced frame members <NUM>, interconnecting spaced beams <NUM>, and a plate <NUM> positioned atop and attached to the interconnecting spaced beams <NUM>. Each of the spaced frame members <NUM> defines an elongate longitudinal slot <NUM> receiving one of the interconnecting spaced beams of the fixed frame, such as the forward beams. Bosses <NUM> formed on the outboard sides of the spaced frame members <NUM> travel along the racks formed on the inboard sides of the spaced frame members of fixed frame to guide translating motion and maintain squareness.

In some embodiments, each passenger seat is equipped with a locking mechanism for locking relative movement of the moving frame relative to the fixed frame. With continued reference to <FIG>, the locking mechanism <NUM> generally includes a Bowden cable <NUM> coupled at one end to a lever <NUM> and coupled at an opposing end to a biased lock <NUM>. The lock <NUM> interacts with the rack, for instance having a shape complimentary with the rack to engage therewith. The lever <NUM> is positioned at the forward end of the moving frame <NUM> to be accessible to the user. The locking mechanism <NUM> is carried by the moving frame <NUM> considering the moving frame moves and the fixed frame remains stationary. In use, actuating (e.g., pulling) the lever <NUM> translates an inner cable relative to an outer cable of the Bowden cable, thereby pulling the lock <NUM> to disengage the lock from the rack. When the lever is released, the inner cable translates relative to the outer cable in the opposite direction to reengage the lock <NUM> with the rack. To move the moving frame <NUM> relative to the fixed frame, the lever remains actuated until the moving frame is in the desired frame and then the lever is released.

Referring to <FIG>, whereas the locking mechanism shown in <FIG> is associated with each passenger seat, the locking mechanism <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a singular lever <NUM> operable for actuating all locks in the same row simultaneously. In some embodiment, the singular lever <NUM> is an elongate handle positioned below the forward end of the seat pans and is coupled to multiple Bowden cables each coupled to a lock engaging its respective rack. In use, the singular lever <NUM> is actuated to pull the plurality of internal cables to release the moving frames from their locked positions. To retract the moving frames, i.e., return the moving frame toward their TTOL positions, the singular lever <NUM> is pulled, the moving frames are pushed toward their retracted positions, and the lever released to lock the moving frames in place. Other locking mechanisms are possible and envisioned including electronic actuators which may be passenger or crew controlled, and in some cases networked to be controllable in preparation for a flight condition.

Claim 1:
A passenger seat row; comprising:
a common frame (<NUM>);
at least two passenger seats (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) attached to the common frame (<NUM>), each of the at least two passenger seats comprising:
a backrest (<NUM>) forming a recess (<NUM>) on a front of the backrest;
a cushion (<NUM>) removably disposed in the recess; and
a seat pan (<NUM>) including a fixed frame (<NUM>) and a moving frame (<NUM>) movably coupled to the fixed frame;
wherein in a taxi, takeoff and landing, TTOL, mode of the passenger seat row, the moving frame of each of the at least two passenger seats is retracted relative to the moving frame's respective fixed frame and the cushion is disposed in the recess; and
wherein in a bed mode of the passenger seat row, the moving frame of each of the at least two passenger seats is extended relative to the moving frame's respective fixed frame and the cushion is positioned atop its respective fixed frame;
characterised in that:
the fixed frame (<NUM>) comprises spaced frame members (<NUM>) interconnected by spaced beams (<NUM>) and a foraminous plate attached atop the spaced beams, at least one of the spaced frame members defining a rack (<NUM>) on an inboard side thereof; and
the moving frame (<NUM>) comprises spaced frame members (<NUM>) interconnected by spaced beams (<NUM>) and a foraminous plate attached atop the spaced beams, each of the spaced frame members defining an elongate slot (<NUM>);
wherein a forward beam of the spaced beams (<NUM>) of the fixed frame (<NUM>) is disposed in the elongate slot (<NUM>) of each of the spaced frame members (<NUM>) of the moving frame (<NUM>) for guiding movement of the moving frame (<NUM>) relative to the fixed frame (<NUM>).