Patent Description:
Passenger seating arrangements in commercial aircraft are relatively standardized. For example, multiple passenger seats may be connected together to form a set or row, and pluralities of sets may be staggered within the passenger cabin of the aircraft. A conventional passenger seat typically has a frame construction defining seat legs, a seat, and an adjustable backrest. At least some known aircraft have a track system installed on the floor of the passenger compartment, and the seat legs are installed within the track system. In addition, wiring that provides power, in-flight entertainment audio and video, connectivity, and lighting systems to each seat is installed along the floor of the passenger compartment. The wiring may be hidden within a conduit that is attached by adhesive to the floor, and the conduit may be covered with a flooring material such as carpet. Covering the conduit, or the shape of the conduit itself, may cause bumps and/or discontinuities to be formed in the floor covering, and seams need to be provided in the covering as wire breakout locations to the seats. Thus, these wire runs result in variably unpredictable configurations and layouts that are difficult to manage and install.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states: A power distribution system having a continuous power bus to supply power and/or data to aircraft passenger seats in a mobile platform. The power distribution system generally includes a bus strip that extends along a length of the passenger cabin and a connector operable to provide a connection between the bus strip and the passenger seats. Power and/or data can be transmitted between the bus strip and the passenger seats, via the connector, at any point along the bus strip, thus eliminating the need to run separate connections between the power and/or data source and each passenger seat.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states: A protective wiring assembly includes a raceway having a top portion, a bottom portion that is opposite the top portion, and a self-closing portion intermediate the top and bottom portions. The bottom portion has a bottom locking rib and interfaces a support on which the assembly can be disposed. The self-closing portion has a top locking rib and a top guide rib. The top locking rib is engageable to the bottom locking rib. A cover interfaces the top portion of the raceway. The cover has a pair of retention legs and a load bearing rib that transmits force from the top portion to the support.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states: A conductive bus device and method operable to distribute signals throughout a platform. The bus delivers signals to any number of select locations within the platform, such as to seats mounted to a seat track. The bus is mounted beneath a floor of the platform. The signals can be transmitted between the power bus and the passenger seats using a conductor that extends from the passenger seats to the bus through a opening in the seat track. The bus device and method eliminates the need to run separate connections between a signal source and each seat. This device and method significantly reduce the cost, energy, and time necessary to wire each seat individually.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states: A power/data bus for conducting at least one of data and power signals to a variety of different locations on a mobile platform. The bus has a plurality of discrete connection ports, and at least one conductive cable. The power/data bus extends across an area where access to at least one of data and electricity is desired. The discrete connection ports arc spaced apart at different locations along the power/data bus. The conductive cable extends through the power/data bus and is connected to at least one of the discrete connection ports. The conductive cable conducts at least one of power and data signals between the discrete connection ports and a data/power source. At least one of the connection ports are operable to cooperate with a connector of an external device to supply at least one of power and data signals to the external device. The power/data bus, when used in an aircraft passenger cabin, eliminates the need to extend individual data and/or power cables to or between each passenger seat group.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states: A system for distributing signals between a first seat and a second seat of a platform. The system generally includes an elongated bus and a connector operable to provide a connection between the bus and the passenger seats. Signals can be transmitted between the bus and the passenger seats, via the connector, at any point along the power bus, thus eliminating the need to run separate connections between the signal source and each seat. The bus is connected to the connector by depressing the bus upon the connector. This system and method significantly reduces the amount of time, energy, and expense necessary to individually wire each passenger seat to receive signals, such as power and/or data.

According to the present disclosure, a system as defined in claim <NUM> is provided. Further embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. Although the invention is only defined by the claims, the below embodiments, examples, and aspects are present for aiding in understanding the background and advantages of the invention.

Another aspect is a vehicle including a floor joist having a main body extending in a longitudinal direction, a seat track channel defined in the main body, and at least one support flange extending in a lateral direction from the main body. A raceway extends in the longitudinal direction on the at least one support flange, and the raceway has an interior sized to receive wiring therein. The vehicle includes a flooring, at least a portion of which being adjacent the raceway in the lateral direction. The flooring includes a floor panel on the at least one support flange, and a floor covering on the floor panel. The vehicle also includes a track cover including a top plate. The raceway is positioned between the at least one support flange and the top plate, and the top plate extends, in the lateral direction, past the raceway. The main body comprises a first retaining lip that defines a top opening in the seat track channel, the track cover comprising a first coupling member oriented for insertion through the top opening to selectively engage the first retaining lip. The raceway further comprises a second retaining lip that defines a top opening providing access to the interior, the track cover comprising a second coupling member oriented for insertion through the top opening to selectively engage the second retaining lip.

In yet another aspect, the above mentioned vehicle is an aircraft.

Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present disclosure, alone or in any combination.

<FIG> is a side view of an aircraft <NUM>. In this example, aircraft <NUM> includes a fuselage <NUM> and a wing structure <NUM> extending from fuselage <NUM>. Fuselage <NUM> defines a passenger compartment <NUM>, and a plurality of passenger seats <NUM> are positioned within passenger compartment <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of passenger seats <NUM> within aircraft <NUM>. Passenger seats <NUM> may be arranged in rows, including at least a first row <NUM> and a second row <NUM>. In this example , each passenger seat <NUM> includes a frame <NUM> defining legs <NUM> of passenger seat <NUM>, a seat bottom <NUM> coupled to frame <NUM>, and a seat back <NUM> extending from seat bottom <NUM>. Passenger seats <NUM> are coupled to a flooring <NUM> of passenger compartment <NUM>. For example, as will be described in more detail below, legs <NUM> of passenger seats <NUM> may be coupled to flooring <NUM> along a track system <NUM> integrated within flooring <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate flooring <NUM> of passenger compartment <NUM>. Flooring <NUM> includes a floor panel <NUM> and a floor covering <NUM> on floor panel <NUM>. A seat track assembly <NUM> is integrated with flooring <NUM>, as will be described in more detail below. Seat track assembly <NUM> includes a floor joist <NUM> that defines track system <NUM> used to secure passenger seats <NUM> within passenger compartment <NUM>. Floor joist <NUM> has a main body <NUM> extending in a longitudinal direction <NUM> of aircraft <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), and a seat track channel <NUM> defined in main body <NUM>. Seat track channel <NUM> is sized and shaped to receive legs <NUM> of passenger seat <NUM> therein, which may then be secured in a fixed position within passenger compartment <NUM> with a fastener (not shown). Floor joist <NUM> also has at least one support flange <NUM> extending in a lateral direction <NUM> that is oriented generally orthogonal to longitudinal direction <NUM>.

Seat track assembly <NUM> further includes a raceway <NUM> resting on the at least one support flange <NUM>. For example, in one implementation, a first support flange <NUM> and a second support flange <NUM> extend from main body <NUM> in opposing lateral directions. Accordingly, a first raceway <NUM> is on first support flange <NUM>, and a second raceway <NUM> is on second support flange <NUM> such that first and second raceways <NUM> and <NUM> are positioned on opposing sides of seat track channel <NUM>. Each raceway <NUM> and <NUM> extends longitudinally along floor joist <NUM>, and includes an interior <NUM> sized to receive wiring <NUM> therein that is to be routed along selected lengths of fuselage <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). A top opening <NUM> in each raceway <NUM> and <NUM> provides access to interior <NUM> from passenger compartment <NUM>, and seat track assembly <NUM> includes a track cover <NUM> for covering selected lengths of raceways <NUM> and <NUM> and blocking access to interior <NUM>. In contrast, uncovered lengths of raceways <NUM> and <NUM>, such as underneath passenger seats <NUM>, provide access points <NUM> for wiring <NUM> to be routed between passenger seats <NUM> and seat track assembly <NUM> through top opening <NUM>. In an example not within the scope of the claims, such as that illustrated in <FIG>, seat track assembly <NUM> includes a single support flange <NUM> that is shorter than first support flange <NUM>, and a single raceway <NUM> included on first support flange <NUM>.

At least a portion of flooring <NUM> is adjacent raceways <NUM> and <NUM> in lateral direction <NUM>. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, floor panel <NUM> is on support flanges <NUM> and <NUM> adjacent respective raceways <NUM> and <NUM>. Accordingly, support flanges <NUM> and <NUM> are sized to support both a floor panel <NUM> and a raceway <NUM> thereon in lateral direction <NUM>. In one embodiment, floor panel <NUM> has a thickness <NUM> that is less than a height <NUM> of raceway <NUM>. In this embodiment, raceway <NUM> has a main section <NUM> defining interior <NUM>, and a lip section <NUM> extending in lateral direction <NUM> from main section <NUM>. Lip section <NUM> is shaped to provide a bonding area between floor panel <NUM> and raceway <NUM>, and adhesive or fasteners may be used to couple raceway <NUM> to floor panel <NUM> and a respective support flange <NUM>. Accordingly, lip section <NUM> extends across a top surface of floor panel <NUM> such that floor panel <NUM> is positioned between support flange <NUM> and lip section <NUM>.

Floor covering <NUM> is positioned adjacent lip section <NUM> on floor panel <NUM>. Floor covering <NUM> is designed to cover floor panel <NUM> and provide an appealing aesthetic to passengers within passenger compartment <NUM>. Example floor coverings may include, but are not limited to including, a carpet material, a hard surface material, and the like. Floor covering <NUM> has a thickness <NUM>, and the combined thicknesses <NUM> and <NUM> of floor panel <NUM> and floor covering <NUM> are generally equal to height <NUM> of raceway <NUM> to facilitate providing a substantially flush surface across flooring <NUM>.

Seat track assembly <NUM> further includes track cover <NUM> having a length that extends in longitudinal direction <NUM> between first row <NUM> and second row <NUM> of passenger seats <NUM> (all shown in <FIG>). Track cover <NUM> also extends over seat track channel <NUM> and raceways <NUM> and <NUM>. Track cover <NUM> includes a top plate <NUM> that, when track cover <NUM> is installed onto flooring <NUM>, extends past raceways <NUM> and <NUM> in lateral direction <NUM>. Accordingly, track cover <NUM> restricts access to seat track channel <NUM> and to the interiors of the selected lengths of raceways <NUM> and <NUM>.

Track cover <NUM> is removably coupleable from flooring <NUM>. Main body <NUM> of floor joist <NUM> includes a first retaining lip <NUM> defining a top opening <NUM> in seat track channel <NUM>. Top opening <NUM> is sized to receive legs <NUM> of passenger seats <NUM> therein. In addition, each raceway <NUM> includes a second retaining lip <NUM> that defines a top opening <NUM> as well. Top opening <NUM> is sized to provide access to interior <NUM>, as described above. In addition, track cover <NUM> includes a first coupling member <NUM> and a second coupling member <NUM> extending orthogonally or obliquely therefrom. First and second coupling members <NUM> and <NUM> are oriented for insertion through respective top openings <NUM> and <NUM>, and are adapted to engage first and second retaining lips <NUM> and <NUM> with a snap fit. Coupling members <NUM> and <NUM> are adapted to facilitate the removable coupling of track cover <NUM> to and/or from first and second retaining lips <NUM> and <NUM>. Thus, raceway <NUM> and track cover <NUM> are formed separately, and are selectively coupleable to and uncoupleable, from floor joist <NUM>, thereby providing a maintenance benefit and reduced installation time of flooring <NUM> and seat track assembly <NUM>.

As described above, track cover <NUM> extends past raceways <NUM> and <NUM> in lateral direction <NUM>. Top plate <NUM> of track cover <NUM> has a substantially flat profile such that track cover <NUM> is offset relative to floor covering <NUM> as defined by a thickness <NUM> of top plate <NUM>. Accordingly, positioning top plate <NUM> over floor covering <NUM> maintains a substantially flat profile across flooring <NUM> while continuing to provide ease of access to raceway <NUM> and seat track channel <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate flooring <NUM> of a passenger compartment not within the scope of the claims. In the illustrated embodiment, raceways <NUM> do not include lip section <NUM>, and raceways <NUM> have a height <NUM> that is substantially equal to a thickness <NUM> of floor panel <NUM>. Top plate <NUM> of track cover <NUM> extends past raceways <NUM> and onto floor panel <NUM>, and floor covering <NUM> covers both floor panel <NUM> and track cover <NUM>. Accordingly, floor covering <NUM> maintains a substantially flat profile across flooring <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate flooring <NUM> of passenger compartment <NUM>. In this example, flooring <NUM> include a floor joist <NUM> having at least one support flange <NUM> that has a reduced length in lateral direction <NUM> as compared to floor joist <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). An extended support flange member <NUM> is coupled across floor joist <NUM>. Extended support flange member <NUM> includes a seat track section <NUM>, and a flange section <NUM> and an extended flange section <NUM> extending therefrom on either side of seat track channel <NUM>. Extended support flange member <NUM> has a generally rigid body, which enables floor joist <NUM> to be retrofitted with the longer support flange of extended flange section <NUM>. In addition, flange section <NUM> has a smaller thickness than extended flange section <NUM>, which enables extended support flange member <NUM> to maintain a substantially flat profile across a top surface of floor joist <NUM>.

Examples described include a seat track system that may be assembled with a raceway conduit to provide a stable, flush, and adaptable routing method for wiring within the raceway conduit. This system architecture provides a method of installation that is configurable to accommodate most, if not any, aircraft layout. An example system includes a floor joist with a wider flange adapted to support floor panels and other components, such as the raceway conduit. The raceway conduit is positioned laterally adjacent the floor panel on the flange in an otherwise unused space of the aircraft to eliminate extraneous congestion of wiring and associated protective coverings above the floor of the passenger compartment. Furthermore, the extended flange enables other commodities and furniture, that may have previously been limited due to limited flooring support, to be installed within the passenger compartment. Accordingly, the seat track system provides a stable, flush, and adaptable routing method that does not need to be re-engineered based on different aircraft layouts. The seat track system also allows the passenger seats to be re-pitched without removing the raceway conduits, and provides a maintenance benefit due to the ease of accessing and replacing damaged components thereof.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to "example", "example implementation" or "one implementation" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional implementations that also incorporate the recited features.

Claim 1:
A seat track assembly for a vehicle, the seat track assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a floor joist (<NUM>) comprising a main body (<NUM>) extending in a longitudinal direction, a seat track channel (<NUM>) defined in the main body (<NUM>), and at least one support flange (<NUM>) extending in a lateral direction from the main body;
a raceway (<NUM>, <NUM>) on the at least one support flange (<NUM>), wherein the raceway extends longitudinally along the floor joist, and comprises an interior (<NUM>) sized to receive wiring therein; and
a track cover (<NUM>) comprising a top plate (<NUM>), wherein the raceway is positioned between the at least one support flange and the top plate, and wherein the top plate extends past the raceway in the lateral direction;
characterized in that
the main body (<NUM>) comprises a first retaining lip (<NUM>) that defines a top opening (<NUM>) in the seat track channel, the track cover (<NUM>) comprising a first coupling member (<NUM>) oriented for insertion through the top opening to selectively engage the first retaining lip (<NUM>); and
in that the raceway comprises a second retaining lip (<NUM>) that defines a top opening (<NUM>) providing access to the interior, the track cover (<NUM>) comprising a second coupling member (<NUM>) oriented for insertion through the top opening to selectively engage the second retaining lip (<NUM>).