Patent Description:
Passenger vehicles, such as aircraft, buses, trains, ships, and automobiles, often include one or more passenger seats in which passengers may be seated or otherwise use during travel. A passenger seat may include a table assembly that may be used for various purposes including deploying for holding food, stowing for allowing passengers or other suitable individuals to move with respect to the passenger seat, and the like. The table assembly, when deployed, may not be level, which may lead to discomfort with respect to the passenger. Additionally, when being stowed, the table assembly may injure the passenger or other individual associated with the passenger seat, for example by using a bulky hinge attaching the table assembly to the passenger seat. <CIT> discloses a table assembly with a table pad arm and a paddle tab.

According to the invention, a table assembly for a passenger seat includes a paddle arm, a table support, and a leveling assembly. The paddle arm may include a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, and the first end may include a paddle arm tab extending outwards from the paddle arm. The table support may be pivotably connected to the first end of the paddle arm and may be configured to support a table of the table assembly. The table support may include a top side and a bottom side, and the top side may define a latch receiving area. The leveling assembly may include a latch and a latch adjuster. The latch may include a first end and a second end. The latch may be pivotably supported on the table support within the latch receiving area between the first end and the second end of the latch. The latch adjuster may be configured to selectively engage the first end of the latch. The latch adjuster may be configured to control a tilt angle range of the table support relative to the paddle arm. The latch adjuster may be configured to engage the latch proximate to the first end of the latch at a first tilt angle within the tilt angle range. The paddle arm tab may be configured to engage the latch proximate to the second end of the latch at a second tilt angle within the tilt angle range.

In some embodiments, the table assembly may include the table that may include a first side end, a second side end, a top side, and a bottom side. The table support may be connected to the bottom side of the table between the first side end and the second side end, and the top side of the table support may be positioned adjacent to the bottom side of the table. In certain embodiments, the bottom side of the table support may extend parallel to the top side of the table. In various embodiments, the paddle arm tab may include an upper surface, and the latch may include an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface of the paddle arm tab may contact the lower surface of the latch. In some embodiments, at the second tilt angle, the upper surface of the paddle arm tab may contact the lower surface of the latch between the bottom side of the table and the bottom side of the table support.

In various embodiments, the latch may include a top side and a bottom side, and the latch adjuster may engage the bottom side of the latch proximate to the first end of the latch at the first tilt angle. The paddle arm tab may engage the bottom side of the latch proximate to the second end at the second tilt angle. In certain embodiments, the bottom side of the latch may include a recess proximate to the first end, and the latch adjuster may engage the bottom side of the latch within the recess. In various embodiments, the paddle arm may include a body comprising the first end and the second end, and the paddle arm tab may extend from the body such that the paddle arm tab may not be parallel to the paddle arm. In some embodiments, the table assembly may include a support pin pivotably supporting the latch on the table support. In certain embodiments, the first tilt angle may be a maximum tilt angle downwards of the table support relative to the paddle arm, and the second tilt angle may be a maximum tilt angle upwards of the table support relative to the paddle arm.

In various embodiments, the latch adjuster may include a set screw threadably engaged with the table support, and the set screw may be adjustable such that a height of the set screw within the latch receiving area is adjustable. In some embodiments, the table support may be attached to the paddle arm via a friction hinge. In various embodiments, the table support may include a first end and a second end. The latch may be pivotably supported on the table support between the first end and the second end of the table support, and the paddle arm may be pivotably connected to the table support between the first end and the second end of the table support. In some embodiments, the table support may include a first mating location between the latch and the first end of the table support and a second mating location between the latch and the second end of the table support. The first mating location and the second mating location may each be configured to engage the table. In certain embodiments, the passenger seat may include an armrest and the table assembly in which the second end of the paddle arm may be pivotably connected to the armrest.

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. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. 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.

The described embodiments of the invention provide table assemblies for passenger seats. While the table assemblies are discussed for use with aircraft seats, they are by no means so limited. Rather, embodiments of the table assemblies described herein may be used in passenger seats or other seats of any type or otherwise as desired.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a partial passenger seat <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the present invention. The partial passenger seat <NUM> may include a subset of parts or components of a passenger seat that may be positioned in a passenger vehicle, such as an aircraft, train, and the like, and that may be used by a passenger or other individual associated with the passenger vehicle. The partial passenger seat <NUM> may include a passenger seat arm <NUM>, and a table assembly <NUM> may be supported on and/or relative to the passenger seat arm <NUM>. The portions or components of the table assembly <NUM> may be constructed from various suitable materials as desired, including but not limited to, stainless steel, aramid fibers, polycarbonate, polypropylene, aluminum, aluminum alloys, magnesium, magnesium alloys, other metallic materials or non-metallic materials, composite materials, combinations thereof, or other suitable materials. In certain embodiments, at least one portion of the table assembly <NUM> may optionally be constructed from a material that is different from the material used for another portion of the table assembly <NUM>. In other embodiments, the components of the table assembly <NUM> may be constructed from the same material.

In various embodiments, the table assembly <NUM> includes a table <NUM>, a table support <NUM>, and a paddle arm <NUM>. In various embodiments, and as discussed in detail below, the paddle arm <NUM> and table support <NUM> of the table assembly <NUM> may allow for the table <NUM> to tilt upwards and/or downwards (see arrow <NUM> in <FIG>) to one or more tilt angles relative to the seat arm <NUM>.

The table <NUM> may be used to support food or other items associated with a passenger or other suitable individual associated with the passenger seat. The particular table <NUM> illustrated should not be considered limiting, and in other embodiments the table <NUM> may be tables <NUM> with other shapes, sizes, features, etc. as desired.

The paddle arm <NUM> may be connected to or otherwise supported at support locations on various structures as desired, including but not limited to the passenger seat arm <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the paddle arm <NUM> may optionally be pivotably connected to those support locations such that the table <NUM> may be stowed or deployed as desired and relative to the passenger seat arm <NUM>. For example, the paddle arm <NUM> may allow for the table <NUM> to be stowed relative to the passenger seat arm <NUM> when the table <NUM> is not being used. In some embodiments, a passenger seat may include the passenger seat arm <NUM>, which may include the armrest for the passenger seat, and the table assembly <NUM> described herein such that the second end <NUM> of the paddle arm <NUM> may be pivotably coupled to the passenger seat arm <NUM>, the armrest, or other suitable component. Using the table assembly <NUM> to couple the table <NUM> to the passenger seat arm <NUM>, or other suitable component of the passenger seat, may prevent or otherwise mitigate injuries to passengers or other suitable individuals when stowing or deploying the table <NUM>.

The paddle arm <NUM> has a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM> opposite the first end <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the paddle arm <NUM> includes a paddle arm tab <NUM>, which may be positioned in the table support <NUM> and may selectively engage the table support <NUM> and/or a leveling assembly supported by the table support <NUM> at various tilt angles. As a non-limiting example, the paddle arm tab <NUM> may engage the table support <NUM> and/or leveling assembly at a maximum upwards tilt angle or a maximum downwards tilt angle. In some embodiments, and as discussed in greater detail below with reference to <FIG>, the movement and/or range of tilt angles may be adjustable via the paddle arm and/or other suitable components. For example, a latch adjuster <NUM> may be included in the leveling assembly or other suitable component. In these embodiments, the latch adjuster <NUM> may be adjusted inward or outward (upward or downward) relative to the table support <NUM> to define a range of tilt angles that the table <NUM> can move to. In some embodiments, adjusting the latch adjuster <NUM> inward may cause the table support <NUM> to sit at a lesser angle with respect to the paddle arm <NUM>.

The table support <NUM> may be connected to the table <NUM> via suitable fasteners, which include but are not limited to screws, bolts, rivets or other mechanical or chemical fasteners. In certain embodiments, the table support <NUM> may be fixed relative to the table <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the table support <NUM> may be pivotably connected proximate to the first end <NUM> of the paddle arm <NUM>. The table support <NUM> may include a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. The table <NUM> may include a first side end <NUM>, a second side end <NUM>, a top side <NUM>, and a bottom side <NUM>. In various embodiments, the table support <NUM> may be connected to the bottom side <NUM> of the table <NUM> between the first side end <NUM> and the second side end <NUM> such that a top side of the table support <NUM> may be adjacent to the bottom side <NUM> of the table <NUM>. In some non-limiting examples, a bottom side of the table support <NUM> may optionally extend parallel to the top side <NUM> of the table <NUM>, although it need not in other embodiments.

The paddle arm <NUM> may be pivotably connected to the table support <NUM> (and thus the table <NUM>) such that the table <NUM> is tiltable (arrow <NUM> in <FIG>) relative to the paddle arm <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the paddle arm <NUM> is pivotably connected to the table support <NUM> and table <NUM> at a location <NUM> that is offset from an edge of the table <NUM>. In various embodiments, the location <NUM> may be may be closer to a center <NUM> of the table <NUM> than that of other tables. Coupling the table <NUM> at the location <NUM> may increase a stability or other suitable performance measure of the table <NUM> compared to the other tables.

<FIG> illustrate portions of the table assembly <NUM> in greater detail. As illustrated in <FIG>, in addition to the table <NUM> (not shown), the paddle arm <NUM>, and the table support <NUM>, the table assembly <NUM> includes a leveling assembly <NUM>. In other embodiments, the table assembly <NUM> may include additional or fewer portions or pieces as desired.

As best illustrated in <FIG>, the leveling assembly <NUM> may include a latch <NUM> having a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM> that is opposite the first end <NUM>. Additionally, the latch <NUM> may include a top side <NUM>, a bottom side <NUM>, a lower surface <NUM>, and an upper surface <NUM>. Optionally, the bottom side <NUM> of the latch <NUM> may include a recess (see <FIG>). When included, the recess may optionally be positioned proximate to the first end <NUM> of the latch <NUM> and that may allow the latch adjuster <NUM> to engage with the latch <NUM>. In other embodiments, the recess may be omitted. The latch adjuster <NUM> may engage with the latch <NUM> to control a first tilt angle, within an allowable tilt angle range, of the table support <NUM> with respect to the paddle arm <NUM>.

The latch <NUM> may be pivotably supported on the table support <NUM> between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the table support <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the table support <NUM> defines a latch receiving area <NUM> on a top side <NUM>, which may be opposite a bottom side <NUM>, of the table support <NUM>. The latch <NUM> may optionally be pivotably supported within a latch receiving area <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the latch <NUM> may be held in place in the latch receiving area <NUM> by a support pin <NUM> that may be inserted or removed to install or remove the latch <NUM>, respectively. In some embodiments, the support pin <NUM> may pivotably support the latch <NUM> on the table support <NUM>. The support pin <NUM> may include screws, bolts, rivets or other suitable mechanical fasteners. The paddle arm <NUM> may be coupled to the leveling assembly <NUM> via the latch <NUM>. In some embodiments, the latch <NUM> may be used to pivotably connect the table support <NUM> and the paddle arm <NUM>.

As best illustrated in <FIG>, the paddle arm tab <NUM> may extend outward from the first end <NUM> of the paddle arm <NUM>. In some embodiments, the paddle arm tab <NUM> may extend from the body of the paddle arm <NUM> in a direction not parallel to a direction of the body of the paddle arm <NUM>. The paddle arm tab <NUM> may be positioned within the latch <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, for coupling the paddle arm <NUM> to the table support <NUM>, to the leveling assembly <NUM>, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the table support <NUM> may be attached to the paddle arm <NUM> using the paddle arm tab <NUM>, a friction hinge <NUM>, other suitable components of the table assembly <NUM>, or a combination thereof. The friction hinge <NUM> may include screws, bolts, rivets or other mechanical or chemical fasteners. The paddle arm tab <NUM> may be used to pivotably connect the paddle arm <NUM> and the table support <NUM> between the first end <NUM> of the table support <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the table support <NUM>.

The paddle arm tab <NUM> may include an upper surface <NUM> that may contact the lower surface <NUM> of the latch <NUM> for coupling the paddle arm <NUM> to the leveling assembly <NUM>, the table support <NUM>, or other suitable component of the table assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, the upper surface <NUM> of the paddle arm tab <NUM> may contact the lower surface <NUM> of the latch <NUM> at a second tilt angle within the allowable tilt angle range of the table support <NUM> and between the bottom side <NUM> of the table <NUM> and the bottom side <NUM> of the table support <NUM>.

As previously mentioned, the leveling assembly <NUM> may include the latch adjuster <NUM>. In some embodiments, the latch adjuster <NUM> may include a set screw or other similar component for allowing the latch adjuster <NUM> to control the first tilt angle of the table support <NUM> with respect to the paddle arm <NUM>. The set screw, or other suitable component of the latch adjuster <NUM>, may be threadably engaged with the table support <NUM> and may be adjusted such that a height of the set screw, or other suitable component of the latch adjuster <NUM>, within the latch receiving area <NUM> may be adjusted. The latch adjuster <NUM> may selectively engage the recess of the bottom side <NUM> of the first end <NUM> of the latch <NUM> and may be adjusted inward, outward, or in other suitable directions for controlling the first tilt angle of the table support <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the latch adjuster <NUM> may engage the latch <NUM> proximate to the first end <NUM> of the latch <NUM> at the first tilt angle within an allowable tilt angle range of the leveling assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, the latch adjuster <NUM> may engage the bottom side <NUM> of the latch <NUM> proximate to the first end <NUM> of the latch <NUM> at the first tilt angle in the allowable tilt angle range of the table support <NUM>. The paddle arm tab <NUM> may engage the latch <NUM> proximate to the second end <NUM> of the latch <NUM> at a second tilt angle within the allowable tilt angle range of the leveling assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, the paddle arm tab <NUM> may engage the bottom side <NUM> of the latch <NUM> proximate to the second end <NUM> of the latch <NUM> at the second tilt angle within the allowable tilt range of the table support <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the first tilt angle, which may be controllable by the latch adjuster <NUM>, may be a maximum tilt angle downwards of the table support <NUM> with respect to the paddle arm <NUM>. Additionally, the second tilt angle may be a maximum tilt angle upwards of the table support <NUM> with respect to the paddle arm <NUM>. In some embodiments, at the second tilt angle within the allowable tilt angle range, the latch adjuster <NUM> may be disengaged from the first end <NUM> of the latch <NUM>.

In some embodiments, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the table support <NUM> may include a first mating location <NUM> and a second mating location <NUM>. The first mating location <NUM> may be positioned between the latch <NUM> and the first end <NUM> of the table support <NUM>. The second mating location <NUM> may be positioned between the latch <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the table support <NUM>. The first mating location <NUM> and the second mating location <NUM> may be used to engage the table <NUM>. For example, one or more coupling devices, such as screws, bolts, rivets or other mechanical or chemical fasteners, may be used to couple the table support <NUM> and the table <NUM>.

As best illustrated in <FIG>, the table support <NUM>, the leveling assembly <NUM>, or other suitable assembly may optionally include a stowage pin <NUM>. The stowage pin <NUM> may allow the table <NUM> to be stowed in the passenger seat arm <NUM> or in other suitable locations. The stowage pin <NUM> may perform other suitable operations for allowing the table <NUM> to be stowed, deployed, etc. In some embodiments, when deployed, the stowage pin <NUM> may be positioned in a stowage pin receiving area <NUM> that may be positioned on the top side <NUM> of the table support <NUM>.

Each of the components of the table assembly <NUM> (e.g., the paddle arm <NUM>, the table support <NUM>, the leveling assembly <NUM>, etc.) may be formed via various manufacturing processes as desired. Suitable manufacturing processes include, but are not limited to, machining, forging, casting, printing, molding, combinations thereof, or other suitable processes as desired. In some embodiments, the manufacturing process used to form one component may be different from the manufacturing process used to form another component.

<FIG> is a bottom perspective view of the latch <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The bottom side <NUM> of the latch <NUM> may be engaged by the latch adjuster <NUM>, and the latch adjuster <NUM> may include a set screw <NUM> or other suitable type of adjustable, mechanical coupler. The latch adjuster <NUM> may be positioned for engaging the recess <NUM> of the bottom side <NUM> of the first end <NUM> of the latch <NUM>. A height of the latch adjuster <NUM> may be adjusted, which may cause the first tilt of the table support <NUM> to be adjusted.

Claim 1:
A table assembly (<NUM>) for a passenger seat, characterized in that the table assembly (<NUM>) comprises:
a paddle arm (<NUM>) comprising a first end (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>) opposite from the first end (<NUM>), wherein the first end (<NUM>) comprises a paddle arm tab (<NUM>) extending outwards from the paddle arm (<NUM>);
a table support (<NUM>) pivotably connected to the first end (<NUM>) of the paddle arm (<NUM>) and configured to support a table of the table assembly (<NUM>), wherein the table support (<NUM>) comprises a top side (<NUM>) and a bottom side (<NUM>), and wherein the top side (<NUM>) defines a latch receiving area (<NUM>); and
a leveling assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a latch (<NUM>) comprising a first end (<NUM>), a second end (<NUM>), wherein the latch (<NUM>) is pivotably supported on the table support (<NUM>) within the latch receiving area (<NUM>) between the first end (<NUM>) and the second end (<NUM>) of the latch (<NUM>); and
a latch adjuster (<NUM>) configured to selectively engage the first end (<NUM>) of the latch (<NUM>), wherein the latch adjuster (<NUM>) is configured to control a tilt angle range of the table support (<NUM>) relative to the paddle arm (<NUM>),
wherein, the latch adjuster (<NUM>) is configured to engage the latch (<NUM>) proximate to the first end (<NUM>) of the latch (<NUM>) at a first tilt angle within the tilt angle range, and
wherein the paddle arm tab (<NUM>) is configured to engage the latch (<NUM>) proximate to the second end (<NUM>) of the latch (<NUM>) at a second tilt angle within the tilt angle range.