Patent ID: 12252042

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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 a seat track fitting assembly for passenger seats. While the seat track fitting assembly are discussed for use with aircraft seats, they are by no means so limited. Rather, embodiments of the seat track fitting assembly 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 securely anchored seats may be useful.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown inFIGS.1-12, a seat track fitting assembly20can include a fitting22, a shear plunger26, a guide pin assembly30, and a quick install tool40. As shown inFIG.1, the seat track fitting assembly20may be configured to secure a passenger seat10to a track12. The seat track fitting assembly20may be formed of materials including but not limited to aluminum, stainless steel, aramid fibers, polycarbonate, polypropylene, other metallic materials, composite materials, or other similar materials that are able to provide the necessary structural integrity for securing the seat track fitting assembly20to a track12. Additionally, each feature of the seat track fitting assembly20may be formed of the same materials or of different materials.

The fitting22may be integrally formed or otherwise coupled with a portion of the passenger seat10. The fitting22shown inFIGS.2and3may include a fitting body23which defines a fitting opening24and at least one stud25that extends from a lower portion of the fitting body23. In some embodiments, the at least one stud25is configured to contact a lower surface of the track12(e.g., on an underside of inturned lips of the track) to secure the fitting to the track12as a result of movement of the guide pin assembly30. This contact and movement is discussed in more detail below in relation toFIGS.5-8.

The shear plunger26may be coupled with the fitting22. The shear plunger26may include a shear plunger body27which defines a shear plunger opening28and a shear plunger locking surface29. The shear plunger locking surface29may be adjacent to at least a portion of the shear plunger opening28. In some embodiments, the shear plunger locking surface29surrounds the entirety of shear plunger opening28. Although the shear plunger locking surface29is shown on a top side of the shear plunger body27, in some embodiments, the shear plunger locking surface29may correspond to a surface recessed within the shear plunger body27. Additionally, the shear plunger26may be pivotally coupled with the fitting22such that the shear plunger26may rotate or pivot relative to the fitting22to permit the seat track fitting assembly to slide into the track12when the shear plunger26is rotated away from the fitting22. For example, the fitting22and the shear plunger26may include a snap fit or hinge connection that permits the shear plunger26to pivot.

The guide pin assembly30may include a guide pin31and a locking member32. The guide pin31can include a proximal segment and a distal segment. For example, the proximal segment may be proximal to a space accessible by the quick install tool40, while the distal segment may be distal to such a space. The guide pin31may be received, at least partially, in the fitting opening24.

In some embodiments, the guide pin31may also be received, at least partially, in the shear plunger opening28. The fitting opening24and the shear plunger opening28may align as a result of pivoting the shear plunger body27relative to the fitting body23. The shear plunger opening28is shaped to permit the guide pin31to pass through the shear plunger opening28as the shear plunger26rotates relative to the fitting22. The shear plunger opening28may also be shaped to the permit the locking member32to pass through the shear plunger opening28at one orientation of the locking member32and to prevent passage of the locking member32when the locking pin32has been moved to another orientation (such as rotated by 90° or other suitable angle). The guide pin31may be moveable through both the shear plunger opening28and the fitting opening24along a lift axis between a retracted state and an extended state, as will be discussed in further detail below in relation toFIGS.5-8and11-12.

The locking member32may extend laterally from the guide pin31, e.g., such that the locking member32is substantially perpendicular to the lift axis of the guide pin31. In some embodiments, the locking member32may extend at any suitable angle or angles from the guide pin31. Additionally, the locking member32may be sized to travel through at least a portion of the shear plunger opening28as the guide pin31moves between the retracted state and the extended state. For example, in the retracted state, the locking member32may be located below the shear plunger locking surface29. In the extended state, the locking member32may be located above the shear plunger locking surface29. Additionally, in the extended state, the guide pin31may be rotated or twisted so the locking member32engages the shear plunger locking surface29.

In some embodiments, the guide pin assembly30may include a biasing member38positioned in an inner cavity of the fitting22, as shown inFIGS.5-8, that biases the guide pin31towards the retracted state. As shown inFIG.3, the biasing member38may be a compression spring. Additionally, the biasing member38may be a disc spring, as discussed below in relation toFIGS.11and12.

In some embodiments (such as inFIGS.2and3), the guide pin31may include a flared portion33, a notch34, a retaining section35, and a locking member opening36. The flared portion33may be located at or adjacent to the distal segment of the guide pin31. In some embodiments, the flared portion33forms a portion of the guide pin31that has a larger diameter than the diameter of the guide pin31adjacent to the flared portion33. Additionally, the flared portion33may form a portion of the guide pin31with a relevant cross-sectional dimension, including along a slope or other gradual transition, being larger than that of the adjacent portion of the guide pin31. The biasing member38may apply a force to the flared portion33to bias the guide pin31towards the retracted state. For example, the biasing member38may be positioned or captured between the flared portion33of the guide pin31and a portion on an underside of the fitting body23about the fitting opening24and compress in response to movement of the guide pin31. The notch34may be located at or adjacent to the proximal segment of the guide pin31, and will be discussed further below in relation toFIGS.5-8.

The retaining section35may be located between the notch34and the flared portion33. In some embodiments, the retaining section35includes a portion of the guide pin31where the diameter of the retaining section35is smaller than the diameter of the guide pin31adjacent to the retaining section35. A retaining member37may be coupled with the retaining section35. The retaining member37may be snap fit to the retaining section35or may be attached to the retaining section35in any other suitable manner. For example, the retaining member37may couple to the retaining section35so that the retaining member37rests on the fitting22when the guide pin31in in the retracted state. Thus, the retaining member37may aid in retaining the guide pin31in the seat track fitting assembly20during installation and any transportation of the seat track fitting assembly20.

Additionally, the guide pin31may include a locking member opening36in which the locking member32may be received. In some embodiments, the locking member opening36may be located between the notch34and the retaining section35. The locking member32may be friction fit inside the locking member opening36, may be adhered to the inside of the locking member opening36using an adhesive, or may be secured to the inside of the locking member opening36using any other suitable method. In some embodiments, the guide pin31, the locking member32, and the flared portion33are molded together as a single unit.

In some embodiments (such as inFIGS.2-4), the seat track fitting assembly20may include a quick install tool40. The quick install tool40may be removably attached to the seat track fitting assembly20or may be integrally formed with the seat track fitting assembly20. The quick install tool40may be operable relative to the guide pin assembly30. For example, the quick install tool40may be operable to raise and twist the guide pin assembly30, as discussed below in relation toFIGS.5-8, such that the locking member32is held in tension against the shear plunger locking surface29. Additionally, the quick install tool40may be any suitable tool capable of raising and twisting the guide pin assembly30, as discussed below in relation toFIG.10.

In some embodiments, the quick install tool40may comprise a handle42, a cam profile44, a cross bar46, and a holding member48. The handle42may include a first end41and a second end43where the cam profile44is located along the first end41.

In some embodiments, the cross bar46may be coupled with the first end41and may be sized to engage the notch34of the guide pin31as the quick install tool40is attached to the guide pin assembly30. The cross bar46may be attached away from the geometric center of the cam profile44(such as inFIG.4).

In some embodiments, the holding member48may also be coupled with the first end41and may be spaced apart from the cross bar46to define a space between the cross bar46and the holding member48for receiving the guide pin31. The holding member48may be any suitable shape such that the holding member48may rotate about the first end41and may also receive the guide pin31. Additionally, the holding member48may aid in maintaining the positioning of the quick install tool40relative to the guide pin31during any movement of the quick install tool40.

In some embodiments (such as inFIGS.2and5-8), the quick install tool40may be removably attached to the seat track fitting assembly20via the guide pin assembly30. For example, the quick install tool40may be removably attached to the seat track fitting assembly20using the guide pin31by placing the holding member48(which has been omitted fromFIGS.5-7to provide clarity in the figures) around the guide pin31, or by inserting the guide pin31through the holding member48, and inserting the cross bar46into the notch34. As the guide pin31is inserted through the holding member48, the guide pin31is captured between the holding member48and another portion of the quick install tool. For example, the guide pin31may be captured between the holding member48and the cross bar46. Additionally, the cross bar46may be inserted or placed into the notch34of the guide pin31. The inserting of the cross bar46into the notch34and the guide pin31into the holding member48secure the quick install tool40to the guide pin31and permit the quick install tool to lift and rotate the guide pin31.

In some embodiments (such as inFIG.5), when the quick install tool40is attached to the seat track fitting assembly20, the handle42may be in a generally upright position. The quick install tool40may be positioned so that the cam profile44may face away from the fitting22. A user may press the handle42downwards away from the fitting22and towards the track12(e.g., as illustrated by arrow50inFIG.5). This movement of the handle42causes the guide pin assembly30to lift along the lift axis due to the shape of the cam profile44and the location of the cross bar46attachment relative to the first end41of the quick install tool40. The axis of rotation of the cam profile44may extend through the cross bar46when the cross bar46is inserted into the notch34(e.g., because the notch holds the cross bar46in place relative to the guide pin31as the handle42rotates). Thus, the axis of rotation of the cam profile44may be non-concentric to the cam profile44. As the handle42is pressed downwards and the cam profile44rotates, the guide pin31is lifted upwards from the retracted state to the extended state (e.g., transitioning from a state depicted inFIG.5to a state depicted inFIG.6). The lifting of the guide pin31may be in opposition to a force provided by an associated compression of the biasing member38.

In some embodiments (such as inFIG.6), as the guide pin31is lifted upwards, a resulting compression of the biasing member38and/or engagement with the flared portion33of the guide pin31exerts a lifting force on the fitting22to clamp the shear plunger26and the fitting22to the track12(as illustrated by arrows52inFIG.6). Clamping the shear plunger26and the fitting22to the track12secures the seat track fitting assembly20to the track12. The user may partially rotate the handle42about the lift axis while the guide pin31is in the lifted position (as illustrated by arrow54inFIG.6), which may result in an accompanying twisting, or rotating, of the guide pin31about the lift axis so the locking member32engages the shear plunger locking surface29(such as inFIGS.7-9). For example, the user may rotate the handle42by 45°, 90°, 135°, or any other suitable amount less than a 180° rotation where the locking member32is capable of engaging the shear plunger locking surface29. In some embodiments (such as inFIGS.7-9), the handle42is rotated 90° or less to engage the locking member32with the shear plunger locking surface29. In some embodiments, the engagement of the locking member32with the shear plunger locking surface29may provide a secure interface that maintains a clamping force without being subject to separate retention mechanism limitations common in single-action fittings. For example, the locking member32may suitably engage the shear plunger locking surface29in a manner that is not significantly affected by the stiffness or other relevant characteristic of the biasing member38, which may facilitate capability of tuning the level of clamping force provided by swapping out or otherwise varying a relevant characteristic of the biasing member38.

In some embodiments (such as inFIGS.8and9), the quick install tool40is removable from the seat track fitting assembly20. After the guide pin31has been twisted about the lift axis so that the locking member32is engaged with the shear plunger locking surface29using the quick install tool40, the handle42may be lifted upwards in a direction away from the track12, and the quick install tool40may be removed from the guide pin31. For example, the cross bar46may be removed from the notch34, and the guide pin31may be removed from the space between the holding member48and the cross bar46. The locking member32remains engaged with the shear plunger locking surface29after the quick install tool40is removed. Thus the seat track fitting assembly20remains secured to the track12due to the clamping force of the shear plunger26and the fitting22.

In some embodiments (such as inFIG.10), other form factors and/or features may be additionally or alternatively incorporated into the quick install tool40for actuating the guide pin31. Such features may provide additional or alternative ways of actuating the guide pin31to cause the guide pin31to be lifted (as illustrated by arrow52) and rotated (as illustrated by arrow54). Some examples of different instances of the quick install tool40that feature different examples of such features are identified inFIG.10with different suffixes (such as −A, −B, −C, −D).

As one depicted example, the quick install tool40-B may utilize a “syringe” type action so that the tool fits over the guide pin31and engages with the notch34while simultaneously exerting a downward force on the shear plunger to permit the lifting and rotating of the guide pin31. For example, the quick install tool40-B may include a body60and a handle62. The quick install tool40-B may be used to lift and rotate the guide pin31by positioning the body60on an upper surface of the shear plunger26and engaging the handle62with the guide pin31. Using the body60to apply a downward force on the upper surface of the shear plunger26and pulling the handle62upwards (e.g., away from the upper surface of the shear plunger26) relative to the body60, the guide pin31may be lifted along the lift axis. Additionally, the guide pin31may be partially twisted about the lift axis by rotating the handle62relative to the body60of the quick install tool40-B.

Among other examples, the quick install tool40-C may include a forked lever that fits around the guide pin31and engages with the notch34to lift and rotate the guide pin31. As a further example, the quick install tool40-D may be a motorized, pneumatic, or automated tool that fits over the guide pin31and engages with the notch34to lift and rotate the guide pin31. Additionally, the quick install tool40-A includes similar features as the quick install tool40discussed previously with respect toFIGS.2-7. As a further example, another quick install tool100is discussed below in relation toFIGS.13and14.

In some embodiments (such as inFIGS.11and12), the biasing member38may include a disc spring. The disc spring may be disposed in the same location as the compression spring (e.g., in an inner cavity of the fitting22) or the disc spring may be disposed above the retaining member37. Additionally, the biasing member38may include any suitable number of disc springs necessary to provide an adequate clamping force.

The guide pin31may additionally or alternatively include threads39to supplement and/or at least partially replace the action of the locking member32. For example, the guide pin31may include threads39that interact with a portion of the fitting body23or a portion of the shear plunger body27as the guide pin31is rotated using a quick install tool40. In some embodiments, the threads39may have a pitch that allows the guide pin31to travel from the retracted to the extended state in response to less than a full rotation of the guide pin31. The threads39may provide supplemental engagement that may allow a clamping force to be greater than the clamping force in the absence of the threads39.

In some embodiments (such as inFIGS.13and14), the quick install tool100may include a handle102and a body104that may be moveable relative to one another. The handle102may be T-shaped and include a base that is cylindrical or otherwise shaped in a manner that may fully or partially surround the body104. The top of the T-shape of the handle102may be formed by a disc, individual arms, or by any other extensions that provide the T-shape in cross-section, e.g., which may provide a suitable gripping surface for fingers in use, such as when a palm is pressed against the body104.

The handle102may include an engaging member106positioned to engage with the notch34of the guide pin31. For example, the engaging member106may be located on an inner surface and towards a lower end of the handle102. The engaging member106may be a protrusion coupled with or formed with the inner surface of the handle102. In some embodiments, the engaging member106may include an actuator110and a detent108. The actuator110may be a spring or other biasing member. The detent108may be a ball, a rod, or any other suitably shaped object for positioning and holding one mechanical part in relation to another in a manner that may permit release in response to application of an appropriate magnitude and/or direction of force.

Additionally, the quick install tool100may include at least one rail112that aids in maintaining rotational alignment between the handle102and the body104. For example, the rail112may be coupled with the handle102, such as inFIG.13, and the body104may include a corresponding channel that accepts the rail112. In some embodiments, the rail112may be coupled with the body104, and the handle102may include a corresponding channel that accepts the rail112. In some embodiments, rotational alignment may be maintained without a rail112, such as if the handle102and body104have a square cross-sectional shape or other shape that provides keying or indexing in a manner that prevents rotational movement between the handle102and body104.

The body104may be shaped similar to the handle102. In some embodiments, the body104may be partially disposed inside the handle102. The handle102and the body104may be moveable relative to one another via a vertical translation. Additionally, a biasing member120may be included in the quick install tool100to assist with the movement of the handle102and the body104. For example, the biasing member120may be a spring that is positioned around the body104and causes a biasing force to be applied to a top surface of the handle102and/or to an underside of the body104.

In some embodiments, the body104may include at least one slot116. The slot116may be a single height and width dimension or may be stepped with multiple height and width dimensions. For example, as seen inFIG.13, the slot116may have a first height H1and a first width W1as well as a second height H2and a second width W2(e.g., shown in phantom lines). The first height H1and the first width W1may be sized to accept the locking member32into the slot116and permit the locking member32to translate a distance in the slot116. The first height H1and the first width W1may additionally or alternatively be sufficiently large to accept the engaging member106into the slot116and permit the engaging member to translate a distance in the slot116. The second height H2and the second width W2may be sized to accept the engaging member106and permit the engaging member106to translate a distance in the slot116. Additionally, the second width W2may be sized to prevent the detent108from disengaging with the notch34. In some embodiments, the body104includes two slots116radially spaced about a central axis from one another, where one slot116is the first height H1and the first width W1to accept the locking member32and the other slot116is the second height H2and the second width W2to accept the engaging member106. One example of an arrangement with multiple slots116is shown in solid lines inFIGS.13-14, e.g., with a first slot116with the first height H1and the first width W1visible in one state of the quick install tool100inFIG.13and a second slot116with the second height H2and the second width W2visible in a rotated state of the quick install tool100inFIG.14.

Overall, the quick install tool100may operate to raise and twist the guide pin31to engage the locking member32with the shear plunger locking surface29. An example sequence of actions that may be performed to accomplish this overall result will now be described. As may be appreciated with initial reference toFIG.13, the handle102may be placed over the guide pin31such that a lower surface of the handle102is proximate to the shear plunger26. In some embodiments, such movement may cause the engaging member106to engage with the notch34of the guide pin31. For example, the actuator110may permit the detent108to deflect and be pushed aside by a part of the guide pin31above the notch34and then bias the detent108into the notch34(e.g., upon reaching a position level with the notch34).

With the handle102engaged with the guide pin31, the body104may be vertically translated by applying a downward force (as illustrated by arrow114) such that a lower surface of the body104comes into contact with the shear plunger locking surface29. As the body104is translated, the at least one slot116(e.g., visible inFIG.14but rotated out of view inFIG.13) can receive part of the engaging member (e.g., the actuator110) and thus permit part of the engaging member106to move through the body104. In addition, the sizing of the at least one slot116may be smaller in width than a corresponding dimension of the detent108and thus may physically obstruct movement of the detent108and prevent the detent108from disengaging from the notch34while the body104remains in a lowered state. The downward force illustrated by arrow114(e.g.,FIG.13) may continue to be applied to the body104while a simultaneous upward force is applied to the handle102(as illustrated by arrows118), which can result in the handle102moving away from the shear plunger26and the guide pin31lifting along the lift axis. As the guide pin31is raised, the engaging member106and the locking member32may translate within the corresponding slot(s)116in the body104.

As may be appreciated with reference next toFIG.14, the guide pin31may be rotated about the lift axis by turning or rotating (as illustrated by arrow122) either the body104or both the handle102and the body104. The guide pin31may undergo a corresponding rotation due to the engagement of the engaging member106with the notch34and/or the engagement of the locking member32with sides of the slot116. The locking member32may engage with the shear plunger locking surface29as the guide pin31is rotated.

The upward force applied on the handle102(as illustrated by arrows118inFIG.13) may stop being applied or otherwise be released following the rotation of the guide pin31that brings the locking member32into engagement with the shear plunger locking surface29(e.g., upon reaching a state shown inFIG.14). As a result, the biasing member120may apply a force to move the handle102towards the shear plunger26. In some embodiments, the handle102may include handle slots124that accept the locking member32as the lower surface of the handle102is positioned proximate to the shear plunger locking surface29. The biasing member120may then apply a force to move the body104upwards away from the shear plunger26. In some embodiments, the upward movement of the body104may permit the engaging member106to disengage from the notch34, and the quick install tool100may be removed from the guide pin31.

Other variations are also possible. For example, in some embodiments (including the views ofFIGS.13and14), the notch34and the locking member32may be positioned such that the corresponding longitudinal axis of each, as shown in dot dash lines inFIG.14, are parallel. However, it is understood that the longitudinal axis of the notch34or the locking member32may be rotated away from the other about the lift axis. For example, the longitudinal axis of the notch34may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the locking member32in some embodiments. In some such embodiments, the use of a single slot116may be particularly suitable, e.g., as such an arrangement may permit the engaging member106and the locking member32to be both received in the same single slot116in response to movement of the body104. Moreover, although the first width W1is depicted as larger than the second width W2inFIGS.13-14, the assorted dimensions of the slots could be equal to one another or otherwise varied to accommodate differences in other associated components such as the detent108, actuator110, and/or locking member32. Furthermore, although the engaging member106is described above as primarily engaging the notch34of the guide pin31in response to action of the actuator110, the engaging member106may additionally or alternatively be engaged in the notch34at least partially in response to lateral translation of the quick install tool100. For example, a user during installation may align the quick install tool100with a side of the guide pin31opposite the notch34(e.g., the right side inFIG.13) in a manner that may leave suitable space for the detent108to be lowered past a top of the guide pin31to reach the level of the notch34and then laterally translate the detent108into the notch34(e.g., move rightward inFIG.13) and into a position that can be retained by lowering the body104as described above. In some embodiments, an engaging action based on lateral translation may be implemented in a quick action tool100that lacks an actuator110or otherwise has a detent108that is fixed relative to the body104.

In the following, further examples are described to facilitate the understanding of the invention:

Example #1

A system for securing a passenger seat to a track (which may incorporate features of any of the subsequent examples), the system comprising:a fitting coupled with or forming a portion of the passenger seat, the fitting comprising a fitting body defining a fitting opening;a shear plunger coupled with the fitting, the shear plunger comprising a shear plunger body defining a shear plunger opening and a shear plunger locking surface adjacent at least a portion of the shear plunger opening; anda guide pin assembly comprising:a guide pin received at least partially in the fitting opening and movable along a lift axis between a retracted state and an extended state; anda locking member extending laterally from the guide pin and sized for traveling through at least a portion of the shear plunger opening in response to a movement of the guide pin from the retracted state to the extended state, wherein the locking member engages the shear plunger locking surface in response to a rotation of the guide pin in the extended state.

Example #2

The system of Example #1 or any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the fitting comprises at least one stud extending from a lower portion of the fitting and configured to contact a lower surface of the track in response to the movement of the guide pin from the retracted state to the extended state to clamp the shear plunger and the fitting to the track.

Example #3

The system of Example #1 or any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the guide pin assembly further comprises a biasing member biasing the guide pin toward the retracted state.

Example #4

The system of Example #1 or any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the fitting opening and the shear plunger opening align as a result of a pivoting of the shear plunger body relative to the fitting body to permit the guide pin to extend at least partially through both the fitting opening and the shear plunger opening in the extended state and in the retracted state.

Example #5

The system of Example #1 or any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the guide pin comprises a locking member opening in which the locking member is received.

Example #6

The system of Example #1 or any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the guide pin comprises a flared portion at or adjacent a distal segment of the guide pin, a notch located at or adjacent a proximal segment of the guide pin, and a retaining section located between the notch and the flared portion.

Example #7

The system of Example #6 or any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the retaining section comprises a portion of the guide pin with a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the guide pin adjacent to the retaining section and the guide pin assembly further comprises a retaining member coupled with the retaining section.

Example #8

The system of Example #1 or any of the preceding or subsequent examples, further comprising a quick install tool operable to raise and twist the guide pin assembly such that the locking member is held in tension against the shear plunger locking surface.

Example #9

The system of claim 8, wherein the quick install tool comprises:a body defining at least one slot; anda handle positioned to at least partially surround the body and comprising an engaging member sized to engage a notch of the guide pin;wherein the slot is sized to permit at least one of the engaging member or the locking member to translate along a longitudinal distance of the slot.

Example #10

The system of Example #8 or any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the quick install tool comprises:a handle;a cam profile;a cross bar sized to engage a notch of the guide pin; anda holding member spaced apart from the cross bar to define a space for receiving the guide pin.

Example #11

The system of Example #10 or any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the quick install tool is removably attached to the guide pin by placing the holding member around the guide pin and inserting the cross bar into the notch in the guide pin.

Example #12

A quick install tool (which may incorporate features of any of the preceding or subsequent examples) comprising:a handle having a first end and a second end;a cam profile along the first end of the handle;a cross bar coupled with the first end of the handle and sized to engage a notch; anda holding member spaced apart from the cross bar to define a space between the cross bar and the holding member for receiving a pin-shaped member.

Example #13

The quick install tool of Example #12 or any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the cross bar is attached away from a geometric center of the cam profile such that an axis of rotation of the cam profile extending through the cross bar is non-concentric to the cam profile to facilitate a lifting of a guide pin.

Example #14

The quick install tool of Example #12 or any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the quick install tool is configured to secure a seat track fitting assembly to a track by the quick install tool raising and twisting a guide pin of the seat track fitting assembly to clamp a shear plunger of the seat track fitting assembly and a fitting member of the seat track fitting assembly to the track.

Example #15

The quick install tool of Example #14 or any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the quick install tool is configured to operate relative to a guide pin assembly that comprises the guide pin, a biasing member, and a locking member, whereinthe notch is located on the guide pin;the quick install tool is configured to engage the guide pin by inserting the guide pin through the holding member and inserting the cross bar into the notch on the guide pin; andthe quick install tool so engaged with the guide pin is operable to (a) perform the raising of the guide pin to lift the guide pin against a force exerted by the biasing member and (b) perform the twisting of the guide pin to cause engagement of the locking member.

Example #16

A method for securing a passenger seat to a track (which may incorporate features of any of the preceding or subsequent examples), the method comprising:relative to a passenger seat track fitting assembly that forms or is coupled with a portion of the passenger seat, lifting a guide pin of the passenger seat track fitting assembly to a lifted position along a lift axis; andtwisting the guide pin in the lifted position at least partially about the lift axis to align a locking member of the guide pin for engagement with a shear plunger locking surface of a shear plunger.

Example #17

The method of Example #16 or any of the preceding or subsequent examples, further comprising:attaching a quick install tool to the passenger seat track fitting assembly, wherein the lifting the guide pin is performed using the quick install tool, and wherein the twisting the guide pin is performed using the quick install tool.

Example #18

The method of Example #17 or any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein attaching the quick install tool to the passenger seat track fitting assembly comprises:placing the quick install tool on the guide pin such that the guide pin is captured between a holding member of the quick install tool and another portion of the quick install tool; andinserting a cross bar of the quick install tool into a notch of the guide pin.

Example #19

The method of Example #17 or any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein:lifting the guide pin of the passenger seat track fitting assembly along the lift axis using the quick install tool comprises pressing a handle of the quick install tool downwards;twisting the guide pin at least partially about the lift axis using the quick install tool comprises rotating the handle at least partially about the lift axis; andwherein the method further comprises removing the quick install tool from the passenger seat track fitting assembly, wherein removing the quick install tool from the passenger seat track fitting assembly comprises:lifting the handle upwards; andremoving the quick install tool from the guide pin.

Example #20

The method of Example #17 or any of the preceding or subsequent examples, wherein the method further comprises engaging a body of the quick install tool with an upper surface of the shear plunger and applying a downward force on the upper surface of the shear plunger via the body of the quick install tool, and wherein:lifting the guide pin of the passenger seat track fitting assembly along the lift axis using the quick install tool comprises pulling a handle of the quick install tool upwards relative to the body of the quick install tool; andtwisting the guide pin at least partially about the lift axis using the quick install tool comprises rotating the handle of the quick install tool relative to the body of the quick install tool.

Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.