Patent ID: 12252254

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a deployable seat bottom. The following detailed description describes the present embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, reference numbers label elements of the present embodiments. These reference numbers are reproduced below in connection with the discussion of the corresponding drawing features. It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, many other elements found in paper shredders. Those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts may recognize that other elements and/or steps are desirable and/or required in implementing the present invention. However, because such elements and steps are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements and steps is not provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed to all such variations and modifications to such elements and methods known to those skilled in the pertinent arts.

As illustrated inFIG.1, three (3) conventional economy class passenger seats20are illustrated where each passenger seat includes a seatback capable of being reclined. The seatback of the left passenger seat20is shown in an upright position (the reclined position shown in broken lines). The center seat20occupied by a passenger22(shown in broken lines) with the seatback in an upright position. The right passenger seat20is also occupied by a passenger22(shown in broken lines) but the seatback is in a reclined position. The position of the knees, thighs and feet of the passenger in the right seat20should be noted. Even if there were more pitch to the seat cushion24, the angle and height of the seat pan (not shown) on which the seat cushion24is disposed and secured to, the position of the knees, thighs and feet of the passenger prevent the passenger from extending their legs. In this scenario, the passenger22would be forced to raise their body temporarily to lock their knees. Allowing the passenger22to temporarily extend their legs would provide great relief and allow proper circulation in addition to reducing the amount of stiffness typically seen on long flights. However, in the scenario shown inFIG.1, this is not possible.

As shown inFIGS.2-8for purposes of illustration, an embodiment of the present invention resides in a seat bottom assembly50for an aircraft passenger seat200. The seat bottom assembly50is movable between stowed and deployed configurations. The assembly50includes a seat pan plate52, a pair of beam braces54, a pair of aft or rear scissor levers or links56, a pair of front levers or links58, and a pair of stabilizer levers or links60. The seat pan plate52, beam braces54, links56, links58, and links60are each configured to move between respective stowed and deployed positions. Each beam brace54includes a bream brace retainer62on each end of the beam brace54. Each beam brace retainer62is configured to engage a portion of existing structure202(e.g., cross-beams) of the seat frame of the seat200. For example, as seen inFIG.4, the beam brace retainers62engage the existing tubular-shaped structures202of the seat frame of the seat200. Various components of the seat bottom assembly50including, but not limited to, the seat pan plate52, beam braces54, links56, links58, and links60can be made from various materials including, but not limited to, aluminum or composite materials. Mechanical fasteners78of various sizes and styles (e.g., bolts, screws, nuts, washers, etc.) can be used to secure the links56, links58, and links60to the seat pan plate52, beam braces54.

FIG.2illustrates two (2) passenger seats200(seen in broken lines) with each passenger seat200incorporating a deployable seat bottom assembly50(in a stowed configuration). The left and right passenger seats200are occupied by passengers22(shown in broken lines) with each seatback206in an upright position. The difference (D1) in height of the hips and knees (as represented by the circles) of the passenger in the right passenger seat200is shown when the deployable seat bottom assembly50is in the stowed configuration.FIG.3illustrates those same two (2) passenger seats200(seen in broken lines) but the passenger22(shown in broken lines) in the right passenger seat200has moved the deployable seat bottom assembly50to a deployed configuration with their seatback206in a reclined position. The difference (D2) in height of the hips and knees (as represented by the circles) of the passenger in the right passenger seat200is shown when the deployable seat bottom assembly50is in the deployed configuration. As seen inFIG.3, the passenger22is able to extend their legs and lock their knees; providing great relief and allow proper circulation in addition to reducing the amount of stiffness typically seen on long flights.

The size and shape of the seat pan plate52varies as needed by a manufacturer of the seat200, and can include a flat elongated shape (as shown) or can be customized for any size and shape desired. The seat pan plate52is generally angled at about five (5) degrees negative to horizontal (i.e., about −5 degrees) to about five (5) degrees positive to horizontal in the stowed position (preferably generally horizontal), and the seat pan plate52is generally pitched generally angled at about forty (40) degrees positive to horizontal to about fifty (50) degrees positive to horizontal in the deployed position (preferably at about forty five (45) degrees positive to horizontal). A seat cushion is disposed on a top surface of the seat pan plate52and secured thereto when the deployable seat bottom assembly50is integrated into the passenger seat200for use.

The beam braces54fit any economy class seat and the size, length, and shape of the beam braces54adjusted. The spacing between the beam braces54can be adjusted so as to provide a variable spread between the beam braces54(e.g., the beam braces54can be custom-fitted to any passenger seat). One of the beam braces54is generally disposed laterally adjacent to a left side of the seat pan plate52, and the other one of the beam braces54is generally disposed laterally adjacent to a right side of the seat pan plate52. Each beam brace retainer62includes an adjustable clamp63configured to engage the structure202of the seat frame. The adjustable clamp63includes an upper clamp portion or bracket support portion64and a lower clamp portion66. The upper clamp or upper bracket support portions64is structurally part of the beam brace54with the lower clamp portion66secured to the upper clamp or bracket support64by fasteners. In one example, the fasteners may be threaded and pass through aligned bores65of the upper clamp or bracket support64and the lower clamp66. The clamping space can be sized and shaped to match or approximate the existing structure202of a seat frame of a passenger seat200and can be customized for each seat type. Alternatively, the clamping space can be adjustable (e.g., by loosening or tightening fasteners to increase or decrease the clamping space). In the alternative, the upper clamp or bracket support portion may be a separate component and attached to the beam brace54. For example, as seen inFIG.4, the upper bracket supports64and the lower clamp66of the beam brace retainers62are secured around the tubular-shaped structures202of the seat200with portions of the upper bracket supports64and the lower clamps66sized and shaped to generally match the size and shape of the tubular-shaped structures202. For example, as seen inFIG.4, the lower facing surfaces of the upper bracket supports64and the upper facing surfaces of the lower clamp66of the beam brace retainers62are curved and configured to generally match the shape of the structures202(e.g., the existing structure seen inFIG.4has a tubular-shape matched by the shape of the inner surfaces of the adjustable clamps63) of the seat200.

The rear scissor levers or links56operationally connect the beam braces54and the seat pan plate52. Each rear scissor lever or link56is in the form of a linkage that include an upper link68rotatably connected to a side of the seat pan plate52, and a lower link70rotatably connected to an inner side of the beam brace54at or near the rear beam brace retainer62on the same side of the seat bottom assembly50the upper link68is connected to. The links68,70are rotatably connected to each other at distal ends of the links68,70from where the links68,70respectively engage the seat plan plate52and the beam brace54. The distal ends of the links68,70rotate about an axis of rotation300. Each of the rear scissor levers or links56is disposed on an opposite side of the seat pan plate52from the other rear scissor lever or link56. A cross bar72extends between the pairs of rear scissor levers or links56, and is connected to each scissor lever or link56where the distal ends of the links68,70are rotatably connected. Mechanical fasteners78of various sizes and styles (e.g., bolts, screws, nuts, washers, etc.) can be used to secure the cross bar72to the upper and lower links68,70with the cross bar72moving with the links68,70as the links68,70rotate about the axis of rotation300. In one example, the fastener78can be in the form of a shoulder screw and the shoulder tightens against the cross bar72creating a captive pivot for the links68,70to rotate.

The front levers or links58operationally connect the beam braces54and the seat pan plate52. Each front lever or link58includes an upper end rotatably connected to a side of the seat pan plate52, and a lower end rotatably connected to the an inner side of the beam brace54at or near the front beam brace retainer62on the same side of the seat bottom assembly50the upper end of the link58is connected to. Each of the front levers or links58is disposed on an opposite side of the seat pan plate52from the other front lever or link58.

The pair of stabilizer links60operationally connect the beam braces54and the seat pan plate52. Each of the stabilizer links60is generally disposed on an opposite side of the seat pan plate52from the other stabilizer link60. Each stabilizer lever or link60includes an upper end rotatably connected to a side of the seat pan plate52, and a lower end rotatably connected to the beam brace54on the same side of the seat plan plate52the upper end of the stabilizer link60is connected to. The upper end of the stabilizer link60is disposed on the side of the seat pan plate52about halfway along the length of the side of the seat pan plate52, and the lower end of the stabilizer link60is connected on an outer side of the beam brace54at or near the rear beam brace retainer62. The rotatable engagement of the links56,58,60with the seat pan plate52and beam braces54enables the seat bottom assembly50to move between stowed and deployed configurations. The lift and aft throw of the seat bottom assembly50are fully customizable.

The assembly50further includes a biasing mechanism74configured to automatically bias the seat pan plate52from its stowed position to its deployed position. For example, at least one (if not both) of the rear scissor levers or links56can be configured to automatically bias the seat pan plate52from the stowed position to the deployed position. The biasing mechanism74can come in various forms including, without limitation, a torsion spring74disposed between each upper link68of the scissor lever56and the side of the seat pan plate52where that upper link68is rotatably connected to the seat pan plate52. The torsion spring74may be partially disposed within the upper link68. In the alternative, the biasing mechanism74can be in the form of magnets, compression springs, leaf springs, or the like. An end of the torsion spring74is connected to the upper link68and another end of the torsion spring74is connected to the seat pan plate52. The spring force of each torsion spring ranges from one (1) inch pound to three (3) inch pounds to move the assembly50from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration, and bias rotation of the distal ends of the upper and lower links68,70towards the rear of the seat bottom assembly50(in the direction indicated by Arrow A as seen inFIGS.6&7, which appears to be a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the side of the assembly50seen inFIGS.6&7, and would appear to be a clockwise direction if viewed from the opposite side of the assembly50). At least one of the rear scissor levers or links56include an outwardly extending stop76configured to prevent movement of the links56in one direction (e.g., the direction indicated by Arrow A as seen inFIGS.6&7). The outwardly extending stop76is disposed on the distal end of at least one, if not both, of the upper links68.

The rotation of the distal ends of the upper and lower links68,70of each scissor lever or link56about the axis of rotation300is limited by the stop76. The torsion spring74biases the lower link70towards the stop76, and engagement of the stop76and a side of the lower link70prevents further rotation of the links68,70about the axis of rotation300. Because the stop76goes past center when the seat bottom assembly50is in the deployed configuration, when a load is placed on the seat pan plate52(e.g., a passenger sitting on a seat bottom cushion disposed above the seat pan plate52), the seat bottom assembly50does not collapse back to the stowed configuration. If the links68,70are directly in line and pressure is applied to the seat pan plate52, the seat pan plate52will remain upright. If the links68,70are biased in the forward direction, the seat pan plate52will move to the stowed position. If the links68,70are biased aft, they will move towards the stops76and the seat pan plate52will remain in the deployed position resting against the stops76.

The seat bottom assembly50also includes a front pull tab80and a rear pull tab82. The front pull tab80is operationally connected to the front links58, and configured to pull the seat pan plate52towards the stowed position of the seat pan plate52(and the stowed configuration of the assembly50) when acted upon by a user. The rear pull tab82is operationally connected to the rear side of the seat pan plate52, and configured to pull the seat pan plate52towards the deployed position of the seat pan plate52(and the deployed configuration of the assembly50) when acted upon by a user pulling the rear pull tab82upwards (in the direction of Arrow B), even at an angle off-center from vertical. The rear pull tab82is generally in the form of an elongated strap having a looped portion on one end with a distal end of the strap directly connected to a rear side of the seat pan plate52at generally a mid-point of the rear side of the seat pan plate52. The front pull tab80is generally in the form of an elongated strap having a looped portion on one end with a distal end directly connected to the cross bar72at generally a mid-point of the cross bar72. The pull tabs80,82can be made from various materials including, but not limited to, leather, plastic, metal (e.g., aluminum), etc. The front pull tab80is operationally connected to the cross bar72, and configured to pull the cross bar72towards the front of the assembly50(and towards the stowed configuration of the assembly50) when acted upon by a user pulling the front pull tab80away from the assembly50(in the direction of Arrow C) which, in turn, causes the rear scissor levers or links56to start rotating towards the stowed positions of the rear scissor levers or links56. The length of the rear pull tab82is shorter than the length of the front pull tab80as, in operation, the length of the front pull tab80extends from connection to the cross bar72(which is generally disposed towards a rear of the seat bottom assembly50) with a length of the strap extending under the seat pan plate52with the looped portion of the front pull tab80being generally disposed forward of a front of the seat bottom assembly50. In contrast, the length of the strap of the rear pull tab82extends only a short distance beyond the looped portion of the rear pull tab82to engage the seat pan plate52. The looped portions of the front and rear tabs80,82are looped in order to facilitate a user being able to pull on the front and rear tabs80,82in order to initiate moving the seat bottom assembly50between stowed and deployed configurations.

In accordance with an additional embodiment of the invention, a deployable seat bottom assembly350is illustrated inFIGS.9-11. The assembly350has many similar, if not identical, features as described above in reference to the assembly50, except that the assembly350describes an embodiment where, for example, a rail guide assembly356is used instead of the rear scissor levers or links56. The rail guide assembly356includes a rail357rotatably connected to a side of the seat pan plate52, and a rail guide359rotatably connected to a side of the beam brace54. The rail357slidingly engages the rail guide359as the rail guide assembly356moves between stowed and deployed positions.

In accordance with an additional embodiment of the invention, a deployable seat bottom assembly450is illustrated inFIGS.12-14. The assembly450has many similar, if not identical, features as described above in reference to the assemblies50,350, except that the assembly450describes an embodiment where, for example, rear levers or links456are used instead of the rear scissor levers or links56. Each rear lever or link456is rotatably connected to a side of the seat pan plate52at or near one end of the rear lever or link456. Each rear lever or link456includes a pin457extending outwardly from the rear lever or link456at or near the other end of the rear lever or link456(i.e., the end of the rear lever or link456opposite from the end engaging the seat pan plate52) such that the rear levers or links456are configured to slidingly engage the beam braces54. Each beam brace54includes a slot454extending through the beam brace54along a length of the beam brace54between the beam brace retainers62. The pin457of each rear lever or link456slidingly engages a respective slot454in one of the beam braces54as the rear levers or links456move between stowed and deployed positions.

In accordance with an additional embodiment of the invention, a deployable seat bottom assembly550is illustrated inFIG.15. The assembly550has many similar, if not identical, features as described above in reference to the assemblies50,350,450, except that the assembly550describes an embodiment where, for example, a gas locking spring574is configured to automatically bias the seat pan plate52from the stowed position to the deployed position. Rear levers or links556are used instead of the rear scissor levers or links56. Each rear lever or link556is rotatably connected to an outer side of the seat pan plate52at or near one end of the rear lever or link556, and rotatably connected to an inner side of the beam brace54at or near the other end of the rear lever or link556. The assembly gas locking spring574has first and second ends, with the gas locking spring574operationally connected to the rear links556at or near the first end of the gas locking spring574, and operationally connected to the beam braces54at or near the second end of the gas locking spring574. The gas locking spring574provides about 10-20 pounds of force to move the assembly50from the stowed to deployed configurations. The gas locking spring574can be similar to a hydraulic seat recline device manufactured by Crane Co. under the HYDROLOK brand. When the assembly550is integrated into a passenger seat200, the assembly550can be moved system can be operated with a standard recline button (i.e., the button used to move the seatback between upright and reclined positions) allowing the passenger to deploy the seat pan plate52with a push of a button (the passenger must not be seated) and stowage can take place with the passenger seated. For example, as an option when the passenger seat is used with the assembly550, the seat bottom (e.g., the cushion disposed over the seat pan plate52and secured thereto) could start in the up and aft position. This would provide approximately 2 inches of additional row space that can be gained for passenger boarding (which includes the passenger making their way past the other seats in their row and seating themselves in their seat) and passenger egress (which includes the passenger leaving their seat and making their way past the other seats in their row). When the seatback is upright, the seat bottom is free to move up and down but is held in the up (i.e., deployed) position by spring force but is not locked. One the passenger boards, is seated, and reclines, the seat bottom will stay down. With the seatback reclined, the seat bottom can be adjusted to suit and will stay in position. When the passenger puts the seatback in the upright position and stands up, the seat bottom returns to the up and aft position.

In accordance with a still further embodiment of the invention, a deployable seat bottom assembly650is illustrated inFIGS.16-17. The assembly650has many similar, if not identical, features as described above in reference to the assemblies50,350,450,550, except that the assembly650does not include beam braces54, and provides an embodiment where the assembly650is attachable to a seat frame202as a single assembly with four (4) separate adjustable clamps63providing independent mountings to the seat frame202. That is, each adjustable clamp63is configured to engage the structure202of the seat frame. The adjustable clamp63includes an upper clamp portion or bracket support portion64and a lower clamp portion66. Each rear scissor lever or link56and each front lever or link58is directly connected to an adjustable clamp63. Each stabilizer lever or link60is rotatably connected to the seat pan plate52on one end and rotatably connected to an adjustable clamp63on the other end.

In accordance with a still further embodiment of the invention, a deployable seat bottom assembly750is illustrated inFIGS.18-19. The assembly750has many similar, if not identical, features as described above in reference to the assemblies50,350,450,550,650except that the assembly750only pivots in the front and does not move backwards as the assembly750describes an embodiment where, for example, rear levers or links756are used instead of the rear scissor levers or links56. Each rear lever or link756is rotatably connected to a side of the seat pan plate52at or near one end of the rear lever or link756. Each rear lever or link756includes a pin757extending outwardly from the rear lever or link756at or near the other end of the rear lever or link756(i.e., the end of the rear lever or link756opposite from the end engaging the seat pan plate52) such that the rear levers or links756are configured to slidingly engage the beam braces54. Each beam brace54includes a slot754extending through the beam brace54along a length of the beam brace54between the beam brace retainers62. The pin757of each rear lever or link756slidingly engages a respective slot754in one of the beam braces54as the rear levers or links756move between stowed and deployed positions. The front of the seat pan plate52is rotatably connected at the front of the assembly750to each of the beam braces54.

In use, the deployment stages required to bring the seat bottom assembly (e.g., seat bottom assembly50) to a position conducive to a passenger being able to extend and stretch their legs are as follows: stowed configuration, semi-deployed configuration, and deployed configuration. In the stowed configuration (see, for example,FIG.3), the deployable seat bottom assembly50engages the seat frame202of the passenger seat200. In any event, in the stowed configuration, the seat bottom assembly50is generally out of sight of passengers22as a seat cushion204of the passenger seat200is generally disposed on top of the seat pan plate52and secured thereto. The only portions of the seat bottom assembly50generally visible to passengers are the front and rear pull tabs80,82. The rear pull tab82will extend upwardly from a space between a back side of the seat cushion204and a side of a cushion of the seatback206against which the passenger's back rests. To a passenger22, the front pull tab80appears to extend forward of the seat cushion204from under the passenger seat200. The passenger22lifts themselves off (at least in part) from the seat cushion204(i.e., the passengers takes at least the bulk of their weight off the seat cushion204and underlying seat pan plate52) and pulls the rear pull tab82upwards which starts the assembly50moving from the stowed configuration towards the deployed configuration. The passenger's seatback206can be in either the upright or reclined position. Pulling on the rear pull tab82by the passenger22will pull on the seat pan plate52, which in turn causes the rear scissor levers or links56to pivot from their stowed position to their deployed position (as well as causing the stabilizer links60and front links58to pivot from their stowed position to their deployed position). The biasing mechanism74(e.g., torsion springs) applies force (in the direction of Arrow A) to the rear scissor levers or links56moving the rear scissor levers or links56from their stowed position towards their deployed position, with the seat plate pan52also moving from its stowed position towards its deployed position.

In the semi-deployed configuration, the passenger22may still be pulling on the rear pull tab82as the torsion springs74continue to apply force to the rear scissor levers or links56moving the rear scissor levers or links56from their stowed position towards their deployed position, with the seat pan plate52continuing to move from its stowed position towards its deployed position. Once the seat pan plate52gets near the fully deployed position, the torsion springs74assist in taking the seat pan plate52to the fully deployed position and help keep the seat pan plate52in the fully deployed position.

The assembly50reaches the deployed configuration when the torsion spring74has biased the lower link70towards the stop76such that engagement of the stop76and a side of the lower link70prevents further rotation of the links68,70about the axis of rotation300. Because the stop76goes past center when the seat bottom assembly50is in the deployed configuration, when a load (e.g., a portion of the passenger's body) is placed on top of the seat pan plate52(e.g., a passenger22sitting on a seat bottom cushion204disposed above the seat pan plate52and secured thereto), the seat bottom assembly50does not collapse back to the stowed configuration. As seen inFIG.3, with the assembly50in the deployed configuration, a seated passenger22has the ability to fully extend their legs. In its deployed position, the seat pan pate52has not only pivoted upward, but has also simultaneously slid back, and made room for the passenger's knees. Giving the passenger22the option to temporarily place and lock the seat pan plate52in the deployed position will allow the passenger22to get much needed relief without having to exit the passenger seat200. With this configuration, passengers22can vary their seating position and thereby promote proper circulation and comfort (even in an economy class seat).

When a passenger22wishes to move the assembly50from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration, the passenger22pulls the front pull tab80forward (i.e., in the direction of Arrow C (e.g., in the direction of the seatback206of the passenger seat200in front of the passenger's seat200)). As the distal end of the front pull tab80is connected to the cross bar72, pulling on the front pull tab80in turn pulls the cross bar72in a forward direction. At the cross bar72is connected to the scissor levers or links56, movement of the cross bar72in a forward direction (e.g., in the direction of Arrow C) causes the scissor levers or links56to start pivoting away from engagement with the stops76and towards the stowed positions of the scissor levers or links56. The passenger22needs to pull the front pull tab80with enough force to overcome the torsional force provided by the torsion springs74. The user need not press down on the rear portion of the seat cushion204over the seat pan plate52in order to collapse the assembly50towards its stowed configuration as pulling the front pull tab80forward is enough to bring the assembly to its stowed configuration. However, the passenger22may continue to sit in their seat while pulling the front pull tab80forward of their seat200. When the assembly50is in its stowed configuration, the torsional force of the torsion springs74is insufficient to move the assembly50back towards its deployed configuration. Various methods can be used to dampen movement of the assembly50towards the stowed configuration. For example, one-way bearings can be used to keep the assembly50from moving too quickly towards the stowed configuration. The one-way bearings would allow free movement in the direction of deployment but would create friction to slow down stowage.

In another alternative, the assemblies50,350,450,550can be configured for use with a translating seat pan. In yet another alternative, the assemblies50,350,450,550can be integrated into a passenger seat200such that the assemblies50,350,450,550can be operated to move between deployed and stowed configurations using a standard recline button (i.e., the button used to move the seatback between upright and reclined positions) that allows the passenger to deploy the assemblies50,350,450,550with a push of a button.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a seat cushion804having a modified wedge-shape (as seen from the side) may be used with a deployable seat bottom assembly (e.g., assemblies50,350,450,550750). InFIGS.20-22, a shaped seat cushion804is shown for purposes of illustration which accommodates a passenger being seated when the passenger's legs are extended when the seat bottom assembly is in the deployed position. The seat cushion804has a bottom portion806, a front portion808, a first top portion810, and a second top portion812. The modified wedge-shape of the seat cushion804helps to distribute a user's body weight evenly along the back of the user's thighs resting on the generally horizontal, first top portion810when the deployable seat bottom assembly (e.g., deployable seat bottom assembly50is shown inFIGS.21-22for illustration purposes only) is in the stowed configuration. As set forth above, in the stowed configuration, the seat bottom assembly50is generally out of sight of passengers22as the seat cushion804of the passenger seat200is generally disposed on top of the seat pan plate52and secured thereto (with the bottom portion806generally parallel with a top portion of the seat pan plate52, and in general contact therewith). When the assembly50is in the stowed configuration, the first top portion810is generally parallel with the seat pan plate52or has a negative incline in relation thereto (approximately five (5) to ten (10) degrees). Likewise, the first top portion810may be generally parallel with the floor of the aircraft or have a negative incline in relation thereto (approximately five (5) to ten (10) degrees) when the assembly50is in the stowed configuration. As set forth above, the only portions of the seat bottom assembly50generally visible to passengers are the front and rear pull tabs80,82when the assembly50is in the stowed configuration. The rear pull tab82will extend upwardly from a space between a back side of the seat cushion804and a side of a cushion of the seatback206against which the passenger's back rests. To a passenger22, the front pull tab80appears to extend forward of the seat cushion804from under the passenger seat200. The passenger22lifts themselves off (at least in part) from the seat cushion804(i.e., the passengers takes at least the bulk of their weight off the seat cushion804and underlying seat pan plate52) and pulls the rear pull tab82upwards which starts the assembly50moving from the stowed configuration towards the deployed configuration. The passenger's seatback206can be in either the upright or reclined position. Pulling on the rear pull tab82by the passenger22will pull on the seat pan plate52, which in turn causes the rear scissor levers or links56to pivot from their stowed position to their deployed position (as well as causing the stabilizer links60and front links58to pivot from their stowed position to their deployed position). The biasing mechanism74(e.g., torsion springs) applies force (in the direction of Arrow A) to the rear scissor levers or links56moving the rear scissor levers or links56from their stowed position towards their deployed position, with the seat plate pan52also moving from its stowed position towards its deployed position.

As stated above, in the semi-deployed configuration, the passenger22may still be pulling on the rear pull tab82as the torsion springs74continue to apply force to the rear scissor levers or links56moving the rear scissor levers or links56from their stowed position towards their deployed position, with the seat pan plate52continuing to move from its stowed position towards its deployed position. Once the seat pan plate52gets near the fully deployed position, the torsion springs74assist in taking the seat pan plate52to the fully deployed position and help keep the seat pan plate52in the fully deployed position.

When the deployable seat bottom assembly50is in the deployed configuration, the modified wedge-shape helps keep the user from sliding forward while seated with the back of the user's thighs resting on/against the now-inclined first top portion810, and the user's posterior generally resting on/against the second top portion812. That is, the second top portion812acts as a “ledge” upon which the passenger can “sit” when the assembly50is in the deployed configuration. When the assembly50is in the deployed configuration, the second top portion812may be generally horizontal to the floor of the aircraft or at a slight negative incline relative thereto (that is, less than five (5) degrees). As stated above, the seat pan plate52is generally angled at about five (5) degrees negative to horizontal (i.e., about −5 degrees) to about five (5) degrees positive to horizontal in the stowed position (preferably generally horizontal), and the seat pan plate52is generally pitched generally angled at about forty (40) degrees positive to horizontal to about fifty (50) degrees positive to horizontal in the deployed position (preferably at about forty five (45) degrees positive to horizontal). As the seat cushion804is disposed on a top surface of the seat pan plate52and secured thereto when the deployable seat bottom assembly50is integrated into the passenger seat200for use, the bottom portion806of the seat cushion804will generally match the angle of the seat pan plate52when the assembly50is in the stowed and deployed configurations.

The seat cushion804may include an exterior shell or housing made from materials matching those of the passenger seat200. The seat cushion804may include includes one or more cushion layers contained within the housing. When there are at least two cushion layers, the cushion layers are generally stacked on top of each other. The cushion layers may be shaped and sized so as to contribute to the desired shape of the seat cushion804. A cushion layer of the seat cushion804can be made from various types of foam or foam-like material including, without limitation, memory foam (ranging from low to high density, low to high firmness) (also referred to as “viscoelastic” polyurethane foam, or low-resilience polyurethane foam), rubber, rubber latex, polyurethane, polychloroprene (e.g., neoprene), foam latex, poly foam, or the like. Alternatively, gel memory foam (also referred to as gel visco) may also be used.

Embodiments of the present invention can be incorporated into new passenger seats or retro-fitted into existing passenger seats (e.g., passenger seats already installed in passenger aircraft). Although the present invention has been discussed above in connection with use on a passenger aircraft, the present invention is not limited to that environment and may also be used on passenger trains, cars, buses and other vehicles including, but not limited to, carts, carriages, and means of transportation mounted on rails.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to use with airline seats, and may be used with a wide variety of other seating associated with various types of vehicles (e.g., trucks, buses, trains, etc.). Likewise, the present invention is also not to be limited to use in vehicles and may be used in non-vehicle or stationary environments where there is seating, and it is desirable to stow and deploy seating, such as entertainment venues (e.g., theaters, sports/concert arenas, etc.), auditoriums, restrooms, sports stadiums, film sets, schools, hospitals, factories, garages, offices, shipyards, construction sites and the like. Furthermore, the present invention is also not to be limited to use in connection with seating, and may be used in any environment where the apparatus may be stowed within and deployed in the manner as described above.

In addition, the claimed invention is not limited in size and may be constructed in various sizes in which the same or similar principles of operation as described above would apply. Furthermore, the figures (and various components shown therein) of the specification are not to be construed as drawn to scale.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In other words, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not necessarily excluding the plural of the elements or steps. Further, references to “one embodiment” or “one implementation” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments or implementations that also incorporate the recited features.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. In other words, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property can include additional elements not having that property. In other words, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. In other words, the use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and additional items. Further, references to “one embodiment” or “one implementation” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments or implementations that also incorporate the recited features. The term “exemplary” is intended to mean “an example of”.

When introducing elements of aspects of the disclosure or the examples thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. In other words, the indefinite articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” as used in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary. Any range or value given herein can be extended or altered without losing the effect sought, as will be apparent to the skilled person.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

While various spatial and directional terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” and the like are used to describe embodiments and implementations of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations can be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that a top side becomes a bottom side if the structure is flipped 180 degrees, becomes a left side or a right side if the structure is pivoted 90°, and the like. In other words, spatially relative terms, such as “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “lateral”, “longitudinal” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is “configured to” perform a task or operation is particularly structurally formed, constructed, or adapted in a manner corresponding to the task or operation. For purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, an object that is merely capable of being modified to perform the task or operation is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as used herein.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above can relate to one embodiment or can relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to ‘an’ item refers to one or more of those items.

The order of execution or performance of the operations in examples of the disclosure illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and examples of the disclosure can include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation (e.g., different steps, etc.) is within the scope of aspects and implementations of the disclosure. In other words, the method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

The phrase “one or more of the following: A, B, and C” means “at least one of A and/or at least one of B and/or at least one of C.” The phrase “and/or”, as used in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

As used in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As briefly discussed above, as used in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. Ordinal terms are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term), to distinguish the claim elements.

Having described aspects of the disclosure in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments of the disclosure without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments of the disclosure, the embodiments are by no means limiting and are example embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the various embodiments of the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the various embodiments of the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those persons of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

The above description presents the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above that are fully equivalent. Moreover, features described in connection with one embodiment of the invention may be used in conjunction with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above. Consequently, this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, this invention covers all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention.

The following claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope of the invention. The illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that should not be taken as limiting the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.