Patent Application
20190344896
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to interior cabins within vehicles, such as commercial aircraft, and, more particularly, to seat assemblies within interior cabins of vehicles.
Commercial aircraft typically include an interior cabin that may be divided into numerous sections. A cockpit is generally separated from a passenger cabin, which may include a first class section, a business class section, and a coach section. The passenger cabin may also include one or more work areas for flight personnel, such as galleys, which may include food and beverage storage structures. One or more aisles pass through the passenger cabin and connect each of the passenger sections to one or more paths and/or one or more doors of the aircraft.
Passenger seats are positioned within the interior cabin. During a flight, particularly a long haul flight, a passenger seated within a seat may decide to rest. A rear portion of a head of a passenger may be supported on a front of a backrest.
However, the passenger may prefer to rest in a different position. The passenger may prefer to rest in a forward position, such that the head of the passenger abuts into a rear surface of a backrest of a seat in front of the passenger. As another example, the passenger may support the head over a deployed tray table.
As can be appreciated, however, such positions may not always be ergonomically comfortable, particularly over the entire course of a long haul flight. Moreover, certain passengers may be reluctant to contact a rear of a seat and/or a tray table, due to a lack of comfort and/or perceived levels of cleanliness (or lack thereof).
A need exists for a seat assembly onboard a vehicle that allows a passenger to comfortably rest in a forward resting position. Further, a need exists for a seat assembly having a comfortable and clean deployable headrest.
With those needs in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a seat assembly that includes a seat cushion, a backrest, and a headrest moveably coupled to a back of the backrest. The headrest is configured to be moved between a stowed position in which the headrest is retained within a portion of the backrest and a deployed position in which the headrest is configured to support a passenger in a forward resting position.
The headrest in the stowed position may be retained within an envelope of the backrest. As an example, the headrest in the stowed position may be flush mounted with the back of the backrest. In at least one embodiment, the headrest in the stowed position is retained within a reciprocal retaining chamber formed in the back of the backrest.
The headrest may be moveably coupled to an upper portion of the back of the backrest. In at least one embodiment, the headrest includes a head support beam that spans between opposed lateral pivot beams. The head support beam may extend between upper ends of the lateral pivot beams. Lower ends of the lateral pivot beams may be pivotally coupled to the back of the backrest. The seat assembly may also include a moveable latch that securely retains the headrest in the stowed position.
An electronic device may be secured within the back of the backrest. The headrest in the stowed position may extend around one or more portions of an electronic device.
A tray table may be moveably coupled to the back of the backrest. In at least one embodiment, the tray table is positioned below the headrest.
The headrest may include a padded insert. The padded insert may be removably secured to a retaining bracket. An antimacassar may be removably secured to the padded insert. In at least one embodiment, the padded insert is configured to be radially shifted relative to a head support beam of the headrest.
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of forming a headrest of a seat assembly. The method includes moveably coupling the headrest to the seat assembly, such as moveably coupling the headrest to a back of the backrest of the seat assembly. The moveably coupling allows the headrest to be moved between a stowed position in which the headrest is retained within a portion of the backrest and a deployed position in which the headrest is configured to support a passenger in a forward resting position. The method may also include retaining the headrest in the stowed position within an envelope of the backrest.
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a vehicle that includes an interior cabin, and a seat assembly within the interior cabin, as described herein.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. As used herein, 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” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional elements not having that property.
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a seat assembly, such as may be used within an interior cabin of a vehicle, which includes a deployable headrest. The headrest is moveably secured to a back of a backrest of the seat assembly. The headrest is configured to be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the deployed position, the headrest is configured to comfortably support a passenger in a forward resting position.
In at least one embodiment, the headrest fits within an existing seat envelope. For example, in the stowed position, the headrest may be flush-mounted with the backrest. The headrest is compact and light, and allows passengers to lean forward in a comfortable resting position.
The headrest is deployable from the seat assembly in front of a passenger seated in another seat assembly, thereby allowing for a forward resting position. The headrest in the stowed position may be housed within an envelope of the backrest.
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a seat assembly that includes a backrest having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion includes electronic device and the lower portion includes a tray table. The upper portion includes a deployable headrest that is rearwardly deployable such that a passenger in an adjacent row is able to utilize the deployable headrest. The headrest may be rotatably attached to the upper portion. The headrest may be semi-circumferentially located relative to the electronic device in a stowed position. The headrest is ergonomically adjustable when in a deployed position. In at least one embodiment, the electronic device is an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system.
The headrest may include a padded portion and an antimacassar. The antimacassar is removable and/or replaceable.
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of manufacturing a seat including providing a seat with a backrest having an upper portion and a lower portion, and pivotally coupling a moveable headrest to the upper portion.
The seat assembly 100 includes a seat cushion 106 and a backrest 108. A headrest 110 is moveably coupled to a rear or back 112 of the backrest 108. In at least one embodiment, the headrest 110 is moveably coupled to an upper portion 114 of the back 112 of the backrest 108.
The headrest 110 is configured to move in the directions of arc A between a deployed position and a stowed position relative to the backrest 108. For example, the headrest 110 may be pivotally coupled to the backrest 108. In the deployed position, the headrest 110 rearwardly extends from the back 112 of the backrest 108. In the deployed position, the headrest 110 is configured to support a head of a passenger in a forward resting position. The passenger is seated in an adjacent seat assembly behind the seat assembly 100. Thus, the passenger may move the headrest 110 into the deployed position and rest in the forward resting position with the headrest 110 supporting the face of the passenger.
In the stowed position, the headrest 110 is retained within the back 112 of the backrest 108. For example, the passenger may pivot the headrest 110 into a retaining chamber of the backrest 108. In the stowed position, the headrest 110 may not protrude outwardly past the back 112 of the backrest 108. Instead, the headrest 110 in the stowed position may be flush-mounted with the back 112 of the backrest 108. As such, the headrest 110 in the stowed position is not susceptible to catching or snagging articles within the interior cabin 102.
The fuselage 122 of the aircraft 104 defines an interior cabin, which may include a cockpit, one or more work sections (for example, galleys, personnel carry-on baggage areas, and the like), one or more passenger sections (for example, first class, business class, and coach sections), and an aft section. Alternatively, instead of an aircraft, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used with various other vehicles, such as automobiles, buses, locomotives and train cars, seacraft, spacecraft, and the like.
The seat assembly 100 includes a base 130, which may include legs 132 that may be secured to tracks 134 within a cabin of a vehicle. The legs 132 may include fittings, fasteners, or the like that are configured to securely connect the legs 132 to the tracks 134. The base 130 supports a seat cushion 106 and a backrest 108. Arm rests 136 may be pivotally secured to the backrest 108.
As described herein, the headrest 110 (shown in
The headrest 110 includes a head support beam 160 that spans between opposed lateral pivot beams 162. For example, the head support beam 160 may extend between upper ends 164 of the lateral pivot beams 162. As shown, the head support beam 160 may be generally perpendicular to the lateral pivot beams 162.
In the stowed position, the headrest 110 is retained within a reciprocal retaining chamber 166 formed in the back 112 of the backrest 108. Lower ends 168 of the lateral pivot beams 162 are pivotally coupled to reciprocal structures within the back 112 of the backrest 108. For example, the lower ends 168 may include pivot pins that are pivotally retained within reciprocal bearings and/or openings within the back 112 of the backrest 108, or vice versa.
A moveable latch 170 securely retains the headrest 110 in the stowed position. The latch 170 may be pivoted into a release position, in which the latch 170 disengages from the head support beam 160 to allow the headrest 110 to be downwardly pivoted into a deployed position.
As shown, the headrest 110 is moveably coupled to an upper portion 172 of the back 112 of the backrest 108. The headrest 110 in the stowed position may extend around one or more portions of an electronic device 174 secured within the back 112 of the backrest 108. For example, the head support beam 160 is positioned over the electronic device 174, while the lateral pivot beams 162 are positioned to sides of the electronic device 174. In at least one embodiment, the electronic device 174 may be a monitor, such as a monitor of an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system 175.
A tray table 180 may be moveably coupled to a lower portion 176 of the back 112 of the backrest 108. The tray table 180 may be positioned underneath the electronic device 174. As shown in
Alternatively, the seat assembly 100 may not include the electronic device 174. In at least one other embodiment, the tray table 180 may extend to the upper portion 172 of the backrest 108. In this embodiment, the latch 170 may be used to securely latch the headrest 110 and the tray table 180 in stowed positions.
The headrest 110 is independent of the tray table 180 and the electronic device 174. That is, the headset 110 is deployable without affecting the use of the tray table 180 and the electronic device 174, and vice versa.
The headrest 110 may be held in a desired position. For example, the headrest 110 and/or the backrest may include one or more of a clutched or ratcheted locking mechanism, spring-biased pins, removable pins or fasteners, clamps, and/or the like that are configured to securely lock the headrest 110 into a desired deployed position.
In at least one embodiment, the head support beam 160 includes a padded insert 200. The padded insert 200 may be formed of an open cell foam, and is configured to provide a comfortable, padded surface on which an individual may rest a portion of a face in a forward resting position. The padded insert 200 may be retained within a retaining bracket 202. The padded insert 200 may be removably coupled to the retaining bracket 202. In this manner, the padded insert 200 may be a disposable unit that is configured to be replaced after one or more uses. In at least one other embodiment, the padded insert 200 may be permanently fixed to the retaining bracket 202. As another example, the head support beam 160 may be formed of a padded material, such an open cell foam.
An antimacassar 204 may be secured over the padded insert 200. The antimacassar 204 may be draped over an outer surface of the padded insert 200. In at least one other embodiment, the antimacassar 204 may be removably secured to the padded insert 200, such as through Velcro or other such fastening agents. The antimacassar 204 may be disposable and configured to be removed and replaced after one or more uses. As such, a clean and sterile antimacassar 204 may be used by each passenger. Alternatively, the headrest 110 may not include the antimacassar 204.
Additionally, the padded insert 200 may be radially shifted relative to the head support beam 160 in the directions of arc B. For example, the padded insert 200 may be upwardly shifted to a position B′, or downwardly shifted to a position B″. As such, the headrest 110 may be adjusted in relation to two degrees of freedom, namely with respect to the pivot arms 162 pivoting in relation to the backrest 108 in the directions of arc A, and with respect to the padded insert 200 shifting in relation to the head support beam 160 in the directions of arc B. Alternatively, the padded insert 200 may not be configured to be shifted in relation to the head support beam 160.
The headrest 110 and the padded insert 200 are adjustable, as described, regardless of the position of the seat assembly 100. For example, the backrest 108 may be adjusted to different reclining positions, while the headrest 110 and the padded insert 200 are adjustable as described at the various reclining positions. Deployment of the headrest 110 does not limit adjustability of the backrest 108, or vice versa.
A space 263 may extend between the stabilizing beams 262, which are supported over the rear of the downwardly folded electronic device 174. An individual may position a face within the space 263 between the stabilizing beams 262. Optionally, the seat assembly 100 may not include the electronic device 174. Instead, the headrest 110 may be configured to be supported on the deployed tray table 180.
At 304, an individual decides whether to deploy the headrest 110. If the individual does not wish to deploy the headrest 110, the method returns to 302.
If, however, the individual does wish to deploy the headrest 110, the headrest is pivoted into the deployed position at 306. The individual may then rest on the deployed headrest 110 in a forward resting position.
At 310, the individual decides whether or not to stow the headrest 110. If not, the method may return to 308.
If, however, the individual wishes to stow the headrest, the headrest 110 is pivoted backed into the stowed position at 312. The method then returns to 302.
In at least one embodiment, a method of forming a seat assembly includes moveably coupling the headrest to the seat assembly. The moveably coupling allows the headrest to be moved between a stowed position in which the headrest is retained within a portion of the backrest and a deployed position in which the headrest is configured to support a passenger in a forward resting position. The method may include retaining the headrest in the stowed position within an envelope of the backrest.
As described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a seat assembly onboard a vehicle that allows a passenger to comfortably rest in a forward position. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a seat assembly having a comfortable and clean deployable headrest.
While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front and the like may be used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.
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.
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) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may 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 exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of 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 skilled 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 may include other examples that occur to those skilled 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.
