Patent Application
20170267352
This application claims priority to United Kingdom Patent Application No. GB1604654.2, filed Mar. 18, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to seats, in particular to aircraft seats.
Various types of aircraft seat are known which generally comprise a seat base, a seat back and one or more armrests. In order to satisfy airline requirements, it is beneficial to make aircraft seats lighter and to minimise the space that they occupy on an aircraft.
In addition, aircraft seats are often difficult to assemble and disassemble with the provision of multiple bolts and screws required in order to securely attach the various components together. This can be particularly problematic when the seat back of a seat requires repair or replacement. Such repair or replacement will often require removal or replacement of the entire seat since removal of the seatback is either not possible or very difficult.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the above identified problems.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seat, the seat comprising a seat base, a seat back and a seat frame, wherein the seat back comprises a first connector, a second connector and a securing means, wherein the first and second connectors are for securing the seat back in pivotable engagement with the seat and the securing means is for controlling pivotal movement of the seat back relative to the seat and for preventing disengagement of the first and second connectors from the seat.
Preferably, the seat back is moveable between a first position and a second position, the securing means is for securing the seat back in the first position and one or both of said first and second connectors are shaped for preventing removal of the seat back from the seat when the seat back is in the first position and allowing removal of the seat back from the seat when the seat back is in the second position.
Remarkably, the present invention provides a seat with a seat back that can be easily installed and removed. During installation, the seat back is positioned in the correct orientation and then moved into engagement with the seat, for example the frame or the seat base, via the connectors. The securing means is then used to secure the seat back in position, preventing disengagement of the connectors to control pivoting of the seat back relative to the frame or seat base. For example, in one embodiment described below, the securing means comprises a third connector for connection to the seat base, the frame or a recline mechanism of the seat.
Preferably, the securing means is for preventing pivotal movement of the seat back relative to the frame or the seat base.
Preferably, the securing means comprises a recline mechanism.
In embodiments wherein the securing means comprises a third connector for connection to a recline mechanism, it will be appreciated that the recline mechanism is used to alter the pivotal position of the seat back about the first and second connectors relative to the frame or seat base, and thus recline or alternatively straighten the seat back relative to the seat base. That is, when the seat back is straightened relative to the seat base, the seat back is returned to an upright position.
In embodiments wherein a recline mechanism is not provided, the third connector is for preventing pivotal movement of the seat back relative to the frame or seat base.
In the event that the seat back requires removal or replacement, the securing means is released which allows the seat back to be moved, for example raised, and for the first and second connectors to disengage from the seat, for example the frame or seat base, and for the seat back to be removed.
Remarkably, the present invention also provides a seat back that can be pivoted forward to improve access to rear parts of the seat back, seat base and/or frame. In this way, release of the securing means permits forward pivotal movement of the seat back to a maintenance position.
As such, in one embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that the seat back is moveable between a seating position and a maintenance position.
Preferably, the first and second connectors are positioned on either side of the seat back
Preferably, the first and second connectors are for engagement with one or more mating parts on the frame or seat base, preferably the frame.
Preferably, the first and second connectors each comprise a first mating part for engagement with a second mating part on the frame or seat base, preferably the frame.
Preferably, the first mating part is a female mating part and the second mating part is a male mating part. Alternatively, the first mating part is a male mating part and the second mating part is a female mating part.
Preferably, the female mating parts comprise one or more channels for engagement with a male mating part.
Preferably, the male mating parts each comprise one or more bars or protrusions for engagement with a female mating part.
Preferably, the one or more protrusions comprise one or more pins.
Preferably, the one or more protrusions comprise one or more pivot pins.
Preferably, the female mating parts each comprise an insert for positioning within the seat back, seat base or frame.
As such, the female mating parts preferably comprise a seat back insert, seat base insert or frame insert, for engagement with a male mating part. Put another way, it is preferred that the female mating parts take the form of an insert for positioning within the seat back, seat base or frame.
Preferably, the inserts are positioned within recesses in the seat back, seat base or the frame.
Preferably, the one or more channels comprise an L-shaped channel.
Preferably, the one or more channels comprise an entrance toward or at the front of the seat back or the frame. Alternatively, the one or more channels comprise an entrance toward or at the rear of the seat back, seat base or the frame.
The “front” of the seat or seat back is understood to correspond to the position of a person sitting on the seat. For example, with reference to the front of the seat back this is understood to be the face on which a person would rest their back in use.
Preferably, the one or more channels are positioned along the side of the seat back from a lower position comprising an entrance toward or at the front of the seat back, toward a stop position toward the top of the seat back.
Alternatively, the one or more channels are positioned along the side of the seat back or seat base, preferably the seat back, from a lower position comprising an entrance toward or at the rear of the seat back or seat base, preferably the seat back, toward a stop position toward the top of the seat back or seat base, preferably the seat back.
Preferably, the one or more channels along the side of an upright of the frame from an upper position comprising an entrance toward or at the front of the upright of the frame toward a stop position toward the bottom of the upright of the frame.
Alternatively, the one or more channels are positioned along the side of an upright of the frame from an upper position comprising an entrance toward or at the rear of the upright of the frame toward a stop position toward the bottom of the upright of the frame.
Preferably, the first and/or second mating parts comprise a retainer for preventing disengagement of the first and second mating parts.
Preferably, one or more female mating parts comprise a removable retainer for preventing disengagement of a male mating part from said female mating part.
Preferably, the removable retainer is a retaining insert for preventing exit of a male mating part from the female mating part.
Preferably, the retainer is a “snap fit” retaining insert.
Preferably, the retaining insert is for positioning at the entrance to the channel
Preferably, the retaining insert is a plug.
Preferably, the one or more channels comprise a removable retaining insert for preventing exit of a male mating part from the channel.
Preferably, the female mating part comprises a bearing insert for rotatable engagement with a male mating part.
Preferably, the one or more channels comprise a bearing insert for rotatable engagement with the one or more protrusions.
Preferably, the bearing insert comprises a low-friction surface.
Preferably, the bearing insert is positioned within the female part, for example within the one or more channels.
Preferably, the female part is removable from the seat.
Preferably, the female part comprises a bearing block.
Preferably, the female part is provided in a recess of the seat back.
Preferably, one or more of the mating parts are shaped for preventing disengagement thereof from another mating part in a lateral direction when the mating parts are connected. In this respect, it will be appreciated that a “lateral direction” means in a sideways direction away from the seat.
Preferably, one or more of the mating parts comprises a bar or a protrusion and one or both of the mating parts are shaped for preventing disengagement thereof from another mating part in an axial direction when the mating parts are connected.
Preferably, the male mating parts each comprise a ball for engagement with a female part.
Preferably, the male parts each comprise a bulbous end for engagement with a female part.
Preferably, the male parts are tapered from a first diameter to a reduced diameter adjacent an engaging part for engagement with a female part.
This allows the seat back to be easily aligned with the mating parts during installation to the frame. In particular, this ensures that the seat back sits centrally between two upwardly projecting arms of the frame.
Preferably, the engaging part comprises a bulbous end.
Preferably, the engaging part comprises a ball.
Preferably, the seat, preferably the frame, comprises a mating part for engagement with two seat backs positioned side by side.
Preferably, one or more of said mating parts are provided in upwardly projecting arms of the frame.
Preferably, the securing means comprises a third connector for connection to the frame, seat base or a recline mechanism.
Preferably, the third connector comprises a first mating part for engagement with a second mating part on the frame, seat base or a recline mechanism
Preferably, the first mating part is a female mating part and the second mating part is a male mating part. Alternatively, the first mating part is a male mating part and the second mating part is a female mating part.
Preferably, the frame comprises a mating part for engagement with the third connector.
Preferably, the securing means is a releasable securing means.
Preferably, the third connector is releasably securable to the frame, seat base or a recline mechanism.
Preferably, the third connector is releasably securable to the frame, seat base or a recline mechanism by a removable bolt or screw.
Preferably, the securing means is provided toward or at the base of the seat back.
Preferably, the securing means is centrally positioned on the seat back.
Preferably, the width of the seat back tapers from a first width between the first and second connectors towards a second width at the securing means.
Preferably, the lower part of the seat back is curved towards the base of the seat back.
Preferably, the lower part of the seat back is substantially semi-circular.
This is particularly advantageous because it allows for increased leg room either side of the lower part of the seat back for a passenger sitting in a seat behind. In addition, due to the central location of the third connector, the seat is non-handed; i.e. the seat is not limited to either right-hand or left-hand use. As a result, an actuator for the recline mechanism can be provided centrally under the front edge of the seat base.
Preferably, the seat comprises a centrally positioned recline mechanism.
Preferably, the seat is a vehicle seat, preferably an aircraft seat.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seat, the seat comprising a seat base, a seat back and a seat frame, wherein the seat back comprises a first connector, a second connector and a securing means, wherein the first and second connectors are for securing the seat back in pivotable engagement with the frame and the securing means is for controlling pivotal movement of the seat back relative to the frame and for preventing disengagement of the first and second connectors from the frame.
Preferably, the seat back is moveable between a first position and a second position, the securing means is for securing the seat back in the first position and one or both of said first and second connectors are shaped for preventing removal of the seat back from the frame when the seat back is in the first position and allowing removal of the seat back from the frame when the seat back is in the second position.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seat back as described herein.
Preferably, the seat back comprises first, second and third connectors for connecting the seat back to a seat, wherein the first and second connectors are for securing the seat back in pivotable engagement with a seat and the third connector forms part of a securing means for controlling pivotable movement of the seat back and for preventing disengagement of the first and second connectors from a seat when connected thereto.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a row of seats comprising a plurality of seats as described herein.
Preferably, the seat or row of seats comprises an aircraft seat or seats.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a female part, preferably in the form of an insert (also referred to as a bearing block) for positioning within a seat back, seat base or frame of a seat. In particularly preferred embodiment, the female part comprises a retaining insert as described herein.
It will be appreciated that reference to “one or more” includes reference to “a plurality”.
Within this specification embodiments have been described in a way which enables a clear and concise specification to be written, but it is intended and will be appreciated that embodiments may be variously combined or separated without parting from the invention. For example, it will be appreciated that all preferred features described herein are applicable to all aspects of the invention described herein and vice versa.
Example embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which
The present invention relates to a seat, particularly an aircraft seat, with an easily removable seat back.
In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to the use of an L-shaped channel in a bearing block, provided in the seatback, for engagement with a pivot pin and the use of a retention plug to prevent the pivot pin from being removed from the channel The bearing block provides the female part of the connection with the pivot pin (i.e. the male part) and takes the form of an insert positioned within a recess in the seat back.
A bearing block is provided on each side of the seat back which enables the seat back to pivot. In addition, the L-shaped channel is such that that when the seat is attached to the frame via the securing means, and upward movement is prevented, the pivot pin is prevented from exiting the channel This allows the seat back to be removed or installed very easily whilst simultaneously providing a secure connection to the frame.
With reference to
With particular reference to
The first and second connectors 4, 5 permit the seat back 2 to pivot relative to the frame 3. When the seat back 2 is connected to the frame 3 via the third connector 6, pivotable movement of the seat back 2 is then controlled by the recline mechanism 13. Whilst a recline mechanism 13 is shown in the present embodiment, it will be appreciated that the recline mechanism 13 could be an extension of the frame 3 for preventing pivotable movement of the seat back 2 in a fixed-back, non-recline, embodiment.
The seat back 2 is moveable between a lower first position, as shown in
The first and second connectors, 4, 5 are shaped for preventing removal of the seat back 2 from the frame 3 when the seat back 2 is in the first position and allowing removal of the seat back 2 from the frame 3 when the seat back 2 is in the second position.
The first and second connectors 4, 5 each comprise a female mating part 4a, 5a provided on the seat back 2 and a male mating part 4b, 5b provided on the frame. The female mating parts 4a, 5a comprise a bearing block (seat back insert) 7 with an L-shaped channel 8. The male mating parts comprise a pivot pin 10.
The channels 8 comprise an entrance 9 at the front of the seat back 2 which passes along the side of the seat back 2 from a lower position toward the stop 11 at the end of the channel 8 toward the top of the seat back 2.
With reference to
With reference to
When the third connector 6 is connected to the recline mechanism 13, upward movement of the seat back 2 is prevented, which means that the pivot pins 4a, 5a are unable to exit the channels 8. As such, the present invention provides a geometric lock for securing the seat back 2 to the frame 3.
In addition to the above, a retaining insert 12, in the form of a plug, is then aligned with the channel 8 (
In the event that the seat back 2 requires removal or replacement, the securing means 6 is released and the retaining inserts 12 are removed. This allows the seat back 2 to be raised, then moved backward to disengage the bearing blocks 7 from the pivot pins 10. The seat back 2 can then be lifted clear of the seat 1.
As shown in
The pivot pins 10 are provided with a bulbous end 15 for engagement with the channels 8. The channels 8 are shaped such that the pivot pins 10 are not removable in an axial direction out of the channels 8; rather, they are only removable out of the entrance 9.
In the example shown, each pivot pin 10 comprises two bulbous ends 15 for connection to seat backs 2 positioned either side of the upright 3a of the frame 3. The pivot pins 10 are also tapered towards each bulbous end 15.
As noted previously, this allows the seat back 2, and in particular the channels 8, to be easily aligned with the pivot pins 10 during installation to the frame 3.
The securing means 6 is provided at the base of the seat back 2 and is centrally positioned with respect to the width of the seat back 2. This allows the width of the seat back 2 to taper from a first width between the first and second connectors 4, 5 towards a second width at the securing means 6.
As noted above, this is particularly advantageous because it allows for increased leg room either side of the lower part of the seat back 2 for a passenger sitting in a seat behind. In addition, due to the central location of the third connector 6, the seat is non-handed; i.e. the seat is not limited to either right-hand or left-hand use. As a result, an actuator (not shown) for the centrally positioned recline mechanism 13 can be provided centrally under the front edge of the seat base (not shown).
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications are covered by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1604654.2 | Mar 2016 | GB | national |
