U.S. patent application number 10/134609 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-07 for seat especially for aeroplanes comprising an adjustable seating plate and a seatback.
This patent application is currently assigned to SOCIETE INDUSTRIELLE ET COMMERCIALE DE MATERIEL AERONAUTIQUE. Invention is credited to Marais, Joel.
Application Number | 20020163235 10/134609 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8862855 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020163235 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marais, Joel |
November 7, 2002 |
Seat especially for aeroplanes comprising an adjustable seating
plate and a seatback
Abstract
The seat comprises means for controlling movement of the seating
plate (7) between a first extreme position (A) adapted to for small
passengers, a second extreme position (B) adapted to tall
passengers so that in all the positions, the distance d1, d2, d3
between the seatback (6) and the front edge (7a) of the seating
plate (7) corresponds to the distance between the base of the back
and the hollow portion of the knee of the passengers, and
simultaneously the distance (a1, a2, a3) between the front edge
(7a) of the seat plate and the floor (5) corresponds to the
distance between the hollow portion of the knee and the sole of the
foot of the passengers
Inventors: |
Marais, Joel; (Charosi,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLANK ROME COMISKY & MCCAULEY LLP
THE FARRAGUT BUILDING
SUITE 1000
900 17TH STREET, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Assignee: |
SOCIETE INDUSTRIELLE ET COMMERCIALE
DE MATERIEL AERONAUTIQUE
|
Family ID: |
8862855 |
Appl. No.: |
10/134609 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/317 ;
297/337; 297/353 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64D 11/0643 20141201;
B60N 2/0292 20130101; B64D 11/06395 20141201; B64D 11/064 20141201;
B60N 2/995 20180201; B60N 2/666 20150401; B60N 2/66 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/317 ;
297/337; 297/353 |
International
Class: |
A47C 001/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 30, 2001 |
FR |
01 05812 |
Claims
1. Seat especially for aircraft comprising a fixed structure (1) to
which are fixed an adjustable seat plate (7) and a seatback (6),
characterised in that it comprises first means for controlling the
movement of the seat plate (7) between: a first extreme position
(A) adapted to passengers of a predetermined small size, a second
extreme position (B) adapted to passengers of a predetermined tall
size, the intermediate positions (C) between the two extreme
positions (A, B) being adapted to passengers of intermediate sizes
so that in any position: the distance (d1, d2, d3) between the
seatback (6) and the front edge (7a) of the seat plate (7)
corresponds to the distance between the base of the back and the
hollow portion of the knee of the passengers in a seated position
on the seat, said passengers having the size corresponding to one
of said positions and simultaneously: the distance (a1, a2, a3)
between the front edge (7a) of the seat plate and the floor (5)
corresponds to the distance between the hollow portion of the knee
and the sole of the feet of the passengers having the size
corresponding to said position.
2. Seat according to claim 1, characterised in that the seatback
(6) comprises a lumbar support (8) which is fixed with respect to
said seatback (6) and able to be adjusted by said first means
simultaneously with the seat plate (7) so that in any position, the
distance (b1, b2, b3) between the seat plate (7) and the centre of
the of the lumbar support (8) corresponds to the distance between
the buttocks and the centre of the lumbar zone of the passengers
having the size corresponding to said position.
3. Seat according to claim 2, characterised in that the translation
movement of the seatback (6) and that of the seat plate (7) are
each guided by a slide (10, 11).
4. Seat according to claim 3, characterised in that it includes
close to the rear edge of the seat plate (7) and the lower edge of
the seatback (6) an activator (13) whose outlet shaft (14) extends
transversally with respect to the seat and bears a upper arm (15)
linked articulated by a connecting rod (16) to the body of the
translation slide (10) of the seatback, and a lower arm (17) linked
articulated by another connecting rod (18) to the seat plate
(7).
5. Seat according to claim 1, characterised in that the seat plate
(7) is telescopic and has its rear edge articulated around an axis
(14a) integral with the seatback (6) and its front edge (7a) placed
so as to slide upwards and toward the front with respect to the
fixed structure (1), said seat plate comprising an activator (13)
arranged so as to ensure the telescoping of the seat plate (7).
6. Seat according to claim 5, characterised in that the activator
(13) is placed close to the front edge (7a) of the seat plate (7)
and includes an activating pinion (30a) associated with a rack
(30b).
7. Seat according to claim 1 or 6, characterised in that the
seatback (6) includes a lumbar support (8) which is fixed with
respect to said seatback (6) and able to be adjusted independently
of the seat plate (7).
8. Seat according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterised in that
the lifting movement of the seat plate (7) is controlled by two
fixed slides (12) adjacent to the front edge (7a) of the seat plate
and cooperating with this front edge so as to lift the latter
during translation towards the front of the seat plate (7) with a
tilting of about 45.degree..
9. Seat according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that
said extreme positions (A, B) are determined so that the latter as
well as the intermediate positions are adapted to about 95% of the
heights of the passengers.
10. Seat according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that
it further includes second means to simultaneously control movement
of the seatback (6) and the seat plate (7) between a first "landing
and takeoff" position in which the seatback is slightly slanted
towards the rear and the seat plate (7) is slightly slanted
downwards, and "rest" positions (R1, R2, . . . ) in which the
seatback (6) is further tilted backwards and the seat plate (7) is
further tilted downwards.
11. Seat according to claim 10, characterised in that said second
control means are independent of said first control means so that
the activation of the second control means does not modify the
adjustment obtained by the activation of the first control means
adapted to the size of the passenger.
12. Seat according to claim 11, characterised in that the seatback
(6) is connected at its lower portion to the body of a jack (20)
whose rod is fixed articulated to the structure (1) of the
seat.
13. Seat according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that
the control means are manual or motorised.
14. Seat according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that
the seatback (6) comprises a manually or motorised adjustable
headback, possibly independently of the seatback (6), according to
the size of the passengers.
15. Seat according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that
it includes a leg-rest (9) able to be adjusted to the size of the
passengers and whose inclination can be adjusted manually or by
motorised means.
Description
[0001] The present invention concerns a seat especially for planes
comprising a fixed structure on which an adjustable seat plate and
a seatback are fixed.
[0002] There are a large number of types of aircraft seats.
[0003] Most of these seats have a seatback in which only
inclination is adjustable between a normal position known as
"landing-takeoff" position and a rest position in which the
seatback is more inclined towards the rear.
[0004] On certain -seats, inclination of the seat plate is
adjustable. In other cases, the seat back has an adjustable
headrest.
[0005] The most sophisticated seats comprise an adjustable leg-rest
extended by a foot-rest, also adjustable, so as to be adapted to
the length of the legs of the passenger.
[0006] The size of adult aircraft passengers varies
considerably.
[0007] So as to take account of this fact, in certain seats, the
passenger can adjust the seat plate lengthwise and heightwise, as
well as the seatback so as to take account of the length of his
legs and trunk.
[0008] However, as the different adjustments are not synchronised
together, the passengers find it difficult to find the optimal
positions for the seat plate and the seatback.
[0009] The aim of the present invention is to overcome this
drawback by producing a seat whose seat plate is adjustable in a
simple way so as to be able to be almost instantaneously adapted to
most of the sizes of the passengers.
[0010] According to the invention, the seat, especially for
aircraft, comprising a fixed structure to which an adjustable seat
plate and a seatback are fixed is characterised in that it
comprises first means for controlling movement of the seat plate
between:
[0011] a first extreme position adapted to passengers of a
predetermined small size,
[0012] a second extreme position adapted to passengers of a
predetermined tall size,
[0013] the intermediate positions between the two extreme positions
being adapted to passengers of middle size so that in all the
positions:
[0014] the distance between the seatback and the front edge of the
seat plate corresponds to the distance between the base of the back
and the hollow portion of the knees of the passengers in a seated
position on the seat, having the size corresponding to one of said
positions, and simultaneously:
[0015] the distance between the front edge of the seat plate and
the floor corresponds to the distance between the hollow portion of
the knee and the sole of the feet of the passengers having the size
corresponding to said position.
[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the seatback
of the seat comprises a lumbar support which is fixed with respect
to the seatback, and simultaneously adjustable by said first means
with the seat plate so that in all positions, the distance between
the seat plate and the centre of the lumbar support corresponds to
the distance between the buttocks and the centre of the lumbar
region of the passengers having the size corresponding to said
position.
[0017] According to another embodiment, the adjustment of the
lumbar support is independent of the adjustment of the seat
plate.
[0018] Preferably, said extreme positions are determined so that
the latter as well as the intermediate positions are adapted to
about 95% of the sizes of the passengers.
[0019] According to one preferred version of the invention, the
seat comprises in addition second means to simultaneously control
the movement of the seatback and the seat plate between a first
"takeoff and landing" position in which the seatback is slightly
tilted backwards and the seat plate is slightly tilted downwards,
and "rest" positions in which the seatback is more tilted backwards
and the seat plate is more tilted downwards.
[0020] According to one advantageous version of the invention, said
second control means are independent of said first control means so
that activation of the second control means does not modify the
adjustment obtained by activation of the first control means,
adapted to the size of the passengers.
[0021] Other particular characteristics and advantages of the
invention shall appear in the following description
[0022] Given by way of non-restrictive examples on the accompanying
drawings:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical view showing the two extreme
positions and an intermediate position of the seat according to a
first embodiment, said seat being in the "landing-takeoff"
position,
[0024] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the seat in other
"rest" positions,
[0025] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the seat of FIG. 1 showing the
various control elements of the latter,
[0026] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatical view showing the two extreme
positions and one intermediate position of the seat according to a
second embodiment, said seat being in the "landing -takeoff"
position,
[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram of the seat of FIG. 4 and showing the
various control elements of the latter.
[0028] The aircraft plane seat comprises a fixed structure 1
including a hook-shaped element 2 and an element known as a foot,
both elements crossing at a point 4.
[0029] A seatback 6 and an adjustable seat plate 7 are secured to
the fixed structure 1.
[0030] In accordance with the invention, the seat comprises first
means for controlling the movement of the seat plate 7 between:
[0031] a first extreme position A adapted to passengers of a small
predetermined size,
[0032] a second extreme position B adapted to passengers of a tall
predetermined size,
[0033] the intermediate positions, such as C, between the two
extreme positions A, B being adapted to passengers having
intermediate sizes so that in all the positions:
[0034] the distance d1, d2, d3 between the seatback 6 and the front
edge 7a of the seat plate 7 corresponds to the distance between the
base of the back and the hollow portion of the knee of the
passengers in a seated position on the seat and having the size
corresponding to one of said positions and, simultaneously,
[0035] the distance a1, a2, a3 between the front edge 7a of the
seat plate 7 and the floor 5 corresponds to the distance between
the hollow portion of the knee and the sole of the foot of the
passengers having the size corresponding to said position.
[0036] The extreme positions A, B are determined so that the latter
as well as the intermediate positions, such as C, are adapted to
95% of the sizes of passengers, namely sizes between about 1.61 m
and 1.88 m.
[0037] According to a first embodiment shown on FIGS. 1 to 3, the
seatback 6 includes a lumbar support 8 which is fixed with respect
to said seatback and simultaneously adjustable by said first means
with the seat plate so that in all the positions, the distance (b1,
b2, b3) between the seat 7 and the centre of the lumbar support 8
corresponds to the distance between the buttocks and the centre of
the lumbar zone of the passengers having the size corresponding to
said position.
[0038] According to said first embodiment (see FIG. 3), the
translation movement of the seatback 6 and that of the seat plate 7
are each guided by a slide 10, 11. The seatback 8 and the seat
plate 7 can comprise two parallel slides forming a part of the
structure of the seatback and the seat plate.
[0039] The movement for lifting the seat plate 7 is controlled by
two fixed slides, such as the one designated by 12 adjacent to the
front edge 7a of the seat plate and cooperating with said front
edge 7a so as to slightly lift the latter during translation
towards the front of the seat plate 7.
[0040] Each slide 12 can be embodied at the front of the fixed
structure of the seat as shown on FIG. 3, with a tilt of
approximately 45.degree..
[0041] The seat comprises close to the rear edge of the seat plate
7 and the lower edge of the seatback 6, an activator 13 whose
outlet shaft 14 extends transversally with respect to the seat and
bears an upper arm 15 fixed jointed by a connecting rod 16 to the
body of the translation slide 10 of the seatback 6, and a lower arm
17 fixed jointed by means of another connecting rod 18 to the seat
plate 7.
[0042] Moreover, the rod of the translation slide 10 of the
seatback 6 is connected at its lower portion 19 to the body of a
jack 20 whose rod is fixed jointed at 21 to the structure of the
seat. The rod of the slide 10 is in addition integral with an arm
22 fixed jointed onto the outlet axis 14 of the activator 13, said
arm 22 being extended towards the front by an extension 23 fixed
jointed at 24 to the fixed structure of the seat.
[0043] According to a second embodiment shown on FIGS. 4 and 5, the
seatback 6 of the seat does not include a lumbar support 8.
According to said embodiment (see FIG. 4), only the seat plate is
thus adjustable by the first control means.
[0044] According to this second embodiment (see FIG. 5), the
translation movement of the seat plate 7 is guided by a slide
11.
[0045] The lifting movement of the seat plate 7 is controlled by
two fixed slides, such as the one designated by 12 adjacent to the
front edge 7a of the seat plate and cooperating with said front
edge 7a so as to slightly lift the latter during translation
towards the front of the seat plate 7.
[0046] According to said second embodiment, the seat plate 7 is
telescopic. The seat 7 plate has its rear edge articulated around
an axis 14a integral with the seatback 6 and its front edge 7a is
arranged so as to slide upwards and towards the front with respect
to the fixed structure 1.
[0047] The seat plate 7 comprises an activator 13, of axis 14b,
placed closed to the front edge 7a of the seat plate 7. Said
activator 13 is placed so as to ensure telescoping of the seat
plate 7. To this effect, it comprises an activating pinion 30a
associated with a rack 30b.
[0048] Moreover, the seatback 6 is linked to the body of a jack 20
whose rod is fixed articulated at 21 to the structure of the
seat.
[0049] According to another embodiment (not shown), the seatback
comprises a lumbar support 8 which is fixed with respect to the
seatback 6 and able to be adjusted independently of the seat plate
7.
[0050] The activator 13 can be an electric motor or a manual
control device.
[0051] The seat of the invention can further include an articulated
leg-rest 9 articulated close to the front edge 7a of the seat plate
7 able to be adjusted according to the size of the passengers and
able to be have its inclination adjusted manually or by motorised
means.
[0052] In addition, the seatback 6 can include a headback also able
to be adjusted manually or by motorised means, possibly
independently of the seatback 6, according to the size of the
passengers.
[0053] The seat of the invention further comprises second means to
simultaneously control the movement of the seatback 6 and seat
plate 7 between a first said "takeoff and landing" position in
which the seatback 6 is slightly tilted backwards and the seat
plate is slightly tilted downwards, and said "rest" positions R1,
R2, etc., in which the seat back 6 is more tilted towards the rear
and the seat plate 7 is further tilted downwards.
[0054] Said positions are shown on FIG. 2 in which the seat is
shown according to its first embodiment.
[0055] The second control means are independent of the first
control means so that the activation of the second control means
does not modify the adjustment of the position of the seat plate 7
and seatback 6 (first embodiment), or the adjustment of the seat
plate (second embodiment) obtained by the activation of the first
control means adapted to the size of the passenger.
[0056] In other words, the distances such as a1, a2, a3 ; b1, b2,
b3 ; and d1, d2, d3 obtained by the first control means are not
modified when tilting of the seatback and the seat plate is
modified.
[0057] The functioning of the seat which has just been described
shall now be explained in relation to the first embodiment of said
seat shown on FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0058] A passenger of with a height equal for example to 1.75 m
sits on the seat of the invention adjusted to the position A, that
is adapted to those individuals whose height is only 1.61 m.
[0059] The passenger is then aware that the hollow portion of his
knee is situated basically beyond and above the front edge 7a of
the seat plate 7 and that the lumbar support 8 is situated too low
down.
[0060] The passenger then activates the activator 13 which moves
the slides 10 and 11.
[0061] The seatback 6 then moves upwards and the seat plate moves
to the front.
[0062] The rotation of the shaft 14 of the activator 13 lifts the
rear part of the seat plate 7 backwards whereas the front of the
latter is lifted up by means of the tilted slide 12.
[0063] The passenger stops operating the means for controlling the
movement of the seatback 6 and the seat plate 7 when he has found
the optimal position corresponding to his height of 1.75 m.
[0064] This optimal position approximately corresponds to the
intermediate position C shown on FIG. 1.
[0065] In said position, the sole of the feet of the passenger
rests onto the floor 5. The hollow portion of his knees is in
support without going beyond the front edge 7a of the seat plate
7.
[0066] The lumbar support 8 occupies the correct position with
respect to the lumbar vertebrae of the back of the passenger.
[0067] From the above-mentioned "landing-takeoff" position, the
passenger can select the rest positions R1, R2, etc,. shown on FIG.
2.
[0068] When the seatback 6 and the seat plate 7 respectively move
backwards and downwards, the front edge 7a does not move so that
the hollow portion of the knee stays in the ideal position.
[0069] During said movement to a "rest" position, the tilting of
the seatback 6 backwards and the tilting of the seat 7 downwards is
controlled by the jack 20 of the shaft.
[0070] The functioning of the seat according to the second
embodiment is similar to the one which has just been described,
except for the adjustment of the lumbar support 8, which is not
provided in said embodiment.
[0071] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to
the embodiment examples which have just been described and many
modifications can be made without departing from the context of the
invention.
[0072] Thus, the passenger could have on the seat a keyboard able
to display his height and also an electronic circuit automatically
controlling the movement of the seatback and the seat plate towards
the position corresponding to the displayed height.
[0073] From said position, the passenger would be able to refine
the adjustments so as to find the optimal position.
[0074] Moreover, the jack 20, which controls the tilting of the
seatback and the seat plate, thus allowing adjustment of the
"comfort" position, can be a linear motor or a mechanical jack.
[0075] The invention can be applied to any type of seat, other than
aircraft seats and in particular seats for motor vehicles.
* * * * *