U.S. patent application number 10/404739 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-07 for reclining passenger seat having a visual seat position indicator.
This patent application is currently assigned to B E Aerospace, Inc.. Invention is credited to Skelly, Trevor B..
Application Number | 20040195875 10/404739 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33096972 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040195875 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Skelly, Trevor B. |
October 7, 2004 |
Reclining passenger seat having a visual seat position
indicator
Abstract
A reclining passenger seat having a visual seat position
indicator. The seat includes a seat frame for being attached to a
supporting deck, a seat bottom carried by the seat frame, a seat
back carried by the seat frame and moveable relative to the seat
bottom between a fully upright and reclined positions, and a sensor
for determining when the seat back is and is not in the fully
upright position. A visual seat position indicator light is
operatively associated with the sensor and positioned so as to be
observed by a cabin attendant without having to directly observe
the seat back for determining whether the seat back is in a fully
upright position. The passenger seat may include an end bay for
being positioned adjacent a passageway, and the visual seat
position indicator light is positioned on the end bay, or the
indicator lights may be mounted on one or more display panels.
Inventors: |
Skelly, Trevor B.;
(Winston-Salem, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Adams Evans, P.A.
2180 Two Wachovia Center
Charlotte
NC
28282
US
|
Assignee: |
B E Aerospace, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
33096972 |
Appl. No.: |
10/404739 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/217.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64D 11/0639 20141201;
B60N 2002/0272 20130101; B64D 11/06 20130101; B60N 2002/0268
20130101; B64D 11/0624 20141201; B60N 2/0252 20130101; B60N 2/242
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/217.3 |
International
Class: |
A47C 007/62 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A reclining passenger seat having a visual seat position
indicator, comprising: (a) a seat frame for being attached to a
supporting deck; (b) a seat bottom carried by the seat frame; (c) a
seat back carried by the seat frame and moveable relative to the
seat bottom between a fully upright and reclined positions; (d) a
sensor for determining when the seat back is and is not in the
fully upright position; and (e) a visual seat position indicator
light operatively associated with the sensor and positioned so as
to be observed by a cabin attendant without having to directly
observe the seat back for determining whether the seat back is in a
fully upright position.
2. A reclining passenger seat according to claim 1, wherein the
passenger seat includes an end bay for being positioned adjacent an
aisle, and wherein the visual seat position indicator light is
positioned on the end bay.
3. A reclining passenger seat according to claim 1, wherein the
sensor comprises a proximity switch.
4. A reclining passenger seat according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein
the sensor is adapted to detect when the seat back is not in the
fully upright position and to activate the light to provide a
signal that the seat back is not in the fully upright position.
5. A reclining passenger seat according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein
the visual seat position indicator comprises a light, and wherein
the sensor is adapted to detect when the seat back is in the fully
upright position and activate the light to provide a signal that
the seat back is in the fully upright position.
6. A reclining passenger seat according to claim 5, and including a
master switch operatively connected between the sensor and the
light for deactivating the position indicator during times that a
reclined seat back is permitted.
7. A passenger seat group comprising at least two reclining
passenger seats, the seat group having a visual seat position
indicator, each of the passenger seats comprising: (a) a seat frame
for being attached to a supporting deck; (b) a seat bottom carried
by the seat frame; (c) a seat back carried by the seat frame and
moveable relative to the seat bottom between the fully upright and
reclined positions; (d) a sensor for determining when the seat back
is and is not in the fully upright position; and (e) a visual seat
position indicator operatively associated with the sensor and
positioned to be observed by a cabin attendant without direct
observation of the seat back for determining whether the at least
two seats are in a fully upright position.
8. A passenger seat group according to claim 7, and including an
end bay for being positioned adjacent an aisle, and wherein the
visual seat position indicator is positioned on the end bay.
9. A passenger seat group according to claim 7, wherein the sensor
comprises a proximity switch.
10. A passenger seat group according to claim 7, wherein the visual
seat position indicator comprises a light, and wherein the sensor
is adapted to detect when the seat back is not in a fully upright
position and activate the light to provide a signal that the seat
back is not in the fully upright position.
11. A passenger seat group according to claim 7, 8, 9 or 10,
wherein the visual seat position indicator comprises a light, and
wherein the sensor is adapted to detect when the seat backs are in
the fully upright position and activate the light to provide a
signal that all of the seat backs are in the fully upright
position.
12. A passenger seat group according to claim 11, wherein said seat
group comprises at three seats.
13. A passenger seat group according to claim 12, wherein the
visual seat position indicator includes a single indicator light
adapted to activate when any of the three seat backs is not in the
fully upright position.
14. A passenger seat group according to claim 13, wherein the
visual seat position indicator includes a single indicator light
adapted to activate when all of the three seat backs are in the
fully upright position.
15. A reclining passenger seat according to claim 13, wherein the
visual seat position indicator includes three lights adapted to
activate to provide an indication of when respective ones of the
three seats backs are not in an upright position.
16. A reclining passenger seat according to claim 12, wherein the
visual seat position indicator includes three lights adapted to
activate to provide an indication of when a respective seat back is
in an upright position.
17. A method of determining whether a reclining passenger seat back
is or is not in a fully upright position, comprising the steps of
providing: (a) at least one reclining passenger seat having a
visual seat position indicator, comprising: (i) a seat frame for
being attached to a supporting deck; (ii) a seat bottom carried by
the seat frame; (iii) a seat back carried by the seat frame and
moveable relative to the seat bottom between a fully upright and
reclined positions; (iv) a sensor for determining when the seat
back is and is not in the fully upright position; and (v) a visual
seat position indicator positioned at a location to be observed by
a cabin attendant without direct observation of the seat back for
determining whether the seat back is in a fully upright position;
and (b) observing the visual seat position indicator from a
position remote from the seat to determine whether the seat back is
in a fully upright position.
18. A method according to claim 17, and including the step of
providing a plurality of passenger seat groups, each seating group
including a plurality of passenger seats.
19. A method according to claim 17, and including the step of
deactivating the sensor during times that a reclined seat back is
permitted.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a reclining passenger seat having
a visual seat position indicator. The invention is intended to
facilitate the ability of, for example, flight attendants to easily
determine whether all passengers have moved their seats to a fully
upright position when required for take-off, landing or at other
required times.
[0002] The original concept originated in relation to complex,
lay-flattype seats, and the difficulty that cabin crew have in
determining whether the seats are in the correct position for take
off and landing. Presently, flight attendants must walk the aisles
of an aircraft and visually observe the position of the individual
seat backs in order to comply with Federal Aviation Administrations
regulations regarding the position of seat backs during take-off
and landing. This is time-consuming and can be unreliable,
particularly in large aircraft with center-section coach class
seating that includes six to eight connected seats.
[0003] The present invention thus permits by a variety of different
means the positive detection of seat backs that are not in the
required position without the requirement that the flight
attendants walk the length of the aircraft for this purpose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a
reclining passenger seat associated with a visual seat position
indicator.
[0005] It is another object of the invention to provide a reclining
passenger seat having a visual seat position indicator thereon for
observation by an attendant.
[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a visual
seat position indicator that permits an attendant to determine the
position of seat backs of passenger seats without direct
observation of the seat backs.
[0007] It is another object of the invention to provide a rrr that
permits an attendant to determine the position of seat backs of
passenger seats without walking past the seats to visually observe
the position of the seat backs.
[0008] It is another object of the invention to provide a visual
seat position indicator that permits an attendant to determine the
position of seat backs of passenger seats from the flight deck,
galley or other location in an aircraft remote from the passenger
cabin.
[0009] These and other objects of the present invention are
achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing
a reclining passenger seat having a visual seat position indicator,
comprising a seat frame for being attached to a supporting deck, a
seat bottom carried by the seat frame, a seat back carried by the
seat frame and moveable relative to the seat bottom between a fully
upright and reclined positions, and a sensor for determining when
the seat back is and is not in the fully upright position. A visual
seat position indicator light is operatively associated with the
sensor and positioned so as to be observed by a cabin attendant
without having to directly observe the seat back for determining
whether the seat back is in a fully upright position.
[0010] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the
passenger seat includes an end bay for being positioned adjacent a
passageway, and the visual seat position indicator light is
positioned on the end bay.
[0011] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the
sensor comprises a proximity switch.
[0012] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
the sensor is adapted to detect when the seat back is not in the
fully upright position and to activate the light to provide a
signal that the seat back is not in the fully upright position.
[0013] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the visual seat position indicator comprises a light,
and the sensor is adapted to detect when the seat back is in the
fully upright position and activate the light to provide a visual
indication that the seat back is in the fully upright position.
[0014] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, a passenger seat group is provided comprising at least
two reclining passenger seats. The seat group has a visual seat
position indicator, each of the passenger seats comprising a seat
frame for being attached to a supporting deck, a seat bottom
carried by the seat frame, and a seat back carried by the seat
frame and moveable relative to the seat bottom between the fully
upright and reclined positions. A sensor is provided for
determining when the seat back is and is not in the fully upright
position. A visual seat position indicator is operatively
associated with the sensor and positioned to be observed by a cabin
attendant without direct observation of the seat back for
determining whether the at least two seats are in a fully upright
position.
[0015] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the seat group includes an end bay for being positioned
adjacent a passageway, and wherein the visual seat position
indicator, for example, a proximity switch, is positioned on the
end bay.
[0016] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the visual seat position indicator comprises a light,
and the sensor is adapted to detect when the seat back is not in a
fully upright position and activate the light to provide a signal
that the seat back is not in the fully upright position.
[0017] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the visual seat position indicator comprises a light,
and the sensor is adapted to detect when the seat back is in the
fully upright position and activate the light to provide a signal
that the seat back is in the fully upright position.
[0018] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the seat group comprises at three seats and the visual
seat position indicator includes a single indicator light adapted
to activate when any of the three seats is not in the fully upright
position.
[0019] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the visual seat position indicator includes a single
indicator light adapted to activate each of the three seats is in
the fully upright position.
[0020] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the visual seat position indicator includes three lights
adapted to activate to provide an indication of when a respective
one of the three seat backs is not in an upright position.
[0021] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the visual seat position indicator includes three lights
adapted to activate to provide an indication of when a respective
seat back is in an upright position.
[0022] An embodiment of the method of determining whether a
reclining passenger seat back is or is not in a fully upright
position, comprises the steps of providing at least one reclining
passenger seat having a visual seat position indicator, comprising
a seat frame for being attached to a supporting deck, a seat bottom
carried by the seat frame, and a seat back carried by the seat
frame and moveable relative to the seat bottom between a fully
upright and reclined positions. A sensor is provided for
determining when the seat back is and is not in the fully upright
position. A visual seat position indicator is positioned at a
location to be observed by a cabin attendant without direct
observation of the seat back for determining whether the seat is in
a fully upright position. The visual seat back position indicator
is observed from a position remote from the seat to determine
whether the seat back is in a fully upright position.
[0023] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the method includes the step of providing a plurality of
passenger seat groups, each seating group including a plurality of
passenger seats.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth
above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as
the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following
drawings, in which:
[0025] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a two-seat group with a
visual seat position indicator mounted on the end bay of the seat
group;
[0026] FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the visual seat position
indicator shown in FIG. 1A, indicating that both seats are in the
fully upright position;
[0027] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the two-seat group of FIG.
1A, with the seat back of the left-hand seat in a position other
than a fully upright position;
[0028] FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the visual seat position
indicator shown in FIG. 2A, indicating that one of the two seats is
not in the fully upright position;
[0029] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a three-seat coach class
group with a visual seat position indicator mounted on the end bay
of the seat group;
[0030] FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the visual seat position
indicator shown in FIG. 3A;
[0031] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the three-seat group of
FIG. 3A, with the seat back of the center seat in a position other
than a fully upright position;
[0032] FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the visual seat position
indicator shown in FIG. 4A, indicating that one of the seats is not
in the fully upright position;
[0033] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a three-seat coach class
group with a three-light visual seat position indicator mounted on
the end bay of the seat group;
[0034] FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the visual seat position
indicator shown in FIG. 3A;
[0035] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the three-seat group of
FIG. 5A, with the seat back of the center seat in a position other
than a fully upright position;
[0036] FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of the visual seat position
indicator shown in FIG. 4A, indicating that the center seat back is
not in the fully upright position;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a proximity switch-type sensor
in a position where the seat back is in the fully upright
position;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a proximity switch-type sensor
in a position where the seat back is not in the fully upright
position; and
[0039] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an aircraft cabin showing a
configuration where a display panel in a single location provides
an indication of the seat back position of the seats in the
cabin.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE
[0040] Referring now specifically to the drawings, a first class
aircraft passenger seat group with a visual seat position indicator
according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1A and
shown generally at reference numeral 10. The seat group 10 includes
two individual seats 11 and 12, each of which include a base 11A,
12A, respectively, that support the seat group 10 on the aircraft
deck by means of track fasteners, as is conventional. Each seat
also includes a seat bottom 11B, 12B and a reclinable seat back
11C, 12C, respectively. The seat group also includes an end bay 14
that serves as a side support for the seat 12 and provides both
separation of the seat occupant and protection of the seat
components from luggage, serving carts and passengers transiting
the seat group 10 along an adjacent aisle.
[0041] In accordance with the invention, a small light assembly 16,
comprising a mounting plate 17 and a single light 18, is mounted on
the end bay so that it is visible from a position remote from the
seat group 10. The light 18 may be any suitable light source,
preferably a light-emitting diode ("LED"), but also a small
incandescent bulb.
[0042] In one embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1A and
1B, the light 18 is "off" when both of the seat backs 11C, 12C are
properly in their fully upright position, and the light 18 is "on"
when either of the seat backs 11C or 12C is not in the fully
upright position, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B The single indication
given by the single light 18 is sufficient to draw the attention of
an attendant, who would then go to the seat group 10 and request
that the passenger in seat 11 raise the seat back 11C to the
required position.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the invention is further
illustrated and described with reference to a three seat coach
class group 20. Seat group 20 includes a base 21 on which are
mounted three seats 22, 23 and 24. The seats 22, 23 and 24 include
respective seat bottoms 22A, 23A, 24A, reclinable seat backs 22B,
23B and 24B, respectively, together with shared armrests 25A-D.
[0044] In accordance with the invention, a small light assembly 26,
comprising a mounting plate 27 and a single light 28, is mounted on
an end bay 29, formed from the frame of seat 22, so that the light
28 is visible from a position remote from the seat group 20. As
described above, the light 28 may be any suitable light source,
preferably a light-emitting diode ("LED"), but also a small
incandescent bulb.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the light 28 is "off" when all
three of the seat backs 22B, 23B, 24B are properly in their fully
upright position. The light 28 is "on" when any one of the three
seat backs 22B, 23B, 24B is not in the fully upright position, as
shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B. The single indication given by the single
light 28 is sufficient to draw the attention of an attendant, who
would then go to the seat group 20 and request that the passenger
in seat 23 raise the seat back 23B to the required position.
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the invention is further
illustrated and described with reference to a modification of the
three seat coach class group 20.
[0047] In accordance with the invention, a small light assembly 30,
comprising a mounting plate 31 and a three lights 32, 33, 34, is
mounted on the end bay 29, so that the light 32, 33, 34 are visible
from a position remote from the seat group 20. The lights 32, 33,
34 may be any suitable light source, preferably a light-emitting
diode ("LED"), but also a small incandescent bulb.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, all of the lights 32, 33, 34
are "off" when all three of the seat backs 22B, 23B, 24B are
properly in their fully upright position. The lights 32, 33, 34 are
"off" or "on" when a respective one of three seat backs 22B, 23B,
24B is not in the fully upright position, as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B.
The indication given by the light 33 draws the attention of an
attendant and informs the attendant that the seat back 23B of the
center seat 23 is not in the fully upright position.
[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, one preferred embodiment of
the circuit that includes the visual indicator and sensor is shown
schematically. A proximity switch 40 is positioned between the seat
base and seat back. The proximity switch 40 includes two
cooperating switch elements 41, 42 that close a circuit when
brought into a predetermined proximity with each other. Thus, as is
shown in FIG. 7, an upright seat condition separates the switch
elements 41,42, opening the circuit and causing a "light off"
condition indicative of the seat back being in the required fully
upright condition.
[0050] Conversely, any position other than a fully upright position
closes the circuit, causing a "light on" condition indicative of
the seat back being in any position other than the required fully
upright position.
[0051] An optional feature of the system is a master switch 45 that
can be used to switch off the system during normal inflight
conditions after takeoff and before landing. The absence of the
lights during normal flight prevents the flight attendants from
being desensitized by lights switching off and on during normal
in-flight activity. By activating the circuits only during takeoff
and landing conditions, the lights have only a single, unambiguous
meaning and are not distractions at other times.
[0052] The particular embodiment shown schematically in FIGS. 7 and
8 is only illustrative of many different means of detecting the
position of the seat back. Many different types of devices, such as
proximity switches, limit switches, reed switches and the like can
be used, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
[0053] As is shown in FIG. 9, an alternative to placement of the
visual seat position indicators on the individual seats or seat
groups is the placement of at least one display panel 60 containing
at least one light for each seat group in the galley or other
location other than the passenger cabin. In very large aircraft,
the indicator lights can be placed on more than one panel and
dispersed throughout the aircraft for observation by attendants in
various locations throughout the aircraft. Thus, the location of
seats with seat backs not in the fully upright position can be
identified from a central location.
[0054] Other iterations are possible. For example, the electronic
seat control unit found under the seat bottom on many first class
seats already "knows" the position of the seat actuator, so that
this position can be detected and used to illuminate the
appropriate indicator lights based on the position of the seat
back. In current seat designs, a central controller is linked to a
Passenger Control Unit (PCU) that the passenger uses to actuate the
seat. As well as having individual buttons to control each separate
function of the seat, the PCU typically has single buttons that can
be pressed in order to cause the seat to translate through a number
of motions utilizing several actuators to achieve various
frequently used positions, e.g., full lie-flat and the take-off and
landing positions. Thus, a further embodiment provides a controller
that illuminates a light on the PCU whenever the take-off and
landing position has been reached. As there are separate
button/icons for this position, it may be that the icon becomes
illuminated in a particular color that would inform the cabin crew
that the seat is in the appropriate position.
[0055] Also, in another embodiment, the seat controllers in the
cabin may be linked to a central controller which the cabin crew
can read. The central controller can be used to provide information
only regarding the position of each seat or provide the cabin crew
with the opportunity to control, the seat from the central
position
[0056] In a further embodiment, the central controller may be part
of a larger cabin management master system that is linked to the
seats. The central controller could also be used for fault
detection. In the event that passenger exercise features are
provided on the seat, the central controller could be used to
validate that the passenger took appropriate actions during the
flight to maintain their well being. The central controller can be
linked to the seat and used by the cabin crew to raise all of the
seats to the upright position between flights in order to prepare
the cabin for the next flight.
[0057] The central controller can also used to store information
regarding each passenger, for example, passenger name, preferred
seat setting/adjustment, and to generate a welcome message. This
data may be related to the frequent flyer card.
[0058] Passengers may be provided with the opportunity to select
from menu options that are listed on the seat. The seat controller
or Central controller may be used to record maintenance data. For
example, the number of cycles that each actuator has been through,
thus, providing the opportunity to predict and schedule
maintenance. As can be seen, these features mean that the cabin
crew does not have to bother passengers in order to determine
whether the seat is in the correct position.
[0059] A visual seat position indicator is described above. Various
details of the invention may be changed without departing from its
scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred
embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the
invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not
for the purpose of limitation--the invention being defined by the
claims.
* * * * *