U.S. patent application number 14/626283 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-25 for swivel mechanism for vehicle seat.
This patent application is currently assigned to PAC SEATING SYSTEMS, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is PAC SEATING SYSTEMS, INC.. Invention is credited to Michael Boyle, Hector Noel Marini.
Application Number | 20160244170 14/626283 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56689456 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160244170 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marini; Hector Noel ; et
al. |
August 25, 2016 |
SWIVEL MECHANISM FOR VEHICLE SEAT
Abstract
A vehicle passenger seat swivel mechanism connected between a
seat frame and a seat base secured to a vehicle body. The swivel
assembly can include a swivel axis around which the seat frame
rotates and a tracking axis, approximately perpendicular to the
swivel axis, along which the seat frame can translate. A guide
plate can be disposed on the seat base and has a guide plate rail.
A guide follower can be disposed on the seat frame having an
engagement surface engaging the guide plate rail. As the seat frame
swivels around the swivel axis, the guide follower is displaced
along the translation axis, which causes at least the seat frame to
displace in the same direction along the translation axis, to at
least a first or a second clearance distance from the swivel axis,
and the guide plate and the guide follower do not overlap along the
swivel axis.
Inventors: |
Marini; Hector Noel; (Palm
City, FL) ; Boyle; Michael; (Palm City, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PAC SEATING SYSTEMS, INC. |
Palm City |
FL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
PAC SEATING SYSTEMS, INC.
Palm City
FL
|
Family ID: |
56689456 |
Appl. No.: |
14/626283 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64D 11/0648 20141201;
B60N 2/14 20130101; B64D 11/064 20141201; B64D 11/0696 20130101;
B64D 11/0643 20141201 |
International
Class: |
B64D 11/06 20060101
B64D011/06 |
Claims
1. A vehicle passenger seat swivel mechanism connected between a
seat frame upon which an individual sits and a seat base which is
secured to a vehicle body, the seat frame includes a deployable
legrest; the swivel assembly comprising: a swivel axis around which
the seat frame and the legrest rotate in relation to the seat base;
a tracking axis, approximately perpendicular to the swivel axis,
along which the seat frame and the legrest can translate in
relation to the seat base; a guide plate, disposed on one of the
seat base and the seat frame, comprising a guide plate rail; a
guide follower, disposed on the other of the seat base and the seat
frame, comprising an engagement surface engaging the guide plate
rail; wherein as the seat frame swivels around the swivel axis, one
of the guide plate and the guide follower is displaced along the
translation axis, which causes at least the seat frame to displace
in the same direction along the translation axis, to at least a
first or a second clearance distance from the swivel axis, and
wherein the guide plate and the guide follower do not overlap along
the swivel axis.
2. The vehicle passenger seat swivel mechanism of claim 1, wherein
the guide plate rail comprises: a short rail along a first side of
the guide plate; and a long rail along a second side of the guide
plate; wherein the engagement surface of the guide plate
alternately engages the short and long rails as the seat frame
swivels around the swivel axis.
3. The vehicle passenger seat swivel mechanism of claim 2, wherein
the guide plate rail further comprises a rounded corner
transitioning between the short rail and the long rail.
4. The vehicle passenger seat swivel mechanism of claim 1, wherein
the engagement surface comprises: a flat portion; and a curved
portion, wherein when the flat portion contacts the engagement
surface, the seat frame is disposed at the first clearance
distance, and wherein when the curved portion contacts the
engagement surface, the seat frame is disposed at the second
clearance distance.
5. The vehicle passenger seat swivel mechanism of claim 4, wherein
the guide plate rail comprises: a short rail along a first side of
the guide plate; a long rail along a second side of the guide
plate; and a rounded corner transitioning between the short rail
and the long rail; wherein the engagement surface of the guide
plate alternately engages the short and long rails as the seat
frame swivels around the swivel axis, wherein when the flat portion
contacts the long rail, the seat frame is disposed at the first
clearance distance, wherein when the curved portion contacts the
rounded corner, the seat frame is disposed at the second clearance
distance, and wherein when the flat portion contacts the short
rail, the seat frame is disposed at a third clearance distance.
6. The vehicle passenger seat swivel mechanism of claim 5, wherein
the second clearance distance is greater than or equal to the first
clearance distance, and wherein the third clearance distance is
less than or equal to at least one of the first or second clearance
distances.
7. A swivel seat for an aircraft, comprising: a seat top frame,
comprising: a seat frame; a seat back frame connected to a first
end of the seat frame; a legrest frame connected to a second end of
the seat frame, opposite the first end; a seat bottom frame,
comprising: a seat base; a seat support depending from a bottom
side of the seat base and fixing the seat bottom frame to the
aircraft; a swivel assembly disposed between the seat top frame and
the seat bottom frame, connecting the two, and permitting rotation
of the seat top frame relative to the seat bottom frame,
comprising: a swivel axis around which the seat top frame rotates
in relation to the seat bottom frame; a tracking axis,
approximately perpendicular to the swivel axis, along which the
seat top frame can translate in relation to the seat bottom frame;
a guide plate, disposed on one of the seat base and the seat frame,
comprising a guide plate rail; a guide follower, disposed on the
opposite of the seat base and the seat frame, comprising an
engagement surface engaging the guide plate rail; wherein as the
seat top frame swivels around the swivel axis, one of the guide
plate and the guide follower is displaced along the translation
axis, which causes at least the seat frame to displace in the same
direction along the translation axis, to at least a first or a
second clearance distance from the swivel axis, and wherein the
guide plate and the guide follower do not overlap along the swivel
axis.
8. The swivel seat of claim 7, wherein the legrest frame is
deployable between an extended and a stored configuration; wherein
in the stored configuration, when the seat frame swivels and moves
between the first and second clearance distance, the stored
configuration of the legrest frame is moved out of an interference
position with the seat bottom frame.
9. The swivel seat of claim 7, wherein when the seat frame is
displaced during rotation, the legrest frame and the seat back
frame are displaced along with the seat frame.
10. The swivel seat of claim 9, wherein the seat frame further
comprises a seat center axis, wherein the seat center axis is
coextensive with the swivel axis when the seat frame is not
displaced, and wherein the seat center axis is displaced from the
swivel axis when the seat frame is displaced.
11. The swivel seat of claim 7, wherein the engagement surface
comprises: a flat portion having a flat portion length and a flat
portion height; and a curved portion having a curved portion length
and a curved portion height, wherein when the flat portion contacts
the engagement surface, the seat frame is disposed at the first
clearance distance, and wherein when the curved portion contacts
the engagement surface, the seat frame is disposed at the second
clearance distance.
12. The swivel seat of claim 11, wherein the guide plate rail
comprises: a short rail along a first side of the guide plate; a
long rail along a second side of the guide plate; and a rounded
corner transitioning between the short rail and the long rail;
wherein the engagement surface of the guide plate alternately
engages the short and long rails as the seat frame swivels around
the swivel axis, wherein when the flat portion contacts the long
rail, the seat frame is disposed at the first clearance distance,
wherein when the curved portion contacts the rounded corner, the
seat frame is disposed at the second clearance distance, and
wherein when the flat portion contacts the short rail, the seat
frame is disposed at a third clearance distance.
13. The swivel seat of claim 11, wherein flat portion height is
greater than the curved portion height.
14. The swivel seat of claim 11, wherein flat portion length is
less than the curved portion length.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a swivel mechanism for a
seat and more particularly to a swivel mechanism for a vehicle
seat, such as an aircraft seat for a business jet or another type
of aircraft.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Due to the unique environment in which they are used,
aircraft seat structures must meet a number of requirements. For
example, such seat structures must satisfy government requirements
involving aircraft safety. In addition, such seat structures must
meet relatively rigid weight guidelines in order to provide
satisfactory economical operation of an airplane in which they are
used while, at the same time, occupying a minimum of space and
still providing maximum passenger comfort and convenience.
[0003] Some of the more comfortable aircraft seats can both "track"
and swivel. Tracking a seat is the ability to move a seat linearly,
while swiveling allows the seat to rotate about an axis. One
problem with some vehicle seats that track and swivel, especially
aircraft seats, is that if they have leg rests, these often
interfere with the base of the seat when seat is swiveled around.
This interference typically damages the upholstery and thus
aircraft operators are constantly required to perform maintenance
on the seat base to keep the interior of the aircraft looking
pristine.
[0004] The interference is typically caused by the large seat base
size. In the aircraft industry, the seat base is sized to fit a
particular aircraft and this dictates the required seat base size,
regardless of the actual size of the seat itself. In the prior art,
to avoid contact between the seat base and the leg rest, the seat
occupant must actively track the seat away from the base as the
swiveling motion is accomplished. Without this active participation
from the seat occupant, the contact that occurs often damages the
seat base covering or even the underlying structure.
[0005] Another approach to avoid interference between the leg rest
and the seat base is to limit the longitudinal tracking of the
seat. This approach maintains the leg rest at a minimum distance
from the seat base at all times. The biggest disadvantage to
limiting the longitudinal tracking is that it only works for small
seat bases. As the required seat base grows, the tracking
limitation grows as well, eventually, leading to an unacceptable
motion envelope
[0006] Thus, there is a need for a seat with a leg rest that can
automatically track while swiveling to avoid damage to the seat
base covering.
SUMMARY
[0007] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to
automatically track the seat away from the base as it swivels to
actively try to avoid contact with the seat base. Further, this
tracking and swiveling guide should be imperceptible to the seat
occupant.
[0008] Thus, examples of the invention include a vehicle passenger
seat swivel mechanism connected between a seat frame upon which an
individual sits and a seat base which is secured to a vehicle body.
The seat frame includes a deployable legrest. The swivel assembly
can include a swivel axis, around which the seat frame and the
legrest rotate in relation to the seat base, and a tracking axis,
approximately perpendicular to the swivel axis, along which the
seat frame and the legrest can translate in relation to the seat
base. Further, there can be a guide plate, disposed on the seat
base and having a guide plate rail. A guide follower can be
disposed on the seat frame having an engagement surface that
engages the guide plate rail. As the seat frame swivels around the
swivel axis, the guide follower is displaced along the translation
axis, which causes at least the seat frame to displace in the same
direction along the translation axis, to at least a first or a
second clearance distance from the swivel axis, and the guide plate
and the guide follower do not overlap along the swivel axis.
[0009] In an example, the guide plate rail has a short rail along a
first side of the guide plate, and a long rail along a second side
of the guide plate. The engagement surface of the guide plate
alternately engages the short and long rails as the seat frame
swivels around the swivel axis. Additionally, the guide plate rail
can include a rounded corner transitioning between the short rail
and the long rail.
[0010] A further example includes the engagement surface having a
flat portion and a curved portion. When the flat portion contacts
the engagement surface, the seat frame is disposed at the first
clearance distance, and when the curved portion contacts the
engagement surface, the seat frame is disposed at the second
clearance distance.
[0011] A yet further example of the vehicle passenger seat swivel
mechanism is where the guide plate rail includes a short rail along
a first side of the guide plate, a long rail along a second side of
the guide plate, and a rounded corner transitioning between the
short rail and the long rail. Here, the engagement surface of the
guide plate alternately engages the short and long rails as the
seat frame swivels around the swivel axis. When the flat portion
contacts the long rail, the seat frame is disposed at the first
clearance distance, when the curved portion contacts the rounded
corner, the seat frame is disposed at the second clearance
distance, and when the flat portion contacts the short rail, the
seat frame is disposed at a third clearance distance. An additional
example can include that the second clearance distance is greater
than or equal to the first clearance distance, and the third
clearance distance is less than or equal to at least one of the
first or second clearance distances.
[0012] Another example of the invention is a swivel seat for an
aircraft, which includes a seat top frame, a swivel assembly, and a
seat bottom frame. The top frame includes a seat frame, a seat back
frame connected to the seat frame, and a legrest frame connected to
the seat frame, opposite the seat back frame. The bottom frame has
a seat base which is located on the bottom side of the seat base
and fixes the seat bottom frame to the aircraft.
[0013] A swivel assembly is disposed between the seat top frame and
the seat bottom frame, connecting the two, and permitting rotation
of the seat top frame relative to the seat bottom frame. This
includes a swivel axis around which the seat top frame rotates in
relation to the seat bottom frame and a tracking axis,
approximately perpendicular to the swivel axis, along which the
seat top frame can translate in relation to the seat bottom frame.
It also has a guide plate, disposed on the seat base, with a guide
plate rail and a guide follower, disposed on the seat frame, having
an engagement surface engaging the guide plate rail. As the seat
top frame swivels around the swivel axis, the guide follower is
displaced along the translation axis, which causes at least the
seat frame to displace in the same direction along the translation
axis, to at least a first or a second clearance distance from the
swivel axis. Also, the guide plate and the guide follower do not
overlap along the swivel axis.
[0014] Other examples can include where the legrest frame is
deployable between an extended and stored configuration and in the
stored configuration, when the seat frame swivels and moves between
the first and second clearance distance, the stored legrest is
moved out of an interference position with the seat bottom frame.
Additionally, when the seat frame is displaced during rotation, the
legrest frame and the seat back frame are displaced along with the
seat frame.
[0015] The swivel seat frame can have a seat center axis, which is
coextensive with the swivel axis when the seat frame is not
displaced. However, the seat center axis is displaced from the
swivel axis when the seat frame is displaced.
[0016] Further, the engagement surface can have a flat portion
having a flat portion length and a flat portion height and a curved
portion having a curved portion length and a curved portion height.
Thus, when the flat portion contacts the engagement surface, the
seat frame is disposed at the first clearance distance. Also, when
the curved portion contacts the engagement surface, the seat frame
is disposed at the second clearance distance.
[0017] Alternately, the guide plate rail can include a short rail
along a first side of the guide plate, a long rail along a second
side of the guide plate, and a rounded corner transitioning between
the short rail and the long rail. When the engagement surface of
the guide plate alternately engages the short and long rails as the
seat frame swivels around the swivel axis, different positions can
be introduced. When the flat portion contacts the long rail, the
seat frame can be disposed at the first clearance distance. Also,
when the curved portion contacts the rounded corner, the seat frame
can be disposed at the second clearance distance. Further, when the
flat portion contacts the short rail, the seat frame can be
disposed at a third clearance distance.
[0018] Other examples have a flat portion height greater than the
curved portion height and a flat portion length less than the
curved portion length.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in
accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by
way of limitation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to
the same or similar elements.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a front view of an aircraft seat of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a non-upholstered, partially cut-away,
top-front-right side perspective view of an aircraft seat of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a right side, exploded cross-section of an
aircraft seat of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 4A is a top view of an example of a guide plate of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 4B is a front view of an example of a guide plate of
the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 4C is a side view of an example of a guide plate of the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 4D is a bottom, side, perspective view of an example of
a guide plate of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 5A is a top view of an example of a guide follower of
the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 5B is a front view of an example of a guide follower of
the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 5C is a top, front perspective view of an example of a
guide follower of the present invention;
[0030] FIGS. 6A-6C are top views of an example of the swivel guide
with the guide follower engaging different portions of the guide
plate;
[0031] FIG. 7 is an example of the swivel arcs of the present
invention; and
[0032] FIGS. 8A and 8B are side and front views, respectively, of
an example of the swivel guide with the guide follower engaging
different portions of the guide plate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it
should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present
teachings may be practiced without such details. In other
instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or
circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without
detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the
present teachings.
[0034] An example of the invention will be described herein below
with reference to FIGS. 1-9.
[0035] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a vehicle seat 10 that includes an
upholstered seat bottom 12, an upholstered seat back 14, and an
upholstered leg rest 16. The vehicle seat 10 can also be provided
with a pair of armrests 18 and one or both of them can include a
user operated seat reclining/pivoting/leg rest control 20. When the
seat control 20 is actuated the seat back 14, leg rest 16 and/or
the seat bottom 12 can be reclined, extended, tracked, or
rotated.
[0036] The seat 10 has a seat bottom frame 100 which includes a
seat base 102 and seat supports 104 which are fixed to the floor of
a vehicle body 22. Further attached to the seat base 102 can be a
swivel mechanism 106 opposite the seat supports 104. The swivel
mechanism 106 has a swivel axis 108 over which it can rotate up to
360.degree. or can be limited to any range of rotation angles. The
swivel axis 108 is illustrated, and can be referred to, as a
vertical axis.
[0037] Mounted to the seat bottom frame 100 can be the seat top
frame 200 to complete the seat 10. The seat top frame 200 has a
seat frame 202 on which can be mounted the upholstered seat bottom
12. Attached to one side of the seat frame 202 can be the seat back
frame 204 and on the opposite side can be the leg rest frame 206.
The seat frame 202 can track in at least two directions along a
tracking axis 208. The seat 10 can be allowed to track along the
tracking axis 208 within a range less than 12 inches. The tracking
axis 208 is illustrated, and can be referred to, as a horizontal
axis. Also note that in an example, the tracking axis 208 can
"rotate" with the seat frame, so no matter where the seat frame 202
is swiveled to, the seat frame can still translate along the axis.
There can also be "two" tracking axis, one for "front-back"
movement and the other for "left-right/side-to-side" relative to
the occupant in the seat frame 202. In one example, the seat frame
202, tracks "front-to-back" to eliminate the interferences
discussed below. For orientation, the legrest frame 206 can be
disposed on the "front" of the seat frame 202, and the seat back
frame 204 can be disposed on the "back" of the seat frame 202.
[0038] The seat back frame 204 can be pivotally connected and can
pivot down at any angle from an upright position, i.e.
approximately perpendicular to the seat frame 202 (which can be
also approximately perpendicular to the tracking axis 208 or
approximately parallel to the swivel axis 108) to a lay flat
position, i.e. approximately parallel to the seat frame 202 (which
can be also approximately parallel to the tracking axis 208 or
approximately perpendicular to the swivel axis 108). In addition to
pivoting the seat back frame 202, a passenger can also extend the
leg rest frame 206. The leg rest frame 206 can be a single piece or
multiple pieces to include, leg, calf and foot supports. The leg
rest frame 206 can be stowed in an approximately vertical position
i.e. approximately perpendicular to the seat frame 202 (which can
be also approximately perpendicular to the tracking axis 208 or
approximately parallel to the swivel axis 108) but depends in the
opposite direction of the seat back frame 204. Once the leg rest
frame 206 is deployed, it can support a portion to the entirety of
the user's legs. In the deployed position the leg rest frame 206
can be approximately parallel to the seat frame 202 (which can be
also approximately parallel to the tracking axis 208 or
approximately perpendicular to the swivel axis 108).
[0039] The seat frame 202, seat back frame 204, and the leg rest
frame 206 can work in concert so that the entire seat 10 can enter
a "sleeping configuration" in which the upholstered surfaces 12,
14, 16 are all approximately horizontal and can form an arc of
approximately 180.degree.. Note that as one or both of the seat
back frame 204 and the leg rest frame 206 move, the seat frame 202
may translate. Additionally, the seat top frame 200 can rotate
about the swivel axis 108 when in the fully upright position or
when one or both of the seat back frame 202 is reclined and the leg
rest frame 206 is deployed.
[0040] However, when the upholstered leg rest 16 is in or near the
stowed position and the passenger attempts to swivel the seat 10,
the leg rest frame 206 can catch portions of the upholstery
covering the seat bottom frame 100. In one example of the present
invention, a swivel guide 300 can be used to automatically track
the seat frame 202 forward, moving the leg rest frame 206 away from
the seat bottom frame 100 enough to avoid interference between the
two. The swivel guide 300 can include a guide plate 302 and a guide
follower 304. The guide plate and follower 302, 304 interact with
each other as the seat frame 202 swivels without any requirement
for passenger intervention. Thus, the seat top frame 200 can freely
swivel around the swivel axis 108 without interference.
[0041] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate an example of the guide plate 302.
The guide plate 302 can be mounted to the seat base 102 or to the
swivel mechanism 106 near a front 110 of the seat base. In other
examples, the "front" 110 of the seat base can be defined as the
position where the seat 10 is typically facing in the aircraft
during takeoff and landing or arbitrarily where the leg rest frame
206 and the seat bottom frame 100 would interfere with each other.
The guide plate 302 can have a rail 320 on which the follower 304
can engage. There can be two short rails 322 and a long rail 324.
The short rails 322 engage the follower 304 (as discussed in more
detailed below) as the seat top frame 200 begins to swivel toward
the front 110 of the seat base 102. The long rail 324 is displaced
a distance 326 from the swivel axis 108, so as the follower 304
engages the long rail 324, the follower 304 can be displaced
forward 110 along the tracking axis 208. The displacement of the
follower 304 displaces the seat frame 202 which in turn can
displace the leg rest frame 206 forward 110.
[0042] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an example of the guide follower 304.
The guide follower 304 is mounted to the seat frame 202 between the
where the seat frame 202 engages the swivel mechanism 106 and the
leg rest frame 206. The follower 304 has an engagement surface 350
which engages the guide plate rail 320. The engagement surface 350
can be flat or have a radiused edge and can also take a concave or
convex shape. In one example, the engagement surface 350 only
engages the rail 320 on edgewise surfaces, thus their point of
contact can be along the tracking axis 208. The follower 304 and
the plate 302 do not overlap/contact each other along the swivel
axis 108. In the illustrated example, the engagement surface 350
can have two portions, a flat portion 350a and a curved portion
350b. The flat portion 350a can be substantially flat as the curved
portion 350b can be substantially curved, but may have flat
spots.
[0043] The flat portion 350a can have a general height Hf and the
curved portion 350b can have a height at its lowest point of Hc. In
examples, Hf is greater than Hc. In a further example, a length Lf
of the flat portion 350a is less than a length Lc of the curved
portion 350b. Note in the illustrated example, there are two
separate flat portions 350a, the relationship can also be that 2Lf
is less than Lc.
[0044] Also note that in the illustrated examples discussed above,
the guide plate 302 can be disposed on the seat base 102 and the
guide follower 304 can be mounted to the seat frame 202. These
mounting positions can be reversed so the follower 304 is disposed
on the seat base 102 and the plate 302 can be mounted to the frame
202.
[0045] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate the swivel guide 300 in use, and
particularly in engaging the long rail 324, a curved corner 328 of
the rail 320 and the short rail 322. FIGS. 6A-6C have a majority of
the remaining seat elements removed for clarity. FIG. 6A
illustrates a top view of the follower 304 engaging the long rail
324. Here, the follower 304 is extended a first clearance distance
352 which displaces the seat frame 202 which then tracks the leg
rest frame 206 away from the seat bottom frame 100 so they do not
interfere with each other. In this example, only a portion of the
engagement surface 350 (350a) is in contact with the long rail 324.
However, other examples can have a flat engagement surface 350
where a majority of surface 350 and rail 324 are in contact.
[0046] FIG. 6B illustrates the guide plate 302 and guide follower
304 engaging at the curved corner 328. Here, the follower 304 is at
a second clearance distance 354 from the swivel axis 108. Given the
geometry of the plate and follower 302, 304 in this example, the
second clearance distance 354 can be greater than or equal to the
first clearance distance 352. The engagement surface 350 (350b) in
this illustrated example is concave and this can help smooth the
transition over the curved corner 328. Since the two surfaces are
curved, it allows for more surface area of the two guides 302, 304
to engage as the follower 304 rounds the corner 328. The curves of
the two guides 328, 350 can complement each other in this
regard.
[0047] FIG. 6C illustrates the follower 304 engaging a portion of
the short rail 322. The follower 304 is at a third clearance
distance 356 from the swivel axis 108. Since, in this example, the
follower 304 can be longer than the short rail 322, the engagement
surface 350 (350a) may not be in full contact with the rail 322.
The third clearance distance 356 can be the less than or equal to
the second or first clearance distances 352, 354. In another
example, it can be the shortest of the three distances 352, 354,
356. Additionally, as the seat frame 202 continues to rotate the
follower 304 rotates away from the guide plate 302 (i.e. to the
left, or counter-clockwise as illustrated) until the surface 350 is
no longer in contact with the rails 320. At this point, the
follower 304 can maintain its third clearance distance 356 or move
to a fourth clearance distance (not illustrated), which in one
example is less than the third clearance distance 356.
[0048] Note that in an example, the guide plate 302 and guide
follower 304 are not connected, permanently or removeably. The
plate 302 and follower 302 engage along their surfaces but there
are no connections or tracks which require mechanical intervention
to separate the two parts.
[0049] In an illustrated example in FIG. 7, the guide plate 302 has
rail 320 only over a small portion of a total travel arc 330 of the
seat top frame 200. If the seat top frame 200 can swivel
360.degree. about the swivel axis 108, then the rail 320 can cover
less than 180.degree. of the arc, and in another example, less than
90.degree. of arc. Thus, the rail arc 332 can be less than the
total travel arc 330 and, in some examples, significantly less
than. Alternately, the rail arc 320 can be equal to the total
travel arc 330. As noted above, the total travel arc 330 can be
less than 360.degree. depending on the configuration of the seat
10. Note that the travel arc can vary based on each individual
vehicle body 22 and the placement of the seat within the vehicle
body 22. That is to say, in one example, the amount each seat 10
can swivel can be based on the individual layouts of each aircraft
and the placement of the seat within the aircraft.
[0050] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an example of the tracking motion
of the seat bottom frame 100 as it rotates with the swivel
mechanism 106. FIG. 8A is a side section view where the front of
the seat base 10 is on the right side of the figure and the leg
rest frame 206 is at the front of the seat 10. At this position,
the short rail 322 is visible on the guide plate 302 and the guide
follower 304 engages the long rail 324. Note that since the view is
of the side of the guide plate 302 the long rail 324 is not
visible. The seat frame 202 is tracked along the tracking axis 208.
This is illustrated by the seat center axis 210, which is displaced
toward the front of the seat base 110 (toward the right in the
figure) away from the swivel axis 108. Turning to FIG. 8B, this is
a front section view of the seat 10 where the leg rest frame 206 is
turned to the side of the seat 10. As illustrated in this example,
the view is toward the front of the seat base 110 and the seat 10
is turned 90.degree. to the left. The long rail 324 of the guide
plate 302 is illustrated and follower 304 is not engaged with the
plate 302. Thus, the leg rest frame 206 is tracked back (toward the
left in the figure) along the tracking axis 208 to the seat center
axis 210 and the swivel axis 108 can be coincident, in this
example.
[0051] While the foregoing has described what are considered to be
the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various
modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter
disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples,
and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications,
only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by
the following claims to claim any and all applications,
modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the
present teachings.
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