U.S. patent application number 17/587443 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-15 for repair and replacement mechanism for personal control units on aircraft.
The applicant listed for this patent is David Carhart, Mark Schwartz. Invention is credited to David Carhart, Mark Schwartz.
Application Number | 20220289386 17/587443 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006179112 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220289386 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schwartz; Mark ; et
al. |
September 15, 2022 |
Repair and Replacement Mechanism for Personal Control Units on
Aircraft
Abstract
An assembly for opening or accessing an electronic communication
and entertainment device holder for repair or replacement of its
contents, including a latch which can be released by the
contraction of an attached muscle wire actuator in response to a
low current pulse sent by an attached wireless receiver.
Inventors: |
Schwartz; Mark; (Wauconda,
IL) ; Carhart; David; (Cary, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Schwartz; Mark
Carhart; David |
Wauconda
Cary |
IL
IL |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006179112 |
Appl. No.: |
17/587443 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15616707 |
Jun 7, 2017 |
11242148 |
|
|
17587443 |
|
|
|
|
62346887 |
Jun 7, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64D 11/00155 20141201;
B64D 11/00152 20141201 |
International
Class: |
B64D 11/00 20060101
B64D011/00 |
Claims
1. A mechanism for removing electronic communication and
entertainment devices attached to the interior of an aircraft
comprising; a) A wireless receiver for receiving an actuation
signal from a remote unit, and generating a low current pulse
therefrom; b) A muscle wire actuator for receiving the low current
signal and contracting in response thereto; c) A latch connected to
the muscle wire actuator, the latch releasing in response to the
muscle wire actuator contracting; and d) An electronic
communication and entertainment device holder which decouples from
the interior of the aircraft upon release of the latch.
2. The mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a passenger
actuated button for generated a actuation signal to transmit to the
wireless receiver.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional Application
No. 62/346,887, filed Jun. 7, 2016.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The disclosure generally relates to a wireless actuated
decoupling mechanism to enable placement, removal, repair and/or
replacement of an electronic communication and entertainment device
from a holder which de-coupled from the interior of the aircraft
upon release of the latch. Specifically, the present invention
entails receiving an actuation signal from a remote wireless unit
and generating a low current pulse sent to a Nitinol or muscle wire
actuator, wherein the shape of the actuator structure can be
changed by heating the shape memory alloy to a transformation
temperature, thus lifting or decoupling the latch that keeps the
holder in a fixed (e.g., recessed) position in the back of the seat
back of an aircraft seat or at the front of a seat pod in premium
aircraft cabins.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Seat back entertainment screens are significant investments
for airlines and aircraft manufacturers. Because of the safety
engineering that has to go into every part of a plane, the average
in-flight entertainment screen can cost thousands of dollars per
unit. As such, many airlines are choosing to configure or
reconfigure their aircraft so that passengers can bring their own
tablets or other viewing screens. Moreover, with an ever shrinking
seat space for passengers, such passengers will still want a
mechanism whereby they can use their own screens without taking up
limited lap space. Furthermore, even when airlines elect to
maintain their own screens, they need to be able to safely and
quickly access such screens for repair and replacement when
needed.
[0004] To date, however, there are no available products that
permit wireless signals that can be used on board aircraft which
actuate the release of electronic devices for quick replacement or
repair, nor do any available devices provide a simple, wireless
mechanism to allow a passenger to install his or her own screen in
an available seat back holder.
[0005] What is needed is a system including the ability to remove,
replace or insert a viewing screen without the need for specialized
tools that might create security risks, and without requiring a
more extensive disassembly of the holder or related support
equipment.
Definition of Terms
[0006] The following terms are used in the claims of the patent as
filed and are intended to have their broadest plain and ordinary
meaning consistent with the requirements of the law.
[0007] A muscle wire actuator is a low power, low profile mechanism
for converting a electronic signal into a mechanical movement or
contraction of a component.
[0008] A wireless receiver means any of several commercially
available protocols for receiving commands for actuation, such as
Bluetooth.
[0009] Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest
meaning is intended. All words used in the claims set forth below
are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar
and the English language.
Objects and Summary of the Disclosure
[0010] The apparatus and method of the present disclosure includes
a wireless receiver for receiving an actuation signal from a remote
unit (such as a nearby Bluetooth unit), and generating a low
current pulse in response to such a signal. The wireless receiver
can receive such a signal from a handheld electronic device (e.g.,
a service technician) or such a signal can come from a nearby
button which generates a wireless signal specifically for actuating
the holder. Regardless, the wireless receiver is connected to a
Nitinol or muscle wire actuator which contracts in response to the
low current pulse. A latch is coupled to the muscle wire actuator
and is affixed to the frame of the holder such that it decouples
when the muscle wire actuator contracts, thereby permitting the
electronic communication and entertainment device holder to move
from its normal, fixed attachment to the back of the seat or seat
structure, such as the front of the first or business class seat
pod upon release of the latch.
[0011] The immediate application of the present invention will be
seen in aircraft application, but is transferrable to other usage
(e.g., buses, minivans, etc.) where quick and easy replacement of
an electronic communication and entertainment device may be
advantageous.
[0012] Thus can be seen that one object of the present invention is
to provide a mechanism for replacing or repairing a video screen in
a seat back holder.
[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
mechanism to allow a passenger easy placement of a personal
electronic communication and entertainment device in a seat
back.
[0014] Still another object of the present invention is to
electronic communication and entertainment device holder that does
not require specialized tools or knowledge for operation.
[0015] It should be noted that not every embodiment of the claimed
invention will accomplish each of the objects of the invention set
forth above. In addition, further objects of the invention will
become apparent based on the summary of the invention, the detailed
description of preferred embodiments, and as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Such objects, features, and advantages of
the present invention will become more apparent in light of the
following detailed description various embodiments thereof, and as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0016] FIG. 1 shows back view of a holder with the latch and muscle
wire actuator features in accord with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a detail of the latch and muscle wire actuator
features of in accord with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Set forth below is a description of what is currently
believed to be the preferred embodiment or best examples of the
invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and
modifications to this preferred embodiment are contemplated. Any
alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in
function, in purpose, in structure or in result are intended to be
covered by the claims in this patent.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows an example of an electronic communication and
entertainment device holder 10 in accord with the present
invention. The holder 10 includes a window 12 for viewing the
electronic communication and entertainment device therethrough, a
lip 14 for extending behind any electronic communication and
entertainment device contained in the holder 10 and defining a slot
in the holder 10 for receiving the electronic communication and
entertainment device, and a hinge 16 for pulling the holder forward
to remove, replace or insert a electronic communication and
entertainment device therein as needed.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the holder has attached thereto a
latch 20, with is further attached to a muscle wire actuator 30.
Muscle wire (also known as Nitinol Wire or `Memory Wire`) is a
special shape memory alloy composed primarily of Nickel (Ni) and
Titanium (Ti). The muscle wire actuator will shorten in length
after receiving an electrical signal (through an attached wireless
receiver 40 (not shown), or heated by other means. Nitinol wire
returns to its original length the electrical signal is removed
and/or cooled. The attached wireless receiver, in turn, can receive
an actuation signal from a variety of sources, such as a nearby
button 50 (not shown) which generates a Bluetooth or similarly
publicly available protocol signal. Alternatively, the actuation
signal could come from a separate handheld device, such as a phone
or tablet. In either event the actuation signal causes the wireless
receiver 40 to generate a low power signal which, in turn, heats
the muscle wire actuator 30, causing it to contract and lift latch
20, thus freeing the holder 10 to be pulled down for placement or
replacement of an electronic communication and entertainment device
therein.
[0021] The above description is not intended to limit the meaning
of the words used in the following claims that define the
invention. Rather, it is contemplated that future modifications in
structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial
changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed
are intended to be covered by the claims. For instance, the
specific muscle wire actuator in the examples of the preferred
embodiments of present invention is for illustrative purposes with
reference to the example drawings only. Also, while the present
preferred embodiment deals with aircraft, the invention is equally
applicable to non-aircraft and non-vehicle applications, too.
Furthermore, the way in which the holder decouples from the seat
back can involve any variety of displacement, not just the bottom
hinge "tilt forward" mechanism disclosed above. Likewise, it will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes,
additions, omissions, and modifications can be made to the
illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the
present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended
to be covered by the following claims.
* * * * *