U.S. patent number 3,762,766 [Application Number 05/149,946] was granted by the patent office on 1973-10-02 for airplane seat assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to American Seating Company. Invention is credited to Chester J. Barecki, Alexander A. Karrip.
United States Patent |
3,762,766 |
Barecki , et al. |
October 2, 1973 |
AIRPLANE SEAT ASSEMBLY
Abstract
An airplane seat assembly is provided with a unique seat cushion
for selectively varying the height of the seat, automatic return
means for the back and seat, an indicating means to designate the
seat number, and a disappearing headphone set which can be adjusted
to accommodate the height of the user. The seat includes an
inflatable bag which is interposed between the seat cushion and the
seat base, and the inflatable bag includes a check valve which
permits air to enter the bag but prevents the escape of air. The
bag is filled with a resilient plastic material which expands the
bag when the seat is not occupied to draw air into the bag through
the check valve. When the seat is occupied, the valve can be opened
to release a desired quantity of air to lower the level of the seat
to accommodate the height of the user. The seat cushion is
removably secured to the base to permit the withdrawal of the bag
for use in emergencies. The seat is controlled by a constant rate
torsional leaf spring so that it will raise when the occupant
rises, and the back is hydraulically returned to the upright
position when the seat is raised. The seat indicator includes an
indica-carrying wheel rotatably mounted behind an opening in a
panel mounted adjacent the headrest, and a spring urged plate
engages flats on the wheel to releasably lock the wheel against
rotation. When the seat designation is to be changed, the shaft on
which the presser plate is mounted may be pushed against the urging
of the spring to disengage the plate from the wheel to permit
rotation thereof. The headphone set includes a plurality of
telescopingly related tubes which are pivotally secured to each
other. The tubes can be withdrawn from a channel or guide tube
mounted in the back, and the extended tubes can be pivoted to
position the earphone adjacent the ear of the user.
Inventors: |
Barecki; Chester J. (Grand
Rapids, MI), Karrip; Alexander A. (Grand Rapids, MI) |
Assignee: |
American Seating Company (Grand
Rapids, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
22532474 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/149,946 |
Filed: |
June 4, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/217.1;
297/DIG.3; 297/284.1; 297/331; 297/217.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64D
11/064 (20141201); B64D 11/0647 (20141201); B64D
11/0629 (20141201); B64D 11/0644 (20141201); B64D
11/0638 (20141201); B64D 11/0646 (20141201); B64D
11/06 (20130101); Y10S 297/03 (20130101); Y02T
50/46 (20130101); Y02T 50/40 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B64D
11/00 (20060101); B64D 11/06 (20060101); A47c
007/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;297/217,DIG.3,219,284,452,193,445,456,455.7 ;5/348,335 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Zugel; Francis K.
Claims
We claim:
1. An airplane seat assembly including a frame, a generally
upwardly extending back portion mounted on the frame, and a seat
portion mounted on the frame, wherein the improvement comprises:
said seat portion having a rigid base, a cushion secured to the
base and extending thereabove, an air-tight, inflatable box-like
bag interposed between the cushion and the base, resilient filler
material capable of retaining air when expanded and expelling air
when flattened and located within the bag and urging said bag to an
expanded condition of maximum height and air capacity;
unidirectional valve means on said bag for permitting air to flow
into said bag to expand it under the urging of said filler
material; and hand actuatable release means associated with said
valve and accessible to an occupant of said seat for opening said
valve to expel air from said bag and said filler material under
pressure from the weight of said occupant to adjust the height of
said occupant in said seat; said cushion being removably secured to
the base to permit removal of the bag from between the cushion and
the base, said base including a generally rectangular metal pan
having a generally planar bottom and upwardly extending side walls,
said bag being generally rectangular and received within said side
walls of said pan, said cushion further being generally rectangular
and having a top, bottom and side walls, said assembly further
comprising a cover extending over the top and side walls of said
cushion and over the sides of said pan, said cushion being
removably secured to the bottom of said base; said valve means
extending through the side wall of said pan.
2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising blow tube means
associated with said bag for inflating the bag by mouth when the
bag is removed from the seat portion to provide greater buoyancy
when said bag is used as a flotation cushion.
3. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising double-faced
interlocking tape release means removably securing said cover to
said base.
4. The structure of claim 1 wherein said bag further comprises a
looped strap secured to one side thereof and extending beyond it to
provide a pair of arm loops.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
With the increasing emphasis on passenger comfort, it is desirable
to provide an airplane seat which can be readily adjusted for use
by passengers of varying physical characteristics. Further, with
the increasing use of airplanes for both passenger and cargo use,
it is desirable to provide a seat assembly which facilitates the
conversion of an airplane from a passenger carrier to a cargo
carrier and vice versa.
The invention provides a seat assembly which can readily be
adjusted to accommodate occupants of varying height, which
facilitates the conversion of the airplane, and which provides an
inflatable life preserver in the event of an emergency. The seat
includes an air bag which can be deflated as desired to lower the
height of the seat, and the bag can be withdrawn from the seat in
emergencies for use as a life preserver. Seat-indicating means are
located adjacent each headrest of the seat assembly, and the
indicia of the indicating means can be changed when desired, as
when the seat assemblies are installed to convert the plane to
passenger-carrying use. The indicia-carrying indicator wheel is
releasably but securely locked in the desired position in a
tamper-proof manner. The headphones are normally concealed adjacent
the headrest and can be withdrawn and adjusted as desired to
accommodate occupants of varying height. The seat and back
automatically return to raised positions when the occupant leaves
his seat.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The invention will be explained in conjunction with an illustrative
embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing, in which
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a two-passenger seat assembly
with the backs up and the seats down in a sitting position;
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the seat assembly with one
back reclined and one seat down and the other back and seat up in
the normal unoccupied position;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a seat from below;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a seat showing the cover being
removed;
FIG. 5 is a fore and aft sectional view of an unoccupied seat
showing the air bag fully inflated;
FIG. 6 is a similar sectional view showing the air bag partially
deflated, as when being used by a person of average height;
FIG. 7 is another sectional view showing the air bag further
deflated, as when being used by a short person;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the air bag showing tha air valve
into which the push button control fits;
FIG. 9 is a similar perspective view of the other side of the air
bag showing the air valve for inflating the air bag by mouth when
it is to be used as a life preserver;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the assembled metal seat pan;
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the seat;
FIG. 12 is a view of the occupant blowing up the air bag by mouth
in preparation for using it as a life preserver;
FIG. 13 shows the occupant wearing the inflated air bag as a life
preserver;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 showing the middle
arm rest folded back, one ash tray pulled out as in use, the under
seat luggage retainer bar, and a hostess step;
FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of the middle arm rest
showing the control panel;
FIG. 16 is a similar perspective view showing the middle arm rest
folded back;
FIG. 17 is a fragmentary perspective view of the rear portion of
the arm rest;
FIG. 18 is a sectional view through the arm taken along the line
18--18 of FIG. 15;
FIG. 19 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper corner of a
back showing the seat designation panel and one stereo head
phone;
FIG. 20 is a sectional view along the line 20--20 of FIG. 19
showing the number and letter dials being changed;
FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 19 showing the stereo head phone
extended and adjusted.
FIG. 22 is a sectional view along the line 22--22 of FIG. 21
showing the number and letter dials locked in place;
FIG. 23 is a sectional view through the telescoped head phone;
FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 23 showing the head phone
extended and swiveled into place.
FIG. 25 is a top view, partially broken away, showing the two
stereophonic head phones extended and positioned for use;
FIG. 26 is a rear perspective view of the seat assembly with one
tray in the storage position and one tray in the use position.
FIG. 27 is a fragmentary view showing a portion of the seat and
back return mechanism;
FIG. 28 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of the
left hand seat with the back reclined and the seat portion
down;
FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 28 with the back and seat in the
upright positions;
FIG. 30 is a view similar to FIGS. 28 and 29 with the back pushed
forwardly beyond its normal position;
FIG. 31 is a fragmentary side view of the seat in the lowered
position;
FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 31 showing the seat in the raised
position; and
FIG. 33 is a fragmentary front view of the seats taken along the
line 33--33 of FIG. 31.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the numeral 30 designates generally an
airline seat assembly for two passengers. The assembly includes a
frame 31, a pair of back portions 32 and 33, and a pair of seat
portions 34 and 35. The frame includes supporting legs 36 for
securing the seat assembly to the floor of the plane and a pair of
outer stationary arm rests 37 and 38. A middle arm rest 39 extends
between the two seats and is movable from the use position
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 to a generally vertical position
illustrated in FIG. 14.
The backs 32 and 33 are rotatably mounted on the frame for movement
between an upright position illustrated in FIG. 1 and a reclined
position occupied by the back 32 in FIG. 2. The seats 34 and 35 are
also rotatably mounted on the frame for movement between a
generally horizontal position illustrated in FIG. 1 and an upright
position occupied by the seat 35 in FIG. 2. As will be explained
more fully hereafter, when a passenger leaves his seat, the seat
automatically swings upwardly to the upright position of seat 35 in
FIG. 2 to provide maximum walking space for the passenger. Upward
movement of the seat triggers a hydraulic operating mechanism which
dresses the back to the upright position.
The seats 34 and 35 are identical, and for convenience the
following description will apply to the seat 34. Referring to FIGS.
3-5, the seat 34 includes a generally rectangular top surface 40, a
generally rectangular bottom surface 41, a pair of generally
vertically extending sides 42, a slightly upward and forwardly
inclined front 43, and a slightly upwardly and rearwardly inclined
back 44.
Referring now to FIG. 11, the seat includes a generally pan-like
metal base 45, a generally U-shaped side-reinforcing frame 46, a
front stiffener 47, a box-like air bag 48, a cushion 49, and an
upholstery cover 50.
The metal base 45 provides a bag-receiving receptacle defined by a
generally flat bottom 51, upwardly extending side walls 52, an
upwardly extending front wall 53, and a generally S-shaped rear
wall 55. The side-reinforcing frame 46 and stiffener tube 47 are
received by the receptacle formed by the base, and the frame 46
includes a pair of side portions 56 and a rear portion 57. A bottom
flange 58 extends inwardly from the bottom of each side portion and
the rear portion. The forward portion of each of the sides 56 is
cut away as at 59 to accommodate the stiffener tube 47, which
extends between the sides. When the seat is assembled, the
stiffener tube 47 is positioned in the notches 59, and the
stiffener tube and the side-reinforcing frame are positioned in the
base 45 as shown in FIG. 10.
The air bag 48 is generally rectangular and is sized to be received
by the enclosure formed by the side-reinforcing frame and the front
stiffener tube. The bag includes spaced parallel upper and lower
rectangular surfaces 60 and 61 (FIG. 9), and a perimetric side wall
62. The bag may be formed of plastic, rubber or other flexible
air-tight material, and the interior of the bag is filled with
plastic foam 63 (FIGS. 5-7), such as urethane, that expands when
air is forced into it. The foam should be of a type that will
retain air.
The foam cushion 49 is positioned above the air bag, and the
upholstery cover 50 covers the components of the seat and holds
them in position. Another foam cushion 64 is positioned below the
base pan 45 and held thereagainst by a bottom upholstery panel 65.
Referring to FIG. 4, the upholstery cover 50 includes front and
rear flaps 66 and 67, respectively, and side flaps 68 and 69. When
the seat is assembled, the upholstery cover is fitted over the foam
cushion 49, reinforcing frame 46 and base pan 45, and the flaps
66-69 are secured to the lower surface of the bottom upholstery
panel 65. The flaps can be secured by means of double-faced
interlocking or adhesive strips 70, strips of interengageable nylon
hooks and loops such as Velcro strips, or the like.
The air bag 48 is provided with a conventional check valve 71
having a stem which extends through opening 72 in the
side-reinforcing frame 46 and opening 73 in the upholstery cover
50. The check valve permits air to enter the inflatable bag, but
prevents the escape of air from the bag unless the valve element is
held open. The valve element may be opened as desired by a valve
actuator 74 which includes a valve depressor 75, pushbutton 76, and
a sheathed cable 77 for transmitting the linear movement of the
pushbutton to the depressor. The pushbutton 76 may be operatively
connected to a button 78 (FIG. 15) in the center arm rest 39 to
permit the occupant to actuate the valve 71 as desired.
A fore and aft cross-sectional view of an unoccupied seat is shown
in FIG. 5. When the seat is unoccupied, the resilient filler
material 63 within the bag expands the bag to the position
illustrated, drawing air in through the check valve 71. When the
occupant sits in the seat, the check valve 71 will prevent the
escape of air from the air bag, and the top of the seat will be
maintained relatively high above the floor of the plane. In this
condition the seat will accommodate a relatively tall occupant, who
will want a maximum amount of leg room.
A person of average height might desire to have the top of the seat
positioned a little closer to the floor of the plane, and such an
occupant can press the operating button 78 to cause the valve
depressor 75 to open the check valve to release the desired amount
of air from the bag. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the
seat with the bag partially deflated to accommodate an occupant of
average height.
A short occupant may wish to release even more air from the bag to
permit his feet to rest solidly on the floor of the plane, and FIG.
7 shows a cross-sectional view of the seat with the bag further
deflated. When the occupant leaves the seat, the resilient filler
material 63 expands the bag to the unoccupied position illustrated
in FIG. 5, drawing air into the bag through the check valve.
If the airplane must land over water, the seat can be quickly
disassembled to remove the air bag for use as a life preserver. The
upholstery covers 50 and 65 are removably secured by the strips 70,
and these covers can be quickly and easily separated. The
upholstery cover 50 can then be pulled away to expose the other
components of the seat, and the air bag 48 can be removed.
Referring to FIG. 9, the side of the air bag opposite the valve 71
is provided with an air valve 80 and an inflating tube 81 which
permits the air bag to be fully inflated by blowing air into the
air valve as illustrated in FIG. 12. The air valve 80 may be a
conventional check valve which permits air to be forced into the
bag but prevents the escape of air, or the valve can be replaced by
a simple tube which can be capped to prevent the escape of air.
After the bag is removed from the seat, it can be fully inflated by
mouth to provide maximum effectiveness as a life preserver.
A looped strap 82, which may be of the same material as the air bag
48, and molded integrally therewith, is secured to one of the sides
of the air bag and extends therebeyond to provide a pair of arm
loops 83 and 84. The inflated air bag can be worn as a life
preserver by inserting an arm through each of the loops 83 and 84
to position the bag against the chest as shown in FIG. 13.
Seat-Indicating Means
Referring now to FIGS. 19-22 a box-like frame 85 is mounted on the
back 32 adjacent the headrest 86 thereof. The frame 85 includes
side panels 87, only one of which is shown and a front panel 88
which is provided with seat-designation openings 89, 90 and 91. A
wheel 92 is rotatably mounted within the frame on an axle 93 which
extends between the side walls of the frame, and a wheel 94 is
rotatably mounted on axle 95. The wheel 92 includes a rim 95 having
a knurled portion 96 along one side thereof and a polygonal central
portion 97 which includes a plurality of flat surfaces 98. Suitable
designating indicia such as letters or numbers can be imprinted on
the flats 98, and the wheel 92 is positioned relative to the
opening 91 so that each flat and the indicium thereon will be
positioned adjacent the opening as the wheel is rotated.
Similarly, the wheel 94 includes a rim having a knurled circular
portion 99 and a polygonal portion having indicia-bearing flat
surfaces 100 which pass directly behind the opening 89 as the wheel
rotates. Another indicating wheel 101 (FIG. 19) is rotatably
mounted on the axle 95 for rotation behind the opening 90.
In the particular embodiment illustrated the wheels 94 and 101 are
imprinted with numbers, and the wheel 95 is imprinted with letters
to provide both a numerical and letter designation for each seat.
For example, the indicating wheels in FIG. 21 are set to designate
seat 12A.
When the indicating wheels are set to provide the desired
designation, they are releasably locked by a presser plate 102
carried by a shaft 103. The shaft is slidably mounted on the axle
95 by means of longitudinally extending slot 104 and extends
slidably through an opening in a downwardly extending support
bracket 105 secured to the frame 86. A helical spring 106 ensleeved
on the shaft between the axle 95 and an abutment flange 107 secured
to the shaft urges the presser plate against the indicator wheels.
When the wheels are set to position the desired indicia in the
openings 89-91, a flat of each of the wheels extends parallel with
the pressre plate, and the spring 106 urges the presser plate into
engagement with these flats to restrain rotation of the wheels.
The forward end of the shaft 103 is aligned with an opening 108 in
the front panel 88, and the presser plate can be moved rearwardly
when it is desired to change the seat designation by inserting a
key or other relatively sharp object through the opening 108 and
pushing the shaft 103 against the bias of the spring as shown in
FIG. 20. With the shaft held in its rearward position illustrated
in FIG. 20, the indicating wheels can be rotated as desired to
change the seat designation, the knurled portions of the wheels
facilitating rotation thereof with one finger. When the wheels have
been rotated to position the desired indicia in the panel openings,
the shaft 103 can be released to lock the wheels. The length of the
shaft 103 is such that the forward end thereof is positioned
slightly behind the opening 108 when the wheels are locked to make
it difficult to unlock the wheels without a tool and to prevent
unauthorized changing of the seat designation.
The seat designation numbers are located adjacent the headrest of
each of the backs so that each occupant will have no difficulty in
determining his proper seat. The seating assembly is removably
secured to the floor of the airplane, and if the airplane is to be
converted to cargo-carrying use, the seating assemblies can be
readily removed. When the plane is reconverted to passenger
service, each seating assembly can be secured to the airplane floor
without regard to its prior location since the designation of each
seat can be easily changed to indicate its new position.
Head Phone
Each of the housings 85 adjacent the headrests is equipped with a
head phone assembly 110 which can be recessed into the housing when
not in use (FIG. 19) and withdrawn therefrom for positioning
adjacent the ear of the occupant (FIG. 21). The front panel 88 of
the frame or housing is provided with an opening 111, and a
generally rectangular guide tube 112 is mounted within the frame
behind the opening. The guide tube 112 telescopingly receives
outer, intermediate, and inner tubes 113, 114 and 115,
respectively, which can be telescoped within the guide tube so that
only the end of the inner tube 116 projects through the opening 111
(FIGS. 19 and 23) and which can be withdrawn for use (FIGS. 21, 24
and 25).
The rearward end of the outer tube 113 is pivotally secured by a
pin 116 to a bracket 117 which is slidably mounted within the guide
tube 112. The bracket 117 includes shoulders 118 which are
engageable with corresponding shoulders 119 on the forward end of
the guide tube 112 to prevent withdrawal of the bracket from the
tube. Similarly, the rearward end of the tube 114 is pivotally
secured by pin 120 (FIG. 25) to bracket 121 which is slidably
received within tube 113 but which cannot be withdrawn therefrom,
and tube 115 is pivotally secured by pin 122 to bracket 123 which
is slidably received by the tube 114 and retained therein.
The pivot pin 116 extends generally horizontally, and the pivot
pins 120 and 122 extend generally vertically, and the tubes 113-115
can thereby be swiveled up and down about the pin 116 as
illustrated by the solid and phantom lines in FIG. 21 while the
tubes are rotated in generally horizontal planes relative to each
other to position the earphone 124 carried by the tube 115 adjacent
the ear of the occupant. The head phone can be swiveled upwardly as
at 110a in FIG. 21 for a relatively tall person, and can be
swiveled downwardly as at 110b in FIG. 21 for a relatively short
person.
A similar head phone assembly 125 is mounted within a housing 126
secured to the back at the other side of the headrest. The head
phone assemblies are designed to position the ear phones thereof
close to, but not touching, the occupant's ears, so that the
occupant can enjoy stereophonic sound while retaining freedom of
movement. The sound can be adjusted to the level preferred by the
occupant but yet still be soft enough so that it will not disturb
the person seated next to him.
Center Arm Rest
The center arm rest 39 is rotatable between a lowered position
illustrated in FIG. 1 and a raised position illustrated in FIG. 14.
However, the arm rest is generally retained in the lowered position
except for special situations such as cleaning the plane, moving
the seating assemblies, or removing the seats to use the air bags
as life preservers.
The arm rest is hingedly secured to a generally vertically
extending support 130 by a plurality of hinge brackets 131 which
extend rearwardly from the arm rest and a plurality of upwardly
extending hinge brackets 132 on the support. The hinge brackets are
rotatably secured by a hinge pin 133.
The arm rest includes an elongated tubular metal core 134 (FIG. 18)
which is surrounded by self-coating film foam padding 135 and an
upper foam cushion 136. Control panels 137 and 138 are recessed
into each side of the arm rest to provide a control panel for the
occupant of each of the seats 34 and 35. Each panel has control
buttons for seat height 78, hostess call 139, air control 140,
reading light 141, lumbar control 142, music channel selection 143,
balance 144, volume 145, and an ear plug receptacle 146. The
control buttons are set in the upwardly inclined face of the
control panel so that the occupant can select the desired button
without difficulty. The cables for the various controls extend from
the control buttons through the tube 134 and through an opening 147
(FIG. 16) in the support 130.
Tray
Referring now to FIG. 26, trays 150 and 151 are positioned behind
the backs 32 and 33, respectively. Each back is provided a recess
152 for receiving the tray when it is folded to the storage
position which is occupied by tray 151, and each tray is supported
by a pair of tray-support arms 153 which are secured to the frame
independently of the backs so that adjustment of the reclining back
does not interfere with the position of the tray. Each tray is
rotatably secured to the support arms by pins 154 which are
slidable within slots 155 in the sides of the tray to permit the
tray to be moved toward or away from the user. The trays may be
releasably locked in the storage position by the latches 156. A
conventional magazine pouch 157 is secured to each back below the
tray.
Referring now to FIG. 12, the seat assemblies may also be provided
with ashtrays 158 and 159 in the stationary arm rests 37 and 38,
respectively, the ashtrays being movable between the open position
occupied by the ashtray 158 and the closed position occupied by the
ashtray 159. An underseat luggage retaining bar 160 and a hostess
step 161 may also be secured to the frame if desired.
Seat and Back Actuating Means
The back-reclining mechanism is illustrated in FIGS. 27-30 and
permits the back to move rearwardly to a reclining position shown
in FIG. 28 and returns the back to an upright position shown in
FIG. 29. Both back portions 32 and 33 and seat portions 34 and 35
function in the same way, and the description of the actuating
means will be limited to the back 33 and the seat 35.
When the occupant is sitting in the seat, the back may be reclined
to the position shown in FIG. 28 by pushing the control button 162
on the inside surface of the arm rest 38. The button is operatively
connected to a hydraulic motor 163 by a cable 165, and the
hydraulic motor permits the occupant to selectively position the
back between the upright position and the fully reclined position
by means of the button 162.
When the seat 35 is occupied, as shown in FIG. 28, the bottom of
the seat engages a control button 166 (FIG. 29) on the top side of
the front rectangular stretcher tube 167. The control button
operates a switch cylinder 168 which extends vertically within the
stretcher tube and which recycles a hydraulic switch cylinder 169
when the pushbutton 166 is actuated.
When the occupant rises from the seat 35, the seat is automatically
raised to the vertical position shown in FIG. 29 by a sector spring
170 located between the two seats (FIGS. 31 and 32), which pivots
the seat upwardly about left and right pivots 171 and 172. As the
seat reaches its upright position, the rearward portion of the
botton surface thereof engages a control button 173 on the rear
side of the stretcher tube 167 which operates the hydraulic switch
cylinder 169 which extends horizontally within the stretcher tube.
The switch cylinder 169 is operatively connected to the hydraulic
motor 163 by a cable 174 which connects with the cable 165 by a
T-connector 175. The switch cylinder 169 activates the release
valve of the hydraulic motor 163, thereby causing the back 33 to
return to the normal upright position shown in FIG. 29.
The hydraulic motor 163 is pivotally mounted on pivot pin 176 which
extends through the pair of brackets 177 and 178, which are in turn
mounted between a pair of brackets 179 and 180. The tray support
153 is held between the bracket 180 and a third bracket 181. The
three brackets 179-181 are attached to a plate 182 which is secured
to the rear stretcher tube 183. Pivot pins 184 extends through the
three brackets, 179-181, and pivotally supports the back 33, the
brackets 177 and 178, and the tray support.
Referring now to FIG. 30, when the back is pushed forwardly, beyond
the normal upright position shown in FIG. 29, the brackets 177 and
178 pivot about the pin 184 as grooves 185 provided in the brackets
swing rearwardly relative to pin 186 which extends between the
brackets 179 and 180.
The hydraulic motor 163 includes a cylinder 187 which is pivotally
secured to the pin 176 and a piston 188 which is pivotally secured
to a pin 189 which is attached to the back. As the piston 188
extends from the cylinder 187, the back pivots about the pin 184
from the reclined position to the upright position. The end of the
grooves 185 are pushed against the pin 186 as the piston extends,
and the brackets 177 and 178 are thereby prevented from rotating
counterclockwise. A similar set of brackets and support pins can be
mounted adjacent the other end of stretcher 183.
The pivot pins 171 and 172 for supporting the seat are mounted,
respectively, to an end longitudinal stretcher 191 and a center
longitudinal stretcher 192. The end longitudinal stretcher 191 is
provided with openings 193 to reduce the weight thereof, and the
center longitudinal stretcher is solid. The front and rear
stretcher tubes 167 and 183 and the end and center longitudinal
stretcher tubes 191 and 192 are all supported by the supporting
legs 36 of the seat assembly. The seat pivot pin 172 is rotatably
supported by the longitudinal stretcher 192, and a sector 194 is
secured to the outer end of the pin. A constant rate torsional leaf
spring 170 is attached to the sector by anchor plate 195 and a bolt
196 (FIG. 31), and the leaf spring extends forwardly over a pivot
roller 197 secured to the stretcher 192 and forms a coiled end 170a
beyond the roller. Flip-up pivot plate 198 guides the leaf spring
as it winds up. The leaf spring has a natural tendency to coil
about the pivot roller 197 as shown in FIG. 32, and thereby
maintains the seat in the raised position when it is unoccupied.
When the occupant sits down, the pivot pin 172 rotates clockwise as
viewed in FIGS. 31 and 32 and unwinds the leaf spring about the
roller 197 into an unnatural straight position with just a short
coiled end 170a as shown in FIG. 31. When the occupant rises, the
leaf spring winds up as shown in FIG. 32 and returns the seat to
the raised position.
The operation of the seat and back actuating mechanisms is apparent
from the foregoing description. When the seat is occupied, the seat
35 will be in the down position illustrated in FIG. 28, and the
occupant may wish to have the back in the reclined position as
shown. When the occupant rises, the leaf spring returns the seat to
the upright position where it engages the control button 173. The
control button operates the release valve of the hydraulic motor
163 to extend the piston 188, thereby returning the back from the
reclined position to the upright position, in which it will not
interfere with the passenger in the next seat rearward. The seat is
automatically raised to an upright position to provide maximum
walking space for the passengers, and the back is automatically
returned to the approved upright position for takeoff and
landing.
When the passenger returns to the seat, the seat is lowered to
actuate the control button 166 which operates the switch cylinder
168 to recycle the switch cylinder 169 to permit it to operate the
release valve of the hydraulic motor when necessary. The hydraulic
circuitry which operatively connects the pushbuttons, switch
cylinders, and hydraulic motor is conventional and well-known in
the art, and a detailed description thereof is believed
unnecessary.
In the event that the passenger behind the seat 33 desires
additional room when leaving his seat, he can push the back 33 of
the unoccupied seat forwardly from the upright position as shown in
FIG. 30.
While in the foregoing specification we have described a specific
embodiment of our invention in considerable detail for the purpose
of illustration, it is to be understood that many of the details
hereingiven can be varied considerably by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *