An example embodiment of a system and methods for detecting and reporting whether passengers are seated and secured in their seats within a vehicle may include a passenger sensor configured to provide an output indicative of a presence of a passenger in a seat in a vehicle, a restraint sensor configured to provide an output indicative of a status of a passenger safety restraint associated with the seat, a transmitter configured to be in electronic communication with the passenger sensor and the restraint sensor and to wirelessly transmit data indicative of the presence of a passenger in the seat and the status of the restrain, and a reporting module configured to be disposed proximate a driver of the vehicle. The reporting module may be configured to receive the data from the transmitter, and output a respective status for each of a plurality of seats.

A modular vehicle seating system includes a vehicle body (70, 72) with vehicle interior connection features (60, 62, 64) and a modular vehicle seating insert. The seating insert comprises a shell structure (10. 10, 10) to be received within the vehicle body. The shell structure has a vehicle body facing surface and a vehicle interior facing surface, wherein the vehicle interior facing surface defines seat module receiving portions (12, 14). Vehicle connection features (80, 82, 84) are operatively provided at a side of the vehicle body facing surface of the shell structure for cooperation with the vehicle interior connection features to fix the shell structure to the vehicle body. Seat module connection features (40) are associated with each of the seat module receiving portions. The system further includes one or more seat module (90), each with a seat base (94) and a seat clamping connector (91, 92, 92).

A beam clamp (124) for a passenger seat includes a keyhole (126) configured to flex outwardly from an un-flexed position to a flexed position. The diameter of the keyhole in the un-flexed position is less than the diameter of the keyhole in the flexed position. A method of assembling the passenger seat includes assembling a seat base and connecting a seat back to the seat base. Assembling the seat base includes flexing the keyhole of the beam clamp outwards from the un-flexed position to the flexed position and inserting a support beam within the keyhole in the flexed position.

A passenger seat assembly (150) includes a seat support (486) and an immobile seat shell (384) mounted on the seat support (486). The seat shell (384) can include a bench (388) and a backrest (390). The bench (388) includes a forward edge (392), an aft edge (394), and a top surface (301) extending between the forward edge (392) and the aft edge (394). The backrest (390) can be connected to the aft edge (394) of the bench (388) and can extend in an upward direction from the top surface (301) of the bench (388). In some cases, the backrest (390) includes an upright portion (303) connected to the bench (388) and angled at a first angle with respect to the top surface (301) of the bench (388), and a resting portion (305) connected to the bench (388) and angled at a second angle with respect to the top surface (301) of the bench (388).

An amenities panel for a passenger seat includes a body and at least one convenience feature. The body includes an aft-facing side and is configured to connect to a backrest of the passenger seat. The amenities panel is configured to be positioned between a forward-facing side of the backrest and a stowed tray table.

A system, method and apparatus for a transit seating system including multiple seat frames, each seat frame including, at least one forward support and at least one rearward support. The at least one forward support and the at least one rearward support are capable of being detachably secured to a transit vehicle floor. A seat back height track system is vertically and slideably coupled to the seat frame. A seat back subframe is coupled to the seat back height track system. A seat base frame is coupled to the seat back height track system through a seat hinge. The at least one forward support is capable of overlapping the at least one rearward support when at least two of the seat frames are in a nested or fully compressed or stowed configuration.

A personal device carrier for a passenger seat. The personal device carrier has a backing plate integrated into a backside of the passenger seat and a folding tray assembly with a base adjustably coupled to the backing plate for vertical movement of the folding tray assembly relative to the backing plate. The folding tray assembly includes a tray rotationally mounted to the base and movable between a generally vertical stowed position and a generally horizontal deployed position for holding a personal device.

A detachable transportation seat assembly for facilitated and secure attachment to the rear row of a mass transportation vehicle, which is releasable and replaceable as desired to enable access to vehicle componentry under the rear seat, or behind the rear wall. A pivot bar on the front of a single or a collection of rear row vehicle seats projects to cooperate with a pivot hook retention bracket, to facilitate removal of the seat or seats, or, alternatively, to facilitate the restoration of the seats for use by passengers.

A universal passenger seat system includes a system controller and a physical connection interface with a standardized communication protocol for coupling the system controller with seating hardware, at least one peripheral device, and at least one network connection. The system controller can also be in communication with a biometric sensor, a physiological sensor, and/or a situational data sensor. An artificial intelligence engine is communicatively coupled to or embedded within the system controller. The artificial intelligence engine is configured to determine a passenger status based on data received from the biometric sensor, the physiological sensor, and/or the situational data sensor and is further configured to generate one or more communication signals based on the data. For example, the communication signals can include control signals for the seating hardware, information signals for peripheral devices, or status signals for transmission via the network connection.

A bus seat is provided. The bus seat includes a backrest frame having a curve in part and a lumbar support coupled to the backrest frame by the curve. The bus seat also includes a horizontal seat that is pivotable from a seat position, where a seat frame is locked onto a base frame, to a stowed position. The bus seat is provided in a modular configuration to allow multiple backrests to be used for the bus seat. The backrests may include changeable seat belt configurations and child restraint system configurations. The bus seat also includes a seat belt retractor having a vertical configuration and a horizontal configuration for retracting and extending the seat belt.