Various embodiments provide a portable electronic device holder (400, 500, 600, 700, 900, 1100, 1400) for a passenger seat (202), including a longitudinal clamping structure (420, 520) having a generally L-shaped cross-section. The clamping structure includes a supporting flap (422, 522) forming an L-base of the generally L-shaped clamping structure and configured to support a portable electronic device, and a clamping flap (424, 524) forming an L-leg of the generally L-shaped clamping structure and configured to clamp the portable electronic device against a surface (650) abutting the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device holder further includes a mounting element (410, 510) for slidably or titlably mounting the clamping structure to the passenger seat.

A mechanized tray table assembly capable of automatically deploying from a stowed position in a vehicular seat back towards a use position within a passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a support structure adapted to the coupled to the seat back, a tray support and a tray subassembly supported for rotation about a rotational axis by the tray support. The tray subassembly includes a lid and a container having an opening for allowing ingress and egress of items into and out of a storage compartment of the container, respectively, in an open position of the lid. An actuator subassembly is mounted on the support structure and is connected to the tray support to lift the tray support to deploy the tray subassembly along a predetermined non-linear path from the stowed position to the use position through stored potential energy without consuming electrical energy.

Described are ergonomic passenger seats that may include monocoque or semi-monocoque seat backs, cellular suspension cushions, and tray tables with support arms that may be located within the interior volume of the monocoque or semi-monocoque seat backs when in their stowed positions. The passenger seats offer enhanced passenger comfort and space while providing a lightweight, simple to manufacture design. Monocoque and semi-monocoque seat backs may form integral parts of passenger seats to support additional loads without need for heavy, complex structures. The space within the monocoque or semi-monocoque seat back may then be used for storage or suspension cushions that offer improved comfort with a lighter seat frame. Monocoque and semi-monocoque seat backs may also facilitate the adoption of several other seating mechanisms, such as new seat mounts that allow for improved seat motion that allows for passenger recline with reduced impingement on other passengers' space.

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.

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 seatback for a vehicle comprises: a lid having a closed position preventing access to a storage area and an open position allowing access to the storage area; and a locking element having an engaged position that prevents the lid from transitioning from the closed position to the open position and a disengaged position that does not prevent the lid from transitioning from the closed position to the open position; wherein, the locking element transitions from the disengaged position to the engaged position via the force of gravity when the seatback transitions from a fold down position to an upright position, and transitions from the engaged position to the disengaged position when the seatback transitions from the upright position to fold down position. The lid can pivot upward from a rearward portion of the seatback in the fold down position, as the lid transitions to the open position.

A latch assembly (110) can include a latch rail (314), a latch body (312), and a biasing mechanism (322). The latch rail can include a first end (318) and a second end. The first end can couple to a back portion of a seat that includes a table body. The latch body (312) can couple to the second end of the latch rail (314) such that the latch body can move between a first position and a second position relative to the latch rail. The latch body can prevent the table body from moving between a stowed position and a stowed position while in the first position. The latch body can allow the table body to move between the stowed position and the deployed position in the second position. The biasing mechanism (322) can couple to the latch body (312) and can bias the latch body into the first position.

A light-weight and low-power integrated system module suitable for installation at a passenger seat disposed aboard a passenger vehicle and methods for manufacturing and using same. By integrating selected interface system components with the associated interconnections, the integrated system module provides an intuitive user interface system for interacting with a passenger entertainment system. The integrated system module can be installed within a seatback of the passenger seat that compliments the look and feel of the user interface system, creating an immersive entertainment experience during travel.

A holding assembly for holding portable electronic devices increases passenger convenience and comfort. The holding assembly comprises a plurality of independently movable planar members that engage one or more portable electronic devices to hold the portable electronic devices. The planar members may each be moved between a first position and a second position. The holding assembly may be opened to hold a portable electronic device and closed when not in use in this manner.

A support arm (12) includes: a body portion disposed between a seat end (20) and a table end (18); wherein the support arm (12) comprises a composition comprising a polymeric material, a metallic material, a thermoset material, an elastomeric material, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, and a filler; and wherein the seat end (20) comprises a snap fit connector (14) configured to engage with an opening (22) in the seat end (20).