SEAT

Abstract

Described herein is a seat which comprises a seat base, a seat back and a seat frame. The seat back comprises a first connector, a second connector and a securing means. The first and second connectors are for securing the seat back in pivotable engagement with the seat and the securing means is for controlling pivotal movement of the seat back relative to the seat and for preventing disengagement of the first and second connectors from the seat.

Claims

1. A seat, the seat comprising a seat base, a seat back and a seat frame, wherein the seat back comprises a first connector, a second connector and a securing means, wherein the first and second connectors are for securing the seat back in pivotable engagement with the seat and the securing means is for controlling pivotal movement of the seat back relative to the seat and for preventing disengagement of the first and second connectors from the seat.

2. A seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat back is moveable between a first position and a second position, the securing means is for securing the seat back in the first position and one or both of said first and second connectors are shaped for preventing removal of the seat back from the seat when the seat back is in the first position and allowing removal of the seat back from the seat when the seat back is in the second position.

3. A seat according to claim 1, wherein the securing means is for preventing pivotal movement of the seat back relative to the frame or the seat base.

4. A seat according to claim 1, wherein the securing means comprises a recline mechanism.

5. A seat according to claim 1, wherein the first and second connectors each comprise a first mating part for engagement with a second mating part on the frame or seat base.

6. A seat according to claim 5, wherein (i) the first mating part is a female mating part and the second mating part is a male mating part, or (ii) the first mating part is a male mating part and the second mating part is a female mating part.

7. A seat according to claim 6, wherein the female mating parts comprise one or more channels for engagement with a male mating part.

8. A seat according to claim 6, wherein the female mating parts each comprise an insert for positioning within the seat back, seat base or frame.

9. A seat according to claim 8, wherein the inserts are positioned within recesses in the seat back, seat base or the frame.

10. A seat according to claim 7, wherein the one or more channels comprise an L-shaped channel.

11. A seat according to claim 6, wherein the female mating part comprises a bearing insert for rotatable engagement with a male mating part.

12. A seat according to claim 6, wherein the female part comprises a bearing block.

13. A seat according to claim 6, wherein the male parts are tapered from a first diameter to a reduced diameter adjacent an engaging part for engagement with a female part.

14. A seat according to claim 1, wherein the securing means comprises a third connector for connection to the frame, seat base or a recline mechanism.

15. A seat according to claim 1, wherein the securing means is a releasable securing means.

16. A seat according to claim 1, wherein the securing means is centrally positioned on the seat back.

17. A seat according to claim 1, wherein the width of the seat back tapers from a first width between the first and second connectors towards a second width at the securing means.

18. A seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat is a vehicle seat, preferably an aircraft seat.

19. A row of seats comprising a plurality of seats according to claim 1.

20. A female mating part as described in claim 6.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0082] Example embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which

[0083] FIG. 1 shows a seat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0084] FIG. 2 shows a seat back in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0085] FIGS. 3A to 3E show the steps of installation of a seat back to a frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0086] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a row of seats comprising the seat back.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0087] The present invention relates to a seat, particularly an aircraft seat, with an easily removable seat back.

[0088] In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to the use of an L-shaped channel in a bearing block, provided in the seatback, for engagement with a pivot pin and the use of a retention plug to prevent the pivot pin from being removed from the channel The bearing block provides the female part of the connection with the pivot pin (i.e. the male part) and takes the form of an insert positioned within a recess in the seat back.

[0089] A bearing block is provided on each side of the seat back which enables the seat back to pivot. In addition, the L-shaped channel is such that that when the seat is attached to the frame via the securing means, and upward movement is prevented, the pivot pin is prevented from exiting the channel This allows the seat back to be removed or installed very easily whilst simultaneously providing a secure connection to the frame.

[0090] With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a seat 1 comprising a seat base (not shown), a seat back 2 and a seat frame 3. Whilst the seat base is omitted to show features of the seat back 2, it will be appreciated that, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the seat base is the part of the seat upon which a person would sit, with the seat back 2 supporting the back of a person.

[0091] With particular reference to FIG. 2, the seat back 2 comprises a first connector 4, a second connector 5 and a securing means 6 in the form of a third connector connected to a recline mechanism 13. The third connector 6 is releasably secured to the recline mechanism 13 by a removable bolt 16.

[0092] The first and second connectors 4, 5 permit the seat back 2 to pivot relative to the frame 3. When the seat back 2 is connected to the frame 3 via the third connector 6, pivotable movement of the seat back 2 is then controlled by the recline mechanism 13. Whilst a recline mechanism 13 is shown in the present embodiment, it will be appreciated that the recline mechanism 13 could be an extension of the frame 3 for preventing pivotable movement of the seat back 2 in a fixed-back, non-recline, embodiment.

[0093] The seat back 2 is moveable between a lower first position, as shown in FIG. 1 and a higher second position (not shown in FIG. 1, but shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B). This is shown with particular reference to FIGS. 3A to 3E as discussed below.

[0094] The first and second connectors, 4, 5 are shaped for preventing removal of the seat back 2 from the frame 3 when the seat back 2 is in the first position and allowing removal of the seat back 2 from the frame 3 when the seat back 2 is in the second position.

[0095] The first and second connectors 4, 5 each comprise a female mating part 4a, 5a provided on the seat back 2 and a male mating part 4b, 5b provided on the frame. The female mating parts 4a, 5a comprise a bearing block (seat back insert) 7 with an L-shaped channel 8. The male mating parts comprise a pivot pin 10.

[0096] The channels 8 comprise an entrance 9 at the front of the seat back 2 which passes along the side of the seat back 2 from a lower position toward the stop 11 at the end of the channel 8 toward the top of the seat back 2.

[0097] With reference to FIGS. 3A to 3E, installation of the seat back 2 to the frame 3 is shown in detail. As shown in FIG. 3A, the seat back 2 is positioned to align the pivot pin 10 on the frame with the entrance 9 of the L-shaped channel 8 of a bearing block 7 provided within the seat back 2. The seat back 2 is then moved forward (FIG. 3B) to guide the pivot pin 10 through the entrance 9 and into the lower part of the channel 8. The seat back 2 is then lowered (FIG. 3C) to guide the pivot pin 10 from the lower part of the channel to the stop 11 positioned toward the top of the seat back 2 at the end of the channel 8. In the example shown, the stop 11 is formed by the end of the channel 8.

[0098] With reference to FIG. 1, the third connector 6 is then connected to the recline mechanism 13. The recline mechanism 13 then allows pivotable movement of the seat back 2 relative to the frame 3.

[0099] When the third connector 6 is connected to the recline mechanism 13, upward movement of the seat back 2 is prevented, which means that the pivot pins 4a, 5a are unable to exit the channels 8. As such, the present invention provides a geometric lock for securing the seat back 2 to the frame 3.

[0100] In addition to the above, a retaining insert 12, in the form of a plug, is then aligned with the channel 8 (FIG. 3D) and snap-fitted to block the entrance 9 to the channel 8 and to prevent the pivot pin 10 from exiting the channel (FIG. 3E). This is particularly useful during maintenance of the seat because the securing means 6 can be released and the seat back 2 is allowed to pivot on the pivot pins 10 without the seat back 2 becoming detached from the frame 3. For example, the third connector 6 can be released from the recline mechanism 13 and the seat back 2 pivoted forward from a seating position (as shown in FIG. 1) to a maintenance position (not shown).

[0101] In the event that the seat back 2 requires removal or replacement, the securing means 6 is released and the retaining inserts 12 are removed. This allows the seat back 2 to be raised, then moved backward to disengage the bearing blocks 7 from the pivot pins 10. The seat back 2 can then be lifted clear of the seat 1.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 2, a bearing insert 14 is provided for rotatable engagement with the pivot pin 10. This is particularly advantageous because the bearing insert 14 can provide a low friction surface and/or a protective barrier between the pivot pin 10 and the channel 8 to prevent wearing of the pivot pin 10 and channel 8.

[0103] The pivot pins 10 are provided with a bulbous end 15 for engagement with the channels 8. The channels 8 are shaped such that the pivot pins 10 are not removable in an axial direction out of the channels 8; rather, they are only removable out of the entrance 9.

[0104] In the example shown, each pivot pin 10 comprises two bulbous ends 15 for connection to seat backs 2 positioned either side of the upright 3a of the frame 3. The pivot pins 10 are also tapered towards each bulbous end 15.

[0105] As noted previously, this allows the seat back 2, and in particular the channels 8, to be easily aligned with the pivot pins 10 during installation to the frame 3.

[0106] The securing means 6 is provided at the base of the seat back 2 and is centrally positioned with respect to the width of the seat back 2. This allows the width of the seat back 2 to taper from a first width between the first and second connectors 4, 5 towards a second width at the securing means 6.

[0107] As noted above, this is particularly advantageous because it allows for increased leg room either side of the lower part of the seat back 2 for a passenger sitting in a seat behind. In addition, due to the central location of the third connector 6, the seat is non-handed; i.e. the seat is not limited to either right-hand or left-hand use. As a result, an actuator (not shown) for the centrally positioned recline mechanism 13 can be provided centrally under the front edge of the seat base (not shown).

[0108] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications are covered by the appended claims.