AIRCRAFT PASSENGER SEAT LEG ANTI-RATTLE WITH POSITION RESTRICTION
20210221519 · 2021-07-22
Inventors
Cpc classification
B64D11/0643
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60N2205/20
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B64D11/0696
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
An anti-rattle system for a passenger seat includes a foot pad. The foot pad includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and a protrusion extending outward from the lower surface of the foot pad. A method of securing a passenger seat with the anti-rattle system includes providing a seat track defining a track channel. The method further includes securing a leg assembly of the passenger seat to the seat track by adjusting the anti-rattle device such that a forward stud of the leg assembly engages track lips within the channel and the foot pad of the anti-rattle device engages an upper surface of the seat track. Adjusting the anti-rattle device includes positioning the protrusion in a track opening forward of the forward stud.
Claims
1. An anti-rattle system for a passenger seat comprising a foot pad, wherein the foot pad comprises: an upper surface; a lower surface; a protrusion extending outward from the lower surface of the foot pad; a stud guide having a central axis; and an adjuster bore having a central axis, wherein the central axis is at a non-zero angle relative to a vertical axis of the foot pad; wherein a central axis of the stud guide is nonparallel to the central axis of the adjuster bore.
2. The anti-rattle system of claim 1, wherein the foot pad is nonmetallic.
3. The anti-rattle system of claim 1, wherein the foot pad further comprises a stud guide extending from the upper surface to the lower surface and configured to receive a forward stud of a passenger seat.
4. The anti-rattle system of claim 3, wherein a width of the protrusion is greater than a width of the stud guide.
5. The anti-rattle system of claim 4, wherein the protrusion comprises a first protrusion component and a second protrusion component spaced apart from the first protrusion component, and wherein a distance from the first protrusion component to the second protrusion component defines the width of the protrusion.
6. The anti-rattle system of claim 1, wherein the adjuster bore extends from the upper surface to the lower surface of the foot pad.
7. The anti-rattle system of claim 6, further comprising an adjuster at least partially positioned within the adjuster bore, wherein the adjuster is configured to vertically adjust a position of the foot pad.
8. (canceled)
9. A passenger seat assembly comprising: a leg assembly comprising a forward stud; and an anti-rattle system comprising a foot pad having: an upper surface, a lower surface, a protrusion extending outward from the lower surface of the foot pad, a stud guide having a central axis; an adjuster bore having a central axis, wherein the central axis of the adjuster bore is at a non-zero angle relative to a vertical axis of the foot pad; wherein the anti-rattle system is engaged with the forward stud such that the protrusion is forward of the forward stud; and wherein a central axis of the stud guide is nonparallel to the central axis of the adjuster bore.
10. The passenger seat assembly of claim 9, wherein the foot pad further comprises a stud guide extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, and wherein the forward stud is positionable within the stud guide such that the anti-rattle system is engaged with the forward stud.
11. The passenger seat assembly of claim 10, wherein a width of the protrusion is greater than a width of the stud guide.
12. The passenger seat assembly of claim 9, wherein the leg assembly further comprises an adjuster bore configured to receive an adjuster of the anti-rattle system, and wherein the adjuster bore extends non-parallel to the forward stud.
13. The passenger seat assembly of claim 12, wherein the foot pad further comprises an adjuster bore, wherein the anti-rattle system further comprises an adjuster at least partially positioned in the adjuster bore of the leg assembly and the adjuster bore of the foot pad, and wherein the adjuster is configured to position the foot pad relative to the leg assembly.
14. The passenger seat assembly of claim 9, wherein the protrusion comprises a first protrusion component and a second protrusion component spaced apart from the first protrusion component, wherein a distance from the first protrusion component to the second protrusion component defines a width of the protrusion, and wherein the width of the protrusion is less than a width of a seat track opening of a seat track of an aircraft and greater than a width of a seat track channel defined by opposing track lips.
15. A method of securing a passenger seat in a vehicle comprising: providing a seat track defining a track channel, wherein a pair of track lips partially enclose an upper side of the channel, and wherein a plurality of cutouts are positioned along the pair of track lips and defining track openings; aligning a forward stud of a leg assembly of the passenger seat with one of the track openings; moving the forward stud within the track channel such that the track lips of the seat track overlap at least a portion of the forward stud and the forward stud is offset from the one track opening; and securing the leg assembly to the seat track by adjusting an anti-rattle device such that the forward stud engages the track lips within the channel and a foot pad of the anti-rattle device engages an upper surface of the seat track, wherein adjusting the anti-rattle device comprises positioning a protrusion on a lower surface of the foot pad in a track opening forward of the forward stud; and wherein positioning the protrusion comprises positioning the protrusion such that the protrusion does not contact inner surfaces of the track opening forward of the forward stud.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein positioning the protrusion comprises positioning the protrusion in a track opening adjacent the forward stud.
17. (canceled)
18. The method of claim 15, wherein adjusting the anti-rattle device comprises adjusting an adjuster within an adjuster bore of the leg assembly and an adjuster bore of the foot pad.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein adjusting the adjuster biases the foot pad against the seat track and biases the leg assembly upwards such that the forward stud engages the track lips.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein positioning the protrusion comprises positioning the protrusion in the track opening forward of the forward stud such that the leg assembly is horizontally movable along the seat track for a predetermined distance during an alighting event without the forward stud disengaging from the seat track.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures can be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Directional references such as “forward,” “aft,” “up,” “down,” “top,” “left,” “right,” “front,” and “back,” among others are intended to refer to the orientation as illustrated and described in the figure (or figures) to which the components and directions are referencing.
[0040] In one aspect, disclosed is anti-rattle system for a passenger seat, such as an aircraft passenger seat, and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. The anti-rattle system includes a foot pad and at least one protrusion extending from a lower surface of the foot pad. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed anti-rattle system is described in but a few exemplary aspects among many.
[0041] The anti-rattle system is configured to secure a passenger seat or other components to a floor of a vehicle. More specifically, the anti-rattle system is configured to secure a forward leg of a leg assembly of the passenger seat to a seat track of a vehicle, such as an aircraft. The anti-rattle system includes a foot pad having protrusions extending from a lower surface of the foot pad. The protrusions are positionable within an opening of the seat track forward of a forward stud of the forward leg and limit horizontal movement of the forward leg when assembled. The foot pad also includes a stud guide that selectively receives the front stud. Through the anti-rattle system, the forward leg is securely held against the seat track during horizontal, lateral, and vertical loading conditions, and the horizontal loads transferred to the seat track are minimized or eliminated.
[0042] Referring to
[0043] The leg assembly 100 includes a forward attachment fitting 108 at the forward leg 102 and an aft attachment fitting 110 at the aft leg 104. The forward attachment fitting 108 includes at least one forward stud 112 and the aft attachment fitting 110 includes at least one aft stud 114. In some examples, the forward attachment fitting 108 includes at least one and generally no more than two forward studs 112, although any number may be used in other examples. In various examples, the aft attachment fitting 110 includes usually two and generally no more than three aft studs 114, although any number may be used in other examples. The studs 112, 114 commonly have an inverted T-shape and configured to engage with a seat track 200 (see
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[0046] Referring back to
[0047] Optionally, a track cover 126 is included to provide supplementary support to the forward stud 112. When assembled in the passenger vehicle, the track cover 126 covers the seat track 200 (see, e.g.,
[0048] As best illustrated in
[0049] The foot pad 122 includes a stud guide 132 that extends from the upper surface 128 to the lower surface 130. In various examples, the stud guide 132 has a width 152 that is less than a width of the base 116 of the forward stud 112. When assembled with the leg assembly 100, the forward stud 112 is at least partially positioned within the stud guide 132 (see, e.g.,
[0050] The foot pad 122 also includes an adjuster bore 136 forward of the stud guide 132. As illustrated in
[0051] In various examples, the foot pad 122 includes a protrusion 146 extending outward from the lower surface 130. As illustrated in
[0052] When assembled on the seat track 200, the protrusion 146 is positioned in a track opening 206 forward of the forward stud 112. As illustrated in
[0053] Referring back to
[0054] In some examples, the adjuster 124 includes a collar 160 (see
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[0056] Referring to
[0057] A collection of exemplary embodiments, including at least some explicitly enumerated as “ECs” (Example Combinations), providing additional description of a variety of embodiment types in accordance with the concepts described herein are provided below. These examples are not meant to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive; and the invention is not limited to these example embodiments but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of the issued claims and their equivalents.
[0058] EC 1. An anti-rattle system for a passenger seat comprising a foot pad, wherein the foot pad comprises: an upper surface; a lower surface; and a protrusion extending outward from the lower surface of the foot pad.
[0059] EC 2. The anti-rattle system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein a width of the protrusion is less than a width of a seat track opening of a seat track.
[0060] EC 3. The anti-rattle system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the foot pad is nonmetallic.
[0061] EC 4. The anti-rattle system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the foot pad further comprises a stud guide extending from the upper surface to the lower surface and configured to receive a forward stud of a passenger seat.
[0062] EC 5. The anti-rattle system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein a width of the protrusion is greater than a width of the stud guide.
[0063] EC 6. The anti-rattle system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the protrusion comprises a first protrusion component and a second protrusion component spaced apart from the first protrusion component, and wherein a distance from the first protrusion component to the second protrusion component defines the width of the protrusion.
[0064] EC 7. The anti-rattle system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the stud guide is a U-shaped notch.
[0065] EC 8. The anti-rattle system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the foot pad further comprises an adjuster bore extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, and wherein a central axis of the adjuster bore is at a non-zero angle relative to a vertical axis of the foot pad.
[0066] EC 9. The anti-rattle system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, further comprising an adjuster at least partially positioned within the adjuster bore, wherein the adjuster is configured to vertically adjust a position of the foot pad.
[0067] EC 10. The anti-rattle system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the foot pad further comprises a stud guide extending from the upper surface to the lower surface at a position aft of the adjuster bore, and wherein a central axis of the stud guide is nonparallel to the central axis of the adjuster bore.
[0068] EC 11. The anti-rattle system of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein a distance between the adjuster bore axis and the stud guide axis is from about 0.50 inches to about 0.60 inches.
[0069] EC 12. A passenger seat assembly comprising: a leg assembly comprising a forward stud; and an anti-rattle system comprising a foot pad having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a protrusion extending outward from the lower surface of the foot pad, wherein the anti-rattle system is engaged with the forward stud such that the protrusion is forward of the forward stud.
[0070] EC 13. The passenger seat assembly of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the foot pad further comprises a stud guide extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, and wherein the forward stud is positionable within the stud guide such that the anti-rattle system is engaged with the forward stud.
[0071] EC 14. The passenger seat assembly of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the stud guide is a U-shaped notch.
[0072] EC 15. The passenger seat assembly of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein a width of the protrusion is greater than a width of the stud guide.
[0073] EC 16. The passenger seat assembly of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the leg assembly further comprises an adjuster bore configured to receive an adjuster of the anti-rattle system, and wherein the adjuster bore extends non- parallel to the forward stud.
[0074] EC 17. The passenger seat assembly of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the foot pad further comprises an adjuster bore, wherein the anti-rattle system further comprises an adjuster at least partially positioned in the adjuster bore of the leg assembly and the adjuster bore of the foot pad, and wherein the adjuster is configured to position the foot pad relative to the leg assembly.
[0075] EC 18. The passenger seat assembly of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein a distance between the adjuster bore axis and the forward stud axis is minimized.
[0076] EC 19. The passenger seat assembly of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein a width of the protrusion is less than a width of a seat track opening of a seat track of an aircraft.
[0077] EC 20. The passenger seat assembly of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the foot pad is nonmetallic.
[0078] EC 21. The passenger seat assembly of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the protrusion comprises a first protrusion component and a second protrusion component spaced apart from the first protrusion component, wherein a distance from the first protrusion component to the second protrusion component defines a width of the protrusion, and wherein the width of the protrusion is less than a width of a seat track opening of a seat track of an aircraft and greater than a width of a seat track channel defined by opposing track lips.
[0079] EC 22. A method of securing a passenger seat in a vehicle comprising: providing a seat track defining a track channel, wherein a pair of track lips partially enclose an upper side of the channel, and wherein a plurality of cutouts are positioned along the pair of track lips and defining track openings; aligning a forward stud of a leg assembly of the passenger seat with one of the track openings; moving the forward stud within the track channel such that the track lips of the seat track overlap at least a portion of the forward stud and the forward stud is offset from the one track opening; and securing the leg assembly to the seat track by adjusting an anti-rattle device such that the forward stud engages the track lips within the channel and a foot pad of the anti-rattle device engages an upper surface of the seat track, wherein adjusting the anti-rattle device comprises positioning a protrusion on a lower surface of the foot pad in a track opening forward of the forward stud.
[0080] EC 23. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein positioning the protrusion comprises positioning the protrusion in a track opening adjacent the forward stud.
[0081] EC 24. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein positioning the protrusion comprises positioning the protrusion such that the protrusion does not contact inner surfaces of the track opening forward of the forward stud.
[0082] EC 25. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein adjusting the anti-rattle device comprises adjusting an adjuster within an adjuster bore of the leg assembly and an adjuster bore of the foot pad.
[0083] EC 26. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein adjusting the adjuster biases the foot pad against the seat track and biases the leg assembly upwards such that the forward stud engages the track lips.
[0084] EC 27. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein positioning the protrusion comprises positioning the protrusion in the track opening forward of the forward stud such that the leg assembly is horizontally movable along the seat track for a predetermined distance during an alighting event without the forward stud disengaging from the seat track.
[0085] It should be emphasized that the above-described aspects are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention, nor the claims that follow.