SPLIT CABIN ATTENDANT SEAT
20240051666 ยท 2024-02-15
Assignee
Inventors
- Daniel N. Moe (Mukilteo, WA, US)
- Max Slavin (Colorado Springs, CO, US)
- Chad Pacheco (Colorado Springs, CO, US)
Cpc classification
B64D11/0698
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B64D11/064
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B64D11/0691
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
A cabin attendant seat includes a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, a headrest rotatably coupled to the upper portion, a seat pan coupled to the lower portion, and a drop-down tray assembly rotatably coupled to the upper portion. The seat pan is detached from the headrest. The drop-down tray assembly and the headrest are configured to rotate along a first axis such that the drop-down tray assembly defines a platform.
Claims
1. A cabin attendant seat, comprising: a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion; a headrest rotatably coupled to the upper portion; a seat pan coupled to the lower portion, the seat pan detached from the headrest; and a drop-down tray assembly rotatably coupled to the upper portion, wherein the drop-down tray assembly and the headrest are configured to rotate along a first axis such that the drop-down tray assembly defines a platform.
2. The cabin attendant seat of claim 1, wherein the drop-down tray assembly further comprises a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is configured to rotate along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis such that the second surface defines the platform.
3. The cabin attendant seat of claim 2, wherein the drop-down tray assembly further comprises a support arm configured to rotate along the first axis and the second axis, and configured to support the drop-down tray assembly in a deployed position.
4. The cabin attendant seat of claim 1, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are separated by a gap.
5. The cabin attendant seat of claim 4, further comprising a slide-out table configured to be stored in the housing and accessible from the housing via the gap.
6. The cabin attendant seat of claim 1, further comprising a lower storage compartment disposed in the lower portion below the seat pan.
7. A cabin attendant seat, comprising: a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion; a headrest rotatably coupled to the upper portion; and a panel defining the lower portion, wherein the panel is configured to rotate relative the housing and independently from the upper portion.
8. The cabin attendant seat of claim 7, wherein rotating the panel to an open position exposes a volume configured to receive a storage item.
9. The cabin attendant seat of claim 8, wherein the panel comprises an interior wall and an exterior wall opposite the interior wall, the interior wall configured to be oriented toward the volume in a closed position.
10. The cabin attendant seat of claim 9, further comprising a seat pan couple to the exterior wall.
11. The cabin attendant seat of claim 7, further comprising a latch assembly configured to secure the panel to the housing.
12. The cabin attendant seat of claim 7, wherein the upper portion defines a bar unit, the bar unit comprising at least one window.
13. The cabin attendant seat of claim 7, further comprising a drop-down tray assembly rotatably coupled to the upper portion, wherein the drop-down tray assembly and the headrest are configured to rotate along a first axis such that the drop-down tray assembly defines a platform, and wherein the panel is configured to rotate along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.
14. An aircraft comprising: a first cabin attendant seat, comprising: a first housing having a first upper portion and a first lower portion; a first headrest rotatably coupled to the first upper portion; and a first drop-down tray assembly rotatably coupled to the first upper portion, wherein the first drop-down tray assembly and the first headrest are configured to rotate along a first axis; and a second cabin attendant seat, comprising: a second housing having a second upper portion and a second lower portion; a second headrest rotatably coupled to the second upper portion; and a panel defining the second lower portion, wherein the panel is configured to rotate relative the second housing and independently from the second upper portion.
15. The aircraft of claim 14, wherein the first cabin attendant seat and the second cabin attendant seat are in confronting relation.
16. The aircraft of claim 15, wherein the first drop-down tray assembly comprises at least one extension configured to extend from the first drop-down tray assembly toward the second cabin attendant seat.
17. The aircraft of claim 14, wherein the second cabin attendant seat further comprises a second drop-down tray assembly rotatably coupled to the second upper portion, wherein the second drop-down tray assembly and the second headrest are configured to rotate along the first axis.
18. The aircraft of claim 17, wherein the first upper portion and the first lower portion are separated by a first gap wherein the first drop-down tray assembly is configured to be hinged in the first gap, and wherein the second upper portion and the second lower portion are separated by a second gap wherein the second drop-down tray assembly is configured to be hinged in the second gap.
19. The aircraft of claim 14, wherein the first drop-down tray assembly is configured to be housing within a workstation cavity disposed in the first housing, the first drop-down tray assembly exposing the workstation cavity when in a deployed position.
20. The aircraft of claim 19, wherein the workstation cavity comprises at least one of a power outlet or a network port to couple to a laptop.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements.
[0023]
[0024]
[0025]
[0026]
[0027]
[0028]
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in accordance with this disclosure and the teachings herein. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not limitation. The steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented.
[0031] Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. Surface shading lines may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.
[0032] Surface shading and/or crosshatching lines may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts, but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials. Throughout the present disclosure, like reference numbers denote like elements. Accordingly, elements with like element numbering may be shown in the figures, but may not necessarily be repeated herein for the sake of clarity.
[0033] Disclosed herein is a cabin attendant seat (CAS) that may be installed on a monument or bulkhead as a two-part assembly with a gap between an upper unit and a lower unit. The lower unit may carry the majority of flight load and crash loads, for instance, and the upper unit may include a headrest and mounting frame. The gap between the units allows room for a door split-line line, a hinge-line, and/or a slide-out table to extend between the two units at work-deck height. Due to the separated configuration of the two units, the upper unit can be mounted and movable on a separate surface from the lower unit, and vice versa. For instance, one surface may be fixed while the other is articulating, or both surfaces may be articulating.
[0034] With reference to
[0035] Referring now to
[0036] Seat 200 includes a headrest 218. Particularly, the upper portion 210 comprises the headrest 218. Headrest 218 may be located proximate head end 206 of housing 202. Headrest 218 may be pivotably (e.g., rotatably) coupled to housing 202. For instance, the headrest 218 may be coupled to the upper portion 210 via a hinge 219 such that headrest 218 may be configured to rotate along an axis perpendicular to the first and second walls 204a, 204b such that a user (e.g., a flight attendant) can use the headrest 218 as a platform when extended at least substantially perpendicularly from the housing 202 (e.g., see
[0037] Further, seat 200 includes a seat pan 220 and a backrest 222. Particularly, the lower portion 212 may comprise the seat pan 220 and the backrest 222. Backrest 222 may be located generally between seat pan 220 and headrest 218. For instance, the headrest 218 and the backrest 222 may be separated by a gap having a distance of approximately 1.0 in-4.0 in (e.g., 2.54 cm-10.16 cm). Seat pan 220 may be configured to rotate relative to housing 202. In various embodiments, seat pan 220 may rotate toward and away from backrest 222. For instance, seat pan 220 may be configured to rotate along the axis perpendicular to the first and second walls 204a, 204b such that a user (e.g., a flight attendant) can sit on the seat pan 220 when extended at least substantially perpendicularly from the housing 202. Seat pan 220, backrest 222, and/or headrest 218 may be partially stored within housing 202 of seat 200.
[0038] In accordance with various embodiments, seat 200 may include a lower storage compartment 224. Lower storage compartment 224 may be located proximate foot end 205 of housing 202. A housing door 226 may be located over lower storage compartment 224. Door 226 may be pivotably coupled to housing 202. For instance, a release handle 228 may be disposed in door 226. Release handle 228 may be configured to release the door 226, thereby allowing door 226 to pivot away from housing 202.
[0039] Seat 200 may further include a drop-down tray assembly 230. The drop-down tray assembly 230 may be configured to rotate with the headrest 218. For instance, the drop-down tray assembly 230 may be coupled to the upper portion 210 via the hinge 219 such that the drop-down tray assembly 230 may be configured to rotate along the axis perpendicular to the first and second walls 204a, 204b such that a user (e.g., a flight attendant) can use the drop-down tray assembly 230 as a platform when extended out at least substantially perpendicularly from the housing 202 (e.g., see
[0040] The drop-down tray assembly 230 is configured to provide a stand-up (e.g., a standing height) workstation contained within the housing 202. For instance, the drop-down tray assembly 230 may be received and stored within a workstation cavity 232 of the housing 202. When the drop-down tray assembly 230 is positioned in its extended, or deployed, position (e.g., extending perpendicular to the housing 202), the workstation cavity 232 is exposed. The workstation cavity 232 may be configured to house various components of the drop-down tray assembly 230 such as a work surface, tablet holder, work light, charging station, and/or a notebook caddy. For instance, the drop-down tray assembly 230 includes a first surface 234. The first surface 234 may be used as a workstation platform on its own.
[0041] However, referring particularly to
[0042] In various embodiments, a power switch, one or more power sockets or electrical outlets (e.g., USB charging port), and one or more wire holders may be incorporated by the workstation cavity 232. In various embodiments, the workstation cavity 232 may include built in inductive charging (e.g., Qi/MagSafe). The wire holder(s) are for wire management and are of a configuration that encompasses clips (e.g., U-shaped; J-shaped), or any appropriate retention structure for retaining a cord, cable, or the like, such as a power cable for a laptop, a tablet, or the like. The workstation cavity 232 may further include a network cable and/or network port 239 to couple to the laptop 238.
[0043] The drop-down tray assembly 230 may further include a support arm 240. The support arm 240 is configured to rotate via hinge 219. Once rotated to the deployed position of the drop-down tray assembly 230, the support arm 240 may be configured to further rotate relative to the second surface 236 such that the support arm 240 is perpendicular to the second surface 236, opposite the first surface 234 (e.g., see
[0044] In various embodiments, the drop-down tray assembly 230 may include one or more latches (not shown) for locking the drop-down tray assembly 230 in its stowed position (e.g., see
[0045] Referring now to
[0046] The lower portion 308 is defined by a panel 316. Panel 316 may be configured to rotate relative to the second housing 302 and independently from the upper portion 306 and independently from the seat pan 312. Panel 316 may be rotatably coupled to at least one of the first and second walls 304a, 304b. For instance, the panel 316 may be hinged via a hinge 319 to the first wall 304a such that the panel rotates along an axis parallel to the first wall 304a.
[0047]
[0048] Panel 316 includes an interior (or first) wall 320 and an exterior (or second) wall 322. When panel 316 is in the closed position, as shown in
[0049] Referring now to
[0050] Referring now to
[0051] In various embodiments, the drop-down tray 334 may comprise an at least one extension 340. The extension 340 may be configured to slide out from the drop-down tray 334. For instance, the at least one extension 340 may include a first extension 340a and a second extension 340b. The first extension 340a may be configured to extend from and parallel to the first surface 336. The second extension 340b may be configured to extend from and parallel to the second surface 338. Accordingly, the at least one extension 340 may fill in a gap between the drop-down tray assemblies 230, 334. In various embodiments, the drop-down tray assembly 230 may comprise the at least one extension.
[0052] Referring now to
[0053] In various embodiments, the components described herein with reference to each of the first seat 200 and the second seat 300 may be modular and thus various combinations may be formed. For instance, as described herein, the aircraft 100 may include the first seat 200, the second seat 300, or both. In various embodiments, the aircraft 100 may include more than one first seat 200. In various embodiments, the aircraft 100 may include more than one second seat 300 (e.g., see
[0054] As described herein, the multi-piece CAS system allow heightened flexibility of inflight configurations and functions. Further, the multi-piece CAS system provides lower cost and lower weight due to decreased parts and failure modes, while achieving high versatility. The multi-piece CAS also provides a configuration wherein the exit door is never completely locked, thus increasing safety in an emergency.
[0055] Benefits and other advantages have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, and any elements that may cause any benefit or advantage to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean one and only one unless explicitly so stated, but rather one or more. Moreover, where a phrase similar to at least one of A, B, or C is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.
[0056] Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to various embodiments, one embodiment, an embodiment, an example embodiment, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.
[0057] Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f), unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase means for. As used herein, the terms comprises, comprising, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0058] Finally, it should be understood that any of the above described concepts can be used alone or in combination with any or all of the other above described concepts. Although various embodiments have been disclosed and described, one of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the principles described or illustrated herein to any precise form. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.