SEAT PART COMPRISING A SEAT COVER

Abstract

Described herein is a seat part for a vehicle seat comprising a body and a cover for the body. The seat part comprises one or more securing means for securing part of the cover to the seat part, the seat part comprises one or more channels, and the cover comprises one or more insertion elements for insertion into the one or more channels. The one or more insertion elements are moulded to the shape of the body such that when the one or more insertion elements are inserted into the one or more channels and a part of the cover is secured by the securing means to the seat part, removal of the cover from the body is substantially prevented. Also described herein is a seat and a row of seats comprising the seat part.

Claims

1: A seat part for a vehicle seat comprising: a body; and a cover for the body, wherein (i) the seat part comprises one or more securing devices for securing part of the cover to the seat part, wherein (ii) the seat part comprises one or more channels, wherein (iii) the cover comprises one or more insertion elements for insertion into the one or more channels, and wherein the one or more insertion elements are moulded to the shape of the body such that when the one or more insertion elements are inserted into the one or more channels and a part of the cover is secured by the securing device to the seat part, removal of the cover from the body is substantially prevented.

2: A seat part according to claim 1, wherein the seat part is a seat back.

3: A seat part according to claim 1, wherein the one or more channels are positioned along at least a part of one or more sides of the seat part.

4: A seat part according to claim 1, wherein the one or more channels are positioned along at least a part of the top of the seat part.

5: A seat part according to claim 1, wherein the one or more channels are positioned along an edge of the body.

6: A seat part according to claim 1, wherein the one or more channels comprise a channel positioned along at least a part of a first side of the seat part, along the top of the seat part, and along at least a part of a second side of the seat part.

7: A seat part according to claim 1, wherein the one or more channels are formed in the body or between the body of the seat part and a seat attachment secured to the body.

8: A seat part according to claim 7, wherein the seat attachment is a seat back attachment.

9: A seat part according to claim 1, wherein the one or more securing devices secure part of the cover to the body.

10: A seat part according to claim 1, wherein the one or more securing devices secure the cover to the seat part at or near one or more ends of one or more of the channels.

11: A seat part according to claim 1, wherein the seat part comprises two or more securing devices for securing part of the cover to the body at first and second fixing positions, wherein the first and second fixing positions are positioned at or near the ends of one or more of the one or more channels.

12: A seat part according to claim 11, wherein the first fixing position is on a first side of the seat part and the second fixing position is on a second side of the seat part.

13: A seat part according to claim 11, wherein the first and second fixing positions are located between the front face of the body and the one or more channels.

14: A seat part according to claim 1, wherein the one or more insertion elements comprise one or more top insertion elements for insertion into a channel in the top of the seat part.

15: A seat part according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the one or more insertion elements are rigid insertion elements for insertion into the one or more channels.

16: A seat part according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the one or more insertion elements are shaped to be placed against and to bend around an edge of the body.

17: A seat part according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the one or more insertion elements are elongate insertion members for positioning along an edge of the body.

18: A seat part according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the one or more insertion elements comprise a substantially L-shaped or U-shaped cross section.

19: A cover for a seat part, the cover comprising: (a) one or more securing devices for securing part of the cover to the seat part; and (b) one or more insertion elements for insertion into one or more channels of the seat part, wherein the one or more insertion elements are moulded to the shape of the body such that when the one or more insertion elements are inserted into the one or more channels and a part of the cover is secured by the securing means to the seat part, removal of the cover from the body is substantially prevented.

20: A seat comprising a seat part according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0099] Example embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which

[0100] FIGS. 1A and 1B show side and front views of an aircraft seat comprising a seat back of the present invention;

[0101] FIGS. 2A to 2C show enlarged cross-sectional views through A-A (FIG. 2A), B-B (FIG. 2B) and C-C (FIG. 2C) of FIG. 1B;

[0102] FIG. 3 shows a body of a seat back of the present invention without the cover attached;

[0103] FIG. 4A shows insertion elements for use in the present invention;

[0104] FIG. 4B shows Velcro patches for securing a cover to the seat back;

[0105] FIG. 4C shows a seat cover of the present invention;

[0106] FIG. 4D shows alternative insertion elements for use in the present invention;

[0107] FIG. 5A shows an alternative arrangement of insertion elements in which only a top insertion element is provided;

[0108] FIG. 5B shows the insertion element of the arrangement shown in FIG. 5A attached to the top of an aircraft seat body;

[0109] FIG. 5C shows a cross-sectional view through FIG. 5B including through an indentation on the insertion element; and

[0110] FIG. 5D shows a cross-sectional view between indentations of the insertion element additionally showing the position of a shroud attached to the rear of the aircraft seat body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0111] The present invention relates to a seat part, for example a seat back, of a vehicle seat, for example an aircraft seat.

[0112] With reference to FIG. 1A, a vehicle seat 1 comprises a seat base 2 and a seat back 3. The seat back 3 includes a body 4, a cover 5 and a seat back attachment 6 in the form of a seat back shroud. In the example shown, a tray table 7 is stored in a stowed position against the shroud 6. The tray table 7 is supported by table legs 16.

[0113] The seat back 3 has a front face 3a, rear face 3b, sides 3c, 3d and a top 3e. Likewise, with reference to FIGS. 1A and 3, the body 4 has a front face 4a, rear face 4b, sides 4c, 4d and a top 4e.

[0114] With reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3 and 4B a channel 8 is provided between the shroud 6 and the rear edge 4f of the body 4. The body is provided with a deformable material 15 for cushioning the back of a passenger. The channel 8 is positioned along an upper part of the sides 3c, 3d and along the top 3e of the seat back 3 between securing means 9a, 9b for securing the cover 5 to the body 4 at first 10a and second 10b fixing positions on the body 4. In the example shown, the securing means 9a and 9b are Velcro (hook and loop fastener) pads for mating with corresponding Velcro pads 10a, 10b on the body 4. As such, the Velcro pads 10a, 10b represent the first 10a and second 10b fixing positions on the body 4.

[0115] In the example shown, the fixing positions 10a and 10b are on the sides 4c, 4d of the body 4 in front of the channel 8. As such, the fixing positions are at the end of the channel 8. However, it will be appreciated that the fixing positions could be provided lower than each end of the channel 8, such that the channel is provided between the fixing positions 10a, 10b.

[0116] With reference to FIG. 4A, the cover 5 comprises insertion elements 11a, 11b, 11c. Each insertion element 11a, 11b, 11c is an elongate bar which is moulded to the shape of the rear edge 4f of the body 4. Insertion elements 11a, 11b are inserted into the channel 8 at the sides 3c, 3d of the seat back. Insertion element 11c is inserted into the channel 8 at the top 3e of the seat back. The insertion elements 11a, 11b are moulded to the shape of the rear edge 4f along each side 4c, 4d of the body 3. Insertion element 11c is moulded to the shape of the rear edge 4f along the top 4e of the body.

[0117] When the insertion elements 11a, 11b, 11c are inserted into the channel 8 and the cover 5 is secured to the body 4 via the securing means 9a, 9b, removal of the insertion elements 11a, 11b, 11c from the channel 8 is prevented. In particular, the arrangement of insertion elements, channel and securing means locks the cover 5 into engagement with the body 4.

[0118] As a result, the present invention provides a remarkably quick and easy way to install and remove a cover from a seat back by simply unfastening the two securing means 9a, 9b. This greatly reduces maintenance times and provides a significant advantage over existing aircraft seats.

[0119] It will also be seen that the provision of separate insertion elements 11a, 11b, 11c means that gaps 14a, 14b are created at the upper corners of the seat back. This is particularly advantageous because it means that excess material of the seat cover 4, created during folding of the seat cover material at the corners, can be inserted into the gaps 14a, 14b. This not only provides a more aesthetically pleasing appearance, but reduces any bulging of material at the corners which can be particularly prone to wear and tear. The presence of the gaps 14a, 14b also makes installation of the seat cover 5 against the body 4 much easier because; without such a gap it would be difficult to insert the folded corner of the seat cover into the channel 8.

[0120] With reference to FIG. 4D, alternative insertion elements 11a, 11b and 11c are shown.

[0121] As with the insertion elements shown in FIG. 4A, each insertion element 11a, 11b, 11c of FIG. 4D is an elongate bar which is moulded to the shape of the rear edge 4f of the body 4. Insertion elements 11a, 11b are inserted into the channel 8 at the sides 3c, 3d of the seat back.

[0122] Insertion element 11c is moulded to the shape of the rear edge 4f along the top 4e of the seat back and to the shape of the upper corners of the seat back such that it can be positioned along the top edge 4f, around each top corner and part-way down each side 3c, 3d of the seat back.

[0123] Insertion element 11c can then be inserted into the channel 8 at the top 3e of the seat back and into an upper region of the channel 8 at the sides 3c, 3d of the seat back.

[0124] This is particularly advantageous because it makes it more difficult to remove insertion element 11c via forward movement thereof. In addition, by moulding insertion element 11c to follow the contour of the rear corners of the seat back, in essence by providing bends at each end of insertion element 11c, this increases the strength of insertion element 11c. This also increases the overall ability of the insertion elements 11a, 11b and 11c to prevent removal of the seat cover from the seat part when the cover is secured to the seat part by the securing means 9a, 9b.

[0125] As with the example shown in FIG. 4A, the insertion elements 11a, 11b of FIG. 4D are moulded to the shape of the rear edge 4f along each side 4c, 4d of the body 3.

[0126] Whilst there are no gaps 14a, 14b provided between the insertion elements 11a, 11b and 11c of FIG. 4D, it will be appreciated that this is an option. In place of gaps 14a, 14b, joints 17a, 17b are provided between adjacent insertion elements 11a, 11b, 11c. The joints allow the insertion elements 11a, 11b, 11c to hinge and flex without stressing the plastic material. This is also an advantage of the gaps 14a, 14b in the example shown in FIG. 4A. It will be appreciated that adjacent insertion elements 11a, 11b, 11c could simply abut each other to form the joints 17a, 17b, or that adjacent insertion elements 11a, 11b, 11c could be integrally formed with a thinner, joining strip, of insertion element material, for example plastic, positioned therebetween to allow adjacent insertion elements to hinge and flex. Accordingly, in one embodiment, insertion elements 11a, 11b and 11c are formed as a single insertion element unit comprising integrally formed insertion elements 11a, 11b, 11c.

[0127] As will be further seen in FIG. 4D, insertion elements 11a and 11b are wider that insertion element 11c, i.e. they protrude further forward, such that they can abut the sides 4c, 4d of the seat part. Conveniently, the forward facing edge of insertion elements 11a and 11b of FIG. 4D is chamfered at its upper end.

[0128] Whilst not necessary for locking the cover 5 into engagement with the body 4, additional Velcro strips 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d can be provided on the cover 5 for mating with corresponding Velcro strips 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d on the body 4. The additional Velcro strips help to secure the cover 5 against the body 4.

[0129] With reference to FIGS. 5A to 5D, in an alternative arrangement of insertion elements, the side insertion elements 11a, 11b are replaced with Velcro strips 18a, 18b for mating with corresponding Velcro strips on the body (not shown). In this example, only a single top insertion element 11c is required.

[0130] As with the insertion elements shown in FIG. 4A, insertion element 11c of FIGS. 5A to 5D is an elongate bar which is moulded to the shape of the rear edge 4f of the body 4 and is inserted into a channel 8 between the body and a shroud 6.

[0131] With particular reference to FIG. 5B, insertion element 11c can also be shaped to clip over the front edge 4g of the body 4. In the example shown, the insertion element 11c has a number of indentations 19 which form protrusions 20 on the internal surface of the insertion element 11c and abut the front face 4a of the body, causing the insertion element 11c to deform slightly and thus grip the body 4. In this way, the insertion element 11c can be push-fit onto the body 4.

[0132] With reference to the cross-sectional views shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, a ridge 21 is provided along the front edge 4g of the body 4. This helps to secure the insertion element 11c to the body 4 because removal of the insertion element 11c requires the protrusions 20 to pass over the ridge 21 thus requiring additional flexing of the insertion element 11c.

[0133] 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.