CONFIGURABLE MULTI-CLASS PASSENGER SEAT ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A passenger seat assembly includes a first seat, a second seat, and a center console. In embodiments, a privacy divider is positioned atop the center console and serves as a mounting location for amenities for serving the first and second passenger seats. The center console is configurable to include various privacy, comfort, and utility features depending on the intended seating class for the passenger seat assembly. In embodiments, the first and second passenger seats include headrests and privacy assemblies associated with the headrests for enhancing privacy between the seats and/or relative to adjacent aisles.

Claims

1. A passenger seat assembly, comprising: a first passenger seat including a first headrest and a first privacy provision associated with the first headrest; a second passenger seat including a second headrest and a second privacy provision associated with the second headrest; and a center console positioned between the first passenger seat and the second passenger seat, the center console including: a first armrest for the first passenger seat; a second armrest for the second passenger seat; and a table positioned forward of the first and second armrests.

2. The passenger seat assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: an upwardly extending fixed privacy divider positioned atop the center console and between the first armrest and the second armrest; an upwardly extending movable privacy divider deployable in a forward direction relative to the upwardly extending fixed privacy divider; at least one first amenity mounted to a first side of the upwardly extending fixed privacy divider facing the first passenger seat; and at least one second amenity mounted to a second side of the upwardly fixed privacy divider facing the second passenger seat.

3. The passenger seat assembly according to claim 2, wherein: the at least one first amenity includes at least one of an article holder and a reading light; and the at least one second amenity includes at least one of an article holder and a reading light.

4. The passenger seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein the center console further comprises: on a first side of the center console facing the first passenger seat, a first cup holder positioned below the fixed table and a first open storage compartment positioned below the first armrest; and on a second side of the center console facing the second passenger seat, a second cup holder positioned below the fixed table and a second open storage compartment positioned below the second armrest.

5. The passenger seat assembly according to claim 4, further comprising: a first remote control removably mounted to the first side of the center console and positioned below the fixed table; at least one first power outlet mounted in the first open storage compartment; a second remote control removably mounted to the second side of the center console and positioned below the fixed table; and at least one second power outlet mounted in the second open storage compartment.

6. The passenger seat assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a first vertically adjustable armrest positioned on an outboard side of the first passenger seat; a second vertically adjustable armrest positioned on an outboard side of the second passenger seat; an end bay positioned on an outboard side of the first passenger seat; and an elevated step mounted in the end bay.

7. The passenger seat assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a deployable table mounted in the center console, the deployable table deployable through a forward end of the table.

8. The passenger seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein: the first and second passenger seats are positioned side-by-side and are parallel; the first and second passenger seats are mounted on a frame assembly including transverse beams and legs for mounting the passenger seat assembly to a floor; a first footwell is positioned under the first passenger seat; a second footwell is positioned under the second passenger seat; and at least one amenity is mounted on a backside of each of the first passenger seat and the second passenger seat.

9. The passenger seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein: the first privacy provision is a first headrest privacy assembly mounted behind the first headrest, the first headrest privacy assembly including at least one laterally positioned panel that extends forward past the first headrest; and the second privacy provision is a second headrest privacy assembly mounted behind the second headrest, the second headrest privacy assembly including at least one laterally positioned panel that extends forward past the second headrest.

10. The passenger seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein: the first privacy provision is a first headrest privacy assembly mounted behind the first headrest, the first headrest privacy assembly including one laterally positioned panel that extends forward past the first headrest on a side of the first passenger seat apart from the second passenger seat; and the second privacy provision is a second headrest privacy assembly mounted behind the second headrest, the second headrest privacy assembly including one laterally positioned panel that extends forward past the second headrest on a side of the second passenger seat apart from the first passenger seat.

11. A two-seat passenger seat assembly, comprising: a first passenger seat; a second passenger seat; and a center console positioned between the first passenger seat and the second passenger seat, the center console including: a first armrest for the first passenger seat; a second armrest for the second passenger seat; and a table positioned forward of the first and second armrests.

12. The two-seat passenger seat assembly according to claim 11, further comprising: an upwardly extending fixed privacy divider positioned atop the center console and between the first armrest and the second armrest; an upwardly extending movable privacy divider deployable in a forward direction relative to the upwardly extending fixed privacy divider; at least one first amenity mounted to a first side of the upwardly extending fixed privacy divider facing the first passenger seat; and at least one second amenity mounted to a second side of the upwardly fixed privacy divider facing the second passenger seat.

13. The two-seat passenger seat assembly according to claim 11, wherein the center console further comprises: on a first side of the center console facing the first passenger seat, a first cup holder positioned below the fixed table and a first open storage compartment positioned below the first armrest; and on a second side of the center console facing the second passenger seat, a second cup holder positioned below the fixed table and a second open storage compartment positioned below the second armrest.

14. The two-seat passenger seat assembly according to claim 11, further comprising: a first vertically adjustable armrest positioned on an outboard side of the first passenger seat; a second vertically adjustable armrest positioned on an outboard side of the second passenger seat; an end bay positioned on an outboard side of the first passenger seat; and an elevated step mounted in the end bay.

15. The two-seat passenger seat assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a deployable table mounted in the center console, the deployable table deployable through a forward end of the table.

16. The two-seat passenger seat assembly according to claim 11, wherein: the first passenger seat includes a first privacy assembly mounted to the first passenger seat and a first headrest mounted to the first privacy assembly; the first privacy assembly includes at least one laterally positioned panel that extends forward past the first headrest; the second passenger seat includes a second privacy assembly mounted to the second passenger seat and a second headrest mounted to the second privacy assembly; and the second privacy assembly includes at least one laterally positioned panel that extends forward past the second headrest.

17. A passenger seat assembly for installation in an aircraft cabin, comprising: a frame assembly; a first passenger seat mounted to the frame assembly; a second passenger seat mounted to the frame assembly; a center console mounted to the frame assembly and positioned between the first passenger seat and the second passenger seat; an upwardly extending fixed privacy divider positioned atop the center console; an upwardly extending movable privacy divider deployable in a forward direction relative to the upwardly extending fixed privacy divider; at least one first amenity mounted to a first side of the upwardly extending fixed privacy divider facing the first passenger seat; and at least one second amenity mounted to a second side of the upwardly fixed privacy divider facing the second passenger seat.

18. The passenger seat assembly according to claim 17, wherein the center console comprises: a first armrest for the first passenger seat; a second armrest for the second passenger seat; a table positioned forward of the first and second armrests; and a deployable table mounted in the center console, the deployable table deployable through a forward end of the table.

19. The passenger seat assembly according to claim 18, wherein the center console comprises: on a first side of the center console facing the first passenger seat, a first cup holder positioned below the fixed table and a first open storage compartment positioned below the first armrest; and on a second side of the center console facing the second passenger seat, a second cup holder positioned below the fixed table and a second open storage compartment positioned below the second armrest.

20. The passenger seat assembly according to claim 17, wherein: the first passenger seat includes a first privacy assembly mounted to the first passenger seat and a first headrest mounted to the first privacy assembly; the first privacy assembly includes at least one laterally positioned panel that extends forward past the first headrest; the second passenger seat includes a second privacy assembly mounted to the second passenger seat and a second headrest mounted to the second privacy assembly; and the second privacy assembly includes at least one laterally positioned panel that extends forward past the second headrest.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Implementations of the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be better understood when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the included drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, and in which some features may be exaggerated and some features may be omitted or may be represented schematically in the interest of clarity. Like reference numerals in the drawings may represent and refer to the same or similar element, feature, or function. In the drawings:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a passenger seat assembly, in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 2 is rear isometric view of the passenger seat assembly;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the passenger seat assembly;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the passenger seat assembly;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a left side view of the passenger seat assembly;

[0025] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the passenger seat assembly;

[0026] FIG. 7 is a top view of the passenger seat assembly;

[0027] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the passenger seat assembly;

[0028] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary front view of the passenger seat assembly illustrating an asymmetrical headrest privacy assembly including an integrated reading light, in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 10 is a fragmentary front view of the passenger seat assembly illustrating a symmetrical headrest privacy assembly, in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary front view of the passenger seat assembly illustrating a headrest without a privacy feature, in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary rear view of the passenger seat assembly including an asymmetrical headrest privacy feature, in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 13 is a front isometric view of a headrest and associated symmetrical headrest privacy assembly, in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 14 is a front isometric view of a headrest illustrated mounted to a symmetrical headrest privacy assembly, in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 15 is a rear isometric view of a symmetrical headrest privacy assembly illustrated movably mounted to vertical guide posts, in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view of a center console including a featured privacy divider, in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 17 is a front isometric view of a center console, in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 18 is a fragmentary view of the center console illustrating console features, in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure; and

[0038] FIG. 19 is a fragmentary view of the center console illustrating console features, in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the inventive concepts disclosed herein in detail, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components or steps or methodologies set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. In the following detailed description of embodiments of the instant inventive concepts, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concepts. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure that the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure. The inventive concepts disclosed herein are capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0040] As used herein, a letter following a reference numeral is intended to reference an embodiment of the feature or element that may be similar, but not necessarily identical, to a previously described element or feature bearing the same reference numeral (e.g., 1, 1a, 1b). Such shorthand notations are used for purposes of convenience only, and should not be construed to limit the inventive concepts disclosed herein in any way unless expressly stated to the contrary.

[0041] Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, or refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0042] In addition, use of the a or an are employed to describe elements and components of embodiments of the instant inventive concepts. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the inventive concepts, and a and an are intended to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

[0043] Finally, as used herein any reference to one embodiment or some embodiments means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The appearances of the phrase in some embodiments in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed may include one or more of the features expressly described or inherently present herein, or any combination of sub-combination of two or more such features, along with any other features which may not necessarily be expressly described or inherently present in the instant disclosure.

[0044] Broadly, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to passenger seat assemblies for installation in, for example, airliners and other conveyances. In some embodiments, the passenger seat assembly is an integrated unit including a first seat, a second seat, and a center console positioned between the first and second seats. The first and second seats are positioned side-by-side, parallel, aligned, and face the same direction. The seat assembly may be installed in an aircraft passenger cabin, for instance in a business or premium seating class. The seat assembly may be installed to one side of an aircraft longitudinal aisle, between spaced aircraft longitudinal aisles, and in other locations. Each of the first and second seats is equipped with a headrest, and the headrest may be provided in different configurations depending on the desired degree of privacy. The headrest may further serve to mount other seat features, for instance a reading light. The center console is also configurable to include different features, controls, storage space, etc., and in some cases includes a privacy divider also configurable to include different features. A seat supplier may present different configuration options to a carrier who may choose a particular seat configuration based on preference, seat location within the aircraft, seat location relative to other seats, etc. The seat assembly is readily reconfigurable by interchanging certain components for others differently equipped.

[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates a passenger seat assembly 100 according to the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the seat assembly 100 is installable as an integrated unit including a first seat 102, a second seat 104, and a center console 106 positioned between the first and second seats 102, 104. In embodiments, the seat assembly 100 includes a privacy divider 108 positioned atop the center console 106. In some embodiments, the privacy divider 108 includes an upwardly extending portion 110 and a forward deploying portion 112 that may be stowed or deployed depending on passenger preference, phase of flight, etc. Each of the center console 106 and the privacy divider 108 includes a first lateral side facing the first seat 102, and a second lateral side facing the second seat 104. Each seat 102, 104 includes two armrests, wherein one armrest 114 is positioned at the lateral extend of the seat assembly 100 and the other amrest 116 is positioned on the center console 106. As such, the center console 106 includes a first armrest 116 serving the first seat 102, and a second armrest 116 serving the second seat 104. The outboard armrests 114 may be configured to raise and lower.

[0046] Each seat 102, 104 generally includes a seat bottom 118, a backrest 120, and a leg rest 122. In use, each seat component may be adjustable, and seat component movements may be coordinated to change the sitting position between upright and reclined through various intermediate sitting positions. In some embodiments, each seat 102, 104 may recline to lay flat depending on the seat pitch and adjustment capabilities of the seat. Each backrest 120 includes a headrest 124. As shown, each headrest 124 is configured as an asymmetrical headrest including, on the outboard side of the seat, a lateral privacy feature 126 that extends in a forward direction. Also as shown, the privacy divider 108 is configured with a reading light 128 mounted to each lateral side of the upwardly extending portion of the privacy divider 108 arranged facing its respective seat 102, 104.

[0047] FIG. 2 illustrates the back of the passenger seat assembly 100. The backrest 120 of each seat 102, 104 may be used to mount a video monitor 130, a literature pocket 132, and various other storage pockets 134 and amenities for use by passengers seated in the next row. As shown, the center console 106 and the privacy divider 108 together substantially fill the space between the first and second seats 102, 104 to enhance privacy between seat rows. Also as shown, the outboard armrest housing 136 may include a step 138 for gaining access to overhead storage bins typically found in airliners. Legs 180 of the seat assembly 100 demarcate under seat footwells 182 for use by passengers in the next row.

[0048] FIGS. 3-8 illustrate the passenger seat assembly 100 from different angles to show the overall shape and footprint of the seat assembly 100. FIGS. 3 and 4 particularly illustrate the privacy between longitudinally adjacent like seat assemblies 100 provided by the combination of the center console 106 and the privacy divider 108. FIGS. 5 and 6 particularly illustrate the privacy between the seats provided by the upwardly extending portion 110 and the forward deployed portion 112 of the privacy divider 108. FIG. 7 particularly illustrates the first and second armrests 116 positioned atop the center console 106, and the separation of the armrests 116 by the upwardly extending portion 110 and forward deployed portion 112.

[0049] FIG. 9 illustrates a particular configuration of the seat assembly 100 including the privacy divider 108 positioned atop the center console 106, and asymmetrical headrests 124 each including an outboard lateral privacy feature 126 and a reading light 128 mounted to the inboard side of the lateral privacy feature 126. The reading light 128 may be directable by the passenger.

[0050] FIG. 10 illustrates another configuration of the seat assembly 100 including symmetrical headrests 124 each including an outboard lateral privacy feature 126 and an inboard lateral privacy feature 126 considering the lack of a privacy divider positioned atop the center console 106. Thus, in this configuration, privacy between seated passengers is provided by the inboard lateral privacy features and aisle privacy is provided by the outboard lateral privacy features. Although not shown, one or more of the inboard and outboard lateral privacy features may include a directable reading light.

[0051] FIG. 11 illustrates yet another configuration of the seat assembly 100 including padded headrests 124 each without any lateral privacy features, and without any privacy divider positioned atop the center console 106.

[0052] FIGS. 12-15 illustrate a particular conceived example of a symmetrical headrest 124 including a housing 140 defining inboard and outboard lateral privacy features 126, and a padded headrest 142 mounted to the front of and centered on the housing 140. The padded headrest 142 includes a frame having a fixed center portion 144 and left and right supports 146 pivotally attached to the fixed center portion 144. In use, each of the left and right supports 146 can be individually pivoted forward as a comfort or sleeping provision. In embodiments, the headrest 124 is coupled to vertical rails 148 on the backrest for vertical motion to adjust the headrest 124 up and down.

[0053] FIG. 16 illustrates a particular conceived configuration of the center console 106 including the privacy divider 108. Each lateral side of the upwardly extending portion 110 may include a directable reading light 128 positioned above a notepad and writing utensil holder 150 including an elastic band attached at its opposing ends to the privacy divider 108 and including a loop. The forward deploying portion 112 is shown stowed, at least partly, within the upwardly extending portion 110. The base of the privacy divider bisects a portion of the top of the center console such that the armrests 116 serving the first and second seats are separate.

[0054] FIG. 17 illustrates the center console 106 without the privacy divider. The center console 106 generally includes an upper console portion 152 and lower console portion 154. The longitudinal axis of the upper console portion 152 is oriented substantially horizontal, while the longitudinal axis of the lower console portion 154 is oriented substantially vertical. In some embodiments, the lower console portion 154 supports the upper console portion 152 from below. In some embodiments, at least portions of the upper console portion 152 and the lower console portion 154 may be integrally formed. Portions of the upper and lower console portions 152, 154 may be made from, for example, plastic due to its durability, light weight, ability to be colored, cleanability, etc.

[0055] As shown, the upper console portion 152 has a top, a front, a back, a first (e.g., left) lateral side, and a second (e.g., right) lateral side. The center console 106 may include additional console portions, for instance a base 156 configured to be attached to the floor. The top of the upper console portion 152 forms a substantially flat horizontal surface including a table 158 and the armrests 116. The table 158 may open to provide access to internal compartments formed in the interior space within the upper console portion 152. The armrest 116 may be provided as two laterally-adjacent armrests configured to rotate open. In some embodiments, the lower console portion 154 may include at least one cupholder 160 and at least one literature pocket 162 on each lateral side of the lower console portion 154.

[0056] In embodiments, a cable-actuated passenger control unit (PCU) 164 is positioned in interior space formed in the upper console portion 152. Mechanical pushbuttons 166 of the cable-actuated PCU 164 may be presented through one of the first and second lateral sides of the upper console portion 152. In this position, a passenger resting his/her arm on the armrest 116 is able to operate the pushbuttons 166 with their thumb for comfort and convenience. In the case of the center console 106, two cable-actuated PCUs 164 may be positioned in the interior space formed in the upper console portion 152 with the pushbuttons 166 of the first cable-actuated PCU 164 presented through the first lateral side, and the pushbuttons 166 of the second cable-actuated PCU 164 presented through the second lateral side. In some embodiments, the upper console portion 152 may be symmetrical about a vertical line of symmetry.

[0057] In embodiments, the width of the upper console portion 152 may be greater than the thickness of the upper console portion 152, and the height of the lower console portion 154 may be greater than the width of the lower console portion 154. In some embodiments, the thickness of the upper console portion 152 may be greater than the width of the lower console portion 154. In a particular embodiment, the upper console portion 152 may be from about 3 inches wide up to about 10 inches wide. In some embodiments, the upper console portion 152 may be no more than 5 inches thick, and more preferably no more than 3 inches thick.

[0058] In some embodiments, the first lateral side of the upper console portion 152 includes a first substantially vertical surface and a second inclined surface angled to face a seated passenger looking down at the console 106. The pushbuttons 166 may be presented through the substantially vertical surface. While three pushbuttons 166 are shown, the cable-actuated PCU 164 may include 1, 2, 3 . . . n number of pushbuttons 166 depending on the performance capabilities of the seat. Each pushbutton 166 may carry indicia schematically illustrating the predetermined function associated with that particular pushbutton 166. Indicia may be in the form of graphics, text, printing, labels, illumination, etc., conveying the predetermined function to the passenger. The center console 106 may further include a cocktail table 168 deployable through the front of the upper console portion 152. In embodiments, the cocktail table 168 may be spring-loaded and pushed to activate deployment via a spring force and pushed back into the upper console portion 152 to stow the cocktail table 168 and load the spring for the next deployment.

[0059] FIG. 18 illustrates an optional rotational capability of the armrests 116 and their positional relationship to the literature pocket 162 or other stowage compartment positioned below each armrest. In use, the armrest 116 may be rotated upward to gain better access to the literature pocket 162 or other stowage compartment.

[0060] FIG. 19 illustrates further features of the center console, for instance a remote control 170 removably mounted on each lateral side of the lower console portion 154, and power and data ports 172 mounted in the storage space. The center console may be reconfigured to include one or more of the above-described convenience, electronic, comfort and privacy features.

[0061] From the above description, it is clear that the inventive concepts disclosed herein are well adapted to achieve the objectives and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the inventive concepts disclosed herein. While presently preferred embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the broad scope and coverage of the inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein.