Reclining passenger seat having a visual seat position indicator

Abstract

A reclining passenger seat having a visual seat position indicator. The seat includes a seat frame for being attached to a supporting deck, a seat bottom carried by the seat frame, a seat back carried by the seat frame and moveable relative to the seat bottom between a fully upright and reclined positions, and a sensor for determining when the seat back is and is not in the fully upright position. A visual seat position indicator light is operatively associated with the sensor and positioned so as to be observed by a cabin attendant without having to directly observe the seat back for determining whether the seat back is in a fully upright position. The passenger seat may include an end bay for being positioned adjacent a passageway, and the visual seat position indicator light is positioned on the end bay, or the indicator lights may be mounted on one or more display panels.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001] This invention relates to a reclining passenger seat having a visual seat position indicator. The invention is intended to facilitate the ability of, for example, flight attendants to easily determine whether all passengers have moved their seats to a fully upright position when required for take-off, landing or at other required times.[0002] The original concept originated in relation to complex, lay-flattype seats, and the difficulty that cabin crew have in determining whether the seats are in the correct position for take off and landing. Presently, flight attendants must walk the aisles of an aircraft and visually observe the position of the individual seat backs in order to comply with Federal Aviation Administrations regulations regarding the position of seat backs during take-off and landing. This is time-consuming and can be unreliable, particularly in large aircraft with center-section coach class seating that includes s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a visual seat position indicator that permits an attendant to determine the position of seat backs of passenger seats without direct observation of the seat backs.

[0008] It is another object of the invention to provide a visual seat position indicator that permits an attendant to determine the position of seat backs of passenger seats from the flight deck, galley or other location in an aircraft remote from the passenger cabin.

[0040] Referring now specifically to the drawings, a first class aircraft passenger seat group with a visual seat position indicator according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1A and shown generally at reference numeral 10. The seat group 10 includes two individual seats 11 and 12, each of which include a base 11A, 12A, respectively, that support the seat group 10 on the aircraft deck by means of track fasteners, as is conventional. Each seat also includes a seat bottom 11B, 12B and a reclinable seat back 11C, 12C, respectively. The seat group also includes an end bay 14 that serves as a side support for the seat 12 and provides both separation of the seat occupant and protection of the seat components from luggage, serving carts and passengers transiting the seat group 10 along an adjacent aisle.

[0058] Passengers may be provided with the opportunity to select from menu options that are listed on the seat. The seat controller or Central controller may be used to record maintenance data. For example, the number of cycles that each actuator has been through, thus, providing the opportunity to predict and schedule maintenance. As can be seen, these features mean that the cabin crew does not have to bother passengers in order to determine whether the seat is in the correct position.

Problems solved by technology

The original concept originated in relation to complex, lay-flattype seats, and the difficulty that cabin crew have in determining whether the seats are in the correct position for take off and landing.

This is time-consuming and can be unreliable, particularly in large aircraft with center-section coach class seating that includes six to eight connected seats.

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