Passenger seating assemblies and aspects thereof

Abstract

Multiple features of seating assemblies are detailed Innovations in or to tray tables, luggage bars, arm rests, seat backs, and seat frames are included, with features being incorporated into seating assemblies either separately or in any combination. The assemblies are configured principally for passenger aircraft but may be used elsewhere as appropriate or desired.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A seat comprising:
 a. a seat back having a rear face; and   b. a tray table comprising:
 i. at least one arm connected at a first location to the rear face of the seat back; and 
 ii. a support. 
   
     
     
         2 . A seat according to claim in which the support has a generally planar upper surface and the at least one arm is inclined from the rear face to the support so that, when the tray table is deployed, the generally planar surface is below the first location. 
     
     
         3 . A seat according to claim I in which the rear face has a recessed upper portion and the tray table is configured for stowage in the recessed upper portion. 
     
     
         4 . A seat according to  claim 1  in which the at least one arm is a primary arm. 
     
     
         5 . A seat according to  claim 1  in which the at least one arm is a secondary arm. 
     
     
         6 . A seat comprising:
 a. a seat frame;   b. a seat back having a rear face; and   c. a tray table comprising:
 i. a support having a generally planar upper surface; and 
 ii. at least one arm connected directly or indirectly to either the seat frame or the rear face of the seat back at a first, location and inclined so that, when the tray table is deployed, tine generally planar upper surface is below the first location. 
   
     
     
         7 . A seat comprising:
 a. a sea back having a rear face with an upper portion, the upper portion having a recess; and   b. a tray table configured for stowage in the recess of the upper portion so as to absorb energy when contacted by a head of a passenger seated therebehind.   
     
     
         8 . A seat comprising:
 a. a seat back;   b. a seat bottom;   c. a seat frame;   d. an arm rest positioned a distance above the seat bottom; and   e. a tray table configured to be stowed generally underneath the arm rest and to be visible when stowed,   
     
     
         9 . A seat according to  claim 8  further comprising a support arm connecting the tray table to the seat frame. 
     
     
         10 . A seat according to  claim 9  further comprising a second tray table, for use by an occupant of an adjacent seat, carried by the support arm. 
     
     
         11 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A seat comprising:
 a. a seat frame defining an opening and at least one alignment means;   b. an arm rest assembly comprising:
 i. an arm rest; and 
 ii. a mounting bosshead defining a bore and a mortise for receiving the at least one alignment means; and 
   c. a fastener configured to pass through the opening in the seat frame and be received by the bore of the bosshead so as to connect the arm rest assembly to the seat frame without need for further adjustment.   
     
     
         15 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A seat comprising:
 a. a seat frame;   b. a seat back; and   c. an articulation mechanism comprising:
 i. a first primary transversal articulation sleeve connected to the seat frame; 
 ii. a first secondary transversal articulation sleeve connected to the seat frame; 
 iii. a first connecting rod connected to the seat back and defining a first hole and a second hole, the second hole being oblong; 
 iv. a first main axis mounted in the first primary transversal articulation sleeve and passing through the first hole; and 
 v. a first secondary axis mounted in the first secondary transversal articulation sleeve and passing through the second hole. 
   
     
     
         19 . A seat according to  claim 18  in which the articulation mechanism further comprises:
 a. a second primary transversal articulation sleeve connected to the seat frame; 
 b. a second secondary transversal articulation sleeve connected to the seat frame; 
 c. a second connecting rod connected to the seat back and defining a third hole and a fourth hole, the fourth hole being oblong; 
 d. a second main axis mounted in the second primary transversal articulation sleeve and passing through the third hole; and 
 e. a second secondary axis mounted in the second secondary transversal articulation sleeve and passing through the fourth hole. 
 
     
     
         20 . A seat according to  claim 19  in which (a) the seat back has first and second sides, (U) the first connecting rod is connected to the first side, and (c) the second connecting rod is connected to the second side. 
     
     
         21 . A seat assembly comprising:
 a. a seat frame;   b. a seat bottom;   c. a seat back;   d. an arm rest; and   e. a command integration system connected to the seat frame adjacent the seat bottom.   
     
     
         22 . A seat assembly according to  claim 21  in which the command integration system is not connected to the seat back or the arm rest. 
     
     
         23 . A seat assembly according to  claim 22  further comprising means, comprising a cover, for mounting the command integration system to the seat frame. 
     
     
         24 . A seat according to  claim 20  in which, if the seat back is configured not to recline, (a) the first secondary axis presses the first connecting rod against the first secondary transversal articulation sleeve and (b) the second secondary axis presses the second connecting rod against the second secondary transversal articulation sleeve, 
     
     
         25 . A seat according to  claim 20  in which, if the seat back is configured to cline, (a) the first secondary axis travels freely within the second hole and (b) the second secondary axis travels freely within the fourth hole. 
     
     
         26 . A seat according to  claim 25  further comprising a recline-effectuation means connected between the seat frame and the second connecting rod. 
     
     
         27 . A seat according to  claim 26  in which the recline-effectuation means comprises a hydrolock or other fluid-containing or spring-loaded cylinder. 
     
     
         28 . A seat according to  claim 20  in which (a) the seat back has first and second side and (b) the articulation mechanism is configured to distribute forces experienced in use onto both of the first and second sides of the seat back.