Multiple-position seat

• US 20040031883A1
• Filed: 08/15/2002
• Published: 02/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Schmidt, Gregory M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,805,322 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/122R
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0292 Multiple configuration seats, e.g. for spacious vehicles or mini-buses
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/995 Lower-leg-rests, e.g. calf-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/247 to support passengers in a half-standing position
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/062 Belts or other passenger restraint means for passenger seats
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/064 Adjustable inclination or position of seats
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0643 Adjustable foot or leg rests
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0696 Means for fastening seats to floors, e.g. to floor rails

Abstract

Multiple-position seating units, methods for operating seating units, and methods for installing seating units are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the seating unit includes a first seat portion and a second seat portion. The first seat portion has a first upper surface with a front extremity. The first seat portion can be moveable between first and second positions. In the second position, the first seat portion is tilted forwardly downwardly. The second seat portion has a second upper surface that can be configured to support at least one shin of a person. The second seat portion can be moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the deployed position, the second upper surface is spaced apart from the front extremity of the first seat portion.

Claims

1. A seating unit, comprising:

a first seat portion having a first upper surface with a front extremity and a rear extremity, the first seat portion being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first seat portion is tilted forwardly downwardly when in the second position; and

a second seat portion having a second upper surface, the second seat portion being moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the second upper surface is spaced apart from the front extremity of the first seat portion when the second seat portion is in the deployed position.

2. The seating unit of claim 1, further comprising a base frame including at least one support arm coupled to the second seat portion.

3. The seating unit of claim 1 wherein the second upper surface of the second seat portion is spaced apart from the front extremity of the first seat portion so as to receive a leg between the second upper surface and the front extremity when the second seat portion is in the deployed position.

4. The seating unit of claim 1, further comprising a backrest moveable between a reclined position and an upright position.

5. The seating unit of claim 1, further comprising a track coupleable to the vehicle, the second seat portion being slidably coupled to the track, wherein the second seat portion is slidable between the stowed position and the deployed position.

6. The seating unit of claim 1 wherein the first seat portion includes a bottom surface opposite the first upper surface, and wherein the second seat portion is positioned proximate to the bottom surface of the first seat portion when the second seat portion is in the stowed position.

7. The seating unit of claim 1 wherein the second seat portion is sized and configured to support both shins of the person.

8. The seating unit of claim 1 wherein the second seat portion is configured to support one of the shins of the person, and wherein the seating unit further comprises a third seat portion having a third upper surface configured to support the other shin of the person, at least a portion of the third seat portion being spaced apart from the second seat portion, the third seat portion being moveable between a deployed position and a stowed position, wherein the third upper surface is spaced apart from the front extremity of the first seat portion when the third seat portion is in the deployed position.

9. The seating unit of claim 1 wherein the second seat portion is moveable independent of the first seat portion.

10. The seating unit of claim 1, further comprising a seat belt coupled to the first seat portion, wherein the seat belt moves with the first seat portion as the first seat portion moves between the first and second positions.

11. The seating unit of claim 1, further comprising at least one armrest, wherein the first seat portion is pivotally attached to the at least one armrest proximate to the front extremity of the first seat portion.

12. The seating unit of claim 1, further comprising at least one armrest, wherein the first seat portion is pivotally attached to the at least one armrest proximate to the rear extremity of the first seat portion.

13. The seating unit of claim 1, further comprising at least one armrest, wherein the first seat portion is pivotally attached to the at least one armrest proximate to a midpoint between the front extremity and the rear extremity of the first seat portion.

14. The seating unit of claim 1 wherein the first seat portion is generally horizontal when in the first position.

15. The seating unit of claim 1 wherein the second seat portion is configured to support at least one shin of a person.

16. A seating unit for use in a vehicle having a floor, the seating unit comprising:

a base frame configured for attachment to the floor of the vehicle, the base frame including at least one support arm;

a first seat portion coupled to the base frame, the first seat portion having a first upper surface with a front extremity and a rear extremity, the first seat portion being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the front extremity is lower than the rear extremity when the first seat portion is in the second position; and

a second seat portion coupled to the at least one support arm, the second seat portion having a second upper surface and being moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the second upper surface is spaced away from the front extremity of the first seat portion when the second seat portion is in the deployed position.

17. The seating unit of claim 16, further comprising a backrest coupled to the base frame.

18. The seating unit of claim 16 wherein the second seat portion is pivotably coupled to the at least one arm, and wherein the second seat portion rotates from the stowed position to the deployed position.

19. The seating unit of claim 16 wherein the second seat portion is slidably coupled to the at least one support arm, wherein the second seat portion slides from the stowed position to the deployed position.

20. The seating unit of claim 16 wherein the second seat portion includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the at least one support arm includes a first support arm coupled at least proximate to the first end, and a second support arm coupled at least proximate to the second end.

21. The seating unit of claim 16 wherein the second upper surface of the second seat portion is spaced apart from the front extremity of the first seat portion so as to receive a person'"'"'s leg between the second upper surface and the front extremity when the second seat portion is in the deployed position.

22. The seating unit of claim 16, further comprising a backrest coupled to the base frame, wherein the backrest is moveable between a reclined position and an upright position, and wherein the first upper surface of the first seat portion is generally transverse to the backrest when the backrest is in the upright position.

23. The seating unit of claim 16 wherein the first seat portion includes a bottom surface opposite the first upper surface, and wherein the second seat portion is positioned proximate to the bottom surface when the second seat portion is in the stowed position.

24. The seating unit of claim 16 wherein the second seat portion is sized and configured to support both shins of a person.

25. The seating unit of claim 16 wherein the second seat portion is configured to support one of the shins of a person, and wherein the seating unit further comprises a third seat portion coupled to the at least one support arm, the third seat portion having a third upper surface configured to support the other shin of the person, the third seat portion being spaced apart from the second seat portion and the third seat portion being moveable between a deployed position and a stowed position, wherein the third upper surface is spaced apart from the front extremity of the first seat portion when the third seat portion is in the deployed position.

26. A seating unit for use in a vehicle, comprising:

a first seat portion configured to be coupled to the vehicle, the first seat portion having an upper surface with a front extremity and a rear extremity, the first seat portion being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first seat portion is tilted forwardly downwardly when in the second position; and

a second seat portion moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, the second seat portion being positioned proximate to the rear extremity of the first seat portion when in the stowed position, wherein the second seat portion is configured to support at least one shin of a person seated behind the seating unit when the second seat portion is in the deployed position.

27. The seating unit of claim 26, further comprising a backrest positioned at least proximate to the first seat portion.

28. The seating unit of claim 26 wherein the second seat portion is sized and configured to support both shins of the person.

29. The seating unit of claim 26 wherein the first seat portion is generally horizontal when in the first position.

30. The seating unit of claim 26 wherein the second seat portion is configured to support one shin of the person, and wherein the seating unit further comprises a third seat portion spaced apart from the second seat portion, the third seat portion having a third upper surface and being moveable between a deployed position and a stowed position, the third seat portion being positioned proximate to the rear extremity of the first seat portion when in the stowed position, wherein the third seat portion is configured to support the other shin of the person seated behind the seating unit when the third seat portion is in the deployed position.

31. The seating unit of claim 26, further comprising at least one armrest, wherein the second seat portion is rotatably coupled to the at least one armrest.

32. The seating unit of claim 26, further comprising at least one armrest, wherein the second seat portion is slidably coupled to the at least one armrest.

33. A set of seating units for use in a vehicle, comprising:

a first seating unit including;

a first seat portion coupleable to the vehicle, the first seat portion having a first upper surface with a first front extremity and a first rear extremity, the first seat portion being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first seat portion is tilted forwardly downwardly when in the second position;

a second seat portion having a second upper surface and being moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, the second seat portion being positioned proximate to the first rear extremity when in the stowed position;

a second seating unit positionable behind the first seating unit, the second seating unit including;

a third seat portion coupleable to the vehicle, the third seat portion having a third upper surface with a second front extremity and a second rear extremity, the third seat portion being moveable between a third position and a fourth position, wherein the third seat portion is tilted forwardly downwardly when in the fourth position; and

wherein the second seat portion is configured to support at least one shin of a person seated in the second seating unit when the second seat portion is in the deployed position.

34. The seating units of claim 33, further comprising a backrest positioned at least proximate to the first seat portion.

35. The seating units of claim 33 wherein the second seat portion is sized and configured to support both shins of the person.

36. The seating units of claim 33, further comprising a fourth seat portion spaced apart from the second seat portion and moveable between a deployed position and a stowed position, the fourth seat portion having a fourth upper surface and being positioned proximate to the first rear extremity of the first seat portion when in the stowed position, wherein the fourth seat portion is configured to support the other shin of the person seated in the second seating unit when the fourth seat portion is in the deployed position.

37. A seating unit for use in a vehicle having a floor, comprising:

a track configured for attachment to the floor;

a first seat portion coupleable to the floor, the first seat portion having a first upper surface with a front extremity, the first seat portion being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first seat portion is tilted forwardly downwardly when in the second position; and

a second seat portion coupleable to the track, the second seat portion having a second upper surface configured to support at least one shin of a person, the second seat portion being moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the second upper surface is spaced apart from the front extremity of the first seat portion so as to receive a leg between the second upper surface and the front extremity when the second seat portion is in the deployed position.

38. The seating unit of claim 37 wherein at least a portion of the second seat portion is positionable between the first seat portion and the floor when the second seat portion is in the stowed position.

39. The seating unit of claim 37 wherein the second seat portion is spaced apart from the front extremity of the first seat portion by a first distance when the second seat portion is in the deployed position, and the second seat portion is spaced apart from the front extremity of the first seat portion by a second distance greater than the first distance when the second seat portion is in the stowed position.

40. The seating unit of claim 37, further comprising a backrest positioned at least proximate to the first seat portion.

41. The seating unit of claim 37 wherein the second seat portion is sized and configured to support both shins of the person.

42. The seating unit of claim 37 wherein the first seat portion is generally horizontal when in the first position.

43. The seating unit of claim 37 wherein the second seat portion is configured to selectively slide along the track.

44. The seating unit of claim 37, further comprising a support coupleable to the track, wherein the second seat portion is coupled to the support and the support is configured to slide along the track.

45. The seating unit of claim 37, further comprising a support coupleable to the track, wherein the second seat portion is coupled to the support and the support is configured to slide along the track between the stowed position and the deployed position.

46. The seating unit of claim 37, further comprising a support configured to slide along the track, the second seat portion being rotatably coupled to the support, wherein the second seat portion rotates and/or slides between the stowed position and the deployed position.

47. The seating unit of claim 37, further comprising a third seat portion having a third upper surface configured to support the other shin of the person, the third seat portion being spaced apart from the second seat portion and moveable between a deployed position and a stowed position, wherein the third upper surface is spaced apart from the front extremity of the first seat portion when the third seat portion is in the deployed position.

48. A seating unit for use in a vehicle, comprising:

first seat means configured to be coupled to the vehicle and being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first seat means are tilted forwardly downwardly when in the second position; and

second seat means for supporting at least one shin of a person, the second seat means being moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the second seat means are spaced apart from the first seat means when the second seat means are in the deployed position.

49. The seating unit of claim 48 wherein the second seat means are spaced apart from the first seat means so as to receive a leg between the first and second seat means when the second seat means are in the deployed position.

50. The seating unit of claim 48, further comprising a backrest moveable between a reclined position and an upright position.

51. The seating unit of claim 48 wherein the first seat means include a bottom surface and an upper surface, and wherein the second seat means are positioned proximate to the bottom surface of the first seat means when the second seat means are in the stowed position.

52. The seating unit of claim 48 wherein the second seat means are moveable independent of the first seat means.

53. An aircraft, comprising:

an interior floor;

a plurality of seating units coupled to the interior floor, at least one of the plurality of seating units including;

a first seat portion coupled to the interior floor, the first seat portion having a first upper surface with a front extremity, the first seat portion being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first seat portion is tilted forwardly downwardly when in the second position; and

a second seat portion having a second upper surface configured to support at least one shin of a person, the second seat portion being moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the second upper surface is spaced apart from the front extremity of the first seat portion when the second seat portion is in the deployed position.

54. The aircraft of claim 53, further comprising a backrest positioned at least proximate to the first seat portion.

55. The aircraft of claim 53 wherein the second upper surface of the second seat portion is spaced apart from the front extremity of the first seat portion so as to receive a leg between the second upper surface and the front extremity when the second seat portion is in the deployed position.

56. The aircraft of claim 53 wherein the second seat portion is sized and configured to support both shins of the person.

57. The aircraft of claim 53 wherein the first seat portion includes a bottom surface opposite the first upper surface, and wherein the second seat portion is positioned proximate to the bottom surface when the second seat portion is in the stowed position.

58. A vehicle, comprising:

a floor,

a plurality of seating units coupled to the floor, at least one the plurality of seating units including;

a first seat portion coupled to the floor, the first seat portion having a first upper surface with a front extremity, wherein the first seat portion is tilted forwardly downwardly; and

a second seat portion having a second upper surface configured to support at least one shin of a person, wherein the second upper surface is spaced apart from the front extremity and the second seat portion is tilted forwardly upwardly.

59. The vehicle of claim 58 wherein the second upper surface of the second seat portion is spaced apart from the first front extremity of the first seat portion so as to receive a leg between the second upper surface and the first front extremity.

60. The vehicle of claim 58 wherein the second seat portion is sized and configured to support both shins of the person.

61. The vehicle of claim 58, further comprising a seat belt coupled to the first seat portion.

62. The vehicle of claim 58 wherein the first seat portion is moveable between a first position and a second position, and wherein the second seat portion is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

63. A method of operating a vehicle seating unit, comprising:

sitting upright in the seating unit, wherein the seating unit includes a first seat portion and a second seat portion, and wherein the first seat portion includes a front extremity and a rear extremity;

moving the first seat portion from a first position to a second position in which the front extremity is lower than the rear extremity;

deploying the second seat portion; and

kneeling on the second seat portion while at the same time sitting on the first seat portion.

64. The method of claim 63 wherein moving the first seat portion includes pivoting the front extremity downward.

65. The method of claim 63 wherein moving the first seat portion includes pivoting the rear extremity upward.

66. The method of claim 63 wherein deploying the second seat portion includes rotating the second seat portion from a stowed position proximate to the first seat portion to a deployed position spaced apart from the first seat portion.

67. The method of claim 63 wherein deploying the second seat portion includes sliding the second seat portion from a stowed position to a deployed position spaced apart from the first seat portion.

68. The method of claim 63 wherein deploying the second seat portion includes sliding the second seat portion along a track from a stowed position to a deployed position spaced apart from the first seat portion.

69. A method for installing a seating unit on an aircraft, comprising:

coupling to the aircraft a first seat portion having a front extremity and a rear extremity higher than the front extremity; and

positioning a second seat portion proximate to the first seat portion, the second seat portion having an upper surface configured to support at least one shin of a person and being spaced apart from the front extremity of the first seat portion.

70. The method of claim 69 wherein positioning a second seat portion includes coupling the second seat portion to a track attached to the aircraft, wherein the second seat portion is selectively slidable along the track.

71. The method of claim 69 wherein coupling to the aircraft includes coupling the first seat portion which is moveable between a first position and a second position, and wherein positioning a second seat portion includes positioning the second seat portion which is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

72. The method of claim 69, further comprising installing a backrest at least proximate to the first seat portion.

73. A seating unit, comprising:

a first seat portion moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first seat portion is configured to receive a person in the conventional sitting position when in the first position; and

a second seat portion having a second upper surface configured to support at least one shin of the person, the second seat portion being moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the second upper surface is spaced apart from the first seat portion when the second seat portion is in the deployed position.

74. The seating unit of claim 73, further comprising a backrest moveable between a reclined position and an upright position.

75. The seating unit of claim 73 wherein the second seat portion is moveable independent of the first seat portion.

76. A seating unit, comprising:

a first seat portion moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first seat portion is angled forwardly downwardly when the first seat portion is in the second position; and

a second seat portion moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the second seat portion is spaced apart from the first seat portion when the second seat portion is in the deployed position.

77. The seating unit of claim 76, further comprising a backrest moveable between a reclined position and an upright position.

78. The seating unit of claim 76 wherein the second seat portion is moveable independent of the first seat portion.