Easy cleanable food tray

• US 6,601,523 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2001
• Issued: 08/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Jensen, Tom M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US10/016,031
• Publication Number:
  US 20030106469A1
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 108/44, 108/43, 108/47, 108/48, 108/42, 108/152, 297/146, 297/188.04, 297/163
• US Class Current: 108/44
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/004 of foldable trays mounted on the back-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06 Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats crew seat constructions for emergency purposes B64D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0638 with foldable tables, trays or cup holders

Abstract

A table that is stowable and deployable from a seatback of a passenger seat includes a substantially planar food tray with a first surface and a second surface substantially parallel to the first surface. The tray is stowed in a substantially vertical position with the first surface facing a seated passenger. The stowed tray is held in position with a moveable switch engaged against the first surface. A device for stowing and deploying the tray is mounted on the second surface. A pair of legs is mounted to the device. Each leg has a first end attached to the device and a second end attached to the seat. Upon turning the switch clear of the first surface, the device slidably urges the first surface from its stowed position to a deployed, substantially horizontal position, with the first surface facing upwards.

Claims

1. A table stowable and deployable from a seatback of a passenger seat, the table comprising:

a substantially planar tray having a first surface and a second surface that is substantially parallel to the first surface, the tray being stowable in the seatback in a first position that is substantially vertical and with the first surface facing outwardly from the seatback;

a moveable switch arranged to engage the first surface;

a pair of legs, each of the legs having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the passenger seat; and

means for positioning the tray, the positioning means being attached to the second end of each of the legs, the positioning means slidably urging the first surface of the tray facing upwardly as the tray is deployed from the first position to a second position that is substantially horizontal vertical and with the first surface facing upwardly in response to the moveable switch being turned to clear the first surface.

2. The table of claim 1, wherein the positioning means includes a pair of pulley assemblies having, a first pulley assembly mounted the second surface of the tray, and a second pulley assembly mounted to the second surface of the tray.

3. The table of claim 2, wherein each pulley assembly includes:

an arm having a first aperture and a second aperture;

a fixed pulley having a first set of cogs, the fixed pulley mounted in the first aperture;

a moveable pulley having a second set of cogs, the moveable pulley being mounted in the second aperture, the fixed and moveable pulleys being attached to the first and second apertures of the arm, respectively such that a constant inter-pulley distance is maintained between the fixed and moveable pulleys; and

a timing belt meshed with the first set of cogs of the fixed pulley and the second set of cogs of the moveable pulley, the timing belt remaining in a non-sliding position but wrapping around the first set of cogs of the fixed pulley at different loci when urged by deploying or stowing the table, such that the moveable pulley migrates along the timing belt and imparts a rotating movement to the moveable pulley.

4. The table of claim 3, wherein the first set of cogs of each pulley assembly are substantially equal, the second set of cogs of each pulley-assembly are substantially equal, such that compatible meshing occurs in concert through each timing belt between the first and second pulley, and wherein a gearing ratio is obtained by varying a distribution of cogs between the fixed and moveable pulleys, the gearing ratio establishing the second position toward a lap of a passenger.

5. The table of claim 3, wherein the first and second pulley assemblies further includes:

a shaft located centrally from each fixed pulley, the shaft having a double-D configuration, and a stop pin located coaxially off-center to the shaft and projecting from the internal surface of each fixed pulley;

an axle located centrally from each moveable pulley, the axle having a first smooth surface, a second smooth surface, and a splined end, wherein rotating movement of the moveable pulley imparts a rotation movement to the axle of the moveable pulley; and

a track guide having a first end and a second end, the track guide located in the arm through which the stop pin engages the track guide, wherein the track guide moves about the stop pin to limits imposed by the first end and second end of the track guide, such that as the first and second end engages against the stop pin of the fixed pulley of the tray deployment and stowage mechanism, a limited position of deployment is established and a limited position of stowage is established, thereby establishing a maximum range of deployment and stowage of the food tray.

6. The table of claim 3, wherein each pulley assembly further includes:

a cable and spring mechanism connected to the arm and to the first or second side of the tray, wherein both cable and spring mechanisms in each pulley assembly provide tensioning forces in concert with both pulley assemblies to deploy the food tray to the second position with the first surface face up and stow the food tray to the first position into the seatback, with the first surface facing outward towards the passenger.

7. A table stowable and deployable from a seatback of a passenger seat, the table comprising:

a substantially planar tray having a first surface and a second surface that is substantially parallel to the first surface, the tray being stowable in the seatback in a first position that is substantially vertical and with the first surface facing outwardly from the seatback;

a moveable switch rotatably attached to the seatback and arranged to slidably engage the first surface, the tray being held in the first position by the moveable switch;

a pair of legs, each of the legs having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the passenger seat;

means for positioning the tray, the positioning means being attached to the second end of each of the legs, the positioning means slidably urging the first surface of the tray facing upwardly as the tray is deployed from the first position to a second position that is substantially horizontal and with the first surface facing upwardly in response to the moveable switch being turned to clear the first surface; and

a quick release mechanism for detaching and reattaching to the tray to the pair of legs.

8. The table of claim 7, wherein the positioning means includes a pair of pulley assemblies having, a first pulley assembly mounted the second surface of the tray, and a second pulley assembly mounted to the second surface of the tray.

9. The table of claim 8, wherein each pulley assembly includes:

an arm having a first aperture and a second aperture;

a fixed pulley having a first set of cogs, the fixed pulley being mounted in the first aperture;

a moveable pulley having a second set of cogs, the moveable pulley mounted in the second aperture, the fixed and moveable pulleys being attached to the first and second apertures of the arm, respectively such that constant inter-pulley distance is maintained between the fixed and moveable pulleys; and

a timing belt meshed with the first set of cogs of the fixed pulley and the second set of cogs of the moveable pulley, the timing belt remaining in a non-sliding position but wrapping around the first set of cogs of the fixed pulley at different loci when urged by deploying or stowing, such that the moveable pulley migrates along the timing belt and imparts a rotating movement to the moveable pulley.

10. The table of claim 9, wherein the first set of cogs of each pulley assembly are substantially equal, the second set of cogs of each pulley assembly are substantially equal, such that compatible meshing occurs in concert through each timing belt between the first and second pulley, and wherein a gearing ratio is obtained by varying a distribution of cogs between the fixed and moveable pulleys, the gearing ratio establishing the second position toward a lap of a passenger.

11. The table of claim 9, wherein the first and second pulley assemblies further includes:

a shaft located centrally from each fixed pulley, the shaft having a double-D configuration, and a stop pin located coaxially off-center to the shaft and projecting from the internal surface of each fixed pulley;

an axle located centrally from each moveable pulley, the axle having a first smooth surface, a second smooth surface, and a splined end, wherein rotating movement of the moveable pulley imparts a rotation movement to the axle of the moveable pulley; and

a track guide having a first end and a second end, the track guide located in the arm through which the stop pin engages the track guide, wherein the track guide moves about the stop pin to limits imposed by the first end and second end of the track guide, such that as the first and second end engages against the stop pin of the fixed pulley of the tray deployment and stowage mechanism, a limited position of deployment is established and a limited position of stowage is established, thereby establishing a maximum range of deployment and stowage of the food tray.

12. The table of claim 9, wherein each pulley assembly further includes:

a cable and spring mechanism connected to the arm and to the first or second side of the tray, wherein both cable and spring mechanisms in each pulley assembly provide tensioning forces in concert with both pulley assemblies to deploy the food tray to the second position with the first surface face up and stow the food tray to the first position into the seatback, with the first surface facing outward towards the passenger.

13. The table of claim 7, wherein the quick release mechanism includes snap insert fittings, bayonet breech fittings, and lever release fittings.

14. A table stowable and deployable from a seatback of a passenger seat, the table comprising:

a substantially planar tray having a first surface and a second surface that is substantially parallel to the first surface, the tray being stowable in the seatback in a first position that is substantially vertical and with the first surface facing outwardly from the seatback;

a moveable switch rotatably attached to the seatback and arranged to slidably engage the first surface, the tray being held in the first position by the moveable switch;

a pair of legs, each of the legs having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotably attached to a stationary region of the passenger seat;

means for positioning the tray, the positioning means being attached to the second end of each of the legs, the positioning means slidably urging the first surface of the tray facing upwardly as the tray is deployed from the first position to a second position that is substantially horizontal in response to the moveable switch being turned to clear the first surface, such that during deployment and stowage the tray pivots about the stationary region and is not affected by seatback tilting caused by a forward seated passenger; and

a quick release mechanism for detaching and reattaching to the tray to the pair of legs.

15. The table of claim 14, wherein the positioning means includes a pair of pulley assemblies having, a first pulley assembly mounted the second surface of the tray, and a second pulley assembly mounted to the second surface of the tray.

16. The table of claim 15, wherein each pulley assembly includes:

an arm having a first aperture and a second aperture;

a fixed pulley having a first set of cogs, the fixed pulley being mounted in the first aperture;

a moveable pulley having a second set of cogs, the moveable pulley mounted in the second aperture, the fixed and moveable pulleys being attached to the first and second apertures of the arm, respectively such that constant inter-pulley distance is maintained between the fixed and moveable pulleys; and

a timing belt meshed with the first set of cogs of the fixed pulley and the second set of cogs of the moveable pulley, the timing belt remaining in a non-sliding position but wrapping around the first set of cogs of the fixed pulley at different loci when urged by deploying or stowing, such that the moveable pulley migrates along the timing belt and imparts a rotating movement to the moveable pulley.

17. The table of claim 16, wherein the first set of cogs of each pulley assembly are substantially equal, the second set of cogs of each pulley assembly are substantially equal, such that compatible meshing occurs in concert through each timing belt between the first and second pulley, and wherein a gearing ratio is obtained by varying a distribution of cogs between the fixed and moveable pulleys, the gearing ratio establishing the second position toward a lap of a passenger.

18. The table of claim 17, wherein each pulley assembly further includes:

a cable and spring mechanism connected to the arm and to the first or second side of the tray, wherein both cable and spring mechanisms in each pulley assembly provide tensioning forces in concert with both pulley assemblies to deploy the food tray to the second position with the first surface face up and stow the food tray to the first position into the seatback, with the first surface facing outward towards the passenger.

19. The table of claim 16, wherein the first and second pulley assemblies further includes:

a shaft located centrally from each fixed pulley, the shaft having a double-D configuration, and a stop pin located coaxially off-center to the shaft and projecting from the internal surface of each fixed pulley;

an axle located centrally from each moveable pulley, the axle having a first smooth surface, a second smooth surface, and a splined end, wherein rotating movement of the moveable pulley imparts a rotation movement to the axle of the moveable pulley; and

a track guide having a first end and a second end, the track guide located in the arm through which the stop pin engages the track guide, wherein the track guide moves about the stop pin to limits imposed by the first end and second end of the track guide, such that as the first and second end engages against the stop pin of the fixed pulley of the tray deployment and stowage mechanism, a limited position of deployment is established and a limited position of stowage is established, thereby establishing a maximum range of deployment and stowage of the food tray.

20. The table of claim 14, wherein the quick release mechanism includes snap insert fittings, bayonet breech fittings, and lever release fittings.

21. A table stowable and deployable from a seatback of a passenger seat, the table comprising:

a substantially planar tray having a serving surface and a non-serving surface that is substantially parallel to the serving surface, the tray being stowable in a stowed position in the seatback such that the serving surface is substantially vertical and facing outwardly away from the seatback and the non-serving surface is substantially vertical and facing inwardly toward the seatback;

a moveable switch rotatably attached to the seatback and arranged to slidably engage the serving surface, the tray being held in the stowed position by the moveable switch;

a pair of legs, each of the legs having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotably attached to a stationary region of the passenger seat, the second end being attached to the tray; and

means for positioning the tray, the positioning means being attached to the non-serving surface and to the second end of each of the legs, the positioning means slidably urging the serving surface of the tray to face upwards as the tray is moved from the stowed position to a deployed position that is substantially horizontal to the stowed position, such that the serving surface faces upwardly when the tray is in the serving position.