Seat power bus with discrete connection ports
First Claim
1. An apparatus for enabling communication of signals with communication ports associated with a plurality of spaced apart seats supported along a common support track, the apparatus comprising:
- a signal bus adapted to be disposed at least approximately parallel to the support track without interfering with support structure of said seats being coupled to said support track;
said signal bus including an elongated jacket extending along at least a major portion of a length of said support track;
said jacket including;
a conductor housed therein for communicating said signals therethrough; and
a plurality of embedded coupling ports at spaced apart locations along said jacket corresponding to approximate locations of said seats, each of said spaced apart coupling ports being in communication with said conductor and adapted to engage with connectors of external cables associated with said communication ports of said seats.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A power/data bus for conducting at least one of data and power signals to a variety of different locations on a mobile platform. The bus has a plurality of discrete connection ports, and at least one conductive cable. The power/data bus extends across an area where access to at least one of data and electricity is desired. The discrete connection ports are spaced apart at different locations along the power/data bus. The conductive cable extends through the power/data bus and is connected to at least one of the discrete connection ports. The conductive cable conducts at least one of power and data signals between the discrete connection ports and a data/power source. At least one of the connection ports are operable to cooperate with a connector of an external device to supply at least one of power and data signals to the external device. The power/data bus, when used in an aircraft passenger cabin, eliminates the need to extend individual data and/or power cables to or between each passenger seat group.
-
Citations
23 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for enabling communication of signals with communication ports associated with a plurality of spaced apart seats supported along a common support track, the apparatus comprising:
-
a signal bus adapted to be disposed at least approximately parallel to the support track without interfering with support structure of said seats being coupled to said support track; said signal bus including an elongated jacket extending along at least a major portion of a length of said support track; said jacket including; a conductor housed therein for communicating said signals therethrough; and a plurality of embedded coupling ports at spaced apart locations along said jacket corresponding to approximate locations of said seats, each of said spaced apart coupling ports being in communication with said conductor and adapted to engage with connectors of external cables associated with said communication ports of said seats. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. An aircraft comprising:
-
an elongated electrical signal bus extending across at least a portion of a passenger cabin thereof; a plurality of discrete connection ports spaced apart at different locations along said electrical signal bus; and a conductor extending through said electrical signal bus, said conductor connected to a plurality of said spaced apart discrete connection ports and connected to an electrical signal source; at least one of said connection ports adapted to be coupled to a connector of a passenger seat to transmit electrical signals between said passenger seat and said electrical signal source. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A method for conducting at least one of data and power signals to a plurality of individual locations comprising:
-
forming an elongated bus extending across an area where access to at least one of data and power is desired; forming a plurality of discrete connection ports spaced apart at different locations along said bus; and locating a conductor in said bus and connecting said discrete connection ports to said conductor; using said conductor to conduct at least one of power and data signals between said discrete connection ports and a signal source; and using at least one of said connection ports to supply at least one of power and data signals to a connector of an external device.
-
Specification