Seatback energy management system

• US 9,555,726 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2013
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC (Safran SA)
• Inventors: Jafri, Aamir, Cervantes, Roberto, Tripp, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chi Q
• Application Number:
  US14/423,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20150202999A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,257 Days
• Field of Search: 297/217.3, 297/217.1, 297/216.12, 297/188.04, 297/185, 248/837, 248/466, 248/477, 248/479, 312/242, 312/245
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42709 involving residual deformation or fracture of the structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/80 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0229 for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0015 Back-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00151 Permanently mounted seat back monitors
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00152 Seat back fixtures for removable monitors, e.g. tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0619 with energy absorbing means specially adapted for mitigating impact loads for passenger seats, e.g. at a crash
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/655 Construction or mounting of chassis, e.g. for varying the elevation of the tube

Abstract

Described are video monitor assemblies (10) including a bezel assembly (16) coupled to a passenger seatback (12), wherein the bezel assembly includes a monitor (30) and a bezel (28), the monitor coupled to the bezel via low load fasteners (44) and high load fasteners (46), wherein the low load fasteners (44) are configured to fail or shear from a force applied to the monitor (30) during a head impact, and the high load fasteners (46) are configured to withstand the force applied to the monitor during the head impact.

Claims

1. A video monitor assembly comprising:

a bezel assembly coupled to a passenger seatback, wherein the bezel assembly comprises a monitor and a bezel, wherein at least a first end of the monitor is coupled to the bezel via low load fasteners and a second end of the monitor is coupled to the bezel via high load fasteners;

wherein the bezel is shaped to form an open area that extends between a rear surface of the monitor and a surface of the passenger seatback;

wherein the low load fasteners have a lower tensile strength, which causes the low load fasteners to shear or fail when subjected to a load of more than approximately 2000 lb;

wherein the high load fasteners have a higher tensile strength, which allows the high load fasteners to withstand a load of more than approximately 2000 lb without shearing or failing; and

wherein the first end of the monitor uncouples from the bezel and rotates into the open area toward the passenger seatback while the second end of the monitor remains connected to the bezel when a load of more than approximately 2000 lb is applied to the monitor.

2. The video monitor assembly of claim 1, wherein the low load fasteners are located at least around an upper edge and sides of the monitor.

3. The video monitor assembly of claim 1, wherein the low load fasteners are formed of nylon.

4. The video monitor assembly of claim 1, wherein the high load fasteners are formed of steel.

5. The video monitor assembly of claim 1, wherein the monitor further comprises a display screen, which does not delaminate when a load of more than approximately 2000 lb is applied to the monitor.

6. The video monitor assembly of claim 1, wherein a video shroud is positioned between the bezel assembly and the passenger seatback.

7. A passenger seat comprising:

(a) a passenger seatback; and

(b) a bezel assembly coupled to the passenger seat back, wherein the bezel assembly comprises a monitor and a bezel, wherein at least a first end of the monitor is coupled to the bezel via low load fasteners and a second end of the monitor is coupled to the bezel via high load fasteners;

wherein the bezel is shaped to form an open area that extends between a rear surface of the monitor and a surface of the passenger seatback;

wherein the low load fasteners have a lower tensile strength, which causes the low load fasteners to shear or fail when subjected to a load of more than approximately 2000 lb;

wherein the high load fasteners have a higher tensile strength, which allows the high load fasteners to withstand a load of more than approximately 2000 lb without shearing or failing; and

wherein the first end of the monitor uncouples from the bezel and rotates into the open area toward the passenger seatback while the second end of the monitor remains connected to the bezel when a load of more than approximately 2000 lb is applied to the monitor.

8. The passenger seat of claim 7, wherein the low load fasteners are located at least around an upper edge and sides of the monitor.

9. The passenger seat of claim 7, wherein the low load fasteners are formed of nylon.

10. The passenger seat of claim 7, wherein the high load fasteners are formed of steel.

11. The passenger seat of claim 7, wherein a video shroud is positioned between the bezel assembly and the passenger seatback.

12. A video monitor assembly comprising:

a bezel assembly coupled to a passenger seatback, wherein the bezel assembly comprises a monitor and a bezel, wherein at least a first end of the monitor is coupled to the bezel via at least a plurality of low load fasteners;

wherein the bezel is shaped to form an open area that extends between a rear surface of the monitor and a surface of the passenger seatback;

wherein the low load fasteners have a low tensile strength, which causes the low load fasteners to shear or fail when subjected to a load of more than approximately 2000 lb; and

wherein the first end of the monitor uncouples from the bezel and rotates into the open area toward the passenger seatback when a load of more than approximately 2000 lb is applied to the monitor.

13. The video monitor assembly of claim 12, wherein the low load fasteners are located at least around an upper edge and sides of the monitor.

14. The video monitor assembly of claim 12, wherein the low load fasteners are formed of nylon.

15. The video monitor assembly of claim 12, wherein the monitor further comprises a display screen, which does not delaminate when a load of more than approximately 2000 lb is applied to the monitor.