COUPLING ASSEMBLY

• US 20110278885A1
• Filed: 05/16/2011
• Published: 11/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC (Safran SA)
• Inventors: PROCTER, JOHN, WESTERINK, RIK
• Granted Patent: US 9,045,096 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/135
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/79 Adaptations for additional use of the arm-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0014 Arm-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0015 Back-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/008 Adjustable or movable supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00152 Seat back fixtures for removable monitors, e.g. tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00153 Monitors mounted on or in the seat other than the seat back
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Described are portable electronics device coupling assemblies including a cradle configured to electronically couple and releasably engage a portable electronics device, and an adaptor configured to electronically couple and releasably engage the cradle to a passenger seat. Other examples may include a passenger seat having an electronics port configured to electronically couple to the portable electronics device, and a receptacle coupled to the electronics port and configured to releasably engage the portable electronics device. As examples, the portable electronics device may be a tablet computer, a cell phone, a smart phone, a handheld video game system, a personal digital assistant, a palmtop computer, a DVD player, data or audio-video media, or a multi-media enabled device.

Claims

1. A portable electronics device coupling assembly comprising:

(a) a cradle configured to electronically couple and releasably engage a portable electronics device; and

(b) an adaptor configured to electronically couple and releasably engage the cradle to a passenger seat.

2. The portable electronics device coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the cradle comprises at least one arm configured to electronically engage a receptacle on the portable electronics device.

3. The portable electronics device coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the portable electronics device is a tablet computer, a cell phone, a smart phone, a handheld video game system, a personal digital assistant, a palmtop computer, a DVD player, data or audio-video media, or a multi-media enabled device.

4. The portable electronics device coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the cradle is rotatably coupled to the adaptor.

5. A passenger seat comprising:

(a) an electronics port configured to electronically couple to a portable electronics device; and

(b) a receptacle coupled to the electronics port and configured to releasably engage the portable electronics device.

6. The passenger seat of claim 5, wherein the receptacle is mounted to a passenger seat back.

7. The passenger seat of claim 5, further comprising a deployment arm coupled to the receptacle.

8. The passenger seat of claim 7, wherein the deployment arm is pivotally coupled to a passenger seat arm.

9. The passenger seat of claim 7, wherein the deployment arm is pivotally coupled to a passenger seat back.

10. The passenger seat of claim 7, wherein the deployment arm is pivotally coupled to a tray table.

11. The passenger seat of claim 7, wherein the deployment arm is coupled to the electronics port.

12. The passenger seat of claim 5, wherein the receptacle is mounted adjacent a video display.

13. The passenger seat of claim 5, further comprising a portable electronics device coupling assembly configured to electronically couple the portable electronics device to the electronics port and releasably engage the portable electronics device to the receptacle.

14. The passenger seat of claim 13, wherein the portable electronics device coupling assembly comprises an adaptor rotatably coupled to the receptacle.

15. The passenger seat of claim 13, wherein the portable electronics device is a tablet computer, a cell phone, a smart phone, a handheld video game system, a personal digital assistant, a palmtop computer, a DVD player, data or audio-video media, or a multi-media enabled device.

16. The passenger seat of claim 13, wherein the portable electronics device coupling assembly comprises a cradle configured to substantially conform to a shape of the portable electronics device.

17. A method of assembling a portable electronics device coupling assembly, wherein the portable electronics device coupling assembly comprising an adaptor, the steps comprising:

(a) electronically coupling the adaptor to an electronics port; and

(b) releasably engaging the adaptor to a passenger seat.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising releasably engaging a cradle of the portable electronics device coupling assembly with a portable electronics device.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising electronically coupling the cradle to the portable electronics device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the portable electronics device is a tablet computer, a cell phone, a smart phone, a handheld video game system, a personal digital assistant, a palmtop computer, a DVD player, data or audio-video media, or a multi-media enabled device.