Holster for portable IFE device

• US 8,210,605 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2007
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B/E Aerospace Incorporated (Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: B/E Aerospace Incorporated (Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dickinson, Martin Ian, Hough, Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): MCPARTLIN, SARAH BURNHAM
• Application Number:
  US11/688,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20070222248A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,932 Days
• Field of Search: 297/188.04, 297/188.05, 297/188.07, 297/217.3
• US Class Current: 297/188.05
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0258 for navigation systems
• 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 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00152 Seat back fixtures for removable monitors, e.g. tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0624 Arrangements of electrical connectors, e.g. for earphone, internet or electric supply

Abstract

A holster for a passenger seat has a rear face and a peripheral wall which defines a pocket for receiving an IFE device. The holster is moveable between stowed and deployed positions. In the deployed position, an IFE device may be positioned in the pocket for convenient viewing. The tilt angle of the holster may also be adjusted. A method of viewing an IFE device is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus adapted for attachment to the back of a passenger airplane seat and for retaining an in-flight entertainment device in a viewable position comprising:

a holster moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position exposing a pocket defined by the holster for receiving the in-flight entertainment device in the viewable position, a frame surrounding the holster and matingly insertable into a housing on the back of the seat for stowing the holster, the frame and housing connectable to retain the frame within the housing yet permit adjustment of the frame about a transverse axis for selectively changing the tilt or pitch angle of the holster.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the pocket is defined by a peripheral wall.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a slot.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the frame is pivotally attached at its top to the housing.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a flexible latch having a protruding tab for retaining the holster in the stowed position.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising a finger well for accessing the latch to deploy the holster.

7. An apparatus for retaining an in-flight entertainment device behind an airplane seat comprising:

(a) a frame surrounding a holster comprising a peripheral wall defining a pocket for receiving the in-flight entertainment device in a viewable position;

(b) an outer housing for receiving the frame;

(c) a pivot connection between the frame and the holster for deploying the holster between a stowed position and a deployed position exposing the pocket with the in-flight entertainment device in the viewable position; and

(d) a pivot connection between the frame and the seat for adjusting the tilt or pitch angle of the holster.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the holster further comprises a rear face that fits substantially flush with a back surface of the seat.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the lower end of the frame defines a recess in the seat for receiving the holster.

10. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the outer housing comprises a slot.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the frame comprises an opening.

12. The apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a latch for retaining the holster in a stowed position.

13. A method of viewing an in-flight entertainment device comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an airplane seat comprising;

(i) a frame surrounding a holster comprising a peripheral wall defining a pocket for receiving the in-flight entertainment device;

(ii) an outer housing for receiving the frame;

(iii) a pivot connection between the frame and the holster for deploying the holster; and

(iv) a pivot connection for adjusting the tilt or pitch angle of the holster;

(b) deploying the holster from a stowed position to a deployed position by releasing a latch and pivoting the holster about the pivot connection for deploying the holster to expose the pocket;

(c) inserting an in-flight entertainment device into the pocket defined by the holster in a viewable position; and

(d) adjusting the tilt or pitch of the holster by pivoting the frame about the pivot connection for adjusting the tilt or pitch angle of the holster.