Translating, locking and rotating leg rests

Abstract

The present invention relates to a translation, locking and rotation leg rest mechanism, and more particularly to a foot and leg rest deployment mechanism that prevents the leg rest from rotating into an upright deployed orientation before being fully translated. Likewise, the deployment mechanism prevents the leg rest from translating when in the upright orientation. A rotation arm having a rotation lock slot prevents rotation before the locking arm disengages from the rotation lock slot by virtue of the locking arm engaging the translation lock portion of the translation slot. A single linear actuator applies force to cause both translation and rotation, wherein the leg rest deployment mechanism controls the sequence of the deployment steps.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Foot and leg support systems in aircraft seats are complex to implement because space and weight constraints make conventional systems unsuitable. For automatic / electronic systems, multiple actuators and complex control systems are required. Summary of the invention

[0002] In one aspect, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a foot and leg rest deployment mechanism that prevents the leg rest from rotating into an upright deployed orientation before being fully translated. Likewise, the deployment mechanism prevents the leg rest from translating when in the upright orientation.

[0003] In a further aspect, a single linear actuator applies force to cause both translation and rotation, wherein the leg rest deployment mechanism controls the sequence of deployment steps.

[0004] It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and illustrative only and should not limit the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept disclosed herein and, together with the general description, serve to explain the principles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Many advantages of the embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be better appreciated by those skilled in the art by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0006] Figure 1 An environmental view of an aircraft seat including an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0007] Figure 2A shows a perspective view of an aircraft leg rest according to an exemplary embodiment during stages of deployment and retraction;

[0008] Figure 2B shows a perspective view of an aircraft leg rest according to an exemplary embodiment during stages of deployment and retraction;

[0009] Figure 2C shows a perspective view of an aircraft leg rest according to an exemplary embodiment during stages of deployment and retraction;

[0010] Figure 2D shows a perspective view of an aircraft leg rest according to an exemplary embodiment during stages of deployment and retraction;

[0011] Figure 2E shows a perspective view of an aircraft leg rest according to an exemplary embodiment during stages of deployment and retraction;

[0012] Figure 2F shows a perspective view of an aircraft leg rest according to an exemplary embodiment during stages of deployment and retraction;

[0013] Figure 2G shows a perspective view of an aircraft leg rest according to an exemplary embodiment during stages of deployment and retraction;

[0014] Figure 3 shows a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment;

[0015] Figure 4 shows a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment;

[0016] Figure 5 shows a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment;

[0017] Figure 6 shows a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment;

[0018] Figure 7 shows a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment;

[0019] Figure 8 shows a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment;

[0020] Fig. 9 Detailed views of exemplary embodiments are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Before explaining in detail at least one embodiment of the inventive concept disclosed herein, it should be understood that the inventive concept is not limited in its application to the details of the structure described in the following description or shown in the accompanying drawings and the arrangement of parts or steps or methods. In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the inventive concept, many specific details are described to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concept. However, for those of ordinary skill in the art who benefit from the present disclosure, it is obvious that the inventive concept disclosed herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, well-known features may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the present disclosure. The inventive concept disclosed herein can have other embodiments, or can be practiced or executed in a variety of ways. Moreover, it should be understood that the wording and terminology adopted in this article are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered restrictive.

[0022] As used herein, a letter following a reference number is intended to refer to an embodiment of a feature or element that may be similar to, but not necessarily identical to, a previously described element or feature displaying the same reference number (e.g., 1, 1a, 1b). Such shorthand notation is used only for convenience and should not be construed as limiting the inventive concepts disclosed herein in any way unless expressly stated to the contrary.

[0023] Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or, not an exclusive or. For example, condition A or B is satisfied by any of the following: A is true (or exists) and B is false (or does not exist), A is false (or does not exist) and B is true (or exists), and both A and B are true (or exist).

[0024] In addition, the use of "a" or "an" is used to describe elements and components of embodiments of the inventive concept. This is done only for convenience and to give a general meaning of the inventive concept, and "a" and "an" are intended to include one or at least one, and the singular also includes the plural, unless it is obvious that it means other aspects.

[0025] Finally, as used herein, any reference to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The phrase "in some embodiments" appearing in multiple places in the specification does not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, and embodiments of the disclosed inventive concepts may include one or more of the features expressly described or inherently present herein, or any combination of subcombinations of two or more such features, as well as any other features that may not necessarily be expressly described or inherently present in the present disclosure.

[0026] Broadly, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a foot and leg rest deployment mechanism that prevents the leg rest from rotating into an upright deployed orientation before being fully translated. Likewise, the deployment mechanism prevents the leg rest from translating when in the upright orientation.

[0027] refer to Figure 1 , an environmental view 100 including an exemplary embodiment of an aircraft seat 102 is shown. The aircraft seat 102 includes a deployable foot and leg rest 104. Due to space constraints, the foot and leg rest 104, including the deployment mechanism, must be compact enough to fit within the footprint of an existing aircraft seat. Furthermore, due to limited legroom, it is desirable that the foot and leg rest 104 be disposed substantially below the aircraft seat 102 when stowed.

[0028] refer to Figures 2A to 2G, shows a perspective view of an aircraft leg rest 204 during deployment and retraction stages according to an exemplary embodiment. An aircraft seat 200 including an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a seat portion 202 and a leg rest 204 that is disposed completely below the seat portion 202 when in a stowed configuration, such as in Figure 2A During deployment, the leg support 204 first translates from under the seat portion 202, such as in Figure 2B The translation creates a gap 206 between the seat portion 202 and the leg support 204 to facilitate rotation.

[0029] When translation is complete, the translation lock engages to prevent forward or rearward translation, and the swivel arm is released to allow the leg rest 204 to begin rotating about a pivot point proximate the seat portion 202, such as at Figure 2C As in Figure 2D As in the embodiment of the present invention, the leg support 204 is aligned with the seat portion 202 when fully deployed to form a substantially planar surface. In at least one embodiment, the actuator 208 that applies the force necessary to deploy the leg support 204 also maintains the leg support 204 in the deployed configuration.

[0030] Because the translation lock is engaged, the leg rest 204 must first be rotated when returning to the stowed configuration, such as in Figure 2E Once the leg support 204 is in a substantially vertical orientation, such as in Figure 2F As in the embodiment of the present invention, the rotating arm disengages the rotating lock from the translation locking portion of the translation lock, so that the rotational movement is now locked and the translational movement is unlocked. The leg support 204 can then be translated under the seat portion to a stowed configuration, such as in Figure 2G Like in.

[0031] refer to Figure 3 , showing a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment. An aircraft seat with a deployable leg rest 302 includes a deployment control mechanism 300 having at least one rotating arm 304 fixedly connected to the leg rest 302 such that the leg rest 302 and the rotating arm 304 pivot together. It will be appreciated that while the embodiments described herein are directed to a leg rest 302 having a single locking mechanism, such a mechanism may be mirrored in whole or in part on opposite sides of the leg rest 302.

[0032] In at least one embodiment, the rotating arm 304 and the leg rest 302 are pivotally connected to a distal portion of a translation rail 308. The translation rail 308 translates linearly along a fixed rail 306 disposed on the structure of the aircraft seat. As described more fully herein, the translation lock 310 prevents the rotating arm 304 from rotating before the translation rail 308 is fully translated.

[0033] refer to Figure 4 , showing a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment. The deployment control mechanism 400 includes a linear actuator 414 connected to the leg rest 402. In at least one embodiment, the linear actuator 414 can be rotatably connected to the leg rest 402 and rotatably connected to the structure of the aircraft seat so that the linear actuator 414 can continue to apply a linear force to the leg rest 402 at an angle sufficient to cause translation or rotation at each appropriate stage of deployment or stowage.

[0034] In at least one embodiment, the deployment control mechanism 400 includes a rotation lock 412 disposed on the translation rail 408 that is configured to engage the translation lock 410 and the rotation arm 404, as described more fully herein.

[0035] refer to Figure 5 , showing a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment. The rotation lock 512 disposed on the translation rail 508 includes a translation slot engagement element 516 configured to engage a translation slot 518 defined by the translation lock 510. In at least one embodiment, the translation slot 518 defines a stowed orientation by limiting the maximum travel of the translation slot engagement portion 516. In addition, the translation slot 518 includes a translation locking portion 520 that receives the translation slot engagement portion 516 to lower the rotation lock 512 and disengage it from the rotation arm 504 and allow rotation.

[0036] refer to Figure 6 , showing a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment. In at least one embodiment, a translation lock 610 defining a translation slot having a translation locking portion 620 may include a service plate 622 disposed at an open end of the translation locking portion 620 to allow the translation slot engaging portion 616 of the rotation lock 612 to be fully removed from the translation slot.

[0037] refer to Figure 7 , showing a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment. In at least one embodiment, the rotation lock 712 includes a rotation arm engagement portion 726 that is configured to engage a rotation lock slot 724 defined by the rotation arm 704. The rotation arm engagement portion 726 prevents the rotation arm 704 from rotating when engaged in the rotation lock slot 724.

[0038] refer to Figure 8 , showing a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment. In at least one embodiment, during deployment, the rotating arm engagement portion 826 of the rotating lock 812 prevents the rotating arm 804 from rotating. The rotating arm engagement portion 826 abuts the rotating locking surface 830, which defines a portion of the rotating locking slot 824.

[0039] During translation, the translation slot engagement portion 816 of the rotation lock 812 travels along the translation slot 818 defined by the translation lock 810. The translation slot engagement portion 816 prevents the rotation arm engagement portion 826 from disengaging from the rotation lock surface 830.

[0040] When the leg rest is fully translated, the translation slot engagement portion 816 enters the translation locking portion 820, which releases the rotation arm engagement portion 826 from the rotation locking slot 824, thereby allowing the rotation arm 804 to rotate. At the same time, because the translation slot engagement portion 816 cannot travel in the translation slot 818, the leg rest is prevented from translating. In at least one embodiment, the rotation lock 812 can be biased toward the translation locking portion 820, such as by a spring.

[0041] refer to Fig. 9 , showing a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment. During retraction and stowage, the rotation lock 912 prevents the leg rest from translating (moving rearwardly toward the seat) with the translation slot engagement portion 916 in the translation lock portion 920 of the translation slot 918 defined by the translation lock 910. The swivel arm 904 connected to the leg rest defines a rotation lock slot having a rotation lock surface 930 and a translation lock disengagement surface 928. When the leg rest (and thus the swivel arm 904) is rotated toward the stowed orientation, the translation lock disengagement surface 928 abuts the swivel arm engagement portion 926 and lifts the corresponding translation slot engagement portion 916 out of the translation lock portion of the translation slot 918. Once the translation slot engagement portion 916 is fully disengaged from the translation lock portion, the swivel arm 904 is locked against rotation because the swivel arm engagement portion 926 abuts the rotation lock surface 930. The leg rest can then translate under the seat to the stowed orientation.

[0042] It will be appreciated that while the specific embodiments described herein are directed to a leg rest deployable by a single linear actuator, wherein the leg rest first translates and then rotates, other embodiments are contemplated. For example, by placing the translation locking portion of the translation slot on the other side of the translation slot (away from the leg rest rather than close to the leg rest), the leg rest may first rotate and then translate when deployed.

[0043] It is believed that the inventive concepts disclosed herein and their many attendant advantages will be understood through the foregoing description of the embodiments of the disclosed inventive concepts, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, structure, and arrangement of its components without departing from the broad scope of the inventive concepts disclosed herein or sacrificing all of their substantial advantages; and that the various features from multiple embodiments may be combined to obtain other embodiments. In this article, the forms previously described are merely illustrative embodiments thereof, and the appended claims are intended to cover and include such changes. In addition, any of the disclosed features with respect to any of the individual embodiments may be incorporated into any other embodiment.

Claims

1. A leg support device, comprising: Translation guide rails; a swivel arm defining a swivel locking slot, wherein the swivel arm is rotatably disposed on a distal end of the translation rail; a translation lock defining a translation slot including a translation locking portion; and A rotary lock is arranged on the translation guide rail, wherein the rotary lock comprises a rotary arm engaging portion and a translation slot engaging portion, in: The rotary lock is constructed as follows: engaging the translation slot; during translation, the translation slot engagement portion of the rotation lock travels along the translation slot, wherein the rotation arm engagement portion prevents the rotation arm from rotating when engaged in the rotation lock slot; and When the translation is completed, the translation slot engagement portion enters the translation locking portion, and the translation locking portion releases the rotation arm engagement portion from the rotation locking slot, thereby allowing the rotation arm to rotate.

2. The leg support device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotational lock slot defines a translational unlocking surface configured to apply a force to the rotational lock to disengage the rotational lock from the translational locking portion.

3. The leg support device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The leg support device further includes an actuator configured to apply a linear force to the leg support.

4. The leg support device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The translation lock includes a service plate disposed over an open end of the translation locking portion, the service plate being configured to be removed to disengage the rotation lock from the translation slot.

5. An aircraft seat, comprising: Leg support; at least one translation guide; at least one swivel arm fixedly disposed on the leg support, the at least one swivel arm each defining a swivel locking slot, wherein each swivel arm is swivelly disposed on a distal end of a corresponding translation rail; at least one translation lock, each defining a translation slot including a translation locking portion; and at least one rotation lock disposed on the translation guide rail, wherein the rotation lock comprises a rotation arm engagement portion and a translation slot engagement portion, in: Each rotary lock is constructed as follows: engaging corresponding translation slots; during translation, the translation slot engagement portion of the rotation lock travels along the translation slot, wherein the rotation arm engagement portion prevents the rotation arm from rotating when engaged in the rotation lock slot; and When the translation is completed, the translation slot engagement portion enters the translation locking portion, and the translation locking portion releases the rotation arm engagement portion from the rotation locking slot, thereby allowing the rotation arm to rotate.

6. The aircraft seat according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each rotational lock slot defines a translational unlocking surface configured to apply a force to a corresponding rotational lock to disengage the rotational lock from the corresponding translational locking portion.

7. The aircraft seat according to claim 5, characterized in that: The aircraft seating arrangement further includes an actuator configured to apply a linear force to the leg rest.

8. The aircraft seat according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each translation lock includes a service plate disposed over an open end of the translation locking portion, the service plate being configured to be removed to disengage the rotation lock from the corresponding translation slot.

9. The aircraft seat according to claim 5, characterized in that: The leg support is substantially flush with the seat portion when fully extended.

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