Equipment with a device for rotatably deploying movable elements.

Abstract

The present invention relates in particular to a fixture (30) for an aircraft seat, comprising: a frame (31), a movable element (26), a pivot connection (34) for rotating the movable element (26) relative to the frame (31) between a stowed position and a deployed position, a locking finger (38), a cam (43) with a locking recess (44), and a resilient member (40) for biasing the locking finger (38) under tension into the locking recess (44) when the movable element (26) is in the stowed position. By pressing on the movable element (26), the resilient member (40) rotates the movable element (26) and releases the locking finger (38) from the locking recess (44), allowing the movable element (26) to rotate in a second rotational direction towards the deployed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an equipment provided with a device for rotatably deploying a movable element. The present invention is particularly advantageously applicable to, but not limited to, a dining tray table installed in a seat unit of "business class" and "first class" type aircraft.

Background Art

[0002] In a manner known per se, a "push-pull" type deployment system makes it possible to facilitate the opening of a movable element of an equipment, such as, for example, a drawer, a door of an equipment, or a shelf. For this purpose, the user applies a pressing force to the movable element to activate an elastic member that moves the movable element away from its closed position. Thereafter, the user can pull the movable element towards its open position.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] However, existing devices are bulky and generally operate according to translational kinematics. Therefore, a push-pull type deployment system for a rotating movable element is needed.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to effectively meet this need, particularly by proposing equipment for aircraft seats. The equipment comprises a frame, a movable element, and a pivot connection between the movable element and the frame for rotating the movable element relative to the frame between a storage position and a deployment position. The equipment further comprises a lock finger, a cam having a lock recess, and an elastic member that biases the lock finger into the lock recess when the movable element is in the storage position. By pressing the movable element, the movable element rotates in a first rotational direction, and by releasing the lock finger from the lock recess by the elastic member, the movable element rotates in a second rotational direction towards the deployment position, and the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction are opposite to each other.

[0005] This invention enables the integration of a system for deploying a "push-pull" type movable element around a pivot connection. Because different functional shapes can be machined onto the movable element, this invention is easy to implement and robust. Furthermore, this invention has aesthetic advantages, as the push-pull system is not visible to the user from the outside of the fixture.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fitting includes a return spring that is compressed when the movable element is pressed and can then be depressurized to discharge the movable element from the frame.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fitting includes a spring blade for cooperating with a limit stopper when the movable element is in the deployed position.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the limit stopper is composed of a protruding portion that constitutes a hardpoint and a portion for receiving the spring blade.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the limit stopper has an S-shape.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the movable element integrates the cam and the limit stopper, so that the movable element, the cam and the limit stopper form a single unit.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the angle between the limit stopper and the lock recess of the cam is approximately 270 degrees.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cam includes at least one lateral slope for guiding the locking finger toward the locking recess while compressing the elastic member as the movable element moves from the deployed position to the retracted position.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the movable element is a tray table.

[0014] The present invention also relates to an aircraft seat unit including the equipment as defined above.

[0015] The present invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will emerge by reading the following detailed description. This detailed description includes embodiments given for illustrative purposes with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are presented as methods of non-limiting embodiments and will help to complete the understanding of the invention and the description of its embodiments and ultimately contribute to its definition. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a seat unit having a tray table according to the present invention.

[0017] [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the tray table according to the present invention in its storage position.

[0018] [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the internal structure of a frame including a tray table according to the present invention.

[0019] [Figure 4] This is a side view showing the positioning of the locking finger within the locking recess of the cam when the tray table is in the stored position.

[0020] [Figure 5] This is a top view showing the relative positioning of the lock finger with respect to the limit stopper of the tray table according to the present invention.

[0021] [Figure 6] This is a side view showing the process of releasing the locking finger from the locking recess of the cam after applying a pressing force to the tray table according to the present invention.

[0022] [Figure 7]It is a perspective view showing the positioning of the tray table according to the present invention after discharge by the return spring.

[0023] [Figure 8] It is a side view showing the locus of the lock finger when the tray table according to the present invention is discharged by the return spring.

[0024] [Figure 9] It is a perspective view of the tray table according to the present invention in the deployed position.

[0025] [Figure 10a] It is a detailed perspective view showing the positioning of the stop blade at the hard point of the limit stopper.

[0026] [Figure 10b] It is a detailed perspective view showing the positioning of the stop blade at the hard point of the limit stopper.

[0027] [Figure 11] It is a perspective view showing the locus of the lock finger along the inclined surface of the lock cam when the tray table moves from the deployed position to the storage position so as to apply tension to the elastic member.

[0028] [Figure 12] It is a side view showing the guidance of the lock finger toward the lock recess of the cam when the tray table moves from the deployed position to the storage position.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] It should be noted that structural and / or functional elements common to different embodiments have the same reference numerals. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, such elements have the same structural, dimensional and material characteristics.

[0030] Furthermore, in the remainder of this specification, relative terms of the kind “down,” “up,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” and “vertical” are understood to refer to the general meanings that passengers of the seats to which the equipment according to the present invention is associated may give them.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a seat unit 10 comprising a seat 12 associated with a side console 13 that extends along one side of the seat 12.

[0032] More specifically, the seat 12 comprises a seat pan 12.1 and a backrest 12.2. The seat 12 has an extension axis X1 defined by the intersection of the horizontal plane of the seat 12 and a vertical central plane corresponding to the plane of symmetry of the seat 12. The extension axis X1 of the seat 12 can form a non-zero angle with respect to a direction parallel to or coincident with the central axis X2 of the aircraft. In this case, the seat 12 is rotated in the direction of axis X2. Alternatively, the seat 12 can be rotated in the opposite direction to axis X2 or extend parallel to axis X2.

[0033] The seat 12 is provided with a motion mechanism that, advantageously, allows the seat 12 to move between a “seated” position, in which the seat 12 is configured to define the passenger’s seating position, and a “recline” position, in which the seat pan 12.1 and backrest 12.2 are advantageously substantially horizontal, defining the passenger’s sleeping surface. Intermediate comfort positions have also been proposed, such as a “relaxed” position, in which the backrest of the seat 12 is strongly reclined.

[0034] The privacy shell 14 extends at least partially around the seat 12 to demarcate the space surrounding the passenger. The privacy shell 14 is made of, for example, a composite material. Such a configuration can ensure the privacy of the passenger inside the seat 12.

[0035] A video screen 16 of the multimedia system or IFE (meaning "in-flight entertainment system") can be installed at the rear of the privacy shell 14 for use by passengers in the rear seats.

[0036] The console 13 may include an upper wall 17 that forms a table on which passengers can place their belongings, and a storage space 18 that includes one or more elements from a literature pocket, a bottle holder, and a minibar. The selection of storage equipment can be configured according to the airline's preferences. The console 13 may also include a reading light 19 facing the seat 12.

[0037] A cavity 21 is located below the upper wall 17. The cavity 21 opens laterally toward the seat 12. Furthermore, the horizontal surface 22 of the console 13 has a particular armrest function. For this purpose, the horizontal surface 22 may locally have a curved cuff shape 23 that matches the shape of a portion of the passenger's arm.

[0038] Console 13 also includes a control unit 25 (PCU, short for "Passenger Control Unit") for the seat 12 and its additional components. The control unit 25 allows passengers to control not only the position of the seat 12, but also additional components such as a video system, heating system, lighting and ambient lighting system, or other additional components that can be integrated into the seat 12.

[0039] To allow passengers to lie down, the console 13 may include a hollow space 27 in which an ottoman 28 is positioned, as shown in the local perspective view in Figure 1. The ottoman 28 includes a horizontal surface that forms a footrest on which rear passengers can rest their feet when the seat 12 is in the “lying down” position.

[0040] The seat unit 10 also includes a tray table 26 which passengers can use to place personal items, in particular, such as meal trays, drinks, computers, or any type of personal item that passengers wish to have available during their travels.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2, the tray table 26 belongs to the component 30 which includes a frame 31 that defines the housing 33. As shown in Figure 3, a pivot connection 34 of axis X3 is positioned between the tray table 26 and the frame 31. As shown in Figure 9, the pivot connection 34 rotates the tray table 26 relative to the frame 31 between a storage position where the tray table 26 is inside the housing 33 within the frame 31 and an unfolded position where the tray table 26 is outside the housing 33 within the frame 31.

[0042] The tray table 26 extends in a horizontal plane. The tray table 26 includes a handle 36 that protrudes from the body of the tray table 26. As described below, this handle 36 can be grasped by a passenger after the tray table 26 has been ejected in order to move the tray table 26 to the deployed position.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown particularly in Figures 3, 5, and 6, the arm 37 fixed to the frame 31 has a locking finger 38. The locking finger 38 is composed of a stud protruding from one end of the arm 37. The locking finger 38 extends in the horizontal longitudinal direction. The arm 37 comprises at least a portion composed of an elastic member 40. The elastic member 40 may be composed, for example, of one or more overlapping flexible metal blades.

[0044] The cam 43, clearly shown in Figure 4, is provided with a locking recess 44 for receiving the locking finger 38 when the tray table 26 is in the retracted position. In fact, as will be described in detail below, when the tray table 26 is in the retracted position, the elastic member 40 under tension biases the locking finger 38 into the locking recess 44. The locking recess 44 has a shape complementary to the shape of the locking finger 38. In the side view, the locking recess 44 has, for example, an arc shape. Other shapes of the locking recess 44 that conform to the shape of the locking finger 38 are also possible.

[0045] The cam 43 has a rounded tip 47 at one end. The lock recess 44 is located on the opposite side from the rounded tip 47.

[0046] The cam 43 further comprises an upper lateral slope 48 and a lower lateral slope 49. Each lateral slope 48, 49 extends between a rounded tip 47 and a locking recess 44. The two lateral slopes 48, 49 form a non-zero angle with respect to each other.

[0047] The upper lateral slope 48 is intended to guide the lock finger 38 toward the lock recess 44 while applying tension to the elastic member 40 as the tray table 26 moves from the unfolded position to the stored position.

[0048] The cam 43 may be associated with a guide stopper 45. The guide stopper 45 is intended to ensure that the lock finger 38 engages securely with the lock recess 44 during the vertical movement of the lock finger 38. During this vertical movement, the guide stopper 45 guides the lock finger 38 laterally toward the lock recess 44. The guide stopper 45 may have a chamfered surface to facilitate guiding the lock finger 38 toward the lock recess 44.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5, 10a and 10b, the spring blade 50 is intended to cooperate with the limit stopper 51 when the tray table 26 is in the unfolded position. The spring blade 50 is fixed to the frame 31. The spring blade 50 preferably has a U-shape. The limit stopper 51 is mechanically connected to the tray table 26.

[0050] More specifically, the limit stopper 51 comprises a projection 53 that constitutes a hardpoint and a receiving portion 54 for the spring blade 50. The receiving portion 54 has a shape complementary to the shape of the spring blade 50. The hardpoint 53 is close to the deployed position of the tray table 26, corresponding to a region where the deployment of the tray table 26 requires more force from the passenger than the rest of the deployment movement from the stored position to the deployed position. For this purpose, the projection 53 of the limit stopper 51 is configured to deform the spring blade 50 before it slides into the receiving portion 54. The limit stopper 51 has an S-shape, with the curved portion of the S forming the hardpoint 53 and the hollow portion of the S forming the receiving portion 54 for the spring blade 50.

[0051] Advantageously, the tray table 26 integrates the cam 43 and the limit stopper 51 such that the tray table 26, the cam 43, and the limit stopper 51 form a single part. The cam 43 and the limit stopper 51 may be integrally molded with the tray table 26. The tray table 26 may be made from, for example, a plastic material or a composite material.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5, the angle A1 between the limit stopper 51 and the lock recess 44 of the cam 43 corresponds to the unfolding angle of the tray table 26. Angle A1 is measured in the second rotational direction R2. In the top view, angle A1 is measured counterclockwise from the lock recess 44. In this case, angle A1 is approximately 270 degrees. Here, "approximately" means a possible variation of plus or minus 10% from the indicated value. Alternatively, this angle A1 may be approximately 90 degrees, approximately 180 degrees, or any other angle suitable for the application that allows the tray table 26 to unfold. Preferably, the limit stopper 51 and the lock finger 38 are positioned along the same circumference with respect to the axis X3 of the pivot connection 34.

[0053] The return spring 56, shown in Figures 3, 7, and 9, is fixed to the frame 31. The return spring 56 is compressed when the tray table 26 is pressed, and then the pressure is released, causing the tray table 26 to be ejected from the frame 31. The return spring 56 has a curved blade shape.

[0054] The operation of the "push-pull" system for moving the tray table 26 from the storage position to the deployed position is described below.

[0055] When the tray table 26 is in its storage position inside the housing 33 within the frame 31, the elastic member 40, under tension, biases the locking finger 38 into the locking recess 44 (see Figure 4). The spring blade 50 is in a free state, i.e., disengaged from the limit stopper 51, as shown in Figure 3.

[0056] When a user presses the tray table 26 to move it to the unfolded position, the tray table 26 rotates within the frame 31 around axis X3 in a first rotational direction R1. To enable this rotation, the frame 31 may include a clearance 57 (see Figure 3) into which the handle 36 moves when a force is applied along arrow F1 toward the internal housing 33 within the frame 31.

[0057] Next, the locking finger 38 is released from the locking recess 44 by an elastic member 40 that exerts a downward force from the locking recess 44 along arrow F2, as shown in Figure 6. The return spring 56 is also compressed, applying force outward from the housing 33 within the frame 31.

[0058] When the user releases the force applied to the tray table 26, the tray table 26 is ejected outwards from the housing 33 due to the depressurization of the return spring 56, as shown in Figure 7. During this ejection, the tray table 26 rotates in a second rotation direction R2, opposite to the first rotation direction R1, around the axis of the pivot connection 34. The lock finger 38 moves along the lower lateral slope 49 of the cam 43 along the trajectory of arrow F3 shown in Figure 8.

[0059] By pulling the handle 36, the user can continue rotating the tray table 26 in the second rotational direction R2 to the deployed position. In this way, the user can manually rotate the tray table 26 to the hardpoint 53. The spring blade 50 deforms at the hardpoint 53, as shown in Figure 10a, and then slides on the limit stopper 51 until it cooperates with the receiving portion 54 of the limit stopper 51, as shown in Figure 10b. The tray table 26 is then deployed to the deployed position, as shown in Figure 9.

[0060] To return the tray table 26 to its storage position, the user pulls the handle 36 to deform the spring blade 50 so that the spring blade 50 exits the receiving portion 54 and passes through the hard point 53. The user can then manually rotate the tray table 26 into the housing 33 in the first rotational direction R1.

[0061] As shown in Figure 11, the lock finger 38 contacts the cam 43 with its rounded tip 47. The lock finger 38 then rises along the upper lateral slope 48 of the cam 43 (see arrow F4), bending the elastic member 40 and thus having the effect of applying tension. Under the action of the tensed elastic member 40, the lock finger 38 receives a downward vertical force in the direction of the lock recess 44. When the lock finger 38 contacts the guide stopper 45, the guide stopper 45 guides the lock finger 38 laterally, and the lock finger 38 is inserted into the lock recess 44, as shown in Figure 12.

[0062] Then, the tray table 26 is stored in its storage position. The return spring 56 is slightly compressed.

[0063] The present invention has been described in relation to a tray table 26 for an airplane seat. However, the previously described device for deploying the tray table 26, comprising the assembly of "locking finger 38-cam 43-elastic member 40", can be incorporated without issue into any item of equipment that includes a rotating movable element, such as equipment doors or rotating shelves.

[0064] Of course, different features, variations, and / or embodiments of the present invention can be associated with each other in various combinations, as long as they are not incompatible or exclusive with one another.

[0065] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is provided only as examples. The present invention encompasses various modifications, alternative forms, and other variations that those skilled in the art may conceive of in the context of the present invention, and in particular, any combination of the various operating modes described above can be employed individually or in combination.

Claims

1. It is equipment, Frame and, Movable elements, It includes a pivot connection between the movable element and the frame for rotating the movable element relative to the frame between a stored position and an unfolded position, The aforementioned equipment further, An arm comprising a base end fixed to the frame, a tip having a locking finger, and at least one portion located between the base end and the tip, which is made of an elastic member, It comprises a cam having a locking recess and integrated with the movable element, When the movable element is in the storage position, the elastic member under tension biases the lock finger into the lock recess. By pressing the movable element, the movable element rotates in a first rotational direction, and by releasing the lock finger from the lock recess by the elastic member, the movable element rotates in a second rotational direction toward the deployed position. An accessory in which the first direction of rotation and the second direction of rotation are opposite to each other.

2. The fixture according to claim 1, further characterized by comprising a return spring that is compressed when the movable element is pressed, and then depressurized to discharge the movable element from the frame.

3. The fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with a spring blade for cooperating with a limit stopper when the movable element is in the deployed position.

4. The limit stopper is characterized by comprising a protruding portion that constitutes a hard point and a receiving portion for the spring blade, as described in claim 3.

5. The equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that the limit stopper has an S-shape.

6. The fixture according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the movable element integrates the cam and the limit stopper, and the movable element, the cam and the limit stopper form a single unit.

7. The fitting according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the angle between the limit stopper and the lock recess of the cam is approximately 270 degrees.

8. The fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cam is provided with at least one lateral slope for guiding the lock finger toward the lock recess while compressing the elastic member as the movable element passes from the deployed position to the stored position.

9. The fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the movable element is a tray table.

10. An aircraft seat unit comprising the equipment described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

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