Cowling device for a seat leg-rest deployment system

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat (10) comprising: - a backrest (12), - a seating portion (11), and - a leg-rest (16) mechanically connected to the seating portion (11) via a deployment system (17), - a cowling device (31) comprising: - a seating-portion cowl (33) attached to the seating portion (11), an intermediate cowl (34), and a leg-rest cowl (35) attached to the leg-rest (16), - the intermediate cowl (34) being mechanically connected to the seating-portion cowl (33) by a first pivot connection (381) and a slideway connection (39) along which the first pivot connection (38.1) can slide, - the leg-rest cowl (35) being mechanically connected to the intermediate cowl (34) by a second pivot connection (38.2), such that the intermediate cowl (34) and the leg-rest cowl (35) can follow a movement of the leg-rest (16) as it passes from the retracted position to the deployed position, and vice versa.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: COVERING DEVICE FOR A LEG REST DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM FOR A SEAT

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover device for a leg rest deployment system for a seat. The invention finds particularly advantageous application in the field of aeronautics, especially with convertible seats intended for installation in first-class or business-class aircraft cabins.

[0002] A convertible seat, as is well known, comprises a seat and backrest mounted on a frame. This frame is designed to be mounted on aircraft cabin rails using fastening methods such as plunger clips. The seat is advantageously equipped with a mechanism allowing it to move between a "seated" position, configured to provide a passenger's seating position, and a "bed" position, configured to create a substantially horizontal sleeping surface.

[0003] To this end, the backrest is able to pivot around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the seat's axis. The backrest can thus move between an upright position and a lowered position, in which it extends in the same plane as the seat to form the sleeping surface. To facilitate the movement of the various seat components from the upright to the bed position, the seat incorporates an actuation system that moves the backrest backward and the seat forward relative to the frame.

[0004] The seat can be fitted with a leg rest mechanically linked to the seat by means of a deployment system allowing the leg rest to move from a retracted position to a deployed position in which the leg rest extends in the plane of the seat in order to maximize the surface of the sleeping surface.

[0005] It is important to cover the leg rest deployment system with covers to prevent objects from getting under the seat and to prevent the passenger from accessing mechanical parts that could injure their hand.

[0006] However, for some types of linkage deployment systems, the leg rest cannot be covered by attaching covers to the linkages due to the presence of an actuator located between the linkages and the covering mechanism. Furthermore, replicating the complex linkage kinematics at the covering mechanism to follow the leg rest deployment results in a bulky assembly of covers.

[0007] The invention aims to effectively remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a seat comprising: - a file, - a base, and - a leg rest mechanically linked to the seat via a deployment system allowing the leg rest to move from a retracted to a deployed position, - said seat further includes a cover device intended to cover the leg rest deployment system, said cover device comprising: - a seat cover attached to the seat, an intermediate cover, and a leg rest cover attached to the leg rest, - the intermediate hood being mechanically linked to the seat hood by a first pivot joint and a sliding joint along which the first pivot joint can slide, - the leg rest cover being mechanically linked to the intermediate cover by a second pivot linkage, so that the intermediate cover and the leg rest cover can follow a movement of the leg rest from the retracted position to the deployed position, and vice versa.

[0008] The invention thus makes it possible, starting from a simple kinematic of a covering device, to cover the deployment system of the leg rest having a complex kinematics with connecting rods or other mechanisms. The invention, based on the use of three inter-articulated covers, is also compact and easily integrated onto the seat. Furthermore, the invention is economical, as it can be implemented at low cost.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sliding joint comprises a guide plate fixed on an inner face of the seat cover, said guide plate comprising a guide groove along which the first pivot joint can slide.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide plate has a mounting opening leading into the guide groove to allow the insertion of a portion of the first pivot joint inside the guide groove.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first pivot joint comprises a shouldered spacer and a retaining washer between which are arranged an edge of the guide plate delimiting the guide groove and the intermediate cover.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, a friction washer is disposed between the edge delimiting the guide groove and the intermediate cover.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second pivot joint comprises a shouldered spacer and a retaining washer between which the intermediate cover and the leg rest cover are arranged.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, a friction washer is interposed between the intermediate cover and the leg rest cover.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the seat cover has an edge with through openings allowing the passage of fasteners, such as screws, rivets or any other.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the leg rest cover comprises at least one mounting tab with a through hole and a nut fixed on one side of the mounting bracket, said nut being intended to receive a screw inserted into a mounting hole of the leg rest.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the deployment system comprises a first set of connecting rods and a second set of connecting rods, said first set of connecting rods comprising a first connecting rod having a first end connected by a pivot joint to the seat and a second end connected by a pivot joint to a first end of a second connecting rod comprising a second end connected by a pivot joint to the leg rest, said second set of connecting rods comprising a third connecting rod having a first end connected by a pivot joint to the seat and a second end connected by a pivot joint to a first end of a fourth connecting rod comprising a second end connected by a pivot joint to the leg rest.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first connecting rod further comprises an intermediate connection point connected by a pivot joint to an intermediate connection point of the fourth connecting rod.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the deployment system includes an electric actuator equipped with a rod connected near the intermediate connection point of the first connecting rod.

[0020] The present invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description, which includes embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the accompanying figures, presented by way of non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the explanation of its implementation and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, on which:

[0021] [Fig. 1a] [Fig. 1b] Figures 1a and 1b are side views of a business class type seat equipped with a leg rest cover device according to the invention respectively in the seated position and in the bed position;

[0022] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a side view of a connecting rod leg rest deployment system according to the invention without the hood device according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view illustrating the mounting on a seat of the leg rest cover device according to the invention;

[0024] [Fig. 4a] [Fig. 4b] [Fig. 4c] Figures 4a, 4b and 4c are side views illustrating the deployment of a leg rest cover device according to the invention;

[0025] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a leg rest cover device according to the invention;

[0026] [Fig. 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the leg rest cover device according to the invention along plane CC of figure 4a;

[0027] [Fig. 7a] Figure 7a is a detailed cross-sectional view of area Z1 of Figure 6;

[0028] [Fig. 7b] Figure 7b is a detailed cross-sectional view of area Z2 of Figure 6.

[0029] It should be noted that structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise specified, such elements have identical structural, dimensional, and material properties.

[0030] In the following description, relative terms such as "horizontal" or "vertical", "front", "back", "top", "bottom" are understood by reference to the common meaning that a person seated on a seat according to the invention would give them in a seated position.

[0031] Figures 1a and 1b show a seat 10 convertible into a bed comprising a seat 11 and a backrest 12 mounted on a frame 13. The frame 13 is intended to be mounted on rails in an aircraft cabin via of fastening means 15, such as plunger attachments. The seat 10 is advantageously provided with a kinematic mechanism allowing it to be mobile between a "seated position 11", in which the seat 10 is configured to define a seated position 11 of a passenger, and a "bed" position, in which the seat 10 is configured to define a substantially horizontal sleeping surface.

[0032] To this end, the backrest 12 is capable of pivoting around a horizontal axis perpendicular to an X-axis of the seat 10. The backrest 12 is thus movable between a raised position and a lowered position in which it extends in the same plane as the seat 11 to form, together with the seat 11, the sleeping surface. To ensure the movement of the various elements of the seat 10 from the seated position 11 to the bed position, the seat 10 includes an actuation system that moves the backrest 12 rearward and the seat 11 forward relative to the frame 13.

[0033] The seat 10 is equipped with a leg rest 16 mechanically linked to the seat 11 by means of a deployment system 17, allowing the leg rest 16 to move from a retracted to a deployed position. In the retracted position shown in Figure 1a, the leg rest 16 of the seat 10, in the seated position, points towards the ground. The leg rest forms an angle close to 90 degrees with the seat 11. In the deployed position shown in Figure 1b, the leg rest 16 extends into the plane of the seat 11 in order to maximize the sleeping surface area.

[0034] More specifically, as illustrated in Figure 2, the deployment system 17 comprises a first set of connecting rods 20.1 and a second set of connecting rods 20.2. The first set of connecting rods 20.1 comprises a first connecting rod 21.1 having a first end connected by a pivot joint to the seat 11 and a second end connected by a pivot joint to a first end of a second connecting rod 21.2 having a second end connected by a pivot joint to the leg rest 16.

[0035] The second set of connecting rods 20.2 includes a third connecting rod 21.3 having a first end connected by a pivot joint to the seat 11 and a second end connected by a pivot joint to a first end of a fourth connecting rod 21.4 having a second end connected by a pivot link to the leg rest 16.

[0036] The first connecting rod 21.1 further includes an intermediate connection point 23 connected by a pivot joint to an intermediate connection point 24 of the fourth connecting rod 21.4. The deployment system 17 is called a W-shaped connecting rod system. The connecting rods 21.1-21.4 describe a W-shape when viewed from the side. The connecting rod deployment system 17 allows the leg rest 16 of the seat 10 to deploy in an offset pivoting movement.

[0037] An electric actuator 27 is provided with a rod 28 connected near the intermediate connection point 23 of the first connecting rod 21.1. The rod 28 is movable in translation to move the leg rest 16 from one position to another.

[0038] The seat 10 further includes a cover device 31 shown in Figures 1a, 1b, 3, 4a-4c, 5 and 6, intended to cover the deployment system 17 of the leg rest 16. The cover device 31 comprises a seat cover 33, an intermediate cover 34 and a leg rest cover 35. The widths of the covers 33, 34, 35 are sufficient to cover the mechanical elements of the deployment system 17.

[0039] The seat cover 33 is fixed to the seat 11, specifically on one lateral face of the seat 11. The seat cover 33 consists of a thin plate generally shaped like an elongated quadrilateral. As can be seen in particular in Figure 3, the seat cover 33 has an edge 37 with through openings 36 allowing the passage of fasteners, such as screws, rivets, or any other fastener cooperating with a structural element of the seat 11. The edge 37 with the openings 36 is connected to the rest of the seat cover 33 by means of a folded portion 40, such that the edge 37 is located in a plane offset from the plane in which the rest of the seat cover 33 extends.

[0040] The intermediate hood 34 consists of a thin plate having an overall parallelogram shape with a notch in its upper edge.

[0041] The leg rest cover 35 is attached to the leg rest 16. The leg rest cover 35 consists of a thin plate with an overall trapezoidal shape. As can be seen in particular in Figures 3 and 5, the leg rest cover 35 has at least one mounting tab 44 with a through hole 47. A first nut 48 is fixed to one face of the mounting tab 44. The first nut 48 is designed to receive a screw 52 inserted into a mounting hole in the leg rest 16. In this case, the leg rest cover 35 has two mounting tabs 44 folded back from the rest of the leg rest cover 35 and each fitted with a corresponding first nut 48.

[0042] As illustrated in Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c, the intermediate cover 34 is mechanically linked to the seat cover 33 by a first pivot joint 38.1 and a sliding joint 39 along which the first pivot joint 38.1 can slide. The sliding joint 39 is straight. The leg rest cover 35 is mechanically linked to the intermediate cover 34 by a second pivot joint 38.2. Thus, the intermediate cover 34 and the leg rest cover 35 can follow the movement of the leg rest 16 from the retracted position to the deployed position, and vice versa. Indeed, the pivot joints 38.1 and 38.2, as well as the sliding joint 39, allow the intermediate cover 34 and the leg rest cover 35 to orient themselves correctly during the movement of the leg rest 16 from one position to another.

[0043] When the leg rest 35 is in the retracted position, the seat cover 33, the intermediate cover 34, and the leg rest cover 35 overlap each other such that the intermediate cover 34 is positioned behind the seat cover 33 and the leg rest cover 35 is positioned behind the intermediate cover 34, as shown in Figures 1a and 4a. There is thus at least one line perpendicular to the seat cover 33 passing through the intermediate cover 34 and the leg rest cover 35.

[0044] When the leg rest 35 is in the deployed position, the seat cover 33, the intermediate cover 34 and the leg rest cover are arranged next to each other so as to maximize the coverage area of ​​the deployment system 17. The cover device 31 thus has a telescopic operation during the movement of the leg rest 35 from the retracted position to the deployed position.

[0045] As can be seen in Figure 5, the sliding joint 39 has a guide plate 41 fixed to an inner face of the seat cover 33. The guide plate 41 has a guide groove 42 along which the first pivot joint 38.1 can slide. The guide plate 41 has two end edges fixed to the inner face of the seat cover 33, between which extends a central portion in which the guide groove 42 is formed. The central portion is slightly raised relative to the inner face of the seat cover 33. The guide plate 41 thus has a Q-shaped cross-section. The guide plate 41 can be fixed to the seat cover 33 by welding, bonding, riveting, or any other fastening technique suitable for the application.The guide plate 41 has a mounting opening 43 which opens on one side into the guide groove 42 and on the other side outwards from the guide groove 42 to allow the insertion of a portion of the first pivot joint 38.1 inside the guide groove 42.

[0046] As illustrated in Figures 5, 6, and 7a, the first pivot joint 38.1 comprises a shouldered spacer 45 and a retaining washer 46, between which are arranged an edge of the guide plate 42, defining the guide groove 42 and the intermediate cover 34. The shouldered spacer 45 and the retaining washer 46 can be assembled together by a screw-nut fastening system. A screw 49 penetrates a through-hole in the shouldered spacer 45 and a through-hole in the retaining washer 46 so as to cooperate with a second nut 50. On the side opposite the second nut 50, the shouldered spacer 45 may have a recess 51 having a shape complementary to the screw head. A washer can be interposed between the second nut 50 and the retaining washer 46.

[0047] The shouldered spacer 45 comprises a tubular portion 45.1 with a round cross-section, extended at its outer periphery by a flange 45.2 having an external diameter greater than that of the tubular portion 45.1. The retaining washer 46 has an external diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the flange 45.2. The flange 45.2 is intended to be inserted inside the mounting opening 43 so as to be located between the guide plate 41 and the seat cover 33. The tubular portion 45.1 inserted inside the guide groove 42 has a diameter substantially equal to the width of the guide groove 42 so as to be guided in translation within the guide groove 42. The tubular portion 45.1 is also inserted inside a correspondingly shaped through opening in the intermediate cover 34. The tubular portion 45.1 of the first pivot joint 38.1 thus forms an axis around which the intermediate hood 34 can rotate relative to the seat hood 10.

[0048] A friction washer 54 is positioned between the edge defining the guide groove 42 and the intermediate cover 34. The edge defining the guide groove 42, the retaining washer 46 and the intermediate cover 34 can be mounted with axial clearance between the retaining washer 46 and the flange 45.2. The shouldered spacer 45, the retaining washer 46 and the friction washer 54 can be made of a smooth material, in particular nylon or any other material suitable for the application.

[0049] As illustrated in Figures 5, 6, and 7b, the second pivot joint 38.2 comprises a shouldered spacer 45 and a retaining washer 46 between which the intermediate cover 34 and the leg rest cover 35 are arranged. As with the first pivot joint 38.1, the shouldered spacer 45 and the retaining washer 46 can be assembled together by a screw-nut fastening system. A screw 49 penetrates a through-hole in the shouldered spacer 45 and a through-hole in the retaining washer 46 so as to cooperate with a second nut 50. On the side opposite the second nut 50, the shouldered spacer 45 may have a recess 51 having a shape complementary to the screw head. A washer may be interposed between the second nut 50 and the retaining washer 46.

[0050] The shouldered spacer 45 comprises a tubular portion 45.1 of round cross-section extended at its outer periphery by a collar 45.2 having an external diameter greater than that of the tubular portion 45.1. The retaining washer 46 has an external diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the collar 45.2.

[0051] The tubular portion 45.1 is inserted inside a through opening in the intermediate hood 34 and a through opening in the leg rest hood 35. The tubular portion 45.1 of the second pivot joint 38.2 forms a pivot axis around which the intermediate hood 34 and the leg rest hood 35 can move in rotation relative to each other.

[0052] A friction washer 54 is interposed between the intermediate cover 34 and the leg rest cover 35. The intermediate cover 34, the retaining washer 46 and the leg rest cover 35 can be mounted with axial clearance between the retaining washer 46 and the flange 45.2. The shoulder spacer 45, the retaining washer 46 and the friction washer 54 can be made of a smooth material, in particular nylon or any other material suitable for the application.

[0053] Of course, the different features, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various ways as long as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0054] Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms, and other variations that a person skilled in the art may envision within the scope of the present invention, and in particular all combinations of the different modes of operation described above, which may be considered separately or in combination.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Seat (10) comprising: - a file (12), - a seat (11), and - a leg rest (16) mechanically linked to the seat (11) by means of a deployment system (17) allowing the leg rest (16) to move from a retracted position to a deployed position, characterized in that said seat (10) further comprises a cover device (31) intended to cover the deployment system (17) of the leg rest (16), said cover device (31) comprising: - a seat cover (33) fixed to the seat (11), an intermediate cover (34), and a leg rest cover (35) fixed to the leg rest (16), - the intermediate hood (34) being mechanically linked to the seat hood (33) by a first pivot joint (38.1) and a sliding joint (39) along which the first pivot joint (38.1) can slide , - the leg rest cover (35) being mechanically linked to the intermediate cover (34) by a second pivot link (38.2), so that the intermediate cover (34) and the leg rest cover (35) can follow a movement of the leg rest (16) passing from the retracted position to the deployed position, and vice versa.

2. Seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding joint (39) comprises a guide plate (41) fixed on an internal face of the seat cover (33), said guide plate (41) comprising a guide groove (42) along which the first pivot joint (38.1) can slide.

3. Seat according to claim 2, characterized in that the guide plate (41) has a mounting opening (43) opening into the guide groove (42) to allow the insertion of a portion of the first pivot joint (38.1) inside the guide groove (42).

4. Seat according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first pivot joint (38.1) comprises a shouldered spacer (45) and a retaining washer (46) between which are arranged an edge of the guide plate (42) delimiting the guide groove (42) and the intermediate cover (34).

5. Seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second pivot joint (38.2) comprises a shouldered spacer (45) and a retaining washer (46) between which are arranged the intermediate cover (34) and the leg rest cover (35).

6. Seat according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the seat cover (33) has an edge (37) provided with through openings (36) allowing the passage of fasteners, such as screws, rivets or any other.

7. Seat according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the leg rest cover (35) comprises at least one fixing tab (44) provided with a through hole (47) and a first nut (48) fixed on one face of the fixing tab (44), said first nut (48) being intended to receive a screw (52) inserted into a fixing hole of the leg rest (16).

8. Seat according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the deployment system (17) comprises a first set of connecting rods (20.1) and a second set of connecting rods (20.2), said first set of connecting rods (20.1) comprising a first connecting rod (21.1) having a first end connected by a pivot joint to the seat (11) and a second end connected by a pivot joint to a first end of a second connecting rod (21.2) comprising a second end connected by a pivot joint to the leg rest (16), said second set of connecting rods (20.2) comprising a third connecting rod (21.3) having a first end connected by a pivot joint to the seat (11) and a second end connected by a pivot joint to a first end of a fourth connecting rod (21.4) comprising a second end connected by a pivot joint to the leg rest (16).

9. Seat according to claim 8, characterized in that the first connecting rod (21.1) further comprises an intermediate connection point (23) connected by a pivot joint to an intermediate connection point (24) of the fourth connecting rod (21.4).

10. Seat according to claim 9, characterized in that the deployment system (17) comprises an electric actuator (27) provided with a rod (28) connected near the intermediate connection point (23) of the first connecting rod (21.1).

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