Cabin Attendant Seat Leg Rest With Nested Foot Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cabin attendant aircraft seats lack a leg rest with foot support that meets aviation guidelines, provides multi-position support for various body sizes, requires minimal training, and automatically retracts to prevent damage.

Innovation Solution

A leg rest assembly with a support cushion, translation arms, and bungee cords that allow for intuitive multi-position leg and foot support, automatically retracts when pressure is released, and is configured to align with seat pan frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a leg rest assembly is added to the aircraft seat, then leg and foot support is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleg and foot supportVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The foot support portion is nested within the leg rest assembly, with the foot support cushion containing a cavity that receives the user's foot. The translation sub-assembly is integrated within the support sub-assembly, with linear bearings nested within the guide rails. This nesting approach provides multiple support functions (leg support, foot support) while minimizing the overall space occupied and reducing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The leg rest assembly with foot support provides multiple functions: leg support through the support cushion, foot support through the foot support portion with cavity, and automatic retraction through the translation sub-assembly. This multi-functional design addresses various support needs (different body sizes, positions) while using an integrated structure that reduces the number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multi-position support is provided for various body sizes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-position supportVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The leg rest assembly is designed to be dynamically adjustable through the translation sub-assembly, which allows the support sub-assembly to move between a retracted position and an extended position. The linear bearings slide along the guide rails to enable smooth translation. This dynamic capability provides multi-position support for various body sizes and preferences without requiring multiple fixed structures or complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If automatic retraction is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic retractionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The translation sub-assembly is designed to automatically retract the support sub-assembly to the retracted position when the user removes their legs. The linear bearings slide back along the guide rails without requiring manual intervention or additional actuators. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable automatic retraction while using a relatively simple mechanical design that leverages the existing translation structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The leg rest assembly meets aviation standards, offers versatile support for different body sizes, requires minimal training, and automatically retracts to prevent damage, enhancing comfort and safety.

Implementation Method 1

The translation sub-assembly includes one or more bungee cords configured to translate the support sub-assembly between the first position and the one or more additional positions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4122829B1Cabin attendant aircraft seat leg rest with foot support
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 AMI IND INC
  • EP4122829B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4122829B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4122829B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A leg rest assembly (100) is disclosed. The assembly may include a support sub-assembly (102) configured to provide at least one of leg support or foot support. The support sub-assembly may include a panel (108) and a support cushion (104). The support cushion (104) may include a cavity (103) defined by one or more surfaces of the support cushion (104). The assembly may include a translation sub-assembly configured to translate the support sub-assembly (102). The translation sub-assembly may include one or more translation arms (110). The translation sub-assembly may include one or more guide rails (118). The translation sub-assembly may include one or more linear bearings (120) configured to engage with the one or more guide rails (118), the one or more linear bears slideable along a length of the one or more guide rails (118). The translation sub-assembly may include one or more translation devices (114) configured to translate the support sub-assembly (102) between a first position and one or more additional positions.