阅读说明：本技术 可重新配置以用于座位或储物的乘客座椅 (Passenger seat reconfigurable for seating or stowage ) 是由 洪扬林 格伦·A·约翰逊 查尔斯·马丁·汉松 于 2019-11-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种飞机乘客座椅,其包括分离的座椅靠背元件和座椅底部元件,这些元件配置为相对于间隔开的座椅元件可选择地定位以允许座椅按需用于座位或储物。乘客座椅可通过重新设置座椅靠背元件和座椅底部元件进行变换,以按需提供常规面向前的座位、具有纵向对齐并邻接座椅的面对面的座位或座椅储物装置。座椅靠背元件和座椅底部元件沿轨道组件移动,所述轨道组件沿诸如靠手组件的固定座椅元件的面向内的侧面固定。(An aircraft passenger seat includes separate seat back and seat bottom elements configured to be selectively positionable relative to spaced apart seat elements to allow the seat to be used for seating or stowage as desired. The passenger seat may be converted by repositioning the seat back element and the seat bottom element to provide a conventional forward facing seat, a face-to-face seat with longitudinally aligned and abutting seats, or a seat storage device, as desired. The seat back member and the seat bottom member move along a track assembly that is secured along an inwardly facing side of a stationary seat member, such as an armrest assembly.)

1. A convertible passenger seat, comprising:

spaced apart armrest assemblies;

a seat back configured to move along a track between the spaced arm assemblies between a first position near a rear end of the spaced arm assemblies and a second position near a front end of the spaced arm assemblies; and

a seat bottom configured to move orbitally between the spaced arm assemblies between a first position located between the spaced arm assemblies and a second position located at a forward end of the spaced arm assemblies;

wherein the first position of the seat back together with the first position of the seat bottom corresponds to a forward facing seat configuration, the second position of the seat back together with the first position of the seat bottom corresponds to a rearward facing seat configuration or a footrest configuration, and the second position of the seat back together with the second position of the seat bottom corresponds to a storage configuration.

2. The convertible passenger seat of claim 1, wherein the seat back is upright in each of the first and second positions of the seat back, the seat bottom is prone in the first position of the seat bottom, and the seat bottom is upright in the second position of the seat bottom.

3. The convertible passenger seat of claim 1, wherein the seat back and the seat bottom are separated to move independently between their respective first and second positions.

4. The convertible passenger seat of claim 1, further comprising a track assembly, the track assembly comprising:

a seat back guide track secured along an inwardly facing side of the spaced armrest assemblies, a seat back trunnion engaged in the seat back guide track moving along the seat back guide track as the seat back moves along the track between the first and second positions of the seat back; and

a seat bottom guide track secured along an inwardly facing side of the spaced armrest assemblies, the seat bottom trunnion engaged in the seat bottom guide track moving along the seat bottom guide track as the seat bottom moves along the track between the first and second positions of the seat bottom.

5. The convertible passenger seat of claim 4, wherein the seat back guide track is disposed above the seat bottom guide track spaced apart from the seat bottom guide track such that the seat back moves along the track above the seat bottom.

6. The convertible passenger seat of claim 4, further comprising a seat belt having opposite ends slidably engaged in the seat back guide track or the seat bottom guide track, the seat belt being usable as a seat belt or a securing strap in any combination of the first and second positions of the seat back and seat bottom.

7. The convertible passenger seat of claim 1, further comprising a seat back lock point on inward facing sides of the rearward and forward ends of the spaced armrest assemblies, wherein a seat back trunnion engages in the seat back lock point to lock the seat back in the first or second position of the seat back.

8. The convertible passenger seat of claim 1, further comprising a seat frame including a spaced apart spreader and a plurality of cross beams, wherein at least one of the plurality of cross beams is accessible as a tie down point for securing an item when the seat bottom and the seat back are each in the respective second positions.

9. The convertible passenger seat of claim 8, further comprising a base covering at least two of the cross members and configured to support an item placed on the base when at least the seat bottom is in the second position.

10. The convertible passenger seat of claim 1, further comprising a privacy baffle secured at a top of one of the spaced armrest assemblies, the privacy baffle extending upwardly to approximately a height of a top of the seatback and extending at least partially forwardly along a length of the one of the spaced armrest assemblies.

11. An aircraft passenger seating arrangement comprising:

first and second identical passenger seats disposed in spaced apart relation within the aircraft cabin, longitudinally aligned and facing in a common direction;

each of the first passenger seat and the second passenger seat includes:

a spaced armrest assembly;

a seat back configured to move along a track between the spaced armrest assemblies between a first position locked near a rear end of the spaced armrest assemblies and a second position locked near a front end of the spaced armrest assemblies; and

a seat bottom configured to move orbitally between the spaced armrest assemblies between a first position locked between the spaced armrest assemblies and a second position locked near a forward end of the spaced armrest assemblies;

wherein, with respect to the first passenger seat, the first position of the seat back together with the first position of the seat bottom corresponds to a forward facing seat configuration, the second position of the seat back together with the first position of the seat bottom corresponds to a rearward facing seat configuration facing the second passenger seat or a footrest configuration used by the second passenger seat, and the second position of the seat back together with the second position of the seat bottom corresponds to a stowage configuration of the first passenger seat.

12. The aircraft passenger seating arrangement of claim 11, wherein with respect to each of the first and second passenger seats, the seat back is upright in each of the first and second positions of the seat back, the seat bottom is prone in the first position of the seat bottom, and the seat bottom is upright in the second position of the seat bottom.

13. The aircraft passenger seating arrangement of claim 11, wherein, with respect to each of the first and second passenger seats, the seat back and seat bottom are separated to move independently between their respective first and second positions.

14. The aircraft passenger seating arrangement of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second passenger seats further comprises a track assembly comprising:

a seat back guide track secured along an inwardly facing side of the spaced armrest assemblies, a seat back trunnion engaged in the seat back guide track moving along the seat back guide track as the seat back moves along the track between the first and second positions of the seat back; and

a seat bottom guide track secured along an inwardly facing side of the spaced armrest assemblies, the seat bottom trunnion engaged in the seat bottom guide track moving along the seat bottom guide track as the seat bottom moves along the track between the first and second positions of the seat bottom.

15. The aircraft passenger seating arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the seat back guide track is disposed above the seat bottom guide track such that the seat back moves along the track above the seat bottom.

16. The aircraft passenger seating arrangement of claim 14, wherein each of the first and second passenger seats further comprises a seat belt having opposite ends slidably engaged in the seat back guide track or the seat bottom guide track, the seat belt being usable as a seat belt or a harness in any combination of the first and second positions of the seat back and seat bottom.

17. The aircraft passenger seating arrangement of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second passenger seats further comprises a seat frame including a spaced apart spreader and a plurality of cross beams, wherein at least one of the plurality of cross beams is accessible as a restraint point for securing an item when the seat bottom and seat back are each in the respective second positions.

18. The aircraft passenger seating arrangement of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second passenger seats further comprises a privacy screen secured at a top of one of the spaced armrest assemblies, the privacy screen extending upwardly to approximately a height of a top of a seatback and at least partially forwardly along a length of the armrest assembly of the spaced armrest assemblies.

19. A passenger seat reconfigurable for seating or storage, comprising:

fixed seat elements disposed in spaced apart relation;

a seat back supported between the fixed seat elements, the seat back configured to move along a track between a first position locked near a rear end of the fixed seat elements and a second position locked near a front end of the fixed seat elements; and

a seat bottom supported between the fixed seat elements, the seat bottom configured to move along a track between a first position secured between the fixed seat elements and a second position secured at a forward end of the fixed seat elements;

wherein the seat back remains upright when the seat back moves along the track between the first and second positions of the seat back;

wherein the seat-bottom transitions from a prone position to an upright position when the seat-bottom moves from the first position of the seat-bottom to the second position along the track; and

wherein the first position of the seat back together with the first position of the seat bottom corresponds to a forward facing seat configuration, the second position of the seat back together with the first position of the seat bottom corresponds to a rearward facing seat configuration or a footrest configuration, and the second position of the seat back together with the second position of the seat bottom corresponds to a stowage configuration.

20. The passenger seat of claim 19, further comprising a track assembly, the track assembly comprising:

a seat back guide track secured along an inwardly facing side of the fixed seat element, a seat back trunnion engaged in the seat back guide track moving along the seat back guide track as the seat back moves along the track between a first position and a second position of the seat back; and

a seat bottom guide track secured along an inwardly facing side of the stationary seat member, the seat bottom trunnion engaged in the seat bottom guide track moving along the seat bottom guide track as the seat bottom moves along the track between the first and second positions of the seat bottom;

wherein the seat back guide track is disposed above the seat bottom guide track spaced apart from the seat bottom guide track such that movement of the seat back is decoupled from movement of the seat bottom and the seat back moves along the track above the seat bottom.

Technical Field

The present application relates to a passenger seat that is reconfigurable for seating or stowage.

Background

Conventional passenger seats, such as aircraft passenger seats, are configured to seat in one orientation and cannot be reconfigured for other purposes. Conventional seating structures typically include a seat back, wherein the rearward inclination is determined by the seat pitch. For example, due to the short seat pitch, the rearward facing tilt of the seat back of the basic economy class seat is limited to a small rearward facing tilt, while the rearward facing tilt of the seat back of the premium economy class seat with a larger row pitch may be greater. In either of these seats, the bottom end of the seat back is fixed in position relative to the seat frame, although the seat back may pivot to tilt backwards and forwards. Similar to the seat back, the rear end of the seat bottom is also fixed in position relative to the seat frame, although the front end of the seat bottom may be slightly angled as the back of the seat back is tilted rearward to improve comfort during flight.

In some cases, the seat may be free. In these cases, it may be desirable to use the chair for purposes other than seating. Given the limited amount of storage under the chairs of economy and premium economy class seats, and the limited storage space in the hanging box, it may be desirable to use free chairs to store large items, pet cages, pets, and the like. In other cases, passengers traveling together may be seated in longitudinally adjacent seats. In these situations, passengers may desire to talk to each other face-to-face during a flight. In other cases, the vacant seats can be used to expand the seating area of longitudinally adjacent seats, both to improve the comfort of the traveling passengers, and to compensate for lost revenue for the carriers for the vacant seats. While such alternative use for passenger seats is desirable, conventional seat structures do not allow for such a configuration.

Accordingly, there is a need for a seat configuration in which the seat back element and the seat bottom element can be selectively repositioned to allow the passenger seat to be used for non-conventional seating or stowage as desired. The desired passenger seat configuration may be transformed by repositioning one or more of the seat back element and the seat bottom element to provide a conventional front facing seat, a face-to-face seat with longitudinally aligned and abutting seats, or a seat stowage, as desired.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein relate to a convertible passenger seat comprising: spaced apart armrest assemblies; a seat back configured to move along a track between the spaced apart armrest assemblies between a first position near a rear end of the spaced apart armrest assemblies and a second position near a front end of the spaced apart armrest assemblies; and a seat bottom configured to move along the track between the spaced apart armrest assemblies between a first position located between the spaced apart armrest assemblies and a second position located at a forward end of the spaced apart armrest assemblies, wherein the first position of the seat back and the first position of the seat bottom together correspond to a forward facing seat configuration, the second position of the seat back and the first position of the seat bottom together correspond to a rearward facing seat configuration or a footrest configuration, and the second position of the seat back and the second position of the seat bottom together correspond to a stowage configuration.

In some embodiments, the seat back may be upright in each of the first and second positions of the seat back, the seat bottom may be prone in the first position of the seat bottom, and the seat bottom may be upright in the second position of the seat bottom.

In some embodiments, the seat back and the seat bottom may be separable to independently move between their respective first and second positions.

In some embodiments, the passenger seat may further comprise a track assembly comprising: a seat back guide track secured along an inwardly facing side of the spaced apart armrest assemblies, a seat back trunnion engaged in the seat back guide track moving along the seat back guide track as the seat back moves along the track between the first and second positions of the seat back; and a seat bottom guide track secured along the inwardly facing side of the spaced armrest assemblies, the seat bottom trunnion engaged in the seat bottom guide track moving along the seat bottom guide track as the seat bottom moves along the track between the first and second positions of the seat bottom.

In some embodiments, the seat back guide track may be disposed above the seat bottom guide track spaced apart from the seat bottom guide track such that the seat back moves along the track above the seat bottom.

In some embodiments, the passenger seat may include a seat belt having opposite ends slidably engaged in the seat back guide track or the seat bottom guide track, the seat belt being usable as a seat belt or harness in any combination of the first and second positions of the seat back and seat bottom.

In some embodiments, the passenger seat may include a seat back lock point on inward facing sides of the rear and front ends of the spaced apart armrest assemblies, wherein the seat back trunnion engages in the seat back lock point to lock the seat back in the first or second position of the seat back.

In some embodiments, the passenger seat may comprise a seat frame comprising a spaced apart spreader and a plurality of cross beams, wherein at least one of the plurality of cross beams is accessible as a restraint point for securing an item when the seat bottom and the seat back are each in the respective second positions.

In some embodiments, the passenger seat may include a base covering at least two of the cross beams and for supporting an item placed on the base when at least the seat bottom is in the second position.

In some embodiments, the passenger seat may include a privacy screen secured to a top of one of the spaced armrest assemblies, and the privacy screen extends upwardly to approximately a height of a top of the seatback and at least partially forwardly along a length of the one of the spaced armrest assemblies.

In another aspect, the inventive concepts disclosed herein relate to an aircraft passenger seat arrangement that includes identical first and second passenger seats that are spaced apart, longitudinally aligned, and facing in a common direction within an aircraft cabin. Each of the first passenger seat and the second passenger seat includes spaced apart armrest assemblies; a seat back configured to move along a track between the spaced armrest assemblies between a first position locked near a rear end of the spaced armrest assemblies and a second position locked near a front end of the spaced armrest assemblies; and a seat bottom configured to move along the track between the spaced armrest assemblies between a first position locked between the spaced armrest assemblies and a second position locked near a front end of the spaced armrest assemblies. With respect to the first passenger seat, the first position of the seat back and the first position of the seat bottom together correspond to a forward facing seat configuration, the second position of the seat back and the first position of the seat bottom together correspond to a rearward facing seat configuration facing the second passenger seat or a footrest configuration used by the second passenger seat, and the second position of the seat back and the second position of the seat bottom together correspond to a stowage configuration of the first passenger seat.

In some embodiments, with respect to each of the first and second passenger seats, the seat back may be upright in each of the first and second positions of the seat back, the seat bottom may be prone in the first position of the seat bottom, and the seat bottom may be upright in the second position of the seat bottom.

In some embodiments, with respect to each of the first and second passenger seats, the seat back and the seat bottom may be separable to move independently between their respective first and second positions.

In some embodiments, each of the first passenger seat and the second passenger seat may further comprise a track assembly comprising: a seat back guide track secured along an inwardly facing side of the spaced apart armrest assemblies, a seat back trunnion engaged in the seat back guide track moving along the seat back guide track as the seat back moves along the track between the first and second positions of the seat back; and a seat bottom guide track secured along the inwardly facing side of the spaced armrest assemblies, the seat bottom trunnion engaged in the seat bottom guide track moving along the seat bottom guide track as the seat bottom moves along the track between the first and second positions of the seat bottom.

In some embodiments, the seat back guide track may be disposed above the seat bottom guide track such that the seat back moves along the track above the seat bottom.

In some embodiments, each of the first and second passenger seats may further comprise a seat belt having opposite ends slidably engaged in the seat back guide track or the seat bottom guide track, the seat belt being usable as a seat belt or a harness in any combination of the first and second positions of the seat back and seat bottom.

In some embodiments, each of the first passenger seat and the second passenger seat may further comprise a seat frame comprising a spaced apart spreader and a plurality of cross beams, wherein at least one of the plurality of cross beams is accessible as a tie-down point for securing an item when the seat bottom and the seat back are each in the respective second positions.

In some embodiments, each of the first and second passenger seats may further include a privacy screen secured to a top of one of the spaced armrest assemblies, and the privacy screen extends upwardly to approximately a height of a top of the seatback and extends at least partially forwardly along a length of the one of the spaced armrest assemblies.

In another aspect, the inventive concepts disclosed herein relate to a passenger seat reconfigurable for seating or storage, comprising: fixed seat elements disposed in spaced apart relation; a seat back supported between the fixed seat elements, the seat back configured to move along a track between a first position locked near a rear end of the fixed seat elements and a second position locked near a front end of the fixed seat elements; and a seat bottom supported between the fixed seat elements, the seat bottom configured to move along the track between a first position secured between the fixed seat elements and a second position secured at a forward end of the fixed seat elements, wherein the seat back remains upright when the seat back moves along the track between the first and second positions of the seat back; the seat bottom transitions from a prone position to an upright position when the seat bottom moves from a first position of the seat bottom along the track to a second position; and wherein the first position of the seat back and the first position of the seat bottom together correspond to a forward facing seat configuration, the second position of the seat back and the first position of the seat bottom together correspond to a rearward facing seat configuration or a footrest configuration, and the second position of the seat back and the second position of the seat bottom together correspond to a stowage configuration.

In some embodiments, the passenger seat may include: a seat back guide track secured along an inwardly facing side of the fixed seat element, the seat back trunnion engaged in the seat back guide track moving along the seat back guide track as the seat back moves along the track between the first and second positions of the seat back; and a seat bottom guide track secured along the inwardly facing side of the fixed seat element, the seat bottom trunnion engaged in the seat bottom guide track moving along the seat bottom guide track as the seat bottom moves along the track between the first and second positions of the seat bottom, wherein the seat back guide track is disposed above the seat bottom guide track in spaced relation thereto such that movement of the seat back is decoupled from movement of the seat bottom and the seat back moves along the track above the seat bottom.

Embodiments of aspects of the invention can include one or more or any combination of the above aspects, features and configurations.

Drawings

Embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be better understood when considered in conjunction with the following detailed description. Such description refers to the included drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be exaggerated and some features may be omitted or may be schematically represented for clarity. Like reference numbers in the figures may indicate and refer to the same or similar elements, features, or functions. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of two similar longitudinally aligned passenger seats reconfigurable for seating or stowage according to inventive aspects disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the passenger seat of FIG. 1, showing the left seat reconfigured as a rear facing seat or a footrest for use with the right seat;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of one of the passenger seats of FIG. 1, showing the seat back moving along the track from a first position;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the passenger seat of FIG. 3, showing the seat back moved to a second position along the track;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of one of the passenger seats of FIG. 1, showing the seat bottom moved along the track to a second position;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the passenger seat of FIG. 5, showing the seat bottom moved along the track to a second position;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of one of the passenger seats of FIG. 1, showing each of the seat back and seat bottom in a respective first position for a forward facing seat;

FIG. 8 is a partial front perspective view of one of the passenger seats of FIG. 1, showing the seat back and seat bottom guide rails and the seat belt moving along the rails; and

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the passenger seat of FIG. 1, showing the seat on the left reconfigured for storage of bulky items.

Detailed Description

The inventive concept is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments. The inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the representative embodiments set forth herein.

In some instances, for example, during full flight or during taxi, takeoff and landing (TTO L), it may be desirable to configure each passenger seat as a forward facing seat.

Reconfigurable passenger seats for aircraft or other vehicles, and passenger seating arrangements including two or more similar reconfigurable passenger seats, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a cabin configuration according to an inventive aspect may include at least two similar first and second passenger seats facing a common direction and aligned longitudinally. The at least two seats may be forward facing and parallel to the longitudinal aircraft axis, rearward facing and parallel to the longitudinal aircraft axis, generally forward facing a window or aisle and angled to the longitudinal aircraft axis, or generally rearward facing a window or aisle and angled to the longitudinal aircraft axis. In another cabin configuration, the seating arrangement includes a plurality of similar passenger seats arranged in rows and columns of laterally and longitudinally aligned passenger seats, respectively. In the former and latter cabin configurations, for each pair of longitudinally adjacent passenger seats, each "front" seat can be reconfigured to face rearward, to be reconfigurable as a footrest, or to be reconfigurable for object storage, while each "rear" seat can be reconfigured for object storage. Other seating configurations including passenger seats according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein are contemplated and the present disclosure does not limit the cabin seating arrangement to any particular configuration.

Referring to fig. 1, two identical first and second reconfigurable or convertible passenger seats are shown generally at 20 and 22. The first passenger seat 20 and the second passenger seat 22 are identical to facilitate use and uniformity of the universal seat structure in the passenger compartment. The passenger seat may be, for example, an premium economy class passenger seat. Each passenger seat 20, 22 generally includes a seat back 24 and a seat bottom 26 disposed between a pair of spaced apart seat elements, such as an armrest assembly or armrest assembly, generally indicated at 28. The seat back 24 and the seat bottom 26 are each coupled to spaced apart seat elements to support the respective seat back and seat bottom along two sides. Each passenger seat 20, 22 may optionally include a leg rest. The headrest 32 may be part of the seat back 24 or may be separate from and adjustable relative to the seat back. As discussed in detail below, each passenger seat 20, 22 also includes a seat base or base frame 34.

Each of the passenger seats 20, 22 is shown with a respective seat back 24 and seat bottom 26 in a first position corresponding to a forward facing seat configuration, where the term "forward" is associated with the seat structure and not necessarily with the direction of aircraft flight, the seat back 24 is configured to move along a track between spaced apart armrest assemblies 28, a first position near rear ends 36 of the spaced apart armrest assemblies, and a second position near front ends 38 of the spaced apart armrest assemblies, the seat bottom 26 is also configured to move along a track between the spaced apart armrest assemblies 28, a first position between the spaced apart armrest assemblies, and a second position at the front ends 38 of the spaced apart armrest assemblies fig. 1 shows, for each passenger seat 20, 22, a first position of the seat back 23 and a first position of the seat bottom 26 corresponding to a forward facing seat configuration (e.g., a forward facing and upright sitting position for TTO L).

Referring to fig. 2, the left or "front" passenger seat 20 is shown reconfigured or converted to a rear facing seat configuration or ottoman configuration. As shown, the seat back 24 moves along the track to a second position near the front end 38 of the armrest assembly 28 while the seat bottom 26 remains in the first position. Thus, the second position of the seat back 24 and the first position of the seat bottom 26 together correspond to a rearward facing seat configuration or a footrest configuration. As a rear facing seat, a passenger can sit on the seat bottom 26 and back on the back side of the seat back 26 to allow a face-to-face conversation with the longitudinally adjacent "rear" passenger seat 22. In the footrest configuration, a passenger seated in the "rear" passenger seat 22 can use the seat bottom 26 of the "front" passenger seat 20 as a footrest to improve comfort and expand passenger usage space.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the seat back 24 remains upright as it moves along the track between the first and second positions. The seat back 24 and the seat bottom 26 are separated such that they move independently between respective first and second positions. By unlocking the seat back 24 from the first position and moving the seat back to the second position, the seat back can be moved from the first position shown in fig. 3 corresponding to a forward facing seat configuration to the second position shown in fig. 4 corresponding to a rearward facing seat configuration. The movement may be manual by pushing or automatic by a braking system operable to actuate the seat control. The seat back 24 is locked in each of the first and second positions while maintaining the ability to recline from upright in the first position. In some embodiments, seat back lock points 40 are provided on the inward facing sides of the rearward and forward ends of the spaced armrest assemblies 28, wherein seat back trunnions, for example, engage in the seat back lock points to lock the seat back in the first or second position of the seat back. In other embodiments, the seat back lock point 40 may include trunnions disposed on the inward facing sides of the front and rear ends of the spaced apart armrest assemblies 28, the trunnions engaging in elongated tracks on opposite sides of the seat back, the length of the elongated tracks determining the amount of movement permitted by the seat back and, therefore, the amount of rearward tilt of the seat back. Other types of locking points than those mentioned may be used to lock the seat back in each of its first and second positions.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6, with the seat back 24 moved to and locked at the second position near the front end 38 of the armrest assembly 28, the seat bottom 26 moves along the track from the first position (shown in fig. 4) to the second position (shown in fig. 5) and eventually to the second position (shown in fig. 6). However, as the seat back 24 moves along the rails between the first and second positions, the seat back remains substantially upright while the seat bottom 26 transitions from the prone position to the upright position from the first position to the second position and from the upright position to the prone position from the second position to the first position. As shown, the seat bottom 26 moves along a track beneath the seat back 24 such that the seat bottom can remain in the first position as the seat back moves along the track between the first and second positions to provide a forward facing seat or a rearward facing seat. In some embodiments, the seat bottom 26 may be moved horizontally along the track to a stop point and rotated up or down to stow (as shown in fig. 6).

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, one of the passenger seats 20 is shown with each of the seat back 24 and the seat bottom 26 in a respective first position corresponding to a forward facing seating configuration. The armrest assembly 28 may be located at the top of a seat frame 42 that includes spaced apart left-hand and right-hand spreaders 44, 46 interconnected by a plurality of cross beams. In some embodiments, the passenger seat 20 may include a privacy screen 50 disposed atop one of the armrest assemblies 28. The privacy screen 50 may be secured to the top of the armrest assembly 28 and extend upwardly to approximately the height of the top of the seat back 24 and at least partially forwardly along the length of the armrest assembly. The privacy screen 50 improves privacy between laterally adjacent passenger seats and may be used to provide a data pocket, personal electronic device storage, seat controls, lighting, and other amenities for serving a seated passenger. The privacy screen 50 may be fixed or may be convertible between a stowed position and a deployed position, for example, by sliding along tracks on top of the armrest assembly 28.

Referring to fig. 8, each passenger seat 20 also includes a track assembly 52 that generally includes a seat back guide track 54 and a seat bottom guide track 56. Seat back guide tracks along which seat back trunnions engaged therein move as the seat back 24 moves along the tracks between the first and second positions of the seat back are secured along the inwardly facing sides of the spaced apart armrest assemblies 28. Seat bottom guide rails along which seat bottom trunnions engaged therein move as the seat bottom 26 moves along the rails between the first and second positions of the seat bottom are secured along the inwardly facing sides of the spaced armrest assemblies 28. The seat back guide track 54 is disposed above the seat bottom guide track 56 in spaced relation thereto such that the seat back 24 moves along the track above the seat bottom 26 to allow the seat bottom to remain in the first position as the seat back moves along the track between first and second positions for forward and rearward facing seats, respectively. In some embodiments, each of the seat back guide rails 54 and the seat bottom guide rails 56 are elongated linear rails having a length that determines the amount of movement of the respective seat back 24 and seat bottom 26. In some embodiments, the guide rails 54, 56, which are disposed in pairs, are symmetrically arranged about the armrest assembly 28 to stably support the seating elements moving along the rails while maintaining a square shape.

Each passenger seat 20 also includes a seat belt 58. In some examples, the seat belt 58 is provided as two separate portions including a first portion 60 and a second portion 62. The first portion 60 terminates at one end in a buckle 64 and the second portion 62 terminates at one end in a tongue 66 which is removably engaged in the buckle. One or both of the first and second portions 60, 62 may include adjustable length straps. Each of the first and second portions 60, 62 is anchored to one of the seat back guide rails 54 or the seat bottom guide rails 56. As shown, the first and second seatbelts 60, 62 are slidably engaged to move along the seat bottom guide track 56 such that the seatbelts 58 can function as seatbelts in each of the forward facing seat configuration and the rearward facing seat configuration. In addition to serving as occupant restraint, the seat belt 58 can also serve as a securing strap for items when each of the seat back 24 and the seat bottom 26 are in the respective second positions and items are stored between the armrest assemblies 28. The seat belt portions 60, 62 may be manually moved along the seat bottom guide track 56 and engaged into the track behind the seat bottom 26 engaged in the track to allow the seat bottom to move freely without interference from the seat belt 58. The seat belt 58 may be used as a seat belt or harness in any combination of the first and second positions of the seat back 24 and seat bottom 26.

The seat frame 42 includes spaced apart left and right hand spreaders 44, 46 and a plurality of cross beams 48. in some embodiments, the plurality of cross beams 48 includes two spaced apart bottom beams 68, 70 and a third beam 72 disposed on a forward one of the bottom beams in some embodiments, the cross beams 48 are arranged in an L pattern wherein the cross beams are disposed substantially outside the space between the armrest assemblies 28 to maximize the space under the seat and accommodate large items secured in the space. when the seat bottom 26 and the seat back 24 are each in the respective second positions, at least one of the plurality of cross beams is accessible as a tie-down point (tie-down point) for securing items. in some embodiments, the base 74 covers at least the two bottom beams 68, 70 and supports items placed thereon when at least the seat bottom 76 is in the second position.

Referring to fig. 9, the front passenger seat 20 is shown with each of the seat back 24 and the seat bottom 26 fully in their respective second positions. This arrangement substantially frees up space between the spaced apart armrest assemblies 28 to accommodate large items such as sporting equipment, musical instruments, pet cages, and the like. The vacated space can also be used to accommodate pets traveling with the passenger in the rear passenger seat 22. In some embodiments, the seat bottom 26 in the respective second position may be rotated upward to rest against the front of the seat back 24 and may be secured in place with a strap or the like.

Among other benefits, benefits of the reconfigurable passenger seat embodiments disclosed herein include the ability to achieve a face-to-face seating arrangement and more storage space for items. Reconfigurable seats also allow airlines to sell unused seats, and passenger seats can be changed as needed during flight. The unused locking point can also be used as a tie down for securing an item.

The foregoing description provides embodiments of the present invention by way of example only. It is contemplated that other embodiments may perform similar functions and/or achieve similar results. Any and all such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the appended claims.