Convertible passenger seat assembly
US5775642A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 15, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 15, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/40
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A passenger seat assembly convertible between a two-seat configuration and a three-seat configuration, including a seat assembly base and first, second and third seats for carrying respective seat bottom and seat back cushions. The first and third seats defining outboard seats are moveable on the seat assembly base and the second seat defines a center seat carried in a fixed position on the seat assembly base. A gear drive is carried by the seat assembly base and interconnects the first and third seats for simultaneous movement relative to each other and to the second seat. The first and third seats move towards each other into the two-seat configuration wherein the first and third seats encroach upon the second seat and define a dead zone between the first and third seat. The first and third seats are moveable away from each other into the three-seat configuration wherein the second seat defines a center seat having the same seating width as the first and third seats. In an alternative embodiment, the gear drive connects only to the first seat, and the third seat is moved manually.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.