Vehicle seat

[0001] This application is a Divisional of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/076,972, filed on May 13, 1998, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference and for which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. 120; and this application claims priority of Application No. 9716964.3 filed in the United Kingdom on Aug. 9, 1997 under 35 U.S.C. 119.

[0002] The present invention relates to the provision of enhanced facilities to passengers using vehicle seats. In particular, the invention concerns an advantageous vehicle seat having an articulated table and a cover therefore.

[0003] This invention is concerned with a vehicle seat of the type that supports a table for articulation between a stowed position and an extended position in which a surface of the table projects generally horizontally from an integral part of the seat. This type of seat is commonly used in passenger aircraft but can also be used in other vehicles such as, for example, coaches, buses, hovercraft, trains and ships. The primary objective of such vehicle seats is to provide a table surface which can either be stowed away to give the passenger optimum space whilst seated, or can be swiftly articulated to position the table surface immediately in front of the seated passenger. Such tables are typically used to support food trays and drinks and to serve generally as a desk. They are usually moved between their stowed and extended position several times during a journey. Examples of vehicle seats which support a table for articulation between a stowed position and an extended position in which a surface of the table projects generally horizontally from an integral part of the seat are taught, for example, by U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,374, U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,071, U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,116 and by UK Patent 1,600,744.

[0004] Various mechanisms are well-known for attaching such tables to the associated vehicle seat and these do not form part of the present invention. However many of such attachments fall into the following two categories.

[0005] In the first category the table is supported by the mechanism from the seat back immediately in front of the passenger such that, when in the extended position, the table surface will extend backwards from the seat back (that is, rearwards over the passenger's legs), a first edge of the table being directed towards the rear of the seat back in front of the passenger, and a second edge of the table, parallel-spaced from the first edge, being directed away from the rear of the seat back towards the passenger. When the table is stowed into the rear of the seat back, the support mechanism tilts the table until its surface is flush with the rear of the seat back and is consequently no longer horizontal. This tilting movement results in the second edge being positioned generally above the first edge, and any item left on the table surface will be tipped forward into the gap between the table surface and the rear of the seat back in front of the passenger.

[0006] In the second category the table is supported by the mechanism from an arm of the seat occupied by the passenger such that, when in the extended position, the table surface will extend laterally away from the seat arm (that is, across the passenger's legs), a first edge of the table being positioned adjacent the seat arm and a second edge of the table, parallel-spaced from the first edge, being directed away from the seat arm. When the table is stowed into the seat arm, the support mechanism tilts the table until the second edge is positioned generally adjacent the seat arm. Any item left on the table surface will be tipped sideways either over the adjacent passenger or aisle, or into the cavity for receiving the stowed table. Tables of this second category are frequently formed as two substantially equal leaves interconnected by a hinge having an axis parallel-spaced between the first and second edges. When the table is stowed, the two leaves are folded together prior to insertion into the cavity in the seat arm. With this arrangement, any item left on the table surface will be crushed between the table leaves.

[0007] According to the present invention a vehicle seat has a mechanism supporting a table for articulation between a stowed position and an extended position in which a surface of the table extends generally horizontally from an integral part of the seat, a cover overlies the table surface, and the cover is detachably secured to the table in a manner that will allow the table to be moved to the stowed position and back to the extended position without damaging the cover. Hitherto, covers have not been used on such tables because they would slide about on the table surface when extended, and would need to be removed every time the table was stowed away. The present invention therefore enables a cover to be temporarily fixed to the table in a manner that ensures the cover will remain in place throughout the journey, irrespective of the movement of the table between its extended and stowed positions. At the end of the journey the cover can also be simply replaced if it is soiled or needs to be replaced with a different cover. By enabling a detachable cover to be fixed to this kind of table, a substantial new range of services can be made available to the passenger, and a new range of promotional options are available to the vehicle operator.

[0008] The manner in which the cover is detachably secured to the table, to permit movement between its stowed and extended positions without damaging the cover, depends on the way the table articulates between its stowed and articulated positions.

[0009] In the case where the table is supported by the mechanism from the seat back such that, in the extended position the table surface will project backwards from the rear of the seat back with a first edge directed towards the rear of the seat back and with a second edge parallel-spaced from the first edge directed away from the rear of the seat back, and in the stowed position the second edge will be positioned generally above the first edge, the cover should be detachably secured to the table adjacent the second edge. In this manner, when the table is moved to its stowed position, the cover will be suspended by its attachment to the second edge and will remain in position relative to the table surface until the table is returned to its extended position. Attaching the cover to the table adjacent the second edge also serves to protect the edge of the cover immediately adjacent the passenger from being rubbed off the table by contact with the passengers body.

[0010] On the other hand, in the case where the table is supported by the mechanism from an arm of the seat such that, in the extended position the table surface will project laterally away from the seat arm with a first edge positioned adjacent the seat arm and with a second edge parallel-spaced from to the first edge and directed away from the seat arm, and in the stowed position the second edge will be positioned generally adjacent the seat arm, the cover should be detachably secured to the table adjacent the second edge. In this manner the cover will again be suspended from the second edge as the table is tilted sideways towards its stowed position. There is also a third edge of the table surface orientated at right angles to both the first and second edges and directed towards the front of the seat back; that is towards the passenger. In the stowed position this third edge will be positioned generally within the seat arm. The cover may also be detachably secured to the table adjacent this third edge to ensure that it will not catch on the seat arm as the table is moved towards its stowed position. Tables that are stowed in a seat arm are often constructed from two leaves which are hinged for folding about an axis parallel-spaced between the first and second axes. With such tables the cover will essentially be folded between the leaves as it is moved to the stowed position. In such cases it may be desirable either to split the cover into two parts. One for each leaf, or to provide extra areas of attachment to ensure that the cover will be unfolded to be substantially flat when the table is next extended.

[0011] The cover is preferably detachably secured to the table by a releasable adhesive carried by the cover. Such adhesive is preferably positioned adjacent an edge of the cover that will be adjacent the appropriate edge of the table. The adhesive is preferably arranged as a strip extending substantially across the underside of the cover, but may instead be arranged as a series of discrete areas. The adhesive may also be carried by such other areas of the cover as may be appropriate to keep the cover undamaged as the table is stowed, and to ensure that the cover is correctly positioned over the table as it is extended. These areas of adhesive would desirably be applied to the cover during its manufacture and be protected by a pull-off strip that would be removed immediately prior to the cover being mounted on its table. The covers may be manufactured as pads with each cover serving as the pull-off strip for the adjacent cover in the pad.

[0012] Alternatively the cover may be detachably secured to the table by a releasable clip means carried by the table. This clip means is preferably arranged adjacent the second edge of the table, but may be arranged adjacent one or more other edges of the table. The clip means can be of any convenient construction but is preferably made as part of the table edge. It may include a strip that is carried by the table and extends substantially across the table next to its second edge, the strip being arranged so that the appropriate edge of the cover will be trapped between the strip and the table. For instance, an aperture for the insertion of an edge of the cover could be defined between the strip and the surface of the table, the strip being biased towards the table surface to grip the edge of an inserted cover.

[0013] In the case where the table defines a depression for locating a drinking vessel, the cover can be formed to permit such use of the depression despite the fitting of the cover. This is achieved by shaping the cover to allow a drinking vessel to be located by the depression. This may be achieved, for instance, by forming the cover with an aperture that will overlie the depression when the cover is correctly aligned with the table. This aperture may be formed by a press-out portion of the cover, and this press-out portion may then be detachably secured in the depression. Alternatively, the cover may be formed with a portion that is distorted into the depression; for instance the distorted portion may be connected to the cover by an array of integral spiral strips. Alternatively, the cover may be formed, for instance by moulding or pressing, to have a portion that fits into the depression, The latter arrangement may also be used to ensure correct alignment of the cover with the table surface.

[0014] Each cover is an essential element of the invention and comprises a sheet of material having a profile suitable for the size and shape of the table, an upper face that will be visible when the table is in its extended position, and a lower face that will be supported by the table surface when the table is in its extended position. The covers are very preferably made from a material that is fire-retardant or fire-proof, or from a laminated sheet having such properties. This lamination may include a photograph which extends over the upper face and is protected by with a transparent sealing layer which preferably provides a non-slip surface. The covers may be supplied singly, or in pads with successive covers being temporarily secured face-to-face by the adhesive areas that will be used to secure each of them to its table surface.

[0015] The provision of readily removable covers for such table tops opens a wide range of options attractive both to the passenger and to the vehicle operator.

[0016] Insofar as the passenger is concerned, the cover will define a clean surface to his table, can enhance fire protection, and can bear printed matter of interest to him. For instance, it could be an in-flight programme, a crossword or other puzzle, information about his destination or other reading matter.

[0017] Insofar as the operator is concerned, the cover will enable the decor of the table to be changed rapidly and will simplify the cleaning of the tables between flights. The covers also open up the possibility of customising each seat for each journey. This could be at the level of identifying those seats booked through a particular tour operator thereby helping to identify those seats reserved for a group of travellers whilst providing publicity for the tour operator and the potential of providing information about the destination or local services. It could even be at a personal level identifying the passenger for whom the seat has been reserved and including appropriate personal messages or information.

[0018] The covers could also be formed as pads each comprising a set of covers interconnected along a common edge. In this manner the entire pad would be detachably secured to the table so that the passenger can view any of the cover sheets. Such sheets could include the passenger safety details and a variety of topics to distract or entertain the passenger during the journey.

[0019] Any of the covers could also bear information by way of advertisement or sponsorship and in this form could raise extra revenue to the vehicle operator or tour operator, or a discount to passengers.

[0020] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of part of a vehicle seat showing a table in its extended position;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a plan view, to a larger scale, of one form of cover;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a scrap section on the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

[0023] FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 2 but illustrates another form of cover;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a scrap section on the line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

[0025] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but illustrating a modification;

[0026] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the cover secured to the table by a clip;

[0027] FIG. 8 is an enlarged section along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7; and

[0028] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but showing an alternative form of clip means.

[0029] With reference to FIG. 1, a vehicle seat 10 includes a seat back 11 supported from the vehicle floor by unshown frames and an unshown seat squab. A table 12 is supported from the rear 13 of the seat back by a mechanism 14 which permits the table 12 to be moved, by a passenger seated behind the table 12, from the extended position illustrated, to a stowed position in which the table 12 fits flushly within a recess 15 and is retained in position by a toggle 16. In the extended position illustrated, the table extends backwardly to cover the legs of the passenger using the table, a first edge 17 of the table 12 being directed towards the rear 13 of the seat back 11 in front of this passenger, and a second edge 18 of the table 12, parallel to the first edge 17, being directed away from the rear 13 of the seat back 12 towards the passenger. The table 12 has an upper surface 19 which, when the table 12 is in its extended position as shown, projects generally horizontally from the seat back 11. The latter constitutes an integral part of the seat 10. A recess 20 is formed in the upper right-hand corner of the table surface 19 to locate the base of a glass or other drinking vessel, thereby inhibiting it from sliding off the table 12.

[0030] The features of the seat 10 described to this point are well-known. The invention provides a cover 21 for the table surface 19 and the cover 21 is indicated generally in FIG. 1 by the dotted line. The cover 21 stands for a single cover or for a plurality of covers. The dotted line showing 50 indicates indicia or information which can be provided on the upper face of the cover 21.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cover 21 comprises a sheet of laminated material of which the upper face 22 will be visible to the passenger, and the lower face 23 will lie against, and be supported by, the table surface 19 whenever the table 12 is in its extended position. Although the periphery 24 of the cover can be shaped as desired to match, conform, or complement all, or part, of the table surface 19, it is preferred to round the corners as shown to avoid projections which could snag against the passenger's clothing, or against the fabric lining the recess 15 when the table is moved to its stowed position. The cover may desirably be slightly smaller than the plan profile of the table whereby no part of the fitted cover will project beyond the edge of the table. However, a small tab may be arranged to project beyond the edge of the table to facilitate removal of the cover. It will be noted that the corners nearest to the passenger have a greater radius of curvature. The material forming the laminate is fire-resistant and the upper face 22 is printed to achieve one or more of the features already described. The lower face 23 has a strip or layer 25 of adhesive material which would be protected by an unshown pull-strip before use. After the pull-strip has been removed, the cover is positioned over the table surface 19 and the adhesive layer is gently pressed against the table surface 19. By positioning the adhesive layer adjacent the second edge 18, the table 12 can be moved from its extended position to its stowed position without the cover 21 falling off. In the stowed position, the cover 21 is suspended from the second edge 18 of the table by its top edge which carries the adhesive strip 25. When the table 12 is returned to its extended position, the cover 21 is pulled downwards by its connection with the descending edge 18, the main body of the cover 21 remaining next to the table surface 19. In some cases it is possible that movement of the table 12 towards its stowed position could cause the unsecured portion of the cover 21 to move away from the table 12; in such cases an appropriate additional area of its lower surface 23 can be provided with an adhesive layer in the same way as strip 25. If desired, the entire lower surface 23 can be covered by adhesive which is protected prior to use by a removable backing sheet; in this case the cover may, for instance, be manufactured from a material such as that marketed under the Trade Mark FASSON which comprises an offset vinyl sheet having an adhesive layer that is protected prior to use by a tear-off backing sheet.

[0032] The cover 21 shown in FIG. 2 has a press-out portion 26 in the position that will, in use, overlie the recess 20 in the table surface 19. After the portion 26 has been pressed out, the cover is left with an aperture 27 as shown in FIG. 3 so that a drinking vessel can have its base inserted through the aperture 27 into the recess 20. The press-out portion 26 can also be provided with printed information and be of a size to be adhered, by a separate area of the adhesive, to the bottom of the recess 20.

[0033] As the cover 31 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is generally similar to that already described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the same reference numerals have been used to denote equivalent features and only the points of difference will be described. The adhesive strip 25 of FIG. 2 has been replaced by two smaller adhesive areas 32 and 33 which are positioned as before. Instead of the press-out portion 26, the cover has been moulded to define a frusto-conical indentation 34 to fit inside the recess 26. In this manner the base of a drinking vessel will fit inside the indentation 34. Also there is no need to press-out any portion 26, and the cover can be printed before the formation of the indentation so that the printing can extend over the indented area for viewing by the passenger.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a modification of the arrangement described with reference to FIG. 5. The modification comprises forming an aperture 37 through the base of the indentation 34 so that the drinking vessel will be supported directly by the recess 20 in the table surface 19. The aperture 37 leaves the frusto-conical surface of the indentation 34 to engage the sides of the recess 20 and can be formed either during the pressing of the indentation 34 or as a press-out as already described.

[0035] Instead of using an adhesive to secure the cover to the table, it may be secured in position by one or more clips. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 which use the same reference numerals as FIG. 1 to denote the same components, a clip means may be positioned adjacent the second edge 18 of the table 12 and, as illustrated, may comprise a strip 40 which is carried by the table 12 and is positioned to extend substantially across the table 12. In this manner an edge 41 of the cover 21 adjacent the passenger is releasably trapped under the strip 40 by a biasing force F. The clip means, that is the strip 40, forms part of the table 12 and can either be a built-in feature of new vehicle seats, or could be installed as a modification of an existing vehicle seat. Although the strip 40 can be a dedicated separate component of the table 12 biased by the biasing force F towards the upper surface 19 of the table, ir could instead be a structural component of the table 12 as illustrated in FIG. 9 in which the clip means comprises a slot 42 defined between two components 19, 43 of the table 12 which are biased together by the biasing force F so as to form the clip means. The construction of such clip means will depend on the table design and will be clear to any engineer in this art, the governing feature being that the clip should detachably secure the appropriate edge 41 of the cover 21 to the table 12.

[0036] It is to be understood that while certain embodiments have been described herein by way of examples, the invention is not to be limited to the specific structures described. In particular the invention can readily be applied to vehicle seats carrying tables articulated by other mechanisms, and the covers may be shaped to be compatible with the associated table design. Typically the covers will be shaped to conform with the table profile and will preferably be slightly smaller so that no part of the fitted cover will project beyond the edge of its table.