Convertible passenger seat assembly
View Patent ↗A passenger seat assembly and method for converting the seat assembly between a three-seat configuration and a two-seat configuration includes a seat assembly base and first, second, and third seats mounted on the seat assembly base. The first and third seats define outboard seats and the second seat defines an inboard seat disposed between the outboard seats. The seat back of the inboard seat includes an upper portion movably mounted to the lower portion. The seat bottom is removable and repositionable between the three-seat configuration and the two-seat configuration to form a convenience area between the outboard seats. A power console movably mounted on the seat assembly base supports the seat bottom of the inboard seat and provides at least one power outlet for supplying electrical power. In particular, the inboard seat is convertible between a seating configuration and a non-seating configuration.
1. A passenger seat assembly convertible between a three-seat configuration and a two-seat configuration, the passenger seat assembly comprising:
(a) a seat assembly base;
(b) first, second, and third seats mounted on the seat assembly base adjacent one another, each seat carrying a respective seat bottom and a respective seat back, the first and third seats defining outboard seats and the second seat defining an inboard seat disposed between the outboard seats, the seat back of the inboard seat defining a lower portion and an upper portion movably mounted to the lower portion, the upper portion being movable relative to the lower portion between two positions corresponding respectively to the three-seat configuration and the two-seat configuration, the seat bottom of the inboard seat being removable and repositionable on the seat assembly base between two positions corresponding respectively to the three-seat configuration and the two-seat configuration; and
(c) a power console movably mounted on the seat assembly base between two positions corresponding respectively to the three-seat configuration and the two-seat configuration, the power console having at least one power outlet for supplying electrical power to an electronic device,
(d) wherein the power console comprises a first plate, a second plate pivotally mounted to the first plate and a hinged brace for maintaining the first plate substantially parallel to the second plate when in the two-seat configuration.
2. A passenger seat assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the power console defines a support for the seat bottom of the inboard seat in the two-seat configuration.
3. A passenger seat assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the seat back of the inboard seat is rotatable between a raised position in lateral alignment with the seat backs of the adjacent outboard seats in the three-seat configuration and a lowered position in the two-seat configuration.
4. A passenger seat assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the upper portion of the seat back of the inboard seat defines a magazine stowage compartment in the lowered position and comprises a foldable cocktail table and at least one docking station for holding a communications device in the two-seat configuration.
5. A passenger seat assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the power console defines an electronics stowage compartment disposed between the power console and the seat assembly base for storing an electronics device in the two-seat configuration.
6. A passenger seat assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the effective width of each of the adjacent outboard seats is increased when first and second armrests provided on opposite sides of the inboard seat are in a retracted position and the passenger seat assembly is in the two-seat configuration.
7. A passenger seat assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the seat assembly base comprises a frame, at least two transversely-spaced support legs, a transverse forward beam extending between the support legs and a transverse aft beam extending between the support legs, and wherein the power console is movably mounted to the transverse forward beam.
8. A passenger seat adapted to be convertible between a seating configuration and a non-seating configuration, comprising:
(a) a seat base;
(b) a seat back defining a lower portion and an upper portion movably mounted to the lower portion, the upper portion being movable relative to the lower portion between a raised position and a lowered position;
(c) a seat bottom being removable and repositionable on the seat base between two positions corresponding respectively to the seating configuration and the non-seating configuration; and
(d) a power console movably mounted on the seat base between two positions corresponding respectively to the seating configuration and the non-seating configuration, the power console having at least one power outlet for supplying electrical power to an electronic device,
(e) wherein the power console comprises a first plate, a second plate pivotally mounted to the first plate and a hinged brace for maintaining the first plate substantially parallel to the second plate when in the non-seating configuration.
9. A passenger seat according to claim 8 , wherein the power console defines a support for the seat bottom in the non-seating configuration.
10. A passenger seat according to claim 8 , wherein the upper portion of the seat back defines a magazine stowage compartment in the lowered position and comprises a foldable cocktail table and at least one docking station for holding a communications device in the non-seating configuration.
11. A passenger seat according to claim 8 , wherein the power console defines an electronics stowage compartment disposed between the power console and the seat base for storing an electronics device in the non-seating configuration.