IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,981,571
Granted Patent B2
US 9,981,571 · App. 14/666,994 · Granted May 29, 2018

Electronically actuated mechanical cable release for locking gas spring and method

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,981,571
App. No.
14/666,994
Granted
May 29, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cable release mechanism for a seat of the type having a seat bottom and a seat back adapted to be moved by a lockable gas spring between upright and reclined positions relative to the seat bottom. An electric motor is operatively attached to the gas spring by a cable movable by the motor to move the seat back between the upright and reclined positions, and a switch is electrically connected to the motor for initiating operation of the motor to move the cable. A related method is also disclosed.

Claims (14)

1. An aircraft passenger seat including a cable release mechanism for actuating an adjustable feature, comprising:

a mechanical actuator positioned within the aircraft passenger seat and configured to actuate the adjustable feature;

a motor positioned within the aircraft passenger seat proximate the mechanical actuator;

a cable interconnecting the motor and the mechanical actuator;

a switch positioned within the aircraft passenger seat remote from the motor; and

an electrical wire interconnecting the switch and the motor;

wherein the switch is configured to actuate the motor to translate the cable to lock or unlock the mechanical actuator to adjust the adjustable feature; and

wherein the mechanical actuator is a lockable gas spring, and the motor and the lockable gas spring are positioned proximate each other within a seat bottom portion of the aircraft passenger seat and the switch is positioned in an armrest portion of the aircraft passenger seat.

2. The aircraft passenger seat according to claim 1 , wherein the cable is contained within a stationary sheath stationarily fixed to a housing of the motor.

3. The aircraft passenger seat according to claim 1 , wherein the switch is an electrically-powered mechanical switch.

4. The aircraft passenger seat according to claim 1 , wherein the motor includes a windlass rotatable by the motor to which the cable is connected.

5. The aircraft passenger seat according to claim 1 , wherein the switch is an electrically-powered capacitive switch.

6. The aircraft passenger seat according to claim 1 , wherein the switch is an electrically-powered mechanical switch mounted on an armrest of the aircraft passenger seat.

7. The aircraft passenger seat according to claim 1 , wherein the switch is an electrically-powered capacitive switch mounted on an armrest of the aircraft passenger seat.