IP Library Granted Patent US 11,365,009
Granted Patent B2
US 11,365,009 · App. 17/256,897 · Granted Jun 21, 2022

Spring clutch arm assembly

Inventor: Klay E. Gilbert (Lindsay, TX)
Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
B64D11/0639F16F1/123F16M11/2035F16M13/022B64D11/00153B64D11/0627F16M11/10F16M11/105F16M11/12F16M2200/044F16M2200/065Y10S248/917
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,365,009
App. No.
17/256,897
Granted
Jun 21, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A spring clutch arm assembly includes a moveable arm comprising a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration, a fixed shaft, and a spring portion comprising a moving portion with a distal end and a coil portion wrapped around the fixed shaft. The moveable arm may include a moveable member. The distal end may be attached to the moveable member. The moveable arm may be held in the deployed configuration by the spring portion.

Claims (38)

1. A spring clutch arm assembly comprising:

a moveable arm comprising a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration;

a fixed shaft; and

a spring portion comprising (i) a moving portion with a distal end, (ii) a coil portion wrapped around the fixed shaft, and (iii) a bushing that interfaces with the fixed shaft and the coil portion, wherein:

the bushing comprises a cutout that interfaces with the moving portion;

a size of the cutout is adjustable;

the moveable arm comprises a moveable member;

the distal end is attached to the moveable member; and

the moveable arm is held in the deployed configuration by the spring portion.

2. The spring clutch arm assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fixed shaft comprises a cylindrical shape and the coil portion comprises a cylindrical opening that approximately corresponds to an outer diameter of the fixed shaft.

3. The spring clutch arm assembly of claim 1 , wherein, during movement of the moveable arm from the deployed configuration toward the retracted configuration, the coil portion comprises a tension diameter such that friction between the coil portion and the fixed shaft increases, wherein the tension diameter is smaller than an equilibrium diameter of the coil portion.

4. The spring clutch arm assembly of claim 1 , wherein, during movement of the moveable arm from the retracted configuration toward the deployed configuration, the coil portion comprises a compression diameter such that friction between the coil portion and the fixed shaft decreases, wherein the compression diameter is larger than an equilibrium diameter of the coil portion.

5. The spring clutch arm assembly of claim 1 , wherein the spring portion causes resistance to movement of the moveable arm from the retracted configuration toward the deployed configuration.

6. The spring clutch arm assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bushing comprises an inner diameter that interfaces with an outer cylindrical surface of the fixed shaft, wherein the bushing is adjustable to change the inner diameter.

7. The spring clutch arm assembly of claim 6 , wherein the bushing comprises a clamp fastener to adjust the inner diameter of the bushing.

8. The spring clutch arm assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bushing comprises a spring limit fastener to limit movement of the moving portion relative to the bushing.

9. A rotating arm assembly for a passenger seat comprising:

a rotating arm comprising a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration; a fixed shaft that is fixed relative to the passenger seat;

a spring comprising (i) a moving portion with a distal end and (ii) a coil portion wrapped around the fixed shaft; and

a bushing that interfaces with (i) the fixed shaft and (ii) the coil portion, wherein:

the bushing comprises an inner diameter that interfaces with an outer cylindrical surface of the fixed shaft; and

the bushing is adjustable to change the inner diameter.

10. The rotating arm assembly of claim 9 , wherein:

the rotating arm comprises a moveable member;

the distal end is attached to the moveable member; and

the rotating arm is held in the deployed configuration by the spring.

11. The rotating arm assembly of claim 9 , wherein the fixed shaft comprises a cylindrical shape and the coil portion comprises a cylindrical opening that approximately corresponds to an outer diameter of the fixed shaft.

12. The rotating arm assembly of claim 9 , wherein, during movement of the rotating arm from the deployed configuration toward the retracted configuration, the coil portion comprises a tension diameter such that friction between the coil portion and the fixed shaft increases, wherein the tension diameter is smaller than an equilibrium diameter of the coil portion.

13. The rotating arm assembly of claim 9 , wherein, during movement of the rotating arm from the retracted configuration toward the deployed configuration, the coil portion comprises a compression diameter such that friction between the coil portion and the fixed shaft decreases, wherein the compression diameter is larger than an equilibrium diameter of the coil portion.

14. The rotating arm assembly of claim 9 , wherein the bushing resists movement of the rotating arm from the retracted configuration toward the deployed configuration.

15. The rotating arm assembly of claim 9 , wherein the bushing comprises a clamp fastener to adjust the inner diameter of the bushing.

16. A rotating arm assembly for a passenger seat comprising:

a rotating arm comprising a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration; a fixed shaft that is fixed relative to the passenger seat;

a spring comprising (i) a moving portion with a distal end and (ii) a coil portion wrapped around the fixed shaft; and

a bushing that interfaces with (i) the fixed shaft and (ii) the coil portion, wherein:

the bushing comprises a cutout that interfaces with the moving portion; and

a size of the cutout is adjustable.

17. The rotating arm assembly of claim 16 , wherein the bushing comprises a spring limit fastener to limit movement of the moving portion relative to the bushing.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 9, 2021
From: GILBERT, KLAY E.
To: ZODIAC SEATS US LLC
Reel/Frame 057119/0092 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 9, 2021
From: ZODIAC SEATS US LLC
To: SAFRAN SEATS USA LLC
Reel/Frame 057119/0214 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210276718A1 · Sep 9, 2021