IP Library Granted Patent US 12,643,665
Granted Patent B2
US 12,643,665 · App. 18/795,957 · Granted Jun 2, 2026

Berthing divan with finished backrest panel and roller support mechanisms

Inventors: Lakshmana Marineni (Hyderabad, IN); Hau Ho (Pembroke Pines, FL)
Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
B64D11/0641B64D11/0648B64D2011/0069
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,643,665
App. No.
18/795,957
Granted
Jun 2, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A berthing divan for use in a conveyance such as an aircraft. In embodiments, the berthing divan includes a frame supporting a seat bottom subassembly and a backrest subassembly coupled for synchronous motion between a seating position and a berthing position. A finished backrest panel is attached to the frame. A plurality of roller support mechanisms are attached to the backrest subassembly and are configured to roll against the backrest panel as the divan transitions between the seating position and the berthing position, and are configured to support the backrest subassembly in each of the seating position and the berthing position of the divan.

Claims (41)

1 . A divan, comprising:

a seat bottom subassembly and a backrest subassembly coupled for synchronous motion to transition the divan between a seating position and a berthing position;

a frame supporting the seat bottom subassembly and the backrest subassembly;

a backrest panel attached to the frame; and

a plurality of roller support mechanisms attached to the backrest subassembly, the plurality of roller support mechanisms configured to roll against the backrest panel as the divan transitions between the seating position and the berthing position, and the plurality of roller support mechanisms configured to support the backrest subassembly in each of the seating position and the berthing position of the divan.

2 . The divan according to claim 1 , wherein:

each of the plurality of roller support mechanisms is configured to be engaged with the backrest panel when the divan is in the seating position; and

each of the plurality of roller support mechanisms is configured to be engaged with the frame when the divan is in the berthing position.

3 . The divan according to claim 1 , wherein each roller support mechanism comprises:

a mounting block mounted to the backrest subassembly;

a roller arm rotatably coupled to the mounting block;

a roller rotatably mounted at one end of the roller arm;

a rotation limiter provided on the mounting block; and

a biasing member positioned between the mounting block and the roller arm, the biasing member configured to bias the roller arm toward the rotation limiter.

4 . The divan according to claim 3 , wherein the biasing member is configured to act on the roller arm to urge the roller into rolling contact with the backrest panel as the divan transitions, and cause the roller arm to rotate into contact with the rotation limiter when the roller support mechanism is out of contact with the backrest panel.

5 . The divan according to claim 3 , wherein the biasing member is a torsion spring configured to store mechanical energy when the roller comes into rolling contact with the backrest panel when the backrest subassembly transitions toward the seating position.

6 . The divan according to claim 3 , wherein the roller arm is configured to rotate toward the mounting block as the backrest subassembly transitions toward the seating position, and rotate away from the mounting block as the backrest subassembly transitions toward the berthing position.

7 . The divan according to claim 6 , wherein, when the divan is in the berthing position, the roller arm is oriented at a negative angle and further rotation of the roller arm is prevented by contact between the roller arm and the rotation limiter.

8 . The divan according to claim 1 , wherein the backrest panel is devoid of cutouts.

9 . The divan according to claim 1 , wherein the divan defines at least three seat positions and comprises at least three roller support mechanisms positioned in spaced apart relation.

10 . A berthing divan for an aircraft comprising at least two seat positions, the berthing divan comprising:

a seat bottom subassembly and a backrest subassembly coupled for synchronous motion to transition the berthing divan between a seating position and a berthing position;

a fixed headrest assembly;

a frame supporting the seat bottom subassembly, the backrest subassembly, and the fixed headrest assembly;

a backrest panel attached to the frame; and

a plurality of roller support mechanisms attached to the backrest subassembly, the plurality of roller support mechanisms configured to roll against the backrest panel as the berthing divan transitions between the seating position and the berthing position, and the plurality of roller support mechanisms configured to support the backrest subassembly in each of the seating position and the berthing position of the berthing divan.

11 . The berthing divan according to claim 10 , wherein:

each of the plurality of roller support mechanisms is configured to be engaged with the backrest panel when the berthing divan is in the seating position; and

each of the plurality of roller support mechanisms is configured to be engaged with the frame when the berthing divan is in the berthing position.

12 . The berthing divan according to claim 10 , wherein each roller support mechanism comprises:

a mounting block mounted to the backrest subassembly;

a roller arm rotatably coupled to the mounting block;

a roller rotatably mounted at one end of the roller arm;

a rotation limiter provided on the mounting block; and

a biasing member positioned between the mounting block and the roller arm, the biasing member configured to bias the roller arm toward the rotation limiter.

13 . The berthing divan according to claim 12 , wherein the biasing member is configured to act on the roller arm to urge the roller into rolling contact with the backrest panel as the divan transitions, and cause the roller arm to rotate into contact with the rotation limiter when the roller support mechanism is out of contact with the backrest panel.

14 . The berthing divan according to claim 13 , wherein the biasing member is a torsion spring configured to store mechanical energy when the roller comes into rolling contact with the backrest panel when the backrest subassembly transitions toward the seating position.

15 . The berthing divan according to claim 13 , wherein the roller arm is configured to rotate toward the mounting block as the backrest subassembly transitions toward the seating position, and rotate away from the mounting block as the backrest subassembly transitions toward the berthing position.

16 . The berthing divan according to claim 15 , wherein, when the berthing divan is in the berthing position, the roller arm is oriented at a negative angle and further rotation of the roller arm is prevented by contact between the roller arm and the rotation limiter.

17 . The berthing divan according to claim 10 , wherein the backrest panel is devoid of cutouts.

18 . The berthing divan according to claim 10 , wherein the berthing divan comprises at least three roller support mechanisms positioned in spaced apart relation.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 2, 2025
From: BE ENGINEERING SERVICES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED
To: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.
Reel/Frame 069808/0874 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 6, 2024
From: HO, HAU
To: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.
Reel/Frame 068199/0515 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 6, 2024
From: MARINENI, LAKSHMANA
To: BE ENGINEERING SERVICES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED
Reel/Frame 068199/0564 →
Priority Claims (1)
IN 202411001051 · Jan 5, 2024 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250223041A1 · Jul 10, 2025
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