IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,221,215
Granted Patent B2
US 12,221,215 · App. 17/333,888 · Granted Feb 11, 2025

Seat divider sail

Inventors: James R Penley (Pfafftown, NC); Ronald Grilliot (Davie, FL); Charles Zurian (Kernersville, NC); Lazaro Martinez (Clemmons, NC); Carlos M. Castillo (Medley, FL)
Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
B64D11/0606B64D11/0647
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,221,215
App. No.
17/333,888
Granted
Feb 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vertical seat blocking/divider device includes a seat back connector and a seat cushion connector. The vertical seat blocking/divider device is disposed on the center of an aircraft seat to block occupancy of the aircraft seat and establish a barrier between neighboring seats. In a further aspect, the vertical seat blocking/divider device includes a spring element to apply a force to the fabric of the seat blocking/divider device. In a further aspect, the vertical seat blocking/divider device may include armrest connectors on opposing surfaces so that the vertical seat blocking/divider device can be disposed between occupied seats to create a barrier between passengers.

Claims (18)

1. An aircraft seat blocker comprising:

a fabric body, wherein the fabric body comprises at least one spring element disposed along the entire peripheral portion of the fabric body, providing uniform tension and stability throughout the fabric body;

a seat back attachment element disposed on the fabric body, the seat back attachment element configured to releasably engage a seat back, the seat back attachment element comprising hooks configured to surround a top surface of a headrest; and

a seat cushion attachment element disposed on the fabric body, the seat cushion attachment element configured to releasably engage the seat cushion, the seat cushion attachment element comprising hooks configured to surround an anterior surface of the seat cushion;

wherein the seat back attachment element, the seat cushion attachment element is configured to retain the fabric body in an upright orientation in a middle region of an aircraft seat.

2. The aircraft seat blocker of claim 1 , wherein the seat cushion attachment element further comprises a strap configured to surround a seat cushion.

3. The aircraft seat blocker of claim 1 , wherein the aircraft seat blocker is configured to stack with other aircraft seat blockers for storage.

4. The aircraft seat blocker of claim 1 , wherein the seat back attachment element further comprises a strap configured to surround a seat back.

5. The aircraft seat blocker of claim 4 , wherein the seat back attachment element further comprises a midline strap configured to go over the seat back and engage the strap at a posterior portion of the seat back.

6. An aircraft seat divider comprising:

a fabric body, wherein the fabric body comprises at least one spring element disposed along the entire peripheral portion of the fabric body, providing uniform tension and stability throughout the fabric body;

a seat back attachment element disposed on the fabric body, the seat back attachment element configured to releasably engage a seat back, the seat back attachment element comprising hooks configured to surround a top surface of a headrest; and

a seat cushion attachment element disposed on the fabric body, the seat cushion attachment element configured to releasably engage the seat cushion, the seat cushion attachment element comprising hooks configured to surround an anterior surface of the seat cushion;

wherein the seat cushion attachment element is configured to retain the fabric body in an upright orientation between neighboring aircraft seats.

7. The aircraft seat divider of claim 6 , wherein the spring element is configured to allow the aircraft seat divider to fold for storage.

8. The aircraft seat divider of claim 6 , wherein the seat cushion attachment element further comprises a strap configured to surround two neighboring seat cushions.

9. The aircraft seat divider of claim 6 , wherein the seat back attachment element further comprises a strap configured to surround two neighboring seat backs.

10. The aircraft seat divider of claim 6 , further comprising one or more armrest engaging elements configured for attachment to armrests of the neighboring seats.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 27, 2021
From: PENLEY, JAMES R.; GRILLIOT, RONALD; ZURIAN, CHARLES; MARTINEZ, LAZARO; CASTILLO, CARLOS M.
To: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.
Reel/Frame 057604/0773 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63032298 · May 29, 2020
Related Publication 20210371110A1 · Dec 2, 2021
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