Patent US5037157A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5037157A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Armrest arrangements for vehicle seating
Assignee: BE Aerospace UK Ltd
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Filing: 1988-03-28
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Granted: 1991-08-06
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Expires: 2008-03-28
Abstract
Abstract Vehicle seats are commonly used to transport passengers travelling on different classes of fare, for which seats of different width are often provided. Seats of different width are also desirable to accommodate passengers of different sizes. Adjustable seating units are known which include backrest and bottom parts for a plurality of seats abreast, fixed armrests at the sides and intermediate armrests which can be moved laterally between two or more predetermined positions to separate and define seats of different widths. To improve the appearance and comfort provided by such adjustable seating units, a shroud is provided to fit on or over two intermediate armrests when they are positioned close together between wider seats, the shroud being anchored to the seating unit, for example being mounted on arms pivotally connected to the seating unit, so as to be movable between an operative position, fitting the intermediate armrests, and a stored position. In its stored position, the shroud may be concealed at least partially by a part of the seating unit, such as a movable portion of the backrest or of the bottom part. The shroud may be upholstered and may include recesses for receiving articles to be stored or facilities which are required to be available only when it is in its operative position.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas D. Wain
- 👤 Godfrey J. Shepheard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:29
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N3/00; B60N3/001; B60N3/002; B60N2/00; B60N2/75; B60N2/753; B60N2/76; B60N2/79
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
An adjustable seating unit for use in a passenger-carrying vehicle, said adjustable seating unit comprising a support frame which is mountable in a vehicle, a backrest part and a bottom part mounted on said support frame, said backrest part and said bottom part each defining seating surfaces and each having opposite sides, said backrest part and said bottom part providing at least two seating areas between said opposite sides thereof, first and second fixed armrests respectively mounted on said support frame at said opposite sides of said backrest and bottom parts, a pair of intermediate armrests mounted on said support frame for defining at least two separated seating areas, each armrest being laterally movable to at least two laterally spaced positions to adjust the widths of the defined seating areas, and a shroud fixedly connected to the support frame so as to be movable from a stored position to an operative position wherein it contacts and rests on top of said pair of intermediate armrests when said armrests are respectively laterally positioned closest to one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
An adjustable seating unit for use in a passenger-carrying vehicle, said adjustable seating unit comprising a support frame which is mountable in a vehicle, a backrest part and a bottom part mounted on said support frame, said backrest part and said bottom part each defining seating surfaces and each having opposite sides, said backrest part and said bottom part providing at least two seating areas between said opposite sides thereof, first and second fixed armrests respectively mounted on said support frame at said opposite sides of said backrest and bottom parts, a pair of intermediate armrests mounted on said support frame for defining at least two separated seating areas, each armrest being laterally movable to at least two laterally spaced positions to adjust the widths of the defined seating areas, and a shroud fixedly connected to the support frame so as to be movable from a stored position to an operative position wherein it contacts and rests on top of said pair of intermediate armrests when said armrests are respectively laterally positioned closest to one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
An adjustable seating unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said laterally-spaced positions are such that, when said intermediate armrests are each located in laterally-spaced positions which are farthest apart, said fixed armrests and said intermediate armrests are substantially equally spaced to define narrower seating areas between them, and when said intermediate armrests are each located in laterally-spaced positions which are closest together, said pair of intermediate armrests together define and separate two wider seating areas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
An adjustable seating unit as claimed in claim 1 including a movable portion permitting said shroud to move between said operative and stored positions and at least partially concealing said shroud when it is in said stored position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An adjustable seating unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein said pair of intermediate armrests is pivotally connected to said adjustable seating unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An adjustable seating unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein said pair of intermediate armrests is pivotally connected to said support frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An adjustable seating unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein said shroud is slidably mounted on said pair of intermediate armrests.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An adjustable seating unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein said intermediate armrests are articulated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An adjustable seating unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein said movable portion of the adjustable seating unit is a portion of the backrest part.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
An adjustable seating unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein said shroud carries on its surface which will be outermost in said stored position a portion of upholstery to form a continuation of the seating surface of the backrest part and to complete concealment of said shroud in said stored position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An adjustable seating unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein said movable portion of the adjustable seating unit is a portion of said bottom part.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-08-05 | 1995-02-04 | 1995-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-05 | 1999-02-04 | 1999-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-05 | 2003-02-04 | 2003-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |