GB2132479A

GB2132479A - A seat for aircraft, vehicles or the like

Info

Publication number: GB2132479A
Application number: GB08331961A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Soderberg
Original assignee: Dr Ing HCF Porsche AG
Current assignee: Dr Ing HCF Porsche AG
Priority date: 1982-12-03
Filing date: 1983-11-30
Publication date: 1984-07-11
Also published as: DE3244728A1; GB8331961D0; FR2537065A1

Abstract

A seat for aircrafts, vehicles or the like, which comprises a backrest part (3), at the upper end of which a headrest (4) supported on a shaft (10) is mounted in such a manner that it is displaceable from a rest position recessed in an aperture (5) of the backrest part (3) into a support position (B). In order that the headrest (4) requires little space, especially at the upper end of the backrest part (3), and in order that it can be actuated in a simple manner with good support function, the aperture (5) is constructed as a trough-like recess in an upright back wall (6) of the backrest part. The headrest (4) is pivotally connected by means of its shaft (10) to headrest support members the headrest forming an actuating handle and being provided with a detent mechanism (21) which is operable to stop the headrest in at least one head-support position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A seat for aircraft, vehicles or the like The present invention relates to a seat for aircraft, vehicles or the like.

A vehicle seat is known in the prior art (British Patent 1 378 581) whose backrest part includes at its top side a pivotal headrest which is arranged in an aperture of the backrest part accessible from above. This prior art construction entails the disadvantage that the manner of the arrangement and pivotal connection of the headrest requires a large structural space in the upper backrest area, especially as viewed in the longitudinal direction, which for the most part, is not available in aircraft and vehicles. Additionally, the headrest by reason of its construction and configuration is actuable only with additional automatic means, for which high costs are necessary.

It is the object of the present invention to so construct a headrest at a backrest part of a seat for aircraft, vehicles or the like that, on the one hand, the free design and configuration of the backrest part is not impaired, especially in the upper area thereof, and on the other, a simple operation of the headrest becomes possible.

The present invention consists in a seat for aircraft, vehicles or the like comprising a backrest part and a headrest including a rotatable shaft, the headrest being supported at the upper end of the the backrest part in such a manner that it is displaceable from a lowered inoperative position recessed in an aperture of the backrest part into an operative support position, wherein the aperture is formed by a trough-like recess in an upright back wall of the backrest part, the headrest being pivotally connected by means of said shaft to headrest support members of the - backrest part, said headrest forming an actuating handle and being provided with a detent mechanism operable to stop the headrest in at least one head-support position thereof.

The advantages principally achieved with the present invention resides in that the headrest requires little structural space within the upper area of the backrest part and can be moved easily by means of the actuating handle, which additionally also offers a hold-on function for passengers, from the rest position into the support position and vice versa. If the headrest is in its rest position, then the passengers who desire to observe the happenings in front of the seat (trainer and observer in aircrafts) and who are disposed behind the seat, has a good visibility. The fitting parts for the support of the headrest can be accommodated in a simple manner within the area of the arms of the backrest part.The hollow shaft forming the holding handle preferably consists of half-shells of structural parts forming the headrest itself, which simplifies its assembly and installation on a rod connecting the headrest support members. The detent mechanism integrated into the headrest includes readily manufacturable parts and assures reliable functioning, especially in conjunction with the headrest support members. Finally, the headrest is adjustable in height so that it can be individually adjusted for seat users of different height.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a seat in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the seat according to the present invention from the right rear thereof; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the seat according to the present invention from the front and left thereof; Figure 4 is a perspective view showing certain details of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line V-V of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line VI--VI of Figure 4; and Figure 7 is an elevational view, taken in the direction pf arrow y shown in Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawings, the seat 1 is formed by a seat part 2 and by a backrest part 3.

The backrest part 3 which extends up to the shoulder height of a person using the seat includes in its upper area a headrest 4 which is displaceable from a rest or inoperative position A into an upright support of operative position B (Figure 1).

In the rest position A, the headrest 4 is recessed in its entirety in a trough-like recess or aperture 5 formed in an upright back wall 6 of the backrest part 3. The headrest 4 is pivotally mounted in upstanding members of rectangular cross-section 7 and 8 of the backrest part 3 (Figure 4) which are arranged on both sides of the headrest 4 and are connected with each other by means of a rod 9 of circular cross-section.

The rod 9 is surrounded by a tube or hollow shaft 10 of circular cross-section (in Figure 4, the hollow shaft 10 is illustrated in cross section at X), by means of which the headrest 4 is rotatable. The exposed hollow shaft 10 which is constructed as handle grip is formed by two half-shells 11 and 12 (Figure 5) which are components of structural parts 13 and 14 forming the headrest 4. The structural parts 13 and 14 are assembled along a separating plate 1 5 and are connected with each other by horizontally extending threaded members 16, such as bolts or screws.

For receiving the members 7 and 8, the backrest part 3 includes at its upper end supports 1 7 and 18 (Figures 2 and 3) projecting beyond the backrest part 3 on both sides of the headrest 4.

The supports 17 and 18 are provided with apertures 1 9 and 20 which have a rectangular cross section corresponding to that of the members 7 and 8.

A detent mechanism 21 arranged between the structural parts 13 and 14 and integrated into the headrest 4 is provided between the headrest 4 and the backrest part 3. The detent mechanism 21 includes a U-shaped latching member 22 (Figure 4) having leg portions 25 and 26 whose free ends are provided with detent pins or cams 27 and 28.

The detent pins 27 and 28 cooperate with corresponding slots 29 and 30 of the members 7 and 8. In the illustrated embodiment, only the slots, 29 and 30 are provided which determine the upright support position B of the headrest 4.

However, it is also possible to provide additional slots, for other support positions. A slot in the fitting part 7 is illustrated at 31' (Figure 4) which fixes the rest position A of the headrest 4.

The latching member 22 co-operates with a guide channel 31 also having a bow-like configuration, which has U-shaped cross section (Figure 4). A leaf spring 34 is arranged between a web 32 connecting the leg portions 25 and 26 and a corresponding part 33 of the guide channel 31.

For the actuation of the detent mechanism 21, an actuating knob 34 is arranged at the web 32 of the latching member 22.

The headrest 4 is height-adjustable in the direction C-C by means of the members 7 and 8 (Figure 4) which are prqvided with a plurality of slots 35 into which engage the detent members 36 (Figure 7) of the backrest part 3.

Claims

1. A seat for aircraft, vehicles or the like comprising a backrest part and a headrest including a rotatable shaft, the headrest being supported at the upper end of the backrest part in such a manner that it is displaceable from a lowered inoperative position recessed in an aperture of the backrest part into an operative support position, wherein the aperture is formed by a trough-like recess in an upright back wall of the backrest part, the headrest being pivotally connected by means of said shaft to headrest support members of the backrest part, said headrest forming an actuating handle and being provided with a detent mechanism operable to stop the headrest in at least one head-support position thereof.

2. A seat according to claim 1 wherein the backrest part includes at its upper end on both sides of the headrest, supports for receiving the headrest support members.

3. A seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shaft is hollow and rotatable surrounds a rod connecting the headrest support members.

4. A seat according to claim 3, wherein the hollow shaft is formed by two half-shells which are components of structural parts forming the headrest.

5. A seat according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the detent mechanism includes a U-shaped latching member which under interposition of a spring element is arranged in a guide channel of the headrest, the free ends of the legs of the latching member including detent pins which cooperate, at least, in the head-support position of the headrest with corresponding slots in the headrest support members.

6. A seat according to claim 5, wherein a web of the latching member connecting the legs is provided with an actuating knob.

7. A seat according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the headrest is adjustable in height by means of the headrest support members.

8. A seat according to claim 7, wherein the headrest support members are provided with a plurality of slots for receiving detent members of the backrest part.

9. A seat for aircraft, vehicles or the like, substantially as described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.