Tray table assembly with automatic centering during stowage

A tray table assembly adapted to move to and from a stowed position in a stowage module positioned to one side of a passenger seat, comprising:

• a rail movably mounted relative to the stowage module between a stowed position of the rail and a deployed position of the rail, the rail comprising a rail latch disposed adjacent the rail for being moved by the rail to an open position as the rail moves towards the stowed position of the rail, and a latch detent positioned to catch an end of the rail to lock the tray table in a stowed position when the rail reaches the stowed position of the rail;
• a tray table mounted on the rail for arcuate movement along the rail between a stowed position of the tray table and a deployed position of the tray table relative to the rail, the tray table further mounted on the rail for fore and aft translating movement when the tray table is in the deployed position of the tray table;
• a channel disposed on a carriage mounted on an underside of the tray table and movable with the tray table in fore and aft translating movement, the channel having an arcuate segment defining a curve corresponding to a curve of the rail and a funnel-shaped centering segment communicating with the arcuate segment of the channel;
• and
• at least one roller pin fixed in a position on the rail representing a centered position for the tray table to assume before entering the stowage module, wherein as the tray table moves toward the stowage module the roller pin moves along the arcuate segment of the of the channel and contacts the funnel-shaped centering segment, and as the funnel-shaped channel engages and moves relative to the roller pin, the roller pin centers the tray table relative to the stowage module for predetermined centered alignment for stowing the tray table.

A tray table assembly adapted to move to and from a stowed position in a stowage module positioned to one side of a passenger seating unit, and a deployed position forward of a passenger seat, the tray table assembly comprising:

• an arcuate rail mounted in the stowage module for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position of the rail, the rail comprising a rail latch positioned adjacent a carriage for being moved by the carriage to an open position as the carriage moves toward the stowed position and a latch detent positioned to catch on an end of the rail for locking the tray table in the stowed position when the rail reaches a fully stowed position;
• a tray table mounted on the rail for arcuate movement along the rail between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the rail;
• a channel positioned on the carriage mounted on an underside of the tray table and movable with the tray table, the channel having an arcuate segment defining a curve corresponding to a curve of the rail and a funnel-shaped centering segment communicating with the arcuate segment of the channel;
• and
• a plurality of adjacent and radially-aligned roller bearing pins fixed in a position along the rail representing a centered position for the tray table to assume before entering the stowage module.