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US 2022/0042589 A1Published application
Laminated Rack Assembly for Powered Motion of Aircraft Seats
AssigneeAMI Industries, Inc.
InventorsDouglas E. Hoover, Keith M. Ferguson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rack is made from a plurality of laminated layers. Each layer defines an alignment feature that allows all of the layers to be affixed to a base plate of an aircraft seat assembly and align the teeth of the rack to within five ten-thousandths of an inch. The rack includes a straight portion and a curved portion such that a pinion gear on the aircraft seat assembly can move the aircraft seat assembly along tracks with straight and curved portions.
Claims15
A rack for engaging a pinion gear, the rack comprising:
- a plurality of layers, each layer defining:
- at least a straight portion and a curved portion;
- and
- a plurality of teeth configured to align each of the plurality of layers.
1 more element
An aircraft seat assembly comprising:
- a base plate defining a plurality of tracks, each comprising at least a straight portion and a curved portion;
- an aircraft seat having a plurality base plate engaging elements, each configured to engage a corresponding track;
- a pinion gear driven by a motor connected to the aircraft seat;
- and
- a rack for engaging the pinion gear disposed on the base plate, the rack comprising:
- a plurality of layers, each layer defining:
- at least a straight portion and a curved portion conforming to the straight portion and the curved portion of the base plate tracks;
- and
- a plurality of teeth configured to align each of the plurality of layers,
- wherein the pinion gear is configured to drive the rack and move the aircraft seat from a first orientation corresponding to the straight portion of the rack and base plate tracks to a second orientation corresponding to the curved portion of the rack and base plate tracks.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.