US 2026/0217371 A1 · SOFT-OPENING TRAY TABLE FOR VEHICLE PASSENGER SEATS

Abstract

A soft-opening tray table assembly for a passenger seat for a vehicle such as aircraft is provided. The soft-opening tray table assembly can include a first arm; a second arm; and a tray table positioned between the first arm and the second arm, the tray table being pivotably coupled to the first arm by a first hinge and the second arm by a second hinge. The first hinge can counteract a gravitational force acting on the tray table during rotation from a stowed position to a deployed position. The first hinge can impart at least one of a friction force, a spring force, and a viscous damping force. In some examples, the hinge can include a hinge housing having an annular cavity axially aligned with a rotation axis of the tray table; an axial plunger slidable within the annular cavity; and a damper assembly positioned adjacent to the axial plunger.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A soft-opening tray table assembly, comprising:

a first arm configured to operably couple to a first portion of a passenger seat;
a second arm configured to operably couple to a second portion of the passenger seat;
and
a tray table positioned between the first arm and the second arm, the tray table being pivotably coupled to the first arm by a first hinge and pivotably coupled to the second arm by a second hinge, wherein the first hinge counteracts a gravitational force acting on the tray table during rotation from a stowed position to a deployed position.

1 more element

A soft-opening tray table assembly for an aircraft passenger seat, the soft-opening tray table assembly comprising:

a bracket configured to operably couple to the aircraft passenger seat;
a tray table pivotably coupled to the bracket by a hinge, the hinge comprising:
a hinge housing having an annular cavity axially aligned with a rotation axis of the tray table;
an axial plunger slidable within the annular cavity;
and
a damper assembly positioned adjacent to the axial plunger;
and
a threaded member operably coupled to the bracket and extending within the annular cavity to interface with the axial plunger,
wherein rotation of the axial plunger with respect to the threaded member during rotation of the tray table from a stowed position to a deployed position causes axial translation of the axial plunger within the annular cavity toward the damper assembly, and
wherein the axial plunger abuts the damper assembly to viscously dampen at least a portion of the axial translation of the axial plunger.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Soft-opening tray table for vehicle passenger seats

Life of this patent

Soft-opening tray table for vehicle passenger seats

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19