US 5,179,447 A · Personal video player and monitor assembly for airline passenger seat console

Abstract

A video player module (16) is detachably mounted in a housing (12a) of an airline passenger seat console (12), and has a cavity (16c) which opens in the forwardly facing direction (14) of the seat (10). A video monitor (22) is pivotally attached to the end of an arm (26) which extends from the console (12), and is movable between a viewing position above the console (12) and a stowed position inside the cavity (16c). The monitor (22) is positively prevented for moving rearwardly past the viewing position and possibly striking a passenger sitting in the seat (10) in response to inertial forces resulting from abrupt motion of the aircraft. The arm (26) is pivotally attached to the console (12) by a durable disc clutch (34) which is capable of securely holding the arm (26) and monitor (22) in the viewing position, and allowing the arm (26) and monitor (22) to be moved between the viewing and stowed positions against a constant and optimal value of resisting torque.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A video assembly for a passenger seat having a forwardly facing direction comprising:

a console mounted adjacent to the seat;
a video display monitor;
an arm having first and second end portions, the monitor being attached to the first end portion of the arm;
a housing connected to the second end portion of the arm and having a bore formed therethrough with a horizontal axis which extends perpendicular to said forwardly facing direction;
a shaft which is supported by the console and rotatably received in said bore;
a plurality of first clutch discs having central holes through which the shaft fittingly extends, the first clutch discs being keyed to the shaft;
a plurality of second clutch discs having central holes through which the shaft fittingly extends, the second clutch discs being keyed to the housing and alternating with the first clutch discs along the shaft;
and
spring means for pressing the first and second clutch discs together to provide said predetermined resisting torque.

6 more elements

A personal video assembly for a passenger seat, comprising:

a console mounted adjacent to the seat;
a video display monitor;
an arm having a longitudinal axis and first and second end portions;
a first joint means connecting the monitor to the first end portion of the arm for allowing the monitor to pivot relative to said axis with a first predetermined resisting torque;
a second joint means connecting the second end portion of the arm to the console for allowing the arm to pivot relative to the console, said second joint comprising:
a housing connected to the second end portion of the arm and having a bore formed therethrough which extends perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;
a shaft which is supported by the console and rotatably received in said bore;
a plurality of first clutch discs having central holes through which the shaft fittingly extends, the first clutch discs being keyed to the shaft;
a plurality of second clutch discs having central holes through which the shaft fittingly extends, the second clutch discs being keyed to the housing and alternating with the first clutch discs along the shaft;
and
spring means for pressing the first and second clutch discs together to provide said second predetermined resisting torque;
and
a third joint means connected between the first and second joint means for allowing the monitor to pivot about said axis with a third predetermined resisting torque.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Personal video player and monitor assembly for airline passenger seat console

Life of this patent

Personal video player and monitor assembly for airline passenger seat console

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15