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EP-4558400-B1 - ADJUSTABLE PITCH SEAT TRACK FITTING

EP4558400B1EP 4558400 B1EP4558400 B1EP 4558400B1EP-4558400-B1

Inventors

  • GILBERT, KLAY ETHAN

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20230711

Claims (14)

  1. A track fitting assembly (10) for attaching a leg (28) of a passenger seat to a seat track, the track fitting assembly (10) comprising: a body (302) comprising: an underside (304) configured to be connected with a stud (20a, 20b) in a position in which the stud (20a, 20b) is extending from the body (302) and in which the stud (20a, 20b) is receivable in the seat track; a first lateral side (306) extending upward from the underside (304); a second lateral side (308) positioned opposite the first lateral side (306) and extending upward from the underside (304); a first through-hole (310) extending through the first lateral side (306) and the second lateral side (308); and a second through-hole (312) extending through the first lateral side (306) and the second lateral side (308), the second through-hole (312) and the first through-hole (310) positioned relative to one another so as to define alternate attachment interfaces for attachment to the leg (28) of the passenger seat, characterized in that the track fitting assembly (10) further comprises a cap (402) comprising a base (404) having a cover portion (406) and a passage portion (408), the base sized to be received in alignment with the first through-hole and the second through-hole so that one of the first through-hole (310) or the second through-hole (312) is accessible through the passage portion (408) while the other of the first through-hole (310) or the second through-hole (312) is obstructed by the cover portion (406).
  2. The track fitting assembly of claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a tensioner pin (318) extendible from the underside (304) of the body (302) to push down against the seat track such that an upward-facing surface of the stud (20a, 20b) is raised into engagement with a downward-facing surface of an overhanging lip of the seat track.
  3. The track fitting assembly of claim 1, characterized in that at least one of: the cover portion (406) comprises a closed-ended projection extending from the base (404) and shaped as a plug; or the passage portion (408) comprises an open-ended projection extending from the base (404) and shaped as a bushing.
  4. The track fitting assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the cap (402) further comprises an indicator (410), the indicator (410) comprising an indentation, a portion colored differently than at least part of the passage portion (408), or an indicia to indicate which of the first through-hole (310) or the second through-hole (312) is obstructed by the cover portion (406).
  5. The track fitting assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the first through-hole (310) and the second through-hole (312) each include a profile shaped to correspond to a matching taper, wherein at least part of the cover portion (406) and at least part of the passage portion (408) each are shaped to correspond to the matching taper.
  6. The track fitting assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the track fitting assembly comprises a rear track fitting and is configured to include at least two studs (20a, 20b); or wherein the track fitting assembly comprises a front track fitting (601) and is configured to include at least one stud (606).
  7. A passenger seat assembly configured for attachment to a seat track, characterized in that the passenger seat assembly comprises: a passenger seat supported by a front leg (26) and a rear leg (28); a front track fitting (601) couplable to secure the front leg (26) with the seat track; and a rear track fitting couplable to secure the rear leg (28) with the seat track, the rear track fitting comprising: the track fitting assembly of claim 1.
  8. The passenger seat assembly of claim 7, characterized in that the front track fitting (601) comprises: a stud (606); and a tensioner pin (608) extendible to push down against the seat track such that an upward-facing surface of the stud (606) is raised into engagement with a downward-facing surface of an overhanging lip of the seat track.
  9. The passenger seat assembly of claim 8, characterized in that the stud (606) and the tensioner pin (608) are threaded oppositely to one another.
  10. The passenger seat assembly of claim 9, characterized in that the front track fitting (601) comprises a cylindrical insert (602) having a first threaded notch and a second threaded notch positioned on opposite sides of a diameter of the cylindrical insert (602), wherein the first threaded notch and the second threaded notch are threaded such that one is arranged to receive a right-handed thread from beneath and the other is arranged to receive a left-handed thread from beneath.
  11. The passenger seat assembly of claim 10, characterized in that the front track fitting (601) is configured for two alternate modes of operation, including: a first mode of operation in which the cylindrical insert (602) is arranged with the first threaded notch receiving the tensioner pin (608) in a fore portion of the front track fitting (601) and in which the second threaded notch is receiving the stud (606) in an aft portion of the front track fitting (601); and a second mode of operation in which the cylindrical insert (602) is rotated from the first mode of operation by 180 degrees about a vertical axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis the cylindrical insert (602), wherein in the second mode of operation, the cylindrical insert (602) is arranged with the first threaded notch receiving the stud (606) in the fore portion of the front track fitting (601) and in which the second threaded notch is receiving the tensioner pin (608) in the aft portion of the front track fitting (601).
  12. The passenger seat assembly of claim 11, characterized in that the cylindrical insert (602) at or adjacent an end face includes a mode indicator to indicate whether the cylindrical is arranged in the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation.
  13. The passenger seat assembly of claim 7, characterized in that the front track fitting (601) comprises a pair of through-holes respectively defining different attachment interfaces for attachment with the front leg (26).
  14. The passenger seat assembly of claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises the seat track.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is related to and claims priority benefits from United States Application No. 17/866,771 ("the '771 application"), filed on July 18, 2022, entitled ADJUSTABLE PITCH SEAT TRACK FITTING. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention relates to seat mounting assemblies for passenger vehicles. BACKGROUND Many vehicle seats such as those on passenger aircraft, buses, trains, and the like are removably mounted in a track secured to the floor of the vehicle. The tracks typically include a channel along their entire length, where two lips partially enclose the upper side of the channel to form a slot. Semicircular cutout portions are uniformly spaced along the lips to create a series of larger circular openings in the slot. Typically, a track fitting assembly is used to couple the passenger seat to the track, where the track fitting assembly includes a front fitting and an aft fitting that each have studs that extend outwardly from the track fitting body. The studs are typically designed with a flared end attached to a narrower neck. The flared ends of the studs pass through the larger circular openings (e.g., in a vertical direction), and the track fitting assembly is moved along the track (e.g., in a horizontal direction) until the flared ends contact the underside of the slot lips. Standard threaded fasteners, bolts, or wedge-type elements are commonly used to create a snug fit between the studs and the track lips to prevent seat rattle and unintended seat displacement. Passenger seats are separated along the track by a pitch, which is the distance between a common portion of respective passenger seats. For example, the pitch between two seats can be measured between a front end of the two seats or any other suitable component. The passenger seats can be configured along the track using various pitches. In some examples, changing the pitch is difficult. Switching between pitches is often a complex process, especially when switching between pitches that are standardized according to different increments. For example, installers may be tasked with replacing suitable components for one pitch (e.g., having a whole inch (2.54cm) increment) with different components suitable for attaining a different pitch (e.g., an increment that ends with a half inch (1.27cm) interval). In addition, replacing components on seats often involves certifying safety, function, or the like of the changed components and installing a placard for verifying the safety of each assembly that has had new different parts added. Replacing existing placards or covering existing placards is also typically prohibited by regulation. Thus, if changing parts are involved, excessive placards may be installed, which may result in insufficient space to place additional placards if many modifications are made during the useful life of the parts. Document EP3421363 describes a device for the rapid attachment of a track mounted product to a track including an elongated member having a flange and a body. A first side of the body includes a protruding lip extending from at least a portion of the body between the first end and the second end of the elongated member. The device also includes a first alignment bore coupled to the first side of the flange between the first end and the second end of the elongated member. The device also includes a first boss extending from a second side of the body between the first end and the second end of the elongated member. SUMMARY The terms "invention," "the invention," "this invention" and "the present invention" used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim. According to the present invention, a track fitting assembly for attaching a leg of a passenger seat to a seat track is provided as defined in claim 1. In some embodiments, a tensioner pin extends from the underside of the body to push down against the seat track such that an upward-facing surface of the stud is raised into engagement with a downward-facing surface of an overhanging lip of the seat track. In some embodiments, the cover portion includes