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Air cushion arrangement for a passenger seatAir cushion arrangement for a passenger seat description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070114832, Air cushion arrangement for a passenger seat. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The present invention relates to an air cushion arrangement for a passenger seat, in particular for a passenger aircraft. [0002] Passenger seats have a large number of requirements to fulfil, among which are the comfort requirements of the users. For example, with aircraft seats in the upright position the backrest must guarantee a lateral support, while in a flat or fully prone position it should provide as far as possible a flat lying surface similar to a mattress. In an intermediate position, which can be designated as a position of rest, a number of different selectable supports for the lumbar vertebral column or lumbar region is desirable. [0003] From DE3607258A1 self-inflating cushions filled with foam material are known, which are arranged beneath the cover of an aircraft seat. These are used in the back and seat area to allow for an adaptation of the contour and thickness of the padding to the anatomical requirements of the user. No provision is made for separate adjustability of the central area and the side areas of the backrest. [0004] From actual practice, passenger seats are known which are equipped with one or two lumbar or lumbar-dorsal cushions designed as air cushions. The aim with these cushions is to satisfy the different requirements for comfort solely by the variation of the air volume in this cushion. This succeeds with seats in motor vehicles, the backs of which are only used in an essentially upright position. With reclining seats or sleeping seats, such as in aircraft, this is not completely achieved. [0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a passenger seat which presents more extensive adjustment possibilities. [0006] This object is resolved by a passenger seat with the features of Claim 1. [0007] Because the passenger seat is provided with a reclinable backrest that is provided with a cover on the front side and with a foam-filled air cushion arrangement disposed under the cover, such that the air cushion arrangement has at least one centrally located air cushion and two lateral air cushions, the contour of the backrest can be varied in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, a shell shape can be attained to provide lateral support in a generally vertical position as well as a wholly or almost flat form in a recumbent position of the backrest. [0008] The attainment of a flat contour is further simplified if the backrest has a concave back recess arranged under the cover, which recess in the inflated state is essentially filled by the central air cushion. Preferably, the lateral air cushions in the evacuated state are arranged essentially flat beneath the cover. In the evacuated state in particular, together with the central air cushion arranged between the lateral air cushions in the inflated state, they can form an essentially flat surface. [0009] For a shell-shaped contour of the backrest, it is advantageous if the lateral air cushions delimit the central air cushion and in the inflated state have a lesser thickness close to the air cushion than in an area facing away from the central air cushion. Preferably, the lateral air cushions are designed in such a way that in the inflated state they continue laterally the concave shape of the back recess and the evacuated central air cushion located in it laterally in an essentially uninterrupted manner. [0010] The subjectively pleasant impression of a fixed cover material is enhanced if the cover is secured in a detachable but pull-resistant manner at least to the lateral air cushions, and preferably also to the central air cushion, so that, when an air cushion is evacuated, the cover remains in contact with it. [0011] Simple operation or an automatic actuation of the air cushions is made possible if the air cushions, as a function of a control arrangement, can be connected to a device for the creation of a vacuum. Provision can be made for the air cushions to be self-inflating. The air cushions, as a function of a control unit, can be connected to a device for the generation of compressed air. [0012] Additional comfort can be achieved by providing in the lower lumbar vertebral column region of the backrest at least one further lumbar air cushion between the central air cushion and the cover which can be inflated independently of the central air cushion. Rapid inflating and emptying of this air cushion is promoted if the lumbar air cushion is not filled with foam material. [0013] With a method according to the invention for the adjustment of a passenger seat, in particular with a seat with the preceding features, the following steps are provided: [0014] a) Evacuation of at least one of the air cushions centrally arranged in the backrest and inflation of at least two lateral air cushions located laterally next to the air cushion for the forming of a shell shape in an upright position of the backrest; [0015] b) Partial inflation of the central air cushion and partial evacuation of the lateral air cushions in an inclined position of the backrest; and [0016] c) Evacuation of the lateral air cushions and inflation of the central air cushion to form an essentially flat lying surface in a lying position of the backrest. [0017] Provision can be made for the method steps a) to c) to be carried out by a control unit automatically as a function of the inclination angle of the backrest. [0018] In this way, the automatic transition from a contoured backrest to a flat seat surface can be achieved. [0019] An embodiment of the invention is described hereinafter on the basis of the drawings. These show: [0020] FIG. 1: The air cushion arrangement in the backrest of a passenger seat according to the invention in a diagrammatic representation with the cover material removed; [0021] FIG. 2: The backrest according to FIG. 1 in the upright position with shell-shaped contour; FIG. 3: A cross-section through the backrest according to FIG. 2 along the line III--III; [0022] FIG. 4: The backrest according to FIG. 1 in a horizontal lying position with flat contour; [0023] FIG. 5: The backrest according to FIG. 4 in a cross-section along the line V--V; and [0024] FIG. 6: The backrest according to FIG. 1 in four different operating states of the lumbar cushions, which can be run through in cyclical fashion. [0025] FIG. 1 shows a backrest 1 of an aircraft passenger seat, in a diagrammatic representation. The backrest 1 has a total of four air cushions filled with foam material in the area of the lower back level, namely an uppercentral air cushion 2, a lower central air cushion 3, and two lateral air cushions 4. The air cushions 2-4 are partially covered on their side facing the passenger's back by two additional lumbar or lumbar-dorsal cushions 5 and 6. [0026] For a better illustration of the position of the air cushions 2-4 relative to one another, the contours of these air cushions are represented as transparent. In a real embodiment, in the individual overlap areas the air cushions 2 and 3 are located above the lateral air cushions 4. [0027] In addition, in a complete embodiment the backrest 1 is surrounded with a cover material and a further padding, so that the air cushions 2-6 are not identifiable. Continue reading about Air cushion arrangement for a passenger seat... Full patent description for Air cushion arrangement for a passenger seat Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Air cushion arrangement for a passenger seat patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Air cushion arrangement for a passenger seat or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Lateral honeycomb support for seat Next Patent Application: Woven chair Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Air cushion arrangement for a passenger seat patent info. 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