| Combination footrest and baggage bar for aircraft passenger seat -> Monitor Keywords |
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Combination footrest and baggage bar for aircraft passenger seatCombination footrest and baggage bar for aircraft passenger seat description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070018494, Combination footrest and baggage bar for aircraft passenger seat. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a combination footrest and baggage bar for an aircraft passenger seat. The invention has application principally with coach-class seating on either long-haul or regional passenger aircraft. Traditional aircraft coach-class seats typically include pairs of legs that support a group of laterally-aligned seats. These legs are typically spaced-apart in both a lateral and fore-and-aft orientation. For example, a typical three-abreast seating group will include a pair of legs on each end and a pair of legs intermediate the ends, i.e., four pairs of legs for three seats. Other combinations exist, of course, with some coach class seating areas having six or more seats abreast with a comparable leg arrangement. [0002] These types of seating arrangements require stowage space for at least some carry-on baggage to be provided under the seats for the use of aft-seated passengers. The aft-seated passenger must in many instances make room for baggage while leaving enough room for his or her feet, either on top of, to both sides or to one side of the baggage. The intermediate pairs of legs restrict the position of both luggage and feet, and also form divisions that require each passenger to stow baggage under the seat directly in front of that passenger whether or not room remains for the feet to be comfortably accommodated, as well. [0003] Regulations require that seats with underneath baggage storage space include means to prevent baggage from being pushed forwardly by the aft-seated passenger and from sliding forward into the foot and leg space of the passenger seated in that seat. This is most often accomplished by means of a "baggage bar." The baggage bar is formed of a lightweight material such as aluminum and typically extends under the seat laterally from one end of the seating group to the other, curving around the ends to opposite termination points. This baggage bar is generally aligned with the front edge of the seat bottom and is spaced upwardly from the aircraft deck by approximately one-half of the distance from the deck to the bottom side of the seat bottom. In the event of sudden deceleration of the aircraft, the baggage bar prevents baggage, handbags and other objects from sliding forwardly beyond the bar, as well as preventing aft-seated passengers from "poaching" into the leg and foot space of the forwardly-seated passenger. In conventional coach-class seating, the baggage bar is much too far forward to be reached by the feet of an aft-seated passenger. [0004] Newer coach-class seats have been engineered to reduce the number of leg assemblies needed by, for example, the use of strong and lightweight tubes on which the seats are mounted. In addition, some new coach-class seats are designed with rigid, non-reclining, stationary seat back shells that support the seat back. The passenger seated in the seat reclines by, for example, coordinated translation of the seat bottom and seat back. This design allows fore-and-aft rows of the seats to be spaced somewhat closer together while providing the aft-seated passenger with a fixed living space that cannot be confiscated by the forwardly-seated passenger's reclined seat back. [0005] These new arrangements have freed-up space under the seat to permit more foot and baggage stowage space. The need remains for some means by which baggage is prevented from being placed or moved too far forward under the seat, as described above. However, with new seat designs the opportunity now exists for a footrest to be provided passengers, while maintaining the open underseat environment permitted by these new seat designs. This application describes and claims a footrest for the comfort of passengers and a baggage bar to satisfy the requirements that baggage be placed and maintained in a specified area under the seat. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a seat that includes a footrest for an aft-seated passenger. [0007] It is another object of the invention to provide a seat that includes a combination footrest and baggage bar for an aft-seated passenger. [0008] It is another object of the invention to provide a seat that includes an open below-seat area suited to easily and comfortably accommodate both the passenger's feet and an adequate amount of baggage. [0009] These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a passenger seat having at least one leg assembly for attachment to a supporting surface, with a seat bottom and seat back carried by the at least one leg assembly. A footrest bar is fixed in a stationary position below and laterally extending between opposed sides of the seat bottom and in a relatively-forward position relative to the seat bottom for supporting feet of an aft-seated passenger. [0010] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the seat includes two spaced-apart leg assemblies, and further wherein the footrest bar is connected to and extends between the two leg assemblies. [0011] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a rear-facing surface of the footrest bar is positioned at an anatomically-appropriate oblique angle for supporting the feet at a heel down, toe up position. [0012] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the footrest bar is positioned in generally vertical alignment with a forward edge of the seat bottom. [0013] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the spaced-apart leg assemblies each comprise a single leg member. [0014] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the spaced-apart leg assemblies each comprise a single leg member and further wherein the respective single leg members support the seat bottom and seat back from a position below a forward portion of the seat bottom. [0015] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the footrest bar comprises a baggage retention bar for preventing forward movement past the baggage retention bar of baggage stowed under the seat bottom. [0016] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the seat includes a stationary shell for supporting the seat back in a stationary position. [0017] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, an aircraft passenger seating group is provided, and comprises a pair of laterally spaced-apart leg assemblies for attachment to an aircraft deck and a plurality of laterally-adjacent seat bottoms and seat backs carried by the leg assemblies. A combination footrest and baggage bar is positioned below and laterally extends between opposed sides of the seat bottoms and in a relatively-forward position relative to the seat bottoms for supporting the feet of an aft-seated passenger. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: [0019] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view, with parts omitted for clarity, of a coach-class passenger seating group according to one embodiment of the invention; [0020] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the seat shown in FIG. 1; [0021] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevation of the seat end cap and combination footrest and baggage bar; Continue reading about Combination footrest and baggage bar for aircraft passenger seat... Full patent description for Combination footrest and baggage bar for aircraft passenger seat Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Combination footrest and baggage bar for aircraft 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 Combination footrest and baggage bar for aircraft passenger seat or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Vehicular switch operation mechanism Next Patent Application: An article of rattan furniture having a seat support cushion Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Combination footrest and baggage bar for aircraft passenger seat patent info. 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