B/e Aerospace, Inc.

Anatoly Starikov

Michael L Oleson

Arjun Koustubhan

In a preferred embodiment, a tilt-recline force adjusting apparatus for an aircraft passenger seat configured for a tilt-recline positioning includes a first spring having a first axis to urge a seat back into an upright position, the first spring arranged to compress as the seat is manually reclined, a helper spring having a second axis parallel to the first axis, the helper spring arranged to assist or counteract the first spring, an adjustment mechanism coupled to the helper spring to increase or decrease a force exerted by the helper spring to assist or counteract the first spring, and a weight sensing mechanism coupled to the adjustment mechanism and operable to actuate the adjustment mechanism in direct proportion to a weight of a seated passenger, whereby the force exerted on the aircraft seat to urge the seat back into an upright position is greater for a heavier seated passenger.

Aircraft seat with occupant weight sensing mechanism to adjust tilt-recline force

A weight sensing mechanism for an aircraft seat pan configured to adjust seat pan recline force and including a gas spring arranged between a fixed seat frame member and a movable seat pan member, the gas spring arranged to compress as the seat pan reclines in response to a load on the seat pan, and unloads upon removal of the load on the seat pan to assist in returning the seat pan to upright, and a helper spring positioned forward of and coaxially with the gas spring arranged to deflect under any load on the seat pan. A recline-capable seat pan assembly including a passenger body weight sensing mechanism.

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Hollandale Beach, FL, United States of America

Anatoly Starikov