Seat With Pivoting Backrest

Abstract

A seat, particularly for aircraft, has a backrest with a high pivot. Such a backrest permits a range of supported semi-reclining seating positions without inconveniencing an occupant of the next rearward seat row. The seat also permits selection of seat pan length to suit the height of the occupant.

1 . A seat comprising a mounting, a seat pan on the mounting, a frame on the mounting, a backrest pivoted on the frame about a high transverse axis with respect to the seat pan, and a latch to restrain said backrest at a desired angular position relative to said frame. 
   
   
       2 . The seat according to  claim 1  wherein said frame is reclinable with respect to said mounting, and is latchable at a desired reclining angle. 
   
   
       3 . The seat according to  claim 1  wherein said backrest has a mid height and said axis is above the mid height of said backrest. 
   
   
       4 . The seat according to  claim 3  wherein said backrest has a three-quarter height said axis is above three-quarter height of said backrest. 
   
   
       5 . The seat according to  claim 4  wherein said axis is above 90% of a height of said backrest. 
   
   
       6 . The seat according to  claim 1  wherein said seat pan is fixed with respect to the said frame. 
   
   
       7 . The seat according to  claim 1  wherein said seat pan is fixed with respect to said mounting. 
   
   
       8 . The seat according to  claim 1  wherein said seat pan is movable fore and aft independently from the backrest and has a plurality of latchable positions with respect to said frame. 
   
   
       9 . The seat according to  claim 8  wherein said seat pan is slidable. 
   
   
       10 . The seat according to  claim 1  wherein, in a forward most position of said backrest, said backrest exposes 50% or less of a length of the seat pan. 
   
   
       11 . The seat according to  claim 9 , wherein 25% or less of a length of said seat pan is exposed. 
   
   
       12 . The seat according to  claim 1  wherein, in a rearward most position of the backrest, the backrest exposed substantially the entire seat pan. 
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . A seat retrofit device, comprising:
 a seat-fixation mounting (black bottom) capable of attachment to a substrate, said mounting having a fore end and an aft end to define a fore-to-aft extent;   a lower seat pan ( 43 ) disposed at said mounting and extending in a plane from approximately said fore end to approximately said aft end;   a frame (black back) disposed at said aft end of said mounting at an angle with respect to said lower seat pan and having a frame upper end;   an upper backrest ( 42 ) pivotally connected at said frame upper end about an axis transverse with respect to the fore-to-aft extent; and   a latch capable of restraining said backrest at a pre-defined set of angular positions relative to said frame.   
   
   
       15 . The seat according to  claim 14 , wherein said frame is capable of being reclined with respect to said mounting and being removably secured in at least one pre-defined reclining angle. 
   
   
       16 . The seat according to  claim 1 , wherein said axis is located at a top half of said backrest. 
   
   
       17 . The seat according to  claim 1 , wherein said axis is located at a top quarter of said backrest. 
   
   
       18 . The seat according to  claim 1 , wherein said axis is located at a top tenth of said backrest. 
   
   
       19 . The seat according to  claim 1 , wherein said seat pan is fixed with respect to at least one of said frame and said mounting. 
   
   
       20 . The seat according to  claim 1 , wherein said seat pan is movable in said fore-and-aft extent independent from said backrest and has a plurality of latchable positions with respect to said frame. 
   
   
       21 . The seat according to  claim 20 , wherein in a fore-most position said backrest exposes no greater than 50% of a length of said seat pan. 
   
   
       22 . The seat according to  claim 21 , wherein in a fore-most position said backrest exposes no greater than 25% of a length of said seat pan. 
   
   
       23 . A seat according to any preceding claim wherein in the rearward most position the backrest exposed substantially the entire seat pan.