Seat track fittings and methods for installing passenger seats in aircraft cabins using seat track fittings

Abstract

Provided are seat track fittings and methods for installing passenger seats in aircraft cabins using these seat track fittings such that the same seat can be installed on different types of seat tracks. A seat track fitting comprises a leg support, a pin, and a base interconnecting the leg support and pin. During the installation of the seat track fitting, the pin is inserted into an attachment opening of the seat track. The attachment opening is selected based on the desired position of a seat. A removable fastener then protrudes through the base of the seat track fitting and is inserted into another attachment opening of the seat track. The seat is then attached to the seat track fitting by inserting the stud end of the seat into the leg support of the seat track fitting and fixing the stud end within the leg support.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A seat track fitting for installing a seat on a seat track in an aircraft cabin and having a first axis, a second axis, and a third axis, wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the second axis and to the third axis and wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the third axis, the seat track fitting comprising:
 a base, comprising a first planar surface, a second planar surface, and a base opening, wherein:
 the first planar surface is parallel to the second planar surface and contains the first axis and the second axis of the seat track fitting; 
 the first planar surface is offset relative to the second planar surface along the third axis of the seat track fitting; and 
 the base opening extends between the first planar surface and the second planar surface and is centered relative to the third axis of the seat track fitting; 
   a leg support, comprising a first leg support portion and a second leg support portion, forming a channel over the first planar surface of the base and extending along the first axis, wherein:
 the first leg support portion comprises a first lip and a first wall, monolithic with and connecting the first lip to the base; 
 the second leg support portion comprises a second lip and a second wall, monolithic with and connecting the second lip to the base; 
 the channel comprises a first channel portion, a second channel portion, and a support opening; 
 the first channel portion is positioned between the first lip and the second lip along the second axis; 
 the second channel portion is positioned between the first wall and the second wall along the second axis and also between the first channel portion and the first planar surface along the third axis; and 
   a pin, monolithic with the base and extending from the second planar surface along the second axis.   
     
     
         2 . The seat track fitting of  claim 1 , wherein a center distance (L 1 ) between the pin and the base opening is equal to double of a seat track pitch (P). 
     
     
         3 . The seat track fitting of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the support opening comprises a first semicircular portion and a second semicircular portion; and   the first semicircular portion is concentric with the base opening.   
     
     
         4 . The seat track fitting of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the support opening comprises a linear portion defined by a first linear part of the first lip and by a second linear part of the second lip; and   the first linear part and the second linear part are both parallel to the first axis.   
     
     
         5 . The seat track fitting of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the linear portion has a width (W 1 ) less than a diameter (D 1 ) of the second semicircular portion; and   the linear portion has a length (L 2 ) greater than the diameter (D 1 ) of the second semicircular portion.   
     
     
         6 . The seat track fitting of  claim 4 , wherein the second semicircular portion is positioned between the first semicircular portion and the linear portion along the first axis. 
     
     
         7 . The seat track fitting of  claim 4 , wherein a projection of the pin overlaps with the linear portion. 
     
     
         8 . The seat track fitting of  claim 1 , wherein;
 the first wall comprises a first inner curved wall; and   the second wall comprises a second inner curved wall, defining, together with the first inner curved wall, the first planar surface, the first channel portion, and a boundary of the second channel portion.   
     
     
         9 . The seat track fitting of  claim 8 , wherein shapes of the first inner curved wall and the second inner curved wall are conformal to a shape of a stud end of the seat. 
     
     
         10 . The seat track fitting of  claim 8 , wherein the first inner curved wall and the second inner curved wall are both parallel to the first axis. 
     
     
         11 . The seat track fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the support opening is parallel to the first planar surface. 
     
     
         12 . The seat track fitting of  claim 1 , wherein an average width of the first channel portion, along the second axis, is less than an average width of the second channel portion. 
     
     
         13 . The seat track fitting of  claim 1 , wherein a maximum width of the first channel portion, along the second axis, is equal to a maximum width of the second channel portion. 
     
     
         14 . The seat track fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the first channel portion and the second channel portion both extend, along the first axis, an entire length of the seat track fitting. 
     
     
         15 . The seat track fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the seat track fitting is formed from one or more of aluminum, titanium, steel, and carbon-fiber composite. 
     
     
         16 . The seat track fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the pin has a shape of a circular cylinder. 
     
     
         17 . The seat track fitting of  claim 1 , wherein the base opening is configured to receive a removable fastener such that a portion of the removable fastener protrudes into the support opening. 
     
     
         18 . The seat track fitting of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the base opening is equal to a diameter of the pin. 
     
     
         19 . A seat track fitting for installing a seat on a seat track in an aircraft cabin, the seat track fitting comprising:
 a first axis;   a base;   a leg support; and   a pin, wherein:
 the base comprises a first planar surface, a second planar surface, and a base opening, having a circular cross-section; 
 the leg support comprises a first leg support portion and a second leg support portion, forming a channel over the first planar surface of the base and comprising a support opening; 
 the support opening comprises a first semicircular portion, concentric with the base opening; 
 the pin is monolithic with the base and extends from the second planar surface away from the leg support; 
 the pin is configured for inserting into a first attachment opening of the seat track; and 
 the first semicircular portion and the base opening are configured for a removable fastener to protrude through the first semicircular portion and the base opening and to install into a second attachment opening of the seat track such that a portion of the removable fastener extends within and blocks the first semicircular portion. 
   
     
     
         20 . A seat track fitting for installing a seat on a seat track in an aircraft cabin, the seat track fitting comprising:
 a base;   a leg support; and   a pin, wherein:
 the base comprises a base opening, having a circular cross-section, 
 the leg support comprises a first leg support portion and a second leg support portion, forming a channel over the base and comprising a support opening, and 
 the support opening comprises a first semicircular portion, concentric with the base opening; 
 the pin is configured for inserting into a first attachment opening of the seat track; and 
 the base opening is configured for a removable fastener to protrude through the base opening and to install into a second attachment opening of the seat track such that a portion of the removable fastener extends within and blocks the first semicircular portion.