Methods and devices for enhancing health, safety, and comfort on conveyances in relation to reclining seats

Patent 7287817 Issued on October 30, 2007. Estimated Expiration Date:

August 17, 2024. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

1158350

1445726

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Inventor

Goldman, Ira H.

Application

No. 10920071 filed on 08/17/2004

US Classes:

297/463.2, MISCELLANEOUS297/146, From back297/310, WITH MEANS TO CONTROL REARWARD CHAIR TIPPING297/463.1, CHAIR HARDWARE OR ATTACHMENT (E.G., BRACKET, OPERATING LEVER, LEG EXTENSION, ETC.)248/345.1, SCUFF PLATE OR BUMPER108/28, WITH DIVERSE SUPPORT FOR ARTICLES297/270.2, Pivotal stop297/182, WITH DEBRIS CATCHER248/214, On horizontal rod or bar248/188.9Tip or shoe

Examiners

Primary: Brown, Peter R.

International Class

A47B 83/02

Abstract

A method and device for enabling an aft passenger on a conveyance to establish protection from a forward seatback, irrespective of a conventional effort by a forward passenger to cause reclining of the forward seatback. A device is disclosed that includes a main body and additional elements appended to the main body. The device is adapted for access by the aft passenger to activate it in order to inhibit such reclining. In one preferred embodiment, the device is adapted for use on an airplane to engage the forward seatback and an arm of a tray table designated for use by the aft passenger. In another preferred embodiment, the device comprises a recline inhibitor component connected to a depressible safety input control which is integrated with a rearward portion of a seat for access by the aft passenger.

Other References

“RMUTT”; “Airline passenger anti-knee-crush device”; Halfbakery.com; date-stamped Apr. 6, 2001; copy printed Aug. 14, 2004; http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/Airline_—20passenger_—20anti-knee-crush_—20device.