WO2005095210A1

WO2005095210A1 - Reclining seat

Info

Publication number: WO2005095210A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/003488
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Thompson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-30
Filing date: 2005-03-30
Publication date: 2005-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 2006-09-30
Also published as: GB2429908A; GB2429908B; GB0621421D0; GB0407126D0

Abstract

A reclining seat comprising a generally rigid outer shell 18 containing a seat base 16 and a back rest 14. The seat base and back rest are coupled together for movement with respect to the shell from an upright state to a reclined state by forward sliding movement to the seat base and corresponding downward movement of the top edge of the back rest. The back rest comprises a flexible diaphragm.

Description

Reclining Seat

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to reclining seats, especially for vehicles and most particularly for aircraft.

Background to the Invention

Conventional reclining seats have a seat base and a back rest and are operable between an upright state, in which the seat base and the back rest adopt a first orientation with respect to one another, and a reclined state in which the seat base and the back rest adopt a second orientation with respect to one another, hi each state the respective profiles of the seat base and the back rest remain the same.

However, the distribution of the seat occupant's weight differs between the upright and reclined states. It is considered, therefore, that the profile of at least the back rest should be adaptable to accommodate varying weight distribution.

Another problem with reclining seats is that when the back rest is tilted back, it tends to interfere with or constrict the person sitting immediately behind.

It is an object of the invention to avoid to mitigate these disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the invention provides a reclining seat comprising a generally rigid outer shell containing a seat base and a back rest, wherein the seat base and back rest are moveable with respect to the shell between an upright state and a reclined state, and wherein the back rest comprises a flexible diaphragm. Preferably the seat base and back rest are coupled together for movement with respect to the shell from the upright state to the reclined state by forward sliding movement of the seat base and corresponding downward movement of the top edge of the back rest.

There is also provided, as an independent invention, a reclining seat comprising a generally rigid outer shell containing a seat base and a back rest, wherein the seat base and back rest are moveable with respect to the shell between an upright state and a reclined state, the seat further including a foldaway table assembly mounted in a recess on the rear surface of the shell, the table assembly comprising a table supported by two arms which are pivoted at their upper ends to opposite sidewalls of the recess and at their lower ends to opposite side edges of the table at locations intermediate the front and rear edges of the table, the table being deployed from a stowed position wherein the table is folded up into the recess to a deployed position wherein the table extends substantially horizontally from the rear surface of the shell by rotating the front edge of the table outwardly and downwardly out of and away from the recess accompanied by upward movement of the rear edge of the table.

There is also provided, as a further independent invention, a reclining seat comprising a seat base and a back rest, wherein the seat base is mounted on a support structure comprising a plurality of pivoted link members which allow the seat base to assume a downwardly and forwardly extending orientation when the seat is not in use.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective front view of a row of seats embodying the invention, shown without padding or upholstery;

Figure 2 is a perspective rear view of the row of seats of Figure 1 , omitting the foldaway tables;

Figure 3 is a perspective side view of the row of seats of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a further perspective rear view of the row of seats of Figure I, including the foldaway tables;

Figure 5 is a schematic side view of a seat of the row in an upright state, showing only a small part of the outer shell;

Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the seat of Figure 5 in a reclined state;

Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the seat of Figure 5 with the seat base in a retracted state;

Figure 8 is a rear perspective view of the seat of Figure 5, excluding the upholstery and outer shell;

Figure 9 is a front perspective view of part of the shell for the seat of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a rear perspective view of the part of the shell with a foldaway table shown in a stowed position;

Figures 11 and 12 are rear perspective views of the part of the shell of Figure 10 with the foldaway table shown in progressive partially deployed positions; Figure 13 is a rear perspective view of the part of the shell of Figure 10 with the foldaway table shown in a fully deployed position;

Figure 14 is a perspective front view of a row of seats according to a second embodiment of the invention with all the seats in their upright state;

Figure 15 is a perspective rear view of the row of seats of Figure 14, showing the foldaway table in a stowed position;

Figure 16 is a perspective front view of the seat base and seat back of one of the seats of Figure 14, omitting the upholstery, the outer shell and showing only part of the mechanism below the seat base;

Figure 17 is a schematic side view of a seat of the row of Figure 14 in an upright state, similar to the view of Figure 5, omitting the seat back padding;

Figure 18 is a schematic side view of the seat of Figure 17 in a reclined state, similar to the view of Figure 6;

Figure 19 is a schematic side view of the seat of Figure 17 with the seat base in a retracted state, similar to the view of Figure 7;

Figure 20 is a rear perspective view of the row of seats of Figure 15 with a table in a partially deployed position;

Figure 21 is a rear perspective view of the row of seats of Figure 15 with a table in a fully deployed position; and

Figures 22 to 24 are detailed views of the table of Figures 20 and 21 as it moves to its fully deployed position, omitting the left hand side of the recess. Detailed Description of the Drawings

Figures 1 to 13 of the drawings show a row 10 of seats 12 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Each seat 12 comprises a back rest 14 and a seat base 16 contained within a generally rigid outer shell 18 moulded, for example, of carbon fibre. Each seat 12 may comprise an individual shell but in the illustrated embodiment a plurality of seats 12 (in this case three seats) share a common shell 18 shaped to define a plurality of staggered stations, one for each seat 12. The shell 18 and the seats 12 are supported by a base frame 20. The back rest 14 and seat base 16 are upholstered with padding 22 and 23 respectively, Figures 5 to 7. The rear surface of the shell has a shallow recess 53 to accommodate a foldaway table 50, Figures 4 and 10 to 13.

The back rest 14 comprises a flexible sheet, panel or other diaphragm 21 arranged to flex under the weight of a seat occupant when the seat 12 is in the reclined state, as is described in more detail below. To this end, the diaphragm 21 is formed from a flexible, preferably substantially non-elastic, material. By way of example, the diaphragm 21 may be formed from a semi-rigid,, or self-supporting, material such as a relatively thin flexible metal sheet, e.g. of aluminium, or alternatively it may be formed from a webbing material,_. e.g, nylon webbing. The padding 22 is placed against the front surface of the diaphragm 21. Where the diaphragm is not a semi-rigid material such as thin metal sheet it is mounted on a rigid frame (not shown). The seat base 16 may take any suitable form, and. preferably comprises a thin semi-rigid metal sheet 25 so as to be capable of limited flexing under the weight of an occupant. The padding 23 is placed on the top surface of the sheet 25.

Figure 5 shows one of the sheets 12 in an upright state in which the seat base 16 and the back rest 14 adopt a first orientation with respect to one another. When a person (not shown) is seated in the seat 12 in the upright state, most of the person's weight is borne by the seat base 16. It will be seen that, in the upright state, the side profile of the back rest 14 is generally straight or rectilinear.

The lower edge of the back rest 14, and more particularly the diaphragm 21, is pivotably coupled to the base frame 20 by a hinge 24 extending the width of the seat, the hinge defining a substantially horizontal axis about which the lower edge of the diaphragm may rotate. Lugs, not shown, extend outwardly from each end of the hinge 24 and engage in respective parallel, downwardly and forwardly extending guide slots 26 in the base frame 20. Thus the horizontal axis of the hinge 24, and hence the lower edge of the diaphragm 21, is capable of sliding parallel to its own length along a downwardly and forwardly extending guide path defined by the guide slots 26. The terms "downwardly" and "forwardly" refer, of course, to the orientation of the seat when installed on the floor of an aircraft, the forward direction being determined relative to the seat rather than the aircraft since the seats could be rear-facing. The lugs may advantageously be provided with rollers to allow rolling movement within the guide slots 26.

Referring in particular to Figures 5, 6 and 7, the seat base 16, and in particular the metal sheet 25, is mounted on a support structure 42 comprising one or more first, or front, rigid link members 44, one or more second, or rear,, rigid link members 46 and one or more respective intermediate rigid link members 48. As can be seen especially in Figure 7, the lower end of the link member 46 is pivoted to the rear end of the link member 48 at the axis of the hinge 24 (for the sake of clarity the pivotal connection between the link members 46 and 48 is shown slightly displaced from the hinge axis 24 in Figures 5 to 7). The lower end of the link member 44 is pivotally connected to the front end of the link member 48, i.e. at the pivot point P. Thus the lower ends of the link members 44 and 46 are pivoted a fixed distance apart at opposite ends of the link member 48. The upper ends of the link members 44 and 46 are pivoted to the underside of the metal sheet 25 at respective locations 44a, 46a spaced a fixed distance apart in the front-to-rear direction of the seat. The support structure 42 allows the seat base 16 to pivot between a normal use state in which the seat base is slightly downwardly inclined to the rear, Figures 5 and 6, and an occupant may sit in the seat 12, and a retracted state, Figure 7, in which the rear of the seat base 16 is raised so that the seat base is inclined downwardly and forwardly towards the floor when the seat is not in use. In the retracted state, the room taken up by the seat 12 in the front-to-rear direction is less than in the normal use state and so allows more room between rows of adjacent seats (e.g. for passage, standing or exercise). It is preferred that the support structure 42 is resiliently biased (not shown) so that the seat automatically adopts the retracted state when not in use. The arrangement is such that an occupant may actuate the seat base 16 from the retracted state into the normal use state simply by sitting down on the seat base 16 when retracted.

As noted, as a result of the hinge lugs (not shown) engaging the guide slots 26 the hinge 24 can slide parallel to its own axis along the path defined by the guide slots 26. At the same time the point P at the front end of the link member 48 slides along a downwardly and forwardly inclined guide ramp 28 on the base frame 20. This sliding movement of the hinge lugs along the guide slots 26 and the point P along the guide ramp 28 moves the seat from its upright state (Figure 5) to its reclined state (Figure 6). Since the ramp 28 makes a lesser angle to the horizontal than the slot 26 the forward sliding movement of the support structure 42 is accompanied by a slight anticlockwise rotation (as seen in Figures 5 and 6) of the structure 42 and consequent further downward tilting of the rear of the seat base 16. As a result of the seat base 16 and back rest 14 being coupled, via the support structure 42, at the hinge 24, the forward sliding movement of the seat base 16 frύm the upright to the reclined state, indicated by the arrow A in Figure 6, is accompanied by a corresponding downward movement of the top edge of the back rest 14, indicated by the arrow B in Figure 6. . The slidable coupling between the seat base 16/backrest 14 and the frame 20 allows the seat 12 to automatically adopt a use state that suits the size and weight of the occupant. The lugs will tend to slide along the guide slots 26 until an equilibrium state is reached. The orientation of the backrest/seat base in the equilibrium state will depend on the size and weight of the occupant but will normally be reached when the front end of the seat base 14 meets the rear of the person's knee. For example, for a long-legged person there would normally be space between the front end of the seat base 14 and the rear of the person's knee. This space allows the seat base 14 to tilt upwardly to fill the space, while the person's pelvic area moves downwardly by a corresponding amount until a weight/load equilibrium is reached. For a short-legged person, the force exerted by their thighs on the seat base 16 tends to move the front of the seat base downwardly and therefore moves their pelvic area upwardly until equilibrium is reached. This also allows short-legged people to have their feet on the floor, thereby reducing pressure on the rear of their knees.

As may best be appreciated from Figure 6, in the reclined state the weight of the seat occupant's weight is borne to a greater extent (in comparison with the upright state) by the back rest 14. Because the diaphragm 21 is flexible, in the reclined state it flexes under the weight of the seat occupant to adopt a different profile in comparison with its profile in the upright state. Figure 6 shows the diaphragm 21 with a curved profile. Hence, the transverse profile or curvature of the diaphragm 21, and therefore the back rest 14, changes in response to changes in the occupant's weight distribution. In the reclined state, the diaphragm 21 flexes rearwardly of the seat 12 and so the transverse, or side, profile of the back rest 14 changes correspondingly thereby providing better support an increased comfort for the occupant. In the present embodiment, substantially the entire area of the back rest 14 is provided by the diaphragm 21 although in alternative embodiments (not shown) the flexible diaphragm may provide only part of the back rest 14. Because the back rest 14 itself is flexible (by virtue of the diaphragm 21), the back rest requires less padding or upholstery than a conventional seat without compromising on comfort. This allows a significant weight saving for the seat. Typically, in the region of 50% less foam or other padding is required.

As previously described, the forward sliding movement of the seat base 16 from the upright to the reclined state, indicated by the arrow A in Figure 6, is accompanied by a corresponding downward movement of the top edge of the back rest 14, indicated by Hie arrow B in Figure 6. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the diaphragm 21 is supported by the shell 18 in such a way as to allow such movement of the diaphragm 21 relative to the shell 18 between the upright and reclined states. In the present embodiment, the top edge of the diaphragm 21 is coupled to the shell 18 via a lever 30. The lever 30 has one end 32 pivoted to the shell 18 and the other end 34 pivoted to the top end of a ram 38 (e.g. a gas- operated strut), the bottom end of the ram 38 being fixed to the shell 18. The top edge of the diaphragm 21 is pivotably connected or coupled to the lever 30 at a point 31 centrally between the ends 32 and 34 of the lever 30. The ram 38 biases the top edge of tlie diaphragm 21 upwardly so that the seat is normally in the upright state (Figure 5), and the ram 38 is normally locked in this position. However, a control switch (not shown) on the armrest of the seat, the armrest conveniently being provided by suitable moulding of the shell 18, allows the ram 38 to be released so that the ram can retract and the seat can assume the reclined state (Figure 6) under the weight of an occupant. The ram 38 is preferably lockable at various intermediate states of extension/retraction.

In the reclined state, the relative inclination of the diaphragm 21 with respect to the rear panel 19 of tlie shell 18 provides a space between the diaphragm 21 and the rear panel 19. This space allows the diaphragm 21 to flex or bend under the weight of the occupant, as described above. However, the rear panel 19 itself is formed from a rigid material and does not flex or bend. Hence, the rear panel 19 may be used to carry trays, pockets and/or other facilities for a passenger seated in a seat behind the seat 12, as is described in more detail hereinafter. The seat 12 may be provided individually but, in preferred embodiments is provided as part of a row 10. Preferably, each seat 12 in the row 10 shares a common shell 18 which is shaped to define a respective station for each seat 12. The seats 1 may be positioned directly side-by-side and in register with one another (as in a conventional row) or may be incorporated into a row in which the seats are staggered in the forward/rearward direction so that the row 10 is diagonally disposed with respect to the forward/rearward direction.

Figure 10 to 13 illustrate a preferred foldaway table assembly provided on the rear face of the rear panel 19 of the shell 18. A table 50 has its rear edge 52 slidably mounted in a recess 53 formed in the rear face of the shell 18. The table 50 is supported by two arms 54 which are pivoted at their upper ends 56 (Figures 11 and 13) to opposite sidewalls of the recess 53 and at their lower ends 57 to opposite side edges of the table at locations intermediate the front 51 and rear 52 edges of the table. The table 50 is deployed from a stowed position (Figure 10) wherein the table is folded up into the recess 53 to a deployed position (Figure 13) wherein the table 50 extends substantially horizontally from the rear face of the shell by rotating the front edge 51 of the table outwardly and downwardly out of . and away from the recess 53 accompanied by upward movement of the rear edge 52 of the table. Preferably a magazine pocket (not shown) is disposed in the recess 53 behind the table, the mouth of the pocket being accessible above the table when the latter is in its deployed position.

On conventional aircraft seating, the rear of the seat is divided into three areas, namely (starting from the top of the seat) a seat back monitor, a table and a magazine pocket. The preferred arrangement for- seats of the present invention is. (starting from the top of the seat) a seat back monitor 49, a pocket (the pocket is situated behind the top portion of the table - this is conventionally dead space), and a table 50. Having the magazine pocket at the bottom as on traditional seats reduces knee space. The preferred arrangement of the invention mitigates this problem and increases knee space. For example, a conventional magazine pocket is about 1 to 1.5 inches thick in the knee area, this may be replaced by an approximately V%" thick table in the knee area.

With airlines' ever-increasing seat back-monitor size the backrest height with conventional seats has to increase, causing problems with current regulations and leading to a more enclosed cabin. The above embodiment of the invention also reduces backrest height by approximately 2".

The above embodiment of the invention allows for a longer table. 50, typically about 70% larger (16" long), than a conventional table. Due to the way it deploys using the arms 54 on each side, the table 50 maybe made of less durable material thereby saving weight.

Figures 14 to 24 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. In these figures the same reference numerals have been used for components the same or equivalent to those used in relation to the first embodiment. Since the second embodiment functions in principle the same as the first embodiment in most respects, the following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

In this embodiment the back rest diaphragm 21 is a highly flexible sheet material such as nylon which is' suspended hammock-like between an upper portion of a rigid tubular frame 27, Figures 16 to 19, and the bottom surface of the seat base 25 (see especially Figure 19). In this case it is the lower end of the frame 27 rather than, as in the previous embodiment, the lower edge of the diaphragm 21 which rotates about the horizontal axis of the hinge 24 when the seat moves between its upright and reclined states. As before, movement of the seat from the upright state (Figure 17) to the reclined state (Figure 18) occurs by forward movement of the horizontal axis defined by the hinge 24 down the inclined path defined by the guide slots 26 and simultaneous forward movement of the pivot point P along the less inclined guide ramp 28. In this case the lugs and rollers at each end of tlie hinge 24 which slide down the slots 26 are shown at 24 A. The pivot point P is located on a slide block 60 which slides down the ramp 28.

A ratchet 62 extends alongside the ramp 28 and this is engaged by a pawl 64 which is biased into engagement with the ratchet 62 by a compression spring 66 ^• ■ extending between the link member 48 and the pawl. The pawl 64 may be disengaged from the ratchet 62, against the bias of the spring 66, by pulling upwardly on a bar 68 which is coupled to the pawl by a wire 70. When the pawl is disengaged the seat can be moved between its upright and reclined states and held selectively in either of such states, or any of a plurality of intermediate states as determined by the number of teeth on the ratchet, by releasing the bar 68. During movement of the seat between its upright and reclined positions the top end of the frame 27 slides up and down in a bracket 72 fixed to the front face of the shell 18 and which simply ensures that the top end of the frame does not rotate forwardly away from the shell 18. Thus the lever 30 is not present in this case.

The seat mechanism also includes a gas operated strut 74 connected by links 76, 78 (Figure 19) to opposite ends of the link members 44 and 46 respectively. The strut 74 is normally biased into its extended position as shown in Figure 19, so that in the absence of a seat occupant the seat base automatically assumes its retracted state. Movement of the seat base to the retracted state also automatically disengages the pawl 64 from the ratchet 62, so that the back rest 14 also assumes its upright state through the action of a further gas operated strut (not shown) biasing the top end of the frame 27 upwardly.

Like the first embodiment, the second embodiment has a foldaway table assembly mounted in a recess 53 on the rear surface of the shell 18, the table assembly comprising a table 50 supported by two arms 54 which are pivoted at their upper ends 56 to opposite sidewalls of the recess 53 and at their lower ends 57 to opposite side edges of the table 50 at locations intermediate the front and rear edges 51, 52 of tl e table. The table is deployed from a stowed position (Figure 15) wherein the table is folded up into the recess to a deployed position (Figure 21) wherein the table extends substantially horizontally from the rear surface of the shell 18 by rotating the front edge 51 of the table outwardly and downwardly out of and away from the recess accompanied by upward movement of the rear edge 52 of the table. In this case, however, as seen especially in Figure 15, the table 50 does not occupy the entire recess 53 when stowed, so that the lower half of the recess 53 is always available as extra knee room for a person seated behind the seat in question. The deployed position of the table 50 is reached when the rear edge 52 of the table 50 meets stops 79 extending from the recess 53.

In this embodiment, and referring in particular to Figures 22 to 24, the rear edge 52 of the table is coupled to the recess by a pair of arms 80 pivoted at one end to the recess 53 and at the other end to opposite ends of the rear edge of the table such that the arms rotate outwardly and upwardly of the recess as the table is moved to its deployed position. In particular, the arms 80 are the opposite arms of a shallow generally U-shaped spring steel wire member 82 whose base is pivoted in brackets 84 fixed in the recess 53. The arrangement is such that just before the table closes fully to its stowed position the rear edge 52 of the table 50 engages a . rib 86 in the recess 53, whereby the edge 52 cannot rotate further into the recess but can only move downwardly to the fully stowed position. This causes a distortion in the wire member 82 whose ends bend resiliently downwardly, in the direction of the arrow in Figure 22, as the table 50 enters its fully stowed position. The table 50 is held in its fully stowed position, against the resilient bias of tl e distorted wire member 82, by latches 88 which resiliently engage in respective slots 90 in the arms 54. The latches can be withdrawn from the slots 90 by pressing on a button 92 (Figure 21) next to the recess 53, so that the table can be released for opening. Release of the table causes the fear end 52 to spring away from tl e recess slightly as the resilient deformation of the wire member 82 is relieved, thus assisting the user to open the table. A magazine pocket 94 is disposed in the recess 53 behind the table 50, the mouth 96 of the pocket being accessible above the table when the latter is in its deployed position (Figure 24).

From the foregoing description it will be understood that tlie preferred embodiments of the invention offer the following advantageous features: the transverse profile of the back rest 14 adjusts as the seat reclines to the reclined state - hence the back rest 14 shapes itself to the occupant's back profile; the orientation and height of the seat base 16 is automatically adjustable to suit an occupant's physique; the retractable seat base 16 leaves more standing space for the occupant to stand and exercise and allows for a semi-standing/seated position; the shell 18 is fixed and does not recline rearwardly; the seat is suitable for certification for takeoff and landing in the upright or reclined state; the retractable seat base 16 offers increased egress space; the shell 18 offers increased privacy; and the seat requires less upholstery or foam (up to 50% less that a conventional seat) while still increasing comfort.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein which may be ■ modified or varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A reclining seat comprising a generally rigid outer shell containing a seat base and a back rest, wherein the seat base and back rest are moveable with respect to the shell between an upright state and a reclined state, and wherein the back rest comprises a flexible diaphragm.

2. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat base and back rest are coupled together for movement with respect to the shell from the upright state to the reclined state by forward sliding movement of the seat base and corresponding downward movement of the top edge of the back rest.

3. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 2, wherein the forward sliding movement of the seat base is accompanied by a slight downward tilt of the rear of the seat base.

4. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the back rest is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis which is slidable along a downwardly and forwardly extending guide path when the seat moves from the upright state to the reclined state.

5. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lower edge of the flexible diaphragm is rotatable about the said substantially horizontal axis..

6. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 4, wherein the flexible diaphragm is suspended between an upper portion of a rigid frame and the seat base, the lower end of the frame being rotatable about the said substantially horizontal axis.

7. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the seat base is mounted on a support structure slidable along a second downwardly and forwardly extending guid&path when the seat moves from the upright state to the reclined state.

8. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 7, wherein the support structure is slidable along both the first and second downwardly and forwardly extending guide paths when the seat moves from the upright state to the reclined state, and . wherein the second guide path makes a lesser angle to the horizontal than the first guide path whereby the forward sliding movement of the seat base is accompanied by a slight downward tilting of the rear of the seat base.

9. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of pivoted link members which allow the seat base to assume an orientation in which the seat base is inclined downwardly and forwardly when the seat is not in use.

10. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 9, further including resilient biasing means for urging tlie seat base into the said orientation such that the seat base assumes such orientation automatically when the seat is not in use.

11. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the support structure comprises first and second link members each pivoted at one end to the underside of the seat base at respective locations spaced in the front-to-rear direction of the seat, the other ends of the link members being pivotable at respective locations a fixed distance apart and slidable along tlie first and second guide paths respectively.

12. A reclining seat as claimed in any preceding claim, further including a user-operated ratchet mechanism for holding the seat selectively in its upright or reclined state or any of a plurality of intermediate positions.

13. A reclining seat as claimed in any preceding claim, further including a foldaway table assembly mounted in a recess on tlie rear surface of the shell, the table assembly comprising a table supported by two arms which are pivoted at their upper ends to opposite sidewalls of the recess and at their lower ends to opposite side edges of the table at locations intermediate the front and rear edges of the table, the table being deployed from a stowed position wherein the table is folded up into the recess to a deployed position wherein the table extends substantially horizontally from the rear surface of the shell by rotating the front edge of the table outwardly and downwardly out of and away from the recess accompanied by upward movement of the rear edge of the table.

1 . A reclining seat as claimed in claim 13, wherein the rear edge of the table is coupled to the recess by means including a pair of arms pivoted at one end to the recess and at the other end to opposite ends of the rear edge of the table such that the arms rotate outwardly and upwardly of the recess as the table is moved to its deployed position.

15. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 14, wherein the coupling means is subject to resilient distortion when the table is in its stowed position, such distortion tending to bias the rear edge of the table out of the stowed position, the assembly further including a manually releasable latch holding the table in its stowed position against the said bias.

16. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 13, 14 or 15, further including a magazine pocket disposed in the recess behind the table, the mouth of the pocket being accessible above the table when the latter is in its deployed position. ^•

17. A reclining seat comprising a generally rigid outer shell containing a seat base and a back rest, wherein the seat base and back rest are moveable with respect to the shell between an upright state and a reclined state, the seat further including a foldaway table assembly mounted in a recess on the rear surface of the shell, the table assembly comprising a table supported by two arms which are pivoted at their upper ends to opposite sidewalls of the recess and at their lower ends to opposite side edges of the table at locations intermediate the front and rear edges of the table, the table being deployed from a stowed position wherein the table is folded up into the recess to a deployed position wherein the table extends substantially horizontally from the rear surface of the shell by rotating the front edge of the table outwardly and downwardly out of and away from the recess accompanied by upward movement of the rear edge of the table.

18. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 17, wherein the rear edge of the table is coupled to the recess by means including a pair of arms pivoted at one end to the recess and at the other end to opposite ends of the rear edge of the table such that the arms rotate outwardly and upwardly of the recess as tl e table is moved to its deployed position.

19. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 18, wherein the coupling means is subject to resilient distortion when the table is in its stowed position, such distortion tending to bias the rear edge of the table out of the stowed position, the assembly further including a manually releasable latch holding the table in its stowed position against the said bias.

20. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 17, 18 or 19, further including a magazine pocket disposed in the recess behind the table, the mouth of the pocket being accessible above the table when tlie latter is in its deployed position.

21. A row of two or more seats as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each seat shares a common shell, the shell being shaped to define a respective station for each seat.

22. A reclining seat comprising a seat base and a back rest, wherein tlie seat base is mounted on a support structure comprising a plurality of pivoted link members which allow the seat base to assume a downwardly and forwardly extending orientation when the seat is not in use.

23. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 22, further including resilient biasing means for urging the seat base into the said orientation such that the seat base assumes such orientation automatically when the seat is not in use.

24. A reclining seat as claimed in claim 22 or 23, wherein the support structure comprises first and second link members each pivoted at one end to the underside of the seat base at respective locations spaced in the front-to-rear direction of the seat, the other ends of the link members being pivotable at respective locations a fixed distance apart below the seat base.