TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a personal electronic device holder designed specifically for incorporation into a seat back area of a commercial passenger seat such as found on commercial aircraft. As used in this application, the term "electronic device" means handheld devices such as smart phones and tablets, but may include small laptops with foldable or removable keyboards. The device holder is integral to the upper seat back shroud and is adaptable to devices of different sizes.

Electronic devices are almost always in frequent use on commercial aircraft. Regulations now permit electronic devices smaller than laptops to be used in "airplane" mode during all phases of flight. Present seating does not provide for a convenient, hands-free way of positioning electronic devices for ease of use and viewing. Instead, the user simply holds the device in one or both hands or props the device at a viewing angle using the seat back table, a briefcase or other object supported on the lap. There exists a need for a simple and effective way of supporting an electronic device for use that permits quick and easy deployment and stowage and that does not interfere with other seating components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a seat back personal electronic device holder that is adaptable to many different sizes and types of electronic devices. It is another object of the invention to provide a personal electronic device holder that is designed for quick deployment and stowage.

It is another object of the invention to provide a personal electronic device holder that securely holds and positions the device at an optimal viewing angle that is maintained independent of the recline position of the seat back.

It is another object of the invention to provide a personal electronic device holder that includes a power source.

It is another object of the invention to provide a personal electronic device holder that is integrated into the upper seat back shroud.

It is another object of the invention to provide a personal electronic device holder that can be deployed and stowed with one hand.

It is another object of the invention to provide a personal electronic device holder that permits use of the seat back tray table independent of the device holder.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiment disclosed below by providing a personal electronic device holder for a seat back that includes a support housing positioned on an upper shroud portion of the seat back and an upper support positioned in the support housing, mounted for movement between a lowered, stowed position in the support housing and a raised, deployed position extending out of and above the support housing, A lower support is positioned for movement between a stowed position proximate the support housing and a deployed, lower position. The upper support and lower support has respective engaging elements defining between them a user-determined space for engaging and holding a respective top edge and bottom edge of the electronic device in a use position.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the lower support includes a hinged cover which is positioned over the support housing when in the stowed position, and the engaging element of the lower support includes a top edge of the lower support adapted for supporting a relatively large size electronic device. A laterally-extending raised strip is positioned on an inner surface of the lower support at a position closer to the top edge of the lower support and adapted for supporting a relatively small size electronic device.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the upper support is mounted for sliding movement vertically upwardly from the stowed position in the support housing into the user-determined use position, and the upper support includes an outwardly projecting lip for supporting the top edge of the electronic device.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the lip of the upper support when in the lower, stowed position is positioned adjacent a top edge of the lower support.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the lip of the upper support when in the lower, stowed position is positioned adjacent in a recess in a top edge of the lower support for being manually accessed to raise the lower support into the use position,

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a latch is positioned in the support housing for maintaining the lower support in the stowed position against the support housing and for cooperating with the lip of the upper support to release the lower support from the stowed position when the upper support is raised from its stowed position into the deployed use position. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a latch is positioned in the support housing for maintaining both the upper support and the lower support in respective stowed positions against the support housing, and for cooperating with the lip of the upper support to release the lower support from the stowed position when the upper support is raised from the stowed position into the deployed use position,

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a personal electronic device holder for a seat back is provided that includes a support housing positioned on an upper shroud portion of the seat back and an upper support positioned in the support housing, mounted for movement between a lowered, stowed position in the support housing and a raised, deployed position extending out of and above the support housing. The upper support includes a panel for sliding movement vertically upwardly from the stowed position in the support housing into a user-determined position, and an outwardly projecting lip for supporting a top edge of the electronic device. A lower support is positioned for movement between the stowed position covering the support housing and the deployed, lower position below the support housing and comprising a hinged cover and the engaging element of the lower support comprises a laterally-extending raised strip. The deployed upper support and the deployed lower support has respective engaging elements defining between them a user- determined space for engaging and holding a respective top edge and bottom edge of the electronic device in a use position.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the lower support includes a hinged cover, and the engaging elements of the lower support include a top edge of the hinged cover adapted for supporting a relatively large size electronic device. A laterally- extending raised strip is positioned on an inner surface of the hinged cover at a position closer to the top edge of the hinged cover and is adapted for supporting a relatively small size electronic device.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the lip of the upper support in the lower, stowed position is positioned adjacent in a recess in a top edge of the lower support for being manually accessed for raising the lower support into the use position.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a personal electronic device holder for a seat back is provided that includes a support housing positioned on an upper shroud portion of the seat back. An upper support is positioned in the support housing, mounted for movement between a lowered, stowed position in the support housing and a raised, deployed position extending out of and above the support housing. The upper support includes a panel for sliding movement vertically upwardly from the stowed position in the support housing into a user-determined position, and an outwardly projecting lip for supporting a top edge of an electronic device. A lower support is positioned for movement between a stowed position covering the support housing and a deployed, lower position below the support housing and includes a hinged cover. The upper support and lower support have respective engaging elements defining between them a user-deterrnined space for engaging and holding a respective top edge and bottom edge of the electronic device in the use-determined position.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a recess is provided in the top edge of the lower support for allowing manual access to the lip of the upper support. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a power port is positioned on the seat back shroud proximate the lower support for allowing the user to charge the electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description of the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a passenger seat back showing the personal electronic device holder according to a prefeixed embodiment of the invention positioned in the upper seat back shroud;

Figure 2 is a view of the personal electronic device holder of Figure 1 showing the lower support in the process of being deployed for use;

Figure 3 is a view of the personal electronic device holder of Figure 1 showing the lower support deployed and the upper support in the process of being deployed for use;

Figure 4 is a view of the persona! electronic device holder of Figure 1 deployed for use;

Figure 5 is an oblique side perspective view showing a tablet-sized device positioned in the holder;

Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the electronic device holder deployed with a tablet-sized device positioned in the holder;

Figure 7 is a rear elevation of a pair of seat backs, showing the left hand holder in a stowed position and the right hand holder in a deployed position holding a tablet-sized device;

Figure 8 shows the upper support of the holder being stowed; and

Figure 9 shows the lower support of the holder being stowed after the upper support has been stowed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now specifically to Figures 1-9 of the drawings, a personal electronic device holder 10 is shown as part of a seat back shroud 12. A support housing 14 extends laterally across the seat back shroud 12 and houses an upper support 16 that is mounted for sliding movement vertically upward from the support housing 14 for deployment and use, and for sliding movement vertically downward into the support housing 14 for stowage when not in use. The upper support 16 includes a lip 18 that extends outwardly for supporting the top edge of a device "D" being held in the holder 10, as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7.

The holder 10 also includes a lower support 20 that is mounted on hinges 21 and is deployed by pivoting the lower support 20 downwardly and away from the seat back shroud 12. The lower support 20 has an inwardly-curved top edge 22 that fits against the seat back shroud 12 when stowed, and serves as a lower lip when deployed to support the lower edge of a device "D" being held in the holder 10. See Figure 5. When stowed, the upper support 16 locks the lower support 20 in the stowed position, and when the upper support 16 is raised, the lower support 20 is automatically released for deployment into its terminal position. The upper support 16 is preferably spring-loaded and when released returns to its stowed position.

The lower support also includes a recess 24 for allowing a finger to be used to pull the lower support 20 into the deployed position, As best shown in, for example, Figures 2, 3 and 4, a raised support strip 26 extends laterally across the inner side of the lower support 20 and provides support for the lower edge of a relatively small electronic device "D". Such a relatively small electronic device "D" would be supported between the lip 18 of the upper support 16 and the strip 26.

The holder 10 also includes a power supply outlet, such as a USB- power port 28, A two way stowage latch 30 locks both the upper support 16 and lower support 20 in place when in the stowage position. The latch 30 may be powered by a spring (not shown) that is compressed when the upper support 16 is in the stowed position of Figures 8 and 9 and which urges the upper support 26 upward into the deployed position of, for example, Figures 1 and 2 when released, Alternatively, the upper support 16 may be stowed and deployed by manually raising or depressing the upper support 16 sufficiently to overcome a predetennined amount of friction between the upper support 16 and the slot in which it is housed, as shown in Figure 1. Other known means of powering the stowage and deployment of the upper support 16 are also contemplated and are within the scope of this application.

Shown in sequence of operation, Figure 1 shows the upper support 16 being deployed by raising it out of its stowed position in the support housing 14. Deploying the upper support 16 automatically releases the two-way stowage latch 30 and deploys the lower support 20, as is pivots downwardly on its hinges 21 , as shown in Figure 2. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate that after both the upper support 16 and lower support 20 have been deployed, the upper support 16 is raised to the level necessary to secure the device "D".

Figures 5, 6 and 7 show a large tablet-type electronic device positioned in the holder 10, with its top edge supported by the lip 18 of the upper support 16, and its bottom edge supported by the top edge 22 of the lower support 20. While not shown explicitly, it is understood that a smart phone or smaller-sized tablet can be held by supporting the top edge with the lip 18 of the upper support 16 and its bottom edge with the raised support strip 26 on the inner side of the lower support 20.

To stow the holder 10, the upper support 16 is released and a spring, not shown, retracts the upper support 16 into the support housing 14, as shown in Figure 8. Rotating the lower support 20 into its stowed position, as shown in Figure 9, latches both the upper support 16 and lower support 20 in the fully stowed position shown on the left hand seat of Figure 7.

A personal electronic device holder is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.