GB2617871A

GB2617871A - An armrest for an aircraft

Info

Publication number: GB2617871A
Application number: GB2208084.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Doegar Nishant
Original assignee: Airbus SAS
Current assignee: Airbus SAS
Priority date: 2022-04-20
Filing date: 2022-06-01
Publication date: 2023-10-25
Anticipated expiration: 2042-06-01
Also published as: GB202208084D0; GB2617871B

Abstract

An armrest 30 for attachment to a seat frame comprises a first armrest portion 31 and a second armrest portion 32, the portions coupled by an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism comprises a sliding member 51, slidably mounted within a channel (44, Figure 7B) on the second portion, and an arm 52 pivotably coupled to the first portion 31 at a first end and pivotably coupled to the sliding member at a second end. A spring 53 in the channel biases the sliding member to one end. The armrest has a retracted state, wherein the second portion 32 extends over the top of the first portion 31, and an extended state, wherein the first and second portions are laterally adjacent. The armrest may be fixedly attached to an aircraft seat. A horizontal force may move the armrest from the retracted state to the extended state. The first and second portions may comprise respective locking features (61b, Figure 7A) that engage together when moving between states, such that movement of the second portion relative to the first portion is linear when the locking features are engaged.

Description

AN ARMREST FOR AN AIRCRAFT FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an armrest for attaching to a seat frame, a seat assembly, and an aircraft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Aircraft seating is typically arranged in rows, with the rows of seats separated by an aisle. For example, three or more seats may be arranged either side of an aisle of the aircraft. Limited space on aircraft often means that adjacent seats in each row share a common armrest, with the armrest limited in size so as to only be able to comfortably accommodate one person at a time

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A first aspect of the invention provides an armrest for attaching to a seat frame, comprising: a first armrest portion having an armrest surface for directly supporting a user's arm; a second armrest portion having an armrest surface for directly supporting a user's arm; an adjustment mechanism coupling the first and second armrest portions, the adjustment mechanism comprising: a sliding member mounted on the second armrest portion and arranged to move relative to the second armrest portion along a channel arranged on the second armrest portion; a pivot arm pivotally coupled at a first end to the first armrest portion and pivotally coupled at a second end to the sliding member, and a spring mechanism biasing the sliding member to one end of the channel; wherein the armrest is configured to be moveable between a retracted state and an extended state: in the retracted state, the armrest surface of the second armrest portion extends over at least a portion of the armrest surface of the first armrest portion; in the extended state, the armrest surface of the second armrest portion is side-by-side with the armrest surface of the first armrest portion.

[0004] This provides a simple mechanism for providing an armrest that is compact yet provides the option of expanding the usable armrest surface when required The movement of the first and second armrest portions is guided by the pivot arm, whilst the spring mechanism provides a single mechanism that helps to maintain the armrest in each of the retracted and expanded states without locking the armrest portions in position more permanently.

[0005] The armrest may be arranged to move from the retracted state towards the extended state by a passenger applying a generally horizontal force on the second armrest portion. The passenger may subsequently apple a generally vertical force on the second armrest portion to move to the extended state.

[0006] In the extended state, the armrest surface of the first armrest portion may be level with the armrest surface of the second armrest portion.

[0007] In the extended state, the pivot arm may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the channel [0008] The first armrest portion may comprise a first locking feature, and the second armrest portion may comprise a first locking feature configured to engage with the first locking feature of the first armrest portion when moving between the retracted and extended states, such that movement of the second armrest portion relative to the first armrest portion is linear when the first locking features of the first and second armrest portions are engaged.

[0009] The first locking feature of the first armrest portion may be a first slot, and the first locking feature of the second armrest portion may be a first protrusion configured to engage and move along the first slot when moving between the retracted and extended states [0010] The first slot may be on the armrest surface of the first armrest portion.

[0011] The first locking features of the first and second armrest portions may be engaged when the armrest is in the retracted state.

[0012] The first locking features of the first and second armrest portions may be engaged when the armrest is in the extended state.

[0013] The first armrest portion may comprise a second locking feature extending substantially perpendicular to the first locking feature of the first armrest portion, and the second armrest portion may comprise a second locking feature extending substantially perpendicular to the first locking feature of the second armrest portion, wherein the second locking feature of the second armrest portion is configured to move along the second locking feature of the first armrest portion when moving between the retracted and extended states.

[0014] The second locking feature of the first armrest portion may be a second slot, and the second locking feature of the second armrest portion may be a second protrusion configured to engage and move along the first slot when moving between the retracted and extended states.

[0015] The second locking features of the first and second armrest portions may be engaged when the armrest is in the other of the retracted state and the extended state [0016] The first and/or second locking feature may comprise a stopper configured to limit movement of the first or second locking feature when engaged with the respective first or second corresponding locking feature [0017] The stopper may be arranged to limit movement of the first or second corresponding locking feature when the armrest is in the retracted state or extended state [0018] The adjustment mechanism may be a first adjustment mechanism, and the armrest may comprise a second adjustment mechanism, the first and second adjustment mechanisms coupling the first and second armrest portions at opposite ends of the first and second armrest portions.

[0019] A second aspect of the invention provides a seat assembly, comprising: a first seat adjacent a second seat; the armrest of the first aspect between the first and second seats.

[0020] The first armrest portion may be fixedly attached to the first and/or second seat.

[0021] A further aspect of the invention provides an aircraft comprising the seat assembly of the second aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0023] Figure 1 shows an aircraft; [0024] Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the fuselage of the aircraft; [0025] Figure 3 shows a row of seats with an armrest in a retracted state between the seats, [0026] Figure 4 shows a row of seats with the armrests in an extended state, [0027] Figure 5 shows a detailed view of an armrest in the retracted state; [0028] Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the armrest, showing an adjustment mechanism coupling armrest portions together; [0029] Figure 7A shows a second armrest portion, [0030] Figure 7B shows a detailed view of part of the adjustment mechanism on the second armrest portion; [0031] Figure 7C shows the sliding member of the adjustment mechanism; [0032] Figure 7D shows the pivot arm of the adjustment mechanism; [0033] Figure 7E shows the first armrest portion; [0034] Figures 8 shows the armrest in the first intermediate state; [0035] Figure 9 shows a cross-section of the armrest of Figure 8; [0036] Figure 10 shows the armrest in a second intermediate state between the retracted and extended states; [0037] Figure 11 shows a cross-section of the armrest of Figure 10; [0038] Figure 12 shows the armrest in a third intermediate state between the retracted and extended states; [0039] Figure 13 shows a detailed view of the interface between the first and second armrest portions; [0040] Figure 14 shows the armrest in a fourth intermediate state between the retracted and extended states; [0041] Figure 15 shows a cross-section of the armrest of Figure 14; [0042] Figures 16 shows the armrest in the extended state; [0043] Figure 17 shows a cross-section of the armrest of Figure 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

[0044] Figure 1 shows an existing aircraft 1 with port and starboard fixed wings 2, 3, engines 9, a fuselage 4 with a nose end 5 and a tail end 6, the tail end 6 including horizontal and vertical stabilising surfaces 7, 8 The aircraft I is a typical jet passenger transonic transport aircraft but the invention is applicable to a wide variety of fixed wing aircraft types, including commercial, military, passenger, cargo, jet, propeller, general aviation, etc. with any number of engines attached to the wings or fuselage.

[0045] A cross-section of the fuselage 4 is shown in Figure 2. The fuselage 4 includes a fuselage shell 10 forming the outer aerodynamic shell of the fuselage 4. Inside the fuselage shell 10 is an upper section 11 and a lower section 12 separated by a floor 13 [0046] The lower section 12 of the fuselage shell 10 may be a cargo bay, arranged to hold luggage and/or cargo The upper section 11 of the fuselage shell 10 may be a passenger deck that includes rows of seats 20 supported by the floor 13, with the rows of seats 20 separated by an aisle extending along the longitudinal axis of the aircraft 1, although it will be appreciated the aircraft 1 may have two or more aisles.

[0047] Figures 3 and 4 show a schematic representation of a row of seats 20. The seats 20 in each row may be separated by an armrest 30, with the armrest 30 configured to be moveable between a retracted state and an extended state.

[0048] Figure 3 shows the armrest 30 in the retracted state. In the retracted state, a second (upper) armrest portion 32 is arranged on top of a first (lower) armrest portion 31. Figure 4 shows the armrest 30 in the extended state. In the extended state, the second armrest portion 32 is side-by-side with the first armrest portion 31. In this way, the armrest 30 can be arranged in one of two configurations depending on the needs of the passenger(s).

[0049] The armrest 30 is moveable between the retracted state and the extended state using an adjustment mechanism that couples the first armrest portion 31 to the second armrest portion 32.

[0050] Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the armrest 30 in the retracted state.

[0051] In this example, the second armrest portion 32 has an armrest surface 42 for directly supporting a user's arm that has a greater surface area than the armrest surface 41 of the first armrest portion 31 (See Figure 6). However, it will be appreciated that the relative sizes of the armrest surfaces 41, 42 may be of any suitable ratio, including a 1:1 ratio.

[0052] It will be appreciated that one of the armrest portions 31, 32 may be fixedly attached to one of the seats 20. Typically, the first armrest portion 31 is fixedly attached to one of the seats 20.

[0053] Figure 6 shows an example of the adjustment mechanism. The armrest 30 may comprise any number of adjustment mechanisms, although the example shown in Figures 3 to 17 includes two adjustment mechanisms at opposing ends of the armrest 30 [0054] The adjustment mechanism comprises a sliding member 51, a pivot arm 52, and a spring mechanism 53 [0055] As is shown most clearly in Figures 7A and 7B, the second armrest portion 32 comprises a first channel 44. The first channel 44 is arranged to house the sliding member 51, with the sliding member 51 arranged to be moveable along the first channel 44 between a first end 44a and a second end 44b.

[0056] The sliding member 51 moves linearly along the first channel 44. The linear movement of the sliding member 51 may be aided by a linear track along which the sliding member 51 is moveable relative to the second armrest portion 32. h) the example shown in Figure 7B, the linear track includes a rod 54 extending between a first end 45a and a second end 45b of a second channel 45 that guides movement of the sliding member 51 between the first and second ends 44a, 44b, 45a, 45b of the channels 44, 45. The rod 54 extends through a hole Slain the sliding member 51 [0057] A spring mechanism, such as spring 53 shown in Figure 7B, biases the sliding member 51 towards the first end 44a of the first channel 44. The spring 53 may be supported by the rod 54, with the rod 54 having a complimentary cross-sectional shape to the spring 53. In Figure 7B the spring 53 has a circular cross-section, and the rod 54 similarly has a circular cross-section, although it will be appreciated that other cross-sectional shapes may be provided [0058] In this example, the circular cross-section of the rod 54 allows rotation of the sliding member 51 about the axis of the rod 54, such that the channels 44, 45 may be provided with means of preventing rotation. Figure 7B shows a first cut-out 46a and a second cut-out 46b adjacent the channels 44, 45, into which the sliding member 51 is insertable, that restrict rotation of the sliding member 51 about the axis of the rod 54. The second cut-out 46b extends between the first and second channels 44, 45.

[0059] As shown in Figures 6 and 7D, the pivot arm 52 has a first end 52a and a second end 52b, with the pivot arm 52 pivotally coupled to the sliding member Si at its second end 52b and the first end 52a of the pivot arm 52 configured to attach to the first armrest portion 31.

[0060] As shown in Figure 7B the sliding member 51 comprises a pivot point 51b, in this case a circular profile of the sliding member 51, about which the second end 52b of the pivot arm 52 is pivotable. The first end 52a of the pivot arm 52 attaches to a pivot point 48 of the first armrest portion 31, which in the example of Figure 7E is shown to be a circular member extending across a channel 49 of the first armrest portion 31.

[0061] The armrest 30 may comprise means of further controlling movement of the first armrest portion 31 relative to the second armrest portion 32.

[0062] As shown most clearly in Figures 7A and 7E, the first armrest portion 31 may comprise a first locking feature 61a and the second armrest portion 32 may comprise a first locking feature Gib, with the respective locking features Gla, 61b configured to engage so as to control relative movement between the first armrest portion 31 and the second armrest portion 32.

[0063] The first locking features 61a, 61b may define a linear path, such that movement between the first locking features 61a, 61b, when the first locking features 61a, 61b are engaged, is linear. Although it will be appreciated that the path may have any shape, such as curved.

[0064] In the example shown in Figures 7A and 7E, the first locking feature 61a of the first armrest portion 31 is a first slot 63a, and the first locking feature 61b of the second armrest portion 32 is a first protrusion 63b configured to engage and move along the first slot 63a when moving between the retracted and extended states. It will be appreciated that alternatively, first locking feature 61a of the first armrest portion 31 may be a protrusion and the first locking feature 61b of the second armrest portion 32 may be a slot, however it will be appreciated that having a slot recessed on the first armrest portion 31 is preferable due to its location on the armrest surface 41 of the first armrest portion 31 [0065] The first locking features 61a, 6 lb of the armrest portions 31, 32 may be engaged when the armrest is in the (fully) retracted state, such as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0066] In the retracted state, a first stopper 65 may be provided that is configured to prevent further relative movement of the first locking features 61a, 61b of the armrest portions 31, 32 in one direction (See Figure 7E). Preventing movement of the first locking features 61a, 61b relative to each other also prevents movement of the first and second armrest portions 31, 32 relative to each other. In the example of Figures 5 to 17, the first stopper 65 is the end of the first slot 63a (i.e. first locking feature 61a) of the first armrest portion 31, although it will be appreciated that the first stopper 65 may be any suitable feature of the first or second armrest portions 31, 32. For example, the first stopper 65 may be the first end 44a of the first channel 44, which may prevent further movement of the sliding member 51 in one direction.

[0067] The first armrest portion 31 may comprise a second locking feature 62a and the second armrest portion 32 may comprise a second locking feature 62b. The second locking features 62a, 62b may be configured to engage so as to control relative movement between the first armrest portion 31 and the second armrest portion 32 when moving between the retracted and extended states.

[0068] As shown in Figures 7A and 7E, the second locking feature 62a of the first armrest portion 31 may extend substantially perpendicular (e.g. within a few degrees) to the first locking feature 61a of the first armrest portion 31, the second locking feature 62b of the second armrest portion 32 may extend substantially perpendicular to the first locking feature 61b of the second armrest portion 32. Although it will be appreciated that in alternative examples the second locking feature 62a of the first armrest portion 31 may extend at an angle (e.g. 30 degrees) to the first locking feature 61a of the first armrest portion 31.

[0069] The second locking feature 62a of the first armrest portion 31 may be a second slot 64a, and the second locking feature 62b of the second armrest portion 32 may be a second protrusion 64b configured to engage and move along the second slot 64a when moving between the retracted and extended states. Figure 7A and 7E show examples of the second slot 64a and second protrusion 64b.

[0070] The second locking features 62a, 62b of the armrest portions 31, 32 may be engaged when the armrest is in the (fully) extended state, such as shown in Figures 16 and 17, as is similarly the case in the intermediate position shown in Figures 14 and 15.

[0071] In the extended state, a second stopper 66 may be provided that is configured to prevent relative further movement of the first locking features 62a, 62b of the armrest portions 31, 32 in one direction (See Figure 7E). Preventing movement of the second locking features 62a, 62b relative to each other also prevents movement of the first and second armrest portions 31, 32 relative to each other. In the example of Figures 5 to 17, the second stopper 66 is the end of the second slot 64a (i.e. second locking feature 62a), although it will be appreciated that the second stopper 66 may be any suitable feature of the first or second armrest portions 31, 32.

[0072] Movement of the armrest 30 from the retracted state to the extended state will now be described. It will be understood that the armrest 30 may be moveable from the retracted state to the extended state by a passenger by, firstly, applying a generally horizontal force on the second armrest portion 32 and, secondly, applying a generally vertical force on the second armrest portion 32. Alternatively, the armrest 30 may comprise an motorised actuation mechanism (not shown) and the above-mentioned forces applied by the motorised actuation mechanism.

[0073] The retracted state is shown in Figures 5 and 6, in which the first protrusion 63b is entirely inside the first slot 63a, with the spring mechanism 53 arranged to resist any movement of the second armrest portion 32 relative to the first armrest portion 31. In this position, the first protrusion 63b is pressed against the end of the first slot 63a (in other words, the first protrusion 63b contacts the first stopper 65), and the sliding member 51 is proximate the first end 44a of the first channel 44.

[0074] A passenger may apply a horizontal force to the second armrest portion 32 so as to move the second armrest portion 32 horizontally relative to the first armrest portion 31, with the first protrusion 63b of the second armrest portion 32 moved along the first slot 63a of the first armrest portion 11 away from the end of the first slot 63a, such as shown in Figures 8 and 9. This moves the sliding member 51 away from the first end 44a of the first channel 44 towards the second end 44b.

[0075] Further application of a horizontal force to the second armrest portion 32 relative to the first armrest portion 31 will move the second armrest portion 32 into a position in which the first protrusion 63b of the second armrest portion 32 disengages from the first slot 63a of the first armrest portion 31, such as shown in Figures 10 and 11. In other words, the first locking feature 61a of the first armrest portion 31 and the first locking feature 61b of the second armrest portion 32 disengage.

[0076] In this configuration, the first and second armrest portions 31, 32 will remain connected by the pivot arm 52 [0077] The second armrest portion 32 is subsequently rotated about the first armrest portion 31, and in particular the pivot point 48 of the first armrest portion 31, as shown in Figure 12. The spring mechanism 53 is at its most compressed configuration in this position, as shown in Figure 13, with the sliding member 51 proximate the first end 44b of the channel 44.

[0078] Figure 13 shows that the pivot arm 52 is sized to minimise the clearance between the first and second armrest portions 31, 32, although it will be appreciated that the pivot arm 52 may be any suitable length that allows relative movement between the first and second armrest portions 31, 32.

[0079] Further rotation of the second armrest portion 32 allows the second locking feature 62b of the second armrest portion 32 to engage with the second locking feature 62a of the first armrest portion 31. In the example shown in Figures 14 and 15, the second protrusion 64b of the second armrest portion 32 engages with the second slot 64a of the first armrest portion 31.

[0080] It will be appreciated that movement of the second armrest portion 32 towards the extended state allows the spring mechanism 53 to decompress, with the spring mechanism 53 favouring movement to the extended state due to the decompression of the spring mechanism 53, and in particular the second armrest portions 32 movement towards a local minimum energy state as the second armrest portion 32 moves towards the extended state.

[0081] The second armrest portion 32, now engaged with the first armrest portion 31, may be moved further towards the extended state, such as shown in Figures 16 and 17.

[0082] In the extended state, the sliding member 51 is positioned towards the second end 44b of the channel 44, relative to the position of the sliding member 51 in the retracted state, but is positioned towards the first end 44a of the channel 44 relative to the position of the sliding member 5] in the intermediate state of Figures 12 and 13.

[0083] In the extended state, the spring mechanism 53 is decompressed relative to the spring mechanism 53 in the intermediate state shown in Figures 14 and 15, such that the spring mechanism 53 resists movement from the extended state This helps to maintain the armrest 30 in the extended state. Movement of the second armrest portion 32 beyond the extended state may be prevented by the pivot arm 52 contacting a bottom of the first channel 44 and/or the second protrusion 64b contacting the second stopper 66 so as to prevent further movement of the second armrest portion 32 beyond the extended state.

[0084] In fact, it will be appreciated that the spring mechanism 53 is less compressed (i.e. has less potential energy) in the retracted and extended states than the spring mechanism 53 is in the intermediate states, and particularly the intermediate state shown in Figures 12 and 13 in which the spring mechanism 53 is most compressed. The spring mechanism 53 therefore passively maintains the armrest 30 in each of the retracted and extended states, whilst still allowing movement between the retracted and extended states when required. This is achievable without the use of any locking device that locks the armrest 30 in either of the retracted or extended states.

[0085] In the extended state, the armrest surface 41 of the first armrest portion 31 may be level with the armrest surface 42 of the second armrest portion 32, such as shown in Figure 17. Figure 17 also shows that in the extended state the pivot arm 52 is substantially parallel to the armrest surfaces 41, 42, as this allows the spring mechanism 53 to decompress as much as possible in the extended state in comparison to the intermediate states.

[0086] It will be clear that many of the features described in relation to each example may be varied within the normal activity of the skilled person.

[0087] For example, the spring mechanism 53 is a coiled spring, although it will be appreciated that the spring mechanism 53 may be any suitable spring or mechanism for passively biasing the sliding member Si to one end of the channel 44.

[0088] The kinematics of the armrest 30 also depends on the lengths and positions of the various components of the adjustment mechanism, and their connection points to the first and second armrest portions 3 I, 32, and it will be appreciated that their lengths, positions, and their relative connecting points may be varied within the normal activity of the skilled person [0089] Where the word 'or' appears this is to be construed to mean 'and/or' such that items referred to are not necessarily mutually exclusive and may be used in any appropriate combination.

[0090] Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. In

Claims

CLAIMSI. An armrest for attaching to a seat frame, comprising: a first armrest portion having an armrest surface for directly supporting a user's arm; a second armrest portion having an armrest surface for directly supporting a user's aim; an adjustment mechanism coupling the first and second armrest portions, the adjustment mechanism comprising: a sliding member mounted on the second armrest portion and arranged to move relative to the second armrest portion along a channel arranged on the second armrest portion; a pivot arm pivotally coupled at a first end to the first armrest portion and pivotally coupled at a second end to the sliding member, and a spring mechanism biasing the sliding member to one end of the channel; wherein thc armrest is configured to bc moveable between a rctractcd state and an extended state: in the retracted state, the armrest surface of the second armrest portion extends over at least a portion of the armrest surface of the first armrest portion; in the extended state, the armrest surface of the second armrest portion is sideby-side with the armrest surface of the first armrest portion.
2. The armrest of claim 1, wherein the armrest is arranged to move from the retracted state towards the extended state by a passenger applying a generally horizontal force on the second armrest portion.
3. The armrest of claim I or 2, wherein, in the extended state, the armrest surface of the first armrest portion is level with the armrest surface of the second armrest portion 4.
The armrest of any preceding claim, wherein, in the extended state, the pivot arm is substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the channel.
The armrest of any preceding claim, wherein the first armrest portion comprises a first locking feature, and the second armrest portion comprises a first locking feature configured to engage with the first locking feature of the first armrest portion when moving between the retracted and extended states, such that movement of the second armrest portion relative to the first armrest portion is linear when the first locking features of the first and second armrest portions are engaged.
6 The armrest of claim 5, wherein the first locking feature of the first armrest portion is a first slot, and the first locking feature of the second armrest portion is a first protrusion configured to engage and move along the first slot when moving between the retracted and extended states.
7. The armrest of claim 6, wherein the first slot is on the armrest surface of the first armrest portion.
8. The armrest of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the first locking features of the first and second armrest portions are engaged when the armrest is in the retracted state or the extended state.
9. The armrest of any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the first armrest portion comprises a second locking feature extending substantially perpendicular to the first locking feature of the first armrest portion, and the second armrest portion comprises a second locking feature extending substantially perpendicular to the first locking feature of the second armrest portion, wherein the second locking feature of the second armrest portion is configured to move along the second locking feature of the first armrest portion when moving between the retracted and extended states.
The armrest of claim 9, wherein the second locking feature of the first armrest portion is a second slot, and the second locking feature of the second armrest portion is a second protrusion configured to engage and move along the first slot when moving between the retracted and extended states.
11. The armrest of any preceding claim when dependent on claim 8, wherein the second locking features of the first and second armrest portions are engaged when the armrest is in the other of the retracted state and the extended state.
12. The armrest of any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the first and/or second locking feature comprises a stopper configured to limit movement of the first or second locking feature when engaged with the respective first or second corresponding locking feature.
13. The armrest of claim 12, wherein the stopper is arranged to limit movement of the first or second corresponding locking feature when the armrest is in the retracted state or extended state.
14 The armrest of any preceding claim, wherein the adjustment mechanism is a first adjustment mechanism, and the armrest comprises a second adjustment mechanism, the first and second adjustment mechanisms coupling the first and second armrest portions at opposite ends of the first and second armrest portions.
15. A seat assembly, comprising: a first seat adjacent a second seat; the armrest of any preceding claim between the first and second seats.
16. The seat assembly of claim 15, wherein the first armrest portion is fixedly attached to the first and/or second seat.
17. An aircraft comprising the seat assembly of claim 15 or 16.