WO2015189721A2

WO2015189721A2 - Tamper evident storage

Info

Publication number: WO2015189721A2
Application number: PCT/IB2015/053188
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kerry Alan Reeves; Rusell Neale HOLDEM; Thomas Graham PARRISH
Original assignee: Air New Zealand Limited
Priority date: 2014-06-11
Filing date: 2015-05-01
Publication date: 2015-12-17
Also published as: WO2015189721A3

Abstract

A tamper evident storage arrangement comprising a storage receptacle, a lid assembly, a tamper indicator strap and a tamper indicating window, arranged such that the lid assembly cannot be opened without movement of a tamper indicating portion of the tamper indicator strap, at least partially, into the tamper indicating window.

Description

TAMPER EVIDENT STORAGE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to storage arrangements, particularly tamper evident storage arrangements. More specifically, the present invention relates to tamper evident storage arrangements on or for vehicles, particularly for storing items such as life vests.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Commercial passenger vehicles, in particular aircraft, are required to provide flotation devices for passengers in case of an emergency water landing. These flotation devices are typically inflatable life vests which are folded and stored in an easily accessible location near or on each passenger's seat. Commonly, this is under each passenger's seat. Accessibility and ease of use is important in case of emergency, but this also leads to problems with theft or tampering of the life vests. Additionally, if the life vests are stored in easily openable receptacles or containers, there is a risk that the receptacles may be used to smuggle illegal items between flights.

As a result, airline carriers typically require inspection of each life vest container before each flight. That is, each life vest container at each seat needs to be opened, inspected, refilled if required and closed before each flight. This is a costly, time consuming and labour-intensive process.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved storage arrangements having tamper evident features, to address issues in the prior art, or to at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect the invention broadly comprises a tamper evident storage arrangement comprising :

a storage receptacle with an opening,

a lid assembly movable between a closed position in which the lid assembly closes the opening, and an open position in which the interior of the receptacle is accessible via said opening,

a tamper indicating window,

a tamper indicator strap positioned such that the lid assembly cannot be opened without movement of the strap along a pathway, wherein said movement moves at least part of a tamper indicating portion of the strap into view through the tamper indicating window.

According to another aspect a portion of the tamper indicator strap is fixed at a location which does not move with the lid assembly, and wherein the tamper indicating window is fixed at a location which does not move with the lid assembly.

According to another aspect a portion of the tamper indicator strap is fixed at a location which does not move with the lid assembly, and wherein the tamper indicating window is fixed stationary relative to the lid assembly.

According to another aspect a portion of the tamper indicator strap is fixed stationary relative to the lid assembly, and wherein the tamper indicating window is fixed at a location which does not move with the lid assembly.

According to another aspect the tamper indicator strap is constructed of a flexible material.

According to another aspect the tamper indicator strap is constructed of an inelastic material.

According to another aspect once said tamper indicating portion of the strap is moved at least partially into view through the tamper indicating window, closing the lid assembly does not move said tamper indicating portion out of view.

According to another aspect once said tamper indicating portion of the strap is moved at least partially into view through the tamper indicating window, the strap is not movable in the reverse to move said tamper indicating portion out of view. According to another aspect the pathway through which the strap moves is not accessible by a layperson or without at least one specialised tool. According to another aspect the strap cannot be repositioned to move said tamper indicating portion out of view through the tamper indicating window without undoing one or more security fasteners.

According to another aspect the underside of the tamper indicating window and/or said pathway is sealed via one or more security fasteners.

According to another aspect the tamper evident storage assembly is located within a vehicle. According to another aspect the tamper evident storage assembly is located within a seat of a vehicle.

According to another aspect the invention broadly comprises a vehicle passenger seat comprising :

a seat frame defining a seat back and a seat pan,

a receptacle,

a lid assembly movable between a closed position in which it closes the receptacle, and an open position in which it opens the receptacle,

a tamper indicating window,

a tamper indicator strap comprising a tamper indicating portion in series with an untampered indicating portion,

wherein the tamper indicator strap cooperates with the lid assembly to be movable relative to the tamper indicating window from a first condition in which the lid assembly is in the closed position and the untampered indicating portion is visible through the tamper indicating window, to a second condition in which the lid assembly is at least partially open and at least a part of the tamper indicating portion is visible through the tamper indicating window.

According to another aspect opening the lid assembly generates a tension in the tamper indicator strap which translates said tamper indicating portion relative to the window such that at least a part of said portion is visible through said window.

According to another aspect the tamper indicator strap is anchored at one end to a location in the seat which does not move with the lid assembly. According to another aspect the tamper indicating window is positioned at a location on the seat which does not move with the lid assembly. According to another aspect the seat further comprises a leg rest portion, and wherein the receptacle is within the leg rest.

According to another aspect the tamper indicating window comprises an aperture in a seat cover of the aircraft passenger seat.

According to another aspect the seat cover is removably attachable to the seat frame.

According to another aspect the tamper indicating window is located on a seat cover for the leg rest, the seat cover comprising an edge region removably attachable to the frame of the seat pan.

According to another aspect of the free end of the tamper indicator strap is removably received between the seat cover and the seat frame. According to another aspect the removable attachment means comprises one or more security fastener(s).

According to another aspect the seat cover comprises two layers,

and wherein a free end of the tamper indicator strap is removably received between said two layers.

According to another aspect the tamper indicator strap is anchored at said end to the receptacle via one or more security fastener(s). According to another aspect the lid assembly is hingably movable relative to the receptacle.

According to another aspect the tamper indicating portion of the indicator strap is coloured differently from the untampered indicating portion of the indicator strap.

According to another aspect the tamper indicating portion is at a free end of the indicator strap. According to another aspect the invention further comprising a life vest located in the receptacle.

According to another aspect the indicator strap further comprises an attachment portion for attaching the life vest to the indicator strap.

According to another aspect the invention further comprising a pull tab attachable to the lid assembly. According to another aspect the pull tab is integral with the indicator strap.

According to another aspect the aperture of the tamper evident window is covered externally with a transparent or translucent cover. According to another aspect the tamper evident window further comprises a backing, and wherein the backing is marked or coloured similarly to the tamper indicating portion of the indicator strap.

According to another aspect the invention further comprising a shield spanning between the lid assembly and the receptacle.

According to another aspect the shield extends from the lid assembly.

According to another aspect the shield extends from the receptacle.

According to another aspect the shield is separable from the lid assembly or the receptacle.

According to another aspect the shield is constructed of a polymer.

According to another aspect the tamper evident strap is constructed of a flexible material.

According to another aspect the tamper evident strap is constructed of an inelastic material.

According to another aspect the tamper evident strap is constructed of a fabric.

According to another aspect the invention broadly comprises a method of providing a tamper evident storage arrangement comprising a storage receptacle with an opening, a lid assembly movable between a closed position in which the lid assembly closes the opening, and an open position in which the interior of the receptacle is accessible via said opening, a tamper indicating window, and a tamper indicator strap comprising a tamper indicating portion, the method comprising :

setting or resetting the position of the tamper indicating strap relative to the tamper indicating window such that the lid assembly cannot be opened without movement of at least a part of the tamper indicating portion of the strap into the tamper indicating window.

According to another aspect the invention further comprising a step of unlocking one or more security fasteners in order to set or reset the position of the tamper indicating strap relative to the window.

According to another aspect the invention further comprising a step of unlocking one or more security fasteners in order to access an underside of the tamper indicating window for setting or resetting the position of the tamper indicating strap relative to the window.

According to another aspect the position of the tamper indicating strap relative to the tamper indicating window cannot be reset by closing the lid assembly or moving the tamper indicating strap in the reverse.

According to another aspect the invention broadly comprises:

A tamper evident storage arrangement substantially as herein described and with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings, or

A method of providing a tamper evident storage arrangement substantially as herein described and with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

Reference to a "life vest" in this specification includes any type of life-preserving flotation device to be worn or carried by a passenger.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner. This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings, in which :

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the storage arrangement of the present invention, located in the leg rest of a seat,

Figures 2a and 2b schematically show the sequence of opening the lid of the receptacle to eject the life vest, with the tamper indicating portion appearing in the tamper indicating window,

Figure 3 shows a detailed view of a first embodiment of the tamper-indicating strap, including a tamper indicating portion, an untampered indicating portion, a loop for holding the life vest, and pull tab at one end,

Figures 4a to 4h show the sequence of replacing a life vest and resetting the tamper indicating mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 5 shows a detailed view of a shield provided to span between the receptacle and its lid assembly,

Figures 6a and 6b show a second embodiment of the storage arrangement of the present invention, located in the leg rest of a seat, Figure 7 is a detailed view of the inside of the receptacle of the second embodiment shown in Figure 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to tamper evident storage arrangements, particularly for commercial passenger vehicles such as aircraft, in which storage containers are required, for example to store life vests. For ease of reference, the storage

arrangements described below are incorporated into aircraft seats. However, it should be appreciated that the tamper evident storage arrangement of the present invention need not be limited to any particularlocation on seats. For example, the storage arrangement could be located in the bulkhead of a vehicle, in the armrests, below or above seats, in the shell support or partitions between seats, etc.

Referring to the drawings, a seating arrangement is shown generally at 1. The seating arrangement may comprise one or more seats 2. Each seat 2 comprises a seat frame defining a seat back 3 and seat pan 4. Seat pan 4 preferably also comprises a leg rest portion 5 disposed at a lower end of the seat pan, and movable relative to the seat pan. The leg rest portion 5 can preferably be moved between a stored position, where it extends downwardly from the seat pan 4, and a deployed position where it extends substantially horizontally from the seat pan 4.

The seat 2 comprises a receptacle 6 for storing items such as a life vest 7. The receptacle could be a hollow compartment formed within and integral with the seat, or it could be a separate container received within a recess in the seat. In the preferred embodiment, the receptacle 6 is provided within a portion of the seat 2, in order to integrate the life vest 7 within the seat. This saves space and reduces weight of the seating assembly, in contrast to prior art systems in which life vests are provided in separate containers attached below the seat.

The receptacle 6 is shown in leg rest portion 5 for exemplary purposes; it should be understood that life vest container assembly of the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the receptacle could be located in any part of the seat 2.

Preferably however, life vest 7 is located in a receptacle in the leg rest portion 5 (if present) for easier accessibility. Additionally, while the contents of receptacle 6 are referred to as life vest 7, the receptacle 6 may be used to store other items. Receptacle 6 is closed by a lid assembly 8, which is movable relative to the receptacle. As shown in Figure 2a, the passenger preferably pivots open lid assembly 8 in order to access the life vest inside the receptacle. Opening of the lid assembly 8 triggers the tamper evident mechanism, described as follows.

Tamper indicating window 14 is located adjacent the lid assembly 8. As long as the lid assembly is not opened, the tamper indicating window indicates an "untampered" condition. In one example, this is clearly visible as a black coloured background through window 14. If the lid assembly is opened, the tamper indicating window indicates a "tampered" condition. In one example, this is clearly visible as a red coloured background through the window 14. Partial opening of the lid assembly is preferably also indicated, as shown in Figure 2a. For example, a portion of the window 14 may appear red while the remaining portion appears black. Importantly, once the "tampered" or "partially tampered" condition is triggered, it cannot be reversed by the passenger, even if he re-closes the lid assembly. The tamper indicator therefore serves as an accurate visual indication to the aircraft staff that the lid has been opened, and that the receptacle and/or its contents may have been tampered with.

During inspection of the life vest containers, staff can therefore focus on the seats which display "tampered" or "partially tampered" indicators, and can safely disregard those which display "untampered" indicators. This reduces the time and labour required to inspect the life vest containers, compared to prior art methods of physically inspecting each life vest container individually.

The tamper indicators are simple visual indicators, so no special tools or specialist knowledge are required to identify which containers have been tampered with. This may additionally serve to discourage nuisance tampering by passengers, since the tamper indicators are immediately noticeable.

Further, in contrast to prior art life vest containers having single-use seals to indicate tampering, the life vest container assembly of the present invention is fully and repeatedly re-usable, simply by resetting the tamper-indicating means preferably as described below. The tamper indicating mechanism operates as follows. As shown in Figure 2b and Figure 7, a tamper indicating strap 9 is anchored at a first end to the receptacle 6. In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the tamper indicating strap is anchored to a location 11 inside of the receptacle 6. In the second embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the tamper indicating strap is anchored at 11' to an external portion of the container or receptacle 6'. The tamper indicating strap could be anchored to any point on the seat or remote from the seat. The anchor point is preferably concealed when the lid assembly is closed, and allows the strap to be positioned relative to, and move relative to the tamper evident window 14 as described in more below.

The tamper indicating strap has a tamper indicating portion 12 and an untampered indicating portion 13 positioned in series with each other. The two portions are visibly marked differently from each other, such as with different colours, patterns, etc. The tamper indicating portion 12 is at a free end of the strap, as shown in Figures 2b, 3 and 7.

In one embodiment as shown in Figure 3, these indicating portions 12 and 13 are provided on a strap portion 20 which is attached to the main body of the tamper indicating strap 9. Providing the indicating portions on a secondary strap portion 20 makes it easier to position the strap accurately relative to the tamper indicating window 14. Alternatively, the indicating portions 12 and 13 could be marked directly on the tamper indicating strap 9.

The tamper indicating strap 9 is arranged such that the region of the strap 9 comprising the tamper indicating portion 12 and the untampered indicating portion 13 is adjacent the tamper indicating window 14. This window 14 comprises an aperture in the seat, through which the tamper indicating strap may be visible.

Preferably, as shown more clearly in Figure 4a and 6b, the aperture of window 14 is provided in the seat cover material such as leg rest cover 19. The aperture is preferably covered externally by a transparent or translucent cover 15 to protect the window and prevent access through the aperture. Preferably, the interior of the window 14 and the portion of the tamper indicating strap 9 behind the window are not accessible by the passenger.

To set the tamper evident arrangement, the tamper indicating strap 9 is positioned relative to the tamper indicating window 14 such that the lid assembly cannot be opened without movement of the strap along a pathway, which moves at least part of a tamper indicating portion 12 of the strap into view through the tamper indicating window 14. In a preferred embodiment, the tamper indicating strap 9 is fixed at one portion, and positioned such that when the lid assembly is opened (i.e., moved relative to the receptacle), a free portion of the tamper indicating strap moves relative to the tamper indicating window 14. That is, the lid assembly cannot be opened without moving the tamper indicating portion 12 of the tamper indicating strap 9 (at least partially) into the tamper indicating window 14.

Specifically, the tamper indicator strap 9 is positioned to cooperate with the lid assembly 8 such that the strap is movable relative to the tamper indicating window 14 from a first condition which indicates that the lid assembly is in the closed position (i.e., the untampered indicating portion is visible through the tamper indicating window), to a second condition which indicates that the lid assembly is in the

(partially) open position (i.e., the tampered indicating portion is (at least partially) visible through the tamper indicating window). The strap lies along a pathway and preferably, opening the lid assembly generates a tension in the strap which causes (at least a portion of) the tampered indicating portion to be translated or moved into the tamper indicating window.

Two preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in Figures 1 to 5, and Figures 6 to 7 respectively.

In the first embodiment, one portion of the tamper indicator strap 9 is anchored at a location which does not move with the lid assembly. This is shown as fixed point 11 within the receptacle, which does not move with the lid assembly. Alternatively, the anchoring point may be at any alternative location on the receptacle or remote from the receptacle. The tamper indicating window is fixed at a location which also does not move with the lid assembly. Specifically, the window is located on a portion of seat cover not on the lid assembly. This configuration does not allow the lid assembly to be moved without movement of the strap relative to the tamper indicating window. In the second embodiment, one portion of the tamper indicator strap 9 is also anchored at a location which does not move with the lid assembly, specifically point 11' on the receptacle. However, the tamper indicating window 14 is fixed stationary relative to the lid assembly. That is, the window 14 moves with the lid assembly. Specifically, the window is not directly located on the lid assembly, but is on a portion of the seat cover which overlies the lid assembly and moves with it. Importantly, this configuration also does not allow the lid assembly to be moved without movement of the strap relative to the tamper indicating window.

It should be appreciated that the tamper indicating mechanism of the present invention is not limited to these two exemplary embodiments, but could comprise various alternative configurations of the tamper indicator strap 9, tamper indicating window 14 and lid assembly 8. For example, one portion of the tamper indicator strap 9 could alternatively be fixed directly or indirectly to the lid assembly, such that it is stationary relative to the lid assembly (i.e., moves with the lid assembly). Provided the tamper indicating window is located at a point which does not move with the lid assembly, the strap could be arranged such that the lid assembly cannot be moved without movement of the strap relative to the tamper indicating window.

Importantly, the relative positions of the tamper indicator strap 9, the tamper indicating window 14 and the lid assembly 8 are configured such that opening the lid assembly pulls on or otherwise moves the tamper indicating strap 9, so that the tamper indicating portion 12 slides into view through the window 14.

In one embodiment, the untampered indicating portion 13 is substantially the size of the window (at least along the length of the window in the direction of travel of the strap). This means that the tampered indicating portion 12 will start to show through the window when the lid assembly is partially opened, to indicate the "partially tampered" condition.

In an alternative embodiment, the untampered indicating portion 13 may be slightly longer than the window, to provide some leeway in the tamper indicating mechanism. The tamper evident strap 9 may therefore be pulled slightly (e.g. accidentally) without shifting the tampered indicating portion 12 into view. Preferably, any such leeway corresponds to only insignificant movement of the lid 8 (i.e., any opening not being sufficiently wide for inserting objects into the receptacle). Alternatively or additionally, a shield 23 may be provided, as shown in Figure 5. In one embodiment, the shield 23 extends from the lid 8, spanning between the lid 8 and the receptacle 6 when the lid is partially open. That is, the shield blocks the gap between the lid 8 and the receptacle 6 when the lid is partially open, so that the passenger cannot slip any object through the gap.

Alternatively, the shield 23 could extend from the receptacle 6 instead of the lid 8. Preferably, the shield covers all four sides of the lid or receptacle. Alternatively, the shield 23 extends from at least the three sides which are not adjacent the pivoting edge of the lid assembly. The shield 23 may be formed integral with the lid assembly

8 or the receptacle 6. Alternatively, the shield may be a separate and/or separable component configured to fit into the lid 8 or receptacle 6. The shield is preferably constructed of a substantially rigid and durable material, such as a polymer.

Additionally, the back of the window (i.e what is visible when the tamper evident strap

9 is not present) is preferably marked (e.g . coloured) similarly to the tamper indicating portion 12 of the strap 9. This ensures that if the tamper evident strap 9 is removed, the tamper indicating window will indicate tampering.

Preferably, the tamper indicating strap is tensioned or held in position adjacent the tamper indicating window 14 by suitable guiding means, so that the strap plays along a pathway. In one embodiment, the guiding means is a loop 16, as shown in Figure 4f. The indicating sections 12, 13 of the tamper indicating strap pass through loop 16, which holds the strap relatively taut against the cover 15 of window 14. The loop 16 may be positioned at the back of the window (i.e., a surface of the loop is visible through the window when tamper evident strap 9 is not present) such that the loop doubles as the backing for the window. The externally facing side of the loop is therefore preferably marked (e.g. coloured) the same as the tamper indicating portion 12, as described previously.

In an alternative embodiment, the tamper indicating strap is sandwiched between two layers of the seat cover, as shown in Figure 7. Seat cover 19 comprises two layers, an external layer 24 and an internal layer or flap 25. The internal layer 25 may be removably attached from the external layer to aid with resetting the tamper indicating mechanism. In the example shown, the removable attachment comprises pull tab 17 holding the layers together. Preferably, tamper indicating strap 9 is made of a fabric or similar flexible material with some slack, such as nylon. Because the strap 9 is not stiff in compression, the passenger cannot "reset" the tamper indicator by simply pushing close the lid assembly to indirectly feed the strap backwards through the guiding means 16.

Additionally, the material is preferably relatively inelastic in tension, to prevent the strap from returning to its original (e.g., untampered) condition once it has been moved (via the lid assembly). The inelastic nature of the strap will also ensure that the tamper indicator portion of the strap moves along the strap pathway if tension is applied to the strap anywhere along its length.

Importantly, once the "tampered" or "partially tampered" condition is triggered, it cannot be reversed by the passenger, since he has no access to the internal portion of the tamper indicating window and/or the tamper evident strap in order to properly reset the position of the strap relative to the tamper indicating window. It is preferable that the entire length of the strap as it lies along its pathway is inaccessible. This can be provided in various configurations, preferably involving the use of security fasteners. Two examples are shown in Figures 1 to 5 and Figures 6 to 7 respectively.

In the first preferred embodiment, the seat cover is fastened via security fastener 26 to the seat, such that the back of the tamper evident window cannot be accessed . In the second embodiment, the tamper evident strap needs to be released from its security fastened anchor point 11 on the receptacle in order to replace it in between the two layers 24, 25 of the seat cover. Preferred methods of resetting the tamper evident mechanism in each embodiment will be described in more detail below.

A pull tab may be provided to make it easier for the passenger to locate and pull on the lid assembly in an emergency. In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 4e and 4h, one end of the tamper indicating strap 9 preferably includes the pull tab portion 17. The pull tab portion 17 may be removably attached to the lid assembly. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the pull tab 17 is separate from the tamper indicating strap 9. In one embodiment, the tamper indicating strap 9 also includes attachment means for attaching the life vest to the strap 9. As shown in Figures 2b and 5, this may be a loop 18 in the strap 9 which receives the life vest. Alternatively, attachment means could be hook and loop fasteners, releasable clasp mechanisms, etc. By attaching the life vest to the tamper indicating strap 9 or lid, the passenger can pull on the strap and gain access the life vest in a single action. Specifically, the passenger pulls on the tamper indicating strap 9 (via the pull tab portion 17 if provided), which opens the lid assembly 8 and ejects the life vest attached to the strap 9 and/or lid (as shown in Figure 2b).

Alternatively, if the life vest is not attached to the tamper indicating strap 9, the passenger pulls on the tamper indicating strap 9 (via the pull tab portion 17 if provided) to open the lid assembly 8. He can then access the receptacle 6 to remove the life vest from it.

A preferred method of resetting the tamper indicating means of the first embodiment will now be described, with reference to Figures 4a to 4h. For convenience, the following description refers to the receptacle being located in the leg rest. The seat cover described therefore corresponds to a cover for the leg rest, which is attached to a portion of the seat pan. However, as previously discussed, the present invention is not limited to this location; the receptacle could, for example, be located in the seat pan, or a side wall of the seat.

The seat pan cushion is removed as shown in Figure 4a. This exposes the connection between the seat cover (specifically, the leg rest cover 19) and the seat pan frame. The leg rest cover 19 is preferably attached at or along at least one edge to the seat pan frame via at least one security/tamper-proof fastener 26. Examples of security fasteners include Phillips Pin-Head, Socket Pin-Head, Opsit™ Reverse Thread, Torx® Pin-Head, Snake Eyes Spanner Drive, etc. An appropriate proprietary tool is therefore required to unfasten the security fastener 26 in order to detach the leg rest cover from the seat frame, as shown in Figure 4b. Additionally, the leg rest cover 19 may also be fastened to the seat frame via additional fasteners such as hook-and-loop tape.

If the tamper indicating window 14 indicates tampering, the receptacle needs to be accessed, for example, to inspect the contents, replace a missing life vest, or remove any illegal items stashed in the receptacle.

The leg rest portion 5 preferably comprises two halves detachably connected together via the leg rest cover 19, at or along at least one edge of the leg rest cover. The upper half 21 of the leg rest portion comprises the lid assembly 8 and cushioning material for the leg rest.

This upper half 21 may be completely detachable from the seat for easier access to the receptacle 6, as shown in Figure 4c. The upper half 21 may detached by unfastening the leg rest cover from the lower half 22 of leg rest at attachment points. The lower half 22 of the leg rest portion comprises the receptacle 6 surrounded by cushioning material and/or the frame of the leg rest. As shown in Figure 4d, life vest 7 may then be placed or replaced into the

compartment, for example by inserting into loop 18 of the tamper indicating strap if provided, or attached to the lid assembly or simply placed into the receptacle 6. An end of the tamper indicating strap comprising the pull tab 17 may be positioned and/or fastened onto the lid assembly 8 as shown in Figure 4e.

Because the leg rest cover 19 has been detached from the seat pan frame, there is access to the underside of the tamper indicating window. The tamper indicating strap 9 may therefore be adjusted relative to the window (Figure 4f). The portion of the tamper indicating strap 9 containing the tamper indicating portion 12 and untampered indicating portion 13 is then positioned (via guiding means 16 if provided) adjacent the underside of tamper indicating window 14. The strap 9 is adjusted (e.g., tensioned or positioned) until the untampered indicating portion 13 is visible through the window 14, so that the lid cannot be moved substantially without tamper indicating portion 12 showing through the window.

The leg rest cover 19 may then be reattached to the seat frame by replacing the security fastener(s) 26 (Figure 4g). Importantly, the underside of the tamper indicating window cannot be accessed (and therefore the tamper indicating strap cannot be reset) without first detaching the leg rest cover 19 from the seat frame using the appropriate specialist tool.

In the preferred embodiment, the tamper indicating portion 12 and untampered indicating portion 13 are on second strap portion 20 of the tamper indicating strap 9. The loose end of second strap portion 20 is threaded through guiding loop 16 up to the point where the second strap portion 20 connects to the main body of tamper indicating strap 9. This corresponds to the location where the untampered indicating portion 13 will be visible through the tamper indicating window 14. The free end of second strap portion 20 is loosely attached to a point within the seat and/or hidden within the seat, so that it is not accessible by the passenger without unfastening security fasteners 26. The upper half 21 of the leg rest portion may then be repositioned onto the lower half 22 of leg rest portion, and the leg rest cover 19 fastened to the lower half 22 at (at least) one edge, and to the seat pan frame at another edge. The seat pan cushion may then be replaced.

A preferred method of resetting the tamper indicating means of the second

embodiment will now be described, with reference to Figures 6 and 7. The seat cover 19' is detached from the seat, and the receptacle 6' may be opened to replace life vest 7 (not shown).

As shown in Figure 7, the seat cover 19' comprises an external layer 24 and a (partial) internal layer 25, detachably held together by, for example, the pull tag 17. In order to reset the tamper indicating strap adjacent the tamper indicating window 14, the strap needs to be placed in between the two layers 24, 25. The length of the strap and the position of the strap relative to the window 14 are configured such that the strap needs to be removed from its anchored point 11' on the receptacle in order to replace it between the two layers 24, 25. The strap is fastened to this point 11' via at least one security/tamper-proof fastener 26'. An appropriate proprietary tool is therefore required to unfasten the security fastener 26' in order to detach the tamper indicating strap 9 from the receptacle 6.

Once removed, the strap is positioned between the two layers 24, 25 such that the untampered indicating portion 13 is visible through the window 14, so that the lid cannot be moved substantially without tamper indicating portion 12 showing through the window. The strap may then be refastened at 11' to the receptacle. The seat cover may then be replaced.

Lid assembly 8 preferably comprises a rigid backing, preferably lined on one face with cushioning material and covered with upholstery. The cushioning material is preferably configured such that lid assembly is substantially coplanar with the surrounding leg rest surface, for passenger comfort.

The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred forms thereof.

Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

A tamper evident storage arrangement comprising :

a storage receptacle with an opening,

a tamper indicating window,

a tamper indicator strap positioned such that the lid assembly cannot be opened without movement of the strap along a pathway,

wherein said movement moves at least part of a tamper indicating portion of the strap into view through the tamper indicating window.

The tamper evident storage arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the tamper indicator strap is fixed at a location which does not move with the lid assembly, and wherein the tamper indicating window is fixed at a location which does not move with the lid assembly.

The tamper evident storage assembly according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the tamper indicator strap is fixed at a location which does not move with the lid assembly, and wherein the tamper indicating window is fixed stationary relative to the lid assembly.

The tamper evident storage assembly according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the tamper indicator strap is fixed stationary relative to the lid assembly, and wherein the tamper indicating window is fixed at a location which does not move with the lid assembly.

The tamper evident storage assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tamper indicator strap is constructed of a flexible material.

The tamper evident storage assembly according to claim 5, wherein the tamper indicator strap is constructed of an inelastic material.

The tamper evident storage assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein once said tamper indicating portion of the strap is moved at least partially into view through the tamper indicating window, closing the lid assembly does not move said tamper indicating portion out of view.

8. The tamper evident storage assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein once said tamper indicating portion of the strap is moved at least partially into view through the tamper indicating window, the strap is not movable in the reverse to move said tamper indicating portion out of view.

9. The tamper evident storage assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pathway through which the strap moves is not accessible by a layperson or without at least one specialised tool.

10. The tamper evident storage assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the strap cannot be repositioned to move said tamper indicating portion out of view through the tamper indicating window without undoing one or more security fasteners.

11. The tamper evident storage assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the underside of the tamper indicating window and/or said pathway is sealed via one or more security fasteners.

12. A tamper evident storage assembly according to any one of the preceding

claims, located within a vehicle.

13. A tamper evident storage assembly according to any one of the preceding

claims, located within a seat of a vehicle.

14. A vehicle passenger seat comprising :

a seat frame defining a seat back and a seat pan,

a receptacle,

a tamper indicating window,

15. The vehicle passenger seat according to claim 14, wherein opening the lid assembly generates a tension in the tamper indicator strap which translates said tamper indicating portion relative to the window such that at least a part of said portion is visible through said window.

16. The vehicle passenger seat according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the tamper indicator strap is anchored at one end to a location in the seat which does not move with the lid assembly.

17. The vehicle passenger seat according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the tamper indicating window is positioned at a location on the seat which does not move with the lid assembly.

18. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the seat further comprises a leg rest portion, and wherein the receptacle is within the leg rest.

19. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the tamper indicating window comprises an aperture in a seat cover of the aircraft passenger seat.

20. A vehicle passenger seat according to claim 19, wherein the seat cover is

removably attachable to the seat frame.

21. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the tamper indicating window is located on a seat cover for the leg rest, the seat cover comprising an edge region removably attachable to the frame of the seat pan.

22. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein a free end of the tamper indicator strap is removably received between the seat cover and the seat frame.

23. A vehicle passenger seat according any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the removable attachment means comprises one or more security fastener(s).

24. A vehicle passenger seat according to claim 19, wherein the seat cover comprises two layers,

25. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 16 to 24, wherein the tamper indicator strap is anchored at said end to the receptacle via one or more security fastener(s).

26. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 14 to 25, wherein the lid assembly is hingably movable relative to the receptacle.

27. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 14 to 26, wherein the tamper indicating portion of the indicator strap is coloured differently from the untampered indicating portion of the indicator strap.

28. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 14 to 27, wherein the tamper indicating portion is at a free end of the indicator strap.

29. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 14 to 28, further

comprising a life vest located in the receptacle.

30. A vehicle passenger seat according to claim 29, wherein the indicator strap further comprises an attachment portion for attaching the life vest to the indicator strap.

31. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 14 to 30, further

comprising a pull tab attachable to the lid assembly.

32. A vehicle passenger seat according to claim 31, wherein the pull tab is integral with the indicator strap.

33. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 19 to 32, wherein the aperture of the tamper evident window is covered externally with a transparent or translucent cover.

34. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 19 to 33, wherein the tamper evident window further comprises a backing, and wherein the backing is marked or coloured similarly to the tamper indicating portion of the indicator strap.

35. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 14 to 34, further

comprising a shield spanning between the lid assembly and the receptacle.

36. A vehicle passenger seat according to claim 35, wherein the shield extends from the lid assembly.

37. A vehicle passenger seat according to claim 35, wherein the shield extends from the receptacle.

38. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 35 to 37, wherein the shield is separable from the lid assembly or the receptacle.

39. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 35 to 38, wherein the shield is constructed of a polymer.

40. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 14 to 39, wherein the tamper evident strap is constructed of a flexible material.

41. A vehicle passenger seat according to claim 40, wherein the tamper evident strap is constructed of an inelastic material .

42. A vehicle passenger seat according to any one of claims 14 to 41, wherein the tamper evident strap is constructed of a fabric.

43. A method of providing a tamper evident storage arrangement comprising a storage receptacle with an opening, a lid assembly movable between a closed position in which the lid assembly closes the opening, and an open position in which the interior of the receptacle is accessible via said opening, a tamper indicating window, and a tamper indicator strap comprising a tamper indicating portion, the method comprising :

44. The method according to claim 43, further comprising a step of unlocking one or more security fasteners in order to set or reset the position of the tamper indicating strap relative to the window.

45. The method according to claim 43, further comprising a step of unlocking one or more security fasteners in order to access an underside of the tamper indicating window for setting or resetting the position of the tamper indicating strap relative to the window.

46. The method according to any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein the position of the tamper indicating strap relative to the tamper indicating window cannot be reset by closing the lid assembly or moving the tamper indicating strap in the reverse.

47. A vehicle passenger seat substantially as herein described and with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

48. A tamper evident storage arrangement substantially as herein described and with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

49. A method of providing a tamper evident storage arrangement substantially as herein described and with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.