WO2024242817A2 - Button assembly with a modular button and sleeve having an infinitely rotational cable exit - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular button assembly a button, a button stem, and a sleeve into a single package to be inserted into a housing, which includes a lever and a control cable exit portion to retain a control cable, where the lever activated by the pressing of the button is pulled inside the control cable controlling a recline of the seat. Regardless of a shape of the button, a bottom portion of the sleeve has a round shape and fits inside a round housing. The round matching of the sleeve bottom and the housing allows the button to be positioned in any orientation without affecting a routing of the control cable, which may be rotated in any direction. The separation of the button-sleeve and housing offers application versatility such as removal and replacement of just the button-sleeve without changing the internal housing assembly. The separation further improves simplicity of the installation.

Description

BUTTON ASSEMBLY WITH A MODULAR BUTTON AND SLEEVE HAVING AN

INFINITELY ROTATIONAL CABLE EXIT

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/468,362 filed on May 23, 2023. The disclosure of the application is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted as prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0003] Seats on aircrafts, ships, trains, buses, and similar vehicles may have a button assembly, for example, fitted to an arm of the seat to recline the seat. In conventional implementations, such buttons may be mechanical providing recline functionality through a cable. Conventional button assemblies may have installation and replacement challenges, as well as cable rotation problems.

SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure generally describes a button assembly for aircraft seat recline system with a modular button and sleeve having an infinitely rotational cable exit.

[0005] A modular button assembly according to examples incorporates a button, a button stem, and a sleeve into a single package that may be separated from a housing assembly which is internal to a seat arm. The separation may offer application versatility and improve the simplicity of the installation. The versatility may allow for removal and replacement of just the button assembly without changing the internal housing assembly. The removal and replacement may allow for replacement of damaged components or replacement to enhance a look of the button assembly for a finish change (color/texture) and/or refurbishment program.

[0006] Furthermore, regardless of a shape of the button, a bottom portion of the sleeve may have a round shape and fit inside a round housing. The housing may include a lever and a control cable exit portion to retain a control cable, where the lever activated by the pressing of the button is pulled inside the control cable controlling a recline of the seat. The round matching of the sleeve bottom and the housing allows the button (or button-sleeve assembly) to be positioned in any orientation without affecting a routing of the control cable, and the control cable may be rotated in any direction.

[0007] According to some examples, a modular button assembly may include a buttonsleeve assembly comprising a button, a button stem, and a sleeve, where a top portion of the sleeve has a shape matching a shape of the button and a bottom portion of the sleeve has a round shape; and a housing having a round shape to fit over the bottom portion of the sleeve, where the button-sleeve assembly is rotatably inserted into the housing. The housing may include a groove; a control cable exit portion of the housing; and a lever rotatably attached to the housing. A control cable may be arranged to pass through the control cable exit portion of the housing, and the lever may be arranged to actuate a tension wire inside the control cable in response to a pressing action on the button.

[0008] According to other examples, a modular button assembly for an airplane seat may include a button; a button stem; and a sleeve, where a top portion of the sleeve has a shape matching a shape of the button, a bottom portion of the sleeve has a round shape, and the button is slidably attached to a bottom of the sleeve through the button stem. The modular button assembly may also include a housing, where the sleeve is rotatably inserted into the housing. The housing may include a groove; a spring clip to fit into the groove and hold the sleeve inside the housing; a control cable exit portion of the housing to pass through a control cable to control a recline of the airplane seat; and a lever rotatably attached to the housing, where a pressing action on the button pushes the button stem onto the lever causing the lever to rotate, and a rotation of the lever actuates the control cable.

[0009] According to further examples, a method of manufacturing a modular button assembly may include affixing a button slidably into a sleeve by attaching a button stem to a bottom of the sleeve; positioning a coil spring over a round shaped housing; sliding the sleeve inside the round shaped housing such that the coil spring is in contact with a top portion of the sleeve; affixing the sleeve to the housing through a spring clip; attaching a tension wire of a control cable to a lever at a bottom portion of the housing, where a pressing action on the button rotates the lever, and rotation of the lever pulls the tension wire actuating the control cable. [0010] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The foregoing and other features of this disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A-1B illustrate various views of aircraft seats with example locations of modular button assemblies on each seat;

FIG. 1C-1D illustrate external and internal views of an example modular button assembly on an inside surface of an aircraft seat arm;

FIG. 2A-2B illustrate various shapes and sizes of example button assemblies for aircraft seat recline system with conventional and modular assembly configurations having a rotational cable exit;

FIG. 2C illustrates a rectangular modular button assembly with rotational control cable;

FIG. 3A-3B illustrate various views of modular button assemblies for aircraft seat recline system with a round modular button and sleeve having an infinitely rotational cable exit;

FIG. 4A-4B illustrate various views of conventional and example button assemblies for aircraft seat recline system with a rectangular modular button and sleeve having an infinitely rotational cable exit;

FIG. 5 illustrates top and perspective views of example button assemblies for aircraft seat recline system with a rectangular modular button and sleeve having an infinitely rotational cable exit; FIG. 6A-6B illustrate assembly and cross-sectional views of example button assemblies for aircraft seat recline system with a rectangular modular button and sleeve having an infinitely rotational cable exit; and

FIG. 7A-7B illustrate various shapes and sizes of example button assemblies for aircraft seat recline system, all arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. The aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

[0013] This disclosure is generally drawn, inter alia, to methods of manufacture, apparatus, systems and/or devices associated with button assemblies for aircraft seat recline system with a modular button and sleeve having an infinitely rotational cable exit.

[0014] Disclosed herein are a modular button assembly provided for aircraft, ship, train, or bus seats. The modular button assembly may provide installation ease, replacement versatility, and rotational cable exit to allow a control cable to be placed independent of a button assembly position and direction. Button-sleeve assembly may be easily replaced without having to remove or change a housing inside a seat arm.

[0015] FIG. 1A-1B illustrate various views of aircraft seats with example locations of modular button assemblies on each seat, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein. Diagrams 100A and 100B in FIGs. 1A and IB show two different seating arrangements with three seats 104 and two seats 106. Modular button assemblies 102 are shown at example locations in the seating arrangements 104 and 106. [0016] Modular button assemblies 102 may control a reclining function of the respective seats through a control cable. By changing a tension on the control cable, a modular button assembly may allow the seat to recline and be brought back to its original position. As seats and seat configurations are changed frequently in airplanes (and other mass transportation vehicles such as trains, busses, ships), replaceability and accessibility of the button assemblies is a critical feature.

[0017] Whether the implementation environment is an aircraft, a ship, a train, a bus, or similar vehicle, the seats may have different shapes or sizes and be arranged in various combinations. Depending on the seating arrangement, a location for the modular button assemblies may be selected for optimum accessibility by respective passengers and/or crew members. Inside or top surfaces of seat arms near a tip of the arm portion may be optimal locations for ease of access. Embodiments are not limited to seat arm locations, however. In other examples, the modular button assemblies may be positioned in various other locations such as an interior wall of the vehicle near a seat, a side surface of a back portion of the seat, or other places.

[0018] While aircraft environments are used as example implementation environments for a modular button assembly herein, a modular button assembly may be implemented in other environments such as ships, trains, buses, or even stationary environments such as buildings. Embodiments are also not limited to the shapes, sizes, and configurations of the modular button assemblies shown herein. Any suitable shape, size, or configuration may be implemented using the principles discussed herein.

[0019] FIG. 1C-1D illustrate external and internal views of an example modular button assembly on an inside surface of an aircraft seat arm, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein. Diagram 100C in FIG. 1C shows an arm portion 112 of an aircraft seat, and a modular button assembly 102 with a button 114 and a sleeve 116. Diagram 100D in FIG. ID shows a portion of the modular button assembly 102 inside the arm portion 112 with the button 114 and the sleeve 116 on the outside and lever 122 and tension wire 124 of the control cable on the inside. By pushing the button 114, a passenger activates the lever 122, which pulls on the tension wire 124 causing the seat to recline or come back to its original position. [0020] FIG. 2A-2B illustrate various shapes and sizes of example button assemblies for aircraft seat recline system with various configurations having a rotational cable exit, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0021] Diagram 200A shows two different types of round modular button assemblies. The assemblies include a reversed-dimpled button 214 (or a dimpled button 216), a sleeve 212, housing 202a coil spring 210, a spring clip 208, a lever 206, and a control cable exit 204. The control cable exit may protect the control cable exiting the button assembly (housing). In example implementations, the button may be slidably housed inside the sleeve. During button assembly installation, the button and sleeve assembly may be slid into the visible external side of a mounting hole in a panel or enclosure (seat arm). Then, from the opposite side of the panel or enclosure the housing side of the assembly may be slid outside the button and sleeve assembly and connected to the housing through the spring clip. The coil spring may provide flexible force to the sleeve to keep it flush with a surface of the seat arm.

[0022] Diagram 200B shows additional button assembly configurations with rectangular buttons 234, 236, for example, along with matching sleeves 242. The control cable exits may also have different shapes and configurations. For example, an external shape of the control cable exit may be round (204), rectangular (244), or other shapes (224). In some examples, the control cable exit may include a single round hole, which may be used to hold back a sleeve of the control cable as the tension wire inside is pulled by the lever. In other examples, the control cable exit may include additional holes (224), for passing through multiple cables, electrical wiring, or simply to provide a lighter weight while preserving a strength of the structure.

[0023] FIG. 2C illustrates a rectangular modular button assembly with rotational control cable, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0024] Diagram 200C shows the button assembly with rectangular button 234 partially inside the sleeve 232. A spring spacer 242 and coil spring 210 may provide flexible force to push the sleeve from a protrusion of the housing 202 to keep the sleeve flush with a surface of the seat arm. The control cable may include a tension wire 250 inside a control cable sleeve 254. The control cable sleeve 254 may be held in place and affixed to the button assembly through a second sleeve 252, which may also prevent or reduce wear to the control cable by the control cable exit 224. A portion of the tension wire 250 may be exposed within the button assembly and pass through the lever 206. The tension wire 250 may be attached to an adjustable mechanism 256 on one side of the lever 206. The adjustable mechanism may not only allow pulling of the tension wire by the lever, but also allow adjustment of tension (e g. through a threaded mechanism). A spring clip 234 may hold the sleeve inside the housing 202.

[0025] The round housing base - button and sleeve assembly combination may allow for the button to be inserted and positioned (regardless of a shape of the button) independent of a direction of the control cable. Thus, the control cable is infinitely rotatable. In example implementations, the sleeve may be connected to the button assembly. During button assembly installation, the button and sleeve assembly may be slid into the visible external side of a mounting hole in a panel or enclosure (seat arm). Then, from the opposite side of the panel or enclosure the housing side of the assembly may be slid outside the button and sleeve assembly and connected to the housing through the spring clip. The coil spring may provide flexible force to the sleeve to keep it flush with a surface of the seat arm. If the button or sleeve are damaged, only the button and sleeve assembly portion of the full button assembly need replacement. Similarly, if the interface between the button and sleeve experiences premature wear, only the button and sleeve assembly need to be replaced.

[0026] The infinitely rotatable control cable exit allows an installer to rotate the control cable relative to the installation of a non-round shape button. This feature helps the installer to move the cable around fixed elements within the seat arm. Non-round shaped buttons require the shape to be mated to a similar shape opening in the seat arm such as rectangle to rectangle, hexagon to hexagon, etc. This mating interface with traditional button assembly designs forces the exit of the control cable to be predetermined and fixed relative to the shape. The infinitely rotatable cable exit allows the user to rotate the exit of the control cable regardless of the button shape.

[0027] FIG. 3 A-3B illustrate various views of modular button assemblies for aircraft seat recline system with a round modular button and sleeve having an infinitely rotational cable exit, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0028] Diagram 300A shows various assembly stages of a button assembly with short sleeve configuration. The button assembly includes a sleeve 304, button 302, coil spring 306, housing 310, lever 312, and spring clip 308. In the short sleeve button assembly, the sleeve 304 is separated from the button assembly. This means the button 302 and a button stem are connected to the housing 310. During button assembly installation, the sleeve 304 is slid into the visible external side of a mounting hole in a panel or enclosure (seat arm). Then, from the opposite side of the panel or enclosure the button/housing side of the assembly is slid outside the sleeve 304, and the sleeve is held in place using the spring clip 308, which fits into the slot 305 along a side perimeter of the sleeve 304.

[0029] Diagram 300A also shows an assembled button assembly with the sleeve 304 and button 302 affixed to the housing 310. A control cable 316 containing a tension wire is affixed to the control cable exit 314 portion of the housing 310 through a secondary sleeve, which may protect the control cable from wear and tear. The lever 312 pulls the tension wire upon being activated by the pressing of the button 302.

[0030] Diagram 300B shows an example modular button assembly with long sleeve configuration in various assembly stages and includes a button and sleeve assembly 322 (including the button 302), coil spring 306, housing base 324 and lever 312. The round housing base - button and sleeve assembly combination allows for the button to be inserted and positioned (regardless of a shape of the button) independent on a direction of the control cable 314. Thus, the control cable is infinitely rotatable.

[0031] In example implementations, the button is affixed to a button stem, which is affixed to the sleeve at a bottom portion. Thus, the sleeve and the button form a button and sleeve assembly. A spring coil (not shown) inside the sleeve pushes the button upward when the button is not pressed. During button assembly installation, the button and sleeve assembly may be slid into the visible external side of a mounting hole in a panel or enclosure (seat arm). Then, from the opposite side of the panel or enclosure the housing side of the assembly may be slid outside the button and sleeve assembly and connected to the housing through the spring clip 308, which fits into a slot at an external perimeter of the sleeve. The coil spring may provide flexible force to the sleeve to keep it flush with a surface of the seat arm. If the button or sleeve are damaged, only the button and sleeve assembly portion of the full button assembly needs replacement. Similarly, if the interface between the button and sleeve experiences premature wear, only the button and sleeve assembly needs to be replaced.

[0032] Diagram 300B also shows an assembled button assembly with the sleeve 304 and button 302 affixed to the housing 310. A control cable 316 containing the tension wire 318 is affixed to the control cable exit 314 portion of the housing 310 through a secondary sleeve, which may protect the control cable from wear and tear. The lever 312 pulls the tension wire 318 upon being activated by the pressing of the button 302.

[0033] The infinitely rotatable control cable exit allows an installer to rotate the control cable relative to the installation of a non-round shape button. This feature helps the installer to move the cable around fixed elements within the seat arm. Non-round shaped buttons require the shape to be mated to a similar shape opening in the seat arm such as rectangle to rectangle, hexagon to hexagon, etc. This mating interface with traditional button assembly designs forces the exit of the control cable to be predetermined and fixed relative to the shape. The infinitely rotatable cable exit allows the user to rotate the exit of the control cable regardless of the button shape.

[0034] FIG. 4A-4B illustrate various views of conventional and example button assemblies for aircraft seat recline system with a rectangular modular button and sleeve having an infinitely rotational cable exit, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0035] Diagram 400A shows various assembly stages of a conventional rectangular button assembly that includes a sleeve 404, button 402, coil spring 406, housing 410, lever 416, and spring clip 414. In the conventional rectangular button assembly, the sleeve 404 is separated from the button assembly. This means the button 402 and a button stem are connected to the housing 410. During button assembly installation, the sleeve 404 is slid into the visible external side of a mounting hole in a panel or enclosure (seat arm). Then, from the opposite side of the panel or enclosure the button/housing side of the assembly is slid outside the sleeve 404 and connected to the housing 410 using the spring clip 414.

[0036] The rectangular mating shape of the sleeve 404 and the housing 410 in the conventional assembly mean a direction of the control cable 412 is aligned with the button assembly and the button assembly can only be positioned based on the direction of the control cable. Furthermore, the control cable cannot be routed around fixed elements inside the seat arm. If the button or sleeve are damaged or if the interface between the button and sleeve experiences premature wear, the full button assembly needs replacement.

[0037] The challenge with control cable direction in conventional button assemblies is shown in diagram 400A with the two rectangular button assemblies in different orientations. In one case, the control cable is aligned with a longer axis of the rectangular button assembly. In the other case, the control cable is aligned with a shorter axis of the rectangular button assembly. The button assemblies are not interchangeable as shown in the diagram. One must be replaced with the same type.

[0038] Diagram 400B shows an example rectangular modular button assembly in various assembly stages and includes a button and sleeve assembly 422 (including the button 402), coil spring 406, round housing base 424, spring spacer 426, and lever 416. The round housing base - button and sleeve assembly combination allows for the button and sleeve assembly to be inserted and positioned (regardless of a shape of the button) independent of a direction of the control cable 412. Thus, the control cable is infinitely rotatable.

[0039] In example implementations, the sleeve may be connected to the button assembly. During button assembly installation, the button and sleeve assembly may be slid into the visible external side of a mounting hole in a panel or enclosure (seat arm). Then, from the opposite side of the panel or enclosure the housing side of the assembly may be slid outside the button and sleeve assembly and connected to the housing through the spring clip 414. The coil spring may provide flexible force to the sleeve to keep it flush with a surface of the seat arm. In some examples, a coil spring spacer 426 may also be used between a top portion of the sleeve and the coil spring 406. If the button or sleeve are damaged, only the button and sleeve assembly portion of the full button assembly needs replacement. Similarly, if the interface between the button and sleeve experiences premature wear, only the button and sleeve assembly needs to be replaced. Also, as shown in diagram 400B, any shape button may be accommodated by the assembly. For example, other geometric shapes (e.g., hexagonal, elliptic), but also irregular shapes such as airline logos, etc. may be used.

[0040] The modular button assembly in diagram 400B incorporates the button, the button stem, and the sleeve into a single package that can be separated from the housing assembly which is internal to the seat arm. The separation allows application versatility and improves the simplicity of the installation. The versatility allows removal and replacement of just the button assembly without changing the housing assembly internal to the seat arm. The removal and replacement allows replacement of damaged components or replacement to enhance a look of the button assembly for a finish change (color/texture) and/or refurbishment program. Traditional button assemblies have the button and button stem integrated with the housing assembly requiring the removal of the housing assembly for repair/refurbishment etc. with a significant amount of additional labor, time, and expense. [0041] FIG. 5 illustrates top and perspective views of example button assemblies for aircraft seat recline system with a rectangular modular button and sleeve having an infinitely rotational cable exit, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0042] Diagram 500 shows top and perspective views of button assembly configurations 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512 with the control cable in different directions. As mentioned herein, through the rotatable control cable exit, an installer may rotate the control cable relative to the installation of a non-round shape button. Thus, the installer may also be able to move the cable around fixed elements within the seat arm. The infinitely rotatable cable exit allows the installer to rotate the exit of the control cable regardless of the button shape.

[0043] FIG. 6A-6B illustrate assembly and cross-sectional views of example button assemblies for aircraft seat recline system with a rectangular modular button and sleeve having an infinitely rotational cable exit, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0044] Diagram 600A shows an example rectangular modular button assembly with the button-sleeve assembly separated from and integrated with a housing assembly. The buttonsleeve assembly 620 includes a rectangular button 602 and sleeve 604. The sleeve includes a cylindrical (round) groove to accommodate a spring clip 612 to hold the button-sleeve assembly 620 in the housing 610. A coil spring 606 and a spring spacer 608 may be used between the round housing 610 and the rectangular top portion of the button-sleeve assembly 620. A control cable may pass through a control cable exit portion 616 of the round housing 610 and actuated through a lever 614. In an operation, when the button 602 is pressed, a button stem pushes the lever 614, which pulls a tension wire inside the control cable. Through the round mating of the button-sleeve assembly and the housing, the control cable exit portion may be positioned in any direction independent on the position of the button-sleeve assembly (and thereby the button even when the button has a non-round shape).

[0045] Diagram 600B shows cross-sectional view of a rectangular modular button assembly with the control cable in rest position. The assembly includes the button-sleeve assembly 602 with the button 602 and sleeve 604. A retaining ring 634 positioned around a bottom portion of a button stem 622 keeps the button 602 and the sleeve 604 together (prevents the button from sliding out of the sleeve). An inner coil spring 632 may push the button 602 back within the button-sleeve assembly 620. The button-sleeve assembly 620 may be held together with the housing 610 through a spring clip 612. The sleeve includes a cylindrical (round) groove to accommodate the spring clip 612. The coil spring 606 and the spring spacer 608 are placed between the housing and the button-sleeve assembly.

[0046] The control cable exit portion 616 may include an opening (e.g., round) to pass the control cable 630 through. A protective sleeve 628 may be used to prevent or reduce wear to the control cable 630 by the control cable exit portion 616 while keeping the control cable affixed to the control cable exit portion 616. The tension wire 632 inside the control cable 630 may be affixed to the lever 614 through an adjustable mechanism 624 to adjust a tension of the wire (e.g., a screw mechanism). When the button 602 is pressed, a button stem pushes the lever 614 causing it to rotate clockwise. This action, in return, pulls the tension wire 632 through the control cable exit portion 616. When the button 602 is released, the inner coil 632 pulls the button (and button stem) back. In other examples, the control cable release may be provided through a coil spring on the opposite side of the control cable.

[0047] FIG. 7A-7B illustrate various shapes and sizes of example button assemblies for aircraft seat recline system, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0048] Diagram 700A in FIG. 7A shows various button types in a modular button assembly such as reverse-dimpled large round button 702, dimpled large round button 704, dimpled small round button 706, reverse-dimpled small round button 708, large rectangular button 710, small rectangular button 712, and rounded rectangular button 714. The illustrated shapes and sizes are exemplary. Any shape or size of button may be implemented in a modular button assembly according to examples.

[0049] Diagram 700B in FIG. 7B shows an example irregular shaped button in a modular button assembly. As mentioned herein, any shape and size button may be implemented in a modular button assembly without having to change a routing of the control cable. In the example illustration, the button 722 is shaped in form of a company logo (for example, airline, train company, cruise company logos may be used). A top portion 724 of the sleeve is shaped to match the button so that the button can fit into the sleeve. A bottom portion 726 of the sleeve is round to match a shape of the housing of the modular button assembly so that the bottom portion of the sleeve can fit inside the housing. [0050] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, are possible from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0051] The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. Such depicted architectures are merely examples, and in fact, many other architectures may be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality may be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermediate components. Likewise, any two components so associated may also be viewed as being "operably connected", or "operably coupled", to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated may also be viewed as being "operably couplable", to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically connectable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components.

[0052] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0053] In general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

[0054] Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

[0055] For any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, a group having 1-5 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells, and so forth.

[0056] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are possible. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A modular button assembly comprising: a button-sleeve assembly comprising a button, a button stem, and a sleeve, wherein a top portion of the sleeve has a shape matching a shape of the button and a bottom portion of the sleeve has a round shape; and a housing having a round shape to fit over the bottom portion of the sleeve, wherein the button-sleeve assembly is rotatably inserted into the housing, the housing comprising: a groove; a control cable exit portion of the housing; and a lever rotatably attached to the housing, wherein a control cable is arranged to pass through the control cable exit portion of the housing, and the lever is arranged to actuate a tension wire inside the control cable in response to a pressing action on the button.

2. The modular button assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a coil spring between the button-sleeve assembly and the housing.

3. The modular button assembly of claim 2, further comprising: a coil spring spacer to fit between the top portion of the sleeve and the coil spring, the coil spring having a shape of the top portion of the sleeve and a coil spring having a round shape.

4. The modular button assembly of claim 1, further comprising: an inner coil spring to push the button and the button stem to a rest position upon release of the button from a pressed position.

5. The modular button assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a spring clip to fit into the groove and hold the button-sleeve assembly inside the housing.

6. The modular button assembly of claim 1, wherein the button has a round shape.

7. The modular button assembly of claim 1, wherein the button has a non-round shape.

8. The modular button assembly of claim 7, wherein the control cable is positioned independent of an orientation of the button through the rotatable insertion of the button-sleeve assembly in the housing.

9. The modular button assembly of claim 1, wherein the modular button assembly is integrated with a seat arm in an airplane, a ship, a train, or a bus.

10. A modular button assembly for an airplane seat comprising: a button; a button stem; a sleeve, wherein a top portion of the sleeve has a shape matching a shape of the button, a bottom portion of the sleeve has a round shape, and the button is slidably attached to a bottom of the sleeve through the button stem; and a housing, wherein the sleeve is rotatably inserted into the housing, the housing comprising: a groove; a spring clip to fit into the groove and hold the sleeve inside the housing; a control cable exit portion of the housing to pass through a control cable to control a recline of the airplane seat; and a lever rotatably attached to the housing, wherein a pressing action on the button pushes the button stem onto the lever causing the lever to rotate, and a rotation of the lever actuates the control cable.

11. The modular button assembly of claim 10, wherein actuation of the control cable comprises pulling of a tension wire inside the control cable by the rotated lever.

12. The modular button assembly of claim 11, further comprising: an adjustable mechanism affixed to the lever to set a tension of the tension wire.

13. The modular button assembly of claim 10, further comprising: a coil spring between the top portion of the sleeve and the housing.

14. The modular button assembly of claim 10, further comprising: a coil spring spacer between the top portion of the sleeve and the coil spring, wherein the coil spring has a shape of the top portion of the sleeve and a coil spring has a round shape.

15. The modular button assembly of claim 10, further comprising: an inner coil spring to push the button and the button stem to a rest position upon release of the button from a pressed position.

16. The modular button assembly of claim 10, wherein the button has a round or a rectangular shape.

17. The modular button assembly of claim 10, wherein the button has a shape of a logo.

18. A method of manufacturing a modular button assembly comprising: affixing a button slidably into a sleeve by attaching a button stem to a bottom of the sleeve; positioning a coil spring over a round shaped housing; sliding the sleeve inside the round shaped housing such that the coil spring is in contact with a top portion of the sleeve; affixing the sleeve to the housing through a spring clip; attaching a tension wire of a control cable to a lever at a bottom portion of the housing, wherein a pressing action on the button rotates the lever, and rotation of the lever pulls the tension wire actuating the control cable.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the control cable is positioned to pass through a control cable exit portion of the housing.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: positioning a coil spring spacer between a top portion of the coil spring and the top portion of the sleeve.