Importance

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Abstract

A reclining seat for use in a vehicle is provided with a back shell at least partially surrounding the back so that between a first upright position and a second reclined position the back shell is capable of independent positioning relative to said back cushion, whereby privacy may be enhanced by the position of the back shell. Preferably, the armrest is selectively moveable from above the seating surface to a position approximately level with the seating surface, and most preferably there is also at least one shoulder privacy panel selectively extendible within an area between the seating surface and the back shell. In certain preferred embodiments the back shell has a range of pivot of about 15 degrees between a first position and a second position. In another aspect of the present invention, a video monitor is integrated into the back shell, preferably independently tiltable from a fist position to a second position, most preferably within a range of tilt of approximately 25-degrees. Seats made in accordance with the present invention also preferably include such features as at least one storage compartment, a footwell and at least one handhold integrated into the back shell. The present invention also provides improvements to seat controls and in this regard provides a control panel disposed on the armrest comprising at least one seat control switch and preferably further comprising a recessed control panel. The recessed control panel most preferably comprises a membrane switch panel and is not parallel to a surface defined by the armrest to provide a tilted viewing surface. In certain preferred embodiments, the control panel is back lit.

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First Claim