Adjustable armrest for chairs

[0002] This application is a continuation of U.S. Application No. 08/984,582, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,484 filed Dec. 3, 1997 issued Oct. 26, 1999, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0003] The present invention concerns adjustable armrests for chairs that can be adjusted in multiple directions and orientations relative to a seated user for increased comfort and ergonomics.

[0004] Adjustable armrests allows users to comfortably support their forearms while working, despite the differences in their sizes, shapes, and preferences. This can be particularly important for computer operators and for people having desk jobs, where the person may stay seated for long periods of time, and where different users use the same chair. It is also important for users that are physically large or heavy, or that are physically small or light in weight, to be able to adjust the armrest to a lateral position that is both comfortably close to them, but far enough out of the way to not restrict their body movements in the chair. The amount of adjustment must be relatively large in order to accommodate as many users as possible. However, a large range of adjustment often causes present armrest adjustment mechanisms to become sloppy at their outermost extended positions, and/or reduces their durability because of the increased torsional forces that they encounter.

[0005] Sometimes, in an effort to make highly-adjustable armrests more secure, complicated latching and securing mechanisms are added. However, such parts are expensive, often complex, and are not easy to operate. Further, sometimes it is not intuitively obvious how latches and triggers operate, such that users new to the chair must undesirably spend time figuring out how to operate the armrest in order to adjust it. Also, multi-part mechanisms can lead to quality problems during manufacture and warranty problems in service.

[0006] To summarize, modern users demand armrests that are simple and easy to operate, that are intuitively obvious to adjust, and that have a good, solid feel during adjustment. At the same time, customers want long life and low cost. Accordingly, an armrest construction solving the aforementioned problems and having the aforementioned advantages is desired.

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, an armrest construction for chairs includes an armrest support having a lower end constructed for attachment to a chair, an upper end, and a mounting block attached to the upper end. A pivot block is pivoted to the mounting block at a main pivot, the pivot block having an upwardly-extending follower. First and second gears are each pivoted to the pivot block, the gears having intermeshing teeth at an inner end such that rotation of the first gear causes the second gear to simultaneously rotate in an opposite direction, the first and second gears further having outer ends. A support plate has pivot/slide members engaging the outer ends of the first and second gears, and further has a guide operably engaging the follower to guide lateral movement of the support plate along a predetermined path. The support plate is rotatable about the main pivot to adjust the angular orientation of the armrest construction and is laterally movable along continuously parallel positions to adjust a width of the armrest construction relative to the chair.

[0008] In another aspect, an armrest construction for chairs includes an armrest support having an upper end and a pivot block attached to the upper end, the pivot block having a follower. First and second gears are each pivoted to the pivot block, the gears having intermeshing teeth at an inner end such that rotation of the first gear causes the second gear to simultaneously rotate in an opposite direction, the first and second gears further having outer ends. A support plate has pivot/slide members engaging the outer ends of the first and second gears, and further has a guide engaging the follower to guide lateral movement of the support plate along a predetermined path so that the support plate is laterally movable along continuously parallel positions to adjust a width of the armrest construction relative to the chair.

[0009] In another aspect, an armrest construction for chairs includes an elongated support having an upper end and a mounting block thereon, an armrest including a pivot block, and a main pivot pivotally interconnecting the mounting block to the pivot block. The main pivot includes a pivot hole in one of the mounting block and the pivot block, and includes a protrusion on the other of the mounting block and the pivot block for rotatably engaging the hole. The pivot hole and the protrusion include interfacing surfaces having a predetermined high coefficient of friction, such that rotation of the armrest about the main pivot requires a predetermined amount of force. In a preferred form, one of the interfacing surfaces is formed by a ribbed rubber element that causes the main pivot to move with a detented movement.

[0010] In another aspect, an armrest construction for chairs includes an elongated support including a mounting block, an armrest including a pivot block, and a main pivot pivotally interconnecting the mounting block to the armrest. A brake pad is located between the mounting block and the pivot block, the brake pad being spaced from the main pivot so that the armrest is rotatable about the main pivot, but so that a predetermined minimum torsional force is required sufficient to overcome a frictional force of the brake pad.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair including an armrest construction embodying the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the armrest of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B are exploded perspective views of the armrest construction of FIG. 2;

[0014] FIGS. 4-6 are bottom views of the armrest construction of FIG. 2, FIGS. 4-6 showing the armrest body adjusted to outboard, inboard, and intermediate parallel laterally-adjusted positions;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the armrest like FIG. 6, but taken from a bottom position aligned with the armrest support tube;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII—VII in FIG. 7; and

[0017] FIGS. 9-12 are cross-sectional views taken along the lines IX—IX, X—X, XI—XI, and XII—XII in FIG. 6.

[0018] An armrest construction 30 (FIG. 1) embodying the present invention includes an armrest support 31 having a lower end 32 constructed for attachment to a chair 33, and an upper end 34. A mounting block 35 (FIG. 3A) is attached to the upper end. A pivot block 36 is pivoted to the mounting block 35 at a main pivot 37, the pivot block 36 having an upwardly-extending follower 38. Gears 39 and 40 (FIG. 3B) with intermeshing teeth 41 and 42 at their inner ends are pivoted to the pivot block 36 so that rotation of one gear causes the other gear to simultaneously rotate in an opposite direction. A support plate 43 has slots for receiving pivot/slide members 44 and 45 that pivotally engage the outer ends of the gears 39 and 40, and further has a guide channel 46 that operably engages the follower 38 to guide lateral movement of the support plate 43 along a predetermined lateral path relative to the chair 33. An armrest cushioned body 47 is attached to the support plate 43. By selectively adjusting the armrest body 47 and support plate 43, the armrest is angularly rotatable/adjustable about the main pivot 37 (FIG. 4) and is laterally translatable/adjustable along continuously parallel positions (FIGS. 4-6). Thus, the orientation and relative width of the armrest construction is adjustable relative to the chair.

[0019] The support 31 (FIG. 1) comprises an L-shaped structural member having the horizontal bottom or lower section 32 adapted for connection to a chair base under a chair seat and having a vertically-extending, tubular-top section 34 (FIG. 3A). A sleeve bushing 55 fits matingly into the top section 34, and includes frictional snap-lock detents for holding it therein. A tube weldment 53 includes a mating tube section 54 shaped to telescopingly slidingly engage an inside of the sleeve bushing 55 for telescoping height adjustment. A Z-shaped activator 56 fits operably within the tube section 54. The Z-shaped activator 56 includes a straight section forming a vertical lever 57. Lever 57 has a primary fulcrum pivot bump 58 located about its mid-point and a stop or bump 59 located somewhat thereabove. Notably, the location and size of fulcrum bumps 58 and 59 can be changed to optimize the function of actuator 56. A trigger-engaging top leg 60 extends through a notch 61 in a top of tube section 54, and a trigger/handle 62 is supported on top leg 60. There is a notch 61 in both sides of the tube section 54 so that the same tube section 54 can be used on either side of the chair. A bottom leg 63 of the activator 56 extends through a locator hole 64 and selectively into a series of vertically-spaced latching holes 65 in the tube section 54. One of the top and bottom legs 60 and 62 help locate the actuator 56 on the tube weldment 53 through the mating engagement of notch 61 and hole 64. A spring 66 sets on locator protrusion 66_ and biases the activator 56 to an engaged position. The spring 66 can be a coil spring, a leaf spring, or other biasing means. The activator 56 pivots on the primary pivot bump 58 between engaged and disengaged positions of bottom leg 63, with secondary stop 59 acting to limit the pivoting motion of activator 56 during movement to the disengaged position by changing the fulcrum point when activator 56 is fully disengaged. A skirt cover formed by a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cover or covers 50 (FIG. 1) are attached around the tubes 52 and 54 to protect and aesthetically cover the arm support assembly.

[0020] The mounting block 35 (FIG. 3A) is welded to an upper end of the tube section 54. Mounting block 35 comprises a plate 67 with a pivot hole 68 in one end and a notch 69 in its other end facing toward an outside of the chair. The pivot hole 68 defines an axis of rotation 70. A cylindrical flange 71 extends downwardly from mounting block 35 for extending/lengthening the effective length of the hole 68 to about triple the thickness of the plate 67. The cylindrical inner surface of the pivot hole 68 includes a series of axially-extending detent ridges 72. Notch 69 aligns with notch 61 in top tube section 54 for receiving the top leg 60. A recess 73 is formed in the notched end at a location spaced from pivot hole 68 for receiving a brake shoe 74. The brake shoe 74 comprises a rubber friction pad made of a high-friction material adapted to frictionally engage the pivot block 36 with a known and relatively high coefficient of friction, as described below. The brake shoe 74 is held in position by an adhesive or by a retention stud that extends through hole 75 in the recess 73. Mounting block 35 further includes holes and features as needed for assembly.

[0021] A flat flange 77 on pivot bushing 86 (described below) spaces the pivot block 36 above mounting block 35 and prevents metal-on-metal contact. A standoff 78 at the tip of the end opposite the brake shoe 74 also engages the pivot block 36 at a location spaced from the brake shoe 74 causing the pivot block 36 to engage the brake shoe 74 in a more uniform manner.

[0022] The pivot block 36 comprises a relatively flat steel plate 80 (FIG. 3A). A pair of upstanding apertured pivot-forming bosses 81 and 82 are formed in an intermediate section of the pivot block 36, and the upstanding finger or follower 38 is located along an outboard edge of the pivot block 36 generally at a location centered fore-to-aft relative to the two bosses 81 and 82. A spacer 80_ is placed on flat plate 80 and is used as an interface between the pivot block and the gears 39 and 40 to avoid steel-on-steel contact. The spacer 80_ is made from a rubber or friction-generating material to provide anti-slip engagement, such as when a seated user presses downwardly on the armrest. The material and function of spacer 80_ are similar to that of brake shoe 74, although the materials do not need to be the same per se.

[0023] A protrusion 83 extends downwardly from one end of the pivot block 36. Protrusion 83 includes longitudinally-extending ridges 84 and an axially-aligned hole in its end. A main pivot bushing 86 fits onto protrusion 83. Main pivot bushing 86 includes a structural sleeve 87 with an inner diameter and channels 87_ shaped to mateably and non-rotatably engage ridges 84. The outer surface of the bushing 86 is covered with a rubber coating or rubber element 88 that is rough and that includes a plurality of longitudinally-extending ridges 89. The ridges 89 frictionally and slidingly engage the ridges 72 on the hole 68 in mounting block 35, creating an interface that slips with a detented stop-and-start motion as the pivot block 36 is pivoted on the mounting block 35. A pivot washer 90 abuts a lower end of the pivot bushing 86 and a screw 91 extends through the washer 90 and threadably into the protrusion 83, thus securing the pivot block 36 to the mounting block 35. The pivot bushing 86 preferably has a washer-like top flange shaped to engage a top of the pivot block 36, where the top flange is sandwiched between the pivot block 36 and the mounting block 35 in a manner to better hold the pivot bushing 86 in the mounting block 35.

[0024] A laterally-extending planar tab 92 is formed along an inboard edge opposite follower 38. A concavity 93 is formed on each side of the tab 92. A lower cover plate 94 includes a hole 95 for receiving a threaded screw extended through hole 95 into the tab 92. The lower cover plate 94 includes flanges 96 that engage the concavities 93 to help hold the lower cover plate 94 in a predetermined angular position on the pivot block 36 for maximum covering effect. The lower cover plate 94 is welded or secured to cover 132, described below.

[0025] Gears 39 and 40 (FIG. 3B) include holes 97 and 98 for rotatably engaging the bosses 81 and 82, respectively. Teeth 41 and 42 are spaced from holes 97 and 98 so that they intermeshingly engage, causing the gears 39 and 40 to rotate simultaneously in opposing directions when one of the gears is forcibly rotated. Arcuate channels 99 and 99_, each having rough bottoms therein, are formed around each of holes 97 and 98 at locations opposite teeth 41 and 42. Upwardly-extending apertured, pivot-forming bosses 101 and 102 are formed at an end opposite the teeth 41 and 42 on each of gears 39 and 40, respectively.

[0026] A “FIG. 8” shaped detent/retainer plate 103 is positioned on the gears 39 and 40, and pivot screws 104 and 105 are extended through holes 97_ and 98_ in the detent/retainer plate 103 and through pivot holes 97 and 98 into apertured pivot-forming bosses 81 and 82. Detent/retainer plate 103 includes an abround embossment 106 that extends around the two holes 97_ and 98_ in pivot plate 103. The embossment 106 provides an inner concave space for receiving the heads of the screws 104 and 105. Downwardly-extending point embossments 107 and 108 are formed in opposite ends of the detent/retainer plate 103 for mateably engaging the rough bottoms of the channels 99 and 99_. The point embossments 107 and 108 form detents against the channels 99 and 99_ and give the arrangement a quality feel. The brake shoe 74 and spacer 80_ provide sufficient frictional force to stabilize the armrest against unexpected sliding adjustment when a seated user is using the armrests. Advantageously, the present arrangement provides a frictional force that increases when a person leans on the armrest, thus providing a strong holding force at the most advantageous time, such as when a seated user is leaning on the armrests to rise out of the chair.

[0027] The pivot/slide members 44 and 45 (FIG. 3B) each include a lubricous washer 110 for engaging a top of the gears 39 and 40, and further include an apertured upstanding protrusion 111 for mateably rotatably engaging the upstanding pivot-forming bosses 101 and 102. The protrusion 111 includes an outer surface having a square section 112 with flat sides and a round cylindrically-shaped surface 113. The screws 113_ secure the gears 39 and 40 to the support plate 43.

[0028] The support plate 43 (FIG. 3B) includes a generally planar body having a center section 114 and end sections 115 and 116. The support plate channel 46 for follower 38 is an upwardly-extending embossment formed transversely in center section 114. A pair of recessed areas 117 and 118 are formed at opposite ends of the support plate 43. Upwardly-formed, channel-shaped embossments 119 and 120 are formed in the opposite ends, respectively, and longitudinally-extending slots 121 and 122 are formed in embossments 119 and 120, respectively. The channel-shaped embossments 119 and 120 are shaped to slidably receive the square section 112 of pivot/slide members 44 and 45, and the slots 121 and 122 are shaped to slidably receive the cylindrically-shaped surface 113 of the pivot/slide members 44 and 45. The transverse embossment/channel 46 engages the follower 38 to limit the lateral adjustment of the support plate 43 to a linear motion that is continuously parallel in all positions, while the gears 39 and 40 rotate causing the pivot/slide members 44 and 45 to slide equally along the slots 119 and 120. The armrest body 47 is attached atop the support plate 43 and comprises a relatively flat structural component 47_ having recesses 122-124 for mateably engaging and covering the embossments 46, 119, and 120, respectively. A skinned or upholstered cushion 125 is attached atop the support plate 43 by screws, other mechanical fasteners, adhesive, or the like.

[0029] A tub-shaped cover 126 (FIG. 3A) fits onto and is attached to the mounting block around the upper end 34 of support 31. Cover 126 includes upwardly-curved sidewalls 127 that extend up and around mounting block 35. An aperture 128 in the sidewalls 127 receives the trigger 62. Apertured bosses 129 are formed inside the cover 126 for receiving screws 130 to retain the cover 126 to the mounting block 35. Reinforcement ribs 131 are formed in cover 126 to help retain its shape. A gear cover 132 (FIG. 3B) is attached atop the gears 39 and 40. Gear cover 132 includes a hollow protrusion 133 for mateably engaging the follower 38 in guide channel 46. The hollow protrusion 133 can be integral with the cover 132 or can be a separate part. A dome-shaped body 134 on the gear cover 132 includes a lip flange 135 that aesthetically covers the gears 39 and 40, even when the armrest is adjusted to its most inwardly position where the gears 39 and 40 extend laterally from under the armrest body 47.

[0030] In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.