Adjustable armrest and method for the use thereof

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/965,978, filed Aug. 23, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates generally to an armrest, and in particular, to an adjustable armrest, a chair incorporating such an armrest and the method for the use thereof.

Chairs of the type typically used in offices and the like often are configured with armrests. In many instances, the armrests are provided with vertical adjustability. In some instances, an upper portion of the armrest is provided with lateral adjustability, such that an arm pad can be moved side-to-side to accommodate users having different body widths. Typically, however, the armrest includes a stem that is not laterally moveable, such that lateral adjustment of the upper portion does not provide more or less room between the stems, for example to accommodate a large individual with wide legs. Conversely, stems that are spaced too far apart can take up excess room, for example when chairs are situated around a conference table. Therefore, while the lateral adjustment of the upper portion of an armrest may provide for a variety of reconfigurable positions to accommodate a range of users, the fixed positions and/or configurations of the stems may not be ideally suited for a wide cross-section of users and/or applications.

In addition, the actuation of armrests, whether for vertical or lateral adjustment, often requires independent actuation of a trigger or release mechanism that allows the armrest to be moved. Such triggers, however, may not be easily located by a user unfamiliar with a particular chair, or may be difficult to actuate, for example, by someone of limited dexterity and strength.

The present inventions are defined by the claims, and nothing in this section should be read as a limitation on those claims. Rather, by way of general introduction and briefly stated, various embodiments are described that relate to an adjustable armrest, chairs incorporating such an armrest, and/or the method for the use thereof.

For example and without limitation, in one aspect, one embodiment of an adjustable armrest includes a base member pivotable about a first horizontal axis oriented in a fore-and-aft direction, wherein the base member is pivotable about the axis in a side-to-side direction. An arm support is connected to the base member and includes an armrest support extending in the fore-and-aft direction. A first latch member includes a plurality of notches, while a second latch member includes a pawl shaped to releasably engage at least one of the plurality of notches. One of the first or second latch members is mounted on the base member, with the second latch member being moveable relative to the first latch member between at least one engaged position and a release position. In the engaged position, the pawl is engaged with at least one of the plurality of notches such that the base member is prevented from pivoting about said first horizontal axis. In the release position, the pawl is disengaged from the plurality of notches such that the base member is pivotable about the first horizontal axis.

In another aspect, a chair includes a pair of adjustable armrests and a seat having a longitudinally spaced front and back and laterally spaced opposite sides. The pair of armrests are positioned along the opposite sides of the seat and are pivotable in a side-to-side direction about a longitudinally extending horizontal axis.

In another aspect, a method of adjusting the position of an armrest includes pulling up on an upper portion of the armrest, pivoting the armrest about a horizontal axis in a side-to-side direction toward and away from a side of a seat to a desired lateral position, and releasing the upper portion of the armrest. In one embodiment, the method further includes adjusting a height of the armrest.

In another aspect, a method of adjusting the position of an armrest includes pivoting the armrest about a horizontal axis in side-to-side direction toward and away from a side of a seat to a desired position while free of any load being applied downwardly to the armrest. The method further includes pushing down on the armrest and thereby locking the armrest such that the armrest is prevented from pivoting about the horizontal axis. Locking the armrest is automatically performed by pushing down on the armrest free of any independent actuation of any locking mechanism.

The various aspects and embodiments provide significant advantages over other armrests, chairs and methods for the user thereof. For example, and without limitation, the lateral position of the entire armrest can be easily adjusted to accommodate different users, while providing a chair with a variable width footprint. In addition, the lateral position of the armrests can be easily adjusted without a separate, independent actuation of a trigger mechanism, while at the same time providing rigid support when loaded.

Of course, it should be understood that the various aspects disclosed herein can be used individually or in combination, with various combinations providing additional advantages. The present invention, together with further objects and advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of an armrest assembly.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the armrest assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the armrest shown in FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3.

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Forward tiltable motor vehicle seat
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Industry Class:
Chairs and seats

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