This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 of German Application No. 20 2017 104 486.6, filed on Jul. 27, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
The invention relates to an arm rest for a piece of seating furniture, in particular for an office chair, comprising an arm rest support and an arm support which is movable relative thereto.
In order to be able to adjust the arm rest for a user of a piece of seating furniture, in particular an office chair, it is already known to arrange an arm support so as to be movable about a vertical axis of rotation relative to an arm rest support. In this case, the arm support is generally adjustable relative to the arm rest support in stages.
Moreover, office chairs are known, which are intended to prompt a user to move while sitting, in order to prevent tension, in particular in the back and neck area. It has been shown, however, that this possibility to move is insufficient for completely preventing back pain.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to create yet another possibility for improving the ergonomics of a piece of seating furniture.
This problem is solved according to the invention by an arm rest for a piece of seating furniture, in particular for an office chair, comprising an arm rest support and an arm support which is movable relative thereto, wherein an elastic return element is provided and the arm support is movable relative to the arm rest support, against the restoring force of the return element.
When a user of a piece of seating furniture comprising an arm rest according to the invention subsequently places his/her arm on the arm support, the arm support is moved slightly downward against the restoring force of the return element. This reaction of the arm support to the placement of an arm of the user thereon results in the user being prompted to move in the shoulder area, whereby tension can be prevented. In particular, the upper body of a user is stimulated to move. A pooling of blood can be prevented as a result. Different embodiments of the return element are conceivable in this case. For example, the return element can be designed as an elastomer, in particular elastomeric rubber, as a spring element, in particular as a compression spring, a leg spring, or as a torsion bar. Particular advantages result when the return element is exchangeable. As a result, the restoring force can be adjusted, for example.
A first stop can be provided on the arm rest, which limits the relative movement of the arm support with respect to the arm rest support in a first direction. In particular, an upward movement of the arm support can be limited by the first stop, and therefore the arm support assumes a defined position without being loaded by a user.
Moreover, a second stop can be provided, which limits the relative movement of the arm support and the arm rest support in a second direction. In particular, a downward movement of the arm support can be limited by the second stop. As a result, it can be ensured that a user can support him/herself on the arm support without the arm support dropping into a void.
In principle, it is conceivable that the arm support is movable only upward and downward in the vertical direction against the return force. Advantages result, however, when the arm support is pivotable about a horizontal axis of rotation relative to the arm rest support. In particular, the arm support and the arm rest support are pivotally connected to each other. In this case, the swinging motion can be superimposed on a linear motion. For example, the horizontal axis of rotation can be displaceable relative to the arm rest support. Advantages result, however, when the arm support is connected to the arm rest support so as to be pivotable about a fixed horizontal axis of rotation. A defined arrangement of the arm support relative to the arm rest support is obtained as a result.
The longitudinal axis of the return element can be oriented transversely, in particular orthogonal, to the horizontal axis of rotation. Due to this arrangement, the restoring force generated by the return element can be particularly effectively utilized.
The pivot range of the arm support relative to the arm rest support can be less than 25°, in particular between 10° and 20°, preferably 16°. Particularly favorable ergonomics are obtained as a result.
The arm support and the arm rest support can be connected to each other at an end region in each case, i.e., one end region of the arm support can be connected to one end region of the arm rest support. In principle, it is also conceivable that the arm rest support is situated on the arm support essentially in the center thereof.
A cuff made of a resilient material can be provided in the transition area between the arm rest support and the arm support. In particular, the connecting area and, therefore, also the area in which the return element is situated, can be covered by the cuff. Injuries to a user can be prevented as a result. For example, the cuff can be designed in the shape of an accordion.
The arm support can comprise an arm support fastening part and the arm rest support can comprise an arm rest support fastening part, which are pivotally connected to each other and against which the return element rests. The two fastening parts can be made of plastic. The fastening parts can also form the first and the second stops.
In order to adapt the arm rest to a user, it is advantageous when the arm rest is height-adjustable, in particular height-adjustable in stages. In this case, the operating element for the height adjustment of the arm rest can be situated in a front area of the arm rest support. The operating element can be designed as a button which can be movable against the restoring force of yet another return element. For example, the arm rest can be adjustable in eight detent stages. In particular, the arm rest support can be designed to be telescopic.
In order to improve the feel of the arm rest, it can be provided that the arm support has a top side made of a resilient material, in particular PU.
A piece of seating furniture comprising an arm rest according to the invention also falls within the scope of the invention.
Further features and advantages of the invention result from the detailed descriptions of one exemplary embodiment of the invention presented in the following with reference to the figures in the drawing, which shows the details that are essential to the invention. Further features and advantages of the invention also result from the claims. The features described therein are not intended to be interpreted literally, and are presented in such a manner that the special features of the present invention may be presented clearly. The various features can be implemented individually, or these can be combined in any possible manner in different variants of the invention.
One exemplary embodiment of the invention is represented in the schematic drawing and is described in greater detail in the following description.
In the drawings:
An operating element 7 designed as a button is provided for the height adjustment. The arm support 3 is movable with respect to the arm rest support 2 against a restoring force. It is apparent that the arm support 3 and the arm rest support 2 are connected to each other in an end region in each case. A cuff 8 is provided in the connecting area.
The arm rest 1 is shown in a side view in
A swinging motion of the arm support 3 about the horizontal axis of rotation 13 is limited by a first stop 17.
When the arm support 3 is loaded in the area of its free end, the arm support is pivoted in the arrow direction 18, thereby compressing the return element 15, and therefore against the restoring force of the return element 15. This movement is limited by a second stop 19. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pivot range is approximately 16°.
It is also apparent in the representation in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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202017104486.6 | Jul 2017 | DE | national |