Patent Application
20050146192
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a horizontally adjustable armrest for a chair, and more particularly to a horizontally adjustable armrest for an office chair, the armrest being capable of moving orthogonally and yet still being simply constructed and relatively inexpensive.
2. Description of the Related Art
Adjustable armrests now appear in many office chairs. Some adjust laterally, that is, away from or in toward a chair user. Others move longitudinally, forwardly and backwardly, relative to the chair and the user. Still others swivel in a horizontal plane or tilt about a horizontal axis. In other cases, chairs have armrests that put two or more of the above mentioned movements together.
Examples of horizontally adjustable armrests are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,592,085; 6,572,195; 6,213,556; 6,059,366; and 6,017,091.
What is described here is a horizontally adjustable armrest for a chair comprising a mounting member connected to the chair, the member having an upper base, first and second slide elements mounted to the base, the slide elements being movable in two directions generally perpendicular to each other, where each slide element has a slot and including fasteners positioned in the slots.
There are a number of advantages, features and objects achieved with the present invention which are believed not to be available in earlier related devices. For example, one advantage is that the present invention provides for a horizontally adjustable chair armrest which is movable in two horizontal directions, the directions being generally perpendicular to each other thereby providing a wide range of adjustability. Other objects of the present invention are that the horizontally adjustable armrest disclosed here is simply constructed and relatively inexpensive. Further advantages of the present invention are that the horizontally adjustable armrest is reliable and robust. Still other features of the horizontally adjustable armrest disclosed here are that the armrest is easily and quickly assembled and is easy to use.
A more complete understanding of the present invention and other objects, advantages and features thereof will be gained from a consideration of the following description of a preferred embodiment read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing provided herein. The preferred embodiment represents an example of the invention which is described here in compliance with Title 35 U.S.C. section 112 (first paragraph), but the invention itself is defined by the attached claims.
While the present invention is open to various modifications and alternative constructions, the preferred embodiment shown in the various figures of the drawing will be described herein in detail. It is understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the particular embodiment, form or example which is disclosed here. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalent structures and methods, and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims, pursuant to Title 35 U.S.C. section 112 (second paragraph).
Referring now to
The simplicity of the adjustable armrests may be appreciated by referring to
Reference is made to co-pending patent applications assigned to the same assignee as the present application and entitled Vertically Adjustable Chair Armrest, application Ser. No. ______, filed ______ (Docket No. 087522-785347); Chair with Backward and Forward Passive Tilt Capabilities, application Ser. No. ______, filed ______, (Docket No. 087522-785323); Chair Back, application Ser. No. ______, filed ______ (Docket No. 087522-785336); Chair with Adjustable Seat Back, application Ser. No. ______, filed ______ (Docket 087533-785349); and Tilt Lock Mechanism, application Ser. No. ______, filed ______ (Docket No. 087522-785350). These applications disclose other features of the chair. This disclosure here and the disclosure Vertically Adjustable Chair Armrest illustrate the full range of movement of the armrests, both vertically and horizontally. All applications just mentioned are incorporated herein by reference. It is to be appreciated that a chair armrest may be fixed vertically and only adjustable horizontally, or may be fixed horizontally and only adjustable vertically, or the horizontal adjustment assembly disclosed here may be used with a vertical adjustment assembly different from that disclosed in application Ser. No. ______ (087522-785347).
The upper base 42 has an arcuate upper surface 50,
Referring now to
A pair of fasteners 100, 102,
The springs 112, 114 provide a biasing force against the washers 116, 118 which in turn bear against the shoulder 80,
The upper slide element 46,
Another pair of fasteners 180, 182,
The springs 192, 194 provide a biasing force against the washers which in turn bear against the shoulders 150, 152, and compensate for manufacturing tolerances. This arrangement also ensures that the upper slide element is pressed against the lower slide element with sufficient force to provide a needed friction force to restrain the location of the upper slide element once a chair user has adjusted the position of the upper slide element.
A set of four fasteners 200, 202, 204, 206,
The mounting member and upper base, the lower slide element and the upper slide member may be formed of a suitable synthetic resin, such as nylon.
The adjustable armrest is very easy to assemble and allows assembly to be quickly accomplished. The lower slide element 44 is connected to the upper base 42 of the vertical slide 32 using the two fasteners 100, 102. The lateral recesses 160, 162 of the upper slide element are aligned with the guide rails 88, 90 of the lower slide element and the fasteners 180, 182 fit through the slots 134, 136 and are received in the openings 94, 96. The upper slide element 46 is connected to the armrest cover 48 by using the fasteners 200, 202, 204, 206,
In operation, the lower slide element is able to slide longitudinally (first direction) relative to the upper base along the elongated slot 74. In a similar manner, the upper slide element slides laterally (second direction) relative to the lower slide element within the length of the lateral slots.
It can now be appreciated that within the parameters of this orthogonal movement, the armrests of the office chair may be adjusted longitudinally and laterally to any position within the limits of movement. Moreover, this is done with a simply constructed, relatively inexpensive structure which structure is reliable and robust.
The above specification describes in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Other examples, embodiments, modifications and variations will, under both the literal claim language and the doctrine of equivalents, come within the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. For example, altering the shapes of the lower slide element, the upper slide element, the upper base or the armrest cover will still be considered equivalent structures and will also come within the literal language of the claims. The same is true of the fasteners, the springs and the washers. Still other alternatives will also be equivalent as will many new technologies. There is no desire or intention here to limit in any way the application of the doctrine of equivalents nor to limit or restrict the scope of the invention.
