Chairs and seats – Armrest – Adjustable to multiple use positions relative to bottom or back
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-04
2001-04-03
Brown, Peter R. (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Armrest
Adjustable to multiple use positions relative to bottom or back
C297S411350
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209961
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an armrest assembly that is adjustable in level and swivelable to provide the user with comfortable sitting.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 10 and 11
illustrate a conventional level-adjusting device for an armrest of a chair. The level-adjusting device includes a fixing seat
1
′ and an adjusting seat
2
′. A retainer
3
′ is secured between the fixing seat
1
′ and the adjusting seat
2
′ by a screw
7
′ for retaining the fixing seat
1
′ in place. A side of the retainer
3
′ is born against by a spring
6
′ and an upper side of the retainer
3
′ is biased by an elastic plate
4
′. A positioning plate
5
′ is mounted on top of the retainer
3
′ and the elastic plate
4
′. The retainer
3
′ may slide along a vertical slide passage
13
′ in the fixing seat
1
′ and be selectively engaged with one of a number of positioning notches
12
′ in the fixing seat
1
′. The retainer
3
′ is retained in a selected positioning notch
12
′ upon changing angular position of the elastic plate
4
′ for positioning the retainer
3
′ and the screw
7
′. Although the device may provide the required height-adjusting function, the assembly procedure for the retainer
3
′ and the spring
6
′ as well as other elements is relatively difficult and thus has a high cost. The overall structure is weak and the adjusting movement is not reliable, as there are too many elements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an armrest assembly that is adjustable in level and swivelable to provide the user with comfortable sitting.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, an armrest assembly comprises:
a tube adapted to be secured to a chair seat;
an adjusting seat mounted in the tube and including an adjusting section, the adjusting section including a first vertical slide passage, a peripheral side defining the first vertical slide passage including a plurality of vertically spaced positioning notches, the adjusting section further including a second vertical slide passage, the first vertical side passage and the second vertical slide passage together defining a loop passage;
an armrest mounted above the adjusting seat; and
an actuating member including an upper end secured to the armrest to move therewith, the actuating member further including a lower end slidably received in the adjusting seat, the actuating member including a positioning member attached thereto, the positioning member including an end slidable along the loop passage and being selectively and releasably engaged in one of the positioning notches for supporting the armrest at a desired level.
Each positioning notch includes an opening that faces upward and outward. The lower end of the actuating member includes a hole and the positioning member includes a second end engaged in the hole of the actuating member. The adjusting seat includes a longitudinal slot along a length thereof for slidably receiving the lower end of the actuating member. A sleeve is slidably mounted around the tube and securely engaged with the armrest to slide therewith. The chair seat includes an extension, and further comprises a mounting seat including a slot through which the extension extends. The adjusting seat includes a lower end securely attached to the extension located in the mounting seat. The tube includes a plurality of angularly spaced positioning holes. A positioning element is mounted to the adjusting seat and means is provided for biasing the positioning element to releasably engage with one of the positioning holes, thereby allowing the armrest to be swiveled relative to the chair seat. In an embodiment of the invention, the positioning element is a ball, and the biasing means is an elastic element.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, an armrest assembly comprises:
a tube adapted to be secured to a chair seat, the tube including a plurality of angularly spaced positioning holes;
an adjusting seat mounted in the tube;
an armrest mounted above the adjusting seat; and
an actuating member including an upper end secured to the armrest to move therewith, the actuating member further including a lower end engaged in the adjusting seat, whereby swivel movement of the armrest cause swivel movement of the adjusting seat,
a positioning element mounted to the adjusting seat, and
means for biasing the positioning element to releasably engaged with one of the positioning holes, thereby allowing the armrest to be swiveled relative to the chair seat.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5393124 (1995-02-01), Neil
patent: 5597204 (1997-01-01), Karaus, Jr.
patent: 5848823 (1998-12-01), Su
patent: 5853223 (1998-12-01), Ritt et al.
patent: 6050634 (2000-04-01), Yamagishi et al.
Brown Peter R.
Rosenberg , Klein & Lee
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