Chairs and seats – Armrest – Adjustable to multiple use positions relative to bottom or back
Reexamination Certificate
1996-05-29
2001-10-02
Brown, Peter R. (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Armrest
Adjustable to multiple use positions relative to bottom or back
C297S411360
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296312
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to chair armrests. More particularly, the present invention relates to chair armrest assemblies which are adjustable to accommodate the physical characteristics of a variety of users.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many armrests provided in today's chairs include structures permitting an individual to adjust the position of the armrest relative to the seat of the chair. When an armrest is properly positioned, the comfort of the individual is enhanced. It is also likely that a properly positioned armrest will aid the individual's long term physical well being, since an individual seated in a comfortable chair is more likely to sit with proper posture.
Many prior adjustable armrests are limited in their range of adjustments. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,474,993, to Murcott, discloses an arm support which is vertically adjustable by means of a series of vertically spaced apertures. The apertures cooperate with a pin member formed on the bottom of the arm itself. U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,422, to Althofer et al., discloses an arm support for a keyboard. The support is vertically and laterally adjustable. The support also pivots horizontally and vertically using a hinge and spring arrangement. U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,790, to Johnson, discloses a pivotable armrest which may be set at a variety of preselected heights. U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,995, to Miller, provides adjustment through the use of cable members which are laterally deflectable. U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,102, to Aaras, discloses an armrest which is vertically and angularly adjustable. U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,688, to Wood, discloses an armrest which is adjustable vertically and laterally. U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,323, to Brodersen, discloses a self-adjusting armrest which is adjustable in height and slope by means of a ratchet and pawl.
The adjustment structures utilized by these armrests are generally cumbersome. They require the user to manipulate the armrest in an inconvenient manner when a user wishes to adjust the orientation of the armrest. Consequently, individuals are often forced to sit in uncomfortable positions because they forego the complicated adjustment structures provided by the prior art armrests. Worse yet, the uncomfortable positions in which these individuals are forced to sit may cause long term physical problems, requiring therapy, medication, and surgery.
In view of the armrest assemblies provided by the prior art, a need continues to exist for an armrest assembly which may be reoriented in a variety of directions, while also providing a user with a convenient manner in which to reorient the armrest. The present invention provides such an armrest.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a multi-position armrest designed for use with a conventional chair to enhance the comfort of an individual seated within the chair. The armrest includes a support arm having a first end adapted for attachment to a chair and a second end coupled to an arm pad in a manner permitting the arm pad to selectively rotate relative to the support arm. The arm pad includes a first circular locking member engaging a second circular locking member on the support arm to selectively lock the arm pad relative to the support arm. The armrest is also provided with a resilient coupling assembly coupling the arm pad to the support arm in a manner permitting the arm pad to move from the support arm to disengage the first circular locking member from the second circular locking member and permit the arm pad to rotate relative to the support arm.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an armrest including means for adjusting the linear length of the support arm.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an armrest including means for adjusting the distance between the support arm and the seat to vary the width of the chair.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an armrest wherein the first circular locking member is an outwardly projecting member and the second circular locking member is a concave member shaped to receive the first circular locking member.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an armrest wherein the first circular member includes a first set of teeth and the second circular locking member includes a second set of teeth shaped to receive the first set of teeth to lock the arm pad in position relative to the support arm.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an armrest wherein the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth are substantially square-shaped.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1407174 (1922-02-01), Simpson
patent: 3045271 (1962-07-01), Cinotti
patent: 3397312 (1968-08-01), Bush
patent: 3397912 (1968-08-01), Bush
patent: 4235471 (1980-11-01), Tengler
patent: 4277102 (1981-07-01), Aaras et al.
patent: 4332499 (1982-06-01), Stucheli
patent: 4807935 (1989-02-01), King
patent: 4917343 (1990-04-01), Wainscott
patent: 4993862 (1991-02-01), Pelta
patent: 5143422 (1992-09-01), Althofer et al.
patent: 5301570 (1994-04-01), Li
patent: 5368365 (1994-11-01), Feldberg
patent: 5407249 (1995-04-01), Bonutti
patent: 5484187 (1996-01-01), Doerner et al.
patent: 5564852 (1996-10-01), Maxwell et al.
patent: 5599067 (1997-02-01), Schuelke et al.
patent: 5647638 (1997-07-01), Ritt et al.
patent: 5655814 (1997-08-01), Gibbs
patent: 5749628 (1998-05-01), Synder et al.
patent: 5752683 (1998-05-01), Novis et al.
patent: 7630291 (1992-11-01), None
patent: 636223 (1992-11-01), None
patent: 4317610 (1994-12-01), None
patent: 1443952 (1976-07-01), None
Benden Mark E.
Boenigk Bobby A.
Boenigk Rebecca Congleton
Congleton Jerome J.
Brown Peter R.
Howrey Simon Arnold & White , LLP
Neutral Posture Ergonomics, Inc.
Vu Stephen
LandOfFree
Armrest assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Armrest assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Armrest assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2563465