Chairs and seats – Armrest – Adjustable to multiple use positions relative to bottom or back
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-17
2001-04-03
Nelson, Jr., Milton (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Armrest
Adjustable to multiple use positions relative to bottom or back
C297S411320
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209960
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to clutching mechanisms, and more particularly to clutching mechanisms for disposition between an armrest and a seat back providing an infinite number of support positions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typically, an armrest is substantially vertical and flush with the seat back in a non-use position, and is substantially perpendicular to the seat back in an in-use position. Many seat backs can be positioned to various reclining positions in addition to a substantially upright position. Because the armrests are used with the seat backs in both upright and reclined positions, and by people of all shapes and sizes, it is desirable to vary the in-use position of the armrest relative to the seat back to provide the occupant with the desired arm support.
While there are armrests that enable such adjustments, those mechanisms are typically ratchet type mechanisms which offer only a limited number of in-use positions. There is a need for an armrest mechanism which can provide an infinite number of in-use positions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A clutching mechanism for pivotably mounting a first member relative to a second member includes an axis of rotation, a first member, a second member, a shaft, a coil spring clutching member, a cam plate, and a clutch engagement member. The axis of rotation passes through the first member. The second member is pivotably mounted relative to the first member for relative rotation therebetween about the axis of rotation. The shaft is fixed to the first member and is centered on the axis of rotation. The coil spring clutching member has a helically wound body wrapped around the shaft. A first end of the spring clutching member extends radially outwardly from the body to engage the second member. A second end of the spring clutching member extends radially outwardly from the body as well. The cam plate is fixed relative to the shaft and is disposed adjacent the second member. The clutch engagement member is slideably disposed relative to the second member and receives the second end of the spring clutching member. The clutch engagement member is biased relative to the second member in a first rotative direction to a clutch engaged position by the coil spring clutching member. The clutch engagement member is selectively displaceable in a second rotative direction to a clutch released position responsive to engagement of the clutch engagement member with the cam plate. When the clutch engagement member is in the clutch engaged position, the coil spring clutching member acts as a one-way clutch preventing relative rotation in a first direction in any one of an infinite number of in-use positions while enabling rotation of the second member relative to the first in a second direction. When the clutch engagement member is in the clutch released position, the coil spring clutching member enables rotation in both directions.
An armrest mechanism pivotably suited for mounting to a seat back includes an armrest, a shaft, a coil spring clutching member, a cam plate, and a clutch engagement member. The armrest has an axis of rotation. The shaft is configured for mounting to a stationary member and is centered on the axis of rotation. The coil spring clutching member has a helically wound body wrapped around the shaft. The first end of the spring clutching member extends radially outwardly from the body to engage the armrest. A second end of the spring clutching member extends radially outwardly from the body as well. The cam plate is fixed relative to the shaft and is disposed adjacent the armrest. The clutch engagement member is slideably disposed relative to the armrest and receives the second end of the spring clutching member. The clutch engagement member is biased relative to the armrest in a first rotative direction to a clutch engaged position by the spring clutching member, and is selectively displaceable in a second rotative direction to a clutch released position responsive to engagement of the clutch engagement member with the cam plate. When the clutch engagement member is in the clutch engaged position, the coil spring clutching member is a one-way clutch, preventing relative rotation in a first direction in any one of an infinite number of in-use positions, while enabling rotation in a second direction. When the clutch engagement member is in the clutch released position, the coil spring clutching member enables rotation in both directions.
The armrest employing the clutching mechanism of the present invention is advantageously adjustable to any one of an infinite number of in-use positions.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3807799 (1974-04-01), Freedman
patent: 4496190 (1985-01-01), Barley
patent: 4621864 (1986-11-01), Hill
patent: 4674790 (1987-06-01), Johnson
patent: 4946226 (1990-08-01), Hurn et al.
patent: 5597209 (1997-01-01), Bart et al.
patent: 5678896 (1997-10-01), Chung
patent: 3344707 (1985-06-01), None
patent: 6-141949 (1994-06-01), None
Dykema Gossett PLLC
Jr. Milton Nelson
Tachi-S Engineering USA, Inc.
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