EP1059051A1 - Adjustable arm-rest for a chair - Google Patents

Abstract

An arm-rest support (1) is fixed to the chair, with a strut (2) supported by the support and has a horizontally adjustable arm-rest. The arm-rest is also height adjustable by a strut that has a top fixed support plate (20) with upper-side locking contour (21). The bottom of the arm rest has a base plate (30) with underside possessing a counterpart contour (33) cooperating with the locking contour. The arm rest with base plate is swivel mounted on the support plate on a vertical axis (D).

Description

Field of application of the invention

The present invention relates to an adjustable in the horizontal orientation Armrest on a preferably height-adjustable armrest Chair. The armrest is supported by a backrest support that sits on the chair, is usually attached to the seat support by means of screws. With such armrests are particularly equipped with swivel chairs. It goes without saying that on one Chair usually - apart from special chairs - on both sides of the seat there is an armrest and both armrests have identical mechanisms exhibit. The horizontal adjustability of the armrest in conjunction with the Height adjustment of the entire armrest is primarily at office workplaces and especially useful in computer workplaces where the person sitting a safe and ergonomic to the individual body anatomy and to the arm support optimally adapted to the respective workplace conditions requirement.

State of the art

EP 0 317 835 B1 discloses adjustable armrests on a chair in shape of elbow supports. Below the seat is a support bar bent upwards attached, on which the height-adjustable armrest is attached. The height can be adjusted by telescoping the armrest realized on the support rod. In the horizontal angular position adjust the armrest with several swivel-like discs. The relatively low load capacity of the serrated lock washers is disadvantageous with this construction and the non-uniform contact surface with the stepped heels between the individual serrated lock washers. Moreover, is only a very limited horizontal adjustment range possible.

DE 295 11 267 U1 proposes an armrest which is adjustable in height, the armrest attached to the top also in the horizontal Alignment is adjustable. The support column of the Armrest is in a backrest support with complementary internal thread, where both threads are engaged and relatively stiff against each other are rotatable. The armrest sits eccentrically on the support column. Full rotations of the support column unscrew it from the backrest support out or into it so that the height of the armrest changes becomes. When the support column is rotated by degrees, it becomes eccentric arranged armrest brought into a desired position. This construction is very simple, but has two major disadvantages. The change the height adjustment is relatively impractical because the support column with the stiff thread connection rotated many times in a screwing motion must become. Due to the necessary rotatability of the stiff Threaded connection for the height positioning of the armrest can do this However, they are not designed to be so stiff that there is lateral force on the armrest - especially when standing up happens to the user - the armrest is adjusted.

EP 0 589 834 B1 describes a practical and quick-to-operate actuating device known for the height of armrests, where a flat, Spline is provided. In a backrest section surrounding the support column there is an unlockable wedge with one against the toothing of the support column complementary gearing. When unlocking the wedge, the Adjust the height of the armrest over the distance of the splines. This The arrangement does not deal with the horizontally changeable orientation of the Armrest. In addition, the wedge must be in addition to an operating button Movable part provided and housed in the backrest part.

DE 295 10 588 U1 describes an armrest which is adjustable in height, whose armrest is eccentrically arranged on the top, also in the horizontal Orientation is changeable. The height is adjusted by screwing on the armrest is realized on the external thread on the support column, while the horizontal positioning of the armrest on its eccentric Storage based. The horizontal positioning is done by locking a Locking lever, which leads to a surface pressure, fixed. This bifunctional Actuator is primarily suitable for chairs on which the setting the armrests are not changed frequently. The is based on a similar principle Actuator according to EP 0 809 957 A2.

WO 96/40537 contains an adjustable height and horizontal Armrest, where a relatively complex mechanism in a first unlocking stage a pinion with changed rotational position in a rack part on the same Position engages what with a changed horizontal orientation of the Armrest goes hand in hand. In the second unlocking stage of the pinion its engagement at a higher or lower position on the rack part; this corresponds to a new height setting on a vertical support column swivel armrest.

Object of the invention

The known adjustment mechanisms for one that changes frequently Setting to change the horizontal orientation of the armrest and its Height adjustment still show crucial imperfections. Partially the constructions are quite complex, more for a permanent attitude - i.e. only occasional hiring - intended and less user-friendly. An essential problem is the easy to achieve, wanted change in the horizontal orientation of the armrest, but at the same time a stable Locking is desired, so that the armrest even when subjected to force maintains the set position when standing up. For the height adjustment a changeability is desired, that of the seated user can be done by convenient actuation of an actuator. The Settings on the armrest should be without any noticeable play between the individual Components are kept in stable positions. Finally, the Mechanics do not affect the aesthetic appearance of the chair and it must be able to be mass-produced inexpensively.

Overview of the invention

The adjustable armrest for a chair has a backrest support that attached to the chair, preferably on the seat support of the chair below his seat is. There is also a backrest supported by the backrest support and an armrest attached to it, which can be adjusted horizontally is. The height of the armrest is preferably vertical adjustable backrest can be positioned variably. The backrest support has a top a fixed support plate, on the top of which a locking contour is provided is. The armrest has a base plate at the bottom, one on the underside there is a counter contour acting together with the locking contour. The Armrest is with its base plate on the support plate around a vertical axis of rotation swiveling, put on. To change the horizontal orientation of the Armrest can be lifted elastically upwards to the extent that to disengage the locking contour and the counter contour, and the armrest around the axis of rotation over the full setting angle or over the Swivel single or multiple of a partial angle. After completion the locking contour and the counter contour come back engaged with each other.

Below are special embodiments of the adjustable armrest described: The locking contour is designed as a raised nose and the Counter-contour consists of several cavities following in a grid pattern. Between each the adjacent troughs the partial angle is defined, based on the axis of rotation, while the full setting angle between the two outermost hollows consists. Depending on the chosen horizontal orientation of the armrest, the nose grips into one of the hollows. It is advantageous if the locking contour has more than one, preferably has two raised lugs spaced apart from one another. The elastic lifting of the armrest is due to the elasticity of the armrest, i.e. especially the base plate, or by storing the armrest under Intermediate insertion of a spring element allows.

The locking contour is arranged in the front area of the carrier plate. The base plate protrudes forward of the carrier plate and the axis of rotation passes through it rear area of the carrier plate. The axis of rotation is from one side of the Carrier plate inserted stud screw formed, the threaded shaft of the base plate protrudes and engages in a bearing bush in the bottom of the cushion plate is arranged. A spigot extends from the carrier plate, which at Pulling up the armrest acts as a stop.

A vertical grid is included on the backrest support for height adjustment of the armrest a sequence of tooth tips and recesses in between. On the backrest support, in which the backrest support can be telescopically extended is a storage is provided for receiving an actuator, which comes to rest in a groove in its rest position and so the Blocking of the backrest support blocked.

The actuator is mounted against a compression spring and has a radial groove, which in the unblocked status by actuating the actuator into the vertical Line-forming tooth tips arrives so that when the height is adjusted The back rest of the tooth tips run through the radial groove. The backrest support and the hollow backrest support has a non-rotationally symmetrical cross section, preferably of triangular shape.

The particular most important advantages of the armrest according to the invention exist in that now a mechanically uncomplicated adjustment of the armrest is available in the horizontal orientation, which is simple by the user is to change while sitting. Especially when getting up with Appropriate force on the armrest will not be unintentional Adjust. The construction enables this in a simple manner seated users also, by pressing an operating button the height of the Adjust armrest. A secure fixation of the set height position is guaranteed. The entire mechanism allows an ergonomically optimal Adaptation to the individual anatomy of the user of the chair and his current working posture. The aesthetic appearance of the chair is determined by the integrated actuating mechanism in no way affected.

Drawings and embodiment

Figur 1A -

einen Stuhl in Form eines Bürodrehstuhls mit Armlehnen in der Seitenansicht;

Figur 1B -

den Stuhl gemäss Figur 1A in der Draufsicht mit dem horizontalen Stellbereich der Armauflagen;

Figur 2A -

eine Armauflage mit der Lehnenstütze in Perspektivansicht;

Figur 2B -

die Einzelteile der Armlehne mit dem Lehnensupport in Explosivdarstellung und als erste Variante der Höhenverstellung;

Figur 3A -

die Armauflage mit der Lehnenstütze gemäss Figur 2A in verriegelter Position im Teilschnitt;

Figur 3B -

die Darstellung gemäss Figur 3A in entriegelter Position;

Figur 3C -

das Detail Y aus Figur 3B;

Figur 3D -

das Detail X aus Figur 3A;

Figuren 4A bis 4D -

die Armauflage in verschiedenen Horizontalausrichtungen als Prinzipdarstellungen;

Figur 4A -

die Armauflage in einer mittleren Horizontalausrichtung;

Figur 4B -

die Armauflage in der maximal nach aussen gewandten Horizontalausrichtung;

Figur 4C -

die Armauflage in der maximal sitznahen Horizontalausrichtung;

Figur 4D -

die Winkelstellbereiche der Armauflage;

Figur 5A -

eine Armauflage mit Lehnenstütze und Stellorgan in Perspektivansicht;

Figur 5B -

die Darstellung gemäss Figur 5A mit anteiligem Lehnensupport in partieller Explosivdarstellung und als zweite Variante der Höhenverstellung;

Figur 5C -

die Darstellung gemäss Figur 5B in weiterer Explosivdarstellung;

Figur 6A -

die Armauflage mit Lehnenstütze in maximaler Stellhöhe als Prinzipdarstellung im Vertikalschnitt;

Figur 6B -

die Darstellung gemäss Figur 6A in minimaler Stellhöhe der Lehnenstütze;

Figur 7A -

einen vergrösserten Horizontalschnitt gemäss Figur 6A auf der Linie A-A mit verriegeltem Stellorgan; und

Figur 7B -

Darstellung gemäss Figur 7A mit unverriegeltem Stellorgan.

Based on the accompanying drawings, the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment for the horizontal adjustability of the armrest and for the height adjustment of the entire armrest according to the invention is given below. Show it:

Figure 1A -

a chair in the form of an office swivel chair with armrests in side view;

Figure 1B -

1A in top view with the horizontal adjustment range of the armrests;

Figure 2A -

an armrest with the backrest in perspective view;

Figure 2B -

the individual parts of the armrest with the backrest support in an exploded view and as the first variant of the height adjustment;

Figure 3A -

the armrest with the backrest according to Figure 2A in the locked position in partial section;

Figure 3B -

the representation according to Figure 3A in the unlocked position;

Figure 3C -

the detail Y from Figure 3B;

Figure 3D -

the detail X from Figure 3A;

Figures 4A to 4D -

the armrest in different horizontal orientations as basic representations;

Figure 4A -

the armrest in a medium horizontal orientation;

Figure 4B -

the armrest in the maximum outward horizontal orientation;

Figure 4C -

the armrest in the maximum horizontal alignment;

Figure 4D -

the angle adjustment ranges of the armrest;

Figure 5A -

an armrest with backrest and actuator in perspective view;

Figure 5B -

the representation according to Figure 5A with partial back support in partial exploded view and as a second variant of the height adjustment;

Figure 5C -

the representation according to Figure 5B in a further exploded view;

Figure 6A -

the armrest with backrest at maximum positioning height as a basic illustration in vertical section;

Figure 6B -

the representation according to Figure 6A in the minimum height of the backrest support;

Figure 7A -

an enlarged horizontal section according to Figure 6A on the line AA with locked actuator; and

Figure 7B -

Representation according to Figure 7A with unlocked actuator.

Figures 1A and 1B

Under the seat of the chair, a vertically upward bent back support 1 flanking the seat is fixedly arranged on both sides. The free end of a rod-shaped backrest support 2 , on which the essentially horizontally extending armrest 3 is fixed, is inserted from above into the backrest support 1 . At the top of the backrest support 1 there is an actuator 4 which can be easily reached by the seated user for changing the height adjustment of the armrest 3 . By means of a mechanism to be described later, the individual armrest 3 can be adjusted horizontally, namely in steps from a horizontal orientation H _{0 that is as} close as possible to the seat, to a horizontal orientation H _{n that is directed} outward as far as possible.

Figures 2A and 2B

The armrest 3 placed on the backrest support 2 consists of the lower base plate 30 and the cushion plate 31 to be placed on the base plate 30 . A support plate 20 is arranged on the backrest support 2 , on which the base plate 30 provided with the cushion plate 31 is mounted. The cushion plate 31 and the base plate 30 are preferably connected to one another by means of screws 32 penetrating through the latter. At the front of the carrier plate 20 there is a locking contour 21 , here in the form of a raised nose, on the upper side thereof. In the rear part of the carrier plate 20 there is a vertical axis of rotation D , on which the base plate 30 placed on the carrier plate 20 is horizontally pivoted. As a rotational axis D and for mounting the base plate 30, for example, is one of the bottom projecting through the support plate 20 and engaging in the base plate 30 stud 22nd If the necessary, later explained self-elasticity of the base plate 30 is not sufficient, a spring element 23 , preferably a plurality of disc springs, can be attached to the stud screw 22 . Complementary to the locking contour 21 on the upper side of the carrier plate 20, there is a counter contour which is not visible here on the underside of the base plate 30 . If the locking contour 21 is a raised nose, the counter-contour consists of a trough grid arranged around the axis of rotation D in the arc. If the locking contour 21 is a trough, the counter-contour is formed from a nose grid guided in an arc. In the graduated selectable horizontal orientations of the armrest 3 , the locking contour 21 and the counter contour come into engagement with one another in different positions.

The backrest support 2 is encompassed by a bracket 5 with a clamping bolt 50 projecting to the side. Complementary to the backrest support 2, there is a vertical guide groove 10 in the backrest support 1 , in which the backrest support 2 comes to lie in the assembled state depending on the entry depth. The backrest support 1 is fastened, for example, by means of screws 13 to the seat support of the chair, below the seat. For partial embedding of the back support 2 facing the game Bride 5 there is near the upper end of the back support 2, the guide groove 10 intersecting a recess 11 in which a bore 12 is located for the passage of the clamping bolt 50th A screw element 51 is provided for screwing onto the clamping bolt 50 protruding from the backrest support 1 . When the screw element 51 is loosened, the bracket 5 comprising the backrest support 1 loosens, so that the backrest support 1 can be pulled out more or pushed in deeper, depending on the desired new height setting. After the height has been adjusted, the backrest support 1 is tightened and tightened again by tightening the screw element 51 again.

Figure 3A and 3D

The support plate 20 , which is seated in a recess in the base plate 30 , and the base plate 30 are locked against one another, ie the locking contour 21 engages in the counter contour 33 , whereby a change in the horizontal orientation of the armrest 3 is currently blocked. The pin 24 projecting forwardly from the carrier plate 20 lies with an air gap above the base plate 30 . The stud screw 22 inserted by the carrier plate 20 engages with its threaded shaft through the base plate 30 and into a bearing bush 35 which is accommodated in the base 34 provided on the underside of the cushion plate 31 .

Figures 3B and 3C

Now the carrier plate 20 and the base plate 30 are locked together, ie the locking contour 21 does not engage in the counter contour 33 . The front part of the armrest 3 , ie the composite of base plate 30 , floor 34 and cushion plate 31 , was raised against an elastic resistance. The countercontour 33 designed as a trough is lifted off the locking contour 21 which is designed as a nose. The armrest 3 can thus be changed in its horizontal orientation by pivoting about the axis of rotation D into a new position. The pin 24 projecting forwards from the carrier plate 20 is now gripped by an extension of the base plate 30 , which forms a stop, so that the armrest 3 cannot be pulled further up. This prevents the connection between the stud 22 and the bearing bush 35 from being overstressed in the axis of rotation D.

Figures 4A to 4D

Figur 4A:

Hier befindet sich die Armauflage 3 in einer mittleren Horizontalausrichtung H₂, d.h. die Nase 21 sitzt in der dritten Mulde 36 von links. Die Armauflage 3 ist um 10° vom Sitz weggedreht.

Figur 4B:

Jetzt befindet sich die Armauflage 3 in der maximal nach aussen gewandten Horizontalausrichtung H₅ , d.h. die Nase 21 sitzt in der sechsten Mulde 36 von links, bzw. in der äussersten Mulde 36 rechts. Die Armauflage 3 ist um α = 25° vom Sitz weggedreht.

Figur 4C:

Die Armauflage 3 steht in der maximal sitznahen Horizontalausrichtung H₀, d.h. die Nase 21 sitzt in der ersten Mulde 36 von links, bzw. in der äussersten Mulde 36 links. Die Armauflage 3 ist um 0° vom Sitz weggedreht.

This sequence of figures illustrates the various selectable horizontal orientations H ₀ to H _{n of} the armrest 3 over the entire setting angle α in the steps of the partial angle β. The entire setting angle α spans the 6 depressions 36 shown here, which represent the counter-contour 33 . If the center distance between two troughs 36 is, for example, β = 5 °, a maximum setting angle α = 25 ° results.

Figure 4A:

Here the armrest 3 is in a central horizontal orientation H ₂ , ie the nose 21 sits in the third recess 36 from the left. The armrest 3 is turned 10 ° away from the seat.

Figure 4B:

The armrest 3 is now in the maximum outward horizontal orientation H ₅ , ie the nose 21 is located in the sixth recess 36 from the left, or in the outermost recess 36 on the right. The armrest 3 is turned away from the seat by α = 25 °.

Figure 4C:

The armrest 3 is in the horizontal orientation H ₀ which is as close as possible to the seat , ie the nose 21 is located in the first depression 36 from the left, or in the outermost depression 36 on the left. The armrest 3 is turned away from the seat by 0 °.

Figures 5A to 5C

The height adjustment of the armrest 3 is clearly modified here compared to the embodiment according to FIG. 2B, the horizontal orientation, however, is only slightly modified. Two spaced lugs are provided on the carrier plate 20 as a locking contour 21 . This symmetrical arrangement can improve the stability of the locking. At the front of the carrier plate 20 there is in turn the pin 24 as a safety stop for limiting the upward bending of the armrest 3 when the horizontal orientation is intended to be changed.

For the height adjustment, there is a vertical grid 15 on the rod-shaped backrest support 1 with a uniform sequence of tooth tips 17 and semicircular grooves 16 lying between them. The backrest support 2 with the armrest 3 fastened on top is designed as a hollow sleeve piece into which the backrest support 1 can be inserted. Lateral to the backrest support 2 there is a bearing 25 for receiving a horizontally introduced actuator 4 . The actuator 4 has the shape of an elongated cylindrical push button with an approximately radially circumferential groove 41 . Fixed in the bearing 25 , the actuator 4 is preceded by a compression spring 40 , so that the actuator 4 must be pressed in against the expulsion force of the compression spring 40 . The vertical grid 15 and the actuator 4 face each other. The backrest support 1 and the backrest support 2 preferably have a triangular cross section.

Figures 6A and 6B

The fixation of a set height of the armrest 3 is based on the fact that the actuator 4 with its full cross section comes to rest in a groove 16 corresponding to the selected height. The tooth tips 17 adjacent to the occupied groove 16 prevent the armrest 3 with the backrest support 2 extending downward from being pulled out or pushed in. Due to the triangular cross section of the backrest support 2 and the backrest support 1 inserted therein, there is only minimal play with regard to rotation, so that a very stably arrested arrangement is obtained. The height of the armrest 3 can be adjusted variably in steps of the center distance between two adjacent grooves 16 over the entire length of the vertical grid 15 .

Figures 7A and 7B

The compression spring 40 forces the actuator 4 into the locked position, where the full cross section of the actuator 4 comes to lie within a groove 16 between two tooth tips 17 (see FIG. 7A).

When the actuator 4 is pressed against the compression spring 40 , the radial groove 41 reaches the tooth tips 17 forming a vertical line. Released in this way, the backrest support 2 can be pulled out higher or pushed lower onto the backrest support 1 , as required, the tooth tips 17 passed through the radial groove 41 during the adjusting movement. When the desired height setting has been reached, the actuator is allowed to jump back to its starting position, so that a new groove 16 is occupied by the full cross section of the actuator 4 .

Claims (10)

Adjustable armrest for a chair with: a) a backrest support ( 1 ) which is attached to the chair, preferably on the seat support of the chair below his seat; b) carried by the backrest support (1) back support (2); c) an armrest ( 3 ) attached to the backrest support ( 2 ); in which d) the armrest ( 3 ) is adjustable in a horizontal orientation; and e) preferably the armrest ( 3 ) can also be variably positioned in its height by means of a vertically adjustable backrest support ( 2 ), characterized in that f) the backrest support ( 2 ) has a fixed support plate ( 20 ) at the top, on the top of which a locking contour ( 21 ) is provided; g) the armrest ( 3 ) has a base plate ( 30 ) below, on the underside of which there is a counter-contour ( 33 ) which interacts with the locking contour ( 21 ); h) the armrest ( 3 ) with its base plate ( 30 ) on the support plate ( 20 ) about a vertical axis of rotation ( D ) is placed; and i) to change the horizontal orientation of the armrest ( 3 ), it can be lifted upwards with force to the extent necessary to disengage the locking contour ( 21 ) and the counter contour ( 33 ), the armrest ( 3 ) about the axis of rotation ( D ) over the full setting angle (α) or over the single or multiple of a partial angle (β) so that the locking contour ( 21 ) and the counter-contour ( 33 ) come into engagement with each other again after the force is exerted. Adjustable armrest according to claim 1, characterized in that a) the locking contour ( 21 ) is a raised nose ( 21 ); and b) the counter contour ( 33 ) consists of a plurality of depressions ( 36 ) following in a grid-like manner; c) the partial angle (β) with respect to the axis of rotation ( D ) exists between adjacent troughs ( 36 ); d) between the two outermost troughs ( 36 ) there is the full setting angle (α); and e) depending on the selected horizontal orientation ( H ₀ to H _n ) of the armrest ( 3 ), the nose ( 21 ) engages in one of the depressions ( 36 ). Adjustable armrest according to claim 1, characterized in that a) the locking contour ( 21 ) has more than one, preferably two mutually spaced raised nose ( 21 ); and b) the counter contour ( 33 ) consists of a plurality of depressions ( 36 ) following in a grid-like manner; c) the partial angle (β) with respect to the axis of rotation ( D ) exists between adjacent troughs ( 36 ); d) between the two outermost troughs ( 36 ) there is the full setting angle (α); and e) the lugs ( 21 ), depending on the selected horizontal orientation ( H ₀ to H _n ) of the armrest ( 3 ), engage in recesses ( 36 ) of the counter-contour ( 33 ). Adjustable armrest according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the elastic lifting of the armrest ( 3 ) by inherent elasticity of the armrest ( 3 ), ie in particular the base plate ( 30 ), or by the storage of the armrest ( 3 ) with the interposition of a Spring element ( 23 ) is made possible. Adjustable armrest according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a) the locking contour ( 21 ) is arranged in the front region of the carrier plate ( 20 ); b) the base plate ( 30 ) protrudes forward over the carrier plate ( 20 ); and c) the axis of rotation ( D ) passes through the rear region of the carrier plate ( 20 ). Adjustable armrest according to one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 5, characterized in that the axis of rotation ( D ) is formed from a stud screw ( 22 ) inserted from the side of the carrier plate ( 20 ), the threaded shaft of which projects through the base plate ( 30 ) and into a bearing bush ( 35 ) engages, which is arranged in the bottom ( 34 ) of the cushion plate ( 31 ). Adjustable armrest according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a pin ( 24 ) extends from the support plate ( 20 ) and acts as a stop when the armrest ( 3 ) is pulled up. Adjustable armrest according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that for height adjustment of the armrest a) on the backrest support ( 1 ) there is a vertical grid ( 15 ) with a sequence of tooth tips ( 17 ) and recesses ( 16 ) lying between them; and b) on the backrest support ( 2 ), in which the backrest support ( 1 ) is telescopically extendable, a bearing ( 25 ) for receiving an actuator ( 4 ) is present, which in its rest position comes to rest in a groove ( 16 ) and so the displacement of the backrest support ( 2 ) is blocked. Adjustable armrest according to claim 8, characterized in that a) the actuator ( 4 ) is mounted against a compression spring ( 40 ); and b) has a radial groove ( 41 ) which, in the unblocked state, is actuated by actuating the actuating member ( 4 ) into the tooth tips ( 17 ) forming a vertical line, so that when the backrest support ( 2 ) tooth tips ( 17 ) are adjusted in height, the radial groove ( 41 ) run through. Adjustable armrest according to one of claims 1, 8 or 9, characterized in that the backrest support ( 1 ) and the hollow backrest support ( 2 ) have a non-rotationally symmetrical cross section, preferably a triangle-like cross section.

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