EP2578114A1

EP2578114A1 - Multi-surface armrest

Info

Publication number: EP2578114A1
Application number: EP11401606.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yu-Ting Chen; Chi-Ming Yang
Original assignee: Isotech Products Inc
Current assignee: Isotech Products Inc
Priority date: 2011-10-04
Filing date: 2011-10-04
Publication date: 2013-04-10

Abstract

A multi-surface armrest is revealed. The multi-surface armrest includes an armrest pad disposed on a top surface of an armrest support. A lower part of the armrest support is connected to a chair seat. The armrest pad consists of a middle part and a plurality of armrest surfaces arranged around an outer surface of the middle part. At least one positioning member is disposed between the armrest pad and the armrest support. The armrest pad is positioned at, assembled with or separated from the armrest support. While the armrest pad and the armrest support are separated, the armrest pad is rotated or moved so as to select one of the armrest surfaces to place arms.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an armrest, especially to an armrest that includes an armrest pad disposed with a plurality of armrest surfaces. The position of the armrest pad is changed so as to select one of the armrest surfaces for resting users' arms.
For user's comfort, generally chairs are designed with armrests respectively on two sides thereof to rest a forearm or an elbow. There are various designs of the armrests, including height adjustment mechanisms or changes in shape. However, a color, pattern or material of an outer surface of an armrest pad (soft pad in contact with arms) is generally fixed. Take synthetic leather as an example. Foam with specific color and material is set into a mold and a layer of leather is formed on surface during foam molding processes. Thus the color or pattern of the synthetic leather has been determined before molding, and unable to be changed after being molded. This is unable to satisfy respective requirements of various users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a multi-surface armrest that includes an armrest pad disposed on a top surface of an armrest support. A lower part of the armrest support is connected to a chair seat. The armrest pad includes a middle part, and a plurality of armrest surfaces arranged around an outer surface of the middle part. The armrest surface allows users to rest their arms. At least one positioning member is arranged between the middle part of the armrest pad and the armrest support. By the positioning member, the armrest pad is operated to be positioned at, assembled with, or separated from the armrest support. While being separated, the armrest pad is moved or rotated to select one of the armrest surfaces to place the arms. Thereby the replacement of the armrest surface is accomplished by simple rotation or movement of the armrest pad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an explosive view of the embodiment in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing showing a front view of an embodiment in use according to the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a schematic drawing showing a front view of another embodiment in use according to the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a schematic drawing showing a front view of a further embodiment in use according to the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a schematic drawing showing a further embodiment with a triangular armrest pad in use according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENT

Refer to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a multiple face armrest of the present invention includes an armrest pad 10 disposed on a top surface of an armrest support 20. A lower part of the armrest support 20 is connected to a bottom surface of a chair seat (not shown in figure). The armrest pad 10 has a plurality of armrest surfaces 12 for users to place (rest, support) their arms. The e armrest pad 10 can be moved in relation to the armrest support 20 such as being rotated, moved out or moved inward. In accordance with the above movement, one of the armrest surfaces 12 is selected and used to support user's arm. Thus the armrest surface 12 can be changed according to user's needs.
The armrest pad 10 consists of a middle part 11 made from metal such as aluminum or non-metal materials such as plastic. A plurality of armrest surfaces 12 is disposed around an outer surface of the middle part 11 to rest user's arms. The armrest surfaces 12 are made from PC, PVC, PU, leather, etc to allow users having different tactile senses. As shown in Fig. 2, the armrest pad 10 has an upper armrest surface 12 and a lower armrest surface 12. The two armrest surfaces 12 are respectively disposed on an upper surface 111 and a lower surface 112 of the middle part 11. According to design requirements, the two armrest surfaces 12 can be made from the same material or different materials.
The armrest support 20 is arranged with a receiving slot 21 on a top surface thereof. The receiving slot 21 has an opening 211 facing upwards so that the armrest pad 10 passes the opening 211 to be mounted in the receiving slot 21. And one of the armrest surfaces 12 on the armrest pad 10 is exposed to rest user's arm.
At least one positioning member 30 is arranged between the armrest pad 10 and the armrest support 20. By the positioning member 30, the armrest pad 10 can be assembled with, separated from or positioned at the armrest support 20. Moreover, the armrest pad 10 can be operated and moved in relation to the armrest support 20, such as being rotated, moved inward or moved outward. Then one of the armrest surfaces 12 of the armrest pad 10 is selected and used to place the user's arm. The positioning member 30 can be connection type or separate type. The connection type positioning member 30 means the armrest pad 10 and the armrest support 20 are still connected with each other, not separated from each other completely while the armrest pad 10 is moved out of the top surface of the armrest support 20. As to the separate type positioning member 30, the armrest pad 10 and the armrest support 20 are not connected with each other, separated from each other completely while the armrest pad 10 is moved out of the top surface of the armrest support 20.

Embodiment one

Refer to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the positioning member 30 is connection type. The positioning member 30a (30) includes a T-shaped main body 31 but not limited. It can also be I-shaped. One end of the main body 31 is pivotally connected to one side of the middle part of the armrest pad 10 while the other end thereof is pivotally connected to one side of the armrest support 20. By the positioning member 30a (30), the armrest pad 10 is pivotally moved outward and inward in relation to the armrest support 20. The armrest pad 10 can also rotate in relation to the positioning member 30a (30).
Refer to Fig. 2, a first pivot part 311 is disposed on one end of the main body 31 while a second pivot part 312 is arranged at the other end of the main body 31. A pivot part 113 is disposed on one side of the middle part 11 of the armrest pad 10 and the pivot part 113 is pivotally connected to the first pivot part 311 of the main body 31. One side of the armrest support 20 is also arranged with a pivot part 22 that is pivotally connected to the second pivot part 312 of the main body 31.
Refer to Fig. 3, the armrest pad 10 and the armrest support 20 are assembled with each other. The armrest pad 10 is pivoted around the positioning member 30a (30) to be moved outward in a direction indicated by an arrow A. Then rotate the armrest pad 10 around the positioning member 30a (30) in a direction indicated by an arrow B and the original armrest surface 12 is changed into another armrest surface 12. Next the armrest pad 10 is pivoted again and moved inward to be assembled with the armrest support 20, back to the original state. Thus the replacement of the armrest surface 12 is accomplished.

Embodiment two

Refer to Fig. 4, a positioning member 30b (30) can be separate type and having two male fasteners 32 and two female fasteners 33 fastened to each other correspondingly. The two male fasteners 32 are respectively arranged at a front end and a rear end of the armrest support 20 (from the user's point of view), or at a right side and left side (not shown in figure) of the armrest support 20. As to the two female fasteners 33, they are respectively disposed on a front end and a rear end of the middle part 11 of the armrest pad 10, or at a right side and left side (not shown in figure) of the middle part 11 of the armrest pad 10. By the male fasteners 32 and the female fasteners 33 fastened or released, the armrest pad 10 and the armrest support 20 are assembled with or separated from each other. Moreover, the positions of the male fasteners 32 and the female fasteners 33 can be interchanged. The two male fasteners 32 are disposed on the middle part 11 of the armrest pad 10 (not shown in figure) while the two female fasteners 33 are set on the armrest support 20 (not shown in figure). Thereby the armrest pad 10 and the armrest support 20 are fastened and positioned correspondingly, or separated from each other.
For examples, under the condition that the armrest pad 10 and the armrest support 20 are fastened and positioned, operate the positioning member 30b (30) to make the male fasteners 32 and the female fasteners 33 release from each other. Then take out the armrest pad 10 from a top surface of the armrest support 20, as indicated by an arrow C. Next change the original armrest surface 12 into another armrest surface 12 for the user's arm to rest upon, as indicated by an arrow D. The armrest pad 10 is set back to the top surface of the armrest support 20, fastened, and assembled with the armrest support 20 by the positioning member 30b (30). Thus the change of the armrest surface 12 is achieved.

Embodiment three

Refer to Fig. 5, a positioning member 30c (30) can be separate type and having two sliding rails 34 and two corresponding sliding slots 35. Each sliding rail 34 is sliding in the sliding slot 35 correspondingly. The two sliding rails 34 are respectively arranged at a left side and a right side of the middle part 11 of the armrest pad 10 (from the user's point of view) while the two sliding slots 35 are respectively disposed on two inner sides (right and left sides) of the armrest support 20. Thereby the armrest pad 10 is moved outward and inward in relation to the armrest support 20. Furthermore, the positions of the two sliding rails 34 and two sliding slots 35 can be interchanged. That means the two sliding rails 34 set on the armrest support 20 (not shown in figure) and the two sliding slots 35 installed at the middle part 11 of the armrest pad 10 (not shown in figure).
For example, as indicated by an arrow E, the armrest pad 10 is moved out from a top surface of the armrest support 20 and separated with each other by shift of the sliding rails 34 of the positioning member 30c (30) along the sliding slots 35. Then the original armrest surface 12 is changed into another armrest surface 12 to rest the arms, as indicated by an arrow F. Next the armrest pad 10 is moved inward and positioned in relation to the armrest support 20 by the positioning member 30c (30). The change of the armrest surface 12 is achieved.

Embodiment four

Refer to Fig. 6, an armrest pad 10 includes three armrest surfaces 12. A cross section of the middle part 11 of the armrest pad 10 is a triangle so that the three armrest surfaces 12 are respectively arranged at the three sides of the middle part 11. The three armrest surfaces 12 can be made from the same material or different materials or only a part thereof is made from the same material. The receiving slot 21 on the top surface of the armrest support 20 can be designed to have the shape that fits the above triangle. One of the armrest surfaces 12 of the armrest pad 10 is facing upward and exposed to rest users' arms. Similarly the armrest pad 10 is assembled, separated and positioned in relation to the armrest support 20 by means of the positioning member 30. Moreover, operate the armrest pad 10 to move it out from the top surface of the armrest support 20, as indicated by an arrow G And one of the three armrest surfaces 12 of the armrest pad 10 is selected to place arms. Next the armrest pad 10 is put back to the top surface of the armrest support 20. Thus the replacement of the armrest surface 12 is accomplished.
In summary, the armrest pad 10 can be moved out from the armrest support 20. Then the armrest pad 10 is rotated to select one armrest surface 12, allowing users' arms to rest. Next the armrest pad 10 is turned back to the armrest support 20. By the positioning member 30, the armrest pad 10 and the armrest support 20 are positioned and assembled with each other. Moreover, the armrest pad 10 is moved inward and moved outward in relation to the armrest support 20 by the positioning member 30. During the movement, the armrest 10 is moved stably and smoothly.
The multi-surface armrest features on simple structure, fewer components, reduced assembly time, easy and convenient operation, and easy replacement of the armrest surface. Therefore the performance is improved, the cost is reduced and the product competitiveness is strengthened.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, and representative devices shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

A multi-surface armrest comprising:
an armrest support whose lower part is connected to a chair seat;

an armrest pad arranged at a top surface of the armrest support and having a middle part; a plurality of armrest surfaces disposed around an outer surface of the middle part and used to place arms; and

a positioning member arranged between the armrest pad and the armrest support; the armrest pad is operated to be positioned at, assembled with or separated from the armrest support by the positioning member; while the armrest pad and the armrest support are separated, the armrest pad is able to be moved for selecting one of the armrest surfaces of the armrest pad to rest arms.
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upper surface and a lower surface of the middle part of the armrest pad are respectively disposed with one armrest surface.
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of armrest surfaces is made from the same material or made from different materials.
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a receiving slot is arranged at a top surface of the armrest support; the receiving slot having an opening facing upwards so that the armrest pad passes the opening to be mounted in the receiving slot and one of the armrest surfaces on the armrest pad is exposed to place arms.
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positioning member is a connection type so that the armrest pad and the armrest support are not separated from each other completely while the armrest pad is moved out of the top surface of the armrest support.
The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the positioning member includes a main body whose one end is disposed with a first pivot part while the other end is arranged with a second pivot part; a pivot part is disposed on one side of the middle part of the armrest pad and is pivotally connected to the first pivot part of the main body; one side of the armrest support is also arranged with another pivot part that is pivotally connected to the second pivot part of the main body; the armrest pad is pivoted to move into and out of in relation to the armrest support by the positioning member; the armrest pad is also rotated in relation to the positioning member.
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positioning member is a separate type so that the armrest pad and the armrest support are separated from each other completely while the armrest pad is moved out of the top surface of the armrest support.
The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the positioning member includes two male fasteners and two female fasteners fastened to each other correspondingly; the two male fasteners are respectively arranged at a front end and a rear end of the armrest support while the two female fasteners are respectively disposed on a front end and a rear end of the middle part of the armrest pad; the male fastener and the female fastener can be operated to be fastened or unfastened with each other.
The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the positioning member includes two sliding rails and two corresponding sliding slots; each sliding rail is sliding in the sliding slot correspondingly; the two sliding rails are respectively arranged at a left side and a right side of the middle part of the armrest pad while the two sliding slots are respectively disposed on an inner left side and an inner right side of the armrest support; the armrest pad is moved out of or moved into the armrest support by the two sliding rails and the two sliding slots.
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cross section of the middle part of the armrest pad is triangular so that there are three sides of the middle part and each side is disposed with one armrest surface; thus the armrest pad has three armrest surfaces.