GB2170099A

GB2170099A - Armrest device for an automotive seat

Info

Publication number: GB2170099A
Application number: GB08531709A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki
Original assignee: Tachikawa Spring Co Ltd
Current assignee: Tachi S Co Ltd
Priority date: 1984-12-29
Filing date: 1985-12-23
Publication date: 1986-07-30
Also published as: FR2578208B1; IT8523342A0; JPH0139478Y2; JPS61116548U; IT1186172B; GB8531709D0; DE3544038A1; FR2578208A1; GB2170099B

Abstract

An armrest device (1) to be provided in a seat back (3) of a seat for an automobile such as a bus comprises a shaft (8) provided in the side surface of the seat back for mounting an armrest body in such a manner that it can be rotated vertically, an abutment member (17) fixed to the seat back side surface and adjacent to the shaft, and an adjustment operation mechanism (15, 14) provided in the armrest body. The adjustment operation mechanism includes an operation shaft (14) the end of which can be abutted against the abutment member (17), and an operation member (15) which can be used to rotate and move fore and aft the operation shaft. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Armrest device for an automotive seat The present invention relates to an armrest device for use in a seat back of a seat used in automobiles such as a bus, and more particularly to such armrest device which is capable of maintaining an armrest in its horizontal position relative to the floor of the automobile even when the seat back is inclined.

Normally, in seats used in automobiles such as a bus, there is provided an armrest which is used to support the arm of an occupant so as to hold the occupant's position in a comfortable manner.

Conventionally, this type of arm rests are fixed to the side of a seat back of a seat and thus, when the seat back is reclined, the associated armrest is inclined integrally with the seat back, so that it fails to support the arm portion of the occupant in a comfortable manner.

For this reason, recently there has been proposed an armrest device which is capable of rotating an armrest body in linking with the backward inclination of a seat back. That is, in this improved prior art armrest device, an armrest body is connected via a parallel link mechanism with the seat back and thus, following the operation ofthe parallel link mechanism due to the backward inclination of the seat back, the armrest body can be moved while it is always maintained in a position parallel to the floor surface of the automobile, so that it is capable of carrying the arm portion of the occupant always in a constant condition.

However, the above-mentioned armrest device is complicated in structure and requires a large number of parts because it employs the link mechanism.

Also, since the armrest body is connected by means ofthe parallel link mechanism, it cannot be adjusted in angle solely and indpendently, so that it cannot be set in angles according to the physical conditions or tastes of the occupants.

The present invention aims at eliminating the drawbacks found in the above-mentioned prior art devices.

According to the present invention there is disclosed an armrest device for use in an automotive seat comprising connecting means for pivotally connecting an armrest to a seat such thatthe armrest is pivotal between a raised position in which it extends generally parallel to the seat back and a lowered position and an adjustment mechanism operable between the armrest and the seat back whereby the angle between the armrest in the lowered position and the seat back may be adjusted.

Preferably the adjusting mechanism is screw threaded and preferably includes a screw threaded operation member having a longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to the armrest and engaging in the lowered position an abutment fixed to the seat back and offset from the pivotal axis of the armrest much that operation of the adjustment member moves the member axially to an adjusted position.

Accordingly, it is an advantage of the invention to provide a new and improved armrest device which is simple in structure and is capable of free adjustments of support angles.

Conveniently in accordance with the invention an armrest body is journaled to a shaft provided in and projected from the side portion of a seat back in such a manner that it can be rotated in a vertical direction.

In this armrest body, there is provided an adjustment operation mechanism which comprises an operation handle as an operational member, and an operation shaft rotatable integrally with the operation handle and movable longitudinally by a threaded mechanism. Also, an abutment projection is fixed to the seat back as an abutting portion thereof, in particular, adjacent to the portion thereof for journaling the armrest body or the projected shaft thereof. In this construction, the rear end of the operation shaft can be abutted against the abutment projection of the seat back so as to support the armrest body.

Accordingly, when the operation handle is rotated in one direction, then the operation shaft is rotated integrally with the operation handle so that the operation shaft is moved by the threaded mechanism forwardly or in a direction away from the abutment projection. As a result of this, the armrest body can be rotated downwardly about the projected shaft by means of its own dead load or the force applied by the arm portion of an occupant of the seat.

On the other hand, when the operation handle is rotated in the other direction, then the operation shaft is to be moved backwardly so that the rear end of the operation shaft is pressed against the abutment projection fixed to the seat back. As a result of this, the armrest body itself is rotated about the projected shaft, that is, it is pushed in an upward direction.

As described above, in the present invention, the armrest body can be rotated in a vertical direction by varying the amount of projection of the operation shaft through the rotational operation of the operation handle. Therefore, not only when the seat back is reclined, the support angle of the armrest body can be set always in its optimum condition, for example, in a substantially horizontal position, but also when the seat back is in a fixed condition, the support angle of the armrest body can be adjusted as desired according to the physical conditions or tastes of the occupants of the seat.

The above and other related objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate the same or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a partially cutaway side view of an armrest device constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a seat provided with the armrest device according the the invention; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of an adjustment operation mechanism employed in the armrest device of the invention; Figure 4 is a section view taken along line A - A' in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a partially sectional side view of the armrest device of the invention, illustrating the operation of the same; and Figure 6 is a section view of another embodiment of the operational part of the present invention.

Now, we will describe an embodiment of the invention in connection with Figures 1 to 5.

In the drawings, reference numeral (1) designates a seat for a vehicle such as a bus, (2) represents a seat cushion, and (3) stands for a seat back. The seat cushion (2) and seat back (3) are connected with each other via a reclining device (4). An armrest body, designated by (5), is mounted on one side portion or the aisle-side side portion of the seat back (3).

The above-mentioned armrest body (5) includes a frame which is located internallythereof and is formed in its rear portion with a shaft hole (6a). And, the seat back (3) includes a back frame (3a) to which a bracket (7) is fixed, and a shaft (8) is provided on and projected from the bracket (7). Thus, by means of engagement of the shaft hole (6a) with the shaft (8), the armrest body (5) is journaled to the seat back (3) in such a manner that it can be moved vertically relative to the seat back (3).

Internally of the armrest body (5), there is provided an adjustment operation mechanism (10) which is used to adjust the support angle of the armrest body (5).

The adjustment operation mechanism (10) is constructed in the following manner.

In the front portion of the frame (6), there are fixed a pair of L-shaped front and rear brackets (1 1a)(1 ib) which are opposed to each other at required intervals, while an L-shaped bracket (12) is fixedly provided in the rear portion of the frame (6). These brackets (11 a)(11 b) and (12) are respectively formed with through bores in the vertical surface portions thereof. A nut (13) is fixed to the rear bracket (12) such that it communicates with the through bore in the bracket (12).

The nut (13) includes an internal thread portion (13a) into which an operation shaft (14) is threadedly inserted through its external thread portion (14a) formed in the rear end portion thereof. An operation handle (15) is mounted to the front portion of the operation shaft (14) in such a manner that it is engaged in the circumferential direction thereof and movable in the axial direction thereof.

Specifically, the above-mentioned operation shaft (14) includes a front half section which is formed so as to have a square section, while the operation handle (15) is formed in the central portion thereof with a square hole (16) which corresponds to the above-mentioned square section ofthe operation shaft (14). Thus, the operation shaft (14) is journaled by communicating the square hole (16) of the operation handle (15) with the through bores of the brackets (1 1a)(1 1 b)while the operation handle (15) is being interposed between the vertical surface por tions of the brackets (1 1a)(1 1b).

Also, correspondingly to the operation shaft (14) of the adjustment operation mechanism (10) constructed in the above-mentioned manner, a projection-like abutment (17) is provided adjacently to the journal portion of the seat back (3) for journaling the armrest body (5), that is, adjacently to the shaft (8) in the bracket (7) fixed to the back frame (3a). The rear end of the operation shaft (14) is abutted against the projection-like abutment (17). This abutment permits the armrest body (5) to be held in its optimum support angle, or, in Figure 1, in a substantially horizontal condition.

Internally of the armrest body (5), a core member (18) of wood or the like is fixed to the frame (6) in such a manner that it does not touch the operation shaft of the adjustment operation mechanism (10).

The core material (18) and frame (6) are peripherally enclosed by a foam pad (19) as in ordinary cases, and further the surface of the pad (19) is covered by a top cover member (20).

In the side surface portion of the armrest body (1), the top cover member (20) is formed with a through bore (21), and the operation handle (15) is partially projected through this through bore (21).

Next, we will describe the operation of the armrest device of the invention constructed in the abovementioned manner.

Now, while the seat back (3) is held in a neutral position, the armrest body (5) is maintained in a substantially horizontal position, (see Figure 1).

In ordinary cases, if the seat back (3) is inclined backwardly from its neutral position, the armrest body (5) will be faced in an obliquely upward direction. According to the invention, this can be prevented: that is, the operation handle (15) is operated to vary the amount of projection of the operation shaft (14) so as to adjust the angle of the armrest body (5) so that the armrest body (5) can be set in a substantially horizontal condition. Specifically, if the operation handle (15) is rotated in one direction, then the operation shaft (14) is rotated integrally with the operation handle (15). This rotation moves the operation shaft (14) forwardly or in a direction to depart from the abutment (17) because the external thread portion (14a) thereof is threadedly moved back in the internal thread portion (13a) of the nut (13).Consequently, the armrest body (5) is rotated downwardly about the shaft (8) by its own dead load or by loads applied by the occupant's arm portion. When the armrest body (5) is set in its substantially horizontal position, if the operation of the operation handle (15) is stopped, then the armrest body (5) can be engaged and retained in this position, (see Figure 5).

Also, when the seat back (3) is returned from this position to the neutral position, if the operation handle (15) is rotated in the other direction, then the operation shaft (14) is moved backwardly and the rear end thereof is pressed against the abutment (17). As a result of this, because the abutment (17) is fixed to the seat back (3), the armrest body (5) is pushed and rotated upwardly so that it is set in such a substantially horizontal position as shown in Figure 1.

As described above, according to the present armrest device, if the operation handle (15) is rotated in response to the inclination of the seat back, the armrest body (5) can be always set and held in a constant support angle.

Also, according to the invention, even when the seat back (3) is being held in a fixed condition, by rotating the armrest body (5) in a vertical direction by means of rotation of the operation handle (15), the armrest body (5) can be set in any support angles according to the physical conditions or tastes of the occupants.

Also, in the above-mentioned armrest device of the invention, since the operation handle (15) is engaged with the operation shaft (14) in the circumferential direction to prevent any relative movements therebetween in this direction but the operation shaft can be slided relative to the operation handie (15) in the axial direction, when the operation handle (15) is rotatively operated, the operation shaft (14) is then moved in the axial direction but the operation handle (15) remains in a constant position.

Therefore, in the operational portion of the invention, only the operation handle (15) is exposed in part and slightly, which improves the appearance of the entire armrest body (5). Further, as shown in the above-mentioned embodiment, since the operation portion is provided in the front portion of the armrest body (5), the occupant is able to perform the adjustment operation of the armrest device easily by using the top of his or her thumb placed on the armrest body (5).

In addition, in the disclosed armrest device of the invention, since the rear end of the operation shaft (14) is only in abutment against the abutment (17) but not connected therewith, the armrest body (5) is free to rotate in an upward direction. Thus, when the armrest is not necessary or when the occupant gets on and off, the armrest body (5) may be rotatively moved up and retained in its vertical position.

Now, referring to Figure 6, there is illustrated another embodiment of the invention, wherein the armrest body (5) is formed with a recessed portion (22) in the side surface portion thereof, and the recessed portion (22) is formed in the bottom portion thereof with a through bore (21') through which the operation handle (15) is partially exposed. In this structure, since the operation handle (15) is not projected from the side surface of the armrest body (5), the appearance of the armrest body can be further enhanced.

As described hereinbefore, according to the armrest device of the invention, the rotational adjustments of the armrest body can be performed by a simple operation of rotating the operation member. Therefore, by operating the operation member in response to the reclining operation of the seat back, the support angle of the armrest body can be always set in the optimum one, and also even when the seat back is fixed, the armrest body can be adjusted in desired support angles according to the physical conditions or tastes of the occupants so that the occupants are able to take a comfortable sitting posture. Further, the invention requires a smaller number of parts due to its simple construction and thus it can be reduced in cost and weight. That is, the invention provides several great practical effects.

The above description has been given of preferred embodiments of the invention, but it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the ernbodiments illustrated but various other replacements, modifications and additions may structurally be possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the appending claims for the invention.

Claims

1. An armrest device for use in an automotive seat comprising connecting means for pivotally connecting an armrest to a seat such that the armrest is pivotal betwen a raised position in which it extends generally parallel to the seat back and a lowered position and an adjustment mechanism operable between the armrest and the seat back whereby the angle between the armrest in the lowered position and the seat back may be adjusted.

2. An armrest device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adjusting mechanism is screw threaded.

3. An armrest device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the adjusting mechanism includes a screw threaded operation member having a longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to the armrest and engaging in the lowered position an abutment fixed to the seat back and offset from the pivotal axis of the armrest much that operation of the adjustment member moves the member axially to an adjusted position.

4. An armrest device for use in an automotive seat, the armrest device comprising: a shaft provided in the side portion of a seat back forjournaling an armrest body in such a mannerthat said armrest body can be rotated in a vertical direction; an abutment member fixed to the side portion of said seat back adjacent to said shaft; and, an adjustment operation mechanism including an operation member provided in said armrest body and an operation shaft provided internally of said armrest body to be movable fore and aft by means of rotational operation of said operation member, wherein the end of said operation shaft can be brought into abutment against said abutment member fixed to said seat back, and wherein the angular adjustments of said armrest body can be performed by varying the amount of projection of said operation shaft by means of rotational operation of said operation member.

5. The armrest device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said adjustment operation mechanism comprises two brackets spaced from each other and respectively fixed to the front and rear portions of a frame forming said armrest body, two through bores respectively formed in the vertical surface portions of said brackets for insertion of said operation shaft therethrough, a nut fixed to one of said through bores for threaded insertion of said operation shaft therethrough, and said operation member movable axially relative to said operation shaft and engageable intermeshingly with said operation shaft in the circumferential direction thereof.

6. The armrest device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said operation member is exposed in part externally of said armrest body.

7. The armrest device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said operation member is exposed in part externally of said armrest body.

8. The armrest device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said operation member is disposed in such a manner that it is exposed in part out of a through bore in a recessed portion provided in the side surface portion of said armrest body.

9. An armrest device substantially as herein before described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings or as modified in Figure 6.