GB2255277A

GB2255277A - Height adjustable chair armrest assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2255277A
Application number: GB9209084A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leo Ryner
Original assignee: FELTEX COMMERCIAL INTERIORS PT
Current assignee: FELTEX COMMERCIAL INTERIORS PT
Priority date: 1991-04-29
Filing date: 1992-04-27
Publication date: 1992-11-04
Also published as: AU636223B2; GB9209084D0; AU7630291A

Abstract

A typist chair includes two armrests attached beneath the seat of the chair. Each armrest (2) includes a flattened transverse tube (4) dimensioned for a sliding fit along a vertical post (5). Post (5) is formed by an L-shaped bracket (6) attached to the seat of the chair. A locking mechanism (7) in the centre of the tube (4) allows the armrest (2) to be fixed to the post (5) at various positions along its length, corresponding to different heights of the armrest. <IMAGE>

Description

HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE CHAIR ARMREST ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a height adjustment mechanism and, in particular, to a mechanism for adjusting the height of an armrest such as may be found on a typist chair and the like.

Increasing consumer awareness of the importance of ergonomic furniture design, especially in the workplace, has lead to a requirement for office furpiture which offers a maximum degree of adjustability. Prior art typist chairs do not in general offer the facility of adjusting the height of the armrests.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a height adjustment mechanisms for office chair armrests which will therefore overcome, or at least ameliorate, the disadvantages of the prior art.

Accordingly, there is provided a height adjustable chair armrest assembly including a post for rigid upright attachment to one of a chair or an armrest and a tubular portion for attachment to the other of said chair and said armrest, said tubular portioil being adapted for sliding engagement with said post to move between an upper armrest position and a lower armrest position, and selectively releasable locking means to lock said armrest in any one of a plurality of selected positions intermediate said upper and lower positions.

Preferably the locking means provides said plurality of selected positions by means of an equal plurality of spaced locating formations.

Additionally, the locking means preferably includes a locking pin reciprocally moveable between a first position in which said locking pin engages one of said locating formations and a second position in which said locking pin is disengaged from locating formations. The locking formation is preferably resiliently biased toward said second position.

Preferably the locating formations comprise a plurality of overlapping circular apertures.

It is preferred that the locking pin includes an engaging portion of cross sectional shape complementary to said circular apertures for engagement therewith.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typist chair having armrests including the height adjustment mechanism of the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of one of the armrests of Figure 1; Figure 3 is sectional elevation along line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an enlarged elevation of a portion of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a section through line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring now to Figure 1, a typist chair 1 is shown in shadow with two armrests 2 constructed in accordance with the invention. The armrests 2 are attached beneath the seat 3 of the chair by conventional methods.

Figures 2 and 3 show one of the armrests in elevation, Figure 3 being a section through line 3-3 of Figure 2. Each armrest includes a flattened transverse tube 4 dimensioned for a sliding fit along a vertical post 5. The post is formed by an L-shaped bracket 6 attached to the seat of the chair.

A locking mechanism 7 in the centre of the tube 4 allows the armrest to be fixed to the post 5 at various positions along its length, corresponding to different heights of the armrest.

Figures 4 and 5 show the locking mechanism 7 in greater detail. A series of overlapping circular holes 10 are drilled or punched through the small dimension of the vertical post. This produces an elongated slot 11 having serrated or scalloped edges 12. Although figuratively composed of a series of circular holes, the aperture may of course by formed in one operation.

A pin 13 of stepped cross section traverses the tube through the aperture in the post. The stepped portion comprises a larger engaging portion 14 and a smaller actuating section 15.

The length of the pin allows it to project outside the tube and it is free to move longitudinally such that either the larger portion 14 or smaller portion 15 occupies the slot 11 in the post. The larger portion 14 forms a close fit in one of the circular holes 10 of the slot 11, as shown in Figure 5, preventing relative movement of the post and the tube, while the smaller section of the pin permits sliding movement of the tube 4 with respect to the post 5. Finally, a spring 16, retained by a cap 17, resiliently biases the pin such that the larger section occupies the aperture and the armrest is locked. Longitudinal pressure on a button 18 at the end of the pin, overcoming the force of the spring, places the smaller section in the aperture and therefore unlocks the armrest for adjustment.

Although reference has been made to specific examples, it will be apparent that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. For example, the spaced locating formations may be provided on the tubular portion of the armrest and the complementary locking formation on the vertical post.

Claims

1. A height adjustable chair armrest assembly including a post for rigid upright attachment to one of a chair or an armrest and a tubular portion for attachment to the other of said chair and said armrest, said tubular portion being adapted for sliding engagement with said post to move between an upper armrest position and a lower armrest position, and selectively releasable locking means to lock said armrest in any one of a plurality of selected positions intermediate said upper and lower positions.

2. A chair armrest assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said locking means provides said plurality of selected positions by means of an equal plurality of spaced locating formations.

3. A chair armrest assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said locking means includes a locking pin reciprocally moveable between a first position in which said locking pin engages one of said locating formations and a second position in which said locking pin is disengaged from locating formations.

4. A chair armrest assembly as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the locking formation is resiliently biased toward said second position.

5. A chair armrest assembly as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said locating formations comprise a plurality of overlapping circular apertures.

6. A chair armrest assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said locking pin includes an engaging portion of cross sectional shape complementary to said circular apertures for engagement therewith.

7. A chair armrest assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said locking pin is cylindrical and stepped to provide said engaging portion.

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8. A chair armrest assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said locking pin includes an actuating portion of reduced dimension which projects externally of said tubular portion to provide for engagement and disengagement of said locking means,

9. A chair armrest assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein disengagement of said locking means is effected by part of said actuating portion being moved into said overlapping circular apertures.

10. A height adjustable chair armrest assembly substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A chair comprising a seat and at least one armrest, each armrest being mounted on a respective height adjustable chair armrest assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.