JP2002051871A - Elbow rest device for chair - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily adjust the front/rear positions of an elbow padding stepwise with simple constitution. SOLUTION: In an elbow rest device 3 for a chair A obtained by fitting the elbow padding 4 to an elbow padding supporting body 12 mounted to the top of an elbow rest supporter 2 stood from the side part of a seat body 1 in the state of being movable in front and rear directions, both of the right and left side parts of a bracket 26 erected at the body 12 are fitted to both of the right and left side parts in a recessed place 32 formed on the lower surface of the padding 4 and facing the front and rear directions in the state of being relatively movable in the front and rear directions, a rectangular recessed hole 33 facing the front and rear directions is formed at the center of a top wall 32a in the place 32 of the lower surface of the padding 4, plural engaging recessed grooves 34 opposing each other are formed on the right and left inner side surfaces of this hole 33 at prescribed intervals in the front and rear directions, and a pair of selectors 27 having projections 28 which can selectively and elastically be engaged with the plural right and left grooves 34 by elastically deforming in right and left directions are provided on both of the right and left side parts of the bracket 26.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an armrest device for a chair in which the position of an armrest with respect to a seat can be adjusted back and forth according to the physique and work content of a sitting person.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional armrest device of this kind, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-346873 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-24079.
Some are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional armrest device, a pair of left and right slide holes which are long in the front-rear direction are provided in the armrest support, and a vertical shaft slidably inserted through the slide holes is provided. However, since the armrest is merely mounted so as to be movable back and forth, the armrest moves easily in the front-rear direction and cannot be held at an arbitrary position.

On the other hand, in the latter armrest device, a lock provided with a plurality of engagement recesses on a guide rail attached to an armrest support base and an engagement claw on the armrest side that can engage with the engagement recesses. By providing a mechanism and selectively engaging the engagement claws with the engagement recesses by pressing the lock release button, the front-rear position of the elbow rest can be adjusted in a stepwise manner. However, in this case, since the configuration of the lock mechanism is complicated and the number of parts is large, assembling is troublesome and cost increases. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a chair armrest device that can easily and stepwise adjust the front-rear position of an armrest with a simple configuration.

[0005]

According to the present invention, the above-mentioned problem is solved as follows. (1) An armrest device for a chair in which an armrest is mounted movably in the front-rear direction on an armrest support mounted on the top of an armrest support standing upright from a side of a seat body. On the left and right sides inside the formed recess facing the front and back,
The left and right sides of the bracket erected on the armrest support are fitted so as to be relatively movable in the front-rear direction, and a rectangular shape pointing in the front-rear direction is provided at the center of the top wall in the recess on the lower surface of the armrest. A plurality of recessed grooves are formed on left and right inner surfaces of the recess at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction, and are elastically deformed in the left and right sides of the bracket in the left and right sides. Thus, there is provided a pair of selectors having projections which can be selectively elastically engaged with the plurality of left and right locking concave grooves.

(2) In the above item (1), an inward U-shaped guide rail for holding and guiding the left and right sides of the bracket so as to be relatively movable in the front-rear direction is provided in the recess on the lower surface of the elbow pad. Secure the movable plate.

(3) In the above item (1) or (2), the selector has a base piece fitted to the left and right side end portions of the bracket, and an inner portion formed so that the front and rear edges have an L shape in plan view. A pair of front and rear feet which are elastically deformable in the left and right direction and are connected to each other, and are formed in an outwardly arcuate shape so as to connect the tips of the two feet, and the elbow rest is applied to the outer surface of the central part. It consists of a locking concave groove on the lower surface and an arc-shaped piece having a protrusion that can be engaged and disengaged, and is integrally formed of a hard synthetic resin.

(4) In the above item (3), the base piece of each selector is fitted to the guide rail of the movable plate so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.

(5) In any one of the above items (1) to (4), the locking groove has a waveform, and the projection engaging and disengaging the groove has a hemispherical shape.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a chair to which the present invention is applied.
(A) shows a side view, in which a pair of armrests (FIG. 1) standing upright from the left and right sides of the seat body (1) (hereinafter, the direction is described with the left side in FIG. 1 as the front). The armrest device (3) of the present invention is provided at the upper end of (2).

The armrest (4) of the armrest device (3) can adjust the position in the front-back direction and the rotation angle in the left-right direction.

2 to 10 show details of the armrest device (3). Since the left and right armrest devices (3) are symmetrical and have the same configuration, the following description will be limited to the right one, and the left one will be omitted.

Further, the height adjustment mechanism incorporated in the armrest support (2) is not directly related to the present invention, so that the detailed description thereof is omitted.

First, the turning mechanism of the armrest (4) will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a horizontal disk-shaped substrate (6) is fixed to the top surface of the elevating rod (5) in the armrest support (2). Each has a vertical axis (7) and a pair of short pins (8) and (8) standing up and down.

On the upper surface of the substrate (6), as shown in FIG.
A disc-shaped angle holding plate (9), an elastic plate (10), a circular holder (11), an oval having a lower end portion having a circular shape and an upper portion extending forward from the circular lower end portion. The elbow rest support (12) and the vertical axis (7) penetrate,
They are placed in order from the bottom.

The angle holding plate (9) is made of acetal resin or the like, and engages with engagement grooves (13) (13) formed on the outer peripheral surface before and after the acetal resin. Is prevented from rotating around the axis.

The engagement groove (13) in the angle holding plate (9)
On the left and right upper surfaces, a plurality of (for example, seven) long grooves (14) extending radially on a circumference centered on the vertical axis (7)
Are formed at regular intervals (for example, at 15 ° intervals) in the circumferential direction.

The elastic plate member (10) is formed by stamping a spring plate, and a pair of elastic pieces (10a) (10a) extending obliquely downward in the diametric direction are provided on the outer peripheral edge of the ring-shaped portion. They are continuously provided 180 ° opposite to each other. At the tip of both elastic pieces (10a),
A hemispherical projection (15) bulging downward is formed. The elastic piece (10a) may be provided in one or more pairs. The lower surfaces of both projections (15) can be engaged with any of the plurality of long grooves (14) of the angle holding plate (9).

On the lower surface of the holder (11) made of synthetic resin,
As shown in FIG. 5, an upward concave groove (16) substantially complementary to that in which the elastic plate material (10) can be accommodated, and pins (8) on the substrate (6) near the outer peripheral portions on both sides thereof. Are formed with a pair of arc-shaped guide grooves (17) (17) into which the upper end portion of the cover can be loosely fitted.

The two guide grooves (17) are line-symmetric with respect to a center line bisecting the concave groove (16), and their length in the circumferential direction is such that each pin (8) has a guide groove (17). ) Are set so as to be able to relatively rotate approximately 90 °.

A plurality of protrusions (18) are formed on the circular lower surface of the elbow support (12) made of synthetic resin, and the protrusions (18) are formed on the upper surface of the holder (11) by a plurality of recesses (18). By fitting into 19), the elbow support (12) and the holder (11) are positioned and prevented from rotating relative to each other.

A guide tube (20) is inserted into a vertically oriented shaft hole (12a) formed in the center of the lower end of the elbow support (12).
Bushing (21)
A vertical shaft (7) is inserted through the shaft.

The angle holding plate (9) and the elastic plate (1)
0), holder (11) and elbow support (12)
By screwing a nut (25) through a wave washer (23) and a flat washer (24) to a small-diameter male thread (22) at the upper end of a vertical shaft (7) projecting upward from (12). , Mounted on the substrate (6).

At this time, the wave washer (23) is
(7) is inserted into contact with the upper end of the bush (21) fitted in the guide cylinder (20), and is pressed by the flat washer (24) to be elastically deformed.

This is because, as shown in FIG. 3, both elastic pieces (10a) of the elastic plate material (10) housed in the holder (11) are slightly elastically deformed upward by the elastic force of the wave washer (23). With the elbow rest support (12), wave washer (23)
The elastic plate (10) and the elastic plate (10) elastically hold the protrusion (15) of the elastic piece (10a) with the long groove (14) of the angle holding plate (9).
This is to apply an appropriate resistance in the rotation direction when engaged with.

As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting phase of each pin (8) of the substrate (6) and the guide groove (17) of the holder (11) is as follows.
The center line (L ₁ ) bisecting (7) is approximately 30 clockwise with respect to the center line (L ₂ ) extending in the front-rear direction connecting the centers of the pins (8).
° so that the phase is shifted.
The second long groove in which each projection (15) of (10) faces 180 °
(14) are engaged with each other (see FIG. 12). Given this positional relationship, the holder (11) and the elbow rest support (12) integral therewith are approximately 15 ° clockwise and approximately 75 ° counterclockwise with respect to each pin (8). It can be pivoted about a vertical axis (7).

In the above-mentioned positional relationship, the above-mentioned elbow rest (4) attached to the elbow rest support (12) is in a normal use position, that is, a straight position in the front-rear direction.

Next, the mechanism for moving the elbow rest (4) back and forth will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the elbow rest support (1
At the upper part in 2), a channel-shaped armrest bracket (26) pointing in the front-back direction is screwed, and both horizontal pieces (26a) (26a) pointing in the left-right direction at the upper end are as shown in FIG. A pair of right and left selectors (27) and (27) having the same shape are fitted symmetrically.

Each selector (27) is made of acetal resin or the like, and is a base piece that is externally fitted to the outer edge of the horizontal piece (26a).
(27a) and the front and rear edges thereof are inwardly connected so as to form an L-shape in plan view.
6a) A pair of front and rear foot pieces (27b) and (27b) that abut on the upper surface, and the distal ends of both foot pieces (27b) are connected to each other to form an outwardly arcuate Arc-shaped piece (2
7c), and a hemispherical projection (28) is formed on the outer surface at the center of the arc-shaped piece (27c).

An arc-shaped piece (27c) and both foot pieces (27b) supporting it
That is, the protrusion (28) can be slightly elastically deformed so that it can move in the left-right direction.

The two horizontal pieces (26a) of the armrest bracket (26) and the base piece (27a) of the selector (27) fitted thereto are inwardly directed at the left and right ends of the movable plate (29) facing the front-back direction. The guide rails (30) (30) having a U-shape are fitted so as to be relatively movable (see FIG. 2).

The above-mentioned elbow rest (4) is made of a synthetic resin upper plate (4a) which is long in the front-rear direction and has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and is screwed (31) so that a small space is formed on the lower surface thereof. And a lower surface plate (4b) made of synthetic resin formed as described above, and a rectangular upward recess (32) that is long in the front-rear direction is formed in the center of the lower surface plate (4b).

The top wall (32a) of the recess (32) in the lower plate (4b)
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a rectangular hole (33) facing the front and rear direction is formed in the central portion of the main body. The concave grooves (34) are formed so as to face each other.

In the recess (32) of the lower plate (4b), the movable plate (29) is provided with locking pieces (29a) (29) on the left and right sides at the rear end.
a) is inserted into the engaging hole (35) in the recess (32) and locked, and the mounting piece (29b) at the front end is screwed into the step (32b) in the recess (32). ) It is fixed by stopping.

At the center of the movable plate (29), a lower plate (4
A rectangular hole (29c) larger than the rectangular hole (33) of b) is formed,
Both locking concave grooves (34) formed in the rectangular hole (33) are rectangular holes (29c).
(See FIGS. 7 and 8).

When the lower plate (4b) is fixed to the movable plate (29), as shown in FIG. 8, each arc-shaped piece (27c) of the pair of left and right selectors (27) attached to the armrest bracket (26) ,
The hemispherical projections (28) protruding above the rectangular holes (33) of the lower plate (4c) and being formed thereon can elastically engage with any of the plurality of locking grooves (34).

That is, the lower plate (4b) is moved to the movable plate (29).
When fixed to the elbow rest (4), the elbow rest (4) can be moved in the front-rear direction with respect to the elbow rest support (12), and the left and right selectors (27)
By selectively engaging the projections (28) with any of the locking grooves (34), the position of the armrest (4) in the front-rear direction can be adjusted stepwise. When the elbow rest (4) is moved to the front / rear limit position, the front and rear edges of the arc-shaped piece (27c) of both selectors (27) are brought into contact with the front and rear end faces of the rectangular hole (33) of the lower plate (4b). Because it touches, there is no further movement back and forth.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 10, a pair of front and rear covers 36 made of synthetic resin are fixed to the lower end opening surface of the recess 32 in the lower plate 4b. When the armrest (4) is moved in the front-rear direction, a finger or the like is prevented from entering the recess (32) and being caught between the armrest support (12).

As shown in FIG. 9 (only one is shown in the front-rear symmetry), nuts (25) screwed to the vertical shaft (7) are provided at the center portion and both left and right portions as shown in FIG. A relief groove (37) pointing in the front-rear direction that allows the movement of the left and right sides, and a slit-shaped relief groove (38) that allows the movement of the left and right vertical pieces in the armrest bracket (26) are formed, and the left and right sides are formed. A pair of front and rear engaging pieces (39) facing each other are protruded upward from the rim.

Each of the engagement pieces (39) is formed in eight engagement holes formed in the peripheral edge of the recess (32) of the lower plate (4b) so that the opposite ends of both covers (36) abut each other. (40) (see FIGS. 7 and 8) by being slightly elastically deformed and inserted inward, the locking projections (39a) formed on the outer surface of each engagement piece (39) are locked. (40)
Elastically engages with the upper edge of the cover and is prevented from falling off.

In the armrest device of the above embodiment, when the armrest (4) is grasped by hand and strongly pushed in the front-rear direction, FIG.
As shown in (2), when the pair of left and right selectors (27) relatively move in the front-rear direction, the feet (27b) are elastically deformed, and the projections (28) of each arc-shaped piece (27c) Lower plate of contact (4)
It is detached from the left and right locking grooves (4b) of (4b) and elastically engages with other appropriate locking grooves (34).

Thus, the position of the armrest (4) in the front-rear direction can be adjusted stepwise by the number of the locking grooves (34).

On the other hand, when the elbow rest (4) is rotated to adjust the distance between the left and right elbow rests (4), the following procedure is performed.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the entire elbow rest (4) in the normal use position shown by the solid line is gripped from above and rotated in a clockwise direction in plan view (the left elbow rest is counterclockwise), Elbow rest support (12) attached to the arm rest (4), holder (11) and elastic plate (10) held in the concave groove (16) of the holder (11).
Rotates about a vertical axis (7) with respect to the angle holding plate (9). Then, each pin (8) fitted in the guide groove (17) of the holder (11) is moved to the guide groove (17) as shown by an imaginary line.
The elbow rest (4) can be turned by approximately 15 ° by relatively moving until it comes into contact with the end opposite to the turning direction in.

At this time, a pair of projections (15) of the elastic plate material (10)
Are resiliently engaged with the longest grooves (14) at the end portions 180 ° facing each other on the side close to each pin (8). Therefore, elbow rest (4)
However, it does not deviately rotate counterclockwise from that position.

In this way, the elbow rest (4) is turned clockwise by 15 °.
When rotated, as shown in FIG. 13, for example, when operating a mouse (M) such as a personal computer, the elbow of the occupant can be supported in an ergonomically optimal state.

On the other hand, when the armrest (4) is rotated counterclockwise from the normal use position (the left armrest is clockwise), as shown in FIG. 12, each pin (8) is guided. The relative movement in the groove (17) until it abuts on the end opposite to the above allows the elbow pad (4) to rotate up to approximately 75 °.

Within this rotation range, if the pair of projections (15) of the elastic plate (10) are elastically engaged with the respective long grooves (14) sequentially,
The elbow rest (4) can be stopped in a stepwise manner at intervals of approximately 15 °.

As described above, if the rotation area of the elbow rest (4) in the counterclockwise direction is widened, the elbow rest (4) can be adjusted according to the work content.
(4) can be adjusted to the optimum position. In particular, FIG.
For example, when operating the keyboard (K) of a notebook-type small personal computer or the like, the left and right elbow rests (4) are largely turned in a C-shape, and the elbow of the occupant is operated by the keyboard (K). It can support a wide range in a comfortable posture, and can reduce fatigue.

As described above, in the above embodiment, the rotating mechanism of the armrest (4) and the mechanism for moving back and forth are separated, and the armrest (4) is rotated about the armrest support (2). Thus, the rotation range of the armrest (4) is not restricted as in the conventional art in which the rotation of the armrest is performed in the armrest portion.

Further, a plurality of long grooves (14) extending in the radial direction are provided on the upper surface of the angle holding plate (9), and elastic grooves (10)
Since the two projections (15) are elastically engaged, the holder (11) and the elbow support (12) and the vertical shaft (7)
Even if the backlash occurs between the projections and the projection (15) is displaced in the radial direction, the long groove (14) can absorb the displacement, so that the elbow pad (4) can be moved to a desired position. It is reliably held elastically. Moreover, two protrusions (15) facing each other by 180 °
Is always in pressure contact with the angle holding plate (9), so that no offset load acts on the vertical shaft (7), and
2) can rotate smoothly in a well-balanced manner.

Further, a pair of left and right elastically deformable selectors (27) are attached to an armrest bracket (26) fixed to the armrest support (12), and arcuate pieces (27c) of both selectors (27).
The projections (28) formed on the lower plate (4)
A plurality of left and right opposing locking grooves (34) provided in the center of b)
Elbow rest (4)
Can be adjusted step by step with a sense of moderation, and the elbow rest (4) can be stably moved back and forth without rattling in the left and right directions.

A recess formed in the lower plate (4b) of the armrest (4)
Since the cover (36) is fixed to (32), even if the elbow rest (4) is inadvertently moved back and forth, the fingers etc. will be in contact with the front and rear edges of the recess (32) and the elbow rest. There is no danger of foreign matter such as dust being trapped between the support (12) and the recess (32).

In the above embodiment, the holding plate (9) is fixed and the elastic plate (10) is rotated each time, but they may be reversed. That is, the angle holding plate (9) and the elastic plate (10) are turned upside down,
The angle holding plate (9) may be fixed to the holder (11), and the elastic plate (10) may be fixed to the substrate (6) so as not to rotate.

The pin (8) and its guide groove (17) constituting the rotation angle regulating procedure are also turned upside down. The pin (8) is placed on the holder (11), and the guide groove (17) is placed on the substrate ( 6).

The holder (11) is not always necessary. If a concave groove for accommodating the elastic plate (10) and a guide groove for the pin (8) are directly provided on the lower surface of the elbow support (12), the holder can be provided. (11) can be omitted. The elbow pad (4) is composed of the upper plate (4a) and the lower plate (4b). However, as an integral structure of the elbow pad (4), a locking recess similar to that described above is formed in a recess formed on the lower surface thereof. A groove (34) may be provided.

By changing the circumferential length of the guide groove (17) and the phase between the pin (8) and the guide groove (17) according to the purpose of use of the chair, the left-right direction of the elbow rest (4) can be changed. Of course, the range of rotation to can be set arbitrarily.

[0058]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to simply engage the protrusions of the selector which can be elastically deformed in the left-right direction into the plurality of locking grooves formed on the lower surface of the armrest. With such a configuration, the front and rear positions of the armrests can be adjusted stepwise and stably with a sense of moderation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to increase the support strength of the elbow rest against the elbow rest support, and to move the elbow rest stably in the front-rear direction.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the members constituting the selector are integrally connected to each other,
There is no possibility that the elastic force is reduced during use, and the elbow pad can be stably elastically held for a long period of time. Moreover, since it is made of synthetic resin, molding is easy and inexpensive.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the holding force of the selector is increased, there is no rattling when the elbow pad is moved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the engagement and disengagement between the locking groove and the projection is facilitated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a chair to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away longitudinal side view of an armrest support portion provided with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a rotation mechanism of the armrest.

FIG. 5 is also a bottom view of the holder.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an armrest bracket and a selector attached thereto.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the elbow pad.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a state where an armrest is attached to an armrest bracket.

FIG. 9 is also a perspective view of a cover.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional front view taken along line XX of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is also a partially cutaway plan view when adjusting the position of the elbow pad before and after.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the pin and the guide groove and the rotation range of the elbow pad when FIG. 2 is viewed transversely along the line XII-XII.

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing an example of operating the mouse of the personal computer by rotating the elbow pad outward.

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing an example of operating the keyboard of the small personal computer by turning the elbow pad largely inward.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Seat (2) Armrest post (3) Armrest device (4) Armrest (4a) Upper plate (4a) Lower plate (5) Lifting rod (6) Board (7) Vertical axis (8) Pin (9) ) Angle holding plate (10) Elastic plate (10a) Elastic piece (11) Holder (12) Elbow rest support (13) Engagement groove (14) Long groove (15) Protrusion (16) Concave groove (17) Guide groove ( 18) Projection (19) Recess (20) Guide cylinder (21) Bush (22) Small diameter male thread (23) Wave washer (24) Flat washer (25) Nut (26) Elbow support bracket (26a) Horizontal piece ( 27) Selector (27a) Base piece (27b) Foot piece (27c) Arc-shaped piece (28) Projection (29) Movable plate (29a) Locking piece (29b) Mounting piece (30) Guide rail (31) Screw (32) Recess (32a) Top wall (32b) Step (33) Rectangular hole (34) Engagement groove (35) Engagement hole (36) Cover (37) (38) Escape groove (39) Engagement piece (39a ) Locking ridge (40) Engagement hole (A) Chair (K) Keyboard (M) Mouse

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An armrest device for a chair, comprising: an armrest mounted on a top of an armrest supporting column standing upright from a side of a seat body; The left and right sides of the bracket erected on the elbow rest support are fitted to the left and right sides in the front and rear recess formed on the lower surface so as to be relatively movable in the front and rear direction, and the recesses on the lower surface of the elbow rest are provided. In the center of the top wall at the place
A rectangular concave hole facing the front and rear direction is formed, and a plurality of locking concave grooves facing each other are provided at predetermined intervals in the front and rear direction on left and right inner surfaces of the concave hole, and on both left and right sides of the bracket. An armrest device for a chair, comprising a pair of selectors having projections which can be selectively elastically engaged with the plurality of left and right locking concave grooves by being elastically deformed in the left-right direction. 2. A movable plate having an inward U-shaped guide rail for holding and guiding the left and right sides of the bracket so as to be relatively movable in the front-rear direction is fixed in the recess on the lower surface of the armrest. An armrest device for a chair according to claim 1. 3. A laterally elastically deformable selector in which a selector is externally fitted to left and right side ends of a bracket and inwardly connected to front and rear edges so as to form an L-shape in plan view. A pair of possible front and rear foot pieces and a projection that is formed in an outwardly arcuate shape so as to connect the tips of both foot pieces and that can be engaged and disengaged with the locking groove on the lower surface of the elbow rest on the outer surface of the central part. The armrest device for a chair according to claim 1 or 2, comprising an arc-shaped piece having an integral shape and formed integrally with a hard synthetic resin. 4. The armrest device for a chair according to claim 3, wherein the base piece of each selector is fitted to the guide rail of the movable plate so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. 5. The armrest apparatus for a chair according to claim 1, wherein the locking groove has a corrugated shape, and the projection engaging and disengaging the groove has a hemispherical shape.