JP4234253B2 - Height adjustment device such as armrest of chair - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement of a height adjusting device such as an armrest of a chair that can adjust the height of the armrest of the chair in a stepwise manner in accordance with the body shape of the person who sits, the work content, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The present applicant has devised a height adjustment device that can easily adjust the height of the armrest (elbow rest) according to the body shape, work content, etc. of the sitting person, and has previously filed a patent application ( JP, 10-146242, A).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the height adjusting device described above, a part of the locking means for locking the support rod (upper support rod) to an arbitrary height, that is, the guide hole or the locking groove (engagement hole) is provided on the armrest strut (lower portion). Since it is directly formed on the left and right side surfaces of the support), when the elbow rest is moved largely upward, the guide hole and the locking groove are exposed from the side cover, and the appearance is impaired.
[0004]
In order to prevent this, the adjustment range of the height of the elbow rest is stopped within the range where the guide hole and the locking groove are not exposed to the outside, or the vertical dimension of the side cover is increased. As a result, the amount of upward movement of the elbow rest is restricted, and the vertical dimension of the side cover becomes larger than necessary, resulting in high costs.
[0005]
In general, armrest struts are manufactured from metal pipes, but the work of providing guide holes and locking grooves on both side surfaces of such pipe-shaped struts is cumbersome and increases processing costs.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has a large vertical adjustment range such as an elbow rest so as to prevent a locking groove or the like that is a part of the locking means from being exposed to the outside. In addition, the height adjustment device for armrests of chairs, etc. that can minimize the vertical dimension of the side cover, facilitate the formation of locking grooves, etc., and reduce costs The purpose is to do.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, the above problem is solved as follows.
[0008]
(1) A support rod having an armrest or the like attached to an upper end portion is slidably fitted to a support column erected on both sides of the seat portion so that the support rod can be slid in the vertical direction. In a height adjusting device such as an armrest of a chair provided with a locking means for locking to
The locking means is fitted to the upper end of the support column so that the support rod having a U-shaped cross section facing forward is slidably inserted vertically, and on both left and right sides facing each other. A substantially tubular height adjusting member having a left and right split structure having a plurality of engaging concave grooves arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, and a longitudinal hole provided in the support rod in the front and rear direction. A pin that is inserted so that it can move and the left and right protruding ends can be engaged with and disengaged from the left and right locking grooves, and the lower part supports the pin so that the pin can be held and moved in the front-rear direction. And an operating lever that is fitted in the bag so as to be movable in the front-rear direction and is always urged by the urging means in a direction to engage with the locking groove. It is provided inside the column.
[0009]
(2) In the above item (1), an outward flange that can be locked to the opening edge of the upper end of the column is provided at the upper end of the height adjusting member.
[0010]
(3) In the above item (1) or (2), engagement holes are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the upper end portion of the support column, and are engaged with the engagement holes on the left and right side surfaces of the upper end portion of the height adjusting member. Protrusions with possible locking projections.
[0011]
(4) In any one of the above items (1) to (3), an upward concave groove that engages with the pin is provided at the lower end of the operation lever.
[0012]
(5) In any one of the above items (1) to (4), a cover that moves up and down together with the support rod is attached to the upper end portion of the support column with a required gap between the outer peripheral surface of the support column.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a chair (A) to which the present invention is applied, and a pair of left and right armrests (hereinafter, the direction will be described with the left side of FIG. An armrest strut (hereinafter abbreviated as a strut) (2) that is tilted slightly forward, an elbow rest (3) mounted substantially horizontally on the upper end, and a cover body that covers the strut (2) (4), and the elbow rest (3) has a height adjustment mechanism provided in the support (2) and a horizontal position adjustment mechanism provided at the lower part of the elbow support (3). And the position in the left-right direction, the angle in the left-right direction, and the position in the front-rear direction can be changed.
[0015]
First, the height adjustment mechanism of the elbow rest (3) will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the support column (2) is formed of a metal pipe having an oval or elliptical cross-sectional shape, and the entire outer peripheral surface excluding its lower end is an inner cover made of synthetic resin. (4a) and the outer cover (4b) are covered with a left and right split structure column cover (4), which is covered with a slight gap between the outer periphery of the column (2) (FIG. 4). reference).
[0016]
An opening (5) for accommodating a cover portion of an operation lever (11) to be described later is formed above the front portion of the abutting surfaces of both covers (4a) and (4b), and in the outer cover (4b) A support piece (6) for receiving and supporting one end of a compression coil spring (12), which will be described later, protrudes from the inner surface near the lower portion of the opening (5).
In the column (2), the height adjusting mechanism (B) of the elbow rest (3) shown in FIG. 2 is accommodated.
[0017]
The height adjustment mechanism (B) is a forward-shaped, U-shaped elbow rest support rod (hereinafter referred to as a support rod) having a horizontal elbow rest support plate (7) at the upper end, which is fitted in the column (2) with a margin. (Abbreviated) (8) and a height adjusting plate (9) made of a pair of left and right synthetic resins that cover the periphery of the support rod (8) so that the support rod (8) can slide in the vertical direction. ) (9) and the U-shaped space of the support rod (8) so that the upper end is pivoted by a horizontal pin (10) penetrating the upper end of the support rod (8). A support lever provided on the outer cover (4b) and a lower rear surface of the operation portion (11a) facing the front obliquely downward and connected to the upper end of the operation lever (11). A compression coil spring (12) that constantly biases the base piece (11b) of the operating lever (11) forwardly is provided between the concave hole (6a) of the piece (6).
[0018]
(13) is a synthetic resin cover whose upper end is pivotally attached to the horizontal pin (10) so as to cover the front part of the operation part (11a), and the opening (5) of the column cover (4). Are accommodated so as to protrude slightly forward.
[0019]
Both the height adjusting plates (9) are press-fitted into the column (2) so that they cannot be pulled out until the outward flange (9a) at the upper end contacts the upper end surface of the column (2).
[0020]
At the time of this press-fitting, engaging projections (9b) projecting on both left and right sides of the upper end of each height adjusting plate (9) are drilled on both left and right sides of the upper end of the column (2). The height adjusting plate (9) is completely prevented from coming off by entering and engaging in the joint hole (2a).
[0021]
A guide hole (14) facing in the vertical direction is formed in the side surfaces of both height adjusting plates (9), and a plurality of locking grooves (15) are formed in the opening edge on the front side thereof in the vertical direction. Are formed at regular intervals.
[0022]
A long hole (16) facing in the front-rear direction is provided near the lower side of the support rod (8), and a small diameter at the center of the engaging pin (17) inserted so as to be movable back and forth in the long hole (16). A concave groove (18) at the lower end of the base piece (11b) of the operation lever (11) is engaged with the portion (17a) from above in the U-shaped space of the support rod (8).
[0023]
The engaging pin (17) has a length and a diameter that can be locked in the respective locking grooves (15) of both height adjusting plates (9).
[0024]
The left and right end portions of the horizontal pin (10) are press-fitted and held in a cylindrical support portion (19) formed on the inner surface of the upper end portion of the column cover (4), whereby the column cover (4) The support rod (8) and the operation lever (11) can be moved up and down integrally.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 3, the cover (13) attached to the operating portion (11a) of the operating lever (11) is pressed backward against the compression coil spring (12), and the base piece (11b) is moved backward. When the engagement pin (17) is engaged with the lower end thereof, the engagement pin (17) moves backward in the elongated hole (16), so that the engagement pin (17) Leave from (15).
[0026]
In this state, the support cover (4), the support rod (8), the operation lever (11), and the elbow rest (3) attached to the upper end of the support rod (8) are integrated with the support column (2). It becomes possible to move up and down. When the hand is released from the control lever (11) at the desired height, the engagement pin (17) moves forward by the urging force of the compression coil spring (12) and enters the nearest locking groove (15). It enters and is locked and held.
Thereby, the vertical position of the elbow rest (3) can be adjusted arbitrarily.
[0027]
Next, the horizontal position adjusting mechanism (C) of the elbow rest (3) will be described.
A pair of horizontally long rectangular cover plates (front and rear) having a long hole (20a) facing in the left and right direction at the center on the upper surface of the elbow rest support plate (7) which is long in the front and rear at the upper end of the support rod (8). Cover member) (20) (20), movable in the form of a rectangular shape that is long in the front and rear, and in the front end and the center, with an adjustment hole (21a) facing in the left-right direction smaller than the size of the cover plate (20) A plate (21) and a presser plate (22) that is slightly longer than the distance between the two adjustment holes (21a) are placed on top of each other in order from below, and these three members are drilled in the presser plate (22). The stepped bolts (23) and (23) as shaft-like members inserted through the front and rear through holes (22a), the adjustment holes (21a) of the movable plate (21), and the long holes of the cover plate (20) (20a), and the male screw part (23a) at the lower end is screwed into the female screw hole (7a) of the elbow rest support plate (7), so that the cover plate (20) and the movable plate (21) So that can move horizontally It is attached.
[0028]
That is, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 8, the length of the intermediate step portion (23b) excluding the head portion and the male screw portion (23a) in the stepped bolt (23) is set to the cover plate (20) and the movable plate. If the plate thickness is slightly larger than the combined thickness of (21), the cover plate (20) and the movable plate (21) are strengthened by the presser plate (22) no matter how much the stepped bolt (23) is tightened. They are not pressed down and can move horizontally with respect to the elbow rest support plate (7) and the presser plate (22).
[0029]
On the upper opening edge of the long hole (20a) of each cover plate (20), an upward ridge (20b) projecting a slightly larger vertical dimension than the plate thickness of the movable plate (21) is projected, The upward flange (20b) is loosely fitted in the adjustment hole (21a) of the movable plate (21).
[0030]
The adjustment hole (21a) facilitates movement of the movable plate (21) and the stepped bolt (23) in the horizontal direction when the elbow rest (3) is moved or rotated in the horizontal direction. In order to achieve this, the rectangular elongated hole is sufficiently larger than the size of the upward ridge (20b).
[0031]
A pair of guide members (24) and (24) are fixed by screws (25) at the center of the left and right sides in the recess (3a) formed on the lower surface of the elbow rest (3), and their opposing surfaces In the guide groove (24a) formed in the front-rear direction, slide rail portions (21b) formed on both sides of the movable plate (21) are fitted so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. (See FIG. 7).
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 7, the maximum amount of movement of both guide members (24), that is, the elbow pads (3) attached to the guide members (24), is a stopper protruding from the front and rear end faces of both guide members (24). When the piece (24b) comes into contact with the upward piece (21c) of the front and rear edges of the movable plate (21) and the elbow rest (3) moves to the maximum in the front and rear direction, the movable plate ( A required gap (S) (see FIG. 7) is formed between the front and rear end faces of 21) and the front and rear end faces of the recess (3a) of the armrest (3), and the movable plate (21) and the recess (3a) are formed. A finger or the like is not squeezed between the end face.
[0033]
The upper surface between the front and rear stepped bolts (23) in the presser plate (22) is made of a strip-shaped plate material such as elastic synthetic resin or spring steel, and the plate material has a symmetrical shape in plan view. A position adjusting member (26) continuously formed in a substantially drum-shaped frame having inwardly semicircular curved portions (26a) (26a) at the center of the left and right side pieces parallel to each other is mounted. The left and right side pieces at the upper end of the arm can be moved back and forth relative to the elbow rest (3) in a guide groove (3b) formed on the lower surface of the elbow rest (3). Is fitted as.
[0034]
The center and both sides of the outer peripheral surface of the front and rear pieces of the position adjusting member (26) are substantially inwardly V-shaped locking recesses that can be elastically engaged with the heads of the front and rear stepped bolts (23), respectively. The groove (26b) and the slanting inwardly inclined locking slope (26c) are formed symmetrically in the front-rear direction, and the stepped bolt (23) is formed in the locking concave groove (26b) and the locking slope (26c). When the head is in pressure contact, the position adjusting member (26) and the elbow rest (3) do not move in the left-right direction and are held in a fixed position.
[0035]
An elastic tongue piece (27) facing rearward is continuously provided on the upper surface of the center portion of the front end of the position adjusting member (26), and a hemispherical locking protrusion (27a) is provided on the upper surface of the rear end portion thereof. Yes. The locking protrusion (27a) is elastically engaged with a plurality of elliptical concave grooves (28) that are formed on the lower surface in the guide concave groove (3b) of the elbow rest (3) and face in the left-right direction. It can come together.
[0036]
The horizontal position of the elbow rest (3) is adjusted as follows.
As shown schematically in FIG. 9, when the elbow rest (3) is translated in the left-right direction and the distance between the elbow rests (3) is adjusted, the elbow rest (3) is grasped from above by hand. Apply force in the left-right direction. Then, since the position adjustment member (26) which is substantially integrated with the elbow rest (3) moves in the left-right direction with respect to the support rod (8), the locking recess at the center of the position adjustment member (26) until then. The stepped bolt (23) engaged with the groove (26b) is released from the locking groove (26b) while elastically deforming the position adjusting member (26) in the compression direction, and the side engagement It is elastically locked to the stop surface (26c).
[0037]
By positioning the front and rear stepped bolts (23) on the locking slope (26c) at the same position in the front-rear direction, the elbow rest (3) can be moved in parallel in the left-right direction.
[0038]
As schematically shown in FIG. 10, with the front stepped bolt (23) positioned in the front central locking groove (26b) of the position adjusting member (26), the rear left and right sides are engaged. When the rear stepped bolt (23) is positioned on the stop slope (26c), the rear side of the armrest (3) can be horizontally rotated in the left-right direction.
[0039]
In order to horizontally rotate the front side of the elbow rest (3) in the left-right direction, the rear stepped bolt (23) is positioned in the central locking groove (26b) on the rear side. In this state, the front stepped bolts (23) may be positioned on the front and left engaging slopes (26c).
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 11, the front-side right locking slope (26c) and the rear-side left locking slope (26c) or the front-side left locking slope (26c) of the position adjusting member (26). ) And the stepped bolt (23) on the right-side locking slope (26c) on the rear side, the horizontal rotation angle of the elbow rest (3) can be greatly adjusted.
[0041]
At this time, the position adjusting member (26) is elastically deformed in the compressing direction with the two curved portions (26a) as a center, and thus does not become unrotatable and increases its resilience. 3) is stably held in that position.
[0042]
As described above, when the elbow rest (3) is moved in the horizontal direction, the adjustment hole (21a) provided in the movable plate (21) that moves integrally with the elbow rest (3) is lateral to the presser plate (22). Depending on the displacement and moving direction, the adjustment hole (21a) opens largely downward.
[0043]
However, the cover plate (20) inserted so as to be movable between the elbow rest support plate (7) and the movable plate (21) moves together with the movable plate (21), and most of the adjustment hole (21a) is moved. Since the arm is always closed, even if the elbow rest (3) is moved carelessly, the finger or the like enters the adjustment hole (21a), and the edge of the adjustment hole (21a) and the elbow rest support plate (7 )
[0044]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the elbow rest (3) is strongly pressed in the front-rear direction, the elastic tongue piece (27) of the position adjusting member (26) is elastically deformed downward, and its locking projection ( 27a) is detached from the elliptical groove (28) on the bottom surface of the elbow rest (3) and can be engaged with an arbitrary groove (28) in the front-rear direction.
[0045]
Thereby, the position of the elbow rest (3) in the front-rear direction can be adjusted stepwise by the number of the elliptical grooves (28).
The position adjusting member (26) is not limited to the frame-shaped member as described above. For example, the outer shape may be a solid elastic body that is the same as that described above.
[0046]
FIG. 12 shows a modification of the position adjusting member. Like the above, the front and back of the position adjusting member (29) having an elastic and continuous frame shape having inwardly curved portions (29a) at the center portions on both sides. On the inner peripheral surface, an outwardly engaging concave groove (29b) is formed in the central portion and both side portions, and the head portion of the stepped bolt (23) is in pressure contact therewith.
[0047]
Even in this case, the horizontal position of the elbow rest (3) can be adjusted in the same manner as described above.
[0048]
In the above embodiment, the position adjusting member (26) is a separate body, but an elastic member having a plurality of locking recesses with which the stepped bolt (23) can be engaged is integrally formed on the lower surface of the elbow pad (3). It is possible to adjust the horizontal position of the armrest (3). In this case, an elastic tongue that adjusts the position of the elbow rest (3) in the front-rear direction is provided on the elbow rest (3) side, and a concave groove that can be engaged and disengaged is provided on the upper surface of the presser plate (22). Good.
[0049]
Further, a shaft-like member corresponding to the pair of front and rear stepped bolts (23) is projected on the lower surface of the elbow pad (3), and the position adjusting member (26) is supported on the elbow pad support plate (7) side. You may do it.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the locking means for locking and holding the support rod such as an armrest at an arbitrary height is provided in the tubular support column, so that even if the support rod is moved up and down, The locking means is not exposed to the outside and the appearance is improved.
In addition, since the locking means is not exposed to the outside, the vertical movement range of the support rod can be increased, and the vertical adjustment range of the armrest and the like can be increased.
Further, the height adjusting member is fitted into the support column, and the support rod and the operating lever are moved up and down in this position, and the height adjusting member is locked and held stepwise at an arbitrary height by the locking concave groove of the height adjusting member. In addition, since the engaging groove and the pin are engaged and disengaged in the column, the engaging groove and the pin are not exposed to the outside even if the support rod is greatly raised. Will improve.
Since the height adjustment member has a left and right split structure, it is easy to assemble the height adjustment member, support rod, operation lever, and pin, and in the state that these are integrally assembled in the column. Since it can be inserted, workability is good. Further, the height adjusting member can be easily formed from a synthetic resin or a sheet metal, and the operation of forming the locking groove is facilitated.
Since the support rod has a U-shaped cross section facing forward in plan view , the operation lever can be easily inserted into the support rod from the front thereof.
[0051]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the amount of insertion of the right and left height adjusting members into the support column is determined by the outward hook coming into contact with the upper end of the support column, so there is no risk of displacement in the vertical direction. .
[0052]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the height adjusting member is inserted into the column, the locking protrusion engages with the engaging hole of the column, thereby preventing the height adjusting member from coming off.
[0053]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the concave groove of the operation lever can be easily engaged with the pin from above with the pin inserted in the support rod in advance.
[0054]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the support rod is moved upward, the protruding portion from the support column is always covered with the cover that moves together with the support rod, so that the appearance is improved. Further, since it is not necessary to cover the locking groove formed in the support column with the cover as in the prior art, the vertical dimension of the cover can be minimized.
Furthermore, since a required gap is formed between the support columns, no sliding noise or scratches occur.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a chair to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is also an exploded perspective view of the entire armrest strut portion including an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view showing the structure of the height adjustment mechanism.
4 is an enlarged cross-sectional plan view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a central longitudinal sectional side view of the armrest device and the column height adjusting mechanism of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an engagement / disengagement state between the elastic tongue piece and the elliptical groove of the position adjusting member.
FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway plan view of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing how the cover plate, the movable plate, and the presser plate are attached to the armrest struts.
Similarly, FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a procedure for adjusting the position of the elbow rest in the left-right direction.
FIG. 10 is also a schematic plan view showing the point when adjusting the angle.
FIG. 11 is also a schematic plan view showing the point when the angle is largely adjusted.
FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a modification of the position adjustment member.
[Explanation of symbols]
(1) Armrest
(2) Armrest support
(2a) Engagement hole
(3) Elbow rest
(3a) Recess
(3b) Guide groove (concave)
(4) Prop cover
(4a) Inner cover
(4b) Outer cover
(5) Opening
(6) Support piece
(7) Elbow rest support plate (horizontal support part)
(7a) Female thread hole
(8) Elbow rest support rod
(9) Height adjustment plate
(9a) Outward facing
(9b) Locking protrusion
(10) Horizontal pin
(11) Control lever
(11a) Operation unit
(11b) Base piece
(12) Compression coil spring (biasing means)
(13) Cover
(14) Guide hole
(15) Locking groove
(16) Long hole
(17) Engagement pin
(17a) Small diameter part
(18) Concave groove
(19) Cylindrical support
(20) Cover plate
(20a) Long hole
(21) Movable plate
(21a) Adjustment hole
(22) Presser plate
(22a) Through hole
(23) Stepped bolt
(23a) Male thread
(23b) Step
(24) Guide member
(24a) Guide groove
(24b) Stopper piece
(25) Screw
(26) Position adjustment member
(26a) Curved part
(26b) Locking groove
(26c) Locking slope
(27) Elastic tongue
(27a) Locking protrusion
(28) Elliptical groove
(29) Position adjustment member
(29a) Curved part
(29b) Locking groove
(A) Chair
(B) Height adjustment mechanism
(C) Position adjustment mechanism

Claims (5)

A support rod with an armrest or the like attached to the upper end is slidably fitted to the column that is erected on both sides of the seat, and the support rod is locked to the column at an arbitrary height. In a height adjusting device such as an armrest of a chair provided with a locking means to
The locking means is fitted to the upper end of the support column so that the support rod having a U-shaped cross section facing forward is slidably inserted vertically, and on both left and right sides facing each other. A substantially tubular height adjusting member having a left and right split structure having a plurality of engaging concave grooves arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, and a longitudinal hole provided in the support rod in the front and rear direction. A pin that is inserted so that it can move and the left and right protruding ends can be engaged with and disengaged from the left and right locking grooves, and the lower part supports the pin so that the pin can be held and moved in the front-rear direction. And an operating lever that is fitted in the bag so as to be movable in the front-rear direction and is always urged by the urging means in a direction to engage with the locking groove. The armrest of the chair characterized by being provided inside the support column Height adjustment device and the like. The upper end of the height adjusting member, the height adjustment device of the armrest or the like of claim 1, wherein the chair having a lockable outward flange at the opening edge of the upper end of the strut.   An engagement hole is provided on both left and right side surfaces of the upper end portion of the support column, and a locking projection capable of engaging with the engagement hole is provided on both left and right side surfaces of the upper end portion of the height adjusting member. The height adjusting device such as the armrest of the described chair.   The height adjusting device such as an armrest of a chair according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an upward concave groove that engages with a pin is provided at a lower end of the operation lever.   The height adjustment of an armrest or the like of a chair according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a cover that moves up and down together with a support rod is attached to an upper end portion of the support column with a required gap between the cover and the outer peripheral surface of the support column. apparatus.

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