JP7520570B2 - Armrests and chairs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to armrests and chairs.

Chairs with armrests that can move up and down are known. This type of armrest comprises an armrest body and a height adjustment mechanism housed within the armrest body. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, the armrest body comprises a shell and a guide bar assembled in the left-right direction, and a cover plate that closes the storage space formed by the shell and the guide bar from above. In Patent Document 1 below, the height adjustment mechanism is housed within the storage space while suspended from the cover plate.

DE 10 2015 219 546 A1

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the height adjustment mechanism is suspended from the cover plate and supported with a gap between the shell and the guide bar. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in terms of improving the positioning accuracy of the height adjustment mechanism in the left-right direction (the assembly direction of the shell and guide bar) relative to the armrest body and the ease of assembly of the armrest.

The present invention aims to provide an armrest and chair that can improve positioning accuracy and ease of assembly.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following aspects.
An armrest in one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first member facing the chair body in a transverse direction that intersects the vertical direction, and a second member attached to the first member from the opposite side of the chair body to the first member and forming a storage space between the first member and the second member, and comprises an armrest body mounted on the chair body so as to be movable up and down, and a height adjustment mechanism for vertically positioning the armrest body relative to the chair body, the height adjustment mechanism comprising an operating member mounted on the armrest body so as to be movable in the transverse direction as the operating member moves between a locked position where the armrest body engages with one of a plurality of engaged portions mounted on the chair body at intervals in the vertical direction, and an unlocked position where the armrest is released from engagement with any of the engaged portions, and the operating member is mounted to one of the first and second members within the storage space.

According to this aspect, the actuating member can be pre-assembled to one of the members, and then the one member and the actuating member can be assembled together to the other member. This improves ease of assembly and improves the positioning accuracy of the actuating member relative to the armrest body, compared to assembling the first and second members while aligning them with the actuating member.

In the armrest of the above-mentioned aspect, it is preferable that the other of the first member and the second member has an opposing surface facing the one of the members within the storage space, and is provided with a regulating portion that regulates movement of the operating member toward the opposite side to the one of the members in the intersecting direction by abutting the operating member against the opposing surface in the intersecting direction.
According to this aspect, the movement of the actuating member toward the other member in the intersecting direction can be restricted, thereby preventing the actuating member from coming off one of the members and improving the positioning accuracy of the actuating member relative to the armrest body.

In the armrest of the above-mentioned aspect, it is preferable that the height adjustment mechanism comprises a linking member movably assembled to the other of the first and second members within the storage space, and that the linking member comprises an operating portion exposed to the outside of the armrest main body, and a connection portion connected to the actuating member within the storage space and moving the actuating member in response to operation of the operating portion.
According to this aspect, since the operating member is operated via the linking member, the layout flexibility of the operating member can be improved compared to a case in which the operating member itself is exposed from the other member.

In the armrest of the above aspect, it is preferable that the other member has an opening that opens in a direction different from the intersecting direction and into which the linking member is inserted.
According to this aspect, the linking member can be assembled from a direction different from the assembly direction (intersecting direction) of the first member and the second member. This allows the linking member to be assembled to the other member after the first member and the second member are assembled, and the linking member and the operating member can be connected. This further improves ease of assembly.

In the armrest of the above aspect, it is preferable that the one member is the first member, and the engaging member is assembled to the first member from the opposite side of the first member to the second member in the intersecting direction.
According to this aspect, the engaging member can be attached even after the first member and the second member are attached, which makes it possible to further improve ease of assembly.

In the armrest of the above-described aspect, it is preferable that the first member has a first positioning portion, and the second member has a second positioning portion that engages with the first positioning portion and positions the second member in the vertical direction relative to the first member.
According to this aspect, the first member and the second member can be positioned in the up-down direction before the first member and the second member are fixed together, which can further improve the ease of assembly.

In the armrest of the above aspect, it is preferable that the second positioning portion includes an upper edge portion that constitutes the top wall portion of the armrest main body, and the first positioning portion includes an abutment edge that abuts against the upper edge portion from below.
According to this aspect, by butting the upper edge portion against the abutting edge in the up-down direction, it becomes easier to position the first member and the second member in the up-down direction.

A chair according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a chair body and an armrest according to the above aspect provided on a widthwise side of the chair body.
According to this aspect, a chair that is easy to assemble and highly efficient to manufacture can be provided.

The above aspects can improve positioning accuracy and ease of assembly.

1 is a perspective view of a chair according to a first embodiment, seen from the left front. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the backrest and the backrest support portion according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of part IV in FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 10. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lifting unit according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lifting unit according to the first embodiment; 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a view taken along the arrow IX in FIG. 7 . 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 6. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 10 when the operating member according to the first embodiment is in a release position. FIG. 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the armrest according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the armrest according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the armrest according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the armrest according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the armrest according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the armrest according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the armrest according to the first embodiment. 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the armrest according to the first embodiment.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments and modifications described below, the same reference numerals may be used to designate corresponding configurations, and the description may be omitted. In the following description, expressions indicating relative or absolute arrangements, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," "center," and "coaxial," do not only strictly indicate such arrangements, but also indicate a state in which there is a relative displacement with an angle or distance to the extent that a tolerance or the same function is obtained. In this embodiment, "facing" does not only mean that the orthogonal directions (normal directions) of the two surfaces are aligned with each other, but also includes cases in which the orthogonal directions intersect with each other.

[Chair 1]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair 1 as seen from the front left.
As shown in Fig. 1, chair 1 has a support structure 2, a seat 3, and a backrest 4. In the following description, the directions of front, back, up, down, left and right, etc. are the same as the directions of a person (seater) sitting in a normal posture on chair 1. In this case, arrow UP in the figure indicates upward, arrow FR indicates forward, and arrow LH indicates left. In the following description, the side of each component that is away from the center in the front-back and left-right directions (width direction) may be referred to as the outside, and the side that faces the center may be referred to as the inside.

<Support structure 2>
The support structure 2 includes legs 11 , a base 12 , and a backrest support 13 .
The leg portion 11 includes a multi-pronged leg 14 and a leg pillar 15 .
Each leg of the multi-legged base 14 is fitted with a caster 16 for running on the floor surface.

The leg pillar 15 stands upright from the center of the multi-legged leg 14. The leg pillar 15 has a built-in gas spring 17 that serves as a lifting mechanism for the chair 1. The gas spring 17 is configured such that an inner cylinder 17a is supported so as to be liftable and rotatable relative to an outer cylinder (not shown) provided within the leg pillar 15.

The support base 12 is connected to the upper end of the leg 15 (inner cylinder 17a). The support base 12 supports the seat 3 from below. The support base 12 supports the backrest 4 via the backrest support part 13 so that it can tilt, and supports the seat 3 so that it can tilt in conjunction with the backrest support part 13. The support base 12 is equipped with an operating part for operating the gas spring 17, etc.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the backrest 4 and the backrest support portion 13. Fig. 2 shows a state in which a surface material 66, which will be described later, has been removed.
2, the backrest support portion 13 is formed in an L-shape when viewed from the left and right. Specifically, the backrest support portion 13 includes a lower frame 21 and an upper frame 22. The backrest support portion 13 is formed with ribs and/or hollowed-out portions as appropriate.

The lower frame 21 is formed in a C-shape that opens forward in a plan view. The lower frame 21 includes a support base connecting portion 23 and a support base cover 24.
The base connecting portion 23 extends in the left-right direction and is connected to the rear end portion of the base 12.
The support base cover 24 extends forward from the support base connecting portion 23. The support base cover 24 covers the outer periphery of the support base 12 and the periphery of the support base 12 from below.

The upper frame 22 is formed in a frame shape in a front view in cooperation with the support base connecting portion 23. Specifically, the upper frame 22 includes a pair of left and right upward extending portions 31 and an upper connecting portion 32 that bridges the upper ends of the upward extending portions 31.
The upper connecting portion 32 is formed in a circular arc shape that protrudes rearward.

The upward extensions 31 extend upward from both left and right ends of the base connection part 23. The upper ends of the upward extensions 31 are connected to each other by the upper connection part 32. In this embodiment, the upward extensions 31 extend at a gradual incline forward and outward in the left and right direction as they extend upward.

<Backrest 4>
As shown in FIG. 1, the backrest 4 is connected to the rear end of the support base 12 so as to be tiltable. The backrest 4 includes a backrest main body 61 and an armrest 62. The backrest 4 may be configured so as not to be tiltable relative to the support base 12. In this embodiment, the armrest 62 is attached to the backrest support portion 13, and therefore the armrest 62 is described as a part of the backrest 4, but is not limited to this configuration. The armrest 62 may be a part of the support structure 2 or the seat 3. The armrest 62 may also be attached to the backrest main body 61. In other words, at least one of the support structure 2, the seat 3, and the backrest main body 61 constitutes the chair main body of this embodiment.

<Backrest body 61>
The backrest main body 61 supports the lower back, back, etc., of a person seated on the chair 1 from behind. The backrest main body 61 includes a backrest frame 65 and a surface material 66. The backrest main body 61 may be formed integrally with the backrest support portion 13.

As shown in Fig. 2, the backrest frame 65 is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front. The lower frame portion 68 of the backrest frame 65 is formed in a circular arc shape that protrudes rearward. The vertical frame portion 69 of the backrest frame 65 extends upward from both left and right ends of the lower frame portion 68. In this embodiment, the vertical frame portion 69 starts from a bent portion 69a located at the bottom and extends rearward as it heads upward and downward.
An upper frame portion 70 of the backrest frame 65 connects the upper ends of the vertical frame portions 69. The upper frame portion 70 is formed in a circular arc shape that protrudes rearward.

A backrest connecting portion 72 is formed in the backrest frame 65 at a portion located below the bent portion 69a of each vertical frame portion 69. The backrest connecting portion 72 protrudes inward in the left-right direction from each vertical frame portion 69. The lower edge of the backrest connecting portion 72 is connected to the lower frame portion 68. The backrest connecting portion 72 is formed following the front surface of the above-mentioned upward extension portion 31. Each backrest connecting portion 72 is fastened to the corresponding upward extension portion 31 by bolts, nuts, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the face material 66 is engaged with the outer periphery of the backrest frame 65 and covers the backrest frame 65 from the front. The face material 66 is made of a membrane-like material such as mesh or cloth, and is configured to be elastically deformable.

<Armrest 62>
The armrest 62 includes a support 100 and a lifting unit 102. The armrest 62 has a symmetrical configuration, so the following description will be given using the right armrest 62 as an example.

<Support 100>
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support 100.
As shown in Fig. 3, the support 100 is formed in a block shape with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction. The support 100 is integrally formed from, for example, a resin material. The support 100 is fixed to the upward extension 31 of the backrest support part 13, and supports the lifting unit 102 so that it can move up and down. The support 100 includes a support base 110 and a lifting support part 111.

The support base 110 extends forward toward the outside in the left-right direction in a plan view. The inner end of the support base 110 in the left-right direction is attached to the upper extension portion 31 from the outside in the left-right direction by bolts or the like.

An engaged portion 120 is formed on the surface of the support base 110 facing outward in the left-right direction. The engaged portion 120 is a recess that opens outward in the left-right direction. The engaged portion 120 is formed in a frustum shape whose area (opening area) in a side view gradually decreases as it approaches the inside in the left-right direction.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion IV in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, an upper surface 120a and a lower surface 120b of the inner surface of the engaged portion 120 are formed as inclined surfaces that extend in directions approaching each other as they move inward in the left-right direction.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG.
As shown in Fig. 5, the front surface 120c and the rear surface 120d of the inner surface of the engaged portion 120 are formed as inclined surfaces that extend in a direction approaching each other toward the inside in the left-right direction. A plurality of engaged portions 120 are formed at intervals in the up-down direction. Note that the engaged portions 120 are not limited to recesses, and may be protrusions or the like.

The lift support portion 111 includes a guide wall portion 121 and a first stopper wall portion 122 .
The guide walls 121 are formed in a pair at both front and rear ends of the support base 110 .

The first stopper wall 122 protrudes from the tip of the guide wall 121 (the outer end in the left-right direction) toward the inside in the front-rear direction (the guide wall 121 facing each other). Therefore, the portion surrounded by the support base 110 and the lift support 111 forms a dovetail-shaped guide groove 129. That is, the guide groove 129 opens to the outside in the left-right direction and extends in the up-down direction. The above-mentioned engaged portion 120 opens on the bottom surface of the guide groove 129 (the outer surface of the support base 110). In this embodiment, the first stopper wall 122 gradually extends toward the outside in the left-right direction as it moves toward the inside in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the inner surface of the guide groove 129 has inclined surfaces (front inclined surface 129a and rear inclined surface 129b) that extend in a direction approaching each other as they move toward the outside in the left-right direction.

In this embodiment, the front inclined surface 129a and the rear surface 120d of the engaged portion 120, as well as the rear inclined surface 129b and the front surface 120c of the engaged portion 120, extend non-parallel to each other while facing each other in the front-rear direction. In the illustrated example, the front inclined surface 129a and the rear surface 120d of the engaged portion 120, as well as the rear inclined surface 129b and the front surface 120c of the engaged portion 120, extend in a direction away from each other as they move inward in the left-right direction. However, the front inclined surface 129a and the rear surface 120d of the engaged portion 120, as well as the rear inclined surface 129b and the front surface 120c of the engaged portion 120 may extend parallel to each other.

<Lifting unit 102>
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lifting unit 102. As shown in FIG.
6, the lifting unit 102 is supported by the support body 100 so as to be movable up and down. The lifting unit 102 includes an armrest main body 130, a positioning mechanism 131, and an elbow rest portion 132.

<Armrest body 130>
The armrest body 130 is a hollow member formed in an L-shape when viewed from the side. Specifically, the armrest body 130 includes an exterior body portion 135, a side cover 136, an upper cover 137, and an end cap 138.
The exterior main body portion 135 constitutes the exterior of the armrest main body 130. Specifically, the exterior main body portion 135 is configured such that a first exterior portion 140 and a second exterior portion 141 are integrally formed.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the lifting unit 102. As shown in FIG.
7, the first exterior part 140 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction and has a shape flattened in the left-right direction in a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction. Specifically, the first exterior part 140 extends in the up-down direction along the support body 100. In the illustrated example, the first exterior part 140 is inclined forward and outward in the left-right direction as it extends upward.

The first exterior part 140 has a side opening 145 that opens inward in the left-right direction. The side opening 145 extends in the up-down direction along the extension direction of the first exterior part 140. The side opening 145 opens on the lower edge of the first exterior part 140.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 7, ribs (first rib 147 and second rib 148) are formed on the inner surface of the first exterior part 140, protruding inward in the left-right direction (toward the side opening 145). The first rib 147 extends in the up-down and front-rear directions at the center of the first exterior part 140 in the front-rear direction. The second rib 148 is provided on both the front and rear sides of the first rib 147 on the first exterior part 140. The second rib 148 protrudes inward in the left-right direction more than the first rib 147. The tip surface 147a of the first rib 147 and the tip surface 148a of the second rib 148 face the side cover 136 (cover body 150) in the left-right direction.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG.
As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the second exterior part 141 extends forward in a cantilever manner from the upper end part of the first exterior part 140. In the example shown in the figures, the second exterior part 141 opens upward. The second exterior part 141 communicates with the inside of the first exterior part 140 at the rear end part. A lever exposure hole 144 (see Figure 8) is formed in the bottom wall of the second exterior part 141. The lever exposure hole 144 is formed in the shape of a slit extending in the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 7, the side cover 136 constitutes the surface of the outer surface of the armrest body 130 that faces inward in the left-right direction. The side cover 136 is attached to the exterior body part 135 with the side opening 145 closed, thereby forming a storage space S (see FIG. 5) for the armrest body 130 between the side cover 136 and the exterior body part 135. Specifically, the side cover 136 includes a cover body 150, a claw part 151, and a rail 152.

The cover body 150 is formed in a plate shape extending in the up-down direction with the thickness direction being the left-right direction. The cover body 150 is fastened to the first exterior part 140 (exterior body part 135) by bolts 156 with the outer peripheral edge abutting against the opening edge of the side opening 145. In this way, the cover body 150 closes the side opening 145. Specifically, the front end edge 150a and the rear end edge 150b of the outer peripheral edge of the cover body 150 abut against the front end opening edge 145a and the rear end opening edge 145b of the opening edge of the side opening 145, respectively, in the left-right direction.

On the other hand, the upper edge of the cover body 150 is formed with a first abutment portion 150c and a second abutment portion 150d. The first abutment portion 150c is a portion that extends linearly in the front-rear direction at the upper edge of the cover body 150. The first abutment portion 150c is abutted from below against the rear abutment portion 145c of the upper opening edge of the side opening 145. The second abutment portion 150d is inclined forward as it moves downward from the front end of the first abutment portion 150c at the upper edge of the cover body 150. The second abutment portion 150d is abutted from behind against the front abutment portion 145d of the upper opening edge of the side opening 145. As a result, the cover body 150 is assembled in a state where it is abutted against the armrest body 130 in any direction, including front-rear, up-down, left-right, and right-left.

The claws 151 protrude from the front edge 150a and the upper edge (first abutment portion 150c, second abutment portion 150d) of the cover body 150. When the cover body 150 and the first exterior portion 140 are assembled, each claw 151 is engaged in the left-right direction within the first exterior portion 140.

As shown in FIG. 5, a cover rib 153 is provided in a portion of the cover body 150 located between the first rib 147 and the second rib 148 in the exterior body part 135. The cover rib 153 protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the cover body 150. The cover body 150 and the first exterior part 140 are assembled in a state in which the second rib 148 is close to or in contact with the cover body 150, and the cover rib 153 is close to or in contact with the first exterior part 140. Note that when the cover body 150 and the first exterior part 140 are assembled, a gap is provided between the first rib 147 and the cover body 150.

The cover body 150 is formed with a storage groove 155 that opens inward in the left-right direction. The storage groove 155 has opposing sides in the front-to-rear direction (front side 155a and rear side 155b) that extend away from each other as they move inward in the left-to-right direction, so that the opening width (front-to-rear width) gradually increases as it moves inward in the left-to-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, the rail 152 protrudes inward in the left-right direction from the bottom surface of the accommodation groove 155 of the cover body 150. The rail 152 is accommodated in the guide groove 129 and is supported by the support body 100 so as to be movable up and down. The rail 152 includes a protrusion portion 165 and a second stopper wall portion 166.

As shown in FIG. 5, the protrusion 165 protrudes inward in the left-right direction from the cover body 150 and extends in the up-down direction. The protrusion 165 is accommodated in the guide groove 129. A protrusion groove 167 extending in the up-down direction is formed in the center of the protrusion 165 in the front-rear direction. The protrusion groove 167 opens inward in the left-right direction.

The second stopper wall portion 166 protrudes from the tip portion (the inner end portion in the left-right direction) of the protrusion portion 165 on both the front and rear sides. Each second stopper wall portion 166 is engaged in the left-right direction with the corresponding first stopper wall portion 122 within the guide groove 129. In this embodiment, the engaging surfaces (front engaging surface 166a and rear engaging surface 166b) of the second stopper wall portion 166 that face the first stopper wall portion 122 are inclined surfaces that extend in a direction away from each other as they move inward in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 7, the side cover 136 has a central through hole 171 and an auxiliary through hole 172 that penetrate the side cover 136 in the left-right direction. Each through hole 171, 172 opens on the bottom surface of the protruding groove portion 167.

FIG. 9 is a view taken along the line IX in FIG.
9, the central insertion hole 171 is formed in the vertical center of the side cover 136. The central insertion hole 171 is formed in a rectangular shape with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction when viewed from the side in the left-right direction.

A central guide 174 is formed on the inner surface (front inner surface 171a) of the central through hole 171 located at the front. The central guides 174 are formed on the front inner surface 171a at intervals in the up-down direction. Each central guide 174 protrudes rearward from the front inner surface 171a. The central guides 174 are formed on an inclined surface that protrudes gradually more from the front inner surface 171a as it goes upward. The central guides 174 protrude uniformly from the front inner surface 171a in the cross-sectional view of the central through hole 171 across the entire left-right direction. In addition, the bolt 156 insertion openings 169 are opened on the bottom surface of the protruding groove portion 167 in the portions located on both the top and bottom sides of the central through hole 171.

The auxiliary through hole 172 opens at a portion located on the bottom surface of the protruding groove portion 167, which is located on the outer side in the up-down direction with respect to the through opening 169. The auxiliary through hole 172 is formed in a rectangular shape in a side view. An auxiliary guide 175 is formed on the front inner surface 172a of the auxiliary through hole 172. The auxiliary guide 175 is formed on an inclined surface that gradually increases the amount of protrusion from the front inner surface 172a as it goes upward. The auxiliary guide 175 protrudes from the front inner surface 172a in a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary through hole 172 uniformly over the entire left-right direction. The auxiliary guide 175 may be parallel or non-parallel to the central guide 174.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the cover body 150, in the portion overlapping with each of the insertion holes 171, 172 in a side view, a communication groove 177 is formed that opens outward in the left-right direction. The communication groove 177 extends in the up-down direction. Each of the insertion holes 171, 172 opens on the bottom surface of the communication groove 177. A locking piece 179 is formed in the portion of the inner surface of the communication groove 177 that faces each other in the front-rear direction. The locking pieces 179 are formed in pairs at the same position in the up-down direction, and are spaced apart in the up-down direction.

6 and 7, the upper cover 137 closes the upper opening of the exterior main body 135 from above. The upper cover 137, together with the edge of the upper opening of the exterior main body 135, constitutes the top wall of the armrest body 130.
The end cap 138 is attached to the exterior body 135 with the lower end of the side cover 136 sandwiched therebetween. A hook 180 is formed at the upper end of the end cap 138, with a gap between it and the cover body 150.

<Positioning mechanism 131>
7, the positioning mechanism 131 includes an operating lever 200, an engaging member 201, and an operating member 202. In addition to the positioning mechanism 131, the engaged portion 120 and the guide groove 129 of the support body 100, the rail 152 of the armrest body 130, etc. form the height adjustment mechanism of this embodiment.

<Operation lever 200>
8, the operating lever 200 extends in the front-rear direction within the exterior main body portion 135. The operating lever 200 includes an arm portion 205, a rotation support portion 206, an operating portion 207, and a linking portion 208.

The arm portion 205 extends in the front-rear direction within the second exterior portion 141 .
The rotation support part 206 is located at the front end part of the arm part 205. The rotation support part 206 is supported at a part located forward of the lever exposure hole 144 in the second exterior part 141 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the left-right direction.

The operating portion 207 bulges downward from the center in the front-rear direction of the arm portion 205. The operating portion 207 protrudes downward from the second exterior portion 141 through the lever exposure hole 144.
The linking portion 208 protrudes rearward from the rear end of the arm portion 205. The linking portion 208 faces the upper end portion inside the first exterior portion 140.

<Engagement Member 201>
7, the engagement member 201 determines the vertical position of the armrest main body 130 relative to the support body 100. The engagement member 201 is disposed on the opposite side to the operating member 202 with the side cover 136 interposed therebetween.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10 , the engaging member 201 includes an engaging base 230 , a locking portion 231 , an engaging/disengaging portion 232 , a pressed portion 233 , and an auxiliary pressed portion 234 .
The engagement base 230 extends in the up-down direction within the protruding groove portion 167. Therefore, the engagement base 230 covers the insertion holes 171, 172 and the insertion opening 169 from the inside in the left-right direction. The width (front-rear dimension) of the engagement base 230 is narrower than the groove width of the protruding groove portion 167.
The locking portion 231 protrudes downward from the lower end of the engagement base 230. The locking portion 231 is inserted between the side cover 136 and the end cap 138, and is locked to the hook portion 180 from the outside in the left-right direction. Therefore, the engagement member 201 is housed in the protruding groove portion 167 so as to be movable in the front-rear, up-down, left-right directions, while its movement inward in the left-right direction is restricted by the hook portion 180.

As shown in FIG. 4, the engaging/disengaging portion 232 engages with or disengages from one of the engaged portions 120 described above depending on the height position of the lifting unit 102 relative to the support 100. That is, the engaging member 201 moves left and right between a locked position (see FIG. 4) in which the engaging/disengaging portion 232 engages with one of the engaged portions 120, and an unlocked position (see FIG. 13) in which the engaging member 201 is disengaged from the engaged portion 120.

The engaging/disengaging portions 232 are provided at a height equal to that of the central through-hole 171 of the engagement base 230, and are spaced apart in the vertical direction (for example, two). When viewed from the front, the engaging/disengaging portions 232 are formed in a semicircular shape that protrudes inward in the left-right direction. Therefore, the upper surface 232a and the lower surface 232b of the engaging/disengaging portions 232 are curved surfaces that extend in a direction approaching each other as they move inward in the left-right direction. However, the upper surface 232a and the lower surface 232b of the engaging/disengaging portions 232 may be inclined surfaces or the like. Note that the engaging/disengaging portions 232 may be rectangular in shape when viewed from the front, as long as they have a shape that can engage with the engaged portion 120.

As shown in FIG. 5, the engaging/disengaging portion 232 is formed in a trapezoid shape whose front-rear width tapers toward the inside in the left-right direction in a plan view. Therefore, the front surface 232c and the rear surface 232d of the engaging/disengaging portion 232 are inclined surfaces that extend toward each other toward the inside in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the front surface 232c and the rear engaging surface 166b, and the rear surface 232d and the front engaging surface 166a are non-parallel to each other. In the illustrated example, the front surface 232c and the rear engaging surface 166b, and the rear surface 232d and the front engaging surface 166a extend in a direction that separates them from each other toward the inside in the left-right direction.

4, the pressed portion 233 bulges outward in the left-right direction from the same height as the engaging portion 232 of the engaging base 230. The pressed portion 233 faces the inside of the armrest body 130 through the central insertion hole 171. The pressed portion 233 moves left-right inside the central insertion hole 171 as the engaging member 201 moves left-right.
9 , in this embodiment, the maximum dimension H1 in the up-down direction of the pressed portion 233 is greater than the minimum dimension H2 in the up-down direction of the central insertion hole 171. The maximum dimension D1 in the front-rear direction of the pressed portion 233 is less than the minimum dimension D2 in the front-rear direction of the central insertion hole 171. Therefore, the pressed portion 233 is configured to be movable in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction within the central insertion hole 171 as the engaging member 201 moves in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction relative to the armrest main body 130.

4, the pressed portion 233 is formed in a stepped shape such that the lower the pressed portion 233, the greater the amount of protrusion from the engagement base 230. Specifically, an upper stage portion 240 constituting the upper portion of the pressed portion 233 is formed with an upper stage cam follower surface 240a and an upper stage restricting surface 240b.
The upper cam follower surface 240a is an inclined surface that extends downward and outward in the left-right direction.
The upper-stage restriction surface 240b is a flat surface that extends linearly downward from the upper-stage cam follower surface 240a.

The lower step portion 241 constituting the lower portion of the pressed portion 233 is continuous with the lower end of the upper step portion 240 (restriction surface 240b) and protrudes outward in the left-right direction relative to the upper step portion 240. The lower step portion 241 is formed with a lower step cam follower surface 241a and a lower step restriction surface 241b.
The lower cam follower surface 241a is an inclined surface that extends downward and outward in the left-right direction.
The lower restriction surface 241b is a flat surface that extends linearly downward from the lower cam follower surface 241a.

10 , the auxiliary pressed portion 234 protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the engagement base 230 at the same height as the auxiliary insertion holes 172. The auxiliary pressed portion 234 faces the inside of the armrest body 130 through each auxiliary insertion hole 172. The auxiliary pressed portion 234 moves left-right within the auxiliary insertion hole 172 as the engagement member 201 moves left-right.
As shown in FIG. 9 , the auxiliary pressed portion 234 is configured to be able to move up and down and front and rear within the auxiliary insertion hole 172 in accordance with the up and down and front and rear movement of the engaging member 201 relative to the armrest main body 130 .

As shown in FIG. 10, the auxiliary pressed portion 234 is formed with an auxiliary follower surface 234a and an auxiliary regulating surface 234b. The auxiliary follower surface 234a is formed as an inclined surface that extends outward in the left-right direction as it extends downward. The auxiliary regulating surface 234b is a flat surface that extends linearly downward from the auxiliary follower surface 234a. Note that, in this embodiment, a configuration in which both the pressed portion 233 and the auxiliary pressed portion 234 are connected via the engagement base 230 is described, but this configuration is not limited. It is sufficient that the engagement member 201 has at least the engaging/disengaging portion 232 and the pressed portion 233.

<Operating member 202>
7, the operating member 202 presses the engaging member 201 towards the lock position in response to operation of the operating lever 200. The operating member 202 includes an operating base 250, a lever connecting portion 251, and a pressing portion 252.

As shown in Figures 5 and 10, the operating base 250 extends in the up-down direction with the left-right direction as the thickness direction. The tip surface 147a of the first rib 147 described above is in close proximity to or in contact with the operating base 250 from the outside in the left-right direction. This restricts the movement of the operating member 202 outward in the left-right direction relative to the armrest main body 130. The operating base 250 is formed with a through hole 253 that passes through the operating base 250 in the left-right direction. The through hole 253 is formed in an elliptical shape with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction. A bolt or the like that fastens the exterior main body part 135 and the side cover 136 passes through the through hole 253.
The lever connection part 251 is formed on the upper end part of the operating base 250. The above-mentioned linking part 208 is engaged with the lever connection part 251. That is, the operating member 202 moves up and down with respect to the armrest body 130 as the operating lever 200 rotates about its axis.

The pressing portion 252 is arranged on the cover body 150 within the communication groove 177 so that it can move up and down. The pressing portion 252 has a central pressing portion 252A arranged at the same height as the central insertion hole 171, and an auxiliary pressing portion 252B arranged at the same height as the auxiliary insertion hole 172.

4, the central pressing portion 252A bulges inward in the left-right direction from the operating base 250. The central pressing portions 252A are formed in a stepped shape with the upper portions protruding more from the operating base 250. Specifically, an upper step portion 254 constituting the upper portion of the central pressing portion 252A is formed with an upper step pressing surface 254a and an upper step cam surface 254b.
The upper pressing surface 254a is formed as a flat surface that extends linearly in the vertical direction.
The upper cam surface 254b is formed as an inclined surface that extends outward in the left-right direction as it extends downward from the upper pressing surface 254a.

A lower pressing surface 255a and a lower cam surface 255b are formed on a lower stage portion 255 constituting the lower portion of the central pressing portion 252A.
The lower pressing surface 255a is formed as a flat surface that extends linearly in the vertical direction.
The lower cam surface 255b is formed as an inclined surface that extends outward in the left-right direction as it extends downward from the lower pressing surface 255a.

As shown in FIG. 5, a central protrusion 256 is formed at the inner end of the upper stage 254 in the left-right direction. The central protrusion 256 protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the upper stage 254. The central protrusion 256 is engaged from the inside in the left-right direction by the engaging piece 179 that faces the central insertion hole 171, among the engaging pieces 179 described above.

10, the auxiliary pressing portion 252B bulges inward in the left-right direction from the operating base 250. An auxiliary pressing surface 257a and an auxiliary cam surface 257b are formed on the auxiliary pressing portion 252B.
The auxiliary pressing surface 257a is formed as a flat surface that extends linearly in the vertical direction.
The auxiliary cam surface 257b is formed as an inclined surface that extends outward in the left-right direction as it extends downward from the auxiliary pressing surface 257a.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of FIG.
11, an auxiliary protrusion 259 is formed at the inner end of the auxiliary pressing portion 252B in the left-right direction. The auxiliary protrusion 259 protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the auxiliary pressing portion 252B. The auxiliary protrusion 259 is engaged with the locking piece 179, one of the locking pieces 179 described above, that faces the auxiliary insertion hole 172, from the inner side in the left-right direction.

The actuating member 202 of this embodiment is configured to be movable up and down between a restricting position (see FIG. 10) that restricts the movement of the engaging member 201 from the locked position to the unlocked position, and a restricting release position (FIG. 12) that allows the engaging member 201 to move from the locked position to the unlocked position. In the restricting position shown in FIG. 10, the central pressing portion 252A (pressing surfaces 254a, 255a) approaches or abuts the pressed portion 233 (restricting surfaces 240b, 241b) from the outside in the left-right direction, and the auxiliary pressing portion 252B (auxiliary pressing surface 257a) approaches or abuts the auxiliary pressed portion 234 (auxiliary restricting surface 234b) from the outside in the left-right direction, thereby restricting the movement of the engaging member 201 to the outside in the left-right direction (unlocked position). This maintains the engagement state between the engaging/disengaging portion 232 and the engaged portion 120. As shown in FIG. 11, when the engaging member 201 is in the locked position, the engaging base 230 abuts against the bottom surface of the guide groove 129 (the outer surface of the support base 110) that is located between adjacent engaged parts 120 from the outside in the left-right direction.

In the vertical cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 4, when the engaging member 201 is in the locked position, the lower surface 232b of the engaging/disengaging portion 232 is supported from below by the lower surface 120b of the engaged portion 120.
9, when the engaging member 201 is in the locked position, the pressed portions 233, 234 are in proximity to or in contact with the upper opening edges of the corresponding insertion holes 171, 172 from below. In this case, the pressed portions 233, 234 are pressed rearward by the guides 174, 175. As a result, in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 5, the rear surface 232d of the engaging/disengaging portion 232 is in contact with the rear surface 120d of the engaged portion 120.

Here, the front inclined surface 129a of the guide groove 129 and the rear surface 120d of the engaged portion 120, as well as the rear inclined surface 129b of the guide groove 129 and the front surface 120c of the engaged portion 120, face each other with at least a part of the lifting unit 102 sandwiched between them. Specifically, the front inclined surface 129a and the rear surface 120d, as well as the rear inclined surface 129b and the front surface 120c, are arranged with the engaging/disengaging portion 232 and a part of the rail 152 sandwiched between them.

Therefore, the rear surface 232d of the engaging/disengaging portion 232 abuts against the rear surface 120d of the engaged portion 120, and the lifting unit 102 is pressed forward (in this embodiment, forward and outward in the left-right direction) by the reaction force acting between the rear surfaces 120d, 232d. In this case, the lifting unit 102 is placed in the guide groove 129 with the rail 152 tilted forward from the periphery of the engaging/disengaging portion 232 as the starting point. That is, in the periphery of the engaging/disengaging portion 232 and in the portion located above the engaging/disengaging portion 232, the rail 152 tilts forward, and the front engaging surface 166a abuts against the front inclined surface 129a of the guide groove 129. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, in the portion located below the engaging/disengaging portion 232, the rail 152 tilts backward, and the rear engaging surface 166b abuts against the rear inclined surface 129b of the guide groove 129.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 10 when the actuating member 202 is in the unrestricted position.
12, in the unrestricted position of the operating member 202, the central pressing portion 252A (pressing surfaces 254a, 255a) retracts upward from the pressed portion 234 (restricted surfaces 240b, 241b), and the auxiliary pressing portion 252B (auxiliary pressing surface 257a) retracts upward from the auxiliary pressed portion 234 (auxiliary restricted surface 234b). This allows the engagement member 201 to move left and right by the gap between the pressed portions 234, 245 and the operating base 50. The operating member 202 is constantly urged toward the restricted position (downward) by a urging member 260 interposed between the operating member 202 and the side cover 136.

[Armrest operation method]
13 to 20 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the armrest 62. Next, as a method of operating the armrest 62, the raising and lowering operation of the armrest 62 will be described. In the initial state, the armrest 62 is positioned at the uppermost end relative to the support body 100. That is, as shown in Fig. 10, the engaging/disengaging portion 232 is engaged with each of the two engaged portions 120 including the uppermost engaged portion 120.

To lower the lifting unit 102 in the initial state, for example, the operating part 207 is grasped together with the armrest 132 and the operating part 207 is pulled up. Then, the operating lever 200 rotates around the axis, and the operating member 202 is pulled up through the linking part 208. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, each pressing part 252 of the operating member 202 retreats upward from the corresponding pressed parts 233, 234, and the operating member 202 moves to the restriction release position. As a result, the engagement member 201 is allowed to move outward in the left-right direction (unlocked position). Note that, as in this embodiment, the pivot support part 206, which serves as the fulcrum, is disposed on the opposite side of the linking part 208, which serves as the force point, with the operating part 207, which serves as the point of action, between them, making it easy to ensure the amount of movement of the linking part 208 relative to the amount of operation of the operating part 207. Therefore, the amount of movement of the operating member 202 can be ensured while suppressing the enlargement of the armrest body 130.

4 and 13, when the operating member 202 moves to the restriction release position, the lower surface 232b of the engaging portion 232 slides on the lower surface 120b of the engaged portion 120 due to, for example, the weight of the engaging member 201. As a result, the engaging member 201 moves downward relative to the support body 100 and the armrest body 130 while moving outward in the left-right direction. When moving the engaging member 201 to the unlocked position, the weight of the entire lifting unit 102 may be applied in addition to the weight of the engaging member 201. A downward force may also be applied to the engaging member 201 via the armrest body 130. That is, by applying a downward force to the lifting unit 102 via the armrest 132 or the like, a downward force is applied to the engaging member 201 (pressed portion 233) via the upper opening edge of the central insertion hole 171. This allows the lower surface 232b of the engaging/disengaging portion 232 to slide smoothly over the lower surface 120b of the engaged portion 120.

13 to 15, when the engaging/disengaging portion 232 disengages from the engaged portion 120, the engaging member 201 moves downward relative to the support body 100 and the armrest body 130 due to its own weight, causing the pressed portions 233, 234 to move away from the upper opening edges of the corresponding insertion holes 171, 172. This releases the restriction on the movement of the pressed portions 233, 234 by the guides 174, 175. As a result, the rear surface 232d of the engaging/disengaging portion 232 moves away from the rear surface 120d of the engaged portion 120, and the pressing of the front engaging surface 166a against the front inclined surface 129a of the guide groove 129 is released.
As a result of the above, the engagement between the engaging/disengaging portion 232 and the engaged portion 120 is released, and the engaging/disengaging portion 232 is in the unlocked position.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the unlocked state, the lifting unit 102 is pushed down while holding the operating part 207. Then, the engaging/disengaging part 232 climbs downward over the engaged part 120, and the rail 152 moves downward within the guide groove 129. This causes the lifting unit 102 to move downward relative to the support body 100.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 17, when the lifting unit 102 reaches a predetermined height, the operating part 207 is released. Then, the operating member 202 moves downward due to the biasing force of the biasing member 260, and the operating lever 200 rotates downward around the axis. As the operating member 202 moves downward, the cam surfaces 254b, 255b, and 257b of the operating member 202 slide on the follower surfaces 240a, 241a, and 234a of the corresponding pressed parts 233 and 234. As a result, the engaging member 201 moves toward the engaged part 120 as the operating member 202 moves downward. That is, the engaging/disengaging part 232 enters the engaged part 120 below the engaged part 120 that was engaged in the initial state. As shown in Fig. 18, the operating member 202 moves to the restricted position, and the outward movement of the engaging member 201 in the left-right direction is restricted.

Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 19, for example, when the user releases his/her hand from the elbow rest portion 132, the armrest body 130 moves downward relative to the engaging member 201. Then, the pressed portions 233, 234 are guided rearward by sliding on the guides 174, 175 within the insertion holes 171, 172. As a result, as shown in Fig. 20, the rear surface 232d of the engaging/disengaging portion 232 is pushed toward the rear surface 120d of the engaged portion 120. Thus, by pressing the armrest body 130 forward, the second stopper wall portion 166 is held in a state in which the front engaging surface 166a at the upper portion abuts against the front inclined surface 129a of the guide groove 129, and the rear engaging surface 166b at the lower portion abuts against the rear inclined surface 129b of the guide groove 129.
As a result, the engaging/disengaging portion 232 is again in the locked position, and the lifting/lowering operation of the lifting unit 102 is completed.

In this embodiment, the front inclined surface 129a and the rear surface 120d of the engaged portion 120 extend in a direction away from each other as they move inward in the left-right direction. Therefore, as the rear surface 232d of the engaging/disengaging portion 232 is pressed against the rear surface 120d of the engaged portion 120, the front engaging surface 166a of the rail 152 slides on the front inclined surface 129a of the guide groove 129, and the lifting unit 102 is pulled inward in the left-right direction. As a result, in the locked position, as shown in FIG. 5, the rail 152 is close to or in contact with the bottom surface of the guide groove 129, and the first stopper wall portion 122 is close to or in contact with the bottom surface of the accommodation groove 155.

When raising the lifting unit 102, with the operating member 202 in the release position, an upward pushing force is applied to the lifting unit 102 via the armrest 132, etc. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the armrest body 130 moves upward relative to the engaging member 201, causing the lower end opening edge of the central insertion hole 171 to abut against the pressed portion 233 from below. Then, by further pulling up the lifting unit 102, the engaging member 201 is pushed up together with the armrest body 130 via the lower end opening edge of the central insertion hole 171. As a result, even if the engaging/disengaging portion 232 has not yet reached the unlocked position, the upper surface 232a of the engaging/disengaging portion 232 slides on the upper surface 120a of the engaged portion 120. As a result, the engaging member 201 can be smoothly guided toward the unlocked position.

<Method of Assembling Armrest 62>
Next, a method for assembling the armrest 62 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 10. First, the actuating member 202 is assembled to the side cover 136. Specifically, the pressing portions 252A and 252B are inserted into the communication groove 177 from above, and the protruding portions 256 and 259 are engaged with the corresponding engaging pieces 179. Next, the biasing member 260 is inserted between the actuating member 202 and the side cover 136 through the through hole 253.

Next, with the operating member 202 installed, the side cover 136 is attached to the exterior body 135 using the bolts 156. After that, the operating lever 200 is attached through the upper end opening of the exterior body 135. At this time, the linking portion 208 of the operating lever 200 is hooked onto the lever connection portion 251 inside the exterior body 135.

Next, the engaging member 201 is assembled to the side cover 136. Specifically, the engaging base 230 is placed in the protruding groove 167 with the pressed portions 233, 234 inserted into the corresponding insertion holes 171, 172. This causes the insertion holes 171, 172 and the insertion opening 169 to be covered by the engaging base 230. Thereafter, the rail 152 is inserted into the guide groove 129 from above, and the lifting unit 102 is assembled to the support body 100, and then the end cap 138 is attached to the armrest body 130.
In this manner, the armrest 62 is assembled.

In this manner, the armrest body 130 of this embodiment is configured to include a side cover (first member) 136, and an exterior body part (second member) 135 that is assembled to the side cover 136 in the left-right direction (intersecting direction) and forms an accommodation space S between the side cover 136 and the exterior body part (second member) 135. In this embodiment, the operating member 202 is assembled to the side cover 136 within the accommodation space S.
According to this configuration, the side cover 136 and the operating member 202 can be assembled as a unit to the exterior body 135 with the operating member 202 previously assembled to the side cover 136. Therefore, compared to the case where the exterior body 135 and the side cover 136 are assembled while aligning the operating member 202, it is possible to improve the ease of assembly and the positioning accuracy of the operating member 202 relative to the armrest body 130 (particularly the side cover 136). Note that in this embodiment, "assembled" means, for example, a state in which the operating member 202 is supported or fixed to the side cover 136, and it is sufficient that the operating member 202 is configured to at least prevent it from falling off the side cover 136, and does not include a configuration in which the operating member 202 is simply in contact with the side cover 136.

The exterior main body portion 135 of this embodiment has a tip surface (opposing surface) 147a that faces the side cover 136 within the storage space S, and is configured to include a first rib (regulating portion) 147 that supports the operating member 202 from the outside in the left-right direction by abutting the tip surface 147a in the left-right direction.
This configuration makes it possible to restrict movement of the operating member 202 outward in the left-right direction relative to the armrest body 130. This makes it possible to prevent the operating member 202 from coming off the side cover 136, thereby improving the positioning accuracy of the operating member 202 relative to the armrest body 130.

In this embodiment, an operating lever (linking member) 200 is assembled to the exterior main body 135. The operating lever 200 has an operating portion 207 exposed to the outside from the exterior main body 135, and a linking portion (connecting portion) 208 connected to an operating member 202 in the accommodation space S.
According to this configuration, the operating member 202 is operated via the operating lever 200, so that the layout flexibility of the operating member 202 can be improved compared to a case where the operating member 202 itself is exposed from the exterior main body portion 135.

In this embodiment, the operating lever 200 is assembled to the exterior body portion 135 through an upper end opening of the exterior body portion 135 .
According to this configuration, the operating lever 200 can be assembled from a direction different from the assembly direction of the exterior body part 135 and the side cover 136. As a result, after the exterior body part 135 and the side cover 136 are assembled, the operating lever 200 can be assembled to the exterior body part 135, and the operating lever 200 and the operating member 202 can be connected. This can further improve the ease of assembly.

In this embodiment, the engaging members 201 are attached to the side covers 136 from the outside in the left-right direction.
According to this configuration, the engaging member 201 can be attached even after the exterior main body portion 135 and the side cover 136 are assembled together, thereby making it possible to further improve the ease of assembly.

In this embodiment, the configuration includes positioning portions (abutments 145c, 145d, 150c, 150d) that position the exterior main body portion 135 and the side cover 136 in the up-down direction.
According to this configuration, the exterior body portion 135 and the side cover 136 can be positioned in the up-down direction before the exterior body portion 135 and the side cover 136 are fixed together, thereby further improving the ease of assembly.

In this embodiment, the positioning portion is configured to include a rear abutment portion (upper edge portion) 145c that forms the top wall portion of the armrest main body 130, and a first abutment portion (abutment edge) 150c that abuts against the rear abutment portion 145c from below.
According to this configuration, by butting the abutting portions 145c, 150c against each other in the vertical direction, it becomes easier to position the exterior main body portion 135 and the side cover 136 in the vertical direction.

The chair 1 of this embodiment is equipped with the armrests 62 described above, so it is possible to provide a chair 1 that is easy to assemble and has high manufacturing efficiency.

(Other Modifications)
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Addition, omission, substitution, and other modifications of the configuration are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the above description, but is limited only by the scope of the attached claims.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the armrests are provided on both the left and right sides of the backrest support portion 13 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. It is sufficient that the armrests are provided on at least the first side in the left-right direction with respect to the backrest support portion 13.
In the above-described embodiment, the lifting unit extends forward and outward in the left-right direction as it moves upward, so that the lifting unit moves forward and outward in the left-right direction as it moves upward relative to the support. However, the lifting unit may move linearly in the up-down direction relative to the support. In other words, the lifting unit may have a left-right or front-rear component as long as it is configured to move with at least a vertical component.

In the above embodiment, the engaging member 201 moves back and forth and up and down relative to the armrest body 130 when moving left and right between the locked position and the unlocked position, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The engaging member 201 only needs to move in at least a first direction between the locked position and the unlocked position. Furthermore, the first direction is not limited to the left and right direction, and may be the front and rear direction.
In the first embodiment described above, the engaging/disengaging portion 232 is engaged with and disengaged from the engaged portion 120 through the central insertion hole 171. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the engaging/disengaging portion 232 may be provided outside the armrest body 130.
In the above-described embodiment, the engaging member moves in the front-rear or left-right direction between the locked position and the unlocked position in accordance with the up-down movement of the actuating member, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The engaging member may move between the locked position and the unlocked position by, for example, a link mechanism. In addition, the moving direction (e.g., left-right direction) and the moving manner (e.g., rotation) of the actuating member can be changed as appropriate.

In the above embodiment, the armrest 62 is described as having a support 100 and a lifting unit 102, but this is not the only possible configuration. The support may be attached to the backrest support portion 13, the backrest frame 65, or the like, either integrally or separately. In other words, the support may be provided in the chair body. This configuration allows the number of parts in the armrest 62 to be reduced.

In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the first member as the exterior main body portion 135 and the second member as the side cover 136 are assembled in the left-right direction, but this configuration is not limited thereto. The first member and the second member may be assembled in the front-rear direction (crossing direction). In this case, it is preferable that the assembly direction of the first member and the second member coincide with the assembly direction of the lifting unit 102 relative to the chair body.

In the above embodiment, the operation lever 200 is attached to the exterior main body 135, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The operation lever 200 may be attached to the side cover 136.
In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the engaging/disengaging portion 232 slides on the inner surface of the engaged portion 120 toward the unlocked position has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. That is, the engaging/disengaging portion 232 may be configured to move to the unlocked position in conjunction with the actuating member 202.
In the above embodiment, the engaging member 201 is attached from the outside of the side cover 136, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. That is, the engaging member 201 may be accommodated in the accommodation space S.
In the above embodiment, the side cover 136 is one of the members and the exterior main body 135 is the other of the members, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The exterior main body 135 may be one of the members and the side cover 136 may be the other of the members.
In the above-described embodiment, the rear abutment portion 145c as the second positioning portion and the first abutment portion 150c as the first positioning portion come into contact with each other to position the side cover 136 relative to the exterior main body portion 135 in the up-down direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The first positioning portion and the second positioning portion may be configured to engage with each other to position the side cover 136 relative to the exterior main body portion 135 in the up-down direction.

In the above embodiment, the first rib 147 protruding in the left-right direction has been described as an example of a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the actuating member 202, but this configuration is not limited to this. The restricting portion may protrude from the inner surface of the first exterior portion 140 toward the inside in the front-rear direction (a direction intersecting the direction facing the side cover 136). In this case, the surface of the restricting portion facing the inside in the left-right direction functions as an opposing surface that abuts against the actuating member 202. Furthermore, the restricting portion is not limited to a continuously extending configuration such as a rib, but may be a single or intermittently protruding configuration such as a boss.

In addition, the components in the above-described embodiment may be replaced with well-known components as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the above-described modified examples may be combined as appropriate.

1... Chair 2... Support structure (chair body)
3…Seat (chair body)
61...Backrest body (chair body)
62... armrest 120... engaged portion 135... exterior main body portion (second member, other member, one member)
136...Side cover (first member, one member, other member)
130…Armrest body (height adjustment mechanism)
131... Positioning mechanism (height adjustment mechanism)
145c...Rear abutment portion (upper edge portion, second positioning portion)
147...First rib (regulating portion)
147a...Tip surface (opposing surface)
150c...first abutment portion (abutment edge, first positioning portion)
200...Operation lever (linking member, height adjustment mechanism)
201: Engagement member 202: Operation member S: Storage space

Claims (8)

an armrest body provided on the chair body so as to be movable up and down, the armrest body including a first member facing the chair body in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and a second member attached to the first member from the opposite side of the chair body to the first member and forming an accommodation space between the first member and the second member;
a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the armrest body relative to the chair body;
The height adjustment mechanism includes:
An actuating member movably provided on the armrest body;
an engaging member provided on the armrest body so as to be movable in the intersecting direction in association with movement of the actuating member between a locking position in which the engaging member engages with any of a plurality of engaging portions provided on the chair body at intervals in the vertical direction, and an unlocking position in which the engaging member is released from any of the engaging portions;
The first member has a communicating groove that opens in the intersecting direction, and a locking piece is formed on a surface that faces the first member in another direction intersecting the intersecting direction when viewed from above and below.
The actuating member is
an operating base disposed in the accommodation space;
a pressing portion extending from the operating base in the intersecting direction and protruding to an outside of the first member through the communication groove;
a protruding portion that protrudes in the other direction from a portion of the pressing portion that is located outside the first member and is engaged with the engaging piece from the outside of the first member,
The operating member is an armrest assembled to the first member with the operating base positioned within the storage space by engaging the protrusion with the locking piece from the outside of the first member in the intersecting direction. The armrest of claim 1 , wherein the second member has an opposing surface that faces the first member within the storage space, and is provided with a regulating portion that regulates movement of the operating member in the transverse direction toward the opposite side to the first member by abutting the operating member against the opposing surface in the transverse direction. the height adjustment mechanism includes a linking member movably attached to the second member within the accommodation space,
The linking member is
An operating unit exposed to the outside of the armrest body;
The armrest according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a connection portion connected to the actuating member within the accommodation space, the connection portion moving the actuating member in response to operation of the operating portion. The armrest according to claim 3, wherein the second member has an opening that opens in a direction different from the intersecting direction and into which the linking member is inserted. The armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the engagement member is attached to the first member from a side opposite to the second member with respect to the first member in the intersecting direction. The first member includes a first positioning portion,
The armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second member has a second positioning portion that engages with the first positioning portion to position the second member in the up-down direction relative to the first member. The second positioning portion includes an upper edge portion that constitutes a top wall portion of the armrest body,
The armrest according to claim 6 , wherein the first positioning portion includes an abutment edge that abuts against the upper edge portion from below. The chair body and
A chair comprising: an armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 7, provided on a widthwise side of the chair body.

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