JPH1156526A - Chair with armrest - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and also safely adjust the height of an armrest without making a system large and complicated. SOLUTION: An elastic spring member 60 frictively engaged with the engagement surface 11 of a support member 10 by contact pressure corresponding to the largeness of operation external force which is added to the finger hook part 58 of an operation lever 54 is provided in a cover part 25. Then, the elastic spring member 60 is projected and deformed when an armrest 20 is lowered so as to increase contact pressure with the engagement surface 11 and is not projected and deformed when the armrest 20 is elevated so as to be deformed in a contact pressure reducing direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a chair with armrests capable of adjusting the height of armrests.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional structure of a chair with armrests is shown in FIG.
(B) and shown in FIG. In these figures, 1 is a leg, 3 is a seat, 5 is a backrest, 10 is a supporting member, 20 is an armrest, and 50P is a height adjusting means for an armrest.

As shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B), the seat 3 is provided on an upper portion of the leg 1, and support members 10 for armrest mounting are provided on both left and right sides thereof. . The armrests 20 (the main body 20D and the cover 25) are attached to each support member 10, respectively.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 5, the height adjusting means 50 P has a plurality of engaging recesses 51 formed in the support member 10 in the vertical direction (Z direction) and a cover 25 of the armrest 20. An operating portion (54P) connected to the engaging convex portion (52) and an engaging convex portion (engaging pin 52) provided to be capable of engaging and disengaging with the concave portion 51, 54P) is formed so that the engaging projection (52) and the engaging recess 51 can be engaged and disengaged when a predetermined operation is performed. In addition,
In FIG. 5, the operation unit is formed of an operation lever 54P whose upper end is rotatably supported by the cover 25 via a support shaft 57P. The operation lever 54P is connected to the engagement pin 52 via an operation member 53.

Accordingly, when the operating portion (54P) is operated (for example, pressed) in order to adjust the height of the armrest 20, the operating member 53 moves rightward in FIG. ) And the engagement recess 51 are released. As a result, the armrest 20 is unlocked and becomes free in the vertical direction (Z direction).

Next, in this state, the armrest 20 is moved in the vertical direction (Z direction) to stop at a desired height position, and then the pressing force applied to the operation unit (54P) is released.
Then, the operating member 53 moves leftward in FIG. 5 by the elastic force of the return spring member 59SP, and engages with the engaging concave portion 51 at the same height position. As a result, the armrest 20 is locked at a desired height position.

[0007]

By the way, in the chair with armrests described above, in order to lower the position of the armrest 20, an external operation force (pressing force) is applied to the operation portion (54P) so that the engagement projection (52) is engaged. When the engagement recess 51 is disengaged from the engagement recess 51, the armrest 20 may be vigorously lowered by its own weight, and may pass a desired height position.

[0008] When such a situation occurs, the person who has adjusted the height is discomforted, and the armrest 20 which is suddenly lowered is provided.
There is a risk of injury due to collision of hands with the robot. Therefore,
For example, it is necessary to prevent the armrest 20 from vigorously descending by generating a large frictional force between the armrest 20 and the support member 10.

On the other hand, when the position of the armrest 20 is raised, the armrest 20 must be lifted against its own weight, so that it is more convenient for a person who adjusts the height to reduce the resistance applied to the armrest 20.

Therefore, a braking device (not shown) is provided so that a braking force is applied when the armrest 20 is lowered, and no braking force is applied when the armrest 20 is raised (or the braking force is reduced). It is possible.

However, in this case, the structure becomes large and complicated, and the brake device must be operated in accordance with the height adjustment, which makes it difficult to handle. An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-handle chair with armrests, which can easily and safely adjust the height without increasing the size and complexity.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an armrest is provided on a support member on both sides of a seat so as to be vertically adjustable via a height adjusting means, and the height adjusting means is provided with a height adjusting means. ,
A plurality of engagement recesses formed in the support member in the vertical direction; an engagement projection provided on the armrest cover so as to be able to engage and disengage with each engagement recess; A chair with armrests formed to be able to engage and disengage the engaging projection and the engaging recess when the operating portion is operated in a predetermined manner. An elastic spring member that frictionally engages with the engaging surface of the support member at a contact pressure according to the magnitude of the external operation force provided on the cover portion, and the elastic spring member is deformed by tension when the armrest is lowered. The contact pressure between the joint surfaces is increased, and when the armrest is raised, the contact pressure is not deformed but deformed in the direction of decreasing the contact pressure.

In this case, when an external operation force (for example, pressing force) is applied to the operation unit, the elastic spring member frictionally engages with the engagement surface of the support member with a contact pressure corresponding to the magnitude of the external operation force. . That is, a frictional force (static frictional force at rest, dynamic frictional force at movement) is generated between the elastic spring member and the engagement surface of the support member in accordance with the magnitude of the external operation force.

When the armrest is lowered in this state, the elastic spring member is stretched and deformed, and the contact pressure between the elastic spring member and the engaging surface is increased (therefore, the dynamic friction force is increased). For this reason, a situation in which the armrest descends vigorously does not occur. Therefore, the situation where the armrest collides with the hand or the like of the person whose height is adjusted to cause injury or to pass through the desired height position does not occur.

On the other hand, when the armrest is raised while pressing the operation portion, the elastic spring member is deformed in a direction in which the contact pressure is reduced without being stretched and deformed.
Is reduced than if the armrest is lowered.

As described above, the frictional force generated between the armrest and the support member is increased / decreased by utilizing the difference in the deformation characteristics of the elastic spring member at the time of ascent and descent, so that the structure does not become large and complicated. In addition, there is no need to perform a special switching operation and the handling does not become difficult.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the operation portion has a lower end portion rotatably supported by the cover portion via a support shaft portion and a finger hook portion formed above the lower end portion. It is characterized by comprising a lever.

In this invention, when a person sitting on the seat hangs each finger of the hand on the finger hook of the operation lever, the index finger is farthest from the support shaft (the part where the arm of the rotational moment is the longest). ). Here, the index finger is easy to move among the human fingers, and a large force can be easily applied to the operation lever. Therefore, a large rotational moment can be applied to the operation lever using the index finger or the like, so that the operation lever can be more easily and smoothly rotated. Therefore, the same operation and effect as those of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained, and the handling is further facilitated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a chair with armrests, wherein a protrusion is provided above a fingerrest of the operation lever.

According to this invention, the same operation and effect as those of the second aspect of the invention can be obtained. In addition, a person sitting on the seat raises the armrest while the finger of the hand rests on the finger rest of the operation lever.
When it is lowered (especially when it is raised), the index finger or the like can be more reliably prevented from coming off the finger hook.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a chair with armrests having an inclined surface in which the amount of outward projection increases as the front end face below the most projecting portion of the projection of the operation lever goes upward. .

According to this invention, when a person sitting on the seat raises the armrest to adjust the height position, for example, the index finger is put on the inclined surface of the projection, and the other fingers lightly touch (or do not touch) the finger hook. When the hand is lifted in the contacted state, the operation lever rotates about the support shaft against the elastic force of the elastic spring member by the pushing force applied to the inclined surface from the index finger. Thereby, the engagement between the engaging projection and the engaging recess is released. At this time, the projection prevents the index finger or the like from coming off the finger rest, so that a situation in which the arm rest falls during the ascent is not caused.

As described above, by simply lifting the hand with the index finger in contact with the inclined surface of the projection, the locked state of the armrest can be released and the operation can be smoothly shifted to the ascent operation. Therefore, the same effect as that of the third aspect of the invention can be obtained, and the height of the armrest can be adjusted more easily and smoothly by raising the armrest.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the basic configuration of the chair with armrests is the same as that of the conventional example (FIGS. 4 and 5).
By utilizing the difference in the deformation characteristics of the elastic spring member 60 at the time of descending, the frictional force generated between the armrest 20 and the support member 10 can be increased when the armrest 20 descends and can be decreased when ascending.

Components common to those in the conventional example (FIGS. 4 and 5) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support member 10 is formed of, for example, a metal pipe material having an elliptical cross section. FIG. 2 is a view taken along line XX of FIG.
FIG. The armrest 20 includes a main body 20 </ b> D that directly receives a user's arm, elbow, and the like, and a cover 2 for vertically attaching the main body 20 </ b> D to the support member 10.
5 are formed. The main body 20D and the cover 25 are made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the cover portion 25 includes an inner guide portion 27 that slides on the outer surface of the support member 10, and a middle support portion 28 that slides on the inner surface of the support member 10.
And The inner guide 27 of the cover 25
The armrest 20 can be moved in the vertical direction (Z direction) along the support member 10 without rattling by cooperation between the armrest 20 and the middle support portion 28.

The cover 25 is provided with an operation lever 54 as an operation unit via a support shaft 57 so as to be rotatable. In this embodiment, the operation lever 54 is
It has an operating portion 54B and is also used as an operating member (53).

In general, when a turning operation type operation lever is turned by applying a force, the distance from the turning fulcrum becomes greater when the force is applied to a portion far from the turning fulcrum than to a portion near the turning fulcrum. Therefore, a larger rotational moment can be applied. That is, the operation lever can be more easily rotated.

On the other hand, when a person sitting on the seat of the chair with armrests presses the operation lever with his / her finger, the index finger is easy to move and can easily apply a large force to the operation lever.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the person sitting on the seat (3) places his finger on the operation lever 54, the operation lever 54 is positioned so that the index finger is located far from the rotation fulcrum.
Is rotatably mounted on the cover 25 via the support shaft 57, and a finger hook 58 is formed above the lower end of the operation lever 54.

In this embodiment, the operation lever 54
A protrusion 59 for preventing finger slippage is provided on the upper portion of the finger hook 58, and the index finger can be prevented from coming off the finger hook 58 when the armrest 20 is moved up and down with an index finger or the like on the finger hook 58. It is formed in. The front end face below the most protruding portion 59a of the finger hook portion 59 of the operation lever 54 is formed as an inclined surface 59b whose projection amount to the outside increases as going upward.

More specifically, the finger hook 58 of the operation lever 54 protrudes forward from the front opening 25A of the cover 25, and is formed so as to be able to be pressed from outside and to be released from the outside. Actuator 54B of operation lever 54
Is provided with an engaging projection (engaging pin 52).

The inclined surface 59b of the projection 59 described above.
Has a curved surface shape that is convex upward. for that reason,
The index finger is more easily hooked, and the operation lever can be more smoothly and reliably rotated.

Therefore, the finger hook 5 of the operation lever 54
When the lever 54 is turned by applying force to each finger (especially, the index finger) applied to the hook 8, the engaging pin 52 is turned around the support shaft 57 in the clockwise direction in FIG. The engagement relationship with the engagement recess 51 is released. As a result, the armrest 20 is free in the vertical direction (Z direction).

When the hand is lifted with the index finger placed on the inclined surface 59b of the projection 59 of the operation lever 54 and the other finger lightly touching (or not in contact with) the finger hook 58, the operation lever 54 is moved from the index finger. The push-up force acting on the inclined surface 59b causes the elastic force of the elastic spring member 60 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. The engagement relationship is released.

At this time, the projection 59 prevents the index finger or the like from coming off the finger hook 58, so that the armrest 20
There is no situation in which the vehicle falls during the ascent.

Therefore, by simply lifting the hand with the forefinger in contact with the inclined surface 59b of the projection 59, the armrest 2
It is possible to release the locked state of 0 and smoothly shift to the ascent operation.

Next, when the pressing of the operation lever 54 against the finger hook portion 58 is released, the operation lever 54 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 by the elastic force of the elastic spring member 60 described later in detail. The engaging projection (engaging pin 52) and the engaging recess 51 are engaged. Thereby, the armrest 20 is locked.

Next, the elastic spring member 60 is connected to the operation lever 5.
4 is provided on the cover part 25 so as to be able to frictionally engage with the engagement surface 11 of the support member 10 with a contact pressure corresponding to the magnitude of the pressing force applied to the finger hook part 58.

The elastic spring member 60 stretches and deforms when the armrest 20 is lowered to increase the contact pressure between the engaging surface 11 of the support member 10 and when the armrest 20 is raised. Are deformed in a direction in which the contact pressure decreases without stretching.

More specifically, the elastic spring member 60 is bent inward at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction so as to be bent into an overall U-shape.
Is slightly folded outward. This elastic spring member 60
The operation of the operation lever 54 is performed by using a
, And the distal end portion 62 of the support member 10
Contact surface 11.

The elastic spring member 60 can be formed from a metal material or a non-metallic material rich in elasticity. In this embodiment, the elastic spring member 60 engages with the support member 10 when the armrest 20 moves up and down. In consideration of sliding contact with the surface 11, it is formed of a synthetic resin material having high elasticity so as not to cause squeak noise or the like.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. For example, a person sitting on a seat (3) of a chair with armrests,
When each finger such as the index finger is hung on the finger hook portion 58 of the operation lever 54 and each finger (especially, the index finger) is pressed and the lever is pressed clockwise in FIG. Is released, and the armrest 20 is free in the vertical direction (Z direction).

At this time, the distal end portion 62 of the elastic spring member 60 frictionally engages with the engagement surface 11 of the support member 10 with a contact pressure corresponding to the magnitude of the external force (pressing force). That is, a frictional force corresponding to the magnitude of the pressing force is generated between the distal end portion 62 of the elastic spring member 60 and the engagement surface 11 of the support member 10.
The friction force is a static friction force before the armrest 20 moves up and down, and is a dynamic friction force while the armrest 20 moves up and down. Each of the frictional forces has a magnitude corresponding to the magnitude of the contact pressure.

Next, in this state, when the above-mentioned person lowers the armrest 20 with his / her finger on the operation lever 54, as shown in FIG.
Generates an upward dynamic friction force (Fd).

Then, the elastic spring member 60 is moved in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3A (that is, in the direction of biting into the engagement surface 11 of the support member 10) by the component (Fd1) of the dynamic friction force (Fd). Therefore, the contact pressure with the engagement surface 11 increases, and the dynamic friction force (F
d) also increases. Therefore, the armrest 20 has a large resistance (frictional force) that resists the downward movement via the elastic spring member 60.
Will work.

On the other hand, when the above-mentioned person raises the armrest 20 with his / her finger on the operation lever 54, as shown in FIG. 3B, the downward dynamic friction acting on the distal end 62 of the elastic spring member 60. Since the elastic spring member 60 is deformed clockwise in the drawing by the component (Fu1) of the force (Fu),
The contact pressure between the distal end portion 62 and the engagement surface 11 decreases, and the dynamic friction force (Fu) decreases with the decrease in the contact pressure.

As described above, when the armrest 20 is lowered, the elastic spring member 60 is stretched and deformed to engage the engaging surface 1.
1 [the kinetic friction force (F
d) increases], so that a situation in which the armrest 20 descends vigorously does not occur. Therefore, the armrest 20
There is no occurrence of a situation in which the vehicle is injured by colliding with a hand or the like of the person who is adjusting the height or passing a desired height position.

On the other hand, when the armrest 20 is raised, the elastic spring member 60 is deformed in a direction in which the contact pressure is reduced without being stretched, so that the contact pressure [dynamic friction force (F
u)] is reduced as compared to the case where the armrest 20 is lowered.
Therefore, the armrest 20 can be easily lifted against its own weight.

According to this embodiment, the elastic spring frictionally engages with the engagement surface 11 of the support member 10 with a contact pressure corresponding to the magnitude of the pressing force applied to the finger hook 58 of the operation lever 54. When the member 60 is provided on the cover portion 25, the elastic spring member 25 is deformed by tension when the armrest 20 is lowered to increase the contact pressure between the engaging surface 11 and the armrest 20 when the armrest 20 is raised. Is deformed in the direction in which the contact pressure decreases without stretching, so that the height can be easily and safely adjusted without increasing the size and complexity.

The operating portion comprises an operating lever 54 having a lower end rotatably supported by the cover 25 via a support shaft 57 and a finger hook 58 formed above the lower end. Therefore, the operation lever 54 can be more easily and smoothly rotated.

Further, since the projection 59 is provided above the finger hook 58 of the operation lever 54, when the armrest 20 is moved up and down while the finger is hooked on the finger hook 58, the index finger or the like is moved from the operation lever 54. It can be prevented from coming off. Therefore, the height of the armrest 20 can be more reliably adjusted.

Further, since the front end face below the most protruding portion 59a of the projection 59 of the operation lever 54 is formed as the inclined surface 59b, the person sitting on the seat (3) can use the index finger on the inclined surface 59b of the projection 59. The armrest 20 can be released from the locked state and the operation can be smoothly shifted to the ascent operation only by lifting the hand with the arm resting. Therefore, the height of the armrest 20 can be adjusted more easily and smoothly.

Further, the operation lever 54 is moved to the operation section (55).
And the operating member (53), the structure can be further simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

Further, the elastic spring member 60 functions as a return spring member (59SP) for returning the operation lever 54 to the original position when the external force is released.
The configuration can be further simplified, and the cost can be reduced. Since the elastic spring member 60 is made of a synthetic resin, the support member 10 can be used when the armrest 20 is raised or lowered.
No squeaking noise or other unpleasant noise is generated even when the sliding surface comes into sliding contact with the engaging surface 11. Also, it can be molded more easily.

[0057]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the cover covers the elastic spring member which frictionally engages with the engagement surface of the support member with a contact pressure corresponding to the magnitude of the external operation force applied to the operation portion of the operation lever. Provided in the portion, the elastic spring member stretches and deforms when the armrest is lowered to increase the contact pressure between the engaging surface and
And when the armrest is raised, it is deformed in the direction in which the contact pressure decreases without stretching and deforming,
The height can be easily and safely adjusted without increasing the size and complexity.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the operation portion has a lower end portion rotatably supported by the cover portion via the support shaft portion and a finger hook portion formed above the lower end portion. Since it consists of a lever, the index finger, which is easy to move even among human fingers and can easily apply a large force, is applied to the part of the finger hook that is farthest from the spindle, and a large rotational moment is applied to the operation lever it can. Therefore, the operation lever can be more easily and smoothly rotated, and the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.
Handling becomes easier.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the projection is provided on the upper part of the finger hook of the operation lever, the same effect as that of the second aspect of the invention can be obtained. Can be more reliably prevented from coming off from the finger hook.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the front end surface below the most protruding portion of the projection of the operation lever is formed as an inclined surface, the hand is merely lifted with the forefinger touching the inclined surface of the projection. Thus, the locked state of the armrest can be released and the operation can be smoothly shifted to the ascent operation. Therefore, claim 3
In addition to the effects similar to those of the invention, the armrest can be raised and adjusted more easily and smoothly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a kinetic friction force generated between an elastic spring member and an engagement surface of a support member when the armrest is vertically moved.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a conventional configuration of a chair with armrests.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a conventional height adjusting means.

[Description of Signs] 3 Seat 10 Support member 20 Armrest 20D Armrest body 25 Cover 25A Front opening 27 Inner guide 28 Middle support 50 Height adjustment means 51 Engagement concave 52 Engagement pin (engagement convex) Part) 54 operation lever (operation part) 58 finger hook part 59 projection part 59a most protruding part of projection part 59b inclined surface of projection part 59SP return spring member 60 elastic spring member 61 base end part 62 tip end part

Claims (4)

[Claims] An armrest is provided on each of the support members on both sides of the seat so as to be vertically adjustable through height adjustment means, and the height adjustment means is formed vertically separated from the support member. A plurality of engaging concave portions, an engaging convex portion provided in the cover portion of the armrest so as to be capable of engaging and disengaging with each engaging concave portion, and an operating portion connected to the engaging convex portion; In a chair with an armrest formed such that the engaging projection and the engaging recess can be engaged and disengaged when the part is operated in a predetermined manner, the contact according to the magnitude of the external operation force applied to the operating part An elastic spring member, which frictionally engages with the engaging surface of the support member by pressure, is provided on the cover portion, and when the armrest is lowered, the elastic spring member is deformed to increase the contact pressure between the engaging surface and the engaging surface. When the armrest is raised, it deforms in the direction in which the contact pressure decreases without stretching. Armrest chair, characterized in that it is a form. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation portion comprises an operation lever having a lower end portion rotatably supported by the cover portion via a support shaft portion and a finger hook portion formed above the lower end portion. The chair with armrests according to claim 1. 3. A chair with armrests according to claim 2, wherein a protrusion is provided above a finger hook of said operation lever. 4. The operation lever according to claim 3, wherein a front end face of the operation lever, which is lower than a most protruding portion of the protrusion, has an inclined surface whose amount of protrusion to the outside increases as going upward.
A chair with armrests as described.