WO1989004623A1

WO1989004623A1 - Chair with specially shaped elbow support

Info

Publication number: WO1989004623A1
Application number: PCT/US1988/004187
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fredrich W. Grahl; Jack Litewka
Original assignee: Grahl Industries, Inc.
Priority date: 1987-11-23
Filing date: 1988-11-22
Publication date: 1989-06-01
Also published as: CA1315186C; JPH02503520A

Abstract

A chair (A) is provided with arm rests (21) which are used exclusively as elbow supports. The arm rests (21) are adapted to the size of an elbow. Each elbow support (21) is adjustable vertically and horizontally. The horizontal adjustment is accomplished by a series of disks (5, 8) pivotally connected at vertical axes (a), (b), (c) to the elbow support (21).

Description

CHAIR WITH SPECIALLY SHAPED ELBOW SUPPORT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a chair adapted to provide support to the arms of a seated individual. Specifically, the invention relates to a chair that provides support for a typist, or other worker's arms. An elbow support is provided that is adjustable horizontally and vertically.

2. Description of the Relevant Art

Heretofore, there have been numerous chairs with arm rests. However, the previous arm rests have not been adjustable to an individual and particularly, have not been adjustable to support a worker's elbow. Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a chair with an elbow support to provide a comfortable work environment. Previous chairs have not sufficiently supported a worker's arm when typing, working at a computer, etc. The present invention will eliminate the fatigue associated with the previous chairs.

In a preferred embodiment, a swivel chair is provided with an arm rest which is used exclusively as an elbow support. These elbow supports can adjust horizontally and vertically. Specifically, the elbow support is provided as telescopically adjustable vertically and pivotally adjustable horizontally.

The pivotal horizontal adjustment is accomplished by a series of disks interconnected at pivot points.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a chair with arm rests used exclusively as elbow supports. It is a further object of the present invention to provide adjustable arm rests to eliminate fatigue.

The above and further objects, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 illustrates a swivel chair and arm rests in accordance with the present invention.

Figure la illustrates a top view of the elbow support in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the elbow support in accordance with the present invention- Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the elbow support in accordance with the present invention. Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the elbow support in accordance with the present invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

A chair A in accordance with the present invention is shown at Figure 1. The chair A is differentiated from known chairs of the same type in that each arm rest 21 is exclusively used as an elbow support. Elbow support 21 is adapted to the size of an elbow, between 10 and 18 centimeters in diameter, and in the form of a circular bolster. Preferably, but not necessarily, elbow support 21 is 15 centimeters in diameter. Elbow support 21 may also be in the form of a trough open on one side. As shown in Figure 1, elbow support 21 is fastened on a substantially tubular support stay 22. Tubular support stay 22 allows the elbow support 21 to rotate about a substantially vertical axis 23, preferably, but not necessarily, over a range of 360°.

As shown in Figure la, axis 23 lies outside the center of the elbow support.

The elbow support 21 is vertically adjustable by telescopic connection 24. The connection 24 would be arrestable as is well known in the art.

Each support stay 22 is horizontally pivotable on an axis lying below the chair sitting surface 25. This adjustment is preferably, but not necessarily, located in the vicinity of the main chair axis 26.

Arm rest support tube 1, shown in Figures 2 and 3, is a substantially rectangular tube. Arm rest support tube 1 receives bearing tube 4 which rotatably seats shaft end 3. Shaft end 3 forms a first axis a. On the upper side of shaft end 3, a first mounting plate 5 is fastened at a first end by spacers 3' and 3". At the second end of plate 5, shaft 7 forms a second axis b. On shaft 7, a second mounting plate 8 is pivotally fastened. Shaft 7 is essentially a rivet with rivet heads 7. At the second end of second mounting plate 8, shaft 10 forms a third axis c to which the arm rest 21 is pivotally fastened. Shaft 10 is similar to shaft 7 in that it is essentially a rivet with heads.

A bearing 6 separates first mounting plate 5 and second mounting plate 8. Bearing 9 similarly separates second mounting plate 8 and arm rest 21. Bearings 6 and 9 permit mounting plates 5 and 8 to easily pivot.

The distances between axes a and b and axes b and c are preferably between 30 millimeters and 60 millimeters. The preferred distance is 40 millimeters with the respective distances being substantially equal.

Arm rest 21 comprises a covering plate 11 which is mounted to shaft 10. Covering plate 11 is attached by nuts 12 to plate 13. Plate 13 is preferably, but not necessarily, plywood. Bolstering material 14 covers plate

13 so that preferably a unilaterally open, elongated supported trough is formed. Material 14 forms the actual elbow support 21 which has a support surface adapted to the size of an elbow. The arm rest support tube 1 is telescopically adjustable as shown in

Figure 1. Each tube 1 may also be pivotally adjustable about a horizontal axis line below the chair seat 25 (not shown) as discussed previously. Figure

4 shows various positions of the elbow support 21 which are obtainable using the present invention. Reference line 16 corresponds to the starting position shown in Figures 2 and 3 in which axis a (shaft end 3) and axis c (rivet 10) are aligned. Intermediate positions are not shown.

Although there have been described what is at present considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications and variations may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the amended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A chair of the type including arm rests, wherein: each said arm rest (21) is exclusively an elbow support surface (14) adapted to the size of an elbow. 2. The chair of claim 1, wherein: each said elbow support (21) is fastened on a substantially tubular support stay (22) and is rotatable about said tubular support stay about a substantially vertical axis (23 or a). 3. The chair of claim 2, wherein: each said elbow support (21) has an axis of rotation (23 or a); and each axis of rotation lies outside the center of each said elbow support. 4. The chair of claim 2, wherein: each said elbow support is adjustable (24) with respect to height. 5. The chair of claim 4, wherein: said elbow support is adjustable by telescopically receiving (24) said tubular support stay. 6. The chair of claim 2, wherein: each said elbow support is adjustable laterally. 7. The chair of claim 1, wherein: each said elbow support is substantially a circular bolster (21) with a diameter between 10 and 18 centimeters. 8. The chair of claim 1, wherein: each said elbow support is in the form of a trough (14) laterally open on one side. 9. The chair of claim 1, wherein: each said arm rest (21) is rotatably fastened about at least two vertical axes (a, t)). 10. The chair of claim 1, wherein: each said arm rest (21) is rotatably fastened about at least three vertical axes (a, i>, f). 11. The chair of claim 10, wherein: a first axis (a) of said three vertical axes (a, b, c) is formed by a shaft end (3) pivoted in an arm rest support (1); a first mounting plate (5) is horizontally pivotally fastened at one end to said shaft end (3); a second axis (b) of said three vertical axes (a, , c) formed by a shaft (7) fastened to a second end of said first mounting plate (5); a second mounting plate (a) pivotally, horizontally fastened at one end to said shaft (7); a third axis (c) of said three vertical axes (a, b, Q) formed by a second shaft (10) pivotally fastened at a second end of said second mounting plate (8); said arm rest (21) pivotally fastened to said second shaft (10). 12. The chair of claim 11, wherein: said first and second mounting plates (5, 8) are provided with a bearing (6) between said plates. 13. The chair of claim 12, wherein: said second mounting plate (8) and said arm rest (21) are provided with a bearing (9) therebetween. 14. The chair of claim 10, wherein: the axial distance between said first axis (a) and said second axis (b) and said second axis (b) and said third axis (c) is between 30 to 60 millimeters. 15. The chair of claim 10, wherein: the axial distance between said first axis (a) and said second axis (b) and said second axis (b) and said third axis (c) are of substantially equal length.