WO2023111980A1

WO2023111980A1 - Armrest structure for a chair, and chair with armrest structure

Info

Publication number: WO2023111980A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/062371
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mateusz Szymanski
Original assignee: Flokk Sp. z o.o.
Priority date: 2021-12-17
Filing date: 2022-12-16
Publication date: 2023-06-22
Also published as: NO20211536A1; NO347537B1

Abstract

An armrest structure (1) and a chair (100) are provided. The armrest structure (1) comprises a base assembly (10) and an arm pad assembly (20), which are operatively connected to each other. The base assembly (10) comprises an attachment part (11) which is attachable to a support structure (101) of the chair (100), a first part (12) which is displaceable relatively the attachment part (11) in a first direction (F1), and a second part (13) which is displaceable relatively the first part (12) in a second direction (F2). The arm pad assembly (20) comprises an arm pad support (21), at least partly enclosing the base assembly (10), and an arm pad frame (22), suspended onto the arm pad support (21) and arranged to be in a locked state (L) relatively the base assembly (10) when a predetermined force (F) is exerted onto the arm pad frame (22) and to be in an unlocked state (U) when not subjected to a predetermined force (F).

Description

ARMREST STRUCTURE FOR A CHAIR, AND CHAIR WITH ARMREST STRUCTURE

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to an armrest structure for a chair. Embodiments herein further relate to a chair comprising one or more armrest structures.

BACKGROUND

Many chairs, in particular office chairs, are to some extent adjustable to fit users of different size and with different seating preferences. For example, it may be possible to adjust inclination of the seat and/or back, lumbar support and neck support. In cases when an office chair is equipped with armrests, they may be foldable or adjustable.

A user normally has to release a lever or button for adjusting an armrest position. An example is illustrated in US6053578A. While such solutions may work well in some applications, they are associated with some drawbacks or shortcomings. Release of a lever or pressing of a button requires an extra moment before the position on the armrest can actually be shifted. When several adjustment possibilities are available on a chair, some trial-and-error may be required before the user understands which lever or button that is associated with release of a particular part of the chair before adjustment can be initiated. This is time consuming, and may lead to unintentional adjustments and readjustments of other parts of the chair before the armrest is released and adjusted. In modern and flexible work places a particular chair may used by several different persons over a day or week. Cumbersome adjustments may then be necessary quite frequently, and it may also be unhygienic when many users have to touch the same release levers and/or buttons for the adjustment.

In US5746480A an armrest assembly for a chair is shown. The armrest assembly is responsive to downward force on the armrest from a user's arm to restrict movement of the armrest. Pressure, i.e. weight of the arm or gravity, locks the armrest into a given position. Hence, no release buttons are necessary. While the armrest assembly in US5746480A may be useful in some situations, it remains a need for an armrest structure which is easy, intuitive and/or ergonomic to use.

Thus, improvements in the field of armrest structures and chairs with armrest(s) are still desirable.

SUMMARY

Embodiments herein aim to provide an armrest structure for a chair eliminating or at least reducing the problems and/or drawbacks associated with prior art solutions.

According to an embodiment, this is provided by an armrest structure for a chair, the armrest structure comprising a base assembly and an arm pad assembly, operatively connected to each other the base assembly comprising an attachment part which is attachable to a support structure of the chair, a first part which is displaceable relatively the attachment part in a first direction, and a second part which is displaceable relatively the first part in a second direction, the arm pad assembly comprising an arm pad support, at least partly enclosing the base assembly, and an arm pad frame, suspended onto the arm pad support and arranged to be in a locked state relatively the base assembly when a predetermined force is exerted onto the arm pad frame and to be in an unlocked state when not subjected to a predetermined force.

Since the arm pad frame is suspended onto the arm pad support and arranged to be in a locked state relatively the base assembly when a predetermined force is exerted onto the arm pad frame and to be in an unlocked state when not subjected to a predetermined force, easy and intuitive adjustment of the arm pad frame is enabled.

A user may rest his/her arm on the air pad frame, or on a padding or top surface thereof, and the arm pad frame provides necessary support and remains in the same position.

When the user lifts the arm, and no force except gravity is exerted on the frame, the arm pad frame returns to the unlocked state. In the unlocked state the arm pad frame may be adjusted into a desired position. A user may slide the arm pad frame side-to-side and/or back-forth. When he/she rest an arm on the arm pad frame it is pushed into the locked state and thus fixed in a substantial horizontal plane, i.e. with regards to side-to- side or back-forth movement.

Due to this, easy and intuitive manoeuvre of the arm pad frame is achieved, without need of buttons for putting the arm pad structure in an adjustment mode. Further, since the mechanism for the adjustment is arranged in the armrest structure itself, it may fit many type of chairs. It may even be possible to retrofit older chairs with the arm pad structure as described herein.

Thus, hereby is provided an arm pad structure, eliminating or at least reducing the problems and/or drawbacks associated with prior art solutions.

According to some embodiments, the first part of the base assembly comprises first part protrusions. Hereby protrusions on other parts may lock effectively towards the first part protrusions to form a locked state.

According to some embodiments, the second part of the base assembly comprises second part protrusions. Hereby protrusions on other parts may lock effectively towards the second part protrusions to form a locked state.

According to some embodiments, the arm pad frame comprises arm pad frame protrusions. Hereby the arm pad frame can be locked securely against the protrusions on other the first part and the second part. The protrusions on the arm pad frame may project downwards in a mounted position, while the first part protrusions and the second part protrusions may be directed upwards.

According to some embodiments, the arm pad frame protrusions are arranged to engage with the first part protrusions and the second part protrusions when the predetermined force is exerted onto the arm pad frame. The arm pad frame may be arranged at a distance from a common plane in which the first part and the second part is arranged. When the arm pad frame is pushed downwards, the arm pad frame protrusions are pressed down and in between the protrusions of the first part and the second part, to form a locked state. As a complement or alternative to protrusions, the first part, the second part and the arm pad frame may be provided with other means for locking and unlocking the parts to each other, such as friction surfaces, adhesive surfaces, magnets or other forms of shape locking.

According to some embodiments, the arm pad support comprises a first plate, facing the chair support structure in a mounted position, and a second plate facing the arm pad assembly in a mounted position. Hereby the arm pad structure may be shaped as a generally flat pod, with a main extension generally in the horizontal plane.

According to some embodiments, the second plate comprises apertures which allows interaction between parts on different sides of the second plate.

According to some embodiments, the arm pad structure comprises a plurality of springs, arranged to suspend the arm pad frame into the unlocked state. The springs are pressing the arm pad structure upwards, such that protrusions of the arm pad frame are disengaged, or not in contact, to protrusions of the first and second part.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of springs are positioned between the first plate and the arm pad frame in a mounted position. They may be evenly distributed under the arm pad frame to keep it in the desired position.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of springs extends through the apertures of the second plate in a mounted position. The springs are then effectively positioned by the walls forming the apertures.

According to some embodiments, the second plate comprises a slot, extending in the second direction. The slot may be closed, or may open up in one or both ends. A width of the slot may be in the range of 15-50 mm.

According to some embodiments, the first part protrusions, the second part protrusions and the arm pad frame protrusions at least partly project into the slot of the second plate when the predetermined force is exerted onto the arm pad frame. The slot thus enable interaction between the protrusions when they extend into the slot from different sides. According to some embodiments, the first part of the base assembly comprises at least one slot, extending in the first direction. The at least one first part slot allows the first part to be adjusted in the first direction relatively the attachment part. The attachment part may be provided with collars which are positioned in the first part slots in the mounted position.

According to some embodiments, the attachment part of the base assembly comprises at least one slot, extending in a third direction. The at least one slot, extending in the third direction, enable movement of the second part in side-to-side direction. Embodiments herein also aim to provide a chair comprising an armrest structure without the problems or drawbacks described above.

According to some embodiments, this is provided by a chair, wherein the chair comprises an armrest structure according to embodiments disclosed herein.

Further features of, and advantages with, the embodiments herein will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following detailed description. Those skilled in the art will realize that different features of the embodiments herein may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects of embodiments herein, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates an armrest structure according to some embodiments in a locked state.

Fig. 2 illustrates the armrest structure according to some embodiments in an unlocked state. Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the armrest structure according to some embodiments. .

Fig. 4 illustrates a section view of the armrest structure according to some embodiments in a locked state.

Fig. 5 illustrates a section view of the armrest structure according to some embodiments in an unlocked state.

Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view of some parts of the armrest structure according to some embodiments in a locked state.

Fig. 7 illustrates a perspective view of some parts of the armrest structure according to some embodiments in an unlocked state.

Fig 8 and 9 illustrates side-to-side movement of the first part of the base assembly according to some embodiments.

Fig 10 and 11 illustrates back-forth movement of the second part of the base assembly according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. However, this application should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Disclosed features of example embodiments may be combined as readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. Fig. 1 illustrates an armrest structure 1. The armrest structure 1 may alternatively be referred to as an armrest assembly, an armrest or similar. It is attachable to a support structure 101 of a chair 100 (of which only a side support structure is shown). The chair may be any type of chair, such as an office chair, a car seat or the like. The chair may comprise legs, a frame, a seat, a back support and possibly a neck support. The support structure 101 onto which the armrest structure 1 may be attached to e.g. a frame of the chair, or to the seat or back support. It may be permanently attached or removable. For example, it may be attached with screws, bolts, press-fitting, glue or any other suitable attachment means.

The armrest structure 1 may be attached to the support structure 101 by any suitable attachment means, such as screws, bolts, glue or similar.

The armrest structure 1 comprising a base assembly 10 (shown in Fig. 3-11) and an arm pad assembly 20. They are operatively connected to each other, i.e. positioned relatively each other by shape-locking, snap-fitting or similar.

The arm pad assembly 20 comprises an arm pad support 21 which at least partly encloses the base assembly. A part of the arm pad assembly 20 may be arranged underneath the base assembly and another part above the base assembly in a mounted position. Further, the arm pad assembly may be arranged to almost completely surround the base assembly, such that the base assembly is protected by the arm pad assembly.

The arm pad assembly 20 further comprises an arm pad frame 22 which is suspended onto the arm pad support 21. Thus, in a normal operating position, the arm pad frame is arranged above the arm pad support 21 and rests thereupon.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 the arm pad frame 22 is provided with a padding 23. The padding 23 is the uppermost part, against which a user may rest an arm, elbow or other body part.

The chair may of course be provided with two armrest structures 1 , one for each arm of a user. In Fig. 1 the armrest structure 1 is shown in a locked state L, where the padding 23 and the arm pad frame 22 are pressed against the base assembly 10 and/or the arm pad assembly 20 by a predetermined force F. The predetermined force F may be exerted by an arm, hand or elbow of a person sitting in the chair. Thus, when a user of the chair is sitting in the chair and rest a body part on the padding 23, the armrest structure 1 is locked and cannot move substantially back-forth or side-to-side. Hereby the user gets sufficient support from the armrest structure.

Fig. 2 illustrates the armrest structure in an unlocked state U. It is unlocked since no predetermined force F is applied to the padding 23 and thereby the arm pad frame 22. In other words, if a user remove his/her arm from the armrest structure 1 , the arm pad frame 22 is displaced distance d from the arm pad support 21.

The force F which is sufficient for pressing the arm pad frame 22 into the locked position may be selected during design/manufacturing of the armrest structure, or may be adjustable by a user. The amount of the predetermined force F may be e.g. at least 3 N, at least 10 N or at least 20 N, alternatively the force F may be in the range of 3N-25N. Fig. 3 illustrates the armrest structure 1 in an exploded view. From above, the following components are illustrated in Fig. 3:

A padding or top surface 23, preferably made of a material which is comfortable for a user to rest a body part upon, such as formed foam, textile, wool, leather or the like. A plate 23b may form a seat onto which the top surface may be attached. Alternatively, the armrest structure 1 is made without the plate 23b, or it may be an integral part of top surface 23. The plate 23b may be provided with a pattern 23c of any kind, for facilitate adhesion of top plate 23, and/or for increasing strength.

A lower portion of the top surface 23, or the plate 23b, may have a shape which is complementary to an upper surface of the arm pad frame 22. The top surface 23, and/or the plate 23b, may be arranged within an upwardly projecting periphery 22c of the arm pad frame 22. The arm pad frame 22 may also comprise a plurality snap locks or teeth 22b. Via these, the arm pad frame 22 may be mounted, or snapped to, complementary shaped holes 21 g of the arm pad support 21 . The arm pad support 21 may comprise a first plate 21a and a second plate 21 b. The second plate 21 b may comprise a central longitudinal slot 21 b" and a plurality of apertures 21b'. The first plate 21a may comprise a slot or opening 21a' for receiving the first part 12.

A number of springs S are arranged to abut an upper surface of first plate 21a at one end and a lower surface of the arm pad frame 22 at the other end.

The attachment part 11 is, when mounted, arranged between the first part 12 and the second part 13.

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 shows sectional views of the armrest structure 1 in a locked state (Fig. 4) and unlocked state (Fig. 5) with the top surface removed. In this illustrated embodiment the first part 12 of the base assembly 10 comprises first part protrusions 12a. The first part protrusions 12a (also illustrated in Fig. 8 and 9) may be arranged in one or more rows, to project out from a top surface of the first part 12. They may be arranged equidistant to each other, and the row may have a direction which substantially coincides with the direction F2. F2 may also be referred to as a back-forth- direction, and may be away from and towards a back rest of the seat in a mounted position.

The second part 13 of the base assembly 10 comprises second part protrusions 13a, also shown in Fig. 10 and 11. The second part protrusions may be arranged in one or more rows, to project out from a top surface of the second part 13. They may be arranged equidistant to each other, and the row may have a direction which substantially coincides with the direction F2

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig .4 and 5 the arm pad frame 22 comprises arm pad frame protrusions 22a (also shown in Fig. 6 and 7). The arm pad frame protrusions 22a may be arranged as a row with a general extension in parallel with direction F2. The arm pad frame protrusions 22a may protrude out from a downward facing surface of the arm pad frame 22. Thus, when the arm pad frame 22 is pressed downwards, the arm pad frame protrusions 22a may engage/lock relatively the first part protrusions 12a and/or the second part protrusions 13a. In other words, the arm pad frame protrusions 22a are arranged to engage with the first part protrusions 12a and the second part protrusions 13a, and thereby locking the arm pad frame 22 against the arm pad support 21 and/or the first and second part, when the predetermined force F is exerted onto the arm pad frame 22.

The arm pad support 21 may comprises a first plate 21a, facing downwards towards the chair support structure 101 in a mounted position. It may further comprise a second plate 21b facing upwards towards the arm pad assembly 22 in a mounted position. The arm pad support 21 may be formed by different parts which are attached to each other, or may be an integral part. The arm pad support 21 may also comprise a circumferential frame which at least partly connects the first plate 21a with the second plate 21 b such that an enclosure 21c is formed there between. The base assembly 10 may be arranged within the enclosure 21c.

A number of hooks 22b may be used for attaching the arm pad frame 22 to corresponding apertures in the second plate 21 b. The arm pad frame 22 may alternatively be attached to the second plate 21 b with other suitable attachment means, such as with screws, glue, shape-locking, press-fitting or the like.

Fig. 6 illustrates the armrest structure 1 in perspective from below in the locked state, and Fig. 7 illustrates the armrest structure 1 in perspective from below in the unlocked state. For illustrative reasons some parts are removed.

The second plate 21 b comprises apertures 21b', which may be arranged around a periphery of the second plate 21 b.

The second plate 21 b may further comprise one or more slots 21 b", extending substantially in the second direction F2. The first part protrusions 12a, the second part protrusions 13a and the arm pad frame protrusions 22a at least partly project into the slot 21 b" of the second plate 21b when the predetermined force F is exerted onto the arm pad frame 22. Thus, when the predetermined force F is exerted onto the arm pad frame 22, the arm pad frame protrusions 22a may be pressed down into the slot 21 b", where they locks or engages against the first part protrusions 12a and the second part protrusions 13a which are substantially the same plane as the slot 21 b" and directed upwards.

As illustrated in the embodiments of Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the structure 1 comprises a plurality of springs S, arranged to suspend the arm pad frame 22 into the unlocked state U. The plurality of springs S may be positioned between the first plate 21a and the arm pad frame 22 in a mounted position. The plurality of springs S may extend through the apertures 21b'of the second plate 21 b in the mounted position. In some embodiments, the arm pad frame is suspended in other ways, such as by other elastic elements or part which press the arm pad frame 22 upwards, then no springs S are needed.

The springs S are pressing the arm pad frame 22 upwards, towards the unlocked position U. When a downwardly directed force F is exerted on the arm pad frame 22, such when a user puts a body part on the padding 23 on the arm pad frame 22, the springs become compressed. Thus, a length of the springs S in the unlocked state U exceeds the length of the springs S in the locked state L. The difference in length substantially corresponds to the distance d between a lower circumference portion of the arm pad frame 22 and an upper circumference portion of the arm pad support 21 , as illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 5. Thus, in the unlocked state U there is a circumferential gap between the arm pad frame 22 and the arm pad support 21. The width of the gap is distance d, as illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 5. In the unlocked state U the distance d may be in the range of 1 - 10 mm, or in the range of 2 - 8 mm. In one preferred embodiment the distance d is in the range of 3 - 6 mm. When a force F is applied on the padding 23 and the arm pad frame 22, the distance d is decreased, until it is substantially zero in the fully locked state. Thus, in the locked state L, the arm pad frame is in direct contact with, and rests upon, the arm pad support 21 .

According to some embodiments, illustrated in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the first part 12 of the base assembly 10 comprises at least one slot 12b, extending in the first direction F1. In the illustrated embodiment the first part 12 of the base assembly 10 comprises two parallel slots 12b, which extends substantially in the first direction F1. When the attachment part 11 is attached to the support structure 101 of the chair 100 via one or more screws through the screw holes 11 b, the first part may still slide in the first direction F1 , i.e. side-to-side, thanks to the at least one slot 12b in the first part 12. In a mounted position, the first part 12 is thus arranged between the attachment part 11 and the support structure 101 of the chair.

According to some embodiments, the attachment part 11 of the base assembly 10 comprises at least one slot 11a, extending in a third direction F3. The slot 11 allows the second part 13 to move in direction F1 , i.e. in side-to-side-direction, by interaction with the slot. When a force F is applied from above, the arm pad frame 22 is restricted to move in the F1 direction by the second part 13.

The attachment part 11 , the first part 12 and the second part 13 may be arranged as plates, or plate-like elements, which can be stacked upon each other such that a general plane of extension of each plate are parallel to each other.

The first plate 12 may form a seat 12d for the attachment part 11 , such that a top surface 11c of the attachment part 11 substantially coincides with a top surface 12e of the first plate 12. The first plate 12 may further comprise a peripheral rim 12c which projects out from the top surface 12e.

As illustrated in Fig. 10 and 11 , the rim 12c may serve as a guide for the second part 13 which is displaceable relatively the first part 12 and the attachment part in the second direction F2. Thus, the rim 12c forms a guide which only allows movement of the second part 13 in the back-forth-direction.

As illustrated in Fig. 10 and 11 , the first part 12 of the base assembly 10 comprises first part protrusions 12a and the second part 13 of the base assembly 10 comprises second part protrusions 13a. The first part protrusions 12a are arranged as a straight row on a top surface 12f of the first part 12. The second part protrusions 13a are arranged as a straight row on a top surface 13f of the second part 13. When the second part 13 is resting on the first part 12 and positioned by the rim 12c, the first part protrusions 12a and the second part protrusions 13a forms a common row of protrusions. When the arm pad support 21 is in a mounted position, the arm pad support is arranged on top of the first part 12 and the second part 13, and the common row of protrusions are arranged within the slot 21 b" of the arm pad support 21 .

The parts of the arm pad structure may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, metal, or the like.

Although the aspects has been described with reference to example embodiments, many different alterations, modifications and the like will become apparent for those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and the scope of the appended claims is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, combinations of features of disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

As used herein, the term "comprising" or "comprises" is open-ended, and includes one or more stated features, elements, steps, components or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof.

Claims

1. An armrest structure (1) for a chair (100), the armrest structure (1) comprising a base assembly (10) and an arm pad assembly (20), operatively connected to each other the base assembly (10) comprising o an attachment part (11) which is attachable to a support structure

(101) of the chair (100), o a first part (12) which is displaceable relatively the attachment part

(11) in a first direction (F1), and o a second part (13) which is displaceable relatively the first part

(12) in a second direction (F2), the arm pad assembly (20) comprising o an arm pad support (21), at least partly enclosing the base assembly (10), and o an arm pad frame (22), suspended onto the arm pad support (21) and arranged to be in a locked state (L) relatively the base assembly (10) when a predetermined force (F) is exerted onto the arm pad frame (22) and to be in an unlocked state (U) when not subjected to a predetermined force (F).

2. The armrest structure (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the first part (12) of the base assembly (10) comprises first part protrusions (12a).

3. The armrest structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second part (13) of the base assembly (10) comprises second part protrusions (13a).

4. The armrest structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm pad frame (22) comprises arm pad frame protrusions (22a).

5. The armrest structure (1) according to claim 1-4, wherein the arm pad frame protrusions (22a) are arranged to engage with the first part protrusions (12a) and the second part protrusions (13a) when the predetermined force (F) is exerted onto the arm pad frame (22). The armrest structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm pad support (21) comprises a first plate (21a), facing the chair support structure (101) in a mounted position, and a second plate (21 b) facing the arm pad assembly (22) in a mounted position. The armrest structure (1) according to claim 6, wherein the second plate (21 b) comprises apertures (21b'). The armrest structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises a plurality of springs (S), arranged to suspend the arm pad frame (22) into the unlocked state (U). The armrest structure (1) according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of springs (S) are positioned between the first plate (21a) and the arm pad frame (22) in a mounted position. The armrest structure (1) according to claims 7 and 9 wherein the plurality of springs (S) extends through the apertures (21 b') of the second plate (21 b) in a mounted position. The armrest structure (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the second plate (21 b) comprises a slot (21 b"), extending in the second direction (F2). The armrest structure (1) according to claim 5, wherein the first part protrusions (12a), the second part protrusions (13a) and the arm pad frame protrusions (22a) at least partly project into the slot (21 b") of the second plate (21 b) when the predetermined force (F) is exerted onto the arm pad frame (22). The armrest structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (12) of the base assembly (10) comprises at least one slot (12b), extending in the first direction (F1). The armrest structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment part (11) of the base assembly (10) comprises at least one slot (11a), extending in a third direction (F3).

15. A chair (100), wherein the chair (100) comprises an armrest structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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