US 2014/0175850 A1 · ADJUSTABLE ARMREST DEVICE

Abstract

An adjustable armrest includes a housing with opposite walls. Each of the walls has a bore formed in it. The boxes support a pivot pin with a gear so that the armrest is pivotable on the pin. A ratchet with a pawl is pivotably connected to and carried by the armrest. The ratchet is also configured so that the pawl may engage the gear to define incremental ratcheting movement of the armrest on the pin when the armrest is pivoted in one direction. There is also provided a cam ring selectively movable with the armrest for rotational engagement with the gear. The cam ring has an exterior cam surface that contacts a portion of the ratchet and pivots the ratchet clear of engagement with the gear when the armrest is pivoted in another direction. The new armrest incorporates fewer components lowering cost of production, improving torsion force and load bearing capabilities, improving life of the furniture piece and strengthening armrest and furniture piece assembly.

Claims14

Dependent claims

An adjustable connecting device for connecting an armrest to a back support element of a furniture piece so that the angle of the armrest relative to the back support element may be incrementally adjusted between an upper position and a lower position, the device comprising:

a pivot pin with one end adapted to be connected to the back support element so the armrest is pivotable on the pin;
a gear on the pin, said gear having a face with an upstanding portion, said gear also having exterior teeth;
a cam ring with an interior surface and an exterior cam surface,
a ratchet carried by the armrest having a cylinder portion at one end, a tail with teeth at another end, and a central section between said ends, said central section having a ledge for engagement with the exterior cam surface of the cam ring;
and
a tension spring for constantly urging the tail of the ratchet in a direction toward engagement with the gear.

3 more elements

An adjustable armrest for attaching to a back support member of a furniture piece so that the angle of the armrest relative to the back support element may be incrementally adjusted between an upper position and a lower position, the armrest comprising:

a housing with an inside and an outside bracket wall, each of the walls has a bore formed there through;
a pivot pin in the housing supported by each of the bores;
a gear positioned on the pin, said gear having teeth extending across the entire width of the gear to define detents, said gear comprising an upper position stop and a lower position stop;
a cam with an interior surface for selective rotational engagement with the gear, and an exterior cam surface;
a ratchet earned by the armrest having a pivot at one end, a tail with ratchet teeth at another end, and a central section between the two ends, said central section having a ledge for engagement with the exterior cam surface of the ring, said ratchet teeth extending across the entire width of the tail;
and
a tension spring for constantly urging the tail of the ratchet in a direction toward engagement with the gear;
wherein the ratchet teeth engage the detents between the gear teeth in response to pivoting the armrest from the lower position in a direction toward the upper position to define movement of the armrest in increments of between two and ten degrees (2°-10°).

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adjustable armrest device

Life of this patent

Adjustable armrest device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14