# US 6,296,312 B1 · Armrest assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,296,312 B1 - Document ID: US6296312B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 08/654,746 - Filed: 1996-05-29 - Granted: 2001-10-02 - Earliest claimed: 1995-02-21 - Assignees: Neutral Posture Ergonomics, Inc. - Inventors: Jerome J. Congleton; Rebecca Congleton Boenigk; Bobby A. Boenigk; Mark E. Benden - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6296312B1 ## CPC - A47C 1/03: the parts being arm-rests - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS ## Abstract A multi-position armrest designed for use with a conventional chair to enhance the comfort of an individual seated within the chair. The armrest includes a support arm having a first end adapted for attachment to a chair and a second end coupled to an arm pad in a manner permitting the arm pad to selectively rotate relative to the support arm. The arm pad includes a first circular locking member engaging a second circular locking member on the support arm to selectively lock the arm pad relative to the support arm. The armrest is also provided with a resilient coupling assembly coupling the arm pad to the support arm in a manner permitting the arm pad to move from the support arm to disengage the first circular locking member from the second circular locking member and permit the arm pad to rotate relative to the support arm. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-position armrest designed for use with a conventional chair to provide enhanced adjustability comprising: a support arm having a first end adapted for attachment to a chair and a second end coupled to an arm pad, the arm pad including a first circular locking member engaging a second circular locking member on the support arm, said first circular locking member having a frustoconical configuration with channels equally spaced around the entire circumference and said second circular locking member having a complimentary frustoconical aperture such that said first and second locking members mesh to selectively lock the arm pad relative to the support arm; said first and second circular locking members connected by coupling means whereby said coupling means permits the first circular locking member to rotate 360 degrees relative to the second circular locking member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The armrest according to claim 1, further including means for adjusting the linear length of the support arm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The armrest according to claim 2, further including means for adjusting the lateral position of the support arm with respect to the seat to vary the width of the chair. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The armrest according to claim 1, further including means for adjusting the lateral position of the support arm with respect to the seat to vary the width of the chair. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The armrest according to claim 1, wherein the first circular locking member is an outwardly projecting member and the second circular locking member is a concave member shaped to receive the first circular locking member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The armrest according to claim 5, wherein the first circular member includes a first set of teeth and the second circular locking member includes a second set of teeth shaped to receive the first set of teeth to lock the arm pad in position relative to the support arm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The armrest according to claim 6 wherein the teeth of said first set of teeth and said second set of teeth are substantially square-shaped. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The armrest according to claim 1, wherein the first circular member includes a first set of teeth and the second circular locking member includes a second set of teeth shaped to receive the first set of teeth to lock the arm pad in position relative to the support arm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The armrest according to claim 8, wherein the teeth of said first set of teeth and said second set of teeth are substantially square-shaped. ### Claim 10 A multi-position armrest designed for use with a conventional chair to enhance the comfort of an individual seated within the chair, comprising: a support arm having a first end adapted for attachment to a chair and a second end coupled to an arm pad, the arm pad including a first circular locking member engaging a second circular locking member on the support arm, said first circular locking member having a frustoconical configuration with channels equally spaced around the entire circumference and said second circular locking member having a complimentary frustoconical aperture such that said first and second locking members mesh to selectively lock the arm pad relative to the support arm; said first and second circular locking members connected by coupling means whereby said coupling means permits the first circular locking member to rotate 360 degrees relative to the second circular locking member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The armrest according to claim 10, further including means for adjusting the linear length of the support arm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The armrest according to claim 11, further including means for adjusting the lateral position of the support arm with respect to the seat to vary the width of the chair. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The armrest according to claim 10, further including means for adjusting the lateral position of the support arm with respect to the seat to vary the width of the chair. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The armrest according to claim 10, wherein the first circular locking member is an outwardly projecting member and the second circular locking member is a concave member shaped to receive the first circular locking member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The armrest according to claim 14, wherein the first circular member includes a first set of teeth and the second circular locking member includes a second set of teeth shaped to receive the first set of teeth to lock the arm pad in position relative to the support arm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The armrest according to claim 15, wherein the teeth of said first set of teeth and said second set of teeth are substantially square-shaped. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The armrest according to claim 10, wherein the first circular member includes a first set of teeth and the second circular locking member includes a second set of teeth shaped to receive the first set of teeth to lock the arm pad in position relative to the support arm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The armrest according to claim 17, wherein the teeth of said first set of teeth and said second set of teeth are substantially square-shaped. ### Claim 19 A multi-position armrest designed for use with a conventional chair to enhance the comfort of an individual seated within the chair, comprising: a support arm having a first end adapted for attachment to a chair and a second end coupled to an arm pad, the arm pad including a first circular locking member engaging a second circular locking member on the support arm, said first circular locking member having a frustoconical configuration with channels equally spaced around the entire circumference and said second circular locking member having a complimentary frustoconical aperture such that said first and second locking members mesh to selectively lock the arm pad relative to the support arm; said first and second circular locking members connected by coupling means whereby said coupling means permits the first circular locking member to rotate 360 degrees relative to the second circular locking member; means for adjusting the linear length of the support arm; and means for adjusting the lateral position of the support arm with respect to the seat to vary the width of the chair. ### Claim 20 A multi-position armrest designed for use with a conventional chair to enhance the comfort of an individual seated within the chair, comprising: a support arm having a first end adapted for attachment to a chair and a second end coupled to an arm pad, the arm pad including a first circular locking member engaging a second circular locking member on the support arm in a manner permitting the arm pad to selectively rotate 360 degrees relative to the support arm, said first circular locking member having a frustoconical configuration with channels equally spaced around the entire circumference and said second circular locking member having a complimentary frustoconical aperture such that said first and second locking members mesh to selectively lock the arm pad relative to the support arm; said arm pad includes a longitudinal support member having a cushioning member secured on the upper surface of said longitudinal support member. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The armrest according to claim 20, further including means for adjusting the linear length of the support arm. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The armrest according to claim 20, further including means for adjusting the lateral position of the support arm with respect to the seat to vary the width of the chair. ### Claim 23 A multi-position armrest designed for use with a conventional chair to provide enhanced adjustability comprising: a support arm having a first end adapted for attachment to a chair and a second end coupled to an arm pad, the support arm including a first circular locking member engaging a second circular locking member on the arm pad, said first circular locking member having a frustoconical configuration with channels equally spaced around the entire circumference and said second circular locking member having a complimentary frustoconical aperture such that said first and second locking members mesh to selectively lock the arm pad relative to the support arm; said first and second circular locking members connected by coupling means whereby said coupling means permits the first circular locking member to rotate 360 degrees relative to the second circular locking member. ### Claim 24 A multi-position armrest designed for use with a conventional chair to enhance the comfort of an individual seated within the chair, comprising: a support arm having a first end adapted for attachment to a chair and a second end coupled to an arm pad, the support arm including a first circular locking member engaging a second circular locking member on the arm pad, said first circular locking member having a frustoconical configuration with channels equally spaced around the entire circumference and said second circular locking member having a complimentary frustoconical aperture such that said first and second locking members mesh to selectively lock the arm pad relative to the support arm; said first and second circular locking members connected by coupling means whereby said coupling means permits the first circular locking member to rotate 360 degrees relative to the second circular locking member.