WO2004008916A1

WO2004008916A1 - Adjustable armrest

Info

Publication number: WO2004008916A1
Application number: PCT/US2003/021896
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rick A. Anderson
Original assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
Priority date: 2002-07-17
Filing date: 2003-07-15
Publication date: 2004-01-29
Also published as: AU2003249198A1

Abstract

An armrest for a console and associated seat. The armrest comprises an armrest assembly and a support member coupled to the armrest assembly. A linkage assembly is coupled to the console and the support member, wherein the armrest assembly moves in a vertical direction and maintains a horizontal relationship with respect to the console and the seat. Another embodiment of the armrest includes a constant force spring coupled to the console and the support member.

Description

ADJUSTABLE ARMREST

CROSS-REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

[0001 ] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/396,477, filed July 1 7, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to an armrest and more particularly to a vertically adjustable armrest.

[0003] Armrests for seats particularly seats in a vehicle typically are fixed at a vertical height in relation to the seat. The arm rest can be part of the seat structure such as for example rear seats in a van or an arm rest can be part of a central console typically located between the front seats of a vehicle. The armrest may also provide for a pivoting feature which exposes a storage compartment located in the console.

[0004] Typical armrests are not adjustable with respect to the seat to accommodate various sized persons sitting in the seat. For instance, a convenient arm rest height for a tall person would not be comfortably set for a smaller stature person or perhaps a child.

[0005] Thus, there is a need for an armrest that is vertically adjustable relative to the seat. There is a further need for an adjustable arm rest that provides infinite adjustment in a vertical direction. There is an additional need for a vertically adjustable armrest that maintains a substantially horizontal orientation when moved from one position to another position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] There is provided an armrest for a console and associated seat. The armrest comprises an armrest assembly and a support member coupled to the armrest assembly. A linkage assembly is coupled to the console and the support member, wherein the armrest assembly moves in a vertical direction and maintains a horizontal relationship with respect to the console and the seat. Another embodiment of the armrest includes a constant force spring coupled to the console and the support member. An additional feature of the armrest includes a lock device coupled to the console and the support member. The armrest may be coupled to an electric motor.

[0007] There is further provided an adjustable armrest. The armrest comprises an armrest assembly with a support member coupled to the armrest assembly. A linkage assembly is coupled to a support structure and the support member, wherein the armrest assembly moves in a vertical direction and maintains a horizontal relationship with respect to the support structure. Another embodiment of the armrest includes a constant force spring coupled to the support structure and the support member. Another embodiment of the armrest includes a lock device coupled to the support structure and the support member. The armrest may be coupled to an electric motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an adjustable armrest in a fully closed position and mounted in a console of a passenger vehicle, with a linkage assembly extending through an opening in the console.

[0009] Figure 2 is an exemplary embodiment of the adjustable armrest illustrated in Figure 1 , with the adjustable armrest in a fully extended position.

[0010] Figure 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a vertically adjustable armrest in a fully down position and illustrating the linkage assembly components.

[001 1 ] Figure 4 is an exemplary embodiment of the vertically adjustable armrest illustrated in Figure 3 in an interim position.

[0012] Figure 5 is an exemplary embodiment of the vertically adjustable armrest illustrated in Figure 3 in another interim position. [0013] Figure 6 is an exemplary embodiment of the vertically adjustable armrest illustrated in Figure 3 in a fully extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Referring now to the figures, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of an armrest 8. As shown, the armrest is for a console 5 and an associated seat 4. A typical application is a console 5 separating the driver's seat from the passenger seat in a passenger compartment of a vehicle such as an automobile. The console 5 is typically mounted to the vehicle floor pan 6 with the console 5 providing location for an armrest for both the passenger and driver.

[0015] A console 5 typically provides a support for several types of equipment associated with the vehicle. For instance, the shift lever may be mounted in the console, a parking brake lever may be mounted in the console, cup holders and various storage bins may be mounted in the console, etc. Although the console typically is mounted in the middle of the vehicle passenger compartment, separating seats, it is also contemplated that the adjustable armrest 8 could also be used in a side panel of a vehicle or a console type structure mounted in the rear seat area of the passenger compartment of a vehicle.

[0016] It is also contemplated that the adjustable armrest 8 can be utilized in work vehicles such as pickup trucks, heavy equipment and hauling trucks, watercraft, aircraft and other passenger conveying vehicles. In such instances, the adjustable armrest 8 may be mounted to a support structure similar to the console 5, or to a brace mounted on the vehicle floor pan 6.

[0017] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of an adjustable armrest 8 for a console 5 and associated seat 4. The adjustable armrest 8 comprises an armrest assembly 80, a support member 60 coupled to the armrest assembly 80 and a linkage assembly 1 2 coupled to the console 5 and the support member 60. The armrest assembly 80 moves in a vertical direction and maintains a horizontal relationship with respect to the console 5 and the seat 4. [0018] The armrest assembly 80 includes an armrest pad 82 covering an armrest tray 84. The armrest tray 84 can be formed by a molding process such as blow molding or injection molding and the armrest pad 82 can be formed from any suitable and comfortable material upon which a person would rest their arm, such as vinyl, cloth or leather. The armrest pad 82 can be pivotably coupled to the armrest tray 84 so that when the armrest pad 82 is pivoted to an open position, a storage bin 85 formed in the armrest tray 84 is accessible. The entire armrest assembly 80 can also be pivotably coupled to the support member 60 by a pivot pin 86 to allow the entire armrest assembly to be moved in an arc about the pivot pin 86.

[0019] A constant force spring 70 acts as a biasing member for the armrest 8. The spring 70 can include a coil end 72 which is coupled to the support structure 60 and an anchor end 74 which is coupled to the console 5 or support structure 5. The spring 70 is composed of a suitable spring metal sized to accommodate the weight and forces to which the armrest 8 is subjected. In operation, when the support member 60 is in a closed or down position as shown in Figure 1 , the spring 70 is in the extended position and is biased to force the support member 60 up towards a fully up position.

[0020] A lock device 50 is coupled to the console 5 (support structure) or to the floor pan 6 and to the support member 60. The lock device 50 typically is a linear lock device and can be a mechanical lock, a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder or a geared assembly or a pawl and ratchet assembly. The lock device 50 functions to lock the adjustable armrest 8 in one of several positions as selected by an operator of the armrest 8. The lock device can be configured to provide an infinite adjustment between a full down position as shown in Figure 1 or a full up position as shown in Figure 2, or at any fixed height or interim position as illustrated in Figs. 3-6. It should be understood that the illustrations depict only several of the positions that the adjustable armrest 8 can be placed. It is also contemplated that a linear actuator, for example, an electric motor 45, can be coupled to the armrest 8, for example to the linkage assembly 1 2, to provide a motive force for actuation of the armrest 8.

[0021 ] The adjustable armrest 8 includes the linkage assembly 1 2 which comprises a four-bar linkage. A first bar 1 0 having a first end 1 2 and a second end 1 4 is provided with the first end 1 2 pivotably coupled to a first fixed pivot 32 and the second end pivotably coupled 42 to the support member 60. A second bar 20 having a first end 22 and a second end 24 is also provided with the first end 22 pivotably coupled to a second fixed pivot 34 and the second end pivotably coupled 44 to the support member 60. The first fixed pivot 32 and the second fixed pivot 34 are mounted on the console 5 (support structure) and form a third bar 30. Each of the second ends 14, 24 of the first and second bars form a fourth bar 40 on the support member 60. The relationship between the third bar 30 and fourth bar 40 are maintained throughout the movement of the support member 60 as the armrest assembly 80 is moved through its various positions and thereby maintaining the armrest assembly 80 in a horizontal relationship with the console 5 and the seat 4. In other words, the position of the armrest assembly 80 and each of its positions are in horizontally parallel planes throughout the vertical movement. An advantageous configuration of the support member 60 is a curved configuration as shown in the illustrations.

[0022] Figures 3 through 6 illustrate the positions of the first bar 1 0 and the second bar 20 and the support member 60 during transition between a full down position and a full up position with several intermediate positions. The support member 60 moves through an opening 7 in the console 5 as shown. It should be understood that other opening 7 configurations are contemplated to provide an aesthetically pleasing arrangement between the adjustable armrest 8 and the console 5 (support structure). The linkage assembly 1 2 is illustrated, however, it should be understood that the linkage assembly 1 2, in operation, would be shrouded by the console 5 or similar structure.

[0023] Thus there is shown a vertically adjustable armrest which moves in a vertical direction and maintains a horizontal relationship with respect to a console and seat with which it is associated. Their constructions are considered to be within the scope of the claims and these and other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design and arrangement of the elements and the manufacturing steps disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the contemplated claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . An armrest for a console and associated seat, the armrest comprising: an armrest assembly; a support member coupled to the armrest assembly; and a linkage assembly coupled to the console and the support member, wherein the armrest assembly moves in a vertical direction and maintains a horizontal relationship with respect to the console and the seat.

2. The armrest of claim 1 , including a constant force spring coupled to the console and the support member.

3. The armrest of claim 1 , including a lock device coupled to the console and the support member.

4. The armrest of claim 1 , wherein the support member is curved.

5. The armrest of claim 1 , wherein the armrest assembly includes an armrest pad and an armrest tray having at least one storage bin.

6. The armrest of claim 1 , wherein the armrest assembly is pivotally coupled to the support member.

7. The armrest 'of claim 1 , wherein the linkage assembly comprises: a first bar having a first end and a second end, with the first end pivotally coupled to a first fixed pivot and the second end pivotally coupled to the support member ; and a second bar having a first end and a second end, with the first end pivotally coupled to a second fixed pivot and the second end pivotally coupled to the support member; wherein the first fixed pivot and the second fixed pivot are mounted on the console and form a third bar, and the each of the second ends of the first and second bars form a fourth bar on the support member.

8. The armrest of claim 1 , including an electric motor coupled to the linkage assembly to provide a motive force for actuation of the armrest.

9. The armrest of claim 1 , wherein the console is in a vehicle.

1 0. The armrest of claim 9, wherein the vehicle is a passenger vehicle.

1 1 . An adjustable armrest, the armrest comprising: an armrest assembly; a support member coupled to the armrest assembly; and a linkage assembly coupled to a support structure and the support member, wherein the armrest assembly moves in a vertical direction and maintains a horizontal relationship with respect to the support structure.

1 2. The adjustable armrest of claim 1 1 , including a constant force spring coupled to the support structure and the support member.

1 3. The adjustable armrest of claim 1 1 , including a lock device coupled to the support structure and the support member.

1 4. The adjustable armrest of claim 1 1 , wherein the support member is curved.

1 5. The adjustable armrest of claim 1 1 , wherein the armrest assembly includes an armrest pad and an armrest tray having at least one storage bin.

1 6. The adjustable armrest of claim 1 1 , wherein the armrest assembly is pivotally coupled to the support member.

1 7. The adjustable armrest of claim 1 1 , wherein the linkage assembly comprises: a first bar having a first end and a second end, with the first end pivotally coupled to a first fixed pivot and the second end pivotally coupled to the support member ; and a second bar having a first end and a second end, with the first end pivotally coupled to a second fixed pivot and the second end pivotally coupled to the support member; wherein the first fixed pivot and the second fixed pivot are mounted on the support structure and form a third bar, and the each of the second ends of the first and second bars form a fourth bar on the support member'.

1 8. The adjustable armrest of claim 1 1 , wherein the support structure is in a vehicle.

1 9. The adjustable armrest of claim 1 1 including an electric motor coupled to the linkage assembly to provide a motive force for actuation of the adjustable armrest.