Abstract:
A four way adjustable armrest for use on a vehicle seat includes an arm support member having a extension member and the armrest is connected to a seat back including a pair of toothed track members extending along the seat back. A toothed gear is movable on the extension member of the armrest between an engaging position where the armrest position is locked and a retracted position where the gear teeth are removed from the toothed track members and the armrest is free to rotate and to translate along the track members via a track follower. The gear has a splined inner diameter and is carried on mating splines on an outer surface of the cylindrical extension member. A pivoting actuating member moves or throws the gear on the splined extension member between the engaged and retracted positions.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to armrests for vehicle seats and more particularly, the present invention relates to a low cost fully adjustable armrest for use with a vehicle seat wherein the armrest can be moved to varying rotational and vertical positions using a simple mechanism.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    It is known to provide an armrest for use on a vehicle seat. It is also known to provide an adjustable armrest utilizing a variety of mechanisms for adjusting the armrest. For example, it is known to have the armrest pivot to a position generally aligned with the seat back. Further, it is known to have the armrest move vertically with respect to the seat. For example, a variety of patents disclosure various mechanisms for providing such adjustment, including: U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,305, to Meiler, which discloses an armrest for use on a seat wherein this armrest can be rotated and translated with respect to the seat back. U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,135, to Johnson, discloses an adjustable armrest for use on a interior panel on a door of a vehicle wherein the adjustable armrest uses a rack and pall mechanism for adjusting the vertical height of the armrest. The Johnson reference further discloses that dual rack and pall mechanisms may be provided to also allow for angular adjustment of the armrest.  
           [0003]    Additionally, it is also well known to provide an armrest for use in a vehicle wherein the armrest can be both rotated and translated such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,790, to Johnson. The &#39;790 Johnson reference discloses that it is known to have a biased adjustable armrest such that upon release of a locking member, the armrest is biased upward. The &#39;790 Johnson reference also discloses the use of a pall and ratchet for adjusting the angular position of the armrest. The pall and ratchet operate such that the armrest may be rotated in one direction to be adjusted and the pall must be released in order to rotate the armrest in the opposite direction. Thus, the &#39;790 Johnson reference discloses and teaches that separate structure must be used to provide both the rotating and translating functions of the armrest adjustment mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,899, to Shifadal, discloses a pneumatically operated kinematic structure for a vehicle armrest which also biases the armrest in a given direction. U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,919, to Carlson, et al., discloses an adjustable armrest lock mechanism wherein the armrest may be unlocked to be moved by rotating the arm support member to release the lock and then once the arm support is repositioned, the armrest support is rotated in the opposite direction to lock the arm support member in place. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,603, to Grammar, discloses an armrest member which is capable of being height adjusted. Accordingly, despite the significant efforts to provide a low cost and simple adjustable armrest, there remains a continued need and desire to improve the existing designs.  
           [0004]    In particular, the prior art structures need continued improvement to reduce costs and complexity associated with such mechanisms. Further, the prior art lacks the ability to have a four way adjustable armrest which is efficiently and cost-effectively integrated into a vehicle seat. Further, the prior art designs are insufficient in their ability to widely adjust to accommodate the varying sizes of the occupants in a seat. Additionally, the prior art does not disclose adjustable armrests that can be positioned both vertically and angularly to a desired position.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    In one embodiment of the present invention, there is included an adjustable armrest for connection with a vehicle seat, the adjustable armrest includes an armrest support member including a splined extension member located proximate one end thereof. The adjustable armrest further includes a gear, such as a ring gear, located on the extension member of the armrest support member, the gear includes a splined inner surface and a toothed outer surface, the gear further includes oppositely located extension members. In one embodiment of the present invention, the oppositely located extension members extending in opposite directions along the same line and extend outward from the outer periphery of the gear.  
           [0006]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable armrest is connected to a track including a pair of toothed racks connected to the side of a seat back of a vehicle seat by having an end of the extension member of the armrest support member connected to a slider connected to the racks of the track member of the seat back. In one embodiment, the toothed outer surface of the ring gear engages the teeth of the racks to lock the adjustable armrest in position.  
           [0007]    An actuator member having a pivot portion located on a side thereof is connected proximate the splined extension member of the armrest support member and the actuator member includes a pair of leg extensions cooperating with the extension members of the gear such that when the actuator member is pivoted against the arm support member, the leg extensions of the actuator member translate or throw the gear on the splines of the extension member of the armrest support member to retract the gear teeth on the outer periphery of the gear from the teeth on the racks allowing the arm support member to rotate and/or to translate along the track with the slider connected to the end of the splined extension member of the armrest support member. Accordingly, by selectively activating the actuator, an occupant of the seat can position the armrest member in any one of a number of selected angular positions and may also selectively position the arm support member at a given height.  
           [0008]    In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the armrest support member includes a biasing member connected to the slider to bias the slider in a predefined direction along the track. In particular, the biasing member is preferably a spring having one end connected to the slider and the other end connected to the seat back of the vehicle seat. In one alternate embodiment of the present invention, the biasing member is in compression and biases the slider and the armrest support member upward against the arm of the vehicle seat occupant. In another alternate embodiment of the present invention, the spring is in extension and pulls the slider and armrest support member upward along the track against the arm of the vehicle seat occupant.  
           [0009]    One feature of the present invention is the provision of a four way adjustable armrest which is capable of providing both pivotal and height adjustment to an armrest support member wherein the adjustable arm support includes a minimum of components. It is a further feature of the present invention to provide an adjustable armrest support mechanism which is capable of providing the above object and can be done at a relatively very low cost.  
           [0010]    It is a further feature of the present invention, to provide an adjustable armrest support mechanism which can be made entirely out of plastic materials and is capable of meeting all manufacturer and legally mandated requirements.  
           [0011]    Alternatives to the features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reviewing the present application. Such alternative ways are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention if they fall within the scope of the claims which follow. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a four way adjustable armrest support mechanism according to the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a side view of the four way adjustable arm support mechanism of FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a top view of the four way adjustable arm support mechanism of FIG. 1;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the four way adjustable armrest support mechanism of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a partial, cross-sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows of the line  5 - 5  in FIG. 2;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a partial, cross-sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows of the line  6 - 6  in FIG. 2;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a partial, perspective view of the four way adjustable armrest mechanism of FIG. 1 showing the detail of the adjuster and actuator member according to the present invention; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is an partial, plan view of the four way adjustable armrest mechanism as shown in FIG. 7. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]    Referring generally to FIGS. 1 through 8, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown an adjustable arm support mechanism  10  including an arm support member  12  having a first end  13  and a second end  14 . The arm support member  12  is preferably made from a high strength plastic material such as a nylon, ABS modified polycarbonate or other appropriate material. Further, the arm support member  12  may be covered using any known or appropriate cover material (not shown) and may similarly be padded using a foam material or the like as desired.  
         [0021]    The arm support member  12  is connected to a track  20 . The track includes a pair separated and opposing racks  21  and  22 . A slider  16  is connected to an extension member  30  of the arm support member  12 . The slider  16  is preferably a substantially planer member or piece having a substantially rectangular shape. The slider member  16  includes a pair of opposing side edges  17  and  18  each having a thickened cross-section as compared to the body of the slider  16  and preferably a substantially curved or rounded shape. Each of the racks  21  and  22  of the track  20  preferably have a s-shaped form and include a dwell  25  and  26 , respectively. For example, the dwell  25  of the rack  21  of the track  20  has a concave shape located along the respective length of the rack  21  for receiving the respective edge  17  of the slider  16 . Similarly, the dwell  26  of the rack  22  receives the edge  18  of the slider  16 .  
         [0022]    The racks  21  and  22  are preferably connected to the seat back (not shown) of a vehicle seat (not shown) using any known or appropriate connection device such that the slider can translate along the racks  21  and  22 . The racks  21  and  22  may also extend for any given appropriate distance as may be desired for a particular application.  
         [0023]    Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2 through 4, the adjustable arm support mechanism  10  according to the present invention is shown in further detail. In particular, it should be noted that the racks  21  and  22  of the track  20  each include an edge thereof each having a row of teeth  23  and  24 , respectively. The teeth  23  and  24  of the racks  21  and  22 , respectively, preferably run substantially the entire length of the rack  21  and  22  but may alternatively be limited to a given distance thereon. Further, while the teeth  23  and  24  are shown has having a standard saw tooth design, it should be understood that any appropriate notch or profile of the teeth  23  and  24 , may be chosen for the present application provided the profile of the teeth  23  and  24  function to lock the adjustable arm support mechanism  10  in a given position including the location both rotationally and vertically on the seat back.  
         [0024]    The adjustable arm support mechanism  10  of the present invention further includes a gear or locking member  40 . The locking member  40  has a substantially ring gear shape and includes an outer surface or periphery including teeth  41  extending the entire periphery of the locking member  40 . However, it is possible to have the teeth  41  extend only a portion or portions of the periphery of the locking member  40 . Thus, it should be understood that it is possible for the adjustable arm support mechanism to function properly within a limited range by selectively providing teeth  41  on the locking member  40 .  
         [0025]    Locking member  40  further includes an inner periphery  42  provided with a plurality of splines  43  located thereabout. It should be understood also that it is possible to provide the locking member  40  with a single spline  43  or similarly shaped element to prevent rotation of the locking member  40  on the extension member  30  of the arm support member  12  but that it is preferable to have a plurality of splines  43  to provide better operation and strength.  
         [0026]    The locking member  40  further includes a first extension member  44  and an oppositely positioned and aligned second extension member  45 . The extension members  44  and  45  project proximate the periphery of the locking member in aligned and substantially opposite directions and extend past the outer periphery of the locking member including past the teeth  41 . The extensions members  44  and  45  preferably have a substantially cylindrical or rounded outer shape but may have any known or appropriate shape without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.  
         [0027]    The locking member  40  is preferably made from a high strength plastic material and is injection molded using any known or appropriate process. In particular, it is most preferable that the locking member  40  be made from a nylon or similar plastic material. However, it should be understood that the locking member  40  may alternatively be made from any known or appropriate material including from powdered or sintered metals from composites or from any combination of materials.  
         [0028]    The arm support member  12  further includes, proximate the second end  14 , the extension member  30  projecting from one side thereof. The extension member  30  has a generally cylindrical shape and is stepped in a portion thereof. The armrest support member  12  includes a recessed and sunken portion  11  on the one side thereof from which the extension member  30  extends. At one side of the portion  11  a passage or opening  36  is provided as will be more fully described below. The extension  30  includes a first cylindrical extension portion  31  having a substantially cylindrical cross-section and including a plurality of splines  32  disposed on the outer periphery thereof. The extension member  30  further includes a second cylindrical extension portion  33  extending preferably from the first cylindrical extension portion  31  and having an outer periphery  37  having a substantially round shape. The second cylindrical extension portion  33  preferably extends through the hole  19  in the slider member  16 . The second cylindrical extension portion  33  includes an locking or enlarged outer diameter portion  34  extending beyond the hole  19  in the slider  16  to lock the extension member  30  to the slider  16 . The locking portion  34  may be formed using any known or appropriate forming process. Alternatively, the slider member  16  may be otherwise fastened to the second cylindrical extension portion  33  using any known or appropriate manner for connecting the pieces provided the extension member  30  is connected or locked to the slider  16  but can still rotate with respect thereto. The first cylindrical extension portion includes a hole  38  and the second cylindrical extension portion  33  includes a hole  35  aligned with the hole  38  to provide a continuous passage between the two.  
         [0029]    The locking member  40  is located on the first cylindrical extension portion  31  and to one side of the slider  16  such that the slider  16 , locked to the second cylindrical extension portion  33 , prevents the locking member  40  from sliding off of the cylindrical extension portion  31 . The splines  43  of the inner diameter portion  42  of the locking member  40  are designed to mesh with or matingly engage the splines  32  of the outer periphery of the first cylindrical extension portion  31  such that the locking member  40  can translate along the first cylindrical extension portion  31  of the extension member  30 . Further rotation of the arm support member  12  causes the extension member  30  to rotate as well as the locking member  40  provided the teeth  41  of the locking member  40  are not engaging the teeth  23  and  24  of the racks  21  and  22 , respectively. If the teeth  41  of the locking member  40  are engaging the teeth  23  and  24  of the racks  21  and  22 , respectively, the locking member  40  can not be rotated and hence neither can the arm support member  12  due to the engagement of the splines  43  and  32 .  
         [0030]    A spring or other biasing member  80  is provided between the locking member  40  and the sunken portion  11  to bias the locking member  40  into engagement with the track  20  causing the teeth  41  of the locking member  40  to engage the teeth  23  and  24  of the racks  21  and  22 , respectively.  
         [0031]    The adjustable arm support mechanism  10  of the present invention is provided with an actuator member or lever  50  for disengaging the locking member  40  from the track  20  against the bias force of the biasing member  80 . The actuator member  50  includes a first portion or member  51  having a substantially planar and triangular shape and having a passage or hole  52  therein. The first portion  51  is connected with a first leg  53  and a second leg  54  in a substantially perpendicular configuration. The first leg  53  and second leg  54  each include a substantially curved shaped hook member  55  and  56 , respectively located proximate an end distal from the first portion  51 . Preferably, the shape of each hook member  55  and  56  is substantially rounded or curvilinear and chosen to be complimentary to the peripheral shape of the first extension member  44  and second extension member  45 , respectively, of the locking member  40 . The hook members  55  and  56  are intended to engage and capture the extension members  44  and  45 , respectively and interact therewith for translating the locking member  40  along the first cylindrical extension portion  31  of the extension member  30  against the biasing force of the biasing member  80 . Thus, the extension members  44  and  45  are positively engaged in the shaped portions of the hook members  55  and  56 , respectively of the actuator member  50 .  
         [0032]    The actuator member  50  further includes a shaped edge  59  having a shape corresponding with the outer periphery of the extension member  30  so that each leg  53  and  54  of the actuator member  50  may engage and move the locking member  40  without the actuator member  50  interfering with the extension member  30 . Accordingly, the shaped edge  59  preferably has a substantially rounded or constant curvilinear shape but may alternatively have any other known or appropriate shape for avoiding interference with the extension member  30  and which is capable of functioning to capture and move the locking member  40 .  
         [0033]    The actuator member  50  further includes a first pivot portion  57  located at one side of the actuator member  50  aligned with the first leg  53  and the actuator member  50  further includes a second pivot portion  58  located on the opposite side of the actuator member  50  and aligned with the second leg  54 . The first and second pivot members  57  and  58 , respectively, interact with a boss  8  of the armrest support member  12  located with respect to the hole  36  in the arm support member  12 . The convex surface of the member  57  compliments and interacts with a concave surface and an end of the boss  8  in the armrest support member  12 , such that the actuator member  50  freely pivots on the bosses  8  with respect to the armrest support member  12  and the extension member  30 .  
         [0034]    Accordingly, when the first portion member  51  of the actuator member  50  is moved in a first direction, the actuator member pivots on the bosses  8  and the first leg  53  and the second leg  54  also pivot with respect to the bosses  8  causing the locking member  40  to translate on the first cylindrical extension portion  31  of the extension member  30 .  
         [0035]    The adjustable armrest device  10  according to the present invention further includes an operating member  60  for operating the actuator member  50 . The operating member  60  includes a handle  62  having a connector  61  for connection with the armrest support member  12 . The connector  61  may be of any known or appropriate type. The operating member  60  further includes a cable  63  located in a sheath  64  for conveying movement of the handle  62  into movement of the actuator  50  in a well known manner. It should be appreciated that while the operating member  60  of the present invention is shown as including sheath  64  and cable  63  and a handle  62 , any appropriate mechanism or alternative arrangement may be used for operating the actuator member  50  without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the actuator member  50  may be operated directly by the occupant engaging the first portion member  51 . Additionally, the actuator member  50  may be operated using a rigid connector or the like in place of the cable  63  and sheath  64 . Further, any other known mechanism or device may be used for operating the actuator member  50  provided such operating member  60  is capable of operating the actuator member  50  to engage and move the locking member  40  as described.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIGS. 7 and 8 shown in detail the relationship of the actuator member  50 , the arm support member  12 , the locking member  40  and the track  20 . In particular, it should be noted that the actuator member is located on one side of the arm support member  12  and the legs  53  and  54  of the actuator member extend through the passage  36  of the arm support member  12  to engage the extension members  44  and  45  of the locking member  40  on the opposite side of the arm support member  12  to move the locking member  40  on the extension member  30  while the arm support member  12  remains engaged with the track  20  via the connection between the extension member  30  and the slider  16 . In this arrangement, the actuator member  50  and the locking member  40  operate in a manner substantially similar to a throw out bearing. The armrest is placed into and out of engagement with the track  20  via the linear motion of the locking member  40 .  
         [0037]    In operation, when a user or operator wants to adjust the vertical or rotational position of the arm support member  12 , the user moves the handle  62  which in turn pulls the cable  63  causing the actuator member  50  to pivot with respect to the arm support member  12  and the extension member  30 . As the actuator member  50  pivots the legs  53  and  54  which capture the extension members  44  and  45  of the locking member  40  cause the locking member  40  to translate on the extension member  30  due to the splined engagement there between. When the locking member  40  moves a sufficient distance, the teeth  41  of the locking member  40  are removed from the teeth  23  and  24  of the racks  21  and  22 , respectively, of the track  20  thereby releasing the arm support member  12  to be either rotated, as supported by the engagement of the second extension portion  33  in the hole  19  in the slider  16 , or moved along the track  20  as supported by the locking portion  34  connection between the extension member  30  and the slider  16 . via the rounded edges  17  and  18  sliding on dwells  25  and  26  respectively.  
         [0038]    In the present embodiment, it is possible to further include additional biasing members or means (not shown) being connected between the seat and the slider  16  to bias the slider along the track  20  such that when the locking member  40  is removed from engaging the track  20 , the second end  14  of the arm support member  12  is caused to move in a given direction.  
         [0039]    While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in connection with the illustrations, and various modifications thereto have been referred to in the written text, the present invention generally relates to the a novel arrangement for connecting a arm support member to a vehicle seat to provide for a low cost, highly efficient arm support device. Accordingly, the invention may be variously embodied using this basic principle without departing from its intended scope. The invention is therefore not to be limited to the materials, shapes, orientations and proportions illustrated and described, but it is to be limited solely by the scope of the claims which follow.