Versatile arm rest for a vehicle

An armrest for a vehicle door that is removable and versatile for either a left or right vehicle door is a horizontal support having a support bracket attached to its bottom surface at an outer edge disposed to be inserted into the space between an automobile window and an inner door surface thereby allowing said horizontal support to rest upon an inner door sill for support. The horizontal support also has apertures for installing a stability bracket onto its underside that is adjustable and complements the support bracket by using a secured frictional force against an interior automobile door wall thereby allowing a user to rest their arm in comfort thereupon. A removable cushion can be installed onto the horizontal support to increase comfort to a user.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

SEQUENCE LISTING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an armrest that is adapted to be installed on to the interior of a vehicle door for the purpose of providing comfortable arm support for a driver or passenger. The armrest is intended for a passenger's arm closest to the door.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While there are a number of armrests known in the art that can be installed onto a car door interior, none provide a truly secure and stable armrest in an economical fashion. Further, most armrests do not provide adequate surface area to occupy a user's arm. One of the difficulties in designing armrests that can be attached and removed from a vehicle door is the differing shapes and configurations of the interior surface of vehicle doors. Some doors have a very narrow horizontal interior surface closest to the window that renders many existing armrests inadequate because they are not equipped with an integrated support system to make up for the lost horizontal surface that they depend upon for maximum stability. Other armrests lack the means to adapt to an undulating inner vehicle door surface where various controls, contours and handles may obstruct proper door surface contact. What is needed in the art is a removable armrest that is compatible with a wide variety of interior vehicle door shapes that can simultaneously be secured to said door so that the armrest is substantially solid to support a user's arm weight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a removable armrest adapted to be inserted on the interior of a vehicle door and more specifically has a horizontal support, a support bracket formed by a first and second plate whereby the first plate is attached to the bottom surface of the horizontal support and the second plate is adapted to be inserted into the space between a automobile window and an inner door surface. The support bracket keeps the horizontal support in position and thus allows the bottom surface of the horizontal support to rest upon the inner window sill of an inner vehicle door.

The horizontal support also has a stability bracket that is adjustable to various vehicle doors and allows a lateral force in the direction of the vehicle door to be applied to the inner vehicle door wall. The support bracket and the stability bracket work in combination to provide the required rigidity to support a user's arm without becoming dislodged. The lateral force that the stability bracket applies to the inner vehicle door wall produces a frictional connection with the inner vehicle door wall. This frictional connection in turn produces an opposing force to the downward vertical force of the weight of a user's arm and the weight of the horizontal support.

The horizontal support can be fabricated by several different methods that are known in the art from materials such as polyethylene, nylon, polypropylene, ABS plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, metal, or wood. The horizontal support has a distal end adapted to occupy a user's hand, a proximal end adapted to occupy a user's elbow and a narrower central region to occupy the arm of the user. The horizontal support also has a cushion that has a cushion cover, and a padded portion insertable into the interior of the cushion cover through an opening in the bottom surface of the cushion cover. The cushion cover also has on its bottom surface a pocket at its proximal end and a pocket at its distal end, said pockets made of flexible material thus allowing the cushion to be mounted onto the horizontal support for a user's comfort by inserting the distal and proximal ends of the horizontal support into said pockets allowing the cushion to rest on top of the horizontal support.

All of these features and advantages of the present invention, and more, are illustrated below in the drawings and detailed description that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1shows a perspective view of the armrest installed onto a vehicle door window sill6. The armrest comprises a horizontal support8having an upper surface10, a bottom surface12and an outer edge14. The horizontal support has a proximal end44, a distal end46and a central portion48. The proximal end44and the distal end46of the horizontal support8have their outer edge14shaped in a circular flare50whereby they proceed to narrow the width of the horizontal support8as the outer edge14approaches the central portion48of the horizontal support8. The horizontal support8can be fabricated by several different methods that are known in the art from materials such as polyethylene, nylon, polypropylene, ABS plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, metal, or wood. In a preferred embodiment, ABS plastic would be used for fabricating the horizontal support8.

Located on the upper surface10of the horizontal support8are apertures38for receiving means for fastening40a stability bracket28at a desired location on an interior automobile door wall42. Fastening means40would typically be a bolt and a threaded bolt receptacle such as a nut, a wing-nut, or a knob with receiving threads that correspond to the threaded bolt. While the fastening means can be made of metal, in a preferred embodiment the fastening means consist of a nylon carriage bolt and a nylon wing-nut wherein the nylon carriage bolt has rectangular edges below its head to align with a rectangular shape of an aperture38. The stability bracket28top plate30has a concave outer edge62formed to conform with the outer edge14of the horizontal support8. The stability bracket28can be fabricated of ABS plastic as well as other materials such as polyethylene, nylon, polypropylene, fiberglass, carbon fiber, metal, or wood. In use, the armrest can be located on any door in a given automobile due to its versatile design allowing it to be rotated 180 degrees to accommodate either a left vehicle door or a right vehicle door.

FIG. 2shows a bottom plan view of the horizontal support8bottom surface12with an installed support bracket16and an installed stability bracket28. The support bracket16has a first plate18and a second plate20and a junction22whereby the first plate18is inserted into the space between an automobile window24and an inner door surface26. The second plate20is secured to the bottom surface12of the horizontal support8by securing means, namely, by chemically bonding the support bracket16to the horizontal support8with an agent such as glue, epoxy, cement or other similar bonding agents. In one embodiment, the support bracket16is located in close proximity to the outer edge14of the horizontal support8in a central location on the bottom surface12of the horizontal support8The second plate20of the support bracket16can also be attached by means of securing with various types of screws and bolts. In an alternate embodiment, the fastening means are aluminum binding posts or Chicago screws whereby small apertures are formed in the horizontal support8and the support bracket16and these fastening means are inserted through and tightened. The support bracket16first plate18should be anywhere from two to three inches in length and 1.5 to 2.5 inches wide. The second plate20of the support bracket16should have a length of 2 to 4 inches and a width of 1.5 to 2.5 inches.

The stability bracket28has a top plate30and a side plate32wherein there are elongated channels36formed in said top plate30such that they can accommodate means for adjusting and securing40said stability bracket28. Said elongated channels36are in a plane that is perpendicular to the side plate32. Said means for adjusting and securing40includes the use of the elongated channels36with bolts and nuts, wing-nuts or threaded knobs. The bolts can also be a carriage bolt whereby the rectangular configuration near the head of the carriage bolt fits into the apertures38, as shown inFIG. 1, whereby the apertures38have a matching rectangular configuration such that they do not spin when connecting the nut, wing-nut or threaded knob to the carriage bolt. In a preferred embodiment, said means for adjusting and securing40is the use of nylon carriage bolts with nylon wing-nuts in coordination with the elongated channels36. The stability bracket28top plate30also has a concave outer edge62this is conformed to match the outer edge14of the horizontal support8. The stability bracket28should not exceed the length of the horizontal support8and in a preferred embodiment should be anywhere from 8 to 13 inches in length.

The elongated channels36shown inFIG. 2and the apertures38as shown inFIG. 1should be located in the stability bracket28and the horizontal support8, respectively, so that they align with each other and prevent the adjustment of the stability bracket28top plate30concave outer edge62from extending past the outer edge14of the horizontal support8. Specifically, in a preferred embodiment the apertures38would be located a distance from the outer edge14of the horizontal support8such that the length from the apertures38to the outer edge14of the horizontal support8is equal to or greater than the length of the elongated channels36in the stability bracket28along with the additional length of the stability bracket28between the end of the elongated channel36and the concave outer edge

FIG. 3shows a cross-section side-view of the armrest installed onto an automobile door. Specifically, shown therein is the armrest with the horizontal support8attached to the support bracket16and the stability bracket28side plate32engaged against an interior automobile door wall42. Also shown therein is the stability bracket28junction34between the top plate30and the side plate32. The stability bracket28top plate30is adjusted and secured by said adjustment and securing means40described herein. The second plate20of the support bracket16is installed in between an automobile window24and an inner door surface26. The first plate18of the support bracket16is secured to the horizontal support8where said horizontal support is resting upon an inner window sill6.

The support bracket16and the stability bracket28work in combination to provide the required rigidity to support a user's arm so that the armrest does not dislodge. The lateral force that the stability bracket28applies to the inner automobile door wall42produces a frictional connection between the side plate32of the stability bracket28and the inner automobile door wall42. This frictional connection in turn produces an opposing force to the downward vertical force of the weight of a user's arm and the weight of the horizontal support8. The stability bracket28supplements the support bracket16in keeping the horizontal support8secure in a fixed position. The outer edge14of the horizontal support8extends away from the automobile door.

FIG. 4shows a bottom perspective exploded view of the armrest and stability bracket28wherein said adjustment and securing means40herein identified as bolts and nuts, wing-nuts or threaded knobs are installed through apertures38of the horizontal support8and then the elongated channels36located in the top plate30of the stability bracket28and then completing the connection with said nuts, wing-nuts or threaded knobs. Further shown is the concave outer edge62of the stability bracket28along with the top plate30, the side plate32and the junction34between the top plate30and the side plate32. The adjustment and securing means40allow the stability bracket28to be adjusted such that the armrest is in a fixed position. The stability bracket28movement is guided by the elongated channels36and is governed by the length of said elongated channels36such that the stability bracket does not exceed past the outer edge14of the horizontal support8.

As shown inFIG. 4the stability bracket28has one elongated channel36at one end of the top plate30of the stability bracket28and another channel36at the other end of the top plate30. Due to the location of the channels36in the top plate30, each elongated channel36located at either end of the stability bracket28can accommodate different adjustment depths against an interior automobile door wall42as the bolts can act as pivots because the elongated channels36are slightly wider than the bolts inserted through thereby introducing a sufficient amount of flexibility into how the stability bracket28can be adjusted.

FIG. 5shows a bottom perspective view of the armrest showing the horizontal support8, the stability bracket28top plate30and side plate32, elongated channels36and means for adjustment and securing40of said stability bracket28. Also shown therein is the support bracket16first plate18and second plate20whereby the second plate20and first plate18has a depressed central region78. The second plate20also has a right edge52a left edge54and a leading edge56that is introduced into the space between an automobile window24as shown inFIG. 3and an inner door surface area26. Connecting the depressed central region78to the second plate20and first plate18surface are gussets80. The gussets are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first plate18and the second plate20and offer additional rigidity to the support bracket16such that a material such as ABS plastic can be used and still maintain sufficient strength. The use of ABS plastic for the support bracket16is advantageous because it will not scratch an automobile window24, however support must be built into the support bracket16fabricated of ABS plastic to provide adequate support and rigidity. The depressed central region78gives rise to the formation of gussets80as a connection between the central depressed region78and the first plate18and second plate20. The gussets80add support and rigidity to a support bracket16fabricated of ABS plastic. The ABS plastic support bracket16is secured to the bottom surface12of the horizontal support8near the outer edge14and in the center of the central portion48of the horizontal support8. As discussed above in reference toFIG. 2, the second plate20is secured to the bottom surface12of the horizontal support8by securing means, namely, by chemically bonding the support bracket16to the horizontal support8with an agent such as glue, epoxy, cement or other similar bonding agents.

FIG. 6shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the support bracket16wherein the first plate18and second plate20have a junction22and have a central depressed region78. The central depressed region78of the first plate18and second plate20are attached to the first plate18and the second plate20by way of gussets that are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first plate18and the plane of the second plate20. The second plate has a right edge52, a left edge54and a leading edge56. The right edge52and left edge54extend a length down and in a direction opposite of the junction22and then said right edge52and left edge54angle inwards toward each other on a new trajectory such than an obtuse angle58is formed between the original trajectory of the right edge52and the left edge54and the new trajectory and said right edge52and left edge54terminate into the leading edge56such than obtuse angle60is created at the junction of the right edge52and the leading edge56and an obtuse angle60is created at the junction of the left edge54and the leading edge56. The leading edge56is an initially narrower edge which promotes insertion of the second plate20of the support bracket16into the space between an automobile window24and an inner door surface26as shown inFIG. 3because of the reduced surface area of the leading edge56as compared to the width of the second plate20of the support bracket16.

FIG. 7shows a bottom plan view of an alternate embodiment of the armrest wherein a plurality of support brackets16and stability brackets28are employed. SpecificallyFIG. 7shows two support brackets16with a first plate18a second plate20and a junction22where said first plate18and second plate20meet and said first plate18attached to the bottom surface12of the horizontal support8. In addition, three stability brackets28are used having a top plate30, a side plate32and an elongated channel36located in each stability bracket28. The stability brackets28can be adjusted and secured independently from each other using means40that are defined as bolts and nuts, wing-nuts or threaded knobs. This configuration allows adjustment and securing of the armrest onto an automobile door where the interior automobile door wall42undulates.

FIG. 8shows a top plan view of a cushion64for the armrest said cushion comprising a cushion cover66having a top surface70conformed to fit onto to the horizontal support8.

Referring now toFIG. 9, therein is shown a bottom plan view of the cushion64having a cushion cover66bottom surface68and an opening76for the installment of a padded portion72and pockets74located on either end of said cushion64. The cushion cover top surface70and cushion cover66bottom surface68can be made of numerous types of cloth fabrics, leather, synthetic or authentic animal furs and rubber or other similar textured materials. The cushion cover66bottom surface68is shaped to adapt to the horizontal support8as is the cushion cover66top surface70. The cushion cover66top surface70is joined to the bottom surface68by means of sewing. The pockets74are pieces of fabric, preferably a stretchable fabric such as spandex, that are cut to conform to the proximal end44and the distal end46of the horizontal support8as shown inFIG. 1. The pockets74are then sewn onto the cushion cover66bottom surface68at the proximal end44and the distal end46of the horizontal support8. The pockets74allow the cushion64to be installed onto the horizontal support8.

Referring now toFIG. 10, there is shown a cross-section of the cushion64having a cushion cover66bottom surface68and top surface70, a pocket74and a padded portion72.

The principles, embodiments, and modes of operation of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing specification. The embodiments disclosed herein should be interpreted as illustrating the present invention and not as restricting it. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the range of equivalent structure available to a person of ordinary skill in the art in any way, but rather to expand the range of equivalent structures in ways not previously contemplated. Numerous variations and changes can be made to the foregoing illustrative embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.