Arm support

A portable arm support has a hanger mount that is configured to be attached to a structure, such as an automotive door panel. A support member attaches to the hanger mount in a manner so that the support member is rotatable over a range of rotation. The support member can have a convex, curved support surface upon which a user may rest their arm. The support member may rotatably self-adjust upon placement of the user's arm on the support surface. The support member can be connected to the hanger mount via a connector, which connector is attached to a lower part of the support member, but not an upper part of the support member, so as not to resist deflection of the upper part of the support member.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to portable arm supports.

Travelling can be uncomfortable. Seating in automobiles, airplanes and the like typically is designed to fit average body types, and thus doesn't properly fit many individuals. Further, such seating typically does not accommodate preferences of specific users. Arm rests are often provided; however, such arm rests typically are not adjustable. For example, automobiles typically have an arm rest integrated into a door panel. The integrated arm rest may be placed at a height that is suitable and comfortable for some people, but not for many others. Also, sometimes a passenger may wish to change their position, or lean their elbow on the arm rest. The integrated arm rest may not comfortably accommodate such passengers. As such, passengers often use other structures as arm rests. For example, in some instances a passenger may rest their elbow on an upper surface of an automobile door panel. This upper surface typically is not configured to accommodate an elbow, and the passenger's elbow may slip off the surface, which may not be at a preferred height anyway.

Portable arm supports are available that can be hung on portions of a vehicle, such as the automobile door panel. However, such arm supports also have limitations in convenience, adjustability and comfort.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an arm support that offers improved versatility, adjustability, and/or comfort and support.

In accordance with one embodiment, a portable arm support is provided, comprising a mount and a support member. The mount is configured to be attachable to a structure, and has a raised mount portion extending from a support surface of the mount. The raised mount portion comprises an arcuate portion and a raised stop having first and second stop surfaces. The support member has an upper surface configured to accept a user's arm rested thereupon, and has a front side and a back side. A connector is provided on the back side. The connector is configured to engage the raised mount portion so that the support member is supported by the raised mount portion. The connector engages the raised mount portion so that the support member is rotatable relative to the raised mount portion between a first position in which the connector engages the first stop surface and a second position in which the connector engages the second stop surface.

In some such embodiments, the support member upper surface is curved so as to be upwardly convex, and in some embodiments the upper surface of the support member comprises a non-stick pad.

In further embodiments, the support member can comprise an upper part and a lower part, and the connector is attached to the lower part so that a vertical space is disposed between the upper part and the connector. In some embodiments the support member is configured to deflect upon application of a force to the upper part so that the space between the upper part and the connector decreases upon application of the force.

In additional embodiments the raised mount portion comprises a disk-shaped member having a circumferential edge, and a channel is formed between the circumferential edge and the support surface of the mount, wherein the connector comprises a lip that fits into the channel. In some embodiments a hollow space is defined between the first and second sides of the support member. Further embodiments may additionally comprise an insert sized and configured to releasably fit within the hollow space, the insert comprising a front wall configured to enclose the first side of the support member. In yet further embodiments the support member has a back wall at or adjacent the back side, and the connector extends from the back wall.

In still other embodiments the mount is configured to engage an inside door panel of an automobile so that the support surface of the mount is generally vertical and rests against the inside door panel.

In another embodiment, a portable arm support is provided comprising a mount having an upwardly-directed portion, and a support member having an upper part and a lower part. The upper part defines an upper surface configured to accept a user's arm rested thereupon. A connector is attached to the lower part of the support member but spaced from the upper part of the support member. A mount member is defined on the upwardly directed portion of the mount. The connector selectively engages the mount member of the upwardly directed portion of the mount so that the support member is suspended from and supported by the mount member.

In some embodiments, the upwardly-directed portion is vertical. Another embodiment comprises a spring structure between the upper and lower parts of the support member. In yet another embodiment, the upper part of the support member is arcuate, and the spring structure is at least partially incorporated into the upper part. In still another embodiment, the spring structure is at least partially incorporated into a transition between the upper and lower parts.

In further embodiments, the connector selectively engages the mount member so that the support member is rotatable relative to the mount. In another embodiment the upwardly-directed portion comprises a plurality of mount members that are vertically and/or horizontally spaced apart from one another.

In yet another embodiment the upper and lower parts of the support member define a space therewithin. In a yet further embodiment, the support member has a front side and a back side, and the connector selectively engages the mount member at or adjacent the back side. Still other embodiments may comprise a connector wall extending from the connector toward the front side of the support member, an elongate portion of the connector wall attached to the lower part of the support member between the second and first sides of the support member.

DESCRIPTION

With initial reference toFIG. 1, an embodiment of a portable arm support20is illustrated attached to an automotive door panel24. The portable arm support20comprises a hanger mount30and a support member50. The hanger mount30engages and hangs from the door panel24, while the support member50is releasably attached to and supported by the hanger mount30.

With additional reference toFIGS. 2-6, the illustrated hanger mount30comprises a bridge portion32from which a depending portion34depends. A support portion40also depends from the bridge portion32and is spaced from the depending portion34. The depending portion comprises a tapered tip36, and connects to the bridge portion32at a back transition38which, in the illustrated embodiment, is about 90°. A front transition42from the bridge portion32to the support portion40also preferably is about 90°. In the illustrated embodiment the front transition42is arcuate, curving along a radius of curvature that is greater than a radius of curvature of the back transition38from the bridge portion32to the depending portion34. Of course, it is to be understood that, in other embodiments, the curvature of the transition portions can be configured differently as desired.

The depending portion34preferably is configured so as to be insertable between the window and door panel24of a car door22so that the bridge portion32rests atop a top surface26of the door panel24. As such, the hanger mount30is hung upon the door panel24. The support portion40depends from the bridge portion32and rests against the door panel24. Preferably the support portion40extends substantially vertically. In the illustrated embodiment, the hanger mount30is spaced from and above an integrated arm rest28of the automotive door panel24.

In the illustrated embodiment, a pad52is attached to an inner surface54of the support portion40. The pad52is configured to rest against the door panel24, protecting both the hanger mount30and the door panel24, and ensuring a snug fit without any rattles. In some embodiments the pad52is quite large and compressible so as to enable a snug fit with door panels of various widths.

With continued reference particularly toFIGS. 2-6, a raised mount member56extends outwardly from the outer surface58of the support portion40substantially opposite the pad52. The illustrated raised mount member56includes a disk-shaped holder60having a circumferential edge62. Along at least an upper portion of the raised mount member56, a channel66is formed between the circumferential edge62of the disk shaped holder60and the outer surface58of the support portion40. The channel66includes a channel surface70that is spaced from the circumferential edge62surface of the holder60. In the illustrated embodiment, the channel surface70generally follows the curvature of the circumferential edge62at least in the upper portion of the holder60, such as along at least the upper 180° of the disk-shaped holder60.

In the illustrated embodiment, the channel surface70generally follows the curvature of the circumferential edge62over more than the top 180° of the raised mount member56. However, as best shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, in a lower portion of the raised mount member the channel surface70straightens out and extend toward and terminate at a tip74of the support portion40. The portions of the channel surface70that diverge from following the curvature of the disk-shaped holder60comprise stop surfaces78, and a raised stop80is defined between the opposing stop surfaces78.

In the illustrated embodiment the raised stop80is raised from the outer surface58a distance generally corresponding to the width of the channel66. It is to be understood that in other embodiments the raised stop can have other shapes and widths.

The opposing stop surfaces78are relatively straight and spaced apart from one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the opposing stop surfaces78extend toward the tip74of the support portion40in directions that are generally converging, but the stop surfaces78terminate at the tip74of the hanger mount support portion40before crossing one another. In some embodiments, the stop surfaces can extend in directions that are diverging or generally parallel. In still other embodiments, the stop surfaces can converge on the support portion, before either stop surface reaches the tip of the support portion.

The hanger mount30can be made from any rigid or semirigid material such as plastics or metal. In some embodiments, the hanger30can be formed as one piece via, for example, milling or injection molding. Also, in some embodiments all of part of the hanger mount can include multiple materials, such as the support portion having a strong metal core over which plastic may be injection-molded.

With continued reference toFIGS. 1-6, the illustrated support member50comprises an inner support portion88and an outer support portion90. The inner support portion88preferably is configured to engage and be supported by the raised mount member56. The outer support portion90is configured to support a user's arm.

With particular reference toFIGS. 2 and 4-6, preferably the inner support portion88includes a connector92that is configured to fit onto and over the raised mount member56of the hanger mount30. More specifically, the inner support portion88includes a back wall94, and the connector92extends outwardly from the top of the back wall94. The connector92preferably includes a lip96extending generally inwardly, spaced from and parallel to the back wall94. As shown particularly inFIG. 4, the lip96fits over the disk-shaped holder60circumferential edge62and into the channel66. Preferably the connector92and lip96are complementary in size and shape to the disk-shaped holder60and channel66, respectively. As such the lip96fits in the channel66, and the inner support portion88hangs from the hanger mount30raised mount member56.

In a preferred embodiment, the connector92and lip96are arcuately shaped to complement the arcuate shape of the raised mount member56. With additional reference toFIG. 7, due to the complementary arcuate shapes, the inner support member88can be rotated relative to the hanger mount30over at least a range of rotation. Within such range of rotation the lip96remains engaged in the channel66so that the inner support portion88still hangs from the hanger mount30. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop surfaces78define the range of rotation. More specifically, as the inner support member88is rotated in either direction, eventually the lip96will engage one of the stop surfaces78, which diverge from the arcuate channel surface. When the lip96is engaged with a stop surface78, as depicted inFIG. 7, the inner support member88is prevented from further rotation in that direction.

With reference again toFIGS. 2 and 4-6, the outer support portion90comprises an upper part100and a lower part102that are substantially contiguous and unitarily formed. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper part100comprises a curving upper support surface104that is generally convex. The lower part102also curves, and is generally concave. The upper and lower parts100,102are contiguous, so that the outer support portion90is generally oval-shaped when viewed from an end as inFIG. 6. In other embodiments, the outer support portion can have various cross-sectional shapes, including smoothly curving shapes such as ovals, circles, and even bean-like shapes; and also shapes incorporating hard corners such as squares, rectangles, triangles or the like. Some embodiments may have cross-sectional shapes that have both smoothly curving portions and one or more hard corners.

In the illustrated embodiment the outer support portion90is formed of a rigid or semirigid material such as plastic. A non-slip pad layer106such as a foam and/or elastomer preferably is attached to at least the upper part of the outer support portion. The non-slip pad layer106provides a comfortable surface upon which a passenger may rest their arm. In the illustrated embodiment, the pad layer106is attached about the circumference of the entire outer support portion90.

The illustrated configuration, in which the upper and lower parts100,102, are curvaceous creates a structural configuration in which the outer support portion90is quite flexible. In particular, the structure at and adjacent the transition from the upper part100to the lower part102can behave like a spring. As such, the illustrated configuration can be considered to have a spring structure between the upper and lower parts100,102, even though the upper and lower parts can participate substantially in the spring-like behavior. It is to be understood that other configurations can be shaped differently, but also be considered to have a spring structure between the upper and lower parts. In still other embodiments, an upper part defining an upper support surface can be connected to a lower part by a more traditional spring structure such as coil, torsion, leaf or cantilever springs.

The outer support portion90preferably defines a substantially hollow space110inside, extending from a front edge112to a back edge114of the outer support portion90. In the illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of the inner support portion88is disposed within the hollow space110. As best shown inFIG. 4, the back wall94of the inner support portion88is connected to the lower part102of the outer support portion90at or adjacent the back edge114, and extends upwardly therefrom, with the connector extending backwardly from a top of the back wall94. In this embodiment, the back wall94is not attached directly to the upper part100, and is in fact vertically spaced from the upper part.

With continued reference toFIGS. 1-6, in the illustrated embodiment, a connector wall116extends from the back wall94and into the hollow space110within the outer support portion90. An upper portion of the connector wall116preferably is arcuate and convex over about 180° so as to approximate and extend inwardly from the curving connector92. In a lower portion, the connector wall116straightens out, and then curves outwardly in transition portions120that connect to the lower part102of the outer support portion90. Preferably the transition portions120curve so as to make a smooth transition to the curving lower part102. In the illustrated embodiment, the transition portions120of the connector wall116extend further toward the front edge112of the outer support portion90than do other parts of the connector wall116. Effectively, the connector wall116connects the back wall94to the lower part102. The illustrated connector wall distributes that connection across a majority of the width of the outer support portion90.

With particular reference toFIGS. 2 and 4, in the illustrated embodiment the front edge112of the rigid or semi-rigid outer support portion90is beveled inwardly. Preferably, however, the pad layer106maintains its thickness at the front edge. In some embodiments a portion of the pad layer may extend around the front edge112and/or back edge114so as to further improve safety and comfort.

In a preferred embodiment, the support member50is unitarily formed, such as by injection-molding and/or milling of plastic. As such, the inner and outer portions88,90are formed as a unitary piece, upon which the non-stick pad106can be deposited. In other embodiments, portions of the support member50may be formed independently and connected together via rigid or flexible connectors.

To use the device, a passenger first puts the hanger mount30in place—such as upon the door panel24of an automobile—and then hangs the support member50on the hanger mount30. The user can affirmatively rotate the support member50relative to the hanger mount30in order to find a desirable, comfortable position. Also, the curving nature of the upper support surface104allows the user to choose a particular point along the support surface104that is most comfortable. Further, due to its rotatability, when a user applies a force F on the support member50, such as by resting their arm or elbow on it, the support member50may rotate somewhat so as to equalize forces, and best accommodate that force. Such self-adjustment can maximize user comfort.

With reference next toFIGS. 6 and 8, the curving structural configuration of the oval outer support portion90and inner support portion88functions as a flexible spring for the support member. This can provide substantial improvements in user comfort. More specifically, as a user leans upon the support member50, force F will be applied to the support member upper support surface104, which will cause the upper or lower parts100,102to deflect somewhat under the force F. Since the upper support surface104of the outer support portion90is spaced from the top of the outer wall94, there is space available for such deflection.FIG. 8depicts a situation in which the force F deflects the outer support portion90substantially, reducing the space between the upper support surface104and the back wall94relative to the at-rest position illustrated inFIG. 6.

When the arm support20is used in a moving vehicle such as, for example, an automobile, it is anticipated that there will be bumps and such incident to driving. The springiness of the illustrated support member90helps to absorb and dampen such bumps, resulting in a more flexible and comfortable support for the user.

With reference next toFIG. 9, another embodiment is illustrated in which the hanger mount30has two spaced apart raised mount members56a,56bon its support portion40. The user may choose which of the raised mounts56a,56bto attach the support member50based on its position. In the illustrated embodiment, the raised mount members56a,56bare spaced vertically from one another. In other embodiments, raised mount members can be horizontally or diagonally spaced from one another as desired. Also in the illustrated embodiment, the raised mount members56a,56bare disposed on a part of the support portion40that depends from the bridge portion32. In further embodiments, all or part of the support portion may extend upwardly from the bridge portion. As such, one, two, three, or more raised mount members can be provided and positioned at, above or below the bridge portion. Such a configuration would enable embodiments in which raised mount members can be at, above, or below the top surface of the door panel24of the automobile inFIG. 1, or any other structure (such as an airline seat arm rest) to which the hanger mount30is attached.

With reference next toFIG. 10, another embodiment is illustrated in which the hanger mount30comprises multiple pieces that can be assembled together. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the bridge portion of the hanger mount has a telescoping structure in which a first part32aselectively slides over a second part32bso that a user can adjust the length of the bridge portion32to match the width of, for example, the top surface of the door panel in their particular vehicle.

With reference next toFIGS. 11 and 12, another embodiment is illustrated in which the support member50is configured to comprise a removable insert130within the hollow space110. In the illustrated embodiment, the insert130comprises a front wall132having an access hole134formed therethrough and an outer wall136, each of which is shaped generally complementary to the outer support portion90. As such, the insert130fits snugly within the hollow space110, forming a storage space between the insert front wall132and the support member back wall94. In this embodiment, there is no connector wall extending inwardly from the back wall94into the hollow space towards the front edge of the outer support portion, although in some embodiments inserts can be formed to accommodate some form of connector wall that may or may not have structure similar to the connector wall116discussed above. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the back wall94extends between and connects to both the upper part100and lower part102of the support member50.

In the illustrated embodiment the insert130comprises an access hole134. In other embodiments the insert front wall132can be completely closed, and a knob or the like can be provided. Further embodiments may employ key access or the like. In yet further embodiments, the insert130may be completely enclosed, having both front and back walls, and may even have its own door rather than being open on one end. Still further embodiments may not employ a removable insert, but instead may have a door removably or hingedly attached to the front edge of the outer support portion to enclose the hollow space.

In the illustrated embodiments, the hanger mount30has been specifically configured for use in an automobile door. However, it is to be understood that the specific structure of the hanger mount30can be configured for other applications. For example, in one embodiment, the hanger mount can be configured to engage an airline seat arm rest, and the support portion40that supports the raised mount member(s)56can extend upwardly from the arm rest. In other embodiments, the hanger mount can be configured to be screwed into a surface such as a wall, can hang from a hook, have a member configured to engage an existing hole, and/or be connectable to a window or the like by suction cups, double-sided tape or other means. In further embodiments, a kit can be provided having a plurality of different types of hanger mounts, and one or more support members that can be used with any or a plurality of the hanger mounts.

The embodiments discussed above have disclosed structures with substantial specificity. This has provided a good context for disclosing and discussing inventive subject matter. However, it is to be understood that other embodiments may employ different specific structural shapes and interactions.

Although inventive subject matter has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred or illustrated embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the disclosed embodiments have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of the inventive subject matter, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventive subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the inventive subject matter herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.