Patent Publication Number: US-2022219824-A1

Title: Adjustable armrest assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of, and claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. application Ser. No. 16/985,639, filed Aug. 5, 2020 and entitled “ADJUSTABLE ARMREST ASSEMBLY,” which claims priority to, and the benefit of Indian Patent Application No. 202041018717 filed May 1, 2020 entitled “ADJUSTABLE ARMREST ASSEMBLY.” Both applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to armrests, and in particular to adjustable armrest assemblies. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional armrests for pilot seats in an aircraft are generally complex, costly, and heavy. For example, conventional armrests are generally configured to provide height and tilt adjustability through a complex series of interconnected parts and moving components. The complexity of conventional armrests increases costs, and the excessive weight adversely affects operational efficiency of the aircraft. 
     SUMMARY 
     In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides an armrest assembly for a seat, with the armrest assembly include a base, an armrest, and a shaft. The armrest may have an underside and an upper surface configured to support a user&#39;s arm. The shaft may be slidably coupled to the base and pivotably coupled to the underside of the armrest. In various embodiments, the shaft is a first shaft and the armrest assembly further comprises a second shaft pivotably coupled to the underside of the armrest. The shaft may be pivotably coupled to a forward portion of the armrest and the second shaft may be pivotably coupled to a rear portion of the armrest. In various embodiments, the second shaft is also slidably coupled to the base. 
     In various embodiments, the armrest assembly further includes a locking mechanism configured to reversibly lock the first shaft and the second shaft relative to the base to prevent sliding of the first shaft and the second shaft relative to the base (a “locked configuration”). In various embodiments, the locking mechanism is configured to reversibly release the first shaft and the second shaft relative to the base to allow sliding of the first shaft and the second shaft relative to the base (a “released configuration”). The armrest may include a graspable handle configured to actuate the locking mechanism between the locked configuration and the released configuration. 
     In various embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a first clamp ring disposed around the first shaft and a second clamp ring disposed around the second shaft. The graspable handle may be configured to actuate both the first clamp ring and the second clamp ring. The assembly may further include a control cable extending from the graspable handle to the first clamp ring and the second clamp ring. 
     In various embodiments, the first shaft and the second shaft are threaded. In various embodiments, the first clamp ring and the second clamp ring are threaded. In various embodiments, the base defines a first slot and a second slot, wherein the first shaft is configured to slide longitudinally within the first slot and the second shaft is configured to slide longitudinally within the second slot. The first slot and the second slot may be non-threaded. In various embodiments, each of first clamp ring and the second clamp ring comprises two portions coupled together via a spring element. 
     Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is an armrest assembly for a seat. The armrest may include a base that defines a first slot and a second slot. The armrest assembly may also include an armrest, a first shaft, and a second shaft. The first shaft may be slidably received within the first slot and pivotably coupled to the underside of the armrest. In various embodiments, the second shaft is non-slidably extending from the base and pivotably coupled to the underside of the armrest. For example, the first shaft may be slidable relative to the base and the second shaft may be non-slidably affixed to or integrally formed with the base. In various embodiments, the armrest assembly further includes a locking mechanism configured to reversibly lock the first shaft relative to the base to prevent sliding of the first shaft relative to the base (a “locked configuration”) and to reversibly release the first shaft relative to the base to allow sliding of the first shaft relative to the base (a “released configuration”). 
     Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is an armrest assembly that includes a base defining a first slot and a second slot. The armrest assembly also may include an armrest comprising an underside and an upper surface configured to support a user&#39;s arm. Still further, the armrest assembly includes a first shaft slidably received within the first slot and pivotably coupled to the underside of the armrest and a second shaft slidably received within the second slot and pivotably coupled to the underside of the armrest, according to various embodiments. 
     The armrest assembly may further include a first locking mechanism configured to reversibly lock the first shaft relative to the base to prevent sliding of the first shaft relative to the base and configured to reversibly release the first shaft relative to the base to allow sliding of the first shaft relative to the base. The armrest assembly may also include a second locking mechanism configured to reversibly lock the second shaft relative to the base to prevent sliding of the second shaft relative to the base and configured to reversibly release the second shaft relative to the base to allow sliding of the second shaft relative to the base. The first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism may be independently and separately actuatable. 
     The forgoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated herein otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent in light of the following description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of an armrest assembly, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of an armrest assembly in a lowered position, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of an armrest assembly in an intermediate position, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 2C  is a cross-sectional view of an armrest assembly in a raised position, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of an armrest assembly in a tilted rearward position, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of an armrest assembly in flat position, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 3C  is a cross-sectional view of an armrest assembly in a tilted forward position, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism in a locked configuration, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism in a released configuration, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an armrest assembly having one fixed shaft, in accordance with various embodiments; and 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an armrest assembly having two shafts with independent and separate locking mechanisms, in accordance with various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in accordance with this disclosure and the teachings herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. 
     Disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is an armrest assembly that is adjustable. Generally, the armrest assembly disclosed herein includes a base, an armrest, and one or more shafts extending from the base and being pivotably coupled to the armrest to facilitate quick and easy height and tilt adjustments to the armrest by a pilot or other occupant of the seat with which the armrest assembly is implemented. Although details and examples are included herein pertaining to implementing the armrest assembly for a seat of an aircraft, the present disclosure is not necessarily so limited, and thus aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be adapted for performance in a variety of other industries. As such, numerous applications of the present disclosure may be realized. 
     In various embodiments, and with reference to  FIG. 1 , the armrest assembly  100  includes a base  110 , a shaft  121 , and an armrest  130 . The armrest  130  may include an underside  136  and an upper surface  134  configured to support a user&#39;s arm. The shaft  121  may be slidably coupled to the base  110  to allow for the height of the armrest  130  relative to the base  110  to be adjusted. Further, the shaft  121  may be pivotably coupled to the underside  136  of the armrest  130  to allow for the tilt/orientation of the armrest  130  to be adjusted relative to the base  110 . Additional details pertaining to height and tilt adjustments are included below with reference to  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, and 3C . 
     In various embodiments, the shaft  121  is a first shaft  121 , and the armrest assembly  100  includes a second shaft  122  pivotably coupled to the underside of the armrest  130 . For example, the first shaft  121  may be coupled to a forward portion of the armrest  130  and the second shaft  122  may be coupled to a rear portion of the armrest  130 . In various embodiments, the second shaft  122  is also slidably coupled to the base  110 , thus allowing for both shafts  121 ,  122  to be independently adjusted to alter the height/tilt of the armrest  130 . In various embodiments, and with reference to  FIG. 5  and as described in greater detail below, the second shaft  522  is fixed relative to the base  510  such that only one of the two shafts (e.g., first shaft  521 ) is slidable relative to the base  510 , thus providing tilt adjustability but not overall height adjustability. 
     In various embodiments, the pivoting connection between the one or more shafts and the armrest may allow for roll/tilt about a longitudinal axis of the armrest, thus allowing the armrest to not only be tilted in a forward and/or rear direction but also tilted laterally inward or laterally outward (relative to a user/occupant of the seat). In various embodiments, the base  110  is connected to seat support structure at a pivoting connection  115 . Thus, the base  110  may pivot relative to the seat to provide a first extent/degree of incline for the armrest assembly, with the adjustability of the shafts providing further height/incline adjustability. 
     In various embodiments, the armrest assembly  100  further includes a locking mechanism configured to reversibly lock the first shaft  121  and the second shaft  122  relative to the base  110  to prevent sliding of the first shaft  121  and the second shaft  122  relative to the base  110  (a “locked configuration”). Correspondingly, the locking mechanism may also be configured to reversibly release the first shaft  121  and the second shaft  122  relative to the base  110  to allow sliding of the first shaft  121  and the second shaft  122  relative to the base  110  (a “released configuration”). In various embodiments, and as described in greater detail below with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the locking mechanism may include respective clamp rings  141 ,  142  for the shafts  121 ,  122 . That is, a first clamp ring  141  may be disposed around the first shaft  121  and a second clamp ring  142  may be disposed around the second shaft  122 . 
     In various embodiments, and with continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the armrest  130  of the armrest assembly  100  includes a graspable handle  138 . The graspable handle  138  may be configured to actuate the locking mechanism, thereby allowing a user/occupant to easily and quickly switch between the locked configuration and the released configuration. In various embodiments, the graspable handle  138  may be disposed on the underside  136  of the armrest  130 , and may be configured to translate back and forth along a section of the armrest  130 . In response to the translating motion of the graspable handle  138 , a control cable  139  may transmit said movement to the locking mechanism (e.g., the clamp rings  141 ,  142 ) to toggle the locking mechanism between the locked and released configuration. In various embodiments, actuation of the graspable handle  138  controls the locking and release of both shafts  121 ,  122 , thus allowing the height and the tilt of the armrest  130  to be fully customized (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 2A-3C ). 
     In various embodiments, the first and second shafts  121 ,  122  are threaded, or have some other outward surface features that allow for secure engagement with the corresponding clamp rings  141 ,  142 . In various embodiments, the first and second clamp rings  141 ,  142  have complementary threads or other inward surface features. In various embodiments, the base  110  defines a first slot  111  for slidably receiving the first shaft  121  and a second slot  112  for slidably receiving the second shaft  122 . In various embodiments, the first and second slots  111 ,  112  are non-threaded. For example, the shafts  121 ,  122  may not directly and positively engage with the inward surfaces of the slots  111 ,  112 , but instead the slots  111 ,  112  are mere guide channels for ensuring the shafts  121 ,  122  that facilitate sliding of the shafts  121 ,  122  therein. In various embodiments, the respective sliding/engagement surface(s) of the slots  111 ,  112  and the shafts  121 ,  122  may include a self-lubricating material, or may otherwise be configured to enable motion relative to each other. In various embodiments, the clamp rings  141 ,  142  are affixed/mounted to the base  110 . 
     In various embodiments, and with reference to  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, and 3C , examples of the height and tilt adjustability of the armrest assembly  100  are provided. To avoid obscuring the clarity of these depictions, the locking mechanism is not shown in these views. In various embodiments, and with reference to  FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C , both shafts  121 ,  122  may be translated relative to the base  110  to the same extent, thus maintaining a constant tilt/orientation of the armrest  130  but adjusting the overall height of the armrest  130 . In various embodiments, and with reference to  FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C , one of the shafts may be translated while the other shaft is not translated (or is at least translated to a lesser extend), thus allowing for the forward/rearward tilt of the armrest  130  to be adjusted. 
     In various embodiments, and with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , an example of the locking mechanism is provided in the locked configuration ( FIG. 4A ) and the released configuration ( FIG. 4B ). In various embodiments, each of the clamp rings  141 ,  142  includes two portions (e.g., two halves) coupled together via a spring element  143 . The spring element  143  may bias the two portions together, thus causing the clamp rings  141 ,  142  to securely engage the retained shafts  121 ,  122  in the locked configuration. In response to actuation of the graspable handle  138 , the control cable  139  transmits a pulling force to the clamp rings  141 ,  142  to overcome the bias of the spring element  143 , thus causing the portions of each clamp ring  141 ,  142  to separate from each other and thus sufficiently disengage from the shafts  121 ,  122  to allow movement of the shafts  121 ,  122 . 
     In various embodiments, and with reference to  FIG. 5 , the armrest assembly  500  includes a first shaft  521  that is slidably retained within a slot of the base  510  and a second shaft  522  that is fixed relative to the base  510  (e.g., that is non-movable relative to the base  510 ). The second shaft  522  is still pivotably coupled to the underside  536  of the armrest  530 , thus allowing the armrest  530  to tilt in response to sliding movement of the first shaft  521  relative to the base  510 . In various embodiments, the locking mechanism includes a single clamp ring  541  that is actuated via a control cable  539  extending from the graspable handle  538 . 
     In various embodiments, and with reference to  FIG. 6 , the armrest assembly  600  includes a first shaft  621  that is slidably retained within a slot of the base  610  and a second shaft  622  that is also slidably retained within another slot of the base  610 . The armrest assembly  600  may include two separate locking mechanism, one for each of the shafts  621 ,  622 . In various embodiments, a first locking mechanism, which may include a first clamp ring  641  actuatable by a first graspable handle  638 A and a first control cable  639 A, may be configured to reversibly lock/release the first shaft  621  relative to the base  610 . In various embodiments, a second locking mechanism separate and independent from the first locking mechanism, which may include a second clamp ring  642  actuatable by a second graspable handle  638 B and a second control cable  639 B, may be configured to reversibly lock/release the second shaft  622  relative to the base  610 . Said differently, the two shafts  621 ,  622  of the armrest assembly  600  may be configured to be independently and separately actuatable. In various embodiments, electric actuators may be utilized to electrically actuate adjustment of the armrest assembly. That is, the system may include a controller and one or more electric actuators electrically coupled to the controller. The controller may be configured to send control signals to the electric actuators for powered control of the armrest. 
     Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosure. 
     The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” It is to be understood that unless specifically stated otherwise, references to “a,” “an,” and/or “the” may include one or more than one and that reference to an item in the singular may also include the item in the plural. All ranges and ratio limits disclosed herein may be combined. 
     Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. Different cross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials. 
     The steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. Surface shading lines may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts or areas but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials. In some cases, reference coordinates may be specific to each figure. 
     Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “various embodiments”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments. 
     Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.