Patent Publication Number: US-2010123346-A1

Title: Adjusting Device Coacting Arm Rests in a Chair

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an adjusting device, in particular, to an adjusting device which can be implemented in a chair and which can be utilized to coact with two arm rests thereof, and in particular, the arm rests can be adjusted concurrently by the adjusting device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,313 to Wu teaches an adjusting device for an arm rest of a chair such that user can operably use the adjusting device to move the arm rest outward with respect to the chair for affording a greater seating space. Generally, it is a common practice that when user finishes adjustment to one arm rest, he or she will make another effort to do adjustment to the other arm rest as well in order that the arm rests are equally spaced from the chair. 
     The present invention is, therefore, intended to provide for an adjusting device adapted to save effort on adjustments of the arm rests by enabling the arm rests to be adjusted concurrently. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, an adjusting device which can be implemented in a chair and which can be utilized to coact with two arm rests thereof includes a first and a second blocks aligned coaxially with each other. A first and a second plates which are adapted for connecting the two arm rests respectively are moveably attached to the first and second blocks respectively. An adjusting mechanism interconnects the first and second plates and is operable to urge the first plate with respect to the first block and the second plate with respect to the second block concurrently, and in which the first and second plates are moved oppositely by the actuating device. 
     Preferably, the adjusting device further includes a positioning mechanism installed to the first plate so as to hold a relative movement of the first plate with respect to the first block and a relative movement of the second plate with respect to the second block. 
     In another embodiment, the first and second blocks are moveably installed on a platform and are operable to move concurrently in the same direction by a secondary adjusting mechanism 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention that the two arms rests can be adjusted concurrently by the adjusting device. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an adjusting device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, with the adjusting device being implemented in a chair to coact with two arm rests thereof, and with a seat and a backrest thereof shown in phantom. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the adjusting device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 4 , but illustrating the arm rests being moved outward from the chair by the adjusting device. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross section view of  FIG. 6   
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 5 , but illustrating a positioning adjusting mechanism thereof in another position. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an adjusting device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, with the adjusting device being implemented in a chair to coact with two arm rests thereof, and with a seat and a backrest thereof shown in phantom. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the adjusting device shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom view of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom view similar to  FIG. 12 , but illustrating the arm rests being moved outward from the chair by the adjusting device. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an adjusting device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, with the adjusting device being implemented in a chair to coact with two arm rests thereof, and with a seat and a backrest thereof shown in phantom. 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded perspective view of the adjusting device shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 17  is a side view similar to  FIG. 16 , but illustrating the arm rests in another position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIGS. 1  though  9  show an adjusting device which can be implemented in a chair and which can be utilized to coact with two arm rests  60  thereof in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     The adjusting device includes two blocks  10 , with one referred as a first block and the other referred as a second block, which are mounted on a seat  50  of the chair and are aligned coaxially with each other. Each of the first and second blocks  10  has a substantially U-shaped geometry consisted of two sidewalls  11  and a groove  13 . Further, an array of plurality of holes  14  are defined on each groove  13 . 
     Two plates  20 , with one referred as a first plate and the other referred as a second plate, are adapted for connecting the two arm rests  60  respectively and the first and second plates  20  are moveably attached to the first and second blocks  10  respectively. Further, a through slot  21  is defined on each of the first and second plates  20 . Additionally, note that the first plate  20  is supported by two supporting members  12  installed to the two sidewalls  11  of the first block  10 . Likewise, the second plate  20  is supported by another two supporting members installed to the two sidewalls of the second block  10 . 
     Preferably, each supporting member  12  has a cross-sectional greater than that of each sidewall  11 . Thus, the first and second plates  20  are prevented disengagement from the first and second blocks  10  respectively. 
     Preferably, each supporting members  12  is installed to each sidewall  11  by means of fasteners (not numbered) or adhesives alternatively or the like. Nevertheless, it is understood that the supporting member  12  may be formed integrally with the side wall  20 . 
     An adjusting mechanism  30  includes a linking member  31  which is attached fixedly to the first plate  10  and which has a plurality of teeth  311  formed thereon. Further, a coupling member  33  is attached fixedly to the second plate  20  by means of fasteners (not numbered), or adhesives alternatively or the like. Nevertheless, it is understood that the coupling member  33  may be formed integrally with the second plate  20 . The coupling member  33  has a plurality of teeth  331  formed thereon and is opposite to the plurality of teeth  311  on the linking member  30 . Further, a shaft  321  is inserted through the slot  21  of the second plate  20  and is connected fixedly to the second block  10 . Then, when a terminal end of the through slot  21  is abutted by the shaft  321  the second plate  20  would be inhibited from further advancement with respect to the second block  10 . Further, a pinion  32  is rotatably moveable with respect to the shaft  321  and interconnects the teeth  331  of the linking member  33  and the teeth  311  of the coupling member  31 . 
     The adjusting mechanism  30  is operable to urge the first plate  20  with respect to the first block  10  and the second plate  20  with respect to the second block  10  concurrently, and in which the first and second plates  20  are moved oppositely. 
     A positioning mechanism  40  is installed to the first plate  20  so as to hold a relative movement of the first plate  20  with respect to the first block  10  and a relative movement of the second plate  20  with respect to the second block  10 . 
     The positioning mechanism  40  includes a lever arm  41  pivotally connected to a lug  44 , which is formed on the first plate  20 . The lever arm  41  is operable to move an engaging member  42  to selectively engage in one of the array of plurality of holes  14  in the first block  10 . Specifically, when the engaging member  42  is engaged with one of the plurality of holes  14 , the first plate  20  is held from movement with respect to the first block  10 . Likewise, the second plate  20  is held from movement with respect to the second block  10 . 
     In addition, a pin  45  is utilized with the lever arm  42  and includes a portion located between the lever arm  41  and the first plate  20  receiving a resilient member  43 . Thus, when the lever arm  42  is operable to move the engaging member  42  to disengage from a particular hole  14  the resilient member  43  is depressed, while when the lever arm  42  is operable to move the engaging member  42  to engage with a particular hole  14  the resilient member  43  is adapted to facilitate the engagement. 
       FIGS. 10  though  13  show an adjusting device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The adjusting device differentiates from the first embodiment in that an adjusting mechanism  70  includes a first link  71  having a first end pivotally attached to the first plate  20  and a second end, a second link  72  having a first end pivotally attached to the second end of the first link  71  and a second end, and a third link  73  having a first end pivotally attached to the second end of the second link  72  and a second end pivotally attached to the second plate  20 . Moreover, the adjusting mechanism  70  includes one shaft  74  inserted through the through slots  21  of first plate  20  and connected fixedly to the first block  10 , and another shaft  74  inserted through the through slot  21  of the second plate  20  respectively and connected fixedly to the second block  10  respectively. In this case, the first  71 , second  72  and third links  73  would pivot in relation to each other to urge the first plate  20  with respect to the first block  10  and the second plate  20  with respect to the second block  10  concurrently. 
       FIGS. 14 through 17  show an adjusting device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The adjusting device differentiates from the first embodiment in that a first and a second blocks  10 ′ are moveably installed on a platform  90  and are operable to move concurrently in the same direction. Moreover, each of the first and second blocks  10 ′ includes a through slot  81  and a shaft  82  inserted through the through slot  81  and connected fixedly to the associated block  10 ′. Then, when a terminal end of the through slot  81  is abutted by the shaft  82 , the block  10 ′ would be inhibited from further advancement with respect to the platform  90 . Further, a secondary adjusting mechanism  34  includes at least one coupling member  35  which is attached fixedly to one of the first and second blocks  10 ′ and which has a plurality of teeth  351  formed thereon, and a pinion  36  which is operable to engage with the plurality of teeth  351  of the coupling member  35  to thereby facilitate relative movement of the first and second blocks  10 ′ with respect to the platform  90 . Additionally, a controller  37  may be utilized to enable user to readily move the pinion  35 . 
     While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of invention and the scope of invention is only limited by the scope of accompanying claims.