Patent Description:
An armrest is provided as defined by claim <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the armrest, the coupler includes at least one bolt.

In some embodiments of the armrest, the arm pad includes at least five grooves.

In some embodiments of the armrest, the arm pad includes at least <NUM> grooves.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, the seat is a pilot seat for an aircraft.

A seat is also provided as defined by claim <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the seat is configured as a pilot seat for an aircraft.

An armrest for a seat is disclosed. Specifically, an extendable armrest for a pilot seat in a cockpit is disclosed. In some implementations, the armrest can be extended to multiple locking positions by pressing an actuating lever that is spring biased, releasing a locking end of the lever from one or more groves formed into an edge of an arm pad, allowing the arm pad to be extended relative to an armrest subframe. Once the actuating lever is released, the locking end of the lever is biased via a spring against another groove on the arm pad, locking the arm pad into an extended position. Retraction of the arm pad similarly involves the pressing of the actuating lever, translation of the arm pad, and release of the actuating lever.

<FIG> is an example environment of a seat <NUM>, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the seat is configured as a pilot seat. For example, the seat may be configured as a pilot seat disposed within the cockpit of an aircraft. The seat <NUM> includes a seat frame <NUM>, a seat back <NUM>, a seat pan <NUM>, a headrest <NUM>, and one or two arms <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the seat includes an armrest <NUM> configured to support the arm of a pilot. The armrest <NUM> may be attached directly to the seat <NUM> (e.g., the armrest <NUM> configured as both the arm <NUM> as well as the armrest <NUM>), may be attached to an existing arm <NUM> of the seat <NUM>, or may be attached to an arm structure <NUM> that is compatible for attachment of the armrest <NUM>. The armrest <NUM> is configured to extend an arm pad <NUM> relative to an armrest subframe <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustration of a reverse plan view (e.g., view from the floor) of the armrest <NUM> in a locked and retracted position, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The armrest subframe <NUM> is coupled directly or indirectly to the armrest <NUM> or the seat <NUM> via a coupler (not shown). The coupler may be configured as any type of coupling mechanism including but not limited to a nut and bolt coupling, a screw coupling, or a friction coupling.

In some embodiments, the arm pad <NUM> is translatably coupled to the armrest subframe <NUM>. The arm pad <NUM> is configured to slide along the length of the armrest subframe <NUM> within a grooved channel or surface (e.g., the arm pad <NUM> and armrest subframe <NUM> may be arranged in a rail and groove arrangement). The arm pad <NUM> and/or armrest subframe <NUM> may also include one or more bearings to facilitate the sliding of the arm pad <NUM> along the armrest subframe <NUM>.

The armrest subframe <NUM> includes a slot <NUM> (e.g., aperture) within a face of the armrest subframe (e.g., the slot is an aperture in the armrest subframe). The slot <NUM> is used in conjunction with a stop pin <NUM> attached to the arm pad <NUM> of the armrest <NUM> (the slot <NUM> is configured to receive the stop pin <NUM>). The slot <NUM> and stop pin <NUM> arrangement prevents the arm pad <NUM> from extending or retracting too far relative to the armrest subframe <NUM> and releasing from the armrest subframe <NUM>. The stop pin <NUM> is inserted into the slot <NUM>, restricting the translation of the arm pad <NUM> along the armrest subframe <NUM> (e.g., the stop pin <NUM> prevents the arm pad <NUM> from sliding off of the armrest subframe <NUM>).

The arm pad <NUM> includes a plurality of grooves <NUM> (e.g., half-circles) formed on one edge of the arm pad <NUM>. The plurality of grooves <NUM> act as lock out positions for the armrest <NUM>, allowing one or more positions where the arm pad <NUM> may be locked in place after translation along the armrest subframe <NUM>. By way of example, one or more grooves of the plurality of grooves <NUM> along the one edge of the arm pad <NUM> may be spaced every <NUM> (<NUM> inches). The arm pad <NUM> may be configured with any number of grooves. For example, the arm pad <NUM> may be configured with five or more grooves. In another example, the arm pad may be configured with <NUM> or more grooves.

The arm pad includes a lever <NUM>. The lever is configured to lock and/or unlock the arm pad <NUM> relative to the position of the armrest subframe <NUM>. The lever <NUM> includes a fulcrum <NUM> rotationally coupled to the armrest subframe <NUM>. The lever <NUM> further includes a lock end <NUM> that includes a locking pin <NUM>. The locking pin <NUM> is configured to engage a groove of the plurality of grooves <NUM> (e.g., a first groove) formed on the arm pad <NUM>, preventing translation of the arm pad <NUM> relative to the armrest subframe <NUM>.

The lever <NUM> further includes an actuating end <NUM>. Movement of the actuating end <NUM> engages and/or disengages the locking pin <NUM>. For example, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the actuating end <NUM> is pressed, the locking pin <NUM> is released from a groove of the plurality of grooves <NUM> (e.g., the first groove) freeing the arm pad <NUM> to so that it may translate relative to the armrest subframe <NUM>.

The armrest <NUM> includes an extension spring <NUM> attached on one end to the lever <NUM> and the other end to the arm pad <NUM>. For example, the spring may be attached to an attachment point <NUM> approximate to the lock end <NUM>, with the other end of the spring <NUM> attached to a spring anchor <NUM> coupled to the arm pad <NUM>. The spring is configured in combination of the lever <NUM> to bias the locking pin towards a groove <NUM> (e.g., a first groove), locking the arm pad <NUM> relative to the armrest subframe <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustration of a reverse plan view (e.g., view from the floor) of the armrest <NUM> in an unlocked position, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. As described above, pressing the actuating end <NUM> (e.g., by applying manual pressure, which counteracts the biasing by the spring <NUM>) disengages the locking pin <NUM> from the groove <NUM>, resulting in an unlocked configuration. The arm pad <NUM> may then be translated relative to the armrest subframe <NUM> by manually sliding the arm pad <NUM> along the armrest subframe <NUM> (e.g., until the sliding is restricted by the stop pin <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustration of a bottom view of the armrest <NUM> in an extended and locked position, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. As mentioned herein, the translation of the arm pad <NUM> relative to the armrest subframe <NUM> (e.g., from a retracted to an extended position) can be accomplished by manually sliding the arm pad <NUM> relative to the armrest subframe <NUM> while the locking pin is disengaged (e.g., the actuating end <NUM> is depressed). After extension of the arm pad <NUM> to the desired length, the actuating end <NUM> is released (e.g., the actuating end is no longer pressed upon), the spring <NUM> biases the locking pin <NUM> into a second groove of the plurality of grooves <NUM>, locking the arm pad <NUM> into place.

As described herein, the engagement of the lock end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> is enhanced by the extension of the spring <NUM> (e.g., the spring <NUM> biases the locking pin <NUM> into a first groove of the plurality of grooves). In some embodiments, the actuating end <NUM> must be depressed at the same time that the arm pad <NUM> is translated in order to manually slide the arm pad <NUM>. In some embodiments, the force promoting the engagement of the locking pin <NUM> to the groove may come from a spring in a different configuration. For example, the fulcrum <NUM> of the lever <NUM> may itself have a spring mechanism that forces the locking pin <NUM> into the groove. Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as a limitation of the present disclosure, but merely an illustration.

The force of the spring <NUM> also bias the arm pad <NUM> into a retracted or home position. For example, if the arm pad <NUM> is locked into an extended position relative to the armrest subframe, the spring <NUM> (e.g., an extension spring) is also extended. By pressing the actuating end <NUM> and disengaging the locking pin <NUM>, the extension spring contracts, providing the motive force that translates the arm pad <NUM> into a retracted, home, or near-home position.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for translating the arm pad <NUM> relative to an armrest subframe <NUM>, which is not within the scope of the claims. For example, the arm pad <NUM> may be locked in a home or retracted position, wherein the arm pad <NUM> is then unlocked, translated (e.g., slid) to an extended position, and relocked.

In one or more examples, the method <NUM> includes a step <NUM> of pressing an actuating end <NUM> of a lever <NUM> operatively coupled to at least one of the armrest subframe <NUM>, a seat <NUM>, or an arm <NUM> of the seat <NUM>, wherein a pressing of the actuating end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> disengages a lock end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> from a first groove of a plurality of grooves <NUM> formed on one edge of the arm pad <NUM> via a fulcrum <NUM> operatively associated (e.g., rotationally coupled) with the lever <NUM>. The first groove may be configured as any groove of the plurality of grooves <NUM>.

In one or more examples, the method <NUM> includes a step <NUM> of translating the arm pad <NUM> relative to the armrest subframe <NUM>. The translation may be induced manually (e.g., by pushing the arm pad <NUM>) or by the motive force of the spring <NUM>.

In one or more examples, the method includes a step <NUM> of releasing the actuating end <NUM> of the lever <NUM>, wherein releasing the actuating end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> engages a lock end <NUM> of the lever with a second groove of the plurality of grooves <NUM>, wherein the lock end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> is biased against the second groove via a spring <NUM> coupled to the lever <NUM> and a spring anchor <NUM> disposed on the arm pad. The second groove may be configured as any groove of the plurality of grooves <NUM>. Once the lock end <NUM> is biased against the second groove of the plurality of grooves (e.g., via the locking pin <NUM>), the arm pad <NUM> is locked into position.

Claim 1:
An armrest comprising:
an armrest subframe (<NUM>) configured to couple to a seat or an arm of the seat comprising:
a coupler configured to attach the armrest subframe to the seat or arm of the seat; and
a slot (<NUM>) within a face of the armrest subframe configured to receive a stop pin (<NUM>);
an arm pad (<NUM>) operatively coupled to the armrest subframe and configured to slide alongside the armrest subframe, comprising:
a plurality of grooves (<NUM>) formed on one edge of the armrest subframe;
the stop pin (<NUM>), wherein the stop pin restricts the translation of the arm pad along the armrest subframe, wherein the slot and stop pin arrangement prevents the arm pad from extending or retracting too far relative to the armrest subframe and releasing from the armrest subframe;
a spring anchor (<NUM>) disposed on the arm pad (<NUM>); and
a lever (<NUM>) comprising:
a fulcrum (<NUM>) rotationally coupled to the armrest subframe;
a lock end (<NUM>) comprising a locking pin (<NUM>) configured to engage one or more grooves of the plurality of grooves; and
an actuating end (<NUM>); wherein a movement of the actuating end at least one of engages or disengages the lock end from the one or more grooves of the plurality of grooves; wherein
an extension spring (<NUM>) is coupled to the spring anchor and the lever is configured to bias the locking pin against the one or more grooves and bias the arm pad (<NUM>); wherein if the arm pad is locked into an extended position relative to the armrest subframe, the extension spring is extended; by pressing the actuating end and disengaging the locking pin, the extension spring contracts, providing a motive force that translates the arm pad into a retracted, home, or near-home position.