Moveable Armrest

Abstract

A moveable armrest is provided that pivots from a standard use position to a stowed position behind the backrest of a vehicle seat. The armrest pivots about a horizontal axis for movement from a horizontal position along the side of the seat to a vertical position along the side of the seat, and pivots about a vertical axis for movement from the vertical position adjacent to the inboard side of the seat to a vertical position behind the backrest of the seat. The moveable armrest includes a locking mechanism to prevent unintentional movement of the armrest.

1 . A moveable armrest for a seat comprising:
 an armrest;   a bracket assembly being attachable to a seat;   a first shaft supported by the bracket assembly, extending between the armrest and the bracket, and defining a first axis about which the armrest can pivot;   a second shaft supported by the bracket assembly and defining a second axis about which the armrest and the second shaft can pivot; and   wherein rotation about the first axis and the second axis shifts the armrest between a use position generally adjacent a seat and a stowed position generally behind a seat.   
     
     
         2 . The moveable armrest of  claim 1  wherein rotation about the first axis pivots the armrest generally to an intermediate position along side a backrest of a seat, and rotation about the second axis pivots the armrest behind a backrest of a seat. 
     
     
         3 . The moveable armrest of  claim 2  wherein rotation about the first axis pivots the armrest generally vertical and rotation about the second axis pivots the armrest generally horizontal. 
     
     
         4 . The moveable armrest of  claim 2  further comprising a locking mechanism to selectively prevent rotation of the armrest about one or more of the first axis and the second axis. 
     
     
         5 . The moveable armrest of  claim 4  wherein the locking mechanism includes at least a first opening and a second opening associated with the use position and the stowed position, respectively, and being defined by the bracket assembly and a first tab being moveable with the first shaft between the first opening and the second opening and capable of being received in either of the first opening and the second opening to restrict movement of the armrest about the second axis. 
     
     
         6 . The moveable armrest of  claim 4  wherein the locking mechanism further includes a second tab and a slot adjacent the armrest being capable of inter-engagement to restrict movement of the armrest about the first axis. 
     
     
         7 . The moveable armrest of  claim 6  wherein the first tab is received in the second opening and the second tab is received in the slot when the armrest is in the stowed position. 
     
     
         8 . An assembly for operably coupling an armrest to a seat comprising:
 a body;   a first pin supported by the body for pivoting about a first axis;   a second pin supported by the body transverse to the first pin for pivoting about a second axis;   a first locking mechanism operably associated with the first pin to selectively restrict pivoting about the first axis; and   a second locking mechanism operably associated with the second pin to selectively restrict pivoting about the second axis.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8  further comprising a supporting bracket assembly and wherein the first locking mechanism comprises a first opening and a second opening defined by the support bracket assembly, and a first tab extending from the body for selectively engaging the first and second openings to restrict pivoting about the first axis. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein the first tab may engage one of the first and second openings to limit pivoting about the first axis and disengage upon vertical movement from one of the first opening and the second opening to allow pivoting about the first axis. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein the second locking mechanism comprises a coupling for attaching the second pin to an armrest, the coupling defining a slot, and further comprising a second tab having a first portion operably coupled to the first pin and a second portion capable of engaging the slot. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein the second portion of the second tab may engage the slot to limit pivoting about the second axis and disengage the slot to permit pivoting about the second axis. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12  further comprising a spring biasing the second portion of the second tab out of engagement with the slot. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13  wherein the first portion of the second tab comprises a ring disposed around the first pin, and the second portion comprises an L-shaped portion capable of engaging the slot. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the body comprises:
 a first generally cylindrical bore therethrough for supporting the first pin; and   a second generally cylindrical bore therethrough extending generally transverse to the first generally cylindrical bore for supporting the second pin.