Adjustable armrest and method for the use thereof

Abstract

An adjustable armrest includes a base member pivotable about a first horizontal axis in a side-to-side direction. An arm support member is connected to the base member. A first latch member includes a plurality of notches, while a second latch member includes a pawl shaped to releasably engage at least one of the plurality of notches. One of the first or second latch members is mounted on the base member, with the second latch member being moveable relative to the first latch member between at least one engaged position and a release position. In another aspect, a chair includes a pair of adjustable armrests. In another aspect, a method of adjusting the lateral position of an armrest is provided.

1 . An adjustable armrest comprising:
 a base member pivotable about a first horizontal axis oriented in a fore-and-aft direction, wherein said base member is pivotable about said axis in a side-to-side direction;   an arm support connected to said base member and comprising an elongated armrest support extending in the fore-and-aft direction;   a first latch member comprising a plurality of notches; and   a second latch member comprising a pawl shaped to releasably engage at least one of said plurality of notches, wherein one of said first or second latch members is mounted on said base member, wherein said second latch member is moveable relative to said first latch member between at least one engaged position, wherein said pawl is engaged with at least one of said plurality of notches such that said base member is prevented from pivoting about said first horizontal axis, and a release position, wherein said pawl is disengaged from said plurality of notches such that said base member is pivotable about said first horizontal axis.   
   
   
       2 . The armrest of  claim 1  wherein said arm support comprises a stem moveably connected to said base member, wherein said stem and said base member are vertically moveable relative to each other. 
   
   
       3 . The armrest of  claim 2  wherein said armrest support is connected to an upper portion of said stem. 
   
   
       4 . The armrest of  claim 2  wherein said stem is coupled to said second latch member, wherein said second latch member is moveable to said release position in response to an upward movement of said movement of said stem. 
   
   
       5 . The armrest of  claim 4  wherein one of said stem or said base member comprises a second plurality of notches and the other of said stem or base member comprises a second pawl, wherein said second pawl is moveable relative to said second plurality of notches between at least one engaged position, wherein said second pawl is engaged with at least one of said plurality of second notches and said stem is coupled to said second latch member, and a release position, wherein said second pawl is disengaged from said second plurality of notches and said stem is decoupled from said second latch member. 
   
   
       6 . The armrest of  claim 5  wherein said stem further comprises a trigger connected to an actuator member, wherein said actuator member comprises said second pawl and wherein said second plurality of notches are disposed on said base member. 
   
   
       7 . The armrest of  claim 5  further comprising a rack configured with said second plurality of notches, wherein said rack is moveably mounted to said base member and wherein said second pawl is moveable relative to and engageable with said rack. 
   
   
       8 . The armrest of  claim 7  further comprising a spring biasing said rack in a downward direction. 
   
   
       9 . The armrest of  claim 7  wherein said rack is engaged with said second latch member, wherein said second latch member is moveable between said engaged and release positions as said rack is moveable between at least a first position and a second position. 
   
   
       10 . The armrest of  claim 2  wherein at least a portion of said stem has a curved shape, with said stem having an inner concave contour and an outer convex contour. 
   
   
       11 . The armrest of  claim 1  wherein said one of said base member or said first latch member comprises an indexing member engaged with at least one of a plurality of second notches formed on the other of said base member or said first latch member. 
   
   
       12 . The armrest of  claim 1  wherein said second latch member is rotatably mounted to said base member about a second horizontal axis spaced from said first horizontal axis. 
   
   
       13 . A chair comprising:
 a seat having a longitudinally spaced front and back and laterally spaced opposite sides; and   a pair of armrests positioned along said opposite sides of said seat, each of said armrests comprising:
 a base member pivotable about a longitudinally extending horizontal axis; 
 an arm support connected to said base member, wherein said arm support and said base member are pivotable about said horizontal axis toward and away from one of said sides of said seat; 
 a first latch member comprising a plurality of notches; and 
 a second latch member comprising a pawl shaped to releasably engage at least one of said plurality of notches, wherein one of said first or second latch members is mounted on said base member, wherein said second latch member is moveable relative to said first latch member between at least one engaged position, wherein said pawl is engaged with at least one of said plurality of notches such that said base member is prevented from pivoting about said first horizontal axis, and a release position, wherein said pawl is disengaged from said plurality of notches such that said base member is pivotable about said first horizontal axis. 
   
   
   
       14 - 24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . A method of adjusting the position of an armrest comprising:
 pulling up on an upper portion of said armrest;   pivoting said armrest about a horizontal axis in a side-to-side direction toward and away from a side of a seat to a desired lateral position; and   releasing said upper portion of said armrest.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said pulling up on said upper portion of said armrest is performed free of any actuation of any release mechanism. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising pushing down on said upper portion of said armrest and thereby locking said armrest such that said armrest is prevented from pivoting about said horizontal axis. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein said locking said armrest is automatically performed by said pushing down on said upper portion free of any independent actuation of any locking mechanism. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising moving an armrest vertically between a plurality of height positions and locking said armrest at a desired one of said plurality of height positions, wherein said pulling up on said upper portion of said armrest is carried out while said armrest is locked at any one of said plurality of height positions, wherein said armrest is laterally adjustable when locked at any one of said plurality of height positions. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein said moving said armrest vertically between said plurality of height positions further comprises actuating a trigger and moving said upper portion of said armrest between said plurality of height positions, releasing said trigger and thereby maintaining said armrest at said desired one of said height positions. 
   
   
       31 . A method of adjusting the position of an armrest comprising:
 pivoting said armrest about a horizontal axis in a side-to-side direction toward and away from a side of a seat to a desired position free of any load being applied downwardly to said armrest; and   pushing down on said armrest and thereby locking said armrest such that said armrest is prevented from pivoting about said horizontal axis, wherein said locking said armrest is automatically performed by said pushing down on said armrest free of any independent actuation of any locking mechanism.   
   
   
       32 . A chair comprising:
 a seat having a longitudinally spaced front and back and laterally spaced opposite sides; and   a pair of armrests positioned along said opposite sides of said seat, each of said armrests comprising:
 a lower support pivotable about a longitudinally extending horizontal axis; and 
 an upper support connected to said lower support, wherein said upper support and said lower support are pivotable about said horizontal axis toward and away from one of said respective sides of said seat, and wherein said upper support is moveably connected to said lower support in a substantially vertical direction such that the height of such upper support is adjustable relative to said lower support.