Rotatable armrest

Abstract

An armrest for a chair having a first member connected to the chair; a second member selectively rotatable relative the first member; means disposed between the first and second members for resisting the rotational movement between the first and second members.

1 . An armrest for a chair having:
 (a) a first member connected to the chair;   (b) a second member selectively rotatable relative the first member;   (c) means disposed between the first and second members for resisting the rotational movement between the first and second members.   
   
   
       2 . An armrest as claimed in  claim 1  wherein one of the first and second members include low density plastic material resisting movement therebetween. 
   
   
       3 . An armrest as claimed in  claim 2  including detent means disposed between the low density plastic material for permitting selective rotational movement between the first and second members at selected intervals and wherein the low density plastic material of the first member is spaced from the low density plastic material of the second member in a first position for permitting selective rotational movement and wherein the low density plastic material of the first member contacts the low density plastic material of the second member in a second position for resisting rotational movement between the first and second members. 
   
   
       4 . An armrest as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the detent means comprises high density plastic material. 
   
   
       5 . An armrest as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the detent means comprises:
 (a) a first plate having spaced projections; and   (b) a second plate having spaced depressions for receiving the spaced projections of the first plate.   
   
   
       6 . An armrest as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the second member comprises a padded upper armrest rotatable about an axis of rotation. 
   
   
       7 . An armrest as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the first member has an upper end and comprises a padded lower armrest at the upper end rotatable about the axis of rotation. 
   
   
       8 . An armrest as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the first member is attached to the chair at the lower end of the first member. 
   
   
       9 . An armrest as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said means disposed between said first and second members comprises damper means for resisting rotational movement of the first member relative to the second member about the axis of rotation. 
   
   
       10 . An armrest as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said damper means comprises a torque restrictor disposed about the axis of rotation. 
   
   
       11 . An armrest as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the torque resistor comprises a first portion engageable with the first member and a second portion engageable with the second member, and a shaft disposed between the first and second portions. 
   
   
       12 . An armrest as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the second member comprises an armrest having a recess for receiving the second portion. 
   
   
       13 . An armrest as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the first member has a recess for receiving the first portion. 
   
   
       14 . An armrest wherein each of the first and second portions includes wings and each recess includes slots for receiving the wings of the first and second portions. 
   
   
       15 . An armrest as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the armrest is rotatable horizontally about a vertical axis of rotation. 
   
   
       16 . An armrest as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the strength of the torque resistor is selected to resist rotational movement at a selected level when the first member is pushed against the second member. 
   
   
       17 . A method of rotating an armrest about a vertical support connected to a chair comprising:
 (a) disposing torque resistor means between the vertical support and the armrest for resisting rotational movement about the axis of rotation when the armrest is pushed against the vertical support, and for permitting the rotation of the armrest relative to the vertical support beyond the selected level.   
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the torque member has a first portion engageable with the vertical support and a second portion engageable with the armrest, and a shaft disposed between the first and second portions, and wherein the armrest includes a recess for receiving the second portion, and the vertical support includes a recess for receiving the first portion. 
   
   
       19 . A method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein each said first and second portion include wings and each said recess includes slots for receiving the wings. 
   
   
       20 . A method as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the chair includes two armrest, each having a torque member and the strength of each torque resistor is selected for a desired resistance to rotation. 
   
   
       21 . A method as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the strength of resistance of each of said armrest is different from the other.