Armrest

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Utility Model Patent Application No. 202520298985.4, titled “Armrest,” filed on Feb. 24, 2025, the content of which, including the amendment thereto, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of seat technology, particularly to an armrest.

BACKGROUND

A seat is a sitting device with a seat back and sometimes armrests. Generally, the armrests of a seat cannot adjust with the rotation of the seat back. Therefore, when the user rotates the seat back and their sitting posture changes, the fixed armrests fail to meet the user's needs, resulting in a decline in user comfort.

For example, U.S. Patent US20150289653A1 discloses an armrest for a chair with a slidable member and an actuator, allowing effective vertical adjustment of the armrest pad. However, this design still fails to address the issue of synchronized rotation of the armrest with the seat back. Thus, when the seat back rotation alters the user's sitting posture, even if the armrest height is adjustable, its horizontal position and angle remain fixed, still unable to dynamically conform to the user's arm support needs, leaving the comfort limitation unresolved.

SUMMARY

To address the deficiencies in the prior art, the present disclosure provides an armrest designed to solve the technical problem where existing seat armrests cannot rotate with the seat back, failing to meet user requirements.

The above technical object of the present disclosure is achieved through the following technical solutions:

An armrest comprises a first rod component. A second rod component is slidably adjustably sleeved around an outer periphery of the first rod component, and one end of the second rod component is rotatably provided with a third rod component. A first mounting hole is formed at a tail end of the first rod component in a penetrating manner, and the first rod component is connected to a side of a seat plate through the first mounting hole, and the first rod component is connected to a side of a seat plate through the first mounting hole. A second mounting hole is formed at a tail end of the third rod component in a penetrating manner, and the third rod component is connected to a side of a seat back through the second mounting hole. When the seat back rotates relative to the seat plate, the second rod component and the third rod component rotate accordingly.

An armrest comprises a first rod component configured for being fixedly connected to a seat plate; a second rod component slidably sleeved around an outer periphery of the first rod component; and a third rod component configured for being fixedly connected to a seat back and rotatably connected to the second rod component; a limiting assembly arranged between the first rod component and the second rod component, comprising a first sliding slot provided on the first rod component and at least one protrusion; a limiting rod passing through the first sliding slot; and an elastic member configured for driving the limiting rod to engage with the protrusion. By pressing the limiting rod to disengage the engagement, sliding adjustment of the second rod component relative to the first rod component is achieved.

Working Principle

When the user sits on the seat plate and adjusts the seat back, the third rod component moves with the rotation of the seat back, with the joint between the third rod component and the second rod component rotating along, allowing the user to rest their arm on the third rod component.

For further adjustment, the second rod component is slid relative to the first rod component, enabling mutual sliding between the first rod component and the second rod component. After adjustment, the first and second rod components are fixed in place.

Compared to the prior art, the present disclosure offers the following technical advantages:

• • 1. The third and second rod components can move relative to each other as the seat back rotates, allowing the user's arm to rest more comfortably on one end of the third rod component.
  • 2. The first and second rod components can be slid to allow the third rod component to move along with the second rod component, enabling further refinement for the third rod component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings, which form part of this application, provide further understanding of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions therein explain the present disclosure and do not unduly limit it. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic structural view of the first end portion;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic structural view of the embodiment from another perspective;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional structural view of the limiting rod in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic structural view of the first end portion from another perspective;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic structural view of the second end portion from another perspective;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic structural view of the second closure cover, limiting rod, first closure cover, and buckle.

Reference signs: First mounting hole (10); Second closure cover (11); Connecting shaft (12); Third mounting block (13); Third rod section (14); First setting hole (15); First mounting block (16); Second sliding slot (17); First rod section (18); Groove (19); Protrusion (20); Limiting rod (21); First sliding slot (22); Elastic member (23); Second rod section (24); First closure cover (25); Force-bearing rod (26); Second mounting hole (27); Second setting hole (28); Annular ring (29); Buckle (30); Second mounting block (31).

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The technical solution in the embodiment of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings. Obviously, the described embodiment is part of, rather than all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work belong to the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

It should be noted that the terminology used here is only for describing specific embodiments, and is not intended to limit exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that when the terms “comprising” and/or “including” are used in this specification, they specify the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and/or combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise specified, the relative arrangement of components and steps, numerical expressions and numerical values set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. At the same time, it should be appreciated that for the convenience of description, the dimensions of various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn according to the actual scale relationship. Techniques, methods and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but in appropriate cases, they should be regarded as part of the authorization specification. In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be interpreted as illustrative, and not as limiting. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar numbers and letters indicate similar items in the following drawings, therefore once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, an armrest includes a first rod component. A second rod component is slidably sleeved around the outer periphery of the first rod component. One end of the second rod component is rotatably provided with a third rod component. A first mounting hole 10 is formed at a tail end of the first rod component in a penetrating manner, and the first rod component is connected to the side of the seat plate through the first mounting hole 10. A screw with a nut is allowed to pass through the first mounting hole 10 to be threaded into a seat plate. A second mounting hole 27 is formed at the tail end of the third rod component in a penetrating manner, and the third rod component is connected to the side of the seat back through the second mounting hole 27. A screw with a nut is allowed to pass through the second mounting hole 27 to be threaded into the seat back. When the seat back rotates relative to the seat plate, the second and third rod components rotate accordingly. The top of the third rod component extends to form a support end for mounting the armrest. The armrest is installed on the support end, allowing users to rest their arms on the armrest.

It can be understood that when a user sits on the seat plate and adjusts the seat back, the third rod component moves along with the rotation of the seat back, and the joint between the third and second rod components rotates. The user can place their arm on the third rod component.

When further adjustment is needed, the second rod component can be slid relative to the first rod component for sliding adjustment, allowing mutual sliding between the two. After adjustment, the first and second rod components are fixed in place. The height adjustment of the third rod component accommodates different arm placement positions.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first rod component includes a first mounting block 16 and a first rod section 18. The first mounting hole 10 is formed on the first mounting block 16 in a penetrating manner. The first rod section 18 has a hollow structure, and the end faces at both sides of the first rod section 18 are equipped with first sliding slots 22 that penetrate therethrough. One of the first sliding slots 22 has protrusions 20 fixed on both sidewalls. Preferably, in this embodiment, each sidewall of the first sliding slot 22 has four protrusions 20, providing five adjustable positions. The protrusions 20 can take various shapes, such as triangular, square, or trapezoidal. In this embodiment, the protrusions 20 are trapezoidal.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the second rod component includes a second mounting block 31 and a second rod section 24. The second rod section 24 has a hollow structure and is slidably sleeved around the outer periphery of the first rod section 18.

As shown in FIG. 6, the end faces at both sides of the second rod section 24 are equipped with annular rings 29, and each end face is provided with a first setting hole 15 in a penetrating manner. The first setting hole 15 is located within the corresponding annular ring 29. The end face at one side of the second rod section 24 is equipped with two through second setting holes 28 positioned on two sides of the first setting hole 15 and within the annular ring 29.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the annular ring 29 with the second setting holes 28 is equipped with a first closure cover 25. One end of the first closure cover 25 features two buckles 30, which are elastic and capable of deformation within a certain range. The two buckles 30 extend into the corresponding second setting holes 28, securing the first closure cover 25 to the second rod section 24. Another annular ring 29 is provided with a second closure cover 11, and the end of the second closure cover 11 close to the second rod section 24 is fixedly provided with a limiting rod 21. The limiting rod 21 passes through two first sliding slots 22, and the two protrusions 20 on the same side of the first sliding slot 22 or the protrusion 20 and the sidewall of the first sliding slot 22 cooperate to engage with the limiting rod 21. When the limiting rod 21 is positioned between two protrusions 20, the sides of the two protrusions 20 hold the limiting rod 21 in place. When it is between one protrusion 20 and the sidewall of the first sliding slot 22, the protrusion and sidewall together fix the limiting rod 21, thereby restricting the relative positions of the first and second rod components. Both ends of the limiting rod 21 are grooved with grooves 19, which do not contact the protrusions 20. An elastic member 23, preferably a spring in this embodiment, is connected between the limiting rod 21 and the first closure cover 25. To move the limiting rod 21 along the length of the first sliding slot 22, the limiting rod 21 is pushed toward the first closure cover 25 until the grooves 19 move to the position of the first sliding slot 22. After moving the limiting rod 21 to the desired position, the limiting rod 21 is released, and the limiting rod 21 will be reset under the action of the spring, disengaging the grooves 19 from the first sliding slot 22, thereby locking the relative positions of the first and second rod components and completing the adjustment of the first and second rod components.

Additionally, the inner wall of the second rod section 24 is fitted with two force-bearing rods 26, while one end of the first rod section 18 has a second sliding slot 17. The two force-bearing rods 26 slide within the second sliding slot 17, further enhancing the stability during movement of the first and second rod components.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the third rod component includes two third mounting blocks 13 and a third rod section 14. The third mounting blocks 13 are located at one end of the third rod section 14. The second mounting block 31 is rotationally positioned between the two third mounting blocks 13. Both the second mounting block 31 and the third mounting blocks 13 are disk-shaped. A connecting shaft 12 passes through the two third mounting blocks 13 and the second mounting block 31, limiting the third mounting blocks 13 and the second mounting block 31 while allowing the third mounting blocks 13 and the second mounting block 31 to rotate relative to each other. A second mounting hole 27 is arranged at the tail end of the third rod section 14, and the third rod component is connected to the side of the seat back through the second mounting hole 27.

In other embodiments (not shown), the first rod section 18, the second rod section 24 and the third rod section 14 are all made of hollow aluminum alloy tubes, reducing weight by 60%. A rotary child lock (requiring a knob tool to open) is added to the center of the second closure cover 11 to prevent children from making unintended sliding adjustments. The protrusion 20 is redesigned into an arc shape to avoid scratches and requires greater operating force for adjustment. A food-grade silicone armrest pad is installed at the top of the third rod section 14, which can be detached for cleaning. The lightweight design adapts to children's body sizes, allowing parents to lock it with one click to prevent accidental adjustments. The rounded bumps enhance safety, and the easy-to-clean armrest pad meets hygiene requirements.

In other embodiments (not shown), a fourth rod component (short connecting rod) is added between the second and third rod components, forming a “seat plate→first rod component-second rod component→fourth rod component→third rod component→seat back” dual-pivot structure, improving freedom of forward and backward movement. The protrusion 20 and spring are removed, with a magnetic strip embedded in the inner wall of the second rod section 24 and an array of iron plates on the outer wall of the first rod section 18, enabling stepless sliding locking through magnetic attraction. The second closure cover 11 is replaced with a push-to-release button, allowing one-handed adjustment by pressing down to disengage the magnetic lock. The dual-pivot structure supports three-dimensional adjustments of the armrest (forward/backward, up/down, and angle), while the magnetic stepless locking meets the needs of fine-tuning in gaming postures, and one-handed quick adjustment enhances user experience.

In other embodiments (not shown), a horizontal hinge is added to the middle of the third rod section 14, allowing the armrest to fold upward 90° against the backrest. The sliding lock between the second rod component and the first rod component is replaced with a pin-type lock (the pin passes through the first sliding slot 22 and the sidewall hole of the second rod section 24), eliminating the spring structure. The first mounting hole 10 and the second mounting hole 27 are replaced with quick-release buckles 30, adapting to the tubular frame of the wheelchair. The folding design reduces the width when the wheelchair enters or exits confined spaces, the pin lock is more robust and durable, and the quick-release interface enables tool-free installation/removal.

In other embodiments (not shown), the first rod component and the second rod component are modified into a three-stage telescopic structure (with an added intermediate sleeve), reducing the thickness by 40% after retraction. A micro motor-driven rack and pinion mechanism replaces manual sliding (the rack is integrated into the first rod section 18, and the motor is housed within the second rod section 24). Touch-sensitive buttons are embedded into the armrest surface to control height adjustment and angle memory functions. Ultra-compact retraction saves cabin space, motorized adjustment enhances the premium experience, and preset memory modes cater to different passenger needs.

In other embodiments (not shown), a hydraulic damper is added at the rotating joint between the third rod component and the second rod component to enable slow reset. The wall thickness of the first rod section 18 is increased, the protrusion 20 is replaced with a stainless steel ratchet, and the limiting rod 21 is upgraded to a steel latch. All metal components are coated with nano-silver antibacterial layers. The armrest end integrates a U-shaped assist loop. The hydraulic damper prevents the armrest from dropping rapidly when patients rise, the reinforced structure supports 100 kg+ weight, the antibacterial coating reduces infection risks, and the assist loop aids those with mobility difficulties in standing.

In summary, the present disclosure achieves the following technical effects:

The armrest is mounted at the top of the third rod section 14, a screw with a nut is allowed to pass through the first mounting hole 10 to be threaded onto the seat plate, then another screw with a nut is allowed to pass through the second mounting hole 27 to be threaded onto the backrest.

The backrest is rotated relative to the seat plate, causing the backrest to drive the third rod section 14 to rotate, which in turn drives the second rod section 24 to rotate, while the third rod section 14 also rotates relative to the second rod section 24, enabling synchronized adjustment of the backrest and the third rod section 14.

When adjusting the second rod section 24 and the first rod section 18, the second closure cover 11 is pressed, and the second closure cover 11 drives the limiting rod 21 to move toward the first closure cover 25. The second rod section 24 is slid to drive the limiting rod 21 to move. After completing the movement, the second closure cover 11 is released, and the elastic member 23 will drive the limiting rod 21 to reset, thereby enabling the limiting rod 21 to restrict the second rod section 24 and the first rod section 18 again, completing the positional adjustment of the second rod section 24 and the first rod section 18.

In the description of the present disclosure, it should be appreciated that directional terms such as “front, rear, up, down, left, right”, “horizontal, vertical, perpendicular, horizontal” and “top, bottom” etc. indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description. In the absence of a contrary explanation, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present disclosure; the directional terms “inside, outside” refer to the inside and outside relative to the contour of each component itself.

For the convenience of description, spatial relative terms such as “on . . . ”, “above . . . ”, “on the upper surface of . . . ”, “upper” etc. may be used here to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature with other devices or features as shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientation described in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawing is inverted, the device described as “above other devices or structures” or “on other devices or structures” will subsequently be positioned as “below other devices or structures” or “under other devices or structures”. Thus, the exemplary term “above” can include both “above” and “below” orientations. The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used here should be interpreted accordingly.

In addition, it should be noted that the use of terms such as “first”, “second” etc. to define components is for the convenience of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. For those skilled in the art, the present disclosure can have various modifications and changes. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.