Armrest device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11230209-B2
Application number	US-201716486685-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 31, 2017
Priority date	Feb 17, 2017
Publication date	Jan 25, 2022
Grant date	Jan 25, 2022

Abstract

An armrest device is provided in which deformation of an armrest frame is suppressed. The armrest device includes an armrest frame, and a bracket by which the armrest frame is rotatably supported. The armrest frame has, at lengthwise extremities thereof, a base end closer to an axis of rotation and a distal end farther from the axis of rotation. The bracket includes a deformation restriction portion provided protrusively toward the armrest frame, the deformation restriction portion being a portion which faces toward the armrest frame in a direction of the axis of rotation of the armrest frame and which is located on one side of the axis of rotation on which the base end is located, when an armrest is in a use position.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An armrest device comprising:
an armrest frame; and
a support member by which the armrest frame is rotatably supported,
wherein the armrest frame has, at lengthwise extremities thereof, a base end closer to an axis of rotation and a distal end farther from the axis of rotation,
wherein the support member includes a first restriction portion provided protrusively toward the armrest frame, the first restriction portion being a portion at which the armrest frame and the support member face toward each other in a direction of the axis of rotation of the armrest frame and that is located on one side of the axis of rotation on which the base end is located, when an armrest is in a use position,
wherein the armrest frame includes a first protruding portion provided protrusively toward the support member, the first protruding portion having an inner surface facing the support member, a center of the first protruding portion in a lengthwise direction of the armrest frame being located on the axis of rotation,
wherein the first restriction portion is located farther from the axis of rotation than the first protruding portion, and
wherein a position of the inner surface is included within an extent of the first restriction portion, in the direction of the axis of rotation.

2. The armrest device according to claim 1 , further comprising a washer provided between the armrest frame and the support member, the washer contacting the inner surface and the support member.

3. The armrest device according to claim 2 , wherein the first restriction portion has a surface protruding outward in a width direction of a seat further than the washer.

4. The armrest device according to claim 1 , wherein the armrest frame includes a main frame and a reinforcing frame having a thickness greater than a thickness of the main frame, the reinforcing frame being so located as to lie over a portion of the main frame closer to the base end.

5. The armrest device according to claim 1 , wherein the armrest frame includes a second protruding portion provided protrusively toward the support member,
wherein the armrest frame comprises:
a main frame; and
a reinforcing frame so located as to lie over a portion of the main frame closer to the base end on a side of the main frame opposite to another side of the main frame on which the support member is located, the reinforcing frame having a thickness greater than a thickness of the main frame, and

wherein the second protruding portion is provided in the reinforcing frame, extending through a through hole formed in the main frame to a side of the main frame on which the support member is located.

6. The armrest device according to claim 1 , further comprising a tubular shaft rotatable relative to the support member,
wherein the inner surface has an approximately circular shape with a diameter larger than an inner diameter of the shaft.

7. The armrest device according to claim 6 , wherein the support member comprises a tubular flange portion protruding in a direction along the axis of rotation,
wherein the inner surface has an approximately circular shape with a diameter larger than an inner diameter of the flange portion.

8. The armrest device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a shaft rotatable relative to the support member,
wherein the armrest frame comprises:
a main frame; and
a reinforcing frame fixed to the shaft, the reinforcing frame being so provided as to lie over the main frame in contact with the main frame, and
wherein the reinforcing frame includes a portion at which the reinforcing frame and the main frame face toward each other in the direction of the axis of rotation and part of which is separate from the main frame.

9. The armrest device according to claim 8 , wherein a distance between the part of the reinforcing frame and the main frame is greater than a thickness of the reinforcing frame.

10. The armrest device according to claim 8 , wherein a distance between the part of the reinforcing frame and the main frame is greater than a sum of a thickness of the main frame and a thickness of the reinforcing frame.

11. The armrest device according to claim 8 ,
wherein the reinforcing frame includes an insertion hole through which a bolt for fastening the reinforcing frame to the shaft is disposed,
wherein the reinforcing frame further includes a flange portion provided at a circumferential edge of the insertion hole protrusively in a direction along the axis of rotation, and
wherein a distal end of the flange portion is in contact with the main frame.

12. The armrest device according to claim 8 , wherein a distance between the part of the reinforcing frame and the main frame is greater than a thickness of the main frame.

13. The armrest device according to claim 8 , further comprising a spacer disposed between the part of the reinforcing frame and the main frame.

14. The armrest device according to claim 13 , wherein the reinforcing frame has an engageable hole in which a projection provided at an end of the shaft is engageable, and
wherein the spacer has a receptacle hole or receptacle recess that receives the projection.

15. The armrest device according to claim 13 , wherein the spacer has a through hole through which a bolt for fastening the reinforcing frame to the shaft is disposed.

16. The armrest device according to claim 13 , wherein the spacer comprises plastic or rubber.

17. An armrest device comprising:
an armrest frame; and
a support member by which the armrest frame is rotatably supported,
wherein the armrest frame has, at lengthwise extremities thereof, a base end closer to an axis of rotation and a distal end farther from the axis of rotation,
wherein at least one member selected from the group consisting of the armrest frame and the support member includes a first restriction portion provided protrusively toward another of the armrest frame and the support member, the first restriction portion being a portion at which the armrest frame and the support member face toward each other in a direction of the axis of rotation of the armrest frame and which is located on one side of the axis of rotation on which the base end is located, when an armrest is in a use position,
wherein the armrest frame includes a main frame and a reinforcing frame having a thickness greater than a thickness of the main frame, the reinforcing frame being so located as to lie over a portion of the main frame closer to the base end, and
wherein the reinforcing frame is located on a side of the main frame opposite to another side of the main frame on which the support member is located.

18. The armrest device according to claim 17 , wherein the main frame comprises:
a first base portion;
a first sidewall portion extending from an end of the first base portion closer to the base end on a side of the first base portion opposite to another side of the first base portion on which the support member is located; and
a first folded portion extending from an end of the first sidewall portion and having a distal end portion thereof folded toward the first base portion,
wherein the reinforcing frame comprises:
a second base portion so provided as to lie over the first base portion;
a second sidewall portion extending from an end of the second base portion closer to the base end on a side of the second base portion opposite to another side of the second base portion on which the support member is located, the second sidewall portion being so provided as to lie over the first sidewall

Assignees

• Ts Tech Co Ltd

Inventors

• Nonaka Hidetsune

Classifications

• B60N2/753 Primary

  movable to an inoperative position · CPC title

• B60N2/767

  Angle adjustment · CPC title