ARM REST FOR A PIECE OF SEATING FURNITURE

Abstract

An arm rest for a piece of seating furniture, in particular for an office chair, has an arm rest support and an arm support which is movable relative thereto, wherein an elastic return element is provided and the arm support is movable relative to the arm rest support against the restoring force of the return element.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 of German Application No. 20 2017 104 486.6, filed on Jul. 27, 2017, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an arm rest for a piece of seating furniture, in particular for an office chair, comprising an arm rest support and an arm support which is movable relative thereto.

In order to be able to adjust the arm rest for a user of a piece of seating furniture, in particular an office chair, it is already known to arrange an arm support so as to be movable about a vertical axis of rotation relative to an arm rest support. In this case, the arm support is generally adjustable relative to the arm rest support in stages.

Moreover, office chairs are known, which are intended to prompt a user to move while sitting, in order to prevent tension, in particular in the back and neck area. It has been shown, however, that this possibility to move is insufficient for completely preventing back pain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to create yet another possibility for improving the ergonomics of a piece of seating furniture.

This problem is solved according to the invention by an arm rest for a piece of seating furniture, in particular for an office chair, comprising an arm rest support and an arm support which is movable relative thereto, wherein an elastic return element is provided and the arm support is movable relative to the arm rest support, against the restoring force of the return element.

When a user of a piece of seating furniture comprising an arm rest according to the invention subsequently places his/her arm on the arm support, the arm support is moved slightly downward against the restoring force of the return element. This reaction of the arm support to the placement of an arm of the user thereon results in the user being prompted to move in the shoulder area, whereby tension can be prevented. In particular, the upper body of a user is stimulated to move. A pooling of blood can be prevented as a result. Different embodiments of the return element are conceivable in this case. For example, the return element can be designed as an elastomer, in particular elastomeric rubber, as a spring element, in particular as a compression spring, a leg spring, or as a torsion bar. Particular advantages result when the return element is exchangeable. As a result, the restoring force can be adjusted, for example.

A first stop can be provided on the arm rest, which limits the relative movement of the arm support with respect to the arm rest support in a first direction. In particular, an upward movement of the arm support can be limited by the first stop, and therefore the arm support assumes a defined position without being loaded by a user.

Moreover, a second stop can be provided, which limits the relative movement of the arm support and the arm rest support in a second direction. In particular, a downward movement of the arm support can be limited by the second stop. As a result, it can be ensured that a user can support him/herself on the arm support without the arm support dropping into a void.

In principle, it is conceivable that the arm support is movable only upward and downward in the vertical direction against the return force. Advantages result, however, when the arm support is pivotable about a horizontal axis of rotation relative to the arm rest support. In particular, the arm support and the arm rest support are pivotally connected to each other. In this case, the swinging motion can be superimposed on a linear motion. For example, the horizontal axis of rotation can be displaceable relative to the arm rest support. Advantages result, however, when the arm support is connected to the arm rest support so as to be pivotable about a fixed horizontal axis of rotation. A defined arrangement of the arm support relative to the arm rest support is obtained as a result.

The longitudinal axis of the return element can be oriented transversely, in particular orthogonal, to the horizontal axis of rotation. Due to this arrangement, the restoring force generated by the return element can be particularly effectively utilized.

The pivot range of the arm support relative to the arm rest support can be less than 25°, in particular between 10° and 20°, preferably 16°. Particularly favorable ergonomics are obtained as a result.

The arm support and the arm rest support can be connected to each other at an end region in each case, i.e., one end region of the arm support can be connected to one end region of the arm rest support. In principle, it is also conceivable that the arm rest support is situated on the arm support essentially in the center thereof.

A cuff made of a resilient material can be provided in the transition area between the arm rest support and the arm support. In particular, the connecting area and, therefore, also the area in which the return element is situated, can be covered by the cuff. Injuries to a user can be prevented as a result. For example, the cuff can be designed in the shape of an accordion.

The arm support can comprise an arm support fastening part and the arm rest support can comprise an arm rest support fastening part, which are pivotally connected to each other and against which the return element rests. The two fastening parts can be made of plastic. The fastening parts can also form the first and the second stops.

In order to adapt the arm rest to a user, it is advantageous when the arm rest is height-adjustable, in particular height-adjustable in stages. In this case, the operating element for the height adjustment of the arm rest can be situated in a front area of the arm rest support. The operating element can be designed as a button which can be movable against the restoring force of yet another return element. For example, the arm rest can be adjustable in eight detent stages. In particular, the arm rest support can be designed to be telescopic.

In order to improve the feel of the arm rest, it can be provided that the arm support has a top side made of a resilient material, in particular PU.

A piece of seating furniture comprising an arm rest according to the invention also falls within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the detailed descriptions of one exemplary embodiment of the invention presented in the following with reference to the figures in the drawing, which shows the details that are essential to the invention. Further features and advantages of the invention also result from the claims. The features described therein are not intended to be interpreted literally, and are presented in such a manner that the special features of the present invention may be presented clearly. The various features can be implemented individually, or these can be combined in any possible manner in different variants of the invention.

One exemplary embodiment of the invention is represented in the schematic drawing and is described in greater detail in the following description.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective representation of an arm rest according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the arm rest according to the invention, without a cuff; and

FIG. 3 shows a sectional representation through the arm rest according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an arm rest 1 comprising an arm rest support 2 and an arm support 3. A horizontal section 4 of the arm rest 1 is utilized for fastening the arm rest 1 to a piece of seating furniture (not shown), in particular an office chair. The horizontal section 4 can be formed from aluminum or plastic, for example. The horizontal section 4 transitions into a vertical section 5 which can be designed to be telescopic. In particular, the arm rest 1 comprises a guide sleeve 6, into which a vertical support part has been inserted. The guide sleeve 6 is displaceable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the vertical support part, and therefore a height-adjustable arm rest 1 results.

An operating element 7 designed as a button is provided for the height adjustment. The arm support 3 is movable with respect to the arm rest support 2 against a restoring force. It is apparent that the arm support 3 and the arm rest support 2 are connected to each other in an end region in each case. A cuff 8 is provided in the connecting area.

The arm rest 1 is shown in a side view in FIG. 2. The cuff 8 has been removed, and therefore an arm support fastening part 10 and an arm rest support fastening part 11 are apparent. The arm support fastening part 10 and the arm rest support fastening part 11 are pivotally connected to each other via a bolt 12. The center axis of the bolt 12 represents a horizontal axis of rotation 13 in this case, about which the arm support 3 is pivotable relative to the arm rest support 2. These parts are covered by the cuff 8 during operation, and therefore an operator cannot become injured, in particular pinched. Given that the cuff 8 is made of a resilient material, in particular in the shape of an accordion, its shape follows the movement of the arm support 3 relative to the arm rest support 2. In order to improve the comfort of the arm rest 1, the top side 14 of the arm support 3 is made of a resilient material, in particular PU.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional representation of the arm rest 1. It is apparent here that a return element 15, which is designed as a compression spring in this case, is connected at one end to the arm support 3, in particular an arm support body 16 which is connected to the arm support fastening part 10 and, at the other end, to the arm rest support fastening part 11. The top side 14 is supported by the arm support body 16. The arm support body 16 is connected to the arm support fastening part 10 via suitable fastening means, for example screws.

A swinging motion of the arm support 3 about the horizontal axis of rotation 13 is limited by a first stop 17.

When the arm support 3 is loaded in the area of its free end, the arm support is pivoted in the arrow direction 18, thereby compressing the return element 15, and therefore against the restoring force of the return element 15. This movement is limited by a second stop 19. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pivot range is approximately 16°.

It is also apparent in the representation in FIG. 3 that the arm rest support fastening part 11 and the guide sleeve 6 are designed as a single piece. A vertical support part 20 is situated in the guide sleeve 6. The guide sleeve 6 and the vertical support part 20 are displaceable relative to each other. A detent system 21 is provided for this purpose, into which a detent projection 22 situated on the lower end of the operating element 7 can engage. The operating element 7 can be pivoted against the restoring force of yet another return element 23 in order to bring the detent projection 22 into engagement in different positions of the detent system 21 and thereby effectuate a height adjustment of the arm rest 1.

Claims

1. An arm rest for a piece of seating furniture, in particular for an office chair, comprising:

an arm rest support,

an arm support connected to the arm rest support and which is movable relative thereto, and

an elastic return element connected to the arm rest support and to the arm support,

wherein the arm support is movable relative to the arm rest support against a restoring force of the return element.

2. The arm rest as claimed in claim 1, wherein the return element is designed as an elastomer, as a spring element, as a leg spring, or as a torsion bar.

3. The arm rest as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first stop configured for limiting the movement of the arm support relative to the arm rest support in a first direction.

4. The arm rest as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a second stop that is configured for limiting the movement of the arm support relative to the arm rest support in a second direction.

5. The arm rest as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arm support is pivotable about a horizontal axis of rotation relative to the arm rest support.

6. The arm rest as claimed in claim 5, wherein the arm support is connected to the arm rest support so as to be pivotable about a fixed horizontal axis of rotation.

7. The arm rest as claimed in claim 5, wherein a longitudinal axis of the return element is oriented transversely to the horizontal axis of rotation.

8. The arm rest as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pivot range of the arm support relative to the arm rest support is less than 25°.

9. The arm rest as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arm support and the arm rest support are connected to each other in respective end areas of the arm support and of the arm rest support.

10. The arm rest as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cuff made of a resilient material in a transition area between the arm rest support and the arm support.

11. The arm rest as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arm support comprises an arm support fastening part and the arm rest support comprises an arm rest support fastening part, wherein the arm support fasting part and the arm rest support fastening part are pivotally connected to each other, and wherein the return element rests against the arm support fastening part and the arm rest support fastening part.

12. The arm rest as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arm rest is height-adjustable.

13. The arm rest as claimed in claim 12, further comprising an operating element configured for the height adjustment of the arm rest, said operating element being situated in a front area of the arm rest support.

14. The arm rest as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arm support has a top side made of a resilient material.

15. A piece of seating furniture comprising an arm rest according to claim 1.

16. The arm rest according to claim 14, wherein the resilient material is PU.

17. The arm rest as claimed in claim 8, wherein a pivot range of the arm support relative to the arm rest support is between 10° and 20°.

18. The arm rest as claimed in claim 2, wherein the return element is designed as a compression spring.

19. The arm rest according to claim 2, wherein the return element is formed of elastomeric rubber.

20. The arm rest according to claim 7, wherein the longitudinal axis of the return element is oriented orthogonal to the horizontal axis of rotation.