CUSHIONED ELBOW SUPPORT ATTACHMENT FOR CHAIR ARMRESTS

Abstract

A cushioned elbow support attachment for chair armrests. The attachment comprises a cushion made of material having elastic properties and filled with a plurality of smooth edge rounded oblong pellets and attachment means for attaching the cushion to an armrest. The cushion may be covered by an outer material to protect it, to provide decorative colors and patterns, and to provide points of attachment for the attachment means, which may be straps, hook and loop fasteners, or clips. The cushion may include a rigid adapter plate adapted to serve as an interface with the tubular armrest of a chair.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 12/433,045, filed Apr. 30, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In present day situations persons often work at computer stations or desks for long periods of time, in which case the arms of the chair in which they are seated provide a rest for the user's elbows. Armrests typically present a surface of hard or relatively hard material, which is uncomfortable for the user, especially over a long period of time. Thus, it is known in the prior art to provide auxiliary pads for attachment to the upper surface of the chair arms. Such auxiliary pads are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,247,547, U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,053, U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,914, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,396. However, these devices all suffer from deficiencies with regard to the flexibility of their structures and manners of attachment to the armrests of the chair, which limit the comfort they provide to the user and the flexibility to allow easy attachment to a variety of armrest shapes. This invention alleviates the problems present in the prior art.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a cushioned elbow support attachment for placement upon the upper surface of the armrest of a chair having an elongated sack-like cushion made of material having elastic properties and having a bottom surface. A plurality of smooth edge rounded pellets are contained in the cushion. Attachment means secure the cushion in place on the armrest with the bottom surface of the cushion in juxtaposition with the upper surface of the armrest.

The present invention further provides a cushioned elbow support attachment for placement upon the upper surface of the armrest of a chair, having an elongated sack-like cushion made of material having elastic properties and having a bottom surface. A plurality of smooth edged rounded pellets are contained within the cushion. An outer covering of material covers the cushion and has a bottom surface. Attachment means secure the cushion and the outer covering in place on the armrest with the bottom surface of the outer covering in juxtaposition with the upper surface of the armrest.

The invention still further provides a cushioned elbow support attachment for placement upon the upper surface of the armrest of a chair having an elongated sack-like cushion made of material having elastic properties and a plurality of smooth edged rounded pellets contained within the cushion. The smooth edged rounded pellets being circular or non-circular (for example, oblong) in shape, may consist of any natural or synthetic material, namely, polypropylene or low density polyethylene (LDPE), sand, gel, beans, seeds, or any like material. The pellets may have a mid-point diameter of one-eighth of an inch and a length of three-sixteenths of an inch. An outer covering of material comprising a top piece and a bottom piece attached together at a side edge seam extending around said cushion covers the cushion. Spaced straps attached to the outer cover at the edge seam secure the cushion and the outer covering in place on the armrest with the bottom piece of the outer covering in juxtaposition with the upper surface of the armrest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, when considered in conjunction with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention sought to be protected.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the components of a first embodiment of the cushion of the elbow support attachment and a first attachment arrangement for the elbow support attachment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the cushion shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the cushion of the inventive elbow support attachment.

FIG. 4 shows in more detail the operation of one of the attachment straps shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a desk chair with the elbow support attachment of FIG. 1 installed on the armrests of the chair.

FIG. 6 is a close-up perspective view of the elbow support attachment of FIG. 1 installed upon the armrest of the chair, with the user's forearm resting thereon.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bottom of the cushion of the elbow support attachment showing another means for attaching the device to the armrest of a chair.

FIG. 8 is a view of a first attachment arrangement that can be used with the elbow support attachment cushion shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view of a second attachment arrangement that can be used with the elbow support attachment cushion of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a view of a third attachment arrangement that can be used with the elbow support attachment cushion of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing a first tension clip means for attaching the elbow support attachment cushion to the armrest of a chair.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a second tension clip means for attaching the elbow support attachment cushion to the armrest of a chair.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged side view of a pellet used in the cushion of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a mounting arrangement for mounting a cushion to a chair having a rigid tubular armrest.

DESCRIPTION

The inventive elbow support attachment comprises a support cushion and means for attaching the cushion to the armrest of a chair. FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing the components of the support cushion and a first strap arrangement to attach it to the arms of a chair. The cushion is designated by the numeral 1. Cushion 1 comprises a top piece 2 and a bottom piece 3 which are joined together at their edges by sewing or other appropriate means to form a sack that is filled with a plurality of smooth edge rounded polypropylene or low density polyethylene (LDPE) pellets 4. Top piece 2 and bottom piece 3 are made of material having elastic properties, such as polyester, lycra, spandex, cotton, or any combination thereof. The polypropylene or low density polyethylene (LDPE) pellets 4, in combination with the expandable fabric top piece 2 and bottom piece 3, provide a very pliable cushion 1 which molds to the shape of the armrest of the chair and to the user's arm, maximizing the stability of cushion 1 and the comfort provided to the user. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 2. Assembly of the cushion can be accomplished by attaching the edges of top piece 2 and bottom piece 3 together at their edges except for a small filler opening, through which pellets 4 are inserted prior to the opening being closed. While cushion 1 is shown in the drawings as being made with top piece 2 and bottom piece 3 comprising equal halves, the proportions of the two can vary, for example, with top piece 2 describing a larger portion of cushion 1 than bottom piece 3. Alternatively, the cushion can be made of a single piece of material attached together at its side edges, or can be formed as a one-piece sleeve with the ends closed by appropriate means such as sewing. In addition, the shape of cushion 1 is not limited to that which is shown in the drawings.

Polypropylene or low density polyethylene (LDPE) pellets 4 advantageously are somewhat oblong in shape, as is shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 13. The ranges of dimensions are a mid-point diameter (D) of one-sixteenth to three-sixteenths of an inch and a length (L) of one-eighth to three-sixteenths of an inch. The preferred dimensions are a mid-point diameter (D) of one-eighth of an inch and a length (L) of three sixteenths of an inch.

As shown in FIG. 3, an outer top cover piece 6 and an outer bottom cover piece 7 can alternatively be installed about the cushion 1. Outer top cover piece 6 and outer bottom cover piece 7 also can be made of fabric having elastic properties, or can be of non-elastic fabrics such as nylon, denim or neoprene, which provide more protection for cushion 1 and can be covered by decorative patterns. The presence of outer pieces 6 and 7 also facilitates the use of a number of different means for attaching cushion 1 to the armrests of chairs of varying types without compromising the integrity of the structure of inner cushion 1.

Further, the outer cover comprised of outer top cover piece 6 and outer bottom cover piece 7 may be openable so as to remove the inner cushion comprised of top piece 2 and bottom piece 3. This feature allows the outer cover to be more easily washed once the inner cushion is removed. The outer covers 6 and 7 may be closeable by any means known in the art. Such means may include but are not limited to: zippers, buttons, snaps, hook and loop mechanisms, or any other mechanisms currently or later known.

The manners of attachment of the elbow support to the armrests of chairs, which are described below, apply to both the basic single layer embodiment of cushion 1 that is shown in FIG. 2, and the alternative two-layer construction shown in FIG. 3.

A first manner of attaching the cushion is shown in detail in FIG. 1. This system comprises a pair of straps 9 and 10, each of which includes a toe section 11 upon which is one of the elements 12 of a hook and loop fastening system, that is, the hooks or the loops, a mid section 13, upon which is the other element 14 of a hook and loop fastening system, and an end section 15 which terminates in a loop 16 through which a ring 17 is passed. As shown in FIG. 1, mid sections 13 and end sections 15 are attached to cushion 1 by sewing them into the seam connecting top piece 2 and bottom piece 3 or, if so provided of outer cover pieces 6 and 7. FIG. 4 illustrates how the toe section 11 of each strap is passed through its respective ring 17 and then doubled back to engage the hook and loop fastening system. In FIGS. 5 and 6 the elbow support attachment is shown installed upon the upper surface of the armrest 20 of a desk chair by passing straps 9 and 10 around the armrests 20 and then securing them in place. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, an additional piece of hook or loop fabric 21 can be attached to the side of cushion 1 to secure long loose ends of toe sections 11 of straps 9 and 10, if need be. A non-slip pad may be interposed between the cushion and the armrest to prevent the cushion from moving during use.

Alternative embodiments of the strap construction are also within the scope of the invention. For example, a first strap section carrying the hook portions of a hook and loop fastening system can extend from one side of the cushion, to mate with a second strap section carrying the loop portion of the hook and loop fastening system. Another example is making straps 9 and 10 of one-piece construction and passing them through cushion 1 or through loops attached to the exterior surface of bottom piece 3 or, in the case of the two layer construction described below, through outer bottom piece 7. Straps with common buckle fasteners also can be used, as can separate straps that encircle the cushion and the arm of the chair upon which it is placed.

FIGS. 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 show the invention attached to a desk chair's armrest. As used herein, the term armrest can be broadly defined as a “secondary surface”. To that end, the present disclosure contemplates attaching the cushion 1 to any secondary surface. Such secondary surfaces may include: a shoulder strap, a mouse pad, a vehicle console or any other console, a keyboard tray, or any other surface where a user may benefit from applying the described cushion thereupon.

FIG. 7 shows the elbow support attachment in the form having an outer top piece 6 and an outer bottom piece 7. Attached to outer bottom piece 7 is a strip of fabric 22, which carries either the hook or the loop element 23 of a hook and loop fastening system. In FIG. 8, the other element 24 of the hook and loop fastening system is provided on two straps 25 which encircle armrest 20. A similar system is shown in FIG. 9, where a connecting strap 26 attaches the two straps 25 together. The system shown in FIG. 9 insures that cushion 1 can be positioned in a variety of locations on armrest 20. In both of these arrangements, the straps can be attached to the arm of the chair by their own hook and loop systems or, alternatively, can be held in place by gluing or adhesive tape. A third version of this system is shown in FIG. 10, where a single panel 25 or a plurality of panels carrying the mating hook or loop element is attached to the top of armrest 20 of the chair by gluing or adhesive tape, which attaches directly to strip 22.

Another manner of attachment is by means of tension clamps. As shown in FIG. 11, a tension clamp 30 has a pair of opposed upwardly facing spring-loaded clamping arms 31 and a pair of downwardly facing spring-loaded clamping arms 32. Upwardly facing arms 31 can directly engage cushion 1 or, as shown in FIG. 11, can engage a hard base 33 that is placed beneath cushion 1, or the downwardly facing tension loaded clamping arms can be attached directly to a hard base, upon which cushion 1 can be attached through any of the means described herein. This arrangement is particularly well suited to install the elbow support upon an armrest where structure inhibits the attachment of the aforementioned straps, such as those commonly found on stadium, theater, airline and other like seats. The arrangement shown in FIG. 12 utilizes a pair of downwardly facing tension-loaded clamping arms 34, which can be attached directly to cushion 1 by means such as sewing or passing through a loop. Clips 31, 32 and 34 can be made of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic.

FIG. 13 shows the use of smooth edge rounded polypropylene or low density polyethylene (LDPE) pellets in the size ranges set forth above contained in a sack of material which has elastic properties makes the inventive elbow support attachment very flexible, and therefore it can conform to a multitude of armrest shapes and sizes while still providing very comfortable elbow support for the user. The plurality of manners in which the elbow support can be attached allows it to be used with virtually any armrest style or shape. These factors also make the device easily installable and removable from the armrest upon which it has been placed.

FIG. 14 shows a rigid adapter plate 35 which may serve as an interface between a cushion 36 according to the invention and a tubular armrest 37 of a chair 38 (not shown in its entirety). This situation may be encountered with wheelchairs, in portable folding chairs, and with other types of seating. The adapter plate 35 may present an upwardly facing surface which is considerably greater in width along its length than the armrest 37. The length of the cushion 36 and its component parts will be understood to be that dimension aligned with the length of the armrest 37. Illustratively, the armrest 37 may be fabricated from tube stock of nominal diameter of one inch, whereas the adapter plate 35 may extend lateral reach along the armrest 37 to a lateral span of three or four inches. The three or four inch wide platform gives the cushion 36 a sufficiently wide rigid seat so as to enable the cushion 36 to present a generally flat, planar surface for receiving the forearm of the user when the adapter plate 35 is installed to the armrest 37. In the installed condition, the adapter plate 35 would abut the armrest 37 and be secured thereto by bolts 43 and 45 This both increases comfort, since the forearm may be supported over a considerably greater surface area than would be the case if the cushion 36 were mounted directly to the tubular armrest 37, and also stabilizes the cushion 36 which may be difficult to mount to a relatively small, circular tube. Preferably, the upwardly facing surface of the adapter plate 35 bears hook and loop fastening material 40 which releasably mates with corresponding hook and loop material 39 disposed on the underside of the cushion 36. The hook and loop fastening materials 39, 40 serve as attachment elements disposed to releasably engage the cushion 36.

The cushion 36 may comprise flexible wings 42 (one is concealed from view in FIG. 14) which project laterally from the body 44 of the cushion 36, the wings 42 extending along most of the length of the cushion 36. The arrangement providing wings 42 may include two separate wings 42 located on opposed sides of the cushion 36, or alternatively, may comprise a single panel of flexible material such as a woven or non-woven fabric, elastomeric sheet, or other flexible material which is fastened to the underside of the cushion 36, as is depicted in FIG. 14. The hook and loop material 39 may be disposed on the underside of the wings 42. In the absence of discrete wings 42, the hook and loop material 39 could be disposed on the underside of the cover 52 of the cushion 36, or of the cushion 36 itself in the absence of the cover 52.

The wing or wings 42 provide lateral support for the cushion and help to maintain the position of the cushion upon the armrest. It is contemplated by the inventor that the wing 42 structure shown in FIG. 14, and as described fully above, would have the same benefit when used with the cushion shown in FIG. 7. In the version shown in FIG. 7, the wing 42 would attach to the outside surface of the cushion in the same manner as described for FIG. 14. And in the case when only one wing is attached to the cushion, to better achieve the lateral support, the cushion 36 is positioned on the armrest so that the wing 42 contacts the inner surface of the armrest (toward the seat). In this position the cushion is able to withstand the lateral forces created when a user's arms move away from the body—as is typically the case in a seated position. When the cushion is utilized as shown in FIG. 14, for example with a wheelchair, a pair of wings on opposite sides provides the desired enhanced lateral support.

The adapter plate 35 may be fastened to the armrest 37 by the bolts 43, 45 which pass through holes 45, 46 formed in the armrest 37. The bolts 43, 45 may thread to holes 46, 47 formed in the adapter plate 35, or may thread to a raised boss (not shown) which may be formed integrally with the adapter plate 35 if desired. The bolts 43, 45 may be sufficiently large and secure so as to hold the adapter plate 35 rigidly in place on the armrest 37 in a manner which opposes rocking and other disruptions under conditions of ordinary use. The bolts 43, 45 and their corresponding threaded holes 46, 47 collectively comprise a fastener capable of securing the adapter plate 35 to the armrest 37.

The armrest 37 may be deformed to better seat the heads of the bolts 43, 45 by providing a non-arcuate surface. Deformation is indicated by valleys 48, 50 formed in the armrest 37.

Other than including accommodation of the adapter plate 35, the cushion 36 may have features of the cushion 1 for example. Illustratively, the cushion 36 may have an outer cover 52 comprising a slide fastener 54 for removal.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered a most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that it is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangement, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A cushioned support attachment for placement upon a secondary surface, comprising:

an elongated sack-like cushion made of material having elastic properties and having a bottom surface;

a plurality of smooth edge rounded pellets contained in said cushion; and

attachment means for securing said cushion in place on said secondary surface with said bottom surface of said cushion in juxtaposition with said upper surface of the armrest, wherein said sack-like cushion, including materials having elastic properties and together with said plurality of smooth edge rounded pellets contained therein, conforms to a shape of the seat armrest while providing arm support.

2. The cushioned support attachment of claim 1 wherein said elongated sack-like cushion comprises a top piece and a bottom piece joined together at their respective edges to form a cushion seam, and wherein the attachment means comprises a plurality of spaced straps attached to said cushion and adapted to be passed around said secondary surface and secured thereto.

3. The cushioned support attachment of claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises:

a hook and loop fastening system wherein one of the components of said hook and loop fastening system is mounted on said bottom surface of said cushion; and

a plurality of straps adapted to be passed around said secondary surface and secured thereto, said straps having the other of the components of said hook and loop fastening system mounted thereon.

4. The cushioned elbow support attachment of claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises:

a hook and loop fastening system wherein one of the components of said hook and loop fastening system is mounted on said bottom surface of said cushion;

a plurality of first straps adapted to be passed around said secondary surface and secured thereto in spaced relationship to one another, said straps having the other of the components of said hook and loop fastening system mounted thereon; and

a connecting strap spanning the space between said plurality of first straps and attaching said plurality of first straps to one another, said connecting strap also having said other of the components of said hook and loop fastening system mounted thereon.

5. The cushioned elbow support attachment of claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises:

a hook and loop fastening system wherein one of the components of said hook and loop fastening system is mounted on said bottom surface of said cushion; and

a panel attachable to said secondary surface, said panel having the other of the components of said hook and loop fastening system mounted thereon.

6. The cushioned elbow support attachment of claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises:

a pair of tension loaded arms extending from said bottom surface of said cushion in U-shaped relationship to one another, said arms being attachable to said secondary surface.

7. The cushioned support attachment of claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises:

a hard base panel supporting said bottom surface of said cushion; and

a pair of tension-loaded arms extending from said hard base panel in U-shaped relationship to one another, said arms being attachable to said secondary surface.

8. The cushioned support attachment of claim 1 wherein said smooth edge rounded pellets are oblong in shape and have a mid-point diameter in the range of one-sixteenth to three-sixteenths of an inch and a length in the range of one-eighth to three-sixteenths of an inch.

9. The cushioned support attachment of claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises:

a clip comprising first and second pairs of spring loaded arms extending in U-shaped relationship to one another, said first and second pairs of spring loaded arms being oriented in substantially opposite directions, said first set of spring loaded arms being attachable to said cushion and said second set of spring loaded arms being attachable to said secondary surface.

10. A cushioned support attachment for placement upon the upper surface of a secondary surface, comprising:

an elongated sack-like cushion made of material having elastic properties;

a plurality of smooth edge rounded pellets contained within said cushion;

an outer covering of material covering said cushion and having a bottom surface; and

attachment means for removably attaching the cushion and the outer covering in place on the armrest with the bottom surface of the outer covering in juxtaposition with the upper surface of the armrest, wherein said sack-like cushion, including materials having elastic properties and together with said plurality of smooth edge rounded pellets contained therein, conforms to a shape of the seat armrest while providing arm support.

11. The cushioned support attachment of claim 10 wherein said attachment means comprises a plurality of spaced straps attached to said outer cover and adapted to be passed around said secondary surface and secured thereto.

12. The cushioned support attachment of claim 10 wherein said attachment means comprises:

a hook and loop fastening system wherein one of the components of said hook and loop fastening system is mounted on said bottom surface of said outer cover; and

a plurality of straps adapted to be passed around said secondary surface and secured thereto, said straps having the other of the components of said hook and loop fastening system mounted thereon.

13. The cushioned support attachment of claim 10 wherein said attachment means comprises:

a hook and loop fastening system wherein one of the components of said hook and loop fastening system is mounted on said bottom surface of said outer cover; and

a panel attachable to said secondary surface, said panel having the other of the components of said hook and loop fastening system mounted thereon.

14. The cushioned support attachment of claim 10 further comprising at least one wing attached to said cushion.

15. The cushioned support attachment of claim 10 wherein said attachment means comprises:

a hard base panel attached to said bottom surface of said cushion; and

a pair of tension loaded arms attached to said hard base panel and extending from said hard base panel in U-shaped relationship to one another, said arms being attachable to said armrest.

16. The cushioned elbow support attachment of claim 10 wherein said smooth edge rounded pellets are oblong in shape and have a mid-point diameter in the range of one-sixteenth to three-sixteenths of an inch and a length in the range of one-eighth to three-sixteenths of an inch.

17. The cushioned support attachment of claim 10 wherein said attachment means comprises:

a clip comprising first and second pairs of spring loaded arms extending in U-shaped relationship to one another, said first and second pairs of spring loaded arms being oriented in substantially opposite directions, said first set of spring loaded arms being attachable to said cushion and said second set of spring loaded arms being attachable to said secondary surface.

18. A cushioned elbow support attachment for placement upon the upper surface of the armrest of a chair, comprising:

an elongated sack-like cushion made of material having elastic properties;

a plurality of smooth edge rounded pellets contained within said cushion;

an outer cover of material covering said cushion, said outer cover comprising a top piece and a bottom piece attached together at a side edge seam extending around said cushion, wherein said sack-like cushion, including materials having elastic properties and together with said plurality of smooth edge rounded pellets contained therein, conforms to the shape of a seat armrest while providing arm support;

a hook and loop fastening system wherein one of the components of said hook and loop fastening system is mounted on said bottom surface of said elbow cushion support; and

a panel attachable to said armrest, said panel having the other of the components of said hook and loop fastening system mounted thereon.

19. The cushioned elbow support attachment of claim 10, further comprising an adapter plate which may serve as an interface between the cushion and a tubular armrest of a chair, wherein the adapter plate comprises an upwardly facing surface which

is considerably greater in width along its length than the armrest, which extends laterally along the cushion,

presents a generally flat, planar surface for receiving the forearm of the user when installed to the armrest,

bears an attachment element disposed to releasably engage the cushion, and comprises a fastener capable of securing the adapter plate to the armrest.

20. The cushioned elbow support attachment of claim 19, wherein the cushion comprises an underside bearing hook and loop fastening material, and the adapter plate comprises an upwardly facing surface bearing complementing hook and loop fastening material.