ARTICULATED CHAIR HAVING UNIVERSAL RECLINING ARMREST SYSTEM

• US 20100127550A1
• Filed: 11/27/2008
• Published: 05/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medical Technology Industries Incorporated (Medical Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Medical Technology Industries Incorporated (Medical Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baker, Jeff, Bradfield, Mike, Baker, Brad
• Granted Patent: US 7,862,123 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/411.210
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/02 Reclining or easy chairs supports for parts of body A47C7/36, A47C7/50, A47C7/54
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03 the parts being arm-rests conversion into a bed A47C17/12
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/54 Supports for the arms
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/543 movable to inoperative position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 15/02 Chairs with means to adjust position of patient; Controls therefor

Abstract

A universal reclining armrest system for use with an articulated examination chair. The system includes an armrest adapter having a universal aperture for receiving a post portion of an armrest assembly. The armrest adapter further includes a splined peg for coupling to a pivoting mechanism of an articulated chair. The pivoting mechanism enables the chair to move throughout an operable range of motion while maintaining a fixed rotational position of an attached armrest adapter. The armrest assembly further includes an adjustable joint to provide 360° of rotational adjustment to the armrest relative to the fixed position of the armrest adapter.

Claims

1. A universal reclining armrest system, comprising:

an articulated chair having multiple hingedly connected sections including a seat, and a backrest;

a pivoting mechanism pivotally coupled to a portion of the articulated chair, the pivoting mechanism including a cross-member that maintains a fixed rotational position throughout an operable range of motion for the articulated chair, the cross-member having a received portion adjacent to side of the chair;

an armrest adapter removably coupled to a receiver portion of the cross-member, the armrest adapter including an aperture; and

an armrest assembly including an armrest and a post, wherein the armrest is coupled to the post, and the post is adjustably coupled to the aperture of the armrest adapter.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a splined coupling between the armrest assembly and the receiver portion of the cross-member.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the armrest is an intravenous armrest.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the armrest adapter further comprises a retaining clip having a lip that compatibly engages a groove of the receiver portion of the cross-member to prevent undesired separation of the armrest adapter from the cross-member.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the aperture further comprises an open end that is intersected by a clamp screw, the clamp screw being tightened or loosened adjust a diameter of the aperture.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a joint interposedly coupled between the armrest and the post of the armrest assembly.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the joint comprises a base portion that is fixedly coupled to the post, and a top portion that is adjustably coupled to the base portion to provide 360°

of rotational adjustment to the armrest relative to the fixed position of the post and armrest adapter.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the joint is a weld.

9. A universal armrest system, comprising:

an armrest adapter having a peg portion coupled to a clamp portion, the peg portion having a coupling end for attachment to a chair, the clamp portion having an aperture; and

an armrest assembly having an armrest and a post, wherein the armrest is coupled to the post, and the post is adjustably coupled to the aperture of the armrest adapter.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the armrest is an intravenous armrest.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the coupling end further comprises a plurality of splines for forming a splined connection with the chair.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the armrest adapter further comprises a retaining clip for securing the armrest adapter to the chair.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the aperture further comprises an open end that is intersected by a clamp screw, the clamp screw being tightened or loosened to adjust a diameter of the aperture.

14. The system of claim 9, further comprising a joint interposedly coupled between the armrest and the post of the armrest assembly, wherein the joint is at least one of a weld, a ball joint, a ratchet, a screw, a swivel, a pivot, a hinge, a gimbal, a socket, a bearing, a roller, a set of gears, a clamp, a vise, a shock absorber, a piston, and a spring.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the joint comprises a base portion that is fixedly coupled to the post, and a top portion that is adjustably coupled to the base portion to provide 360°

of rotational adjustment to the armrest relative to the fixed position of the post and armrest adapter.

16. An armrest adapter assembly, comprising:

a peg portion having a first end and a second end, the first end including a feature to accommodate attachment to a chair; and

a clamp portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being fixedly coupled to the second end of the peg portion, and the distal end having an aperture, wherein the aperture includes an open end that is intersected by a clamp screw, the clamp screw being tightened or loosened to adjust a diameter of the aperture, the diameter of the aperture being selected to receive an armrest assembly.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the feature comprises a plurality of splines, and wherein the chair includes a receiver to compatibly receive the plurality of splines in any of a variety of orientations, thereby securing the armrest adapter in a desired orientation.

18. The assembly of claim 16, further comprising a handle coupled to an end portion of the clamp screw, wherein the handle permits rotation of the clamp screw relative to the fixed position of the clamp portion.

19. The assembly of claim 16, further comprising a retaining clip pivotally coupled to the peg portion of the armrest adapter, wherein the retaining clip interlocks with a compatible feature of the chair to secure the armrest adapter to the chair.

20. The assembly of claim 19, further comprising a compression spring interposed between the retaining clip and the peg portion, wherein the compression spring biases a lip portion of the retaining clip inwardly towards the feature of the peg portion.

21. The assembly of claim 17, wherein a selected orientation of the feature positions the armrest at a desired angle that is maintained throughout an articulation of the chair.