Armrest and work machine

Abstract

Armrest for a machine with an armrest, a base element for attaching the armrest to the machine and a retaining element to which the armrest is attached, wherein the base element and the retaining element are detachably connected or lockable to one another by means of one or more connecting elements, in particular locking screws, and the retaining element is displaceable relative to the base element when the connection is released, characterized in that the armrest has a clamping element which is designed and arranged in such a way as to at least partially encompass the base element and the retaining element.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an armrest for a work machine with an armrest, a base element for fastening the armrest to the work machine and a holding element to which the armrest is fastened, wherein the base element and the holding element are detachably connected or lockable to one another by means of one or more connecting elements, in particular locking screws, and the holding element is displaceable relative to the base element when the connection is released, characterized in that the armrest has a clamping element which is designed and arranged in such a way as to at least partially encompass the base element and the holding element.

[0002] Work machines known from the prior art have an armrest with an armrest for supporting an arm of the operator of the work machine.

[0003] It is known from the prior art that the entire armrest or armrest is height-adjustable to ergonomically adapt to the body dimensions of the respective operator. Together with the other known options for position adjustment, such a conventional armrest has six degrees of freedom.

[0004] In a known design of a height-adjustable armrest, a base element with a vertically extending slot through which a locking screw runs is attached to the driver's seat of the work machine. The locking screw also runs through a holding element arranged on the base element. When the locking screw is tightened, the holding element cannot be moved relative to the base element. When the locking screw is loosened, the holding element can be moved relative to the base element. The locking screw is guided in the slot and can be moved up or down in the slot, whereby the holding element is also moved up or down. The holding element is thus arranged and / or fastened to the base element by means of the slot and can be adjusted in height.

[0005] The armrest's armrest is attached to the holding element, allowing the height of the armrest or armrest to be adjusted.

[0006] The locking or fastening of the holding element relative to the base element is carried out frictionally by means of the locking screw guided through an adapter plate and through the elongated hole of the base element, whereby the locking screw protrudes from behind through the adapter plate, the base element and the holding element and the frictional connection is established by tightening a locking nut, which is for example a cap nut.

[0007] If the locking nut is completely removed from the locking screw, the retaining element and thus the attached armrest can become completely detached from the base element, for example because the locking screw can fall out of the slot and / or because the retaining element can slip off the locking screw. In other words, the armrest falls apart. This is particularly disadvantageous for cables routed within the armrest, as these can be damaged. Likewise, a third hand is often required to reattach the retaining element to the base element, meaning that a second person is needed alongside the operator to reassemble the armrest.

[0008] The locking nuts are preferably designed as cap nuts and preferably have a “non-slip” contour that makes it easier to tighten the locking nuts.

[0009] There may also be several locking screws, which are arranged in the same way as described above for a locking screw and have at least the same function.

[0010] According to the current state of the art, the armrest's ability to disintegrate when the locking screw is fully opened is prevented, for example, by guiding the retaining element, designed as a guide rail, in a roller cage. However, this solution is complex and expensive.

[0011] Against this background, the present invention is based on the object of providing an armrest which is improved compared to the prior art, in particular one which is height-adjustable.

[0012] This object is achieved by the subject matter having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0013] Accordingly, the invention provides that the armrest has a clamping element which is designed and arranged in such a way as to at least partially encompass the base element and the holding element.

[0014] The connecting element(s) are preferably configured as locking screws. However, the present invention is not limited to locking screws as connecting elements; these merely represent one possible embodiment. If the invention refers to one or more locking screws in the following description, the disclosure is to be understood as encompassing other connecting elements as well.

[0015] A loosened locking screw is preferably understood to mean a locking screw that is not fully tightened and / or has been loosened.

[0016] Preferably, the clamping element at least partially encompasses the base element and the holding element, meaning that at least one region of the clamping element partially surrounds or clamps the base element and the holding element. The invention preferably also encompasses the case where the clamping element completely surrounds or clamps the base element and / or the holding element.

[0017] Preferably, the clamping element comprises an adapter plate and a bracket, in particular one-piece formed and / or molded thereon, wherein the adapter plate is arranged on the base element and the bracket at least partially encompasses the holding element. The bracket is preferably L-shaped and / or preferably has two prongs arranged parallel to one another.

[0018] Preferably, the invention solves the problem in a simple, robust and cost-effective manner by means of a bracket formed on and / or integrally formed on the adapter plate, which bracket at least partially encompasses the holding element.

[0019] It is preferably provided that the base element, the holding element and / or the clamping element are screwed together by means of the locking screw or the plurality of locking screws.

[0020] It is preferably provided that the locking screw or the locking screws are flat head screws with a square neck and / or a locking nut, in particular a cap nut with a star grip, is screwed to the locking screws, whereby at least the base element, the holding element and / or the clamping element are screwed together.

[0021] The locking nut can also be called a fastening nut or operating nut.

[0022] It is also conceivable that the locking screw or the locking screws each have a handle, wherein one of the elements, in particular the clamp element, has a thread for each locking screw.

[0023] Preferably, the base element has one, two or more elongated holes through each of which a locking screw runs.

[0024] It is preferably provided that the holding element has one, two or more openings, in particular bores, through each of which a locking screw runs.

[0025] It is preferably provided that the clamp element, in particular in the adapter plate, has one, two or more, in particular square, openings through each of which a locking screw runs.

[0026] The adapter plate preferably serves to improve frictional engagement, particularly due to the larger contact surface compared to the screw head of a locking screw, whereby the square, particularly rectangular, openings through which the locking screws run, in conjunction with the design of the head part of the locking screws, additionally provide a suitable form fit to prevent the locking screws from turning when tightening or loosening.

[0027] It is preferably provided that the holding element has a nose and the clamping element, in particular the bracket of the clamping element, has a recess, wherein the nose is arranged in the recess.

[0028] The recess formed in the bracket on the side facing away from the adapter plate preferably serves to accommodate a lug formed on the retaining element. This preferably ensures the precise positioning of the retaining element relative to the adapter plate. In particular, this ensures that the openings for the locking screws on the adapter plate and the retaining element are aligned. Preferably, the lug accommodated in the recess prevents vertical slippage of the retaining element, particularly when the locking screws have been removed from the retaining element.

[0029] Preferably, a locking plate is arranged on the clamp element, which is designed and arranged in such a way as to hold one, two or more locking screws extending through the clamp element in their position.

[0030] Preferably, a locking plate can be additionally attached to the back of the adapter plate to keep the locking screws in a "countersunk" position even when they are not held in position by the locking nuts.

[0031] It is preferably provided that the armrest has a spacer element which is arranged between the base element and the holding element.

[0032] The spacer element can also be called a spacer.

[0033] The spacer element preferably has no function related to height adjustment. The spacer element preferably serves to align the entire armrest symmetrically with respect to the driver's workstation, e.g., the driver's seat, especially if the seat has a second armrest on the other side.

[0034] It is preferably provided that the spacer element has one, two or more openings, in particular bores, through each of which a locking screw runs, wherein the base element, the holding element, the clamp element and / or the spacer element are screwed together by means of the locking screw or the plurality of locking screws and / or one or more locking nuts.

[0035] It is preferably provided that the bracket, which is in particular L-shaped, at least partially encompasses the base element, the spacer element and the holding element in the assembled state, so that falling of the holding element from the locking screws is reliably prevented even when the locking nuts are completely removed.

[0036] It is preferably provided that the holding element cannot be moved relative to the base element when the locking screw or screws are tightened.

[0037] It is preferably provided that the base element has a fastening section for fastening to the work machine, in particular to a driver's seat of the work machine.

[0038] It is preferably provided that the base element and / or the holding element has one or more recesses, notches, openings and / or bores through which no locking screw runs.

[0039] It is preferably provided that the holding element has one, two or more sleeves through each of which a locking screw runs.

[0040] It is preferably provided that the armrest, in particular the armrest, is height-adjustable by the displaceability of the holding element relative to the base element.

[0041] Preferably, a joystick is arranged on the armrest, in particular on the armrest.

[0042] Preferably, it is provided that one locking screw or one of the locking screws is arranged for fastening the armrest and / or the armrest can be pivoted with the axis of the locking screw as the pivot axis when this locking screw is loosened.

[0043] It is preferably provided that the base element, the holding element and / or the clamping element are sheet steel parts and / or stamped and / or bent parts.

[0044] The invention also relates to a work machine, in particular a wheel loader, with an armrest according to the invention.

[0045] It should be noted here that the terms "a" and "an" do not necessarily refer to exactly one of the elements, although this represents a possible embodiment, but can also refer to a plurality of the elements. Likewise, the use of the plural also includes the presence of the element in question in the singular, and conversely, the singular also encompasses several of the elements in question. Furthermore, all features of the invention described herein can be combined with one another as desired or claimed in isolation from one another.

[0046] Further advantages, features, and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the figures, in which identical or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals. Herein: Fig. 1: a perspective view of an assembly of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention. Fig. 2: an exploded view of an assembly of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention. Fig. 3: a side view of an assembly of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention. Fig. 4: a rear view of an assembly of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention. Fig. 5: a sectional view of an assembly of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention. Fig. 6: a perspective view of a basic element of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention. Fig. 7: a plan view of a basic element of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention. Fig. 8: a side view of a basic element of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention. Fig. 9: a side view of a basic element of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention. Fig. 10: a plan view of a blank of a clamp element of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention. Fig. 11: a perspective view of a clamp element of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention. Fig. 12: a plan view of a clamp element of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention. Fig. 13: a side view of a clamp element of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention. Fig. 14: a side view of a clamp element of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention. Fig. 15: a perspective view of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention. Fig. 16: a perspective view of a detail of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention. Fig. 17: a perspective view of an assembly of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention.

[0047] The Fig. 1 and Fig. The assembly of an embodiment of an armrest according to the invention shown in Figure 2 comprises a base element 1, a holding element 2, a clamping element 3 and a spacer element 4.

[0048] The spacer element 4 is arranged between the base element 1 and the holding element 2. The clamp element 3 partially encompasses or clamps the base element 1, the spacer element 4 and the holding element 2, as can be seen from Fig. 1.

[0049] The base element 1 has two vertically extending slots.

[0050] There are openings in the holding element 2, the clamp element 3 and the spacer element 4.

[0051] The holding element 2 has a nose 21.

[0052] The holding element 2 has two sleeves 22, each of which is aligned with an opening in the holding element 2. The holding element 2 also has a linkage 23, in particular for a gas spring. The gas spring is also linked to the armrest's armrest.

[0053] The base element 1, the holding element 2, the clamp element 3 and the spacer element 4 are arranged in such a way that an opening of the elements 2 to 4 and an elongated hole of the base element 1 are aligned with each other and a locking screw 5 runs through the aligned openings and the elongated hole.

[0054] A locking nut 6 in the form of a cap nut with a star grip is screwed to each of the locking screws 5.

[0055] The base element 1, the holding element 2, the clamp element 3 and the spacer element are screwed together by means of the two locking screws 5 and the locking nuts 6.

[0056] The clamp element 3 comprises an adapter plate 31 arranged on the base element 1 and a bracket 32. The bracket 32 ​​has a recess in which the nose 21 of the holding element 2 is arranged. The bracket 32 ​​is bent to encompass the base element 1, the holding element 2, and the spacer element 4.

[0057] The openings in the clamp element 3, through which a locking screw 5 passes, are square. The locking screws 5 each have a square shoulder on the screw head, which interacts with the corresponding square opening in such a way that the locking screw 5 is arranged on the clamp element 3 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0058] The openings of the holding element 2 and the spacer element 4 through which the locking screws 5 run are bores.

[0059] The base element 1 can be attached to a driver's seat of the work machine with its fastening section, which has a large recess and several holes.

[0060] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shows that a locking plate 7 is arranged on the clamp element 3 in such a way as to hold the locking screws 5 passing through the clamp element 3 in their position.

[0061] Fig. 5 shows the arrangement of the elements 1 to 4 and a locking screw 5 with a locking nut 6 in a sectional view.

[0062] In the Fig. Figures 6 to 9 show different views of a basic element 1.

[0063] The base element 1 has a thickness of 8 mm, a total length of 293 mm and a total width of 110 mm. The other dimensions of the base element 1 are given in the Fig. 6 to 9.

[0064] In Fig. 10 shows a blank for the clamp element 3. The blank is attached to the Fig. 10 dashed lines to create the bracket of the clamp element 3.

[0065] In the Fig. 11 to 14 show different views of a clamp element 3.

[0066] The sheet metal of the clamp element 3 has a thickness of 5 mm. The clamp element 3 has a total length of 147.6 mm and a total width of 50 mm. The other dimensions of the clamp element 3 are given in the Fig. 11 to 14.

[0067] The base element 1 and the clamp element 3 are made of structural steel with the quality S235 JR.

[0068] The Fig. The armrest shown in Figure 15 has an armrest 100, the height of which is adjustable by means of the height adjustment 200. The height adjustment 200 has the components described above.

[0069] The armrest made of Fig. 15 further comprises a joystick 300 arranged on the armrest 100, a tilt adjustment 400, a height and tilt adjustment 500 of a control handle, a longitudinal adjustment 600 for the armrest, a pivot function 700 with frictional or positive locking and a vertical pivot device 800 for the vertical pivoting of the armrest 100, for example for pivoting the armrest 100 back when getting in and out.

[0070] Furthermore, the armrest features Fig. 15 uses an inductive sensor 900 instead of a microswitch to improve quality.

[0071] The pivot point for the tilt adjustment 400 is marked with the star in Fig. 15 symbolically marked.

[0072] The movements of the armrest components enabled by the tilt adjustment 400, the longitudinal adjustment 600 for the armrest 100, the height adjustment 200 and the vertical swivel device 800 are shown in Fig. 15 symbolically represented with arrows.

[0073] In Fig. 16 primarily shows how the gas pressure spring 230 is hinged to the linkage 23 of the holding element 2 and to the armrest of the armrest.

[0074] In Fig. 17 shows how the locking plate 7 is arranged on the clamp element 3.

Claims

[1] Armrest for a work machine with an armrest, a base element for fastening the armrest to the work machine and a holding element to which the armrest is fastened, wherein the base element and the holding element are detachably connected or lockable to one another by means of one or more connecting elements, in particular locking screws, and the holding element is displaceable relative to the base element when the connection is released, characterized by that the armrest has a clamping element which is designed and arranged in such a way as to at least partially encompass the base element and the holding element. [2] Armrest according to claim 1, characterized by that the clamp element has an adapter plate and a bracket, in particular one-piece and / or molded thereon, in particular an L-shaped bracket, wherein the adapter plate is arranged or can be arranged on the base element and the bracket at least partially encompasses the holding element. [3] Armrest according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the base element, the holding element and / or the clamping element are or can be screwed together by means of the connecting element or the plurality of connecting elements. [4] Armrest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the connecting element or the connecting elements, preferably locking screws, are flat head screws with a square neck and / or in each case a locking nut, in particular a cap nut with a star grip, is screwed to the connecting elements, preferably locking screws, whereby at least the base element, the holding element and / or the clamping element are screwed together. [5] Armrest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base element has one, two or more elongated holes through each of which a connecting element runs. [6] Armrest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the holding element has one, two or more openings, in particular bores, through each of which a connecting element runs. [7] Armrest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the clamp element has one, two or more, in particular square, openings through each of which a connecting element runs. [8] Armrest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the holding element has a nose and the clamp element, in particular the bracket of the clamp element, has a recess, wherein the nose is arranged or can be arranged in the recess. [9] Armrest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat a locking plate is arranged or can be arranged on the clamp element, which is designed and arranged in such a way to hold one, two or more connecting elements running through the clamp element in their position. [10] Armrest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the armrest has a spacer element which is arranged or can be arranged between the base element and the holding element. [11] Armrest according to claim 10, characterized by that the spacer element has one, two or more openings, in particular bores, through each of which a connecting element runs, wherein the base element, the holding element, the clamp element and / or the spacer element are screwed together by means of the connecting element or the plurality of connecting elements and / or one or more locking nuts. [12] Armrest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the holding element cannot be moved relative to the base element when the connecting element or connecting elements are locked. [13] Armrest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base element has a fastening section for fastening to the work machine, in particular to a driver's seat of the work machine. [14] Armrest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base element and / or the holding element has one or more recesses, notches, openings and / or bores through each of which a connecting element runs. [15] Armrest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the holding element has one, two or more sleeves, through each of which a connecting element runs. [16] Armrest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the armrest, in particular the armrest, is height-adjustable by the ability of the holding element to be moved relative to the base element. [17] Armrest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a joystick is arranged on the armrest, in particular on the armrest. [18] Armrest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the one connecting element or one of the connecting elements is arranged for fastening the armrest and / or the armrest can be pivoted with the axis of the connecting element as the pivot axis when this connecting element is loosened. [19] Armrest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base element, the holding element and / or the clamping element are sheet steel parts and / or stamped and / or bent parts. [20] Work machine, in particular a wheel loader, with an armrest according to one of the preceding claims.

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